Thursday, August 15, 2013
11:00 a.m. (Total: 1 hour, 23 minutes)
CB Micah Hyde
It's been an impressive training camp for rookie cornerback Micah Hyde. One day after making a spectacular interception in the end zone in which he fell backwards and tipped the ball to himself on the ground, Hyde had another memorable play Thursday when he jumped high and snagged a B.J. Coleman pass out of the air for another interception.
With Tramon Williams and Casey Hayward out, Hyde had already worked himself into one of the starting outside cornerback spots ahead of Davon House. As Hyde continues to perform at such a high level, it may be difficult for defensive coordinator Dom Capers to take him off the field once Williams and Hayward return.
"Micah Hyde is a good football player," coach Mike McCarthy said. "Just the college tape I was able to see of him coming out of Iowa, the one thing that jumped off the film was his ability to anticipate, make plays on the ball, and he looks to be an exciting player once he gets the ball in his hands.
"I was tempted to put him on offense. I think he has that type of ball-skill ability. He's doing some really good things as a young player."
RB Johnathan Franklin
Franklin has had plenty of positive moments in training camp, but the Packers' attempts to get him ready as a punt and kick returner have not gone as well as the team hoped. Franklin dropped another punt in Thursday's practice, which has been a continuing issue for him.
Franklin never returned a single punt at UCLA, so this is still quite new to him. Somewhat surprisingly, McCarthy mentioned Franklin in the return discussion again, saying Thursday that "Johnathan Franklin has done good things" in that area. But with Franklin's lack of consistent ball security, it would seem that he's ultimately dropped too many punts and kicks to be strongly considered for that job when the regular season begins.- Two days before Green Bay's second preseason game, McCarthy had the team in shorts and helmets practice. That meant no pads and no hitting.
- There were two short, separate field-goal competitions in practice. Earlier this week, Mason Crosby and Giorgio Tavecchio lined up from the same spots on the field and attempted identical kicks, each trying eight field goals before wrapping up the drill. Thursday's practice was much different. At one point, Crosby made a 40-yard field goal and was immediately followed by Tavecchio connecting on a 43-yarder. Later, Tavecchio kicked first for the first time in all of training camp and hit a 36-yard field goal. On the next play, Crosby was good from 42 yards out. So, both Crosby and Tavecchio finished the day 2 for 2.
- With Randall Cobb out with a biceps injury, Jeremy Ross was the top kick returner. He was followed by Omarius Hines and then Franklin.
- The first-string offense with Aaron Rodgers included James Starks at running back, Marshall Newhouse at right tackle, Greg Van Roten at center (due to Evan Dietrich-Smith's toe injury), with wide receivers James Jones, Jarrett Boykin and Tyrone Walker.
- Vince Young launched a deep pass (which has been rare for him in his seven practices with the Packers) and hit Ross almost perfectly in stride for a touchdown with the safety closing in. The defense wasn't able to have much contact in the drill, but it was still a quality throw from Young.
- Graham Harrell is still ahead of Young on the depth chart, at least based on when the two of them take over for Rodgers in practice. Harrell had a couple nice throws of his own, including a touchdown on a fade route to tight end Jake Stoneburner.
- Running back DuJuan Harris was limited in practice and will not play Saturday night against the Rams in St. Louis. McCarthy said Harris will be a "100 percent go next week."
- Two highlight plays that were both considered for the 'Movin' On Up' category: 1. Boykin made an over-the-shoulder, on-the-run, fingertip diving catch on a deep pass down the left sideline from Coleman. 2. Undrafted rookie safety Chris Banjo intercepted Young in the end zone and continues to impress McCarthy and the coaching staff.
- The two songs played during the team's water breaks: Pitbull, "Don't Stop the Party" - 2 Chainz feat. Wiz Khalifa, "We Own It"
* C Evan Dietrich-Smith (Toe -- First missed practice)* WR Randall Cobb (Right biceps -- Second missed practice this week)* DL Datone Jones (Ankle -- Consecutive Missed Practices: 4)* TE Andrew Quarless (Quad -- Consecutive Missed Practices: 9; and one game)* CB Tramon Williams - (Knee -- Consecutive Missed Practices: 12; and one game)* WR Charles Johnson (Left Leg -- Consecutive Missed Practices: 13; and one game)* CB Casey Hayward (Hamstring -- Consecutive Missed Practices: 15; and one game)* OL Derek Sherrod (Leg -- Consecutive Missed Practices: 15; and one game)* S Sean Richardson (Neck -- Consecutive Missed Practices: 15; and one game)* WR Jordy Nelson (Knee surgery -- Out the remainder of training camp)*OL Bryan Bulaga (Torn ACL -- Likely to miss the entire season)* OL J.C. Tretter (Ankle -- Likely out until midseason)* DL Jerel Worthy (Knee -- Likely out until midseason)* WR Sederrick Cunningham (Wrist Surgery -- Placed on injured reserve Tuesday)
* RB James Starks (Illness -- Returned after missing one practice)* OL Andrew Datko (Concussion -- Returned after missing four practices and one game)
* Saturday, August 17 - 7:00 p.m. (at. St. Louis Rams - Preseason Game No. 2)* Monday, August 19 - 11:30 a.m. (Training Camp Practice No. 16)
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