Packers Back At Practice on Monday

by Brandon on Aug 10, 2010 7:00 AM CDT in Green Bay Packers Training Camp

- The Green Bay Packers rested on Sunday after their Saturday night scrimmage at Lambeau Field. They were back at practice on Monday, with two-a-days scheduled on Tuesday and Thursday. Those are their only practices open to the public this week. Their first preseason game is coming up on Saturday.

- Unfortunately there was some bad news reported after the scrimmage was over. LB Clay Matthews injured his hamstring. From Mike McCarthy:

Clay Matthews has a hamstring. I would estimate probably at least two weeks.

If there's a silver lining it's that he injured it last preseason but it did little to hold him back during the regular season.

- SpaceGhost34 wrote about it before I could. Bryan Bulaga is now practicing at left guard. From Mike McCarthy:

Bryan Bulaga, we felt to this point that he has earned an opportunity to compete for a starting position. Our intent throughout the spring and going into training camp was to work him exclusively at left tackle. I have been very impressed with his body of work to this point, and we’re going to give him an opportunity to compete with Daryn Colledge and Allen Barbre at the left guard position.

I'm surprised. I expected the Packers would remain stubborn and refuse to play him anywhere other than left tackle. What doesn't surprise me is that he's earned the right to compete because he's looked good in the brief clips I've seen of him, and the Packers haven't had an elite player at left guard since LG Mike Wahle left in 2005. I'm not sure why McCarthy felt the need to include Barbre because Greg Bedard doesn't expect he'll make the 53-man roster. Also, he expects OL Jason Spitz will become the "utility" backup at center and both guard positions, with Bulaga backing up at LT and LG. Overall it's not a big change, Colledge is still at the top of the depth chart, but Bulaga has stuck his foot in the door and now at least has a chance.

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Comments

CM3

I hope this doesnt set him back…He had the same injury last season and he turned out fine…Lets just hope everyone else can stay healthy until week 1

by SpaceGhost34 on Aug 10, 2010 10:51 AM CDT reply actions

+1

by Yankees10 on Aug 10, 2010 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions

Not a big deal. It's only 2 Preseason Games. He wouldn't have played much anyways.

Besides, it gives us a better chance to analyze both Brad Jones and Brandon Chillar. It’s be nice if Capers switches them around so we know how well they both line up against a TE and as a pass rusher. My hunch is Jones is the better Strong Side OLB, but with Clay being in there hopefully as the weakside OLB, we need to see how Chillar holds up.

"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi

by Jabooty on Aug 10, 2010 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed

I’m happy that we’ll get longer looks at Chillar and Jones, but also those even further down the chart.

by StephanL on Aug 10, 2010 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions

I Think he will be fine, It's mainly precautionary

Like Jabooty said more reps for Jones and Chillar.

by cheddarhead on Aug 10, 2010 2:43 PM CDT reply actions

Call me a pessimist...

But he had this injury during pre draft workouts, during the last preseason, during this preseason….and he only tweaked it this time shedding a block. I think this has the potential to become our very little “Percy Hervin migraine headache” merry-go-round.

I am NOT on the Packers Superbowl bandwagon…we are starting a rookie at safety against the monster passing teams Arizona, Dallas, Minny and Narleans…teams that ripped our defense apart last year. And now this to our top pass rusher Mathews. Not good.

I think the real story behind the Bulaga move is that he may not cut out to be a tackle.

by PackFaninFL on Aug 10, 2010 3:22 PM CDT reply actions

I think the real story behind the Bulaga move is that he may not cut out to be a tackle.

I think it’s more of a testament to his skill. Everything I’ve read or heard about him indicates that people seem to think he’s the real deal at LT.

by packallday555 on Aug 10, 2010 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree with you on that PAD…I’ve seen nothing to indicate he can’t cut it at tackle…that is just pessimism flowing out.

by TrevorR on Aug 10, 2010 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions

can the rookie REALLY do much worse than how our secondary did against those teams already though!?!?! I mean it was a passing clinic out there…

by TrevorR on Aug 10, 2010 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions

No, he can’t. Based on everything I’ve read regarding him I’d have to think he’s better then guys like Martin or Rouse. Who knows whether or not he’ll be better then Bigby, though I do have to admit it doesn’t seem likely that he will right off the bat.

by packallday555 on Aug 10, 2010 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Monster passing teams

Arizona lost Warner and Boldin — not the same team as last year. I don’t expect Favre to have the same type of year he had last season (assuming he is returning). Plus Harvin and Rice have some nagging injury issues. Dallas and NO are still concerning though.

by HankO on Aug 11, 2010 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions

That's what those teams are saying about us.

by the yooper on Aug 12, 2010 10:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Mathews, Bulaga, Burnett...

Mathews probably wont have the same “Migrane merry go round” as Harvin, just because our training staff is pretty smart with players…A migrane issue is a little different than a hamstring…Bulaga is making so much of an impression at backup LT that he has earned his opportunity to play…Not much else to speculate on there….And Morgan Burnett is making plays and just needs to show that he can make NFL tackles…Thats how i feel…

by SpaceGhost34 on Aug 10, 2010 8:32 PM CDT reply actions

Burnett

Needs to show he can make all the calls and adjustments as much if not MORE than making plays. We figured he could make the plays as that was his calling card in college. More important can he make all the correct play call and audibles effectively and efficiently to get everyone lined up on time… Then he needs to show that he can be an effective and sure open field tackler! As a rookie I could care less about making plays, I just wanna see him be able to make all the calls correctly and be a sure tackler! If he makes a couple plays beyond that its gravy!

Sounds like Newhouse is getting noticed at LT more so than OG. He has measurable that are better than Bulaga in terms of quickness and arm length. Maybe he turns out to be the LT and Bulaga is the LG or RT… He needs a good year, maybe 2 before his body is ready for that… Too soft and not nearly strong enough right now.. He was the LT at TCU and went up against Jerry Hughes (best pass rusher in the draft) everyday in practice… Never know we might have found an absolute STEAL in Newhouse!!!

by Strohman on Aug 10, 2010 8:51 PM CDT up reply actions

how coaches grade safeties...

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/How-NFL-coaches-grade-rookie-safeties.html

Just saw this on the right side…honestly the playcalling aspect doesn’t stand out to me as much as it does to you. Collins knows the playbook and the team much better and I am sure that is a role he’d be fine with taking care of.

by TrevorR on Aug 11, 2010 8:12 AM CDT up reply actions

I figured that Collins would take on that role… But there are going to be times where he will see things in his side that maybe Collins can’t see. And Burnett will have to change the call of Collins. I don’t think you can underestimate how important it is for him to be confident and authoritative in making the calls in those situations. From what I have seen in interviews he’s rather soft spoken. Burnett on the field can’t be that. He has to be confident and take charge!

by Strohman on Aug 11, 2010 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions

Not too rehash this, but it also needs to be remembered that the Safeties in Capers D has the playcalling responsibilities rather than the ILB. That puts just that much more emphasis on Burnett to call things correctly. Thats a responsibility that most Safeties, much less rookie safeties don’t have to worry about!!! But Burnett does…

by Strohman on Aug 11, 2010 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions

Why are we arguing about this?

Burnett is the starter right now because Bigby is injured. Case closed. Who knows when Bigby returns. If he’s gone half of the season in worst case scenario, and Burnett plays well, Burnett remains the starter. End of story, lets all move on. It’s not even a debate anymore because Bigby is injured.

"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi

by Jabooty on Aug 12, 2010 5:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Harvin...

Isn’t there something out there call Imitex? Or Treximet?

My kingdom for a spellchecker. Or Devin Harris. Hopefully both.
Fire KP! He forgot to turn off injuries in dynasty mode. - by Norsktroll on BlazersEdge

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Aug 10, 2010 11:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Imitrex

Sumatriptan, or whatever they’re calling it these days…

My mother took it for her migraine issues. While she hasn’t had one in a while, she still keeps some Imitrex on hand just in case.

My kingdom for a spellchecker. Or Devin Harris. Hopefully both.
Fire KP! He forgot to turn off injuries in dynasty mode. - by Norsktroll on BlazersEdge

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Aug 10, 2010 11:33 PM CDT up reply actions

there is something called...

Marijuana that is probably what he used to take for it though! :-)

by TrevorR on Aug 11, 2010 8:10 AM CDT up reply actions

Owned.

TrevorR, 1. Percy Harvin 0!

My kingdom for a spellchecker. Or Devin Harris. Hopefully both.
Fire KP! He forgot to turn off injuries in dynasty mode. - by Norsktroll on BlazersEdge

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Aug 11, 2010 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions