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Position analysis: Running backs
2007-08-18 16:02:00 The Railbird Central position by position analysis continues today with the running backs. This is the second in a nine part series that covers all the positions on the team in the lead up to roster cutdowns.Vernand Morency - No matter how well Brandon Jackson does in the preseason, count on Morency (pictured) to be the starter on opening day. It's likely the Packers are just being cautious with Morency and his injury. He has experience, and he'll likely be playing in the preseason games by next week. Many people may be skeptical of Morency's contributions this year, but he could end up having a very productive year.Brandon Jackson - With so many injuries to other backs, Jackson is getting plenty of opportunities in both practice and during preseason games which will help his progress. Pass blocking and blitz pickup has been a concern with Jackson, and his playing time could hinge upon how well he does with it. He could play frequently in all phases of the game if he can block we...
Wynn given ultimatum
2007-08-14 17:17:00 Congratulations to Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy for telling running back DeShawn Wynn how it is."He needs to get back out here," McCarthy is quoted as saying in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "He's a young man that needs to get healthy. It's a pretty good quad strain. He has a good opportunity in front of him but you have to be on field to take advantage of it."There's no sugar coating McCarthy's comments. Wynn has to realize his stint with the Packers could soon be over. Training camp ends in about three weeks, and each day Wynn is not on the football field it decreases his chances of making the team.There is no better opportunity to get some repetitions at running back than right now. With both Vernand Morency and P.J. Pope sidelined at least the next two exhibition games, Wynn could be getting a significant amount of snaps in.Brandon Jackson is going to get plenty of carries, but the Packers already know what they have in Noah Herron. And that means even more o...
Post-game impressions
2007-08-13 16:13:00 Here are a handful of impressions from Saturday's first preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers:Among the biggest criticisms from the game is that the first team offense basically stalled. It was only the first preseason game and not a lot of critque should be based upon three series, but there is cause for minor concern.Why didn't Brett Favre throw the ball downfield? Not a single pass from Favre was longer than five yards. The blitzing Pittsburgh defense certainly didn't allow Favre to sit back and scan the field for very long, but the blocking did a pretty good job of picking up the blitz on all but a play or two. On a blitz, there has to be a breakdown in coverage somewhere. And the Packers need to exploit that in the future.Aaron Rodgers looked good. He completed his passes for a high percentage, and he kept drives going. His twenty yard scramble was clutch. It's only one game, but hopefully there's plenty more where that came from.Rookie runnning back Brandon Jacks...
A quick peek at the stats
2007-08-12 23:23:00 Courtesy of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, the statistical leaders from last night's Packers vs. Steelers preseason game:Passing: Aaron Rodgers 18-27-168-1, Ingle Martin 1-2-8-0, Brett Favre 2-7-7-0. Team 21-36-182-1.Rushing: Brandon Jackson 16-57, Corey White 8-22, Noah Herron 4-20. Team 31-124. Receiving: James Jones 6-58, Ruvell Martin 3-45, Shaun Bodiford 2-26.Welcome to the Railbird feed. Eat up.
Wynn and Mirre doubtful to play Saturday
2007-08-10 19:17:00 Green Bay Packers running backs DeShawn Wynn and Brandon Miree are likely doubtful to play in the team's first preseason game Saturday at Pittsburgh."Wynn sustained a strained quadriceps in practice Tuesday night," reports Tom Pelissero of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "Miree has a shoulder stinger. They're among a handful of players trainers were expected to re-evaluate this morning, but McCarthy didn't express optimism about either playing."The Packers are low on running backs as it is, and this situation doesn't help matters. The only healthy running backs are tailbacks Noah Herron and Brandon Jackson, fullbacks Korey Hall and Ryan Powdrell, and Corey White who can play either position.Vernand Morency and P.J. Pope will definitely be out the game with some more serious injuries.Wynn has had setback after setback in his bid to make the Packers, and this certainly doesn't help his chances."I'll say this, you can't make the football team by not being on the field," Packers hea...
YouTube Tuesday: Brandon Jackson Highlights
2007-08-07 18:22:00 I thought we could give some props to Brandon Jackson who had a solid scrimmage on Saturday night. These are his highlights from the University of Nebraska.
On the Rise: Brandon Jackson
2007-08-06 05:38:00 What better place to be in early August than Green Bay, Wisconsin, home a true American original, Green Bay Packers Training Camp? It is at once a unique and ethereal experience. Fans line the streets 10 deep to get a glimpse of their heroes. Strangers from Door County to the Dells meet and chew the fat, discussing topics as varied as where Brett Favre ranks among the all-time greats and if this just might be the year the Packers shock the world.And in the greatest ritual of all, Packers players, on their way back to Lambeau in between practices, borrow the bikes of neighborhood kids, pedalling them back to the locker room in full practice gear.So we armed Stevie the TJI intern with a late-model Huffy and sent him to Green Bay in search of some insight into the Packers' running back situation. And what a situation it is, with Vernand Morency, the projected number one, going down with a knee injury. Now highly touted rookie Brandon Jackson has the chance to shine. But just how good ...
By: This Just In
Jackson Shines in Scrimmage
2007-08-06 01:29:00 With nearly 60,000 cheeseheads flocking to the hollowed Lambeau Field for an intersquad scrimmage, Brandon Jackson knew that this was an opportunity to show everybody why he was so highly regarded by Packers management. With veteran Vernand Morency sidelined with a knee injury, Jackson assumed the starting running back role, where he would get a chance to prove himself.While, Jackson certainly wasn't the star of the show on Saturday night, he did show a few signs of his ability to become a viable starting running back for the Green Bay Packers.Jackson showed some flash when he received a pass from backup quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Jackson then ran accelerated toward the sideline and nearly pulled off a spectacular spin move to get away from cornerback Tramon Williams.Later in the contest, the rookie from Nebraska experienced his first "Lambeau Leap" when he scored on 1-yard touchdown run.Fans in general came away with a very positive feeling about Jackson that wasn't there during ...
Running backs have trouble picking up the blitz
2007-08-04 17:39:00 Rookie Brandon Jackson had better improve in his pass blocking and soon.It's been widely reported in both the Green Bay Press-Gazette and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that Jackson has been struggling in trying to pick up blitzing linebackers during training camp practice.The Journal Sentinel's Tom Silverstein has an interesting take on the situation, but it doesn't cover the entire story: "Halfback Noah Herron (pictured) and fullback Brandon Miree are the top two blockers, but neither is guaranteed a roster spot, so McCarthy better get that group in shape or he'll have to line his tight ends back there again this season."Not mentioned in the article is that while Jackson may be assured of a roster spot, he's not assured of major playing time yet. If Jackson cannot prove himself in pass blocking situations, Herron might win a roster spot and steal some playing time.The Packers were forced to keep the tight end blocking last season due to such a young offensive line, but they a...
A backfield in crisis?
2007-08-02 04:40:00 Can things be going any worse for the Green Bay Packer running backs?Incumbent starting running back Vernand Morency is out for two weeks, but there are whispers that it will take even longer.According to Packer Update, "Even though coach Mike McCarthy announced that running back Vernand Morency will be sidelined for 'a couple of weeks' with a knee injury, we?ve been told that the former Oklahoma St. star could be out for up to a month."And Morency's supposed top backup isn't off to that great of a start. The Green Bay Packers drafted second rounder Brandon Jackson with intention of making him a vital cog in the Packer offense.Speaking of Tuesday's training camp practice, Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports, "Once again, Jackson missed a blitz pickup during a team period in which the defense blitzes on every play. He barely grazed linebacker Nick Barnett, who had a free shot at quarterback Aaron Rodgers. At least Jackson managed to touch Barnett on that play. Ea...
Hawk displays Nitschke-esque play
2007-07-31 16:55:00 Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk has been blowing things up at the team's training camp."I'm looking for good things ? no, great things ? from A.J. We all are," says Packers director of pro personnel Reggie McKenzie."The sky's the limit for him," says Packers cornerback Charles Woodson.And Monday was a banner day for Hawk who looks like he's on the verge of becoming the NFL's next big thing.The Green Bay Press-Gazette has a great and descriptive article on Hawk in Tuesday's edition that goes into detail about Hawk's play. It's something any railbird would love:On one play, quarterback Aaron Rodgers, subbing with the starting offense for the absent Brett Favre, was chased out of the pocket to his right and tried to throw the ball away into the ground near the line of scrimmage. Hawk made a diving play on the ball. Rodgers said the ball clearly hit the ground, but Hawk thought differently, and several defensive coaches reacted like they thought it was an interception, al...
Morency to miss two weeks
2007-07-31 00:26:00 Green Bay Packers running back Vernand Morency has a little more serious injury than originally thought.Tom Pelissero of the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports, "Running back Vernand Morency's knee injury is more serious than initially believed, and he likely will miss two weeks of practice, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said today."Presumably Morency will miss both the Packers' Family Night scrimmage on Saturday and their first preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 11th.Morency is in a battle for the starting running back job for the Packers. Due to his injury, other players such as rookie Brandon Jackson, P.J. Pope and Noah Herron will be getting more carries and playing time in Morency's absence.General manager Ted Thompson had originally described the injury as a contusion. We are unaware if that is still the case or not. Even the deepest of bruises don't frequently keep a player out for two weeks.Photo credit: Scott Eklund for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Pope reaps benefits of good offseason
2007-07-30 16:32:00 Little known Green Bay Packers running back P.J. Pope (pictured during his college days at Bowling Green) is scratching and clawing his way into the team's running back rotation.Pope has been getting more and more repetitions with the first and second team offenses during training camp in part due to incumbent starter Vernand Morency being banged up.Pope is making the most of his opportunities despite being behind both Morency and Noah Herron all of last season.Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette writes, "Behind Morency and (rookie Brandon) Jackson is P.J. Pope, who was signed off Chicago's practice squad last season and appeared in one game, and third-year pro Noah Herron, who primarily has been a third-down back. Early in camp, Pope has worked ahead of Herron at times and could be a contributor as a short-yardage back."Pope's contributions have not gone unnoticed. Both the Green Bay Press-Gazette and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel have given Pope special mention in Monday'...
Jackson struggles early
2007-07-30 15:22:00 A lot of attention is being paid to the delicate situation in the Green Bay Packers offensive backfield.Through two days of training camp Vernand Morency has been slowed by injury, and second round draft pick Brandon Jackson has been struggling while fighting for a starting job."He opened up camp with two drops in the passing game and left a lot to be desired in his pass blocking wasn't exactly a good sign for Thompson or coach Mike McCarthy," reports Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette went into a little more detail into what is meant by Jackson's pass blocking difficulties. Dougherty writes, "For the second day in a row, halfback Brandon Jackson got steamrolled during a team blitz drill. On Saturday, A.J. Hawk ran over Jackson on one play. On Sunday night, middle linebacker Nick Barnett did the same."
Random boners
2007-07-29 16:01:00 There were plenty of mistakes and lapses in concentration at the first training camp practice for the Green Bay Packers. Among the most obvious according to the Green Bay Press-Gazette's Tom Pelissero:CB Will Blackmon had a chance for the day's only interception, but Ingle Martin's errant pass bounced off his chest.Shaun Bodiford looked about as bad as any pro receiver possibly could while trying to adjust to an Aaron Rodgers pass during 7-on-7. S Marquand Manuel appeared to be at fault for a coverage breakdown that left WR Robert Ferguson wide open down the right sideline during the special-category period. QB Brett Favre underthrew Ferguson so badly, though, that Ferguson had no chance to come back and make the catch.In addition to (running back Brandon) Jackson's two drops in team periods, rookie TE Clark Harris dropped a pass down the seam; RB Vernand Morency fumbled; and Charlie Peprah stripped WR Carlton Brewster after a catch.Perhaps most surprisingly, Bodiford didn't ev...
Rookie good, rookie bad
2007-07-29 00:24:00 The second and third round offensive draft choices of the Green Bay Packers were on opposite ends of the specturum on the first day of training camp practice."Linebacker A.J. Hawk ran over rookie running back Brandon Jackson on his way to what would have been a sack of quarterback Brett Favre," reports Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.Jackson is in competition to become the starting running back."Rookie receiver James Jones showed an ability to come back hard for the ball and make a tough catch in heavy traffic from Brett Favre," writes Dougherty.Jones isn't expected to become the starter, but he is one of at least four or five players competing to become the team's third wide receiver, which would still play many snaps per game.
Pope gets vote of confidence from McCarthy
2007-07-28 15:49:00 Running back P.J. Pope just might be the running back least likely to make the Green Bay Packers' roster this season.Then again, wait up. Pope just got a little backing from head coach Mike McCarthy at a press conference yesterday.According to Tom Oates of the Wisconsin State Journal, "He said Morency was productive when he got his opportunities last season and is intrigued by the talent of Jackson and little-known holdover P.J. Pope."Why praise Pope? He's a nobody, a training camp body. He must have gotten praise because he deserves it.He came over from the Chicago Bears' practice squad last season when injuries hit the Packers' corps of running backs. He never even did see a carry all season. And this season, one would presume Pope would be less likely to make the roster than this year's rookies like Brandon Jackson and DeShawn Wynn.Pope might not make the team at all, but perhaps he is just another injury away from making the squad.
Morency enters contract year
2007-07-26 01:19:00 Green Bay Packers running back Vernand Morency was tabbed as one of the NFL's offensive players to watch while going into a contract year by NFL Gridiron Gab's Russell Loede.And according to Loede, Morency's future doesn't look too good."This former Oklahoma State standout has proved nothing at the professional level," writes Loede. "As a collegiate player he was a big threat to break a game wide open, in the NFL Morency is nothing more than a scatback. If he does not improve and start all 16 games for Green Bay, they will not keep him for next year."Loede continues, "Morency will get outplayed by a rookie again (Lundy in Houston during ?06) and will be unsigned and will only be brought in as a third-down back at best. So far in his career he has been an insurance option and that will not cut it if he wants a big deal and starting job."This differs in the opinion of Railbird Central. I think fans will be plesantly surprised by the production of Morency this year. He doesn't hav...
Jackson signs on with Packers
2007-07-26 01:09:00 Second round draft pick and former Nebraska running back Brandon Jackson has signed a multi-year contract with the Green Bay Packers.Jones is the ninth of Green Bay's 11 draft picks to sign with the team and the fourth this week.Only third rounder James Jones and first rounder Justin Harrell have yet to sign with the team, but even general manager Ted Thompson isn't concerned.According to Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Thompson said he was confident Jones would be signed before practice starts Saturday at 2 p.m. Thompson also said negotiations with Harrell were going smoothly and he didn't anticipate much of a delay in his signing."
Packers sign entire sixth round
2007-07-24 16:08:00 The Green Bay Packers have signed all three of their sixth round draft choices as of Tuesday morning.Fullback Korey Hall (pictured), linebacker Desmond Bishop and kicker Mason Crosby all agreed to deal with the team just before players report to training camp on Friday.The Packers have only their top three draft choices remaining to sign including defensive tackle Justin Harrell, running back Brandon Jackson and wide receiver James Jones.If you're a reader of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, don't be confused. In Tuesday's edition, it is reported that the Packers had only signed Bishop and Crosby. But the Green Bay Press-Gazette confirms Hall had been signed as well.Rob Demovsky of the Press-Gazette writes, "According to a source with access to NFL Players Association contract information, all three signed four-year contracts that include minimum salaries for the first three years ($285,000 in 2007, $370,000 in 2008 and $460,000 in 2009) with the possibility in the fourth year the...
A Viking's take on the Packers
2007-07-12 23:49:00 Well, here is Railbird Central's first real sports related interview, with Complete Sports Blogger and Minnesota Vikings fan Jon Reed. No that isn't him in the picture.1. Toward the end of the season, the Packers' offense greatly improved. Now, offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski has left to become the Head Coach at Boston College. How much will his departure hurt the Packers' offensive developement?Well I think the fact that they promoted within with Joe Philbin should help. They have a lot of young pieces on offense (especially on the Line) and the ability to maintain some sense of continuity should help. So I think there is always a learning curve when a new coordinator comes in (which has been painfully obvious to me as a Vikings fan), but the fact that they kept it in house should help.2. Should Brett Favre have retired? He's only 37, but some believe that his time has passed. What's your take?In all honesty, I thought the should have retired before last season. Let me...
Jackson named as fantasy football sleeper
2007-07-04 16:44:00 Green Bay Packers rookie running back Brandon Jackson of the University of Nebraska has been tabbed as a "fantasy football sleeper" by The NFL Guru.According to analyst Brian Ethridge, "For the first few weeks expect Jackson and Vernand Morency to split carries?When week 5 comes around Jackson should start to see 80% of the carries."Ethridge gets awful specific. Railbird Central definitely thought Jackson would take over the no. 1 running back duties midway through the third quarter of week three when a Vernand Morency injury and a key Noah Herron fumble elevated Jackson off the bench.
Special teams becomes offseason priority
2007-06-29 16:50:00 If you're a regular reader of Railbird Central, you may have heard this before but it bears repeating. It is amazing how much emphasis the Green Bay Packers put on special teams during the 2007 draft.As early as the second day of the draft, Railbird Central noted how general manager Ted Thompson's drafting of special teams standouts was becoming a common thread.Special teams always seems to be the oft-ignored yet crucial aspect of football that people just take for granted.The Green Bay Packers have finished dead last in the NFL in special teams the past two seasons according to the Dallas Morning News's special teams rankings, which factor in 22 categories including all aspects of kick returns, kick coveage, punt returns, punt coverage, field goals, and extra points.Is it any wonder the Packers haven't made the playoffs the past two seasons?In the 2007 draft, the Packers first two draft choices were spent on defensive tackle Justin Harrell and running Brandon Jackson. Obviously...
Special teams study
2007-06-19 15:40:00 It's a long way from training camp let alone the regular season. But with the Green Bay Packers' poor special teams play the past couple seasons, one of the questions in the back of fans' minds is, "Who's going to return kicks?"Not since the days of Allen Rossum have the Packers seen an effective kick returner. The answer could be Koren Robinson (pictured), but he's not eligible to return to the team from suspension until September.Tom Pelissero of the Green Bay Press-Gazette writes of yesterday's OTA practice, "Vernand Morency took the first rep as kick returner, with rookie Ryan Powdrell as his wingman. Brandon Jackson, David Clowney and Noah Herron also worked in. Herron muffed one kick."One has to think that either Shaun Bodiford or the speedy rookie Clowney has as good a chance as any to become the team's primary kick return specialist.
Compiling an injury list
2007-06-08 13:39:00 Rookie running back and second round draft pick Brandon Jackson heads the list of notable players suffering from injuries at Thursday's OTA practice for the Green Bay Packers."Coach Mike McCarthy said he's hoping Jackson will be back on the field next week," reports Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.Starting wide receiver Greg Jennings was also injured and did not participate in practice."Jennings rode a stationary bike for most of practice and did have anything visibly wrong with him," says the Press-Gazette's Tom Pelissero.After being injured most all of last season, cornerback Will Blackmon didn't practice with the team either.Head coach Mike McCarthy said of him, "It's not serious. It's kind of been bothering him all week. I don't recall (what the injury is). He fatigued it on Tuesday and it started bothering him again today."Starting left tackle Chad Clifton suffered an elbow injury at Thursday's practice, but it did not appear to be serious.The other player...
Rookies are working towards a Super Bowl
2007-06-07 13:21:00 There's a good article in today's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about the rookie draft choices from the skill positions and how they'll impact the Green Bay Packers.Wide receivers James Jones and David Clowney along with running backs Brandon Jackson and DeShawn Wynn will have a voice in how well the Packer offense operates in 2007.Richard Pufall of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes, "Jones is more than a former adolescent who has grown into a pro football player. He could be a consolation prize and pleasant surprise for Favre and the critics of Green Bay's off-season, who contend that general manager Ted Thompson hasn't done enough to improve the offense."Click the link to read more about his year's rookie class.
Injury update
2007-05-18 13:41:00 A handful of players won't be participating in minicamp practices this weekend for the Green Bay Packers as they recover from either offseason surgery or injuries sustained last season.According to Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, "Among other players who might not practice or will take part in limited drills are defensive end Aaron Kampman, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on a knee this offseason; backup quarterback Aaron Rodgers (broken foot), receiver Robert Ferguson (mid-foot - pictured), linebacker Abdul Hodge (knee) and running back Arliss Beach (foot)."Without either Brandon Jackson or Arliss Beach participating in minicamp, rookie DeShawn Wynn should get plenty of repetitions as he fights Vernand Morency, Noah Herron, and P.J. Pope for playing time."McCarthy said offensive lineman Kevin Barry (quadriceps) probably won't be ready to practice, and safety Marviel Underwood won't practice until training camp. Underwood is coming back from knee-reconstruction ...
Jackson hitting Hollywood
2007-05-16 13:34:00 PRNewswire says, "More than thirty of the top NFL draft picks will gather for a four-day outing in Los Angeles for the Reebok NFL Players Rookie Premiere presented by EA SPORTS(TM) and produced byPLAYERS INC beginning Thursday, May 17th. The rookies will wear their official team jerseys for the first time as they participate in a series of photo shoots for trading card companies Donruss Playoff, Topps and UpperDeck."Second round draft pick Brandon Jackson will be on hand for the event representing the Green Bay Packers."In addition to the trading card photo shoots at the Los AngelesColiseum, rookies will visit a local hobby shop Thursday evening, go headto head at the EA SPORTS Rookie Madden Bowl(TM) Friday night, and take partin media appearances and corporate hospitality during their four days inLos Angeles. The week's activities will be filmed for a one-hour televisionspecial produced by PLAYERS INC and The NFL Network. The program will airrepeatedly on the NFL Network later thi...
Draft Fallout - Brandon Jackson
2007-05-06 18:19:00 After the "loss" of Ahman Green, the Packers needed to draft a premier running back. What they ended up with is Brandon Jackson (63rd overall), a smaller (5'-10"), very quick tailback out of Nebraska. Drafting 16th, the Packers knew that both Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch would almost certainly be gone by the time they made their first round pick so they must have spent a great deal of time scouting the next level of running backs. But instead of taking a running back with the their high 2nd round pick, they dropped down 16 places in a trade with the Jets. Maybe the Packers brass thought the extra 3rd round pick they received in that trade was worthwhile in itself but I don't see how drafting DB Aaron Rouse makes up for dropping 16 places and allowing two more running backs to be taken off the board. Unless the Packers felt confident that they could drop 16 places and still get a running back they wanted. He'll need to do better than th...
By: The RotoFeed
Packers get a Husker
2007-04-29 03:23:00 The Green Bay Packers fulfilled their need for a running back with Nebraska's Brandon Jackson.New Era Scouting says, "Jackson was a successful one-year back in the Nebraska system, but his ability as a pro back remains in question. He does not have elite speed, nor does he have overpowering size. Will need to find a niche to make it as a successful player in the NFL."The Packers are hoping to hit a home run with Jackson in much the same with they hit it big with another former Husker in Ahman Green. |
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