Nonstopdrivel
14 years ago

Game Notes: Youth Makes Statement With Big Plays
 
By Mike Spofford
Posted Aug 26, 2010

When its all said and done following next weeks final preseason game, 27 of the players on the Packers 80-man roster will not make the team.

Its a harsh reality in the NFL, and the competition is fierce, especially among rookies trying to make it in the pros.

But even if there wont be room for all of them, several Green Bay rookies and first-year players gave the coaching and personnel staffs something to think about with some impact plays in the second half of the Packers 59-24 blowout of the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday night at Lambeau Field.

In chronological order, heres a rundown of those noteworthy moments:

--On the Colts first possession of the second half, with their No. 1 offense still in the game, rookie outside linebacker Frank Zombo chased down a scrambling Peyton Manning and while sacking him knocked the ball loose.

Fellow linebacker Robert Francois, who was on the Packers practice squad last year, scooped up the ball off one bounce and raced 35 yards all the way to the Indianapolis 2-yard line, setting up a short TD pass from Matt Flynn to John Kuhn.

This marked the third straight preseason game that Zombo, who started due to injuries at outside linebacker and continues to make a strong push for a roster spot, made a significant play. The non-drafted free agent from Central Michigan ended up playing basically the entire game on Thursday and led the defense with nine tackles.

--On the first snap of the fourth quarter, Flynn threw a short fade to rookie tight end Andrew Quarless in the end zone, and Quarless fought off being held by Colts safety Mike Newton and hauled it in for an 11-yard TD.

Quarless, a fifth-round draft pick who earlier on that drive had a 9-yard catch and finished with the two receptions for 20 yards, is fighting for a spot within a deep tight end group. The touchdown is the first in the preseason scored by a tight end other than starter Jermichael Finley, so it certainly helps the Penn State products cause.

--No. 3 quarterback Graham Harrell directed a 13-play, 90-yard TD drive that consumed 7 minutes, 18 seconds of the fourth quarter. The best Harrell might be able to do is make the practice squad, considering the Packers kept only two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster last year, but this drive was his most impressive work thus far for the former Texas Tech star.

He converted a third-and-1 with a sneak, then picked up a third-and-6 with a 7-yard pass to first-year receiver Jason Chery. On the next third down, he began a string of three straight completions, hitting rookie Chastin West for 15 yards, rookie Shawn Gore for 18 and a nice rollout throw, and then giving running back Kregg Lumpkin a screen pass that he took for 22 yards and a first-and-goal.

Harrell finished 4-of-5 for 62 yards on the night after going just 4-of-8 for 36 yards in the first two games.

--Chery, a non-drafted free agent in 2009 from Louisiana-Lafayette who was signed after training camp began this year, has been able to display his speed in practice, and he finally got to do so in a game. With just over 5 minutes remaining, Chery took Pat McAfees 50-yard punt at his own 25-yard line, had some daylight along the left side and turned on the jets.

Chery went 75 yards, for the most part untouched, for the score. After the game, he said he thought about looking back but figured he shouldnt or it would have slowed him down. Truthfully, it wouldnt have mattered with how quickly he blazed by everyone.

I said just keep on going and see if I can reach the end zone, and once I reached there, it was like a dream come true, Chery said. Its very big, but at the same time theyre still going to wait and see what youre going to do the next play. Theyll say you did a good job, but now are you going to continue doing it? Its consistency.

There was a flag on the play, and Chery admitted he was nervous when the officials were huddled in a discussion. But the penalty was on the Colts, and his touchdown stood. Considering he got a late start and stands just 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds, Chery may be the longest of longshots, but he got a chance to show a little something.

How could you not be excited about that young man? Head Coach Mike McCarthy said. He gets an opportunity and well definitely give him some more opportunities, I can promise you that, as we move forward into this next week.

--Last but not least, rookie cornerback Sam Shields snagged an interception for the second straight game. With less than a minute left, Shields made a very athletic play, leaping high to get his hands on Curtis Painters pass intended for receiver Dudley Guice. He brought it down and held on as he crashed to the turf.

Shields converted from receiver to cornerback last year in his final season at the University of Miami and said when he was first learning the position, he kept falling down trying to backpedal. But now hes thrust himself into the competition not just for a roster spot but for the critical nickel corner position with the instincts and athletic ability hes shown.

He came into the game Thursday late in the first quarter with the No. 1 defense in the nickel, and Peyton Manning targeted him right away, firing a pass over the middle to Pierre Garcon for 24 yards. But Shields held his own after that, finishing with three passes defensed, including his second preseason interception.

I have to do more, Shields said matter-of-factly, not believing hes won a roster spot yet, even if his odds keep getting better. When the next practice comes, I have to keep working hard. We have another game Thursday. If Im here, I just have to make some more plays next Thursday.

The if Im here reference reflects the knowledge all the young players have that the first roster reduction will occur sometime between Friday and Tuesday. The Packers must cut five players to get down to 75, and then the roster must be reduced to 53 players on Sept. 4, two days after the preseason finale at Kansas City.

One, almost two

Rookie safety Morgan Burnett isnt fighting for a roster spot; hes already a starter on defense. But he is trying to carry over his collegiate success to the pro game as quickly as possible, and he took a big step forward in that regard on Thursday.

Burnett, who had 14 interceptions in three seasons at Georgia Tech, got his first preseason interception when he picked off Manning in the second quarter. Burnett stepped in front of a short pass intended for Garcon and returned it 11 yards to the Indianapolis 18.

That was almost his second interception of the game, actually. In the first quarter, on the Colts second drive, Burnett ranged over to his left on a deep pass intended for Garcon, leaped in the air and got his arms on the ball. But Garcon managed to tip it away and it fell incomplete.

Im thinking, OK, I got one, but then I dropped it, and I have to make best of those opportunities because you never know when theyre going to come around, Burnett said. Lucky for me it came around in the same game in the same half and I made the best of that one.

Ball-security issues

If theres been one glaring negative on offense for the Packers through the first three preseason games, its been the ball security of the running backs.

On Thursday night, both Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson fumbled the ball, with Jacksons being recovered by the Colts at the Indianapolis 6-yard line and taking away a great scoring opportunity. Those were the third and fourth fumbles by the running back group in the preseason, with Grant losing a fumble in the opener against Cleveland on the offenses first snap, and Kregg Lumpkin also fumbling once against the Browns, though his (like Grants against the Colts) was recovered by the Packers.

We had the ball on the ground too many times, so we need to eliminate that from our play, McCarthy said. And its kind of gone on a little too much, and Im talking about in the practices and so far in the preseason. We train it every day and we need to get rid of that. So thats the only thing I was really disappointed in offensively.

The return units, which were guilty of two turnovers in the first two games, nearly had another as well. Punt returner Will Blackmon had a punt go right through his hands on his own 11-yard line late in the first half, but he recovered it himself.

Back in action

Lumpkin hadnt practiced or played since injuring his hamstring in the Browns game two weeks ago, but he was back on the field Thursday to continue his fight for a roster spot. He posted 26 rushing yards on nine carries, including a 1-yard TD run to cap the 90-yard drive in the fourth quarter. He also had a 22-yard catch-and-run on a screen pass on that drive, giving him 48 yards from scrimmage in the game.

Similarly, rookie running back Quinn Porter didnt practice all week after spraining an ankle last Saturday in Seattle, but Porter suited up and played as well. He had three carries for 12 yards but then left the game with a knee sprain when he was upended near the goal line.

Injury/participation update

In addition to Porter, other players who were injured during the game were cornerback Brandon Underwood (shoulder), linebacker Desmond Bishop(hamstring), and linebacker Cyril Obiozor (quad). Only Obiozor was able to return to the game.

Sitting out for the Packers were receiver Brett Swain (knee), linebackers Clay Matthews (hamstring) and Brad Jones (shoulder), offensive linemen Bryan Bulaga (hip flexor) and Allen Barbre (back), defensive end Cullen Jenkins (calf), receiver Greg Jennings (back), and the three PUP players safety Atari Bigby (ankle), cornerback Al Harris (knee) and running back James Starks (hamstring).


UserPostedImage
Fan Shout
dfosterf (2h) : Luke Elzinga Punter Oklahoma stil unsigned. Green Bay has been mentioned as good fit
beast (9h) : The Packers re-signed three exclusive rights free agents WR Melton, P Whelan and RB Wilson.
Zero2Cool (22h) : February 5, 2002 (age 23) ok no. packers.com is wrong
Zero2Cool (22h) : Micah Robinson is only 19??
Zero2Cool (29-Apr) : 6 first rounders on Packers defense now
Zero2Cool (29-Apr) : LB Isaiah Simmons. Signed. Called it!!! Oh yeah!
Martha Careful (29-Apr) : ty bboystyle...fat fingers
bboystyle (29-Apr) : Tom*
Martha Careful (28-Apr) : RIP Packer Safety Tim Brown
beast (27-Apr) : Yeah, but also some of the wording suggestions Jax only pranked called the QB, not the others... and if he had an open spreadsheet & 3 calls
beast (27-Apr) : Thank goodness he's not leaving the Turtle in the Red Tide
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : Cowboys 1st round pick Tyler Booker will indeed be bringing his pet turtle to Dallas with him
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : that contained all prospects info and contact
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : beast, according the Falcons statement Jax came across it on an ipad. If I had to guess, probably an open spread sheet or something
Zero2Cool (27-Apr) : Simmons put up an emoji with cheese.
beast (27-Apr) : Not sure anyone is interested in Isaiah Simmons... Collin Oliver might of taken his potential slot
beast (27-Apr) : I'm going with Jax Ulbrich is not telling the whole truth... he accidentally came across it? Why would a defensive coordinator have a QB #?
Zero2Cool (27-Apr) : He's not that great, but final piece of the script.\
Zero2Cool (27-Apr) : If we add Isaiah Simmons, book your Super Bowl tickets
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : Colts 1st round TE Tyler Warren also got prank called, was that Jax Ulbrich as well?
Zero2Cool (27-Apr) : Jax Ulbrich, Jeff Ulbrich’s son, released an apology for his role in the Shedeur Sanders prank call.
Martha Careful (27-Apr) : apparently he did not participate in practice or play on the east west shrine game nor the NFL combine. The kid was a mediocre spoiled brat
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : Yeah that one that was a super wounded duck that Sanders supporters are highlighting to prove a point
Zero2Cool (27-Apr) : Shough is the guy who missed guys at combine isn't he?
beast (27-Apr) : It's not official until I'm dead! I have a chance still! (Not really)
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : I could feel my body decomposing in real time when I read that
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : @MIKEYSAINRISTIL Tyler Shough will officially be the last person drafted to the NFL born in the 1900’s
Mucky Tundra (26-Apr) : saw the tweet, he meant the city
Mucky Tundra (26-Apr) : Was that for the team or the city?
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter · 3m Draft grade is in: Green Bay gets an A. The people, the city, the venue were all superb. NFL Draft’s next
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Matt LaFleur says Jaire Alexander is participating in #Packers offseason program, which has been conducted virtually during this first week
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : ✅ ...
buckeyepackfan (26-Apr) : Check
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Matthew Golden cahanged 81 to 22??
TheKanataThrilla (26-Apr) : Sam Howell to Vikings...guess no Aaron
Martha Careful (26-Apr) : 1 round 7 min, with one extra minute if there is a trade. 2nd round 4 minutes, 3rd -3, 2 thereafter IMO
Martha Careful (26-Apr) : Agree
dfosterf (26-Apr) : Great idea imo
dfosterf (26-Apr) : 1st round to 7 minutes with one extension
dfosterf (26-Apr) : NFL comissioner wants to shorten the 2st
Mucky Tundra (26-Apr) : @jalenreagors They’re discussing if Sheduer can go back to college on NFL Network LMFAOOOOO
beast (26-Apr) : Great point Martha
beast (26-Apr) : Buddy Ryan used to say if a candy bar goes missing, there are two to blame, Rex and Rob 🤪 jk 😁
Martha Careful (26-Apr) : Bum Phillips used to say there are two ways to get better. Get better players or get players to play better. We have a new DL coach
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Yes. Look at the losses last year. They can win.
beast (26-Apr) : Can Packers win with their current DL?
bboystyle (26-Apr) : waiting for a pass rusher.
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 5 minutes between picks in the 3rd
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 3rd. Hate this phone
dfosterf (25-Apr) : 4rd
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
Recent Topics
13h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Martha Careful

16h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

16h / Packers Draft Threads / Mucky Tundra

17h / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

17h / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

29-Apr / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

27-Apr / Packers Draft Threads / Mucky Tundra

27-Apr / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

27-Apr / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

27-Apr / Around The NFL / bboystyle

27-Apr / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

27-Apr / Green Bay Packers Talk / Martha Careful

27-Apr / Packers Draft Threads / wpr

27-Apr / Packers Draft Threads / wpr

27-Apr / Packers Draft Threads / wpr

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