Packers Eagerly Begin Workout Program

[Zero2Cool]

by Jeff Fedotin, Packers.com
posted 03/21/2006

You must be logged in to see this image or video!

Colin Cole


The Packers' 13-week offseason strength and conditioning program has proven to be more popular than ever as almost the entire roster has participated since the sessions started on Monday.

"This is the most guys I've seen since I've been here," Aaron Kampman said. "I would imagine if you go back through the annals of Packers offseason, this is probably a record number."

Typically, a handful of veterans attend these 13-week programs, which all 32 NFL teams conduct. The Packers, however, have shown up in droves to meet the new coaching staff. Bouncing back from a 4-12 season has added further incentive to enter minicamps in peak physical condition.

"I'm ready to get this next season going," defensive tackle Colin Cole said. "Last year a lot of expectations weren't met for anybody here. And we want to get back out there and show what Packers football is all about."

For fullback William Henderson, the many participants has him reminiscing about the mid-1990s when players like Robert Brooks and Gabe Wilkins led the year-round conditioning push.

"It reminds me of the offseasons of old when we had 40-plus guys living in the area and we all had a great time during the offseason, hanging out, working out," Henderson said. "It's a great sign."

As part of the program, the players have begun using the weight room, which new strength and conditioning coach Rock Gullickson revamped by adding free weights and replacing some of the machines with platforms for deadlifts, hang cleans and other power lifts.

The renovated weight room reminds Kampman and Robert Ferguson of their respective college weight rooms at Iowa and Texas A&M. And Samkon Gado has been using a power-lifting routine all offseason.

"I like it a lot," Gado said. "(Gullickson) has a very similar philosophy to what I'm used to ... It's everything I've known."

Cole said the new platforms, weights and routine will make them better players.

"They've implemented a lot of new equipment to try and get us more explosive and, of course, quicker, faster and stronger," Cole said. "That's only going to benefit us as a team."

Since returning to Green Bay from Columbia S.C., Gado has benefited from the presence of Ahman Green. The 23-year-old has picked the brain of his fellow running back and one of the best conditioned athletes in the league.

"When it comes to working out and preparing, Ahman's the guy," Gado said. "He sets the standard."

Green has imparted that knowledge to both Gado and Noah Herron. In addition to stressing the "drive" the second-year players need to prepare for a 16-game season, Green guided Gado and Herron on how to increase their flexibility through post-workout Pilates stretching exercises.

"Ahman has been great," Gado said. "(He)'s kind of taken us under his wing."

Although the Packers' first minicamp does not start until May 5, that kind of teamwork bodes well for the season.

"The more we work together as a team, the more cohesive we'll be," Cole said. "And the more cohesive you are, the more you can rely and depend on the man next to you."

*** I liked this article. Encourgaging comments.

 

[route25]

Packers.com articles sometimes tend to paint an exceedingly rosy picture, but this is nonetheless very good news. William Henderson'e comments seem to suggest that a lot of team camaraderie was lost during the Sherman era. Hopefully MM can get it back.

 

[Zero2Cool]

Packers.com articles sometimes tend to paint an exceedingly rosy picture, but this is nonetheless very good news. William Henderson'e comments seem to suggest that a lot of team camaraderie was lost during the Sherman era. Hopefully MM can get it back.

Perhaps that is true. But I was only encourgaged by the quotes from the players.

 

[tromadz]

Since returning to Green Bay from Columbia S.C., Gado has benefited from the presence of Ahman Green. The 23-year-old has picked the brain of his fellow running back and one of the best conditioned athletes in the league.

"When it comes to working out and preparing, Ahman's the guy," Gado said. "He sets the standard."

Green has imparted that knowledge to both Gado and Noah Herron. In addition to stressing the "drive" the second-year players need to prepare for a 16-game season, Green guided Gado and Herron on how to increase their flexibility through post-workout Pilates stretching exercises.

"Ahman has been great," Gado said. "(He)'s kind of taken us under his wing."

I can picture Gado following Ahman around, asking him questions, annoying him. lol

good quotes in there, very good stuff. Hooray free weights.

 

[rabidgopher04]

I wonder if the new guys Pickett and Manuel are there. No mention of them at all and what they thought.

 

[bt_impaler]

I cannot believe the packers went this long without free weights. It's about time they build some power instead of d!cking around with * machines. Without free weights you can't develop the stabilizer muscles that you'll inevitably use on the field. This will help prevent injury and make us harder, denser, more explosive.

I have been very wary of our green coaching staff. I have also been very dissapointed with the rehiring of Kurt Shottenmheir - that guy is a waste of space who doesn't deserve to hold my jock for god sakes. What I do like about the new coaching staff, however, is that they seem to be transforming us into a blue collar, hard-nosed football team. And this weight room move is a leap in the right direction.

Thompson has been prudent in free agency, but he sure as hell dropped the ball on not signing Viniteri. Also, why not even give Jackson an offer? That guy was a beast who commanded double teams throughout the season. Imagine him and Pickett consuming O-lines. Just the thought forced me to change my underwear.

Looking foward to the draft. No way Farve's not coming back. And maybe it's the Kool-Aid talking, but I'm feeling optimistic about the upcoming season. Go Pack.

 

[CaliforniaCheez]

Bob McGinn of MSJ quotes McCarthy as saying the participation rate is 91%.

So who is not there?

Favre, Walker, and Carroll are obvious. I doubt he counted the NFL-E guys. Some new guys may not be there yet. Bubba is one of the Miami guys. Roman was not there but the reason is unknown. There are only a few others.

The few not there are attracting the wrong kind of attention.

 

[tromadz]

why the **** isnt carroll there? is he in jail?

hes still under contract, isnt he. thats reason #520 to hate him.

 

[TheStone]

Seems like some of the guys are already burning for the new season

or maybe it's just everybody whispering "CYA" because the new coaches
create little doubts in players heads of who is going to start. :twisted:

Anyway, it's great news.

 

[Buckeyepackfan]

Did I miss a paragraph?

Where does it say Carrol is not there?

Just because he isn't quoted doesn't mean he is not there.

Or has it been posted somewhere else that he isn't attending.

 

[GakkofNorway]

I missed that too....

 

[Bobby Roberts]

Thanks for the article reference!

There's good encouragement in those quotes from Henderson and the RBs. Just knowing the leadership that Green is providing to Herron and Gado proves his signing to be a very wise move. Both of those young RBs have a lot of potential and the key to seeing in on the field is solid leadership.

Sherman's teams always seemed to have good chemistry, but lacked solid leadership for some reason. I hope bringing the team together in the offseason will help build more good chemistry and bring the older guys up as leaders. This is a very young team that will struggle without a solid core.

As for changing to free weights, personally I think it's a great move. I actually like to lift on a yoga ball instead of a bench (unless I'm bench pressing). You can't lift as much weight because it is so much more difficult due to the balance factor, but you end up seeing much better returns IMO.