Packers Daily Links: Harrell Adds 14 Pounds, Arm Strength

Quarterback Graham Harrell's offseason training regimen is detailed. That and more in today's Daily Links...

A feature on Packers backup quarterback Graham Harrell by Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel sheds some light into the offseason training Harrell did after the Packers season ended, which included a lot of strength training, especially in his shoulder area. "With all the shoulder stuff, I definitely saw improvement in my velocity," Harrell is quoted as saying. "And the flexibility, that's huge for me. Every morning, I'd get up there and we'd get after it." The article also says Harrell added 14 pounds. Known as a quarterback with good accuracy, but not not an NFL-caliber arm coming into this season, Harrell is apparently taking his development very seriously. He has a big opportunity ahead of him with Matt Flynn moving onto Seattle.

Defensive lineman Tony Hargrove spoke to reporters for the first time since being suspended by the NFL on Tuesday, but for the most part, Hargrove avoided discussion of his suspension and appeal and Bountygate in general. "It was almost impressive the way Hargrove, in his first media availability with local reporters since signing with the team in March, turned virtually every question during a 3 1/2-minute Q& A session away from the topic of his suspension," writes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com. Hargrove is currently suspended for the first eight games of the 2012 regular season, but his appeal could change that. Given the delicate nature of the situation, it isn't surprising Hargrove is being tight-lipped.

More on Tony Hargrove comes from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, JSOnline, Packer Report and Fox Sports Wisconsin.

Tuesday was the first practice of 2012 open to the public and the media, and with that came the general and inevitable talk of the Packers putting last season behind and looking ahead to this season. “This is clearly the most experienced football team in conjunction with the most talent that I've had a chance to coach,” head coach Mike McCarthy is quoted as saying by Mike Vandermause of the Press-Gazette. The Packers certainly have an opportunity to return to the NFL's elite. There's loads of talent, particularly on offense. Now the defense has to catch up, and it can be another successful season for McCarthy's crew.

More on the beginning of practice comes from ESPNWisconsin.com, the Wisconsin State Journal, JSOnline and the Packers official website.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers took part in an fundraising event yesterday evening that's become an annual occurrence. "Rodgers had wrapped up a day of practice in Green Bay to head to Milwaukee on Tuesday night to greet another packed house at the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee for the third annual Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer's Evening with Aaron Rodgers," writes Lori Nickel of the Journal Sentinel. Joining Rodgers at the event were teammates Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson as well as former NFL quarterback and current ESPN broadcaster Trent Dilfer as well as ESPN's Jeremy Schapp. This is an outstanding cause that Rodgers supports and speaks to his character that he makes it a big part of his life.

While on the topic of quarterbacks, Rob Demovsky of the Press-Gazette writes about the roles of new quarterback coach Ben McAdoo and offensive coordinator Tom Clements. "So far during coach Mike McCarthy’s noted quarterback school this offseason both McAdoo and Clements have been involved," writes Demvosky. "Though Clements has been careful to let McAdoo run the meetings, the offensive coordinator will remain involved with the quarterbacks. That’s a change from Philbin, who spent more time with the offensive line, running backs and tight ends during his tenure as coordinator." The development and roles of both McAdoo and Clements is and will continue to evolve. But given Clements' background with quarterbacks, it's not surprising that he's continuing to work closely with those at the position. The offshoot of that is maybe James Campen will have more responsibility on his shoulders this season.

Wide receiver Donald Driver was named the winner of ABC's Dancing With The Stars on Tuesday evening. News and reaction to Driver's triumph on the reality television show comes from the Associated Press, USA Today, Fox Sports Wisconsin, ESPNWisconsin.com, the Press-Gazette, JSOnline, ESPN.com, Fox Sports and the Packers official website.

Head coach Mike McCarthy said he expects Donald Driver back in Green Bay next week, according to Fox Sports Wisconsin and Packer Report.

Running back Ryan Grant's locker has been given away.

Clay Matthews is on the move back to his old spot at right outside linebacker. More from ESPNWisconsin.com, the Press-Gazette and Packer Report.

Roll call is taken and injuries are noted in articles at ESPNWisconsin.com and Fox Sports Wisconsin.

Linebacker Desmond Bishop comments on the defense-heavy draft, calling it "necessary."

Last year's lockout and its impact on OTAs is looked at in retrospect by Wes Hodkiewicz of the Press-Gazette.

Veterans Brad Jones and Jamari Lattimore appear to have officially been moved to inside linebacker.

Comments from new center Jeff Saturday appear at the team's official website.

Tight end Tom Crabtree comments on head trauma in the NFL.

Lettering at Lambeau Field was installed on Tuesday.

An interview with rookie defensive lineman Jerel Worthy appears in a video at JSOnline.

A column on the criticism of James Campen and Shawn Slocum is written by Chad Toporski at AllGreenBayPackers.com.

Some potential breakout Packers are listed by Andrew Garda at Bleacher Report.

Video: Cheesehead TV contributors Aaron Nagler and Andrew Garda talk about upcoming training camp battles in a video for Bleacher Report...

Brian Carriveau is a writer for Cheesehead TV. To contact Brian, email [email protected].

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Comments (2)

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Doug In Sandpoint's picture

May 23, 2012 at 11:49 am

That's nothing...I could easily gain 14 pounds and you don't hear me making a big deal about it.

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markinmontana's picture

May 24, 2012 at 11:58 am

Plus, if you freeze the ice cream extra hard you build arm strength trying to dig it out of the carton.

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