One or the other was expected to be part of the running back corps. Actually, the likelihood seemed to be that both would make the club. In the end, both veterans Noah Herron and Vernand Morency were cut as the Packers got down to their 53-man roster. Along with DeShawn Wynn, released earlier in the week, these three backs were beaten out by undrafted rookie free agent Kregg Lumpkin. As part of their backfield decisions, the Packers kept two fullbacks -- a rarity in the league these days -- in the persons of Korey Hall and John Kuhn.
The roster at this time contains no long snapper, although that will likely change soon. Rookie snapper, J.J. Jansen, was one of three players placed on the injured reserve list after his knee injury in Thursday night's final preseason game. The Packers are expected to put in a claim on Thomas Gafford, who was waived by the Bears a few days ago. Gafford was in the Packers' '06 training camp and again this summer, before being waived Aug. 3 because the team needed a roster spot. The Packers reportedly are also holding tryouts today for at least three long snappers...so, if you happen to be driving near Green Bay today...what the heck...stop on in...especially if you can precision snap a football five to fifteen yards. For more on the snapper situation, check out this story.
The Packers did keep seven linebackers...for now. One of those players, possibly special teams standout Tracey White, might be the odd man out when the Pack adds a long snapper.
There will be a few more moves likely made this morning. Teams have until 11 a.m. to make claims on waived players. Teams will be informed by the league in early afternoon whom they have been awarded as part of the process.
For a story on the running backs and other moves, check out this article. For commentary on the players kept, check out this article.
For the Packers official notice of cuts, etc., check it out here. If you prefer to get the same news here, the following is from the official notice:
"The Green Bay Packers released 19 players and placed three on injured reserve. Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations, announced the transactions Saturday.
Released Saturday were wide receiver Jake Allen, cornerback Scorpio Babers, defensive tackle Conrad Bolston, center Brennen Carvalho, safety Tyrone Culver, linebacker Spencer Havner, tight end Joey Haynos, running back Noah Herron, guard Ryan Keenan, linebacker Danny Lansanah, defensive tackle Alfred Malone, running back Vernand Morency, defensive tackle Daniel Muir, cornerback Joe Porter, wide receiver Johnny Quinn, wide receiver Taj Smith, wide receiver Brett Swain, tackle Orrin Thompson and fullback Corey White.
Defensive tackle Rodney Allen, center Junius Coston and long snapper J.J. Jansen were placed on injured reserve."
Showing posts with label Vernand Morency. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vernand Morency. Show all posts
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Packers vs. Titans preview
The Packers take on the Tennessee Titans tonight - less than 30 minutes from now actually -- at Lambeau Field. Starters are expected to play about 10 plays for the Packers, while the Titans' starters, according to head coach Jeff Fisher, may play into the second half.
The key for tonight's game is the number of players playing for roster spots. Teams have to be down to the league-mandated 53-man squad by Saturday. That means about 20 players will be cut within the next two days.
As has been noted here in prior posts, the most competitive area is at running back where there are reportedly two spots open, with three players competing for them. Noah Herron, Vernand Morency and Kregg Lumpkin will be looking to perform well tonight. Another area where tough cuts will likely be made is at linebacker. Again, too many players available for one too few spots.
One area that was originally thought of as a place of depth was defensive line. But with lots of injuries, some of the lesser-knowns need to step up. In doing so, they may also be earning a spot long term. Particularly if they can exhibit a pass rush, as well as stop the run...neither of which the Packers have shown much of an ability to do yet this preseason.
It will also be intriguing to watch the two rookie backup quarterbacks. Neither Brian Brohm nor Matt Flynn have provided much confidence that, should something happen to starter Aaron Rodgers, the Packers will still have an effective offense. One or the other needs to demonstrate consistency tonight, and they both will be given plenty of opportunity to do so given Rodgers' limited playing time.
The final score won't matter. Getting starters out without injuries and having players -- especially for the 6 spots which head coach Mike McCarthy says are still up in the air -- step up and claim their spot decisively will be the key outcomes tonight.
The key for tonight's game is the number of players playing for roster spots. Teams have to be down to the league-mandated 53-man squad by Saturday. That means about 20 players will be cut within the next two days.
As has been noted here in prior posts, the most competitive area is at running back where there are reportedly two spots open, with three players competing for them. Noah Herron, Vernand Morency and Kregg Lumpkin will be looking to perform well tonight. Another area where tough cuts will likely be made is at linebacker. Again, too many players available for one too few spots.
One area that was originally thought of as a place of depth was defensive line. But with lots of injuries, some of the lesser-knowns need to step up. In doing so, they may also be earning a spot long term. Particularly if they can exhibit a pass rush, as well as stop the run...neither of which the Packers have shown much of an ability to do yet this preseason.
It will also be intriguing to watch the two rookie backup quarterbacks. Neither Brian Brohm nor Matt Flynn have provided much confidence that, should something happen to starter Aaron Rodgers, the Packers will still have an effective offense. One or the other needs to demonstrate consistency tonight, and they both will be given plenty of opportunity to do so given Rodgers' limited playing time.
The final score won't matter. Getting starters out without injuries and having players -- especially for the 6 spots which head coach Mike McCarthy says are still up in the air -- step up and claim their spot decisively will be the key outcomes tonight.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Packers make first roster moves
To get to the the NFL-mandated 75-player limit of this week, the Packers have made 5 roster moves as of today. According to the Packers official website, they released RB DeShawn Wynn -- who started 4 games last season but couldn't seem to stay healthy then or now -- and FB Ryan Powdrell, along with WR Chris Francies and OL Ryan Considine. The Packers also placed last season's first round draft pick, DT Justin Harrell, on the reserve/physically unable to perform list meaning he can't be placed on the active roster during the first six weeks of the season. According to the info on the Packers official site, "After that time, they (the players) are eligible to practice with the club for up to three weeks. If a player is activated from the reserve/PUP list to the active roster, a subsequent roster move must be made to maintain the 53-man active roster limit."
So, what this all seems to indicate is that the running back situation is coming down to Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson, both locks, and perhaps a three-way battle for two spots between Noah Herron, Vernand Morency and the fast-rising rookie free agent, Kregg Lumpkin. Lumpkin leads the Packers with 17 carries for 87 yards this preseason, while Herron has 10 carries for 52 yards, Jackson nine for 54 and Morency one for 1. The Packers have always liked Herron's reliability, if not durability, and Morency's third down play catching passes out of the backfield. But Lumpkin has been intriguing. Check out this article to find out more about this young man from Georgia.
It also means, speaking of Justin Harrell, that the Ted Thompson doubters/haters out there will continue to fault him for making this pick last season. Certainly, the longer it takes for Harrell to even make it onto the playing field -- if he ever does -- the more he's going to have to show to mitigate the skepticism Packer fans will likely have.
So, what this all seems to indicate is that the running back situation is coming down to Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson, both locks, and perhaps a three-way battle for two spots between Noah Herron, Vernand Morency and the fast-rising rookie free agent, Kregg Lumpkin. Lumpkin leads the Packers with 17 carries for 87 yards this preseason, while Herron has 10 carries for 52 yards, Jackson nine for 54 and Morency one for 1. The Packers have always liked Herron's reliability, if not durability, and Morency's third down play catching passes out of the backfield. But Lumpkin has been intriguing. Check out this article to find out more about this young man from Georgia.
It also means, speaking of Justin Harrell, that the Ted Thompson doubters/haters out there will continue to fault him for making this pick last season. Certainly, the longer it takes for Harrell to even make it onto the playing field -- if he ever does -- the more he's going to have to show to mitigate the skepticism Packer fans will likely have.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Running backs getting even thinner
No, we don't mean the guys in the backfield have gone on a diet. We mean that what was already a real area of concern for the Packers got even more so over the weekend. Rookie RB Brandon Jackson, seen as perhaps the season starter due to the injury to nominal starter Vernand Morency, may have suffered a concussion in practice during a 2-minute drill. Not good.
Luckily, DeShawn Wynn, another rookie who the Pack is high on but who has also been hurt most of training camp, returned to practice. So, right now, here are the current running backs available to the Packers along with Wynn: Noah Herron and Corey White. Ditto the "not good" from above.
Whether there are any veteran cast-offs which might be of interest to the Packers after final cuts this weekend, who knows? But one would think Packers GM Ted Thompson and Coach Mike McCarthy have to be sweating bullets right now about this situation. Losing Ahman Green to Houston in the offseason was a definite blow. Having a series of injuries to contenders for the starting spot -- especially a plethora of rookies -- didn't help matters any.
Expect Wynn to get a lot of playing time during this Thursday's final preseason game at Tennessee. Whether he can pick up enough game feel and conditioning during the next week or so remains to be seen, as does the recovery of Jackson and Morency. Beyond that...let's not even go there.
Luckily, DeShawn Wynn, another rookie who the Pack is high on but who has also been hurt most of training camp, returned to practice. So, right now, here are the current running backs available to the Packers along with Wynn: Noah Herron and Corey White. Ditto the "not good" from above.
Whether there are any veteran cast-offs which might be of interest to the Packers after final cuts this weekend, who knows? But one would think Packers GM Ted Thompson and Coach Mike McCarthy have to be sweating bullets right now about this situation. Losing Ahman Green to Houston in the offseason was a definite blow. Having a series of injuries to contenders for the starting spot -- especially a plethora of rookies -- didn't help matters any.
Expect Wynn to get a lot of playing time during this Thursday's final preseason game at Tennessee. Whether he can pick up enough game feel and conditioning during the next week or so remains to be seen, as does the recovery of Jackson and Morency. Beyond that...let's not even go there.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Training camp starts off...not so good
Let's see...in the first few days of training camp the Packers lose one of their tight ends (Tory Humphrey) for an undetermined amount of time -- perhaps the entire season -- with a fractured fibula, lose their nominal starting running back (Vernand Morency) for perhaps two to four weeks with an undisclosed knee injury, have their Pro Bowl #1 receiver (Donald Driver) fail his physical with a lingering shoulder injury, and have their QB (that would be Brett) experience yet another family loss -- his wife's stepfather died suddenly Saturday. Can you say, "Aaaaarrrrghhh!"?
Brett and his wife's stepfather, Rocky Byrd, had become very close over the past 10 years or so, according to reports. For Brett to receive the news of Byrd's sudden heart attack at age 56 had to resurface memories of his own father's death in 2003. There is an excellent and revealing article about all this at packersnews.com. You can find it here.
Over the weekend practices, with the injury to Humphrey and a few other unusual circumstances with the tight end corps, there actually were times when the offense had no tight ends to work with. Oh boy. The only silver lining to Morency's injury is it is giving the Packers extended looks at the other backs on the roster. And with Brett having to return to Mississippi to deal with Byrd's death, backup QB Aaron Rodgers is making the most of his opportunities. Media reports indicated that his throws and reads both looked sharp yesterday.
On another front, there's an interesting article in today's Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel about "KGB" and his new role as a designated pass rusher rather than starting defensive end. Check it out here.
Brett and his wife's stepfather, Rocky Byrd, had become very close over the past 10 years or so, according to reports. For Brett to receive the news of Byrd's sudden heart attack at age 56 had to resurface memories of his own father's death in 2003. There is an excellent and revealing article about all this at packersnews.com. You can find it here.
Over the weekend practices, with the injury to Humphrey and a few other unusual circumstances with the tight end corps, there actually were times when the offense had no tight ends to work with. Oh boy. The only silver lining to Morency's injury is it is giving the Packers extended looks at the other backs on the roster. And with Brett having to return to Mississippi to deal with Byrd's death, backup QB Aaron Rodgers is making the most of his opportunities. Media reports indicated that his throws and reads both looked sharp yesterday.
On another front, there's an interesting article in today's Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel about "KGB" and his new role as a designated pass rusher rather than starting defensive end. Check it out here.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Driver fails physical...other first practice problems
Starting wide receiver Donald Driver failed his physical today with a shoulder injury that goes back to last season. Ryan Pickett, Johnny Jolly and DeShawn Wynn were on the non-football injury list, with Pickett and Jolly being out of condition...Coach McCarthy was not happy.
According to a report at PackerNews.com, tight end Tory Humphrey, who was hurt during practice, has an ankle injury and was taken for X-rays. WTMJ-4 TV out of Milwaukee was also reporting that running back Vernand Morency tweaked a knee...no further info about that injury is currently available.
On the positive side of things, rookie defensive lineman Justin Harrell did practice after being cleared by team doctors, although veteran Corey Williams worked with the first unit. And QB Brett Favre reportedly looked sharp in his first time back at the helm. Sure nice to be able to utter that name again, isn't it?
According to a report at PackerNews.com, tight end Tory Humphrey, who was hurt during practice, has an ankle injury and was taken for X-rays. WTMJ-4 TV out of Milwaukee was also reporting that running back Vernand Morency tweaked a knee...no further info about that injury is currently available.
On the positive side of things, rookie defensive lineman Justin Harrell did practice after being cleared by team doctors, although veteran Corey Williams worked with the first unit. And QB Brett Favre reportedly looked sharp in his first time back at the helm. Sure nice to be able to utter that name again, isn't it?
Friday, July 27, 2007
...And the starters are...
We're just on the eve of training camp and already the starting lineup is in place. At least it is in the form of an "unofficial" depth chart approved by Coach Mike McCarthy and release to the media today. Two items of note: first round draft pick Justin Harrell is listed as the starter on the defensive line ahead of Corey Williams, who had a bit of a break out year last season; secondly, Donald Lee is listed as the starting tight end ahead of Bubba Franks who had an admittedly dismal 2006 season.
Here is the depth chart as it was released today:
OFFENSE
WR Greg Jennings, LT Chad Clifton, LG Daryn Colledge, C Scott Wells, RG Jason Spitz, RT Mark Tauscher, TE Donald Lee, WR Donald Driver, QB Brett Favre, RB Vernand Morency, FB Brandon Miree.
DEFENSE
LE Aaron Kampman, LDT Ryan Pickett, RDT Justin Harrell, RE Cullen Jenkins, SLB Brady Poppinga, MLB Nick Barnett, WLB A.J. Hawk, LCB Charles Woodson, RCB Al Harris, SS Marquand Manuel, FS Nick Collins.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K Dave Rayner, P Jon Ryan, PR Charles Woodson, KR Vernand Morency, LS Rob Davis.
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
WR Ruvell Martin, LT Orrin Thompson, LG Allen Barbre, C Tyson Walter, RG Junius Coston, RT Tony Moll, TE Bubba Franks, WR Robert Ferguson, QB Aaron Rodgers, RB Brandon Jackson, FB Ryan Powdrell.
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
LE Michael Montgomery, LDT Corey Williams, RDT Colin Cole, RE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, SLB Spencer Havner, MLB Abdul Hodge, WLB Tracy White, LCB Patrick Dendy, RCB Jarrett Bush, SS Atari Bigby, FS Aaron Rouse.
While Vernand Morency is listed as the starting running back, reports have McCarthy indicating he really doesn't have a preference as to whether there is a featured back or running back by committee; what he wants is production. Hard to argue with that logic. Although one hopes that eventually a dominant back does emerge from the young group on the roster.
Here is the depth chart as it was released today:
OFFENSE
WR Greg Jennings, LT Chad Clifton, LG Daryn Colledge, C Scott Wells, RG Jason Spitz, RT Mark Tauscher, TE Donald Lee, WR Donald Driver, QB Brett Favre, RB Vernand Morency, FB Brandon Miree.
DEFENSE
LE Aaron Kampman, LDT Ryan Pickett, RDT Justin Harrell, RE Cullen Jenkins, SLB Brady Poppinga, MLB Nick Barnett, WLB A.J. Hawk, LCB Charles Woodson, RCB Al Harris, SS Marquand Manuel, FS Nick Collins.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K Dave Rayner, P Jon Ryan, PR Charles Woodson, KR Vernand Morency, LS Rob Davis.
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
WR Ruvell Martin, LT Orrin Thompson, LG Allen Barbre, C Tyson Walter, RG Junius Coston, RT Tony Moll, TE Bubba Franks, WR Robert Ferguson, QB Aaron Rodgers, RB Brandon Jackson, FB Ryan Powdrell.
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
LE Michael Montgomery, LDT Corey Williams, RDT Colin Cole, RE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, SLB Spencer Havner, MLB Abdul Hodge, WLB Tracy White, LCB Patrick Dendy, RCB Jarrett Bush, SS Atari Bigby, FS Aaron Rouse.
While Vernand Morency is listed as the starting running back, reports have McCarthy indicating he really doesn't have a preference as to whether there is a featured back or running back by committee; what he wants is production. Hard to argue with that logic. Although one hopes that eventually a dominant back does emerge from the young group on the roster.
Saturday, June 02, 2007
OTAs Underway...Favre and Rodgers Full Speed Ahead
The non-mandatory OTAs (optional team activities...or something like that) began on Wednesday of this last week. And the best news for Packer fans was that QB Brett Favre was cleared by the team docs to fully participate. The second best news was that backup QB and heir apparent Aaron Rodgers was also cleared to do the same. As you may recall, Brett had ankle surgery in the offseason to take care of a lingering problem, and Rodgers broke his foot late in the season.
There will be a total of 12 OTAs, and Brett will participate in 9 of them. According to Packers.com, Coach Mike McCarthy says Brett is already throwing the ball well. Which means that his receivers better be up to speed in terms of looking for the ball as soon as they come out of their break. Brett's presence, although not required, is certainly a key factor in getting in sync with an assortment of young receivers.
By the end of these OTAs, McCarthy says, the entire offense for the season will be installed. That means he and Brett working closely together to help determine what's working and what can be eliminated from the offensive scheme.
Jackson Happy to Be in Camp
Because he was unable to attend the May minicamp -- the first after the draft -- because of a league-required orientation in Los Angeles, rookie RB Brandon Jackson is really making a determined effort not to let that missed opportunity prevent him from competing for the starting spot. He basically has been in Green Bay ever since, working out and studying the playbook. He understands that, for now, Vernand Morency is slotted in the starting role. But he also understands that the Packers are not necessarily sold on that idea just yet. A bit of a surprise pick for filling the RB need, Jackson has his work cut out for him. But apparently, he is showing the kind of cuts and burst that the Packers are looking for in the post-Ahman Green era. You can read a good article about Jackson here.
There will be a total of 12 OTAs, and Brett will participate in 9 of them. According to Packers.com, Coach Mike McCarthy says Brett is already throwing the ball well. Which means that his receivers better be up to speed in terms of looking for the ball as soon as they come out of their break. Brett's presence, although not required, is certainly a key factor in getting in sync with an assortment of young receivers.
By the end of these OTAs, McCarthy says, the entire offense for the season will be installed. That means he and Brett working closely together to help determine what's working and what can be eliminated from the offensive scheme.
Jackson Happy to Be in Camp
Because he was unable to attend the May minicamp -- the first after the draft -- because of a league-required orientation in Los Angeles, rookie RB Brandon Jackson is really making a determined effort not to let that missed opportunity prevent him from competing for the starting spot. He basically has been in Green Bay ever since, working out and studying the playbook. He understands that, for now, Vernand Morency is slotted in the starting role. But he also understands that the Packers are not necessarily sold on that idea just yet. A bit of a surprise pick for filling the RB need, Jackson has his work cut out for him. But apparently, he is showing the kind of cuts and burst that the Packers are looking for in the post-Ahman Green era. You can read a good article about Jackson here.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Minicamp Wrap-Up
Now that the first mandatory minicamp has come and gone, a few bits of this and that. (How's that for being specific!)
RB Vernand Morency seems to be penciled in right now as the replacement for Ahman Green. But that's not something anyone should take to the bank quite yet. Coaches, according to reports, seem high on him. They like his quick feet and elusiveness. Last season, without benefit of any camp or experience with the new zone blocking scheme offense -- which, of course, none of the lineman really had either -- Morency performed respectably. But he is a different body type than Green. And despite the fact that he refers to himself as a "beast," it remains to be seen whether he can take the pounding that Green took as the featured running back. If not, it may be running back by committee. While it could well be argued that the receiver position is the most competitive in camp (that would be the position of this writer), it can't be denied that running back gives it a run for the money. There are six backs currently in camp, competing for probably three positions. Unfortunately, rookie running back Brandon Jackson missed the entire minicamp. He and other top rookies were ordered by the NFL to attend promotional events in Los Angeles. Great timing. Seventh-round pick DeShawn Wynn was limited in his practice time due to an injury. So the running back situation will likely take a good chunk of camp to figure out.
As for the aforementioned receiver situation, third-round pick James Jones apparently caught everything in sight and was very impressive. Some of the veteran defensive backs mentioned that he went up for everything and likewise usually came down with everything. If he continues to perform like he began the Packers may yet have themselves a solid receiving corps going into the season.
Whether that unit will include veteran and oft-injured receiver Robert Ferguson...? First of all, what are the odds he actually completes the season? Track record there, admittedly through no fault of his own, isn't in his favor. Still, according to an article in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Ferguson has worked very hard in the off-season to take advantage of what he knows is probably his last chance. He also has changed his number from 89 to 87 in the hopes of getting some good luck. He's due. It will take more than that, though. With all the receivers -- young and old -- in camp, he has his work cut out for him. Ever since Mike Sherman selected Ferguson in the draft rather than UW -- and now pro! -- standout receiver Chris Chambers six years ago, he has carried some baggage that was not his fault. Combine that with only playing in 60 games in his entire career and Ferguson has never been a fan favorite, despite showing some flashes of receiving brilliance. Still, at this point, he's almost an underdog story.
Last, but certainly not least, was the presence of Mr. Favre at camp. Actually, not merely the presence but also practice. Brett threw the ball for the first time since the end of the season. He wasn't expected to actually practice as he is still recovering from his ankle surgery earlier this year. But...you know Brett. Video of some of the practices also showed a smiling Brett. Looked like he was having some fun. Despite confessing to being bored with these minicamps, the leadership he provides merely by attending was huge. Vernand Morency described just one instance of this according to a report in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: "I was in the locker room messing around, and he came up to me. We went over a single play and I understood what he wanted and we got that fixed. If he wouldn't (have come) we wouldn't have ever got that fixed." When Brett speaks, people listen. Coach McCarthy -- not surprisingly -- said players and coaches alike benefit from just having Brett on hand. Yes, Coach has a flare for understatement.
RB Vernand Morency seems to be penciled in right now as the replacement for Ahman Green. But that's not something anyone should take to the bank quite yet. Coaches, according to reports, seem high on him. They like his quick feet and elusiveness. Last season, without benefit of any camp or experience with the new zone blocking scheme offense -- which, of course, none of the lineman really had either -- Morency performed respectably. But he is a different body type than Green. And despite the fact that he refers to himself as a "beast," it remains to be seen whether he can take the pounding that Green took as the featured running back. If not, it may be running back by committee. While it could well be argued that the receiver position is the most competitive in camp (that would be the position of this writer), it can't be denied that running back gives it a run for the money. There are six backs currently in camp, competing for probably three positions. Unfortunately, rookie running back Brandon Jackson missed the entire minicamp. He and other top rookies were ordered by the NFL to attend promotional events in Los Angeles. Great timing. Seventh-round pick DeShawn Wynn was limited in his practice time due to an injury. So the running back situation will likely take a good chunk of camp to figure out.
As for the aforementioned receiver situation, third-round pick James Jones apparently caught everything in sight and was very impressive. Some of the veteran defensive backs mentioned that he went up for everything and likewise usually came down with everything. If he continues to perform like he began the Packers may yet have themselves a solid receiving corps going into the season.
Whether that unit will include veteran and oft-injured receiver Robert Ferguson...? First of all, what are the odds he actually completes the season? Track record there, admittedly through no fault of his own, isn't in his favor. Still, according to an article in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Ferguson has worked very hard in the off-season to take advantage of what he knows is probably his last chance. He also has changed his number from 89 to 87 in the hopes of getting some good luck. He's due. It will take more than that, though. With all the receivers -- young and old -- in camp, he has his work cut out for him. Ever since Mike Sherman selected Ferguson in the draft rather than UW -- and now pro! -- standout receiver Chris Chambers six years ago, he has carried some baggage that was not his fault. Combine that with only playing in 60 games in his entire career and Ferguson has never been a fan favorite, despite showing some flashes of receiving brilliance. Still, at this point, he's almost an underdog story.
Last, but certainly not least, was the presence of Mr. Favre at camp. Actually, not merely the presence but also practice. Brett threw the ball for the first time since the end of the season. He wasn't expected to actually practice as he is still recovering from his ankle surgery earlier this year. But...you know Brett. Video of some of the practices also showed a smiling Brett. Looked like he was having some fun. Despite confessing to being bored with these minicamps, the leadership he provides merely by attending was huge. Vernand Morency described just one instance of this according to a report in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: "I was in the locker room messing around, and he came up to me. We went over a single play and I understood what he wanted and we got that fixed. If he wouldn't (have come) we wouldn't have ever got that fixed." When Brett speaks, people listen. Coach McCarthy -- not surprisingly -- said players and coaches alike benefit from just having Brett on hand. Yes, Coach has a flare for understatement.
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