Packers still have work to do on defense
The Sports Xchange
NFL Team Report - Green Bay Packers - INSIDE SLANT
With the Packers' purported recruitment of running back Cedric Benson on hold, how they go about repairing their defense can't be overshadowed.
While the productive Benson would be a sensible addition to a halfback group that already lacked pizzazz and has been stymied by injury early in the preseason, such a significant move won't be a cure for what is troubling the defensive side.
The Packers are hurting after losing two starters to major injuries in their 21-13 loss at the San Diego Chargers in a preseason opener Aug. 9.
Inside linebacker Desmond Bishop, arguably the player who made the biggest impact on a mostly ineffective defense last season, could miss the entire 2012 season. Tests done back in Green Bay a day after the game confirmed Bishop sustained a torn hamstring and a sprained knee in his right leg as he tried to tackle running back Ronnie Brown in the first quarter.
"Surgery (on the hamstring) is imminent, and Desmond's season is in jeopardy," head coach Mike McCarthy said. "Once we have the surgery, we'll probably have a better idea on his status for the season."
Bishop built on a productive first season as a starter in 2010 with prolific numbers last season. His career-high 142 tackles (109 solo) led the team, and the sixth-year veteran ranked second on the club with five sacks - just one behind All-Pro outside linebacker Clay Matthews.
"Personally, I feel terrible," McCarthy said. "It was a very unusual injury, if you had a chance to see it on film. It's unfortunate. Everybody knows the type of player Desmond is for us. He's clearly one of the definitely spiritual-type of individuals, the energy he brings to the workplace and just the way he plays. He puts so much into it. After last year with his calf injuries, I know he was really looking forward to having a big year.
"This is the unfortunate part of the game of football, and I look for our linebackers to step up. We have a lot of depth there, and (it will) create more opportunities for those guys."
D.J. Smith, who maintained Bishop's high rate of producing in a three-game starting stint as a rookie when the veteran was out late in the 2011 season with a strained calf, gets the starting nod alongside A.J. Hawk going forward.
"You can't replace him," Smith said of Bishop, "but you sure can just try to fill the void as much as possible and as best as possible."
In the course of reshaping the league's worst-ranked overall and passing defense this summer, coordinator Dom Capers went to great lengths to raise the level of play with his defensive backs.
The anticipated shift of eight-time Pro Bowl cornerback Charles Woodson to safety created an opening for a starting job on the perimeter. Davon House, who didn't play a down on defense as a rookie last season, seemingly wrested the spot from Jarrett Bush, Sam Shields and rookie Casey Hayward with a strong first two weeks of training camp.
House continued to play well in the first preseason game, only to be felled by a dislocated left shoulder he sustained on punt coverage in the third quarter.
"He will be out probably two to three weeks, and at that time, we'll make a long-term decision," McCarthy said. "He's very eager to get after the rehab. It's shoulder (subluxation), so you have to go through a two- to three-week period to make sure it's settled down, and at that time the option of playing with a harness or potential surgery is really what we're looking at."
House had his left arm in a sling as the team returned to the practice field Aug. 11.
Hayward, a second-round draft pick with plenty of upside, looks to be the short-term replacement for House opposite Tramon Williams.
Meanwhile, the Packers also were looking to patch things up with their tattered run game. Multiple reports throughout the weekend following the game against the Chargers had Green Bay on the verge of signing Benson, 29, a free agent.
The eighth-year player ran for 1,000-plus yards each of the last three seasons, all with the Cincinnati Bengals. Benson played his first three seasons in the league with the Packers' NFC North rival Chicago Bears.
Amid reports Benson had arrived in Green Bay on Friday and was going to be signed by the team, those with the Packers said little during the weekend regarding the matter.
"Any potential player acquisition, there's nothing to really speak on until something occurs," McCarthy said after a night practice Aug. 11.
The Packers practiced again Aug. 12 and still no Benson.
Green Bay was down to only Alex Green and undrafted rookie Marc Tyler as the halfbacks in practice for the weekend.
Projected starter James Starks is out indefinitely after suffering turf toe against the Chargers. Brandon Saine and undrafted rookie Du'ane Bennett missed the game because of hamstring and knee injuries, respectively.
NFL Team Report - Green Bay Packers - NOTES, QUOTES
--Taking roll call at a Packers preseason practice or game this summer requires a lot of diligence.
The annual rite of battles for roster spots has been supplanted by a battle of attrition.
"We've got a lot of guys that are beat up," head coach Mike McCarthy said.
The aftermath of a painful 21-13 loss at the San Diego Chargers in the exhibition opener for both teams Aug. 9 left Green Bay with 21 players sidelined for its next practice Aug. 11.
"This is probably the highest number of injuries we've had in camp," McCarthy said.
The injury bug had been so pronounced two weeks into training camp that the Packers didn't suit up 18 players for the game against the Chargers. All but one (veteran cornerback/safety Charles Woodson) of those were for injury reasons.
To make matters worse, Green Bay lost starting inside linebacker Desmond Bishop (torn hamstring, sprained knee) and starting cornerback candidate Davon House (dislocated shoulder) to severe injuries during the game. Bishop faces surgery for the hamstring and may miss the entire season.
Other notables on the Packers' long list of camp casualties include receiver Greg Jennings (concussion), tight end Jermichael Finley (quadriceps), running backs James Starks (turf toe) and Brandon Saine (hamstring), left tackle Marshall Newhouse (concussion) and cornerback Sam Shields (elbow).
Green Bay still is waiting on offensive tackle Derek Sherrod (leg), tight end Andrew Quarless (knee) and linebacker Frank Zombo (hamstring) to make their preseason debut. All three players are on the physically unable to perform list.
"This is not what you're looking for," McCarthy said, not knowing whom the team will have available for its home game against the Cleveland Browns on Aug. 16. "This is going to be a very challenging week due to injuries. Obviously, if I knew why it was happening, I would fix it."
--While reigning league MVP Aaron Rodgers was saddled with the ignominy of a 0.0 passer rating after leading the offense in three futile series in the first quarter against the Chargers, top backup Graham Harrell had a positive effort.
Harrell replaced Rodgers late in the first quarter and stayed in until rookie B.J. Coleman directed a two-minute drive at the end of the game.
"Getting a chance to get that many reps and get in drive after drive is definitely good for me," said Harrell, who has replaced the departed Matt Flynn (signed with the Seattle Seahawks in free agency) as the Packers' No. 2 quarterback.
Harrell had an inauspicious start upon entering the game as he misfired on a number of throws, but he settled down by the end of the first half and led Green Bay to both of its touchdowns.
He completed five of six passes for 68 yards, capped by a 3-yard touchdown throw to receiver Randall Cobb, in an eight-play, 70-yard drive in the closing minutes of the second quarter.
A 1-yard touchdown run by undrafted rookie Marc Tyler finished a 14-play, 68-yard drive early in the fourth quarter to cut the Packers' deficit to 14-13. Harrell was 5-of-7 for 50 yards.
The first-year quarterback, who's in his third year in the Green Bay system, compiled an 81.6 passer rating in the game. He went 15-for-27 for 135 yards and absorbed two sacks.
Rodgers' hurried performance behind a shaky offensive line that had Herb Taylor in place of the injured Newhouse included a 2-for-8, 16-yard, one-interception passing line. Taylor was dismal against Chargers rookie linebacker Melvin Ingram, a first-round draft pick.
--Packers outside linebacker Nick Perry, taken 10 spots (at No. 28) after San Diego selected Ingram on the opening night of the April draft, didn't waste any time to make an impact in his unofficial pro debut.
Perry bull-rushed his way past Chargers right tackle Jeromey Clary on the game's second play from scrimmage and dropped quarterback Philip Rivers for a 6-yard sack.
Perry, a former standout up the Pacific coast at USC, celebrated the big play by flexing his muscles. That drew a questionable unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty from the replacement officials assigned to the game.
"At the end of the day, I was just caught up in the moment trying to get a sack, and that's what happened," Perry said.
Perry, who is making the adjustment from defensive end, played most of the game and recorded three tackles.
--With depth a concern on the offensive line even before Newhouse left the intrasquad scrimmage at Lambeau Field on Aug. 3 with the concussion, general manager Ted Thompson turned to a veteran with an in-camp acquisition.
The Packers signed 10th-year guard/tackle Reggie Wells to a one-year contract for the veteran's minimum of $825,000 on Aug. 8.
The 6-4, 318-pound Wells had been out of football since the Carolina Panthers released him last November.
The former sixth-round draft pick played 104 games with 90 starts from 2003 to '09 with the Arizona Cardinals. He had subsequent stops with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2010 and then the Panthers last season.
"I think Reggie really fits our profile as an offensive lineman. He's played all five positions," McCarthy said. "He was impressive in (his) workout (Aug. 7) as far as the (center) snapping and so forth. So, he brings us a lot of versatility. We will definitely look at him at guard and potentially tackle."
Wells didn't play in the first preseason game.
The Packers previously showed interest in Wells during the 2006 offseason, when they brought him in for a visit as a restricted free agent.
Wells, 31, was hopeful about getting an opportunity to prolong his pro career this summer. He had been working out on his own the last several months and helped his dad coach basketball in Pittsburgh.
"I never was in the retirement mode, so to speak," Wells said.
The Packers also added receiver Andy Brewer, claiming the 6-2, 216-pound first-year player off waivers from the Eagles.
To make room for Wells and Brewer on the 90-man roster, the Packers placed offensive tackle Mike McCabe (hip) on injured reserve and guard Jaymes Brooks (hamstring) on the reserve/physically unable to perform list. McCabe and Brooks are undrafted rookies.
--McCarthy had praise for Shannon Eastin, who became the first woman to officiate an NFL game with the replacement crew in the preseason opener.
Eastin was the line judge.
"Did I notice her?" McCarthy said after the game. "She worked our sideline in the second half. I think she did a good job communicating."
--The Packers held their final night practice of training camp Aug. 11.
McCarthy has instituted the team's in-season schedule with the start time for all remaining camp practices in the late morning.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I don't know what's going on. I've never seen anything like it. I've never dealt with numbers like this before - just the number of players missing practice." - Head coach Mike McCarthy, on the team's high rate of injured players during the preseason.
NFL Team Report - Green Bay Packers - STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
Just when the Packers thought they had their "big five" across the offensive line set, uncertainty at left tackle is a prevailing story line at the midway point of the preseason.
Starter Marshall Newhouse hasn't been cleared to return to the field after sustaining a concussion in an intrasquad scrimmage Aug. 3. After missing the exhibition opener Aug. 9, a 21-13 Packers loss at the San Diego Chargers, Newhouse will be hard-pressed to get back in time this week to play in the Aug. 16 matchup against the Cleveland Browns at Lambeau Field.
Third-year player Herb Taylor made the start in Newhouse's absence against the Chargers but played poorly in extensive action. In turn, Taylor, previously struggling rookie Andrew Datko and also newly acquired veteran lineman Reggie Wells split the first-team reps at left tackle in practice.
Until Newhouse returns, head coach Mike McCarthy may be compelled to move left guard T.J. Lang to tackle and plug in Evan Dietrich-Smith or newly acquired veteran Reggie Wells at guard.
BATTLE OF THE WEEK: McCarthy and general manager Ted Thompson made the unusual decision to keep five tight ends on the roster at the start of last season. Such a radical move isn't expected when the 53-man list is formed in a few weeks. Beyond standout Jermichael Finley, who has been nicked up most of the preseason thus far with initially a concussion and then a thigh injury, fellow holdovers Tom Crabtree, Ryan Taylor and D.J. Williams have been jostling for playing time. Williams has stood out as a complementary downfield threat to Finley. Crabtree and Taylor, who recently was out with a concussion, are blue-collar players. Andrew Quarless could be the odd man out as he recovers from a severe knee injury sustained eight months ago.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Wide receiver Randall Cobb. On the heels of being a playmaker in a dual role as a rookie last season, the opportunities for Cobb to be a multidimensional weapon figure to be greater this season. The speedy and heady Cobb has been on the receiving end of some big throws from Aaron Rodgers the first half of training camp. Cobb led the Packers with four catches for 58 yards, including a 3-yard touchdown reception on a throw from backup Graham Harrell, in the exhibition loss to the Chargers. Cobb will be utilized as a breakaway threat in the slot, and the former college quarterback also gives the Packers ball-carrying potential out of the backfield. What's more, he proved to be one of the league's top kick returners with two runbacks for touchdowns in 2011.
ROOKIE REPORT: Outside linebacker Nick Perry (first round) sacked Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers on the second play of the game Aug. 9 and finished with three tackles in extended playing time. Perry is entrenched as the starter on the left side. ... Cornerback Casey Hayward (second) will have an enhanced role with House sidelined possibly the rest of the preseason. Hayward was getting first-team reps at the right-side spot in practice after the first game. ... Defensive tackle Mike Daniels (fourth) returned to practice Saturday after being out since July 31 because of knee and groin injuries. ... Tackle Andrew Datko (seventh) was getting some first-team looks at left tackle in practice in a rotation with Herb Taylor after the latter struggled as the starting replacement for injured Marshall Newhouse against the Chargers.
PLAYER NOTES
--ILB D.J. Smith is moving into potentially a full-time starting role as the replacement for veteran Desmond Bishop, who might have suffered a season-ending torn hamstring and knee sprain in his right leg in the Packers' first preseason game Aug. 9. Smith, a second-year player, was productive in three starts in place of an injured Bishop last season.
--G/T Reggie Wells signed a one-year contract for a veteran's minimum of $825,000 on Aug. 8. The 10th-year player had been out of football since being released by the Carolina Panthers last November. The 6-foot-4, 318-pound Wells has 91 starts (all but one with the Arizona Cardinals from 2003 to '09) in his pro career, including 79 at left guard. Wells didn't play in the Aug. 9 game at the San Diego Chargers.
--QB Aaron Rodgers, who set a single-season NFL record with a passer rating of 122.5 as the league's MVP in 2011, had an efficiency mark of 0.0 in the Packers' 21-13 loss to the Chargers. Rodgers played Green Bay's first three series and completed just two of eight passes for 16 yards with an interception.
--QB Graham Harrell overcame some early struggles throwing the football after replacing Rodgers late in the first quarter against the Chargers and had a satisfactory performance in extended playing time. Harrell directed two touchdown drives and finished with an 81.6 passer rating on 15-of-27 accuracy for 135 yards, including a 3-yard scoring pass to Randall Cobb in the final seconds of the first half.
--OLB Nick Perry, the team's first-round draft pick this year, flashed at the outset of the exhibition opener with a sack of Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers on the second play of the game. Perry, penciled in as the starter on the left side opposite Clay Matthews, played most of the game and had three tackles.
--CB/S Charles Woodson didn't play in the game. He was a healthy scratch, which has been common for the 15th-year veteran for select preseason games in recent years. Woodson is expected to play Aug. 16, when the Packers host the Cleveland Browns.
--WR Andy Brewer was claimed off waivers from the Philadelphia Eagles on Aug. 8 and played in the game the next day. The 6-2, 216-pound Brewer is a first-year player from Northwestern who was with the Eagles for only a week. He played two seasons with the United Football League's Omaha Nighthawks.
MEDICAL WATCH
--ILB Desmond Bishop will need surgery for a torn right hamstring he sustained in the Packers' 21-13 loss at the San Diego Chargers in a preseason opener Aug. 9. Bishop, who also suffered a sprained knee in the same leg, could miss the entire season. He led the Packers with a career-high 142 tackles and ranked second on the team with five sacks last season.
--CB Davon House suffered a dislocated left shoulder in the Aug. 9 game and is expected to be sidelined the rest of the preseason. House's initial recovery time has been set at two to three weeks before a determination is made on whether the second-year player can resume playing or will need surgery. House was performing well and had the inside track to the starting spot on the right side.
--RB James Starks incurred a turf toe injury in the game against the Chargers and will be out at least a week. Starks, the No. 1 halfback on the depth chart, struggled in the first preseason game with only 16 yards in five carries, a fumble and a dropped pass.
--WR Greg Jennings, the team's top wideout, hasn't been cleared to return to the field after suffering a concussion in the team's scrimmage Aug. 3. Jennings' availability for the Aug. 16 game against the Cleveland Browns at Lambeau Field is in doubt.
--TE Jermichael Finley has been sidelined since Aug. 7 because of a bruised quadriceps and is doubtful to play against the Browns.
--LT Marshall Newhouse is questionable for the game against the Browns because of a concussion that has kept the projected starter out since he sustained the injury in the Aug. 3 scrimmage.
--DE Jerel Worthy, a second-round draft pick this year, suffered a knee injury in the game against the Chargers but missed only a day of practice before returning Aug. 12.
--TE Ryan Taylor returned to practice Aug. 12 after he had been recovering from a concussion sustained in practice seven days earlier.
--RB Brandon Saine is expected to need at least another week to recover from a hamstring injury, which kept him out of the first preseason game.
--CB Sam Shields has been sidelined since suffering an elbow injury in practice Aug. 6.
--WR Diondre Borel sustained a groin injury in the Aug. 9 game and hadn't returned to practice at the start of this week.
--WR Tori Gurley, who is battling Borel for possibly the last receiver spot on the opening-day roster, didn't play in the exhibition opener because of a groin injury and has remained out.
--OT Derek Sherrod, the team's first-round draft pick in 2011, hasn't fully recovered from a broken right leg he sustained last December and remains on the physically unable to perform list.
--TE Andrew Quarless, who suffered a season-ending torn ACL and MCL in his right knee last December, is optimistic he won't have to start the season on the PUP list.
--OT Mike McCabe was placed on injured reserve Aug. 8. The undrafted rookie sustained a hip injury that won't require surgery when he was knocked over by DT Mike Daniels in a one-on-one pass-rushing drill on the third day of training camp.
--G Jaymes Brooks was placed on the reserve/PUP list Aug. 8. The undrafted rookie didn't get on the field at the outset of camp because of a hamstring injury.
Nick Perry
Reggie Wells