He says back pain no longer an issueGreen Bay - Being a savior is certainly one way to shed a bust label.
Advertisement
Justin Harrell, who is eligible to play next week, may not view himself as a potential liberator of the Green Bay Packers' defensive tackles, but Ryan Pickett does.
"Oh yeah, that would be a big, welcomed addition," Pickett said. "That would be a huge welcome. We need him for so many reasons. We need him for depth and rotation. It's like we're out there too many plays. . . . It's definitely going to help to get Justin out there."
After two off-season back surgeries, Harrell was placed on the physically unable to perform list. He can be activated after Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks. Even though the Packers have up to three weeks to either activate Harrell or place him on injured reserve, bet on the former happening: Harrell said he could play right now without pain.
"I haven't had any problems since the second surgery," Harrell said in his first comments since the final week of August. "I can't wait to get back, because I love playing the game of football"
"I'm just making sure that I do everything I can to be ready for this point when these six weeks are up to hopefully get out there and start playing. That was my main motivation."
The sense of urgency by Harrell and the Packers has ratcheted up since defensive end Cullen Jenkins was played on injured reserve. The snaps Jenkins played at tackle on passing downs were taken away, leaving Pickett, Johnny Jolly and Colin Cole to play most of the snaps. The Packers used five players last season.
A tired middle of the line has certainly contributed to the Packers' porous rush defense, which has allowed the second-most yards per carry (5.14) in the league.
Harrell does realize his presence is anticipated. Pickett and others have been in Harrell's ear during his rehabilitation, making sure he does the right things to get back.
"I know we have a couple of depth problems with injuries and things like that," Harrell said. "The rotation has been shifted every game.... By me being out there and being an extra body and taking up some extra reps, hopefully that will give these boys some extra rest. Maybe they'll be fresh towards the end of the game and hopefully get a rotation going."
How effective Harrell will be remains to be seen. After being the 16th overall draft pick last year, he played in just seven games and had 24 total tackles - not exactly an instant impact.
What Harrell does know is that his back problems are behind him. He had surgery in March to alleviate a disc herniation, but the pain never subsided. A second surgery Aug. 25 removed bone fragments that proved to be the problem.
Harrell has worked his way back mostly out of sight of teammates and coaches, and he has been lifting so his strength is good. His weight is down to 313 pounds but he would rather play at around 305.
After all he's been through, and hearing all the whispers about being a first-round bust, Harrell is just happy to be on the verge of playing.
"I'm getting excited," he said. "It's been a long six weeks."
Shouldering the pain:[ul] Quarterback Aaron Rodgers did not throw, but said he fully expects to play this week and probably won't go into the game without having practiced at least once.
Depending on how his bruised right shoulder feels today, he may throw. If not today, then he'll probably take part in practice Friday. At least, that was the way Rodgers was feeling.
"All I can say is I'm confident I'll play this week, and hopefully the pain and the soreness will be less than it was last week," he said.[/ul]
Rest stop: [ul]The Packers have a bye in just over two weeks, but coach Mike McCarthy is considering starting it early for left tackle Chad Clifton, who has been trying to play through a hamstring injury.
McCarthy is getting tired of not having his offensive line together the entire week of practice. Since Clifton might not be able to work until Friday, if at all, McCarthy has spoken to the veteran about possibly sitting out this week. Depending on how Clifton heals, next week could be a possibility, too, although McCarthy addressed only the Seattle game.
"It's just the continuity, the rhythm and timing of your work week of trying to get the performance at a high level of efficiency you want at practice," McCarthy said of potentially sitting Clifton and others.
If Clifton didn't play, Daryn Colledge would move over from left guard and Allen Barbre and rookie Josh Sitton would compete for the open guard spot.
Clifton was one of 14 players on the injury report who were limited or didn't practice at all. Those who were out were: safety Atari Bigby (hamstring), end Jason Hunter (hamstring), receiver James Jones (knee), end Mike Montgomery (knee) and cornerback Charles Woodson (toe).
Fullback Korey Hall (knee) returned to practice after a three-week absence but was limited. Safety Aaron Rouse (knee) also returned and was limited. Nose tackle Ryan Pickett (knee) practiced sparingly.
The injuries at defensive end could leave rookie Jeremy Thompson as a starter this week.[/ul]
Pressure point: [ul]The Miami Dolphins put linebacker Danny Lansanah in a tough spot by calling him at 11 p.m. Monday and asking him to join their 53-man roster.
They had a 6 a.m. flight set up for him the next day and were hoping he'd take the offer before having a chance to consult with the Packers. As a practice squad player, Lansanah was free to accept an active roster spot anywhere else, but he told the Dolphins he owed it to the Packers to see if they were interested in signing him first.
"I told them if they wanted me that bad they could wait it out," Lansanah said.
After informing the Packers of Miami's interest, general manager Ted Thompson offered Lansanah a promotion to the 53-man roster. It meant cutting veteran linebacker Tracy White, but the Packers are very high on Lansanah, an undrafted rookie who had a solid training camp.
"He was kind of like my mentor coming in," Lansanah said of White. "He said that I was like him coming in, a quiet guy who didn't say much and just worked hard on the field. So it was real tough."
Lansanah is expected to be active Sunday. He was replaced on the practice squad by defensive end Rudolph Hardie, a 6-foot-2, 269-pound rookie from Howard who spent training camp with the Detroit Lions before being released in the final roster cut.[/ul]
Third party: [ul]Seattle coach Mike Holmgren said in a conference call with local reporters that it was difficult to see Brett Favre and the Packers end their relationship on a sour note.
"All I did was watch it and read like everyone else in the country," Holmgren said. "I was saddened a little bit by it because I knew all the principles involved pretty well, and they're all honorable, good guys. Everybody is. I care about those people who are involved, and I'll always have a special place in my heart for the Packers. I thought it was too bad. I was hoping that things would get resolved, but I think both sides went on with their lives."
Holmgren said he couldn't answer whether the relationship would someday be repaired.
[/ul]