Zero2Cool
16 years ago

Punt, kicking units performing well

[img_r]http://graphics.jsonline.com/graphics/packer/img/news/sep08/xwhite0919.jpg[/img_r]Green Bay - To the untrained eye, special teams look like mass confusion. To the Green Bay Packers, they're a well-choreographed, huge part of their formula for success.

In 2005 and '06, the Packers' special teams ranked last in the National Football League. They tied for seventh a year ago and now, with a roster chockfull of seasoned and athletic backups, they're aiming for No. 1.

"We're working toward it," coach Mike McCarthy said, calling his current units easily the best in his three seasons. "We've got more core players than we've had. I like the speed and the athletic ability."

Green Bay's physical superiority among players on special teams proved to be the deciding factor in a 24-19 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in the opener. Linebacker Tracy White, the unit's acknowledged leader, saw it coming.

"Looking at film, our speed was far, far better than theirs," White said. "I guess we were more hungry than them, too. We're trying to move up to the No. 1 spot. I think we could be No. 1 and we should be No. 1 by the end of the year."

McCarthy was disappointed by the performance in Detroit, but aside from a fumble by punter Derrick Frost they were at least adequate.

It's just that the Packers expect to impose their will on opponents.

On Sunday night, they'll face the Dallas Cowboys, who got the best of them on special teams last November. It was one of the Packers' three or four worst performances of the season, and they intend to make amends.

"There's going to be a big difference this game," White said. "I mean, we got better. Looking at film, I think we're better than Dallas on special teams. Now we've got to prove that."

The Cowboys have a dangerous punt returner in Adam "Pacman" Jones, and kick returner Felix Jones returned six kickoffs for 247 yards Monday night against Philadelphia.

But White said the Packers wouldn't kick away from Felix Jones. Mason Crosby has boomed 14 kickoffs for averages of 71.9 yards and 3.95 seconds of hang time, and coach Mike Stock trusts his charges.

"We're going to do what we do," White said, "because we've got good speed in our coverage teams. We should get down and get past their front line."

Although the Packers kept 10 rookies and first-year players, tying for the ninth-highest total in the NFL, not one has made a tackle yet on special teams. In Detroit, none was on the kickoff-coverage team and Jordy Nelson was the only rookie on kickoff return.

According to White, newcomers are putting out harder than usual fighting to get the call on special teams, something he has not seen in his six-year career. Rookie running back Kregg Lumpkin would be one of them.

"Those are good problems to have," McCarthy said. "Think about it. Jeremy Thompson, Patrick Lee and (Jermichael) Finley, and their athletic body types. They can't get on teams."

Finley is behind fellow tight end Tory Humphrey, who runs well and, at 6 feet 2 inches and 255 pounds, represents McCarthy's ideal for special teams.

"That's the body type I'm after," McCarthy said. "When you play special teams, and you've got guys that are 6-2 and 245, 250 and can run, that's a problem. Because if you've got more of them than they got, he's either too strong for somebody or he's too fast for a big guy."

Humphrey excelled on special teams in August but McCarthy said fullback Korey Hall was the team's best this summer. McCarthy said White was the club's finest the past two seasons, but ticked off the names of Desmond Bishop, Jarrett Bush, Jason Hunter, Michael Montgomery and Brandon Chillar as other top players.

All but Chillar, who played extensively on special teams in St. Louis from 2004-'07, have played major roles in Green Bay for at least one season. Others back for another year in Green Bay are Aaron Rouse, Tramon Williams, Charlie Peprah and John Kuhn.

"We're definitely physical . . . big time," Will Blackmon said. "But I would say the (best) thing is our chemistry. They say the more you know the faster you play. Everybody on the special teams is very, very intelligent."

White, who also stood out in Jacksonville and Seattle, said the current unit was the best that he had played on.

Here's how White views some of his teammates:

Bishop: "He's got agility and knows how to get to the ball and make plays."

Humphrey: "Speed. Power."

Hall: "He's got smarts. He gets good (lane) fits."

Chillar: "He's good at playing off other players. If I get down the field first and I fit in one area, he will play off me."

Rouse: "He's got speed and he's aggressive."

Williams: "He's a superfast dude."

Bush: "Great special-teams player. He's got speed and he's competitive."

Hunter: "Power and speed and aggressiveness."

Peprah: "He's a hitter. He goes down there and gives himself up every down."

Blackmon: "As a returner I've got to say he's one of the best."

Kuhn: "He's almost like Chillar. He's not going to get down the field as fast but he's smart and can play off people."

For his part, Blackmon cited Bush as the early season standout.

"We just didn't play good in Dallas last year," Blackmon said. "I think a lot of people, including myself, got caught up in the whole Hollywood scene. You look down there (end zone), I saw my favorite player, Deion Sanders.

"We will have our hands full but we have a good attitude this week. Everyone's serious and ready to go."


UserPostedImage
gbpfan
16 years ago
i hope they are on their game sunday,they have come along way :icon_smile:
Jacob
16 years ago
Yeah, im hoping they run one back early :profileright: :profileleft:
mxchamp004
16 years ago

Yeah, im hoping they run one back early :profileright: :profileleft:

"Jacob" wrote:


Ya but it seems that in every big game that someone runs a td back early, that team loses...like chicago in the sb and ohio state in the national championship...lol
UserPostedImage
Jacob
16 years ago

Yeah, im hoping they run one back early :profileright: :profileleft:

"mxchamp004" wrote:


Ya but it seems that in every big game that someone runs a td back early, that team loses...like chicago in the sb and ohio state in the national championship...lol

"Jacob" wrote:



Dallas ran one back kind of early against the eagles last week and won.
mxchamp004
16 years ago
true.
UserPostedImage
DGB454
16 years ago
Didn't we run one back against the Lions?
Jacob
16 years ago

Didn't we run one back against the Lions?

"DGB454" wrote:



I dont think so.
DGB454
16 years ago

Didn't we run one back against the Lions?

"Jacob" wrote:



I dont think so.

"DGB454" wrote:



Vikings game then.
Jacob
16 years ago

Didn't we run one back against the Lions?

"DGB454" wrote:



I dont think so.

"Jacob" wrote:



Vikings game then.

"DGB454" wrote:



yep, will blackmon
Fan Shout
Mucky Tundra (8h) : Will there be a tracker on the ball or something?
Zero2Cool (11h) : uh oh
Martha Careful (12h) : Too bad camera's can't spot the ball as well.
Mucky Tundra (14h) : So will the chain gang be gone completely or will they still be around as a backup or whatever?
Zero2Cool (14h) : The method for measuring first downs in the NFL will switch from chain gangs to camera-based technology in 2025, the league announced.
Martha Careful (17h) : A big step in the right direction. Just put in the college system is very very good.
Zero2Cool (20h) : NFL has passed a rule that allows both teams to possess the ball in OT during the regular season
Zero2Cool (20h) : Touchbacks on kickoffs will now bring the ball to the 35-yard line.
beast (31-Mar) : It might of gotten more popular recently, but braiding hair (even men) in certain cultures goes back for centuries.
Martha Careful (30-Mar) : Is men braiding their hair a new style thing? Watching the NCAA men's tournament many players have done
Zero2Cool (29-Mar) : Ha. Well, it'd be nice for folks to reset their own password. Via validated email 😏
beast (29-Mar) : Monopoly was supposed to be an educational game, that show how evil capitalism was and how we should avoid it
beast (29-Mar) : Lol, I was thinking username would be better, as then I wouldn't have to keep an email up to date lol 😂
beast (29-Mar) : Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : I was thinking email because I think it'll make folks keep it up todate lol
wpr (29-Mar) : sure is
Zero2Cool (29-Mar) : Monopoly is a rip off of The Landlord's Game
wpr (27-Mar) : 28 days until the draft
earthquake (27-Mar) : Which seemed strange to my 9 year old self, that you could be a fan for a team other than the one you play for
earthquake (27-Mar) : Nothing eventful happened, other than it being clear that he was a bengals fan
earthquake (27-Mar) : And we went and hung out with him one afternoon, I must have been 9 or so
earthquake (27-Mar) : That’s wild, when I was a kid my friend lived in the same apartment complex in De Pere
Mucky Tundra (27-Mar) : Only career highspot was a 200 yard rushing game while playing for the Cardinals
Mucky Tundra (27-Mar) : He is a former Packer. Drafted out of Northern Illinois. Didn't do much in GB.
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Despicable
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Former NFL. I think Packers too
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : NFL RB Leshon Johnson has been charged in a massive dog fighting operation, with the FBI seizing over 190 Pit Bulls
Mucky Tundra (26-Mar) : Some real irony of a QB as short as Wilson playing for the Giants
Mucky Tundra (26-Mar) : Giants country, let's be the tall beings of lore!
Mucky Tundra (26-Mar) : Russell Wilson signs with the Giants.
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : I was thinking email because I think it'll make folks keep it up todate lol
wpr (25-Mar) : I don't think there is a significant difference. I use a user name for many. Others email.
Martha Careful (25-Mar) : email
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : would it be better to use EMAIL or USERNAME to log into a site?
wpr (25-Mar) : Thanks Zero
Zero2Cool (24-Mar) : New forum has the ability to Thank a post now.
beast (24-Mar) : And the only time they have won the Championship in an even year, was the first time they did, in 2006.
beast (24-Mar) : Since 2007, there have been 10 odd numbered years, Wisconsin Women have won the Championship in 7 of those 10 odd numbered years.
buckeyepackfan (24-Mar) : Congratulations Lady Badger Hockey Team. NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!
Zero2Cool (23-Mar) : I don't think it's completed yet. it was just announced last month, right?
dhazer (23-Mar) : did netflix ever release the Packers documentary
Zero2Cool (21-Mar) : And it is glorious!
beast (21-Mar) : Unsigned FA QB Rodgers is supposedly in the Steelers building
Martha Careful (19-Mar) : But I don't own a car! So can I still use it in my apartment?
Zero2Cool (19-Mar) : btw, new site auto updates
Zero2Cool (19-Mar) : Woohoo!
TheKanataThrilla (19-Mar) : Oops I guess I should have updated the site before posting
TheKanataThrilla (19-Mar) : Jeremy Fowler @JFowlerESPN · Follow Source: Free agent WR/return specialist Mecole Hardman is signing with the #Packers on a one-year deal.
Zero2Cool (18-Mar) : Former Packers wide receiver Bob Long, who stayed in Wisconsin after playing days, dies at age 83
Martha Careful (17-Mar) : PFOW, Pati O'Furniture
wpr (17-Mar) : Thanks dfosterf. Been a while since I heard the song.
Please sign in to use Fan Shout
2024 Packers Schedule
Friday, Sep 6 @ 7:15 PM
Eagles
Sunday, Sep 15 @ 12:00 PM
COLTS
Sunday, Sep 22 @ 12:00 PM
Titans
Sunday, Sep 29 @ 12:00 PM
VIKINGS
Sunday, Oct 6 @ 3:25 PM
Rams
Sunday, Oct 13 @ 12:00 PM
CARDINALS
Sunday, Oct 20 @ 12:00 PM
TEXANS
Sunday, Oct 27 @ 12:00 PM
Jaguars
Sunday, Nov 3 @ 3:25 PM
LIONS
Sunday, Nov 17 @ 12:00 PM
Bears
Sunday, Nov 24 @ 3:25 PM
49ERS
Thursday, Nov 28 @ 7:20 PM
DOLPHINS
Thursday, Dec 5 @ 7:15 PM
Lions
Sunday, Dec 15 @ 7:20 PM
Seahawks
Monday, Dec 23 @ 7:15 PM
SAINTS
Sunday, Dec 29 @ 3:25 PM
Vikings
Sunday, Jan 5 @ 12:00 PM
BEARS
Sunday, Jan 12 @ 3:30 PM
Eagles
Recent Topics
14h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

15h / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

31-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

30-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

29-Mar / Random Babble / wpr

28-Mar / Feedback, Suggestions and Issues / dfosterf

28-Mar / Random Babble / Martha Careful

26-Mar / Random Babble / Mucky Tundra

25-Mar / Random Babble / Martha Careful

24-Mar / Random Babble / packerfanoutwest

24-Mar / Random Babble / Zero2Cool

21-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

19-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

19-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

18-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

Headlines
Copyright © 2006 - 2025 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.