Notes: Offense plans to utilize debated cut block
By ROB REISCHEL and TODD ROSIAK
[email protected]
Posted: June 15, 2006
Green Bay - It's controversial. It's contentious. And even though it's frowned upon, cut blocking is not illegal.
It's a virtual certainty Green Bay's opponents will despise this philosophical change. But some Packers don't seem to care.
"Some people think it's dirty," center Scott Wells said. "I just think it's part of football. It's not dirty. The defense has just as good of an opportunity to defend it as you do to make the block."
Atlanta consultant Alex Gibbs was one of the originators of the cut block and used it for years when he was the offensive line coach in Denver. New Packers offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski, who was the offensive line coach in Atlanta last year, learned the finer points of cut blocking from Gibbs.
The technique is legal as long as a defensive player isn't engaged with another blocker. But it's been widely criticized because it leaves defensive linemen susceptible to injury.
In fact, in a game Jagodzinski coached last season, Carolina defensive ends Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker both suffered sprained ankles after being cut blocked by Falcons players.
Two years ago, Cincinnati defensive tackle Tony Williams suffered a broken ankle after being cut blocked by Broncos tackle George Foster. And Green Bay fans will never forget defensive tackle John Jurkovic suffering a torn medial collateral ligament after being cut by Dallas' Erik Williams in the 1995 playoffs.
"Sometimes it's part of the game. But sometimes it's total B.S.," Green Bay defensive tackle Colin Cole said. "Regardless of how you look at it, it's bad that they do it."
The Packers have worked on the technique during various drills this off-season. But because the risk of injury is so great, they won't cut their own players during training camp. So it won't be until the exhibition season that Green Bay's offensive linemen begin cut blocking during live action.
"It's a tough thing to get down," right tackle Mark Tauscher said. "You have to bring your feet with you or you can look pretty foolish. That's happened to all of us, and I'm sure it will happen again. But so far, I like it."
Roll call
Fullback William Henderson, safety Nick Collins and tight end David Martin were not in attendance at practice on Thursday, while cornerback Jason Horton sat out with a back injury.
Also, wide receivers Donald Driver and Rod Gardner returned, and safety Atari Bigby, who played in NFL Europe this spring, practiced for the first time.
Cornerback Mike Hawkins, linebacker Tim Goodwell and defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila returned from injuries.
By ROB REISCHEL and TODD ROSIAK
[email protected]
Posted: June 15, 2006
Green Bay - It's controversial. It's contentious. And even though it's frowned upon, cut blocking is not illegal.
It's a virtual certainty Green Bay's opponents will despise this philosophical change. But some Packers don't seem to care.
"Some people think it's dirty," center Scott Wells said. "I just think it's part of football. It's not dirty. The defense has just as good of an opportunity to defend it as you do to make the block."
Atlanta consultant Alex Gibbs was one of the originators of the cut block and used it for years when he was the offensive line coach in Denver. New Packers offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski, who was the offensive line coach in Atlanta last year, learned the finer points of cut blocking from Gibbs.
The technique is legal as long as a defensive player isn't engaged with another blocker. But it's been widely criticized because it leaves defensive linemen susceptible to injury.
In fact, in a game Jagodzinski coached last season, Carolina defensive ends Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker both suffered sprained ankles after being cut blocked by Falcons players.
Two years ago, Cincinnati defensive tackle Tony Williams suffered a broken ankle after being cut blocked by Broncos tackle George Foster. And Green Bay fans will never forget defensive tackle John Jurkovic suffering a torn medial collateral ligament after being cut by Dallas' Erik Williams in the 1995 playoffs.
"Sometimes it's part of the game. But sometimes it's total B.S.," Green Bay defensive tackle Colin Cole said. "Regardless of how you look at it, it's bad that they do it."
The Packers have worked on the technique during various drills this off-season. But because the risk of injury is so great, they won't cut their own players during training camp. So it won't be until the exhibition season that Green Bay's offensive linemen begin cut blocking during live action.
"It's a tough thing to get down," right tackle Mark Tauscher said. "You have to bring your feet with you or you can look pretty foolish. That's happened to all of us, and I'm sure it will happen again. But so far, I like it."
Roll call
Fullback William Henderson, safety Nick Collins and tight end David Martin were not in attendance at practice on Thursday, while cornerback Jason Horton sat out with a back injury.
Also, wide receivers Donald Driver and Rod Gardner returned, and safety Atari Bigby, who played in NFL Europe this spring, practiced for the first time.
Cornerback Mike Hawkins, linebacker Tim Goodwell and defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila returned from injuries.
