Rookies' Immediate Impacts: Progress

[TOPHAT]

The training camp reviews indicate the "immediate impact" progress of the drafted rookies is generally good news. The WSJ has a positive review, "Packers: Harrell Making Progress", about "sluggish" DT Harrell, quoting Nunn: "He's behind, there's no question about that. And he knows that. Being out a year has really set him back. But he's showing some really positive signs the last few days....He's certainly come back, and we're giving him more reps now because he's starting to get in shape. He's going to be fine. We're encouraged." RB Jackson progresses having shined in Family Scrimmage Night by excelling in pass catching skills & scoring a run TD. Jackson is "marathon man" in the preseason games to become an immediate productive starting running back. WR Jones is progressing well getting rave reviews with QB Favre comparing him to Sterling Sharpe. Safety Rouse shows "promise" with Coach McCarthy saying the rookie is "off to an excellent start" working at free safety having decent coverage, hard hitting, & special teams skills. OL Barbre progresses "impressing the coaches" & "holding up well" when filling in at left guard with the 1st team offense. WR Clowney gets mixed reviews with raw skills, but he has KR blazing speed exciting coaches & fans about an improved special teams. The sixth round rookies are "shining." LB Hall is "turning heads" with his transition to fullback & his special teams skills. LB Bishop progresses having inside linebacker & special teams skills. Kicker Crosby is impressive "challenging" veteran K Rayner for the roster kicking job. Finally, RB Wynn may find a niche as "both a goal-line and short-yardage threat." More reviews later.

Harrell: http://www.packerforum.com/index.php?name=Forums&file=posting&mode=newtopic&f=9

Jackson: http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=645080

Jones: http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=643605

Rouse: http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070731/PKR01/707310619/1951/PKR0205

Rouse: http://packers.scout.com/2/664658.html

Barbre: http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=643964

Barbre: http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com...20070808/PKR01/708080651/1057/PKR&located=RSS

Clowney: http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com...20070809/PKR01/708090546/1057/PKR&located=RSS

6th Rd: http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070810/PKR01/708100610/1989

Hall: http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=642424

Bishop: http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com...20070808/PKR01/708080651/1057/PKR&located=RSS

Crosby: http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=643581

Wynn: http://www.packerforum.com/index.php?name=Forums&file=posting&mode=newtopic&f=9

 

[Zero2Cool]

Nice work TOPHAT!

 

[Greg C.]

This is encouraging, although the real test is tomorrow night in Pittsburgh. The past two years, that first action against other teams (the scrimmage against the Bills in '05, the preseason opener against San Diego in '06) has been a rude awakening, and both years the poor play carried over into the regular season. The Steelers are a solid team who played well against New Orleans last Sunday, and they usually seem to have good depth. Let's hope the Packers can compete well with them.