efensive tackle Justin Harrell is off to a sluggish start after the first week of training camp, but the Green Bay Packers appear unconcerned.
Harrell, the 16th pick in the 2007 draft, essentially is trying to play himself into shape after not having played football since mid-September because of a torn biceps.
Apparently because of his subpar conditioning, Harrell has exhibited little staying power in practice and hasn't been impressive against the run or pass. On Thursday morning, he was one of just two defensive linemen so fatigued that they had to take a knee after a rigorous drill.
The fact that their first-round draft choice is off to such an inauspicious start isn't lost on the Packers. However, they remain confident in Harrell's future.
"Just watching him, we recognize it will be awhile before he's in football shape," strength coach Rock Gullickson said. "He's really a good kid as far as his work ethic and the amount of effort he puts into his workouts. He will not be a problem in that regard."
Harrell was unable to take part in the team portion of practice this spring because of the arm. He also reported at 320 pounds after never having played at more than 305 at Tennessee, and admits the heavier weight probably was a mistake. He intends to reduce to 305.
"I think he's OK," co-defensive line coach Carl Hairston said. "He's just got to get in better football shape. He just hasn't done anything in a long time."
For his part, Harrell doesn't seem the least bit frustrated.
"Just talking to all the coaches and veteran players, they realize what I've gone through," he said. "Any time you're away from football for a year it's going to take awhile to get your legs up under you. Plus, it's my rookie year. I guess I'll know more next year how to prepare myself for training camp."
Harrell didn't participate in the sequence of eight conditioning runs last Friday, because he wasn't signed. But if he had, it's touch and go if he would have succeeded.
Gullickson guessed Harrell would have passed because of his fortitude.
"He's got a lot of pride," Gullickson said. "He would have been one of those guys who would have gutted it out."
The Packers have monitored Harrell's turns in practice. Even in a limited role, the flashes have been few and far between.
Is it unrealistic to think Harrell might be a dominant player this season?
"No, it's not unrealistic," Hairston said. "He's done some dominant things, but he just hasn't been able to do it on a consistent basis because of the condition he's in. He'll get there."
Defensive coordinator Bob Sanders said if Harrell kept pushing himself, he would be in much better shape within a few weeks. Harrell, in fact, went so far as to say he'd be able to survive 50 snaps on opening day Sept. 9 if necessary.
"We're going through two-a-days now," he said. "When the season comes, all this will slow down and you have a chance to get your legs. You're just getting a little peek of me now. Hopefully, when I do catch up, I'll be able to showcase myself."
Good practice
Incumbent kicker Dave Rayner made all 11 of his field-goal attempts against a rush Thursday morning, compared with nine of 11 for challenger Mason Crosby. The rookie missed from 39 and 48 yards.
According to Rayner, he has made 28 of 29 in team periods, and his miss was a block that was only partially his fault.
"That's the best I've hit the ball in camp, I'd say," Rayner said. "I'm going in every day focusing on Dave Rayner and how I kick. He's a good kicker. You don't get drafted unless you're a good kicker."
Crosby mis-hit a pair of kickoffs Tuesday night in a practice at City Stadium.
"Clearly, you put more credence into the game situation," coach Mike McCarthy said. "That will carry the most weight, but practice is important."
Last year, veteran Billy Cundiff had been more accurate on field goals than Rayner in practice, but on Aug. 17, it was Cundiff who was waived.
Injury list
McCarthy offered some description of the knee injury that running back Vernand Morency suffered five days earlier.
"The soreness is in his patella tendon," McCarthy said. "It's a knee strain. It could be two (weeks). It could be four."
Practice routine
McCarthy stuck to his schedule Thursday, giving half a dozen veterans the morning off, even though the team didn't practice at all Wednesday.
"We created criteria with the rest and recovery idea," he said. "We took the number of years played, six or more. A few guys were disappointed they weren't on the list."
Said GM Ted Thompson: "As we go through the evolution of training camp and the emphasis you put on the off-season, in not too short of a time two-a-days might be a thing of the past. It might be a morning practice for 2½ or three hours, then the rest meetings.
"It's a game of attrition sometimes, I know that. At the same time, there's a certain amount of work you must get in."
Top talk
Former Packers defensive end Willie Davis addressed the players Wednesday morning.
"One thing really stuck with me," quarterback Aaron Rodgers said. "He said, 'A few get what they want. Most get what they expect.' I thought that was pretty powerful.
"He basically said, 'If you expect greatness most of you will be able to achieve it if you put your mind to it.' He said if you expect to be an average person and an average team, you're probably going to be average."
Harrell off to sluggish start
Harrell off to sluggish start
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