I'm one of several people here who wants Harrell to succeed, so I'm not predisposed to believe that he has poor energy in practice. I know that Bob McGinn has been around awhile and is generally respected. I don't think he was lying. Why hasn't this been reported about Harrell before? Well, maybe because reporters have been cutting him some slack, just as we have, because we understand why he might not be in football shape. But maybe at this point in camp Harrell's lack of energy has become too conspicuous not to mention. We'll see if there are any other reports like this in the coming days and weeks, from McGinn or others, then we'll have a better idea of how Harrell is doing in practice.

McGinn's report is based on direct observation, which is what reporters do, and it should be noted that McGinn did not make any definite statements about Harrell's work ethic. He stated that maybe Harrell is just not in shape or cannot take the heat. Those are better excuses than if he's just dogging it, but regardless of the reason, this is still a concern, and it is exactly the sort of thing that beat reporters are supposed to write about.

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Fair enough. I think for me it isn't so much just the McGinn article, because yes, just like many of us in here, we may see the same play but have different analysis of it. So that's fine, he is entitled to his opinion and observations. I was more taken aback that certain posts came out using McGinns one observation as fuel to the fire for Harrell being a waste of space and being dumped. But once again, everyone is entittled to not agree with my every though, though if my wife did it would make life a lot easier.

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I want to see what he can do during a game. This training camp baloney gets old. Perhaps he's taking it easier because he doesn't want the injury to flame up?

I don't really care if Harrell makes the team. I don't care if he doesn't make the team. I just want the best players we can get out on the field. If one of them ends up being him, super. If not, it is because someone else is better. Again, that is super.

Just because it is annoying that he had a couple of injuries that kept him out for a couple seasons, it is a stupid reason to cut him for spite. If he can't beat out the next guy, that is a great reason to cut or trade him.

A settlement to get rid of him would roughly equal his pay. Since it costs no more to see if he can make it, I have no problem giving him a chance to make his paycheck worth it. From what I have read, he feels like he owes us.

This is preseason and roster spots are not a premium like regular season. He may be taking the spot of some undrafted FA corner back that would be the 15th one on the team right now. Big deal.

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He hasn't. This is actually his first mention of Justin Harrell this year.

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I will simplify my cut comments.

We have a kid that has been paid very well and has been injured most of his NFL career to date. Some of the injury issue is just bad luck.. however some of it is helped along by not being a conditioned athlete.

I firmly believe the above to be true.

So forward to this off season.. and I am on record of my own comments of hoping this kid makes an impact. Doubt it.. look them up in multiple threads.

He has reportedly been healthy all offseason and has made comments that he feels he owes the Packers because of lost time.. and that excited me at that point.

So now, albeit second hand comments and I haven't seen it with my own eye, that he isn't in optimal shape and "dogging" it in camp..

Now.. lets align those comments.. you have a kid, which if he is a player should be chopping at the bit to play this season.. one in which he claims guilt to the franchise and he isn't lighting it up with effort in camp.

That is what is disappointing.. and if he truly is lacking effort.. he isn't going to make the impact and thus taking reps away from others not to mention sending the wrong message to players on the team.

So my comments about being cut are from the perspective that I am a coach, I see a player on his last straw not putting forth the effort.. have addressed it directly with him and still not seeing the fire I demand from my players.

Some ask why cut him now verse end camp.. because if he goes down again because he isn't in shape we are on the hook for yet another season of salary.. you have to cut your losses at some point..

Now.. if McGinn is way off base, which he could be then it is a mute point.

But remember.. has anyone from within mentioned that Harrell is having a good camp? Haven't heard that either.

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This is an excellent post.

I'm wondering if many of the members posting responses have had back problems or for that matter spent time with an immediate family member taking are of them because they have had back problems.

My mother actually experienced back problems a few months ago, and it was pretty scary watching her go through it. She'd have days she'd wake up and literally could not do simple things like change her own clothes. She had trouble walking from the kitchen to the dining table. She'd actually been advised to switch postures (sitting, lying down, etc.) quite a bit throughout the day, but any extensive walking or even housework became a no-no.

Now my mother is nowhere near a 300+ pound defensive linemen. Harrell is coming off two back surgeries, and as someone mentioned being 300+ pounds isn't the best thing for his back or for for being in shape. I'm a bit sympathetic to his current predicament.

This is his first extensive football action in 4 years (I'm also counting his college year before he was drafted when he also had an injury). If you expect him to be in tip-top shape.... well I think that is asking an awful lot. I'd prefer it he not show his bad conditioning on the field, but after he has gotten his reps he decides to take a knee.... for me it's not the end of the world. I still think he'll add value and give you quality snaps as a back-up.

Reading some observations of beat writers covering this training camp, Harrell has had his moments. I'm fine with his showing thus far.... if he is pushed to play extensive snaps (that is, play 80% of the snaps like our starting DEs last year) then something has gone terribly terribly wrong with regard to injuries.

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To be fair, after a little over a week of camp I know of no reporter who starts giving out grades or talking about players who have been overall impressive / disappointing.

That said, Bedard on one of his radio spots in the morning show said Harrell has shown some good things in terms of his one-on-one matchups versus the linemen.

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For the record.. I have 4 compressed disks in my back and I am in the 315 neighborhood.. however I don't play football anymore... 😉

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Agreed.. it is early... but discounting McGinn quickly is just as guilty of running with his word correct?

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