Expanding the story, Volume I
While I'm working on a story for Saturday's edition, here are some expanded quotes on the stories we got to and a few we didn't on Thursday ...
The story: DE Justin Harrell says he's pain free for the first time in years.
* Defensive line coach Mike Trgovac: "Justins been impressive so far, hes a very bright kid, he certainly has the athletic ability and the size to do what were asking him to do, and Ive been very pleased with not only his effort, but his, um, you can tell that it means something to him. I never saw his game face or whatever you want to call it before, but hes a very determined young man. I could tell by the two days of practice that well have very good competition at these positions in training camp. ... He fits in very well. I just Ive been very pleased with the way Justin has approached this offseason. I have not been with him in the past, so I cannot speak on the past, but hes been very determined, hes moving very well, and hes very focused right now, and hes just naturally a bright kid. Ive been very pleased with his effort. He wants to learn, he wants to know all the little ins and outs of the defense, and he picks thinks up very quickly. He doesnt make a mistake twice very often."
* Harrell, on how to stay healthy: "I wish I had the answer, because if I did, I would definitely do everything I could. But I dont know. Youve got to go out and work, man. Injuries are a part of it. Nobody can really predict when youre going to get injured. So, Ive just got to go out and work as long as I can and hope for the best."
The story: Ryan Pickett is getting the first shot at being the nose tackle in the new 3-4 defense.
* Pickett, on the selection of B.J. Raji at No. 9: "Right away, initially you dont know. I was like, what does this mean? But eventually, its great. I think its great. You have to make a move for the future. Hes a great young man and is going to be a great player, and I'm excited to have him around. Hes definitely farther ahead than I ever was as a rookie."
Will you mentor him? "Ill mentor him on and off the field. I dont mind that role. I like it, hes a good kid, so you dont mind."
Thoughts on the 3-4 defense: "I think its good, its a lot to learn, but I think I can fit in good and be a real good nose guard, its challenge the way we play nose here, but I like a challenge."
Open to playing some end? "Yeah, it would be different, I dont know what I would think about it, but it wouldnt be no big deal, but nose is so complicated I'm not even thinking about learning anything else. ... Never played a snap of 3-4 in my life."
On the responsibilities of the nose tackle: "I have both 'A' gaps now, if the guard, he goes one way, I have to beat him to that side, its not just about being big and strong, its about being quick because I have to be front side every play and when you're lining head up on a guy, thats one of the hardest things to do. Youve got to read and react fast."
The story: First-round pick Clay Matthews strained a hamstring in his first full-squad practice.
Matthews: "Yeah, unfortunately, its just a minor tweak, a little strain. They held me out today, just being a little cautious, because it can obviously turn into a lot more. I feel a lot better than yesterday. I've been working out on it, and I felt like I was able to jog around. Its day to day and I imagine Ill be back sooner rather than later."
How it happened: "Chasing after the quarterback, what else? It was the second to last period, team pass I think. The quarterback flushed out of the pocket and was just chasing after him."
Back next week? "They havent really given me a timetable, because I think ultimately its up to me, but its day to day right now. I woke today feeling good, so I hope tomorrow it will be that much better and on Tuesday hopefully Ill be right back at it."
The story: DE Cullen Jenkins, who is coming off surgery for a torn pec, also recently undewent ankle surgery and isn't practicing.
Jenkins: "It wasnt an easy decision, but I think it was a necessary one. There was a little concern with the injury, whether or not it was getting worse, so they just wanted to go in and check it out and make sure nothing was wrong, so it is the ankle that theyre a little more concerned about. Actually talked to the doctor yesterday, and he was more concerned about the ankle, and I was more worried about the pec, but he told me he has zero concern about my pec, and I feel like theres zero concern about my ankle. But we have a lot of time, and he doesnt want to rush me out there. with everybody being so anxious right now, he doesnt want anything to happen, to get rolled up on or anything."
On the new scheme: "Theres a lot less freedom than as a 4-3 end, you're not on the edge, its more like being a tackle so stuff is going to happen a lot faster and you have to be ready to react. Its a position thats really important to the team, Ill be responsible for taking up blockers and holding gaps."
Is it a good fit? "I feel like any position on the d-line is a good fit for me, I feel like I can play any position across the board. I definitely embrace the challenge of it, and I look forward to getting out there and showing what I can do."
More nuts and bolts than glamour? "Yeah, I kinda look at it like almost an offensive line thing, but you still get opportunities to rush the passer but it is more of an unselfish position and think about the team and the scheme and not try to be selfish and worry about making plays and just make sure youre holding your responsibilities so the defense can work."
The story: WR James Jones thinks he's past the knee injury that plagued him all last season. He rested the injury for about a month and did not have surgery.
Jones: "Im perfect now. Everythings perfect. I feel great, and Im ready to rock."
What did you do during that month? "Nothing. Not a thing. No thing period. Just let my knee rest. ... I started running like a couple of weeks before the offseason workouts started just to get my wind back, so like early March, and then when I came here I participated in all the workouts."
So youve done everything since March?: "Yep. Full go. ... It feels good to get back to being myself and being able to run again. I dont feel any pain or anything. I'm excited."
The story: CB Tramon Williams took out an insurance policy to ensure he could work out with the Packers even though he wasn't signed -- until later Thursday, when the team announced he had signed a one-year deal.
Williams, on why he chose to show up instead of sitting out: "Thats what Ive been doing my whole life. I never took a day off from practice, mandatory or voluntary. I never took a day off even when I wasnt getting paid in high school and college. Im getting paid now; its no different, though, to me. Basically, to help myself, too. Weve got the new defense coming in. If I wasnt here, obviously, that would have hurt me, and the team obviously, too. Thats basically the reason why I came. I was going to be here regardless, new defense or not. But that definitely triggered it. I was going to be up here to get the defense in, be around my teammates."
So there really was no choice once the scheme change was made? "Obviously, you have to be here if you want to get better. Im still a young player. Its no excuse for me not to be up here, so Im here."
Do you feel like this scheme will give you more opportunities to peek into backfield, play the ball? "Thats what this defense is mainly about giving us a chance to read the quarterback. You play press man so much, you never get a chance to see the quarterback. Get read, three steps, five steps, and from the quarterback reads, you can basically feel out what the receivers doing. Thats what were going to gain from this defense."