The Fighting Packers?
By Greg A. Bedard of the Journal Sentinel
Aug. 4, 2009 9:44 p.m.
Green Bay -- Packers fans hoping to see their team show some more fight this season got their wish on the fourth day of training camp as three physical skirmishes broke out during a hotly contested scrimmage session between the offense and defense in the evening practice.
"I probably shouldn't even say this, but we were 6-10 last year and we didn't have a damn fight all training camp," coach Mike McCarthy said. "So I guess we're off to a hell of a start."
The most dangerous of the fights was the last and occurred after linebacker Brady Poppinga decleated running back Kregg Lumpkin just as he caught a pass on the sideline closest to the stands. Offensive linemen Jamon Meredith and T.J. Lang immediately went after Poppinga and a near melee ensued and spilled toward the railing in front of the stands.
It took several minutes to break up and then McCarthy told both sides to get a drink a water. The rest of practice was conducted without incident.
The Packers prohibit full tackling in practice.
"I actually didn't see Brady's hit but it's unnecessary," McCarthy said. "We talk about it all the time. It's part of our practice ethic. When you have a teammate in a compromised position, we don't want to hurt anybody. I was told what happened and had a chance to talk to Brady about it. But we're not looking for that. I'm not looking for a player to be hurt when it's unnecessary. That's not what we're teaching."
Two other near-fights centered around linebacker Desmond Bishop, who has been one of the most physical players in camp to this point.
The first came on a Lumpkin fumble and pitted Spitz against Bishop before several others jumped in. Linebackers coach Kevin Greene attempted to break up the second skirmish but was knocked back and his hat flew off.
McCarthy called the team together after the second fight but it obviously didn't prevent the final scuffle.
Overall, McCarthy was happy with the sixth practice in four days. The Packers head into an off day.
"This practice usually has a lot of energy in it the night before they are off," McCarthy said. "I mean, they're going against each other every day. I think the energy level, the spirit is normal. I'm fine with the activity as long as it's during the play. I didn't appreciate some of the stuff that was going on after the plays were over. I think we cleaned that up and I thought we had a hell of a practice. I thought the defense had a heck of a night tonight."