Tuesday Packers Practice: Raji, Sutton, and Montgomery
by Brandon on Aug 19, 2009 12:00 PM CDT
in Green Bay Packers News
23 comments
I know it's not QB Brett Favre news, but I'm sure some people (like me) are interested in what's going on with the guys who are currently wearing Green Bay Packers jerseys.
The practice schedule: there were two practices on Tuesday, Wednesday's an off day, two on Thursday, private practice on Friday, and then the Buffalo Bills travel to Lambeau on Saturday.
Reports from practice were rather subdued and distracted by all the Favre talk. But a couple things to note:
- The big news with DT B.J. Raji is that he's been practicing a lot. Although he missed about 12 practices due to his late signing, he's been playing in the 3-4 base defense and in the nickel defense (a 4-2-5 alignment). He's kept himself in shape and the coaches aren't holding him back. But he hasn't been blowing them away in practice either.
- We've been discussing why there isn't more talk about undrafted free agent RB Tyrell Sutton. I discussed a couple points in in the linked FanPost, but another problem is that he's not good at picking up the blitz, which is essential for a running back, especially a potential 3rd down back.
- One surprise last Saturday was that DE Michael Montgomery started at left end. I expected DE Johnny Jolly would start, but apparently he didn't because the coaches are still holding him back as he recovers from an ankle injury suffered early in training camp. Montgomery's played well as far as I can tell, he almost made another great play in practice on Tuesday, but at 273 lbs., he's the lightest player still considered a defensive lineman. What's so odd about Montgomery starting at left end is that position has usually been played by much bigger guys like Jolly (320 lbs.), Raji (337 lbs.), and DE Justin Harrell (320 lbs.)
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THANK YOU...
for getting back to non-Favre postings!
I have a feeling
we’re the silent majority on this! I’m with you…Okay maybe this is a bad analogy, but doesn’t Tyrell Sutton have that “little guy” toughness like a Warrick Dunn? For some reason, I see a little bit of Warrick Dunn in him…am I off on that?
by PackFaninFL on Aug 19, 2009 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions
Dunn was small
2008 might have been the end for Dunn, but it was an amazing 12 seasons for him. At 5’9" 187 lbs. he was unbelievably small. He should have never played in the NFL. He’s a tough comparison, although Darren Sproles is pretty similar to Dunn.
Sutton’s short (5’8") but around 213 lbs. I don’t know who I would compare him to. He’s not exactly little, just short.
As long as he does not get killed by a hit...
that low center of gravity might be part of the reason that he has looked hard to tackle this preseason.
hah!
nice
They want power, We want respect...
by SenorChuckles on Aug 19, 2009 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions
What's the theoretical depth chart at RB at this point in training camp?
My guess: Grant, Jackson, Lumpkin, Sutton, Wynn
Can anyone offer some insight?
"I’ll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." -Sheriff Melvin appoints Deputy Braun
That is an excellent question
Unfortunately, it also might be one that only the coaches could answer.
I have no particular insight but
I think it goes: Grant, Jackson, Wynn, Lumpkin, Sutton as of now. I heard that the coaches were really impressed with Wynn and want to get him involved a lot more. Personally I’d rather have Grant and Jackson carrying the ball but I’d like to see what Wynn can do.
Frye is honestly gotta be one of the top 10 3rd Stringers in all of the NFL right now--colbyb
Wynn is absolutely in the mix for PT
His skill set demands that he get a shot at touches, even if Lumpkin and/or Sutton have better injury histories.
"I'm so clean, cats think I sip Ajax."
Injury history
Correct me if I am mistaken, but I think Sutton may have a worse injury history— was that not one of the reasons that he was an undrafted free agent?
I thought it had something to do with his size
but I don’t know very much about him.
by Charlie Kelly on Aug 20, 2009 7:48 AM CDT up reply actions
Grant No. 1, obviously
But the rest will have to be sorted out in training camp. In order of appearance in the first preseason game it was Jackson, Wynn, Lumpkin, and Sutton. Maybe I’ve got Sutton and Lumpkin reversed. But this week I’ve read tweets that Wynn is ahead of Jackson. And maybe Lumpkin is banged up, again, he had a lot of injury problems in college which is why he went undrafted.
Raji
The problem with watching practice so intently is that it is impossible to know for whom to root. I mean, Raji going 0-2 versus Sitton is sort of a mixed blessing… if it had been the reverse, we would be unhappy about Sitton blocking poorly.
Anyhow, I am encouraged that Raji kept working out despite not being in camp on time— hopefully that will mitigate the harm of the holdout.
Sitton
I’ve read mixed things about him this training camp. Sitton hasn’t forced his way into the starting lineup like he did last preseason, but I couldn’t tell how he played during the first preseason game. Two reps during one practice isn’t really an indication of anything, but I posted it just to show that Raji isn’t Superman.
That's why I don't take much from camp
It’s hard because I’ll be happy Tramon Williams got his second pick in practice, but disappointed when I hear that they both came from Brohm. It’s hard to put much stock in preseason too as the Lions proved last year.
That being said, I’m pretty excited about our chances, I like that nobody is considering us and we’re flying under the radar like in 07. Now if only things can go our way in 07 unlike 08, I think we’re primed for at least a run at the division title.
by Charlie Kelly on Aug 20, 2009 7:52 AM CDT up reply actions
At RB I see Grant leading the way… He is the only RB that has done anything of note against NFL competition! Jackson and Wynn both have had “moments” in the sun. Personally, I would like to see Wynn get the #2 RB, but whoever is better is fine. Beyond them, I think Sutton has a definite leg up on Lumkin. Lumpkin was injured through his college years and has continued that in the pros. At least Sutton has been on the field, and he has been extremely productive, too. IF they keep 4 then Lumpkin is gone, if they keep only 3, it could be a difficult decision between Sutton and Jackson. I would guess Jackson has the advantage being a draft pick, but he will have to produce when given the chance… Sutton is making the decision alot harder then most people think!
I wouldn’t worry too much about Raji… Having missed all of camp until this week its going to be hard to standout. His technique is rusty and the OL he is facing have been hard at work on thier technique for the past few weeks in LIVE practice. No matter how good you are, you must be a good technician to succeed in the NFL.
More worried that Matthews still hasn’t gotten on the field! Or have I missed that?
No Matthews
I’m not worried about Matthews yet, but he can’t start if he doesn’t play at all this preseason.
As for me,
I’d like to 2nd-round pick Jackson as the number two, but only if he earns and deserves it, which is what I really want to see.
The glass is more than half-full.
I go to a lot of Northwestern games
and his big problem going into camp is that he’s going from two different systems. Northwestern runs a spread offense. Very rarely was he asked to block in blitz situations, as he was also waiting for an option toss or a screen play. That being said, I might be the only one not drinking the Lumpkin Kool-Aid.
"You just don't know understand how frustrating this is"- Kevin Borseth
Good point
Not that he can’t learn a new system, but an undrafted free agent has a big uphill battle whatever the circumstances. It sure doesn’t make it easier to have to adapt to a new team and league, and a new offensive system.
On the RBs
Perhaps the best way to assess who we most want to stay is to picture who we least want to see in someone else’s uniform, since that is something that could happen.
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