The Green Bay Packers need all their key defensive players to stay healthy. Most of them failed to do that last year, and too many important guys missed significant time.
After a generally fortunate preseason in terms of health, the Packers were dealt a blow in their final practice game at Tennessee. Rookie defensive lineman B.J. Raji, who had been seeing time at both end and nose tackle in the Packers' new 3-4 defense, went down with an ankle sprain. That injury will keep Raji out of Sunday night's game against the Bears.
It's July, the slowest month of the year for the NFL, and it's driving you nuts. You need a fix. A hit. Anything NFL to pull you through the dog days. FanHouse is here to help with an in-depth look at each division that should have you plenty prepared for training camp. We're calling it the Summer Scramble, and today we look at the NFC North's looming position battles.
Who moved to the head of the NFL class during the draft? Find out with FanHouse's team-by-team 2009 Draft Grades.
By dealing up into the last part of the first round for Clay Matthews, Ted Thompson may have forever changed his image in Green Bay. He went from being consistently ripped for his trade-downs and seemingly passive nature during the draft to being branded a genius. Of course, if either of his first-round selections fail, he'll be back to being an idiot again.
The Green Bay Packers' transition to a 3-4 defense is not likely to be complete in 2009. There are some personnel shifts that have to take place, and the change is an adjustment for most of the players who will return.
Sure, the Packers will play a base 3-4, but that won't be the only thing they do defensively. Head coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Ted Thompsondiscussed the team's plans over the weekend at the NFL combine, this time offering more depth and detail than they have in the past.
Training camp has not gotten off on the right foot for the Green Bay Packers. Even before the first practice began, they found themselves to be one man short after wide receiver Donald Driverfailed a team physical.
"He has a re-occurring injury with the shoulder that he hurt last year, so, he will be day-to-day with the shoulder," McCarthy said.
Day-to-day should be considered an optimistic diagnosis. Unfortunately, Driver may not return to the field until August 11th at the earliest. Even when he does return, he's going to have a lot of catching up to do. Thankfully for the Packers, he's a veteran who won't struggle too much after missing a little over two weeks of camp.
In addition to Driver, the Packers suffered another loss yesterday. Tight end Tory Humphrey injured his ankle during practice and had to be carted off the field. The team has not given specifics on how severe the injury is, but it doesn't sound pretty.
Other Injury Notes: Defensive tackles Ryan Pickett and Johnny Jolly also missed practice due to failed physicals, while rookie running back DeShawn Wynn sat out with a stomach virus.
Welcome again to "Packers Notebook." The purpose of Packers Notebook is to keep all of you hardcore fans up-to-date with Green Bay's goings on without littering FanHouse will three or four posts per day. With that said, let's check out what's happening in Packers land.
No beer here: Legendary Lambeau Field will open its doors to thousand of Christians this Saturday, the 7th. Over 6,000 people have signed up (out of 45,000 available seats) to attended what will be called "Leap of Faith Lambeau;" a night filled with music, prayer and teaching. Packers may use defensive tackle rotation: Due to significantly improved depth at defensive tackle, Green Bay may opt to use a rotation this season. Although Justin Harrell, Ryan Pickett and Corey Williams will all be playing for a starting nod, all three could see significant time throughout the year within the rotation.
The Packers held their first two organized team practices this week and there was a good turn out. Despite being voluntary, all but four players showed up. One of the players who was not in attendance was three-year veteran defensive tackle Corey Williams. Unfortunately, Williams was back in an Arkansas hospital visiting with one of his two sisters who recently had a stroke.
"He would have been there (Thursday) but for his sister," Williams' agent said, later adding: "I know he's going to be there as soon as he can be there. It's tough for him."
Our thoughts and prayers certainly go out to Williams and his family.
Also missing in action were cornerbacks Charles Woodson and Al Harris, as well as defensive tackle Ryan Pickett.
Woodson left Packers minicamp back on May 20th for what was deemed "personal reasons," and wasn't expected to rejoin the team until the mandatory training camp. "Personal reasons" is basically a cover for "I'd rather workout in Houston on my own."
"There are (different) training methods," Coach McCarthy said. "I don't disagree with it, because there's more than one way to skin a cat."
I, personally, think that all NFL clubs should make organized team activities and minicamps mandatory. Players leaving their team hanging and working out on their own is becoming a bad habit around the league.
Santonio Holmes (PIT): 1 reception for 18 yards, 2 returns for 12 yards
Matt Wilhelm (SD): 5 tackles
Ben Hartsock (TEN): 1 reception for 16 yards
Michael Jenkins (ATL): 4 receptions for 43 yards and 1 TD
Drew Carter (CAR): 1 reception for 5 yards
Na'il Digs (CAR): 2 tackles, 1 pass deflection
Chris Gamble (CAR): 3 tackles, 1 pass deflection
Bobby Carpenter (DAL): 3 tackles
Terry Glenn (DAL): 4 receptions for 52 yards
A.J. Hawk (GB): 8 tackles, 1 pass deflection
Ryan Pickett (GB): 3 tackles, 1 pass deflection
Will Allen (TB): 2 tackles
Joey Galloway (TB): 3 receptions for 37 yards
Former Buckeye of the Week is a pretty easy decision this go round. Mike Vrable had an absolutely monster game for the Patriots, participating in three turnovers, while also recording seven tackles and breaking up a couple of passes. Very impressive game, and a very impressive season so far for Mike Vrable.
Santonio Holmes (PIT): 5 receptions for 75 yards and 1 TD, 2 returns for 13 yards
Michael Jenkins (ATL): 3 receptions for 23 yards and 1 TD
Na'il Diggs (CAR): 2 tackles
Chris Gamble (CAR): 4 tackles, 3 returns for 13 yards
Bobby Carpenter (DAL): 1 tackles
Terry Glenn (DAL): 6 receptions for 78 yards
A.J. Hawk (GB): 12 tackles, 1 fumble recovery
Ryan Pickett (GB): 5 tackles
Darrion Scott (MIN): 3 tackles
Antoine Winfield (MIN): 4 tackles, 2 pass deflections, 1 INT
Will Smith (NO): 4 tackles, 1 sack
Will Allen (TB): 3 tackles
Joey Galloway (TB): 4 receptions for 64 yards and 1 TD
Shawn Springs (WAS): 7 tackles, 3 pass deflections, 1 INT
Lots of touchdowns for former Buckeye receivers, but the former Buckeye player of the week has to go to Mike Vrable. Vrable had a pretty big game and was instrumental in the Patriots blowout of Green Bay.
The Green Bay Packers need all their key defensive players to stay healthy. Most of them failed to do that last year, and too many important guys missed significant time.
Who moved to the head of the NFL class during the draft? Find out with FanHouse's team-by-team 
The Green Bay Packers' 
Training camp has not gotten off on the right foot for the Green Bay Packers. Even before the first practice began, they found themselves to be one man short after wide receiver 
Welcome again to "
The Packers held their first two organized team practices this week and there was a good turn out. Despite being voluntary, all but four players showed up. One of the players who was not in attendance was three-year veteran defensive tackle Corey Williams. Unfortunately, Williams was back in an Arkansas hospital 
Missed this for last week, but we're back for week 13. Here's how former Buckeyes fared in NFL action this past weekend:
A little late this week, but here's how former Ohio State Buckeyes did in the NFL for week 11:
Here's how former Ohio State Buckeyes fared in week 10 of NFL action:
