Heatherthepackgirl
Cheesehead
By GREG A. BEDARD
gbedard@journalsentinel.com
Posted: May 20, 2008
Ruvell Martin wasn't surprised that the Packers brought in more receivers.
Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy apparently liked what he saw in his "Big Five" set, which featured - you guessed it - five wide receivers last season.
The Packers will have 12 receivers on Ray Nitschke Field this morning when the 2008 squad makes its public debut in the first open session of organized team activities. And one of the most heated competitions through the end of training camp will surely ensue.
"My job is not going to be easy, no matter what," said Ruvell Martin, one of five receivers back from the 2007 53-man roster. "If I'm not getting it done then they're going to find somebody to replace me, whether it's via the draft or somewhere else."
It's hard to say that Martin didn't get the job done last season. Of his 16 catches, all but one went for a first down. The other was a 7-yard gain on first down.
Martin's reward was watching the Packers spend their first draft pick (a second-rounder) on former Kansas State receiver Jordy Nelson. The Packers then finished the two-day draft by taking Brett Swain out of San Diego State.
"I'm not really surprised," Martin said. "I mean, they have to draft somebody. According to them they draft the best player available and they felt that it was a wide receiver."
Nelson's arrival already caused the end of Koren Robinson's run with the Packers, a move that Greg Jennings said he was "shocked" to hear.
"I really thought he made progress last year and into the off-season," Jennings said. "I was looking forward to him being back with us. But that's the nature of the business."
The competition to keep off the unemployment line should be intense. Veterans Jennings, Donald Driver and James Jones, along with Nelson, should be safe. That leaves two, possibly three spots for the other eight players to fight for.
In that group is Johnny Quinn, who signed with the team in January after a workout. The athletic former North Texas standout went through this same dance last season with the Buffalo Bills and was out even before training camp started.
"Hopefully I can make my mark with special teams as well," Quinn said. "I did everything in college. I was even the holder on kicks. (The Packers) want to see what I can do at flier (on punt coverage) so I'm excited for that."
Others in the competition are returning players Shaun Bodiford and Chris Francies, and undrafted free agents Jake Allen, Rod Harper and Taj Smith.
With so many numbers at the position, the players know that opportunities won't be plentiful.
"That's something the coaches have to deal with," Martin said. "All I can do is do well when I get my opportunity."
That means the pressure will be on with each pass. Never mind that the season opener is more than four months away.
"The reps are going to go down, obviously, with the numbers," Quinn said. "Absolutely when I get in, I want to go full speed and know my assignment. But I'm looking forward to it. I'm ready to compete right now."
Harrell sidelined again: Defensive tackle Justin Harrell will miss the team's off-season practices for the second straight year.
According to the team's Web site, Harrell has a back injury that will sideline him along with cornerback Will Blackmon (foot) and defensive tackle Johnny Jolly (shoulder) for the entire four-week workout session. However, according to the site, "all three should be cleared for the start of training camp."
Blackmon and Jolly were expected to be out. Harrell, whose recovery from a torn bicep tendon kept him out last year, was not. He bothered by knee and ankle injuries last season, so this is likely a new injury.
General manager Ted Thompson was traveling and not available for comment.
Also, defensive linemen Daniel Muir (pectoral muscle) and Colin Cole (forearm), defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (knee), linebacker Abdul Hodge (knee), fullback John Kuhn (groin), offensive lineman Cameron Stephenson (calf) and tight end Tory Humphrey (ankle) will not initially participate but are expected to do so at some point.
gbedard@journalsentinel.com
Posted: May 20, 2008
Ruvell Martin wasn't surprised that the Packers brought in more receivers.
Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy apparently liked what he saw in his "Big Five" set, which featured - you guessed it - five wide receivers last season.
The Packers will have 12 receivers on Ray Nitschke Field this morning when the 2008 squad makes its public debut in the first open session of organized team activities. And one of the most heated competitions through the end of training camp will surely ensue.
"My job is not going to be easy, no matter what," said Ruvell Martin, one of five receivers back from the 2007 53-man roster. "If I'm not getting it done then they're going to find somebody to replace me, whether it's via the draft or somewhere else."
It's hard to say that Martin didn't get the job done last season. Of his 16 catches, all but one went for a first down. The other was a 7-yard gain on first down.
Martin's reward was watching the Packers spend their first draft pick (a second-rounder) on former Kansas State receiver Jordy Nelson. The Packers then finished the two-day draft by taking Brett Swain out of San Diego State.
"I'm not really surprised," Martin said. "I mean, they have to draft somebody. According to them they draft the best player available and they felt that it was a wide receiver."
Nelson's arrival already caused the end of Koren Robinson's run with the Packers, a move that Greg Jennings said he was "shocked" to hear.
"I really thought he made progress last year and into the off-season," Jennings said. "I was looking forward to him being back with us. But that's the nature of the business."
The competition to keep off the unemployment line should be intense. Veterans Jennings, Donald Driver and James Jones, along with Nelson, should be safe. That leaves two, possibly three spots for the other eight players to fight for.
In that group is Johnny Quinn, who signed with the team in January after a workout. The athletic former North Texas standout went through this same dance last season with the Buffalo Bills and was out even before training camp started.
"Hopefully I can make my mark with special teams as well," Quinn said. "I did everything in college. I was even the holder on kicks. (The Packers) want to see what I can do at flier (on punt coverage) so I'm excited for that."
Others in the competition are returning players Shaun Bodiford and Chris Francies, and undrafted free agents Jake Allen, Rod Harper and Taj Smith.
With so many numbers at the position, the players know that opportunities won't be plentiful.
"That's something the coaches have to deal with," Martin said. "All I can do is do well when I get my opportunity."
That means the pressure will be on with each pass. Never mind that the season opener is more than four months away.
"The reps are going to go down, obviously, with the numbers," Quinn said. "Absolutely when I get in, I want to go full speed and know my assignment. But I'm looking forward to it. I'm ready to compete right now."
Harrell sidelined again: Defensive tackle Justin Harrell will miss the team's off-season practices for the second straight year.
According to the team's Web site, Harrell has a back injury that will sideline him along with cornerback Will Blackmon (foot) and defensive tackle Johnny Jolly (shoulder) for the entire four-week workout session. However, according to the site, "all three should be cleared for the start of training camp."
Blackmon and Jolly were expected to be out. Harrell, whose recovery from a torn bicep tendon kept him out last year, was not. He bothered by knee and ankle injuries last season, so this is likely a new injury.
General manager Ted Thompson was traveling and not available for comment.
Also, defensive linemen Daniel Muir (pectoral muscle) and Colin Cole (forearm), defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (knee), linebacker Abdul Hodge (knee), fullback John Kuhn (groin), offensive lineman Cameron Stephenson (calf) and tight end Tory Humphrey (ankle) will not initially participate but are expected to do so at some point.
