Packers: Jclombardi’s News Links

 Jclombardi reviews Packers headlines & training camp reports.

Training camp reports: Friday training camp report. Insider: Blocking ability gives TE Crabtree edge.  Friday’s Packers training camp report.  Photo gallery from Fridays training camp practice.

Training camp notes:  Blackmon’s balky knee a concern for return game. Breaking down the punting numbers so far:  P Masthay has 34 punts, 48.82-yard average, 4.41 seconds of average hang time and P Bryan has 36 punts, 47.14-yard average, 4.22 seconds of average hang time. Tough call.

Kicker Crosby hit 6 of 8 field goal attempts, kicking with almost no wind and he is now 19 of 28 (67.8%) for training camp. 

Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose as that’s life as a cornerback. CB Williams was part of two perfectly executed plays in practice with one in his favor and one not.

Players lined up as returners during kickoff drills were RB Jackson, WR Nelson, CB Lee, RB Porter, CB Shields and WR Chery. TE Lee had the catch of the day snaring QB Rodgers’ pass in the end zone with one hand. 

FB Johnson looks like a one-trick pony.  He was drafted for his smash-mouth blocking ability, but he’s done little to develop the rest of his game in the last year and a half.

Focus on players: Driver’s Next Stop: Packers Hall.  ‘Relentless’ Porter standing out at camp.  Extension gives Driver opportunity to finish career as Packer. Insider: Blocking ability gives TE Crabtree edge.  Rookie Neal draws heavy workload early in camp.  Packers extend WR Driver’s contract.  Notebook: Knee pain hampers Blackmon.  WR Driver signs extension. Matthew talks expectations, lineback shuffle.

Injury Report: Safety Blackmon (knee) and LB Zombo (ankle) sidelined.  LB Poppinga suffered a concussion. Otherwise, safety Martin returned to action and the rest of the team practiced as usual. The three players on the physically unable to perform list–CB Harris (knee), S  Bigby (ankle) and RB Starks (hamstring)–remained sidelined with Bigby undergoing ankle surgery.

Practice schedule: Today, at 6:30 p.m., the Packers conduct their family night intra-squad scrimmage.  Fans who are looking for more live tackling drills and were hoping Saturday’s Family Night Scrimmage would deliver will be sorely disappointed. While McCarthy said there will be some tackling, he strongly hinted that it will not be much. The coach doesn’t want to lose any players to injuries.

Sunday, the Packers have the day off.  Monday, the Packers  return to practice in pads at 2 p.m.