Packers Training Camp Resumes; B.J. Raji Is Still Unsigned
I can't wait to see 2nd year player Jeremy Thompson in his first action as a linebacker for the Green Bay Packers. From Greg Bedard's morning practice recap:
Jeremy Thompson showed his phenomenal athleticism during the deceptive period when he lept high into the air to nearly pull down a Brian Brohm screen pass. With his length and leaping ability, Thompson must have gotten the ball about 11 feet off ground. And he shot off the turf in a split second.
Also, backup TE Tory Humphrey broke his arm during the morning practice. He'll certainly miss the rest of training camp and he might be placed on I.R. because they can't wait and see. They'll need that roster spot. While his loss isn't a huge blow for the team, it's bad luck for Humphrey because it's his second major preseason injury in the last three years.
A big problem on defense last season that generally went unnoticed was the poor play of LB A.J. Hawk. He played through some injuries, so I've been willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. But injuries might not have been the problem. The No. 5 overall pick in 2006 draft might be just an ordinary player. From Greg Bedard's evening practice recap:
This may sound familiar, but the next big play A.J. Hawk makes in practice will be the first. While Desmond Bishop is constantly shooting gaps and trying to make plays, Hawk is still reading and reacting. He is seldom around the ball. He takes on blockers, but is easily turned around. It’s a repeat of last season when he was playing Mike after Barnett went down. On a DeShawn Wynn draw, Hawk could have exploded into the gap but took on Finley -- and lost. However, the coaches are still high on Hawk.
As far as I can tell, it's not DT B.J. Raji's fault he remains unsigned. There's a big gap between what the No. 7 overall pick and the No. 13 overall pick signed for. Normally slotting his contract between the two should get you the resulting contract. I pegged Raji, as the No. 9 overall pick, to receive $19 million guaranteed, but a Jags fan suggested the No. 8 overall pick, OT Eugene Monroe, should receive $22.8 million guaranteed. But all of them are frozen by the antics of the No. 10 overall pick, WR Michael Crabtree. If he manages to get as much as the No. 7 overall pick because they are both WRs, but Crabtree should have gone before WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (at least in Crabtree's mind), then Monroe and Raji might have made a mistake by signing before Crabtree.
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Raji
To Hell with him!!!!—Let him sit out all year….He has proved $0 value as an NFL Player and the Packers will get along fine without his ASS !! These cry-babies want 15-30 Mil “Guaranteed Money”?? FOR WHAT?? They have proved Nothing—The NFL needs to institute a policy of “Average Rookie Salary” for the first year and then IF they prove some value negotiate the long term contract…But only if they prove their Worth it !!
by Buddyruff on Aug 7, 2009 9:13 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I dunno about that...
I don’t think we should let him sit out a year. He is going to be a key part to our 3-4 defense. I agree with what you say about an average NFL rookie contract though. What Crabtree is doing in SF is absolutely ridiculous.
by packallday555 on Aug 7, 2009 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah--
You are right; I am just upset at these Rookies who threaten to sit out if they don’t get what they “think”
they are worth. The NFL is becoming like MLB; multi-million dollar contracts for cry-babies (Ruining the Game)!! I am not against a guy making a lot of money If he is worth it—But most are not.
by Buddyruff on Aug 7, 2009 4:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know
Exactly what your saying. I think it’s ridiculous when rookies hold out because they think their worth more. They should have to prove it first.
by packallday555 on Aug 8, 2009 3:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Desmond Bishop
I have said it before and I will say it again—-Desmond Bishop is a Pro-Bowl Player waiting to happen…He is worth a lot more than Raji and I hope someone in the Packers Organization realizes THIS YEAR he should be a starter—hands down !!! Much more talent than AJ Hawk—even sitting on the bench !!!
by Buddyruff on Aug 7, 2009 9:17 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Raji will be good. Pay him...
Unless he thinks he deserves #2pick money.
He Brandon I heard you say Harvin was small and might have strength/durability issues.
Well he is 5’11, but has a 38inch vertical and can catch almost anything. The 4.3-4.4 speed isn’t bad either and he can turn (change direction) on a dime. His playing weight last year with the Gators was around 205lbs. He also put up 225lbs 20-21 times at the combine so I think he is strong enough.
Go ahead give him no credit b/c he plays for a rival team. Record his lowest weight ever posted in 3 years at Florida, mention he is 5’11, but not the 38inch vertical. Oh yeah for as many touches as he had in Florida, in his entire college career, he never fumbled the ball once.
Bernard, Percy and AP oh my!
by VikesPma on Aug 10, 2009 4:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm not a fan of Harvin
It’s not just because he’s on the Vikings. I called last year’s trade for DE Jared Allen “a very good move” at the time. I praise the Vikings when called for, but Harvin’s a big risk.
He is small. Looking at the Vikings’ current roster of WRs, he’s one of the shortest. There are 6 WRs currently on the Vikings roster over 6 feet tall, and Harvin isn’t one of them. And he does have durability issues:
Has a long history of injury problems. While he may missed five games in three years, he was banged up and unproductive in several contests. In 2007, Harvin sat out two games with the flu, so his toughness is somewhat questionable.Also, he showed a lot of explosiveness in college, but I’m always leery of those guys because the college game is so different. Players that look big and explosive in college look smaller and slower in the NFL. Harvin could still turn out to be another WR Reggie Bush or WR Santana Moss type, but it’s more likely that he’ll become another of the many undersized college stars that never makes it in the NFL.
by Brandon on Aug 10, 2009 11:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I see
Harvin being the next Hester… explosive on ST’s but really no position. As Hester was never a good CB and hes still is not a true WR. I think Harvin can become a good WR but not now.. Right now I see him just being a good returner.
by bizzle4 on Aug 11, 2009 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

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