Lawrence Guy » Packer Update

Ex-Steeler Completes Practice Squad

Posted by Michael Rodney at 7:08 pm 3 Responses »

Sep 032012

Offensive lineman Chris Scott (right) played in 2 games for Pittsburgh last season

The Green Bay Packers completed their practice squad by signing offensive lineman Chris Scott. The former Tennessee star was selected by Pittsburgh in the fifth round of the 2010 draft. He played in only two games for the Steelers – battling injuries, weight and inconsistency. He was released over the weekend.

At his post-practice press conference on Monday, Coach Mike McCarthy said that Scott played his best game of the preseason last week. So I decided to take a look. The 25-year-old played right guard in the second half against the Panthers. What I saw was a huge man who lumbered in space. He also wasn’t very physical and he didn’t finish blocks like someone his size should. He was more impressive in pass protection, but he was also going up against deep reserves – many of whom are no longer in the league.

One half of one game isn’t much of a sample, but Scott didn’t strike me as a player with a long-term future in Green Bay. In fact, I was much more impressed with Ray Dominguez, who was waived by the team a few days ago after reaching an injury settlement. The fact that Scott was let go by the Steelers is also a bright red flag. That organization simply doesn’t make a lot of mistakes when it comes to personnel.

Here’s a look at the seven familiar faces who make up the rest of this season’s “B” team:

DIONDRE BOREL – The young wide receiver had bigger aspirations than spending another season on the practice squad when training camp started, but he got injured, dropped too many passes and was ultimately outplayed by undrafted rookie Jarrett Boykin. The converted quarterback from Utah State is still learning how to play the position, and the Packers still think there’s something worth developing. I agree.

BRANDON BOSTICK – He was the only tight end to stay healthy this summer, and he took advantage of his unexpectedly high number of snaps. The former college wide receiver will need to get stronger if he’s going to be able to block adequately at this level, but his athleticism and hands are already NFL caliber.

B.J. COLEMAN – The young quarterback has good size, plenty of confidence and a strong arm, but his accuracy will need to improve if he’s going to make it in the NFL. That could come with improved technique – something the coaches will undoubtedly be working on for the next 12 months. It would be a surprise if he’s not a much better player next summer – perhaps improved enough to win the backup job.

ANDREW DATKO – He was starting to show some improvement prior to suffering a concussion that ended his camp. He’ll now have plenty of time to work on his technique and to strengthen his shoulder. I’m not sure if he’s athletic enough to start in the NFL, but he certainly has the skills to be an effective swing tackle.

LAWRENCE GUY – The sixth spot on the D-line was his for the taking, but he didn’t play well enough to beat out Phillip Merling. He has talent, but there just seems to be something missing. It doesn’t hurt to keep him around for another year, but I’d be surprised if next summer ends any differently than this summer.

MARC TYLER – The young running back talked about losing weight and increasing his speed while on the practice squad. That makes sense because it’s very hard to have a future at this position when you’re slower than most linebackers. Another option would be to put on some pounds and become a fullback.

GREG VAN ROTEN – Not many players go from the Ivy League to the National Football League, but that’s exactly what he did. Size will be his biggest problem at this level. At 303, he’s about 15 pounds lighter than most guards. That’s why I could see him moving to center at some point in the future. The Packers need to develop a player behind Jeff Saturday, and GVR’s measurables are more suited to that position.

Fake Game Has Real Implications

Posted by Michael Rodney at 9:39 am 6 Responses »

Aug 302012

Undrafted rookie offensive lineman Don Barclay is closing in on a roster spot

The Green Bay Packers will conclude the exhibition season tonight against the Chiefs. There’s little reason for the starters to play or for fans to watch. But if you do decide to spend three hours in front of the tube or in the stadium, here are 10 players to keep an eye on. Tonight’s game could be their Super Bowl.

OL DON BARCLAY - The coaching staff seems to think he can function at tackle – even though most scouts projected him solely as an inside player. The more he can do, the better his chances to stick on the final roster.

WR DIONDRE BOREL - Thompson probably doesn’t want to give up on Borel just yet, but the former quarterback is running out of time to prove his worth. He needs to make some plays on offense and/or special teams.

TE BRANDON BOSTICK - Started training camp as the longest of long shots, but he’s made some athletic plays, and just as importantly, he’s been accountable. A spot on the practice squad is a real possibility.

DE LAWRENCE GUY - He’s improved a bit each week, but he’s still no better than seventh or eighth in the pecking order. He’ll need to really stand out if he wants to avoid a trip to the practice squad.

QB GRAHAM HARRELL – His spot on the roster is probably secure, but a poor performance could force GM Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy to do what they don’t want to do – explore other options.

LB TERRELL MANNING - Thompson very rarely gives up on draft picks this soon, but Manning has been as quiet as a mouse all summer. He needs to make some noise to ensure he’ll still be around on the weekend.

S JERRON McMILLIAN - A mistake-free game should earn him the nickel/dime safety position. A mental mistake or two could open the door for M.D. Jennings to reclaim the job he was handed in the spring.

RB BRANDON SAINE – He needs to force Thompson to either dump projected starter James Starks or carry a fourth running back. He can do that by running hard, catching a few passes and protecting well.

CB SAM SHIELDS - He’s looked better lately, but he’s not close to where he was at the end of the ’10 season. The coaches are looking for a reason to play him over Bush at right corner. He needs to give them one.

OL REGGIE WELLS – With Evan Dietrich-Smith expected to back up at center and both guard positions, Wells needs to prove that he could play tackle in an emergency. He should get that chance tonight.

Likes And Dislikes From Practice

Posted by Michael Rodney at 12:17 am 17 Responses »

Aug 032012

Third-year safety Morgan Burnett is having an outstanding training camp

GREEN BAY- Here are my 7 likes and dislikes from Thursday’s practice (the first I’ve seen in person this summer):

1) I liked watching a young quarterback who can really sling the ball. Seventh-round pick B.J. Coleman has a lot to learn and his accuracy is hit or miss, but his physical skills are obvious. Mike McCarthy has made decent quarterbacks out of players with a lot less ability.

2) I liked watching second-year running back Alex Green turn it loose. He doesn’t look like a player less than nine months removed from major knee surgery. He’s going to make an impact this season.

3) I liked watching the right side of the offensive line dominate. A completely healthy Josh Sitton looks as good as ever and Bryan Bulaga looks like he’s ready to go from being very good to being great.

4) I liked watching the energy defensive lineman Daniel Muir and cornerback Davon House bring to the defense. That side of the ball often looked like the walking dead last season. They often played that way too.

5) I liked watching three-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker Clay Matthews hustle all over the field like a free agent trying to make the team. That’s why he’s so special. Of course, the immense natural talent also helps a bit.

6) I liked watching Dezman Moses get physical with running backs. I’m still not sure if he has the physical skills to ever be a starter, but he’s a better prospect than Vic So’oto, last summer’s rookie sensation.

7) I liked watching safety Morgan Burnett mature before my very eyes. This isn’t the same timid player who often went unnoticed on the practice field a year ago. This player appears destined for big things.

1) I disliked watching new No. 2 quarterback Graham Harrell too often settle for check downs when wide receivers were open down the field. He’s definitely improved from a year ago, but he’s nowhere near as impressive as Matt Flynn was in his third training camp.

2) I disliked watching undersized right defensive ends C.J. Wilson and Jerel Worthy get pushed around at times. Offenses are going to run a lot to the left against the Packers, and there’s a good chance they’ll find success. It would be nice to see Lawrence Guy step up. He has ideal size for the position.

3) I disliked watching backup right guard Ray Dominguez leave practice with an ankle injury. The offensive line was extremely thin even before arguably the group’s seventh-best player got carted off the field.

4) I disliked watching inside linebacker A.J. Hawk continue to hold down a starting position. He gives 100%, but he’s exactly the type of marginal veteran player that coaches are almost always looking to replace.

5) I disliked watching cornerback Sam Shields struggle to defend some of the same receivers he blanketed two summers ago. He wasn’t bad, but he’s definitely a young player who needs a boost in confidence.

6) I disliked watching the coaches waste precious snaps on Jarrett Bush at right corner. He’s not the answer, and based on what I saw, Shields, House and rookie Casey Hayward need all the reps they can get.

7) I didn’t like watching practice come to an end. There’s few better things to do on a beautiful summer night than watch the Packers play – even when it’s against themselves. Family Night should be a real blast!

D-line Still Comes Up Short In Base

Posted by Michael Rodney at 7:41 am 18 Responses »

May 102012

Rookie Worthy is another undersized defensive end

Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Anthony Hargrove for 8 games last week for his part in the Saints bounty scandal, and just like that the Packers are in danger of lacking sufficient depth on the defensive line for the second year in a row. As of now, Ryan Pickett, B.J. Raji and second-round pick Jerel Worthy figure to be the starters when the season opens in September, with C.J. Wilson, Jarius Wynn, Daniel Muir, Lawrence Guy, Johnny Jones and fourth-round pick Mike Daniels fighting for backup spots.

That’s not exactly a plethora of talent. So unless one or two of the young returnees make great strides in the next few months, general manager Ted Thompson would be wise to get on the phone and see if he can procure a proven veteran to, at the very least, help out until either Mike Neal returns from his own suspension (for PEDs) in week 5 or until Hargrove re-emerges sometime in November. If not, we could be in store for more Wynn and Wilson in 2012.

Besides a lack of depth, there’s one other thing that sticks out about the current group of defensive linemen. Besides Guy and Jones – neither of whom was on the active roster for a single game in 2011 – there’s not a legitimate 3-4 end to be found. In fact, the last legitimate 3-4 end to play for the Packers was Johnny Jolly. The former Texas A&M star and current inmate had the prototypical size (6’4, 325) and power to do what 3-4 ends are supposed to do – stuff the run and disrupt passing lanes. Remember how tough it was to move the ball on the ground against the defense in ’09? Remember how many balls were batted down at the line of scrimmage? A lot of that was due to Jolly’s presence.

Raji and Worthy would make a great 1-2 punch at tackle in a 4-3, but I don’t love either one at end in a 3-4. Raji’s best season as a pro came in 2010, which was not coincidentally the one season he played nose tackle. The further he gets away from the football, the less effective he becomes. As for Worthy, his struggles with double teams and penchant for wearing down will only be exacerbated at end. Wilson, Wynn and Daniels are also better suited to play tackle in a 4-3.

Thompson could’ve added a more prototypical 3-4 end in round two, but he chose Worthy over Devon Still, the former Penn State standout who stands nearly three inches taller and played the run far more consistently in college. But Still isn’t much of a pass rusher, and after watching Wynn, Wilson, an overused Raji and an injured Neal feebly attempt to rush the QB in 2011, it’s obvious Thompson’s No. 1 priority this offseason was to add players who could create pressure in obvious passing situations. Worthy and Daniels should be able to do just that. Thompson couldn’t solve all the problems on defense in one offseason. Ideally, he’ll be able to beef up the base with the 32nd pick next April.

Which Soph Will Step Up For Pack?

Posted by Michael Rodney at 11:39 am 18 Responses »

Apr 092012

Smith is one of a number of young players who could step up next season

Smith is one of a number of second-year players that could step up for the Packers in 2012

A couple of things absolutely must happen if the Packers are going to improve on defense in 2012. One, general manager Ted Thompson must come up with an impact player in this month’s draft. And two, B.J. Raji and Tramon Williams must bounce back from disappointing seasons. Another thing that would really help – but isn’t as essential or as likely – is for one or two of last year’s little-used rookies to become contributors.

It’s impossible to know in early April whether the draft will produce another Clay Matthews or whether Raji and Williams will return to their 2010 form, but after re-watching all four preseason games from last season, it isn’t impossible to take a crack at predicting which second-year players might be ready to make a name for themselves. So with no further adieu, here are my top five young defenders to watch:

1) D.J. SMITH – Last year’s sixth-round pick started three games at inside linebacker and there was little, if any, dropoff at the position. The former Appalachian State star proved to be a breath of fresh air on a defensive unit that stunk to high heaven in 2011. Along with solid production (27 total tackles, 1 interception and 1 pass defensed), he brought quickness, physicality and energy to an otherwise slowish, soft and sluggish unit. Of course, Smith was far from perfect. He missed some assignments and he over pursued the ball too often. Still, he did enough good things to make many fans and members of media question why A.J. Hawk and his bloated base salary ($4.7M) are still around.

2) JAMARI LATTIMORE – Fellow rookie Vic So’oto got all the headlines last summer, but I liked Lattimore better from day one. The undrafted free agent from Middle Tennessee State was too small (6’2, 230) to be used at outside linebacker as a rookie, but he did enough good things to stick around on the 53-man roster all season. With a frame that probably won’t be able to carry more than 240 pounds, it wasn’t a shock to hear coach Mike McCarthy mention the possibility of giving Lattimore a look inside during the upcoming mini-camps and OTAs. His size wouldn’t be quite as big (pardon the pun) an issue there and he’d certainly be better in coverage than any of the returning vets.

3) LAWRENCE GUY - It’s easy to forget that last year’s second seventh-round pick is still on the team. That’s because the former Arizona State star suffered a concussion early in camp and was never heard from again. Guy looks the part of a 3-4 end, and he played like a legitimate prospect as a sophomore. He showed enough strength to hold the point against the run and enough quickness to be disruptive as a pass rusher. But he really struggled as a junior and then shocked everybody by coming out early. Because of the lack of depth at this position, he’ll be given every opportunity to make the team. Whether he’s still around in the fall will depend on which Guy shows up in the summer.

4) M.D. JENNINGS – Even diehard fans were surprised when the undrafted free agent from Arkansas State made the 53-man roster, but they shouldn’t have been. Jennings made plays on a daily basis in practice and he was always around the ball in the preseason games. He never challenged a struggling Charlie Peprah for playing time at safety because he lacked the size and strength needed to play from scrimmage at this level. The coaches would like him to report to training camp at between 195 and 200 pounds after finishing last season under 190. Jennings has a chance to overcome his lack of size and his small college background because he has very good insticts and a real feel for the game.

5) BRANDIAN ROSS - While Davon House figures to go into training camp ahead of Ross on the depth chart, I wouldn’t be shocked if the undrafted free agent from Youngstown St. outplays him – just like he did last summer. House is bigger and faster, but Ross was far more physical and competitive during padded practices and preseason games. And while the 24-year-old wasn’t ready for the big leagues as a rookie, he might be ready after spending over four months on the practice squad and participating in a full offseason of mini-camps and OTAs. In order to take the step, Ross will have to do a better job of anticipating and breaking on throws because he lacks top closing speed.

I left So’oto and House off this list because I have serious reservations about both players. So’oto is tight in his movements. He’s not fluid dropping into coverage, does not change directions smoothly and struggles to break down in space. These are major problems for an OLB in a 3-4. House may look like Al Harris, but he didn’t play like him last summer. He was too passive. He wasn’t aggressive in run support and he didn’t attack the ball in the air. That said, he does have enough physical ability to compete at this level. Whether he’s willing to pay the price remains to be seen.

McCarthy often talks about how the biggest jump a player makes is from year one to year two. Raji, tight end Jermichael Finley, guard Josh Sitton and tackle Marshall Newhouse are prime examples. But they were all draft choices. I can’t remember the last undrafted player to make such a leap. So it’s probably asking an awful lot to expect Lattimore, Jennings and/or Ross to go from rookie benchwarmer to sophomore contributor. But it can happen, and why not be positive in early April? Heck, in early April, even the Cubbies have a chance to win the World Series.