http://mvn.com/nfl-packers/2008/06/12/under-the-radar-5...-out-in-%E2%80%9808/

1. Tory Humphrey, TE: The 6’2” 250-pound Humphrey is strong, athletic and can both block and catch well. But injuries caused him to miss part of ‘06 and all of ’07. If the Packers do, in fact, enter this season with three tight ends – unlike last year – Humphrey will be fighting for the playing time with presumptive starter Donald Lee and the raw rookie Jermichael Finley. If he can stay healthy, I see Humphrey making a big contribution. If he didn’t have real promise, the Packers would’ve cut ties with him long ago. As reported on Packers.com, Coach Mike McCarthy said this of Humphrey:

“It has been a long road back for him and he has done a great job from the standpoint of being here all of the time, throughout the season, throughout his rehab, and he looks good. He is a unique player that I was very high on last year. It was great to see Tory back out there.”

2. Tramon Williams, DB: As the ’07 season wore on, it became apparent to me that Williams has some real talent – both on special teams and as a defensive back. He’s quick, smart, and for an undrafted free agent, he could be a big steal for the Packers if he continues to show improvement. He’ll have some real competition in camp, though. Al Harris and Charles Woodson are locks to start, but Williams will have to fend off rookie Patrick Lee, Jarrett Bush and Will Blackmon to earn the nickel spot. According to Packers.com, McCarthy is seeing good things from Williams:

“He’s a lot stronger. He’s doing a lot better job in his bump technique, as far as the releases. He’s definitely had another very good offseason. I would say he was one of our most improved players last year, and I think he’s taken another step so far this year.”

3. Aaron Rouse, S: If I were either starter at safety, Nick Collins or Atari Bigby, I would be worried about losing my starting job. Coming into his second season with the Packers, Rouse brings size, strength, speed and solid instinct to the safety position. I see Rouse taking a starting role by week three, if not by the start of the season. McCarthy seems high on Rouse too, according to Packernews.com:

“Aaron Rouse is having an excellent offseason. I’ll tell you, he is very instinctive. He is getting his hands on the ball. He is coming on. He is going to be someone that has a chance to maybe have an impact this year.”

4. Brandon Jackson, RB: Although Grant will be the starter, I see Jackson as becoming a nice second option and a solid third down back. He showed signs of promise at times last season and his future looks bright if he stays injury free. He’ll have to outwork Noah Herron, Vernand Morency and DeShawn Wynn for carries and playing time, which I think he will do. Running backs coach Edgar Bennett told JSOnline.com that Jackson is looking sharp:

“Brandon Jackson is an explosive runner. Breaks tackles. Everything we thought he was. I see the kid getting stronger every day in the weight room, doing a phenomenal job in the classroom. He’s an attention-to-detail kind of guy, he maturing, he’s growing up, and I think you’ll be able to see that on the field this year.”

5. Jordy Nelson, WR: With the Packers offense as it is, the top four receivers get quite a few catches. The ball is spread around fairly evenly. After Donald Driver, who caught 82 passes last season, Jennings, Lee and James Jones had 53, 48 and 47 catches in ‘07, respectively. Even though Jones had an outstanding rookie season, look for Nelson to eventually usurp the third receiver slot. But with such a deep and talented receiving corps, McCarthy will certainly use four receiver schemes often regardless. JSOnline.com printed a transcript of McCarthy’s press conference about a week ago, during which he praised the Packers’ first draft choice:

“What I like about Jordy is he is a young player that continues to improve. He seems to be very bright and he seems to be picking things up at a fast pace, and that’s important in our scheme because our receivers play all three positions, four positions in some cases. He has the size and speed and looks like a natural route runner. We’re excited about all of our players, but I’m glad he is here.”

Also keep an eye on:

- Justin Harrell, DT

- Brandon Chillar, LB

- Josh Sitton, G

I have a hunch Allen Barbre is going to have a breakout year also. He's not exactly a backup now but it sounds like he's made significant improvement this offseason. Sounds like a guy who could lock down our LG spot for many years.

Barbre - maybe, but Sitton?? Why is he even on the list? Unless there are catastrophic injuries at Guard, I don't see Sitton playing at all this season.

The list makes me very, very hopeful for the future.

quote:

Originally posted by CJS:
Barbre - maybe, but Sitton?? Why is he even on the list? Unless there are catastrophic injuries at Guard, I don't see Sitton playing at all this season.

Yeah, I'm thinking he meant Barbre but wrote Sitton instead or something. Giacomelli I guess was looking very good in OTAs, FWIW.

I think Andre Rison is going to finally kick his badboy image.

Puff Daddy is going to change his name to Diddy.

Jay-Z will bang Beyonce.

Dan Cortese will get fired from MTV Sports.

I think he meant Barbre also but I think it's possible Sitton could get some playing time. I think he'll definitely take backup RG spot behind Spitz.

Giacomini will take the backup RT spot I think but I doubt he'll play much...unless we're up or down by a lot against another team.

Sitton it! HAHAHAHAHA!

I think Sitton will have to fight hard to even get the 4th guard spot and it wouldn't surprise me if he was a PS player this year. Even if he does make the team, he wouldn't play until 2 starters go down, because the 3rd guard would be the next guy on the field.