Neal, Cobb Back At Practice
Defensive end Mike Neal and rookie wide receiver Randall Cobb returned to practice today after extended time away due to injury.
By PackerAaron
The Packers were back at practice today and they seem to be getting healthier at just the right time.
From Tom Silverstein:
Finley, Neal, Cobb and James Jones back at #Packers practice today. No pads. Still out: Zombo, House. R Taylor appeared limited
While Jarius Wynn has been named the starter for Thursday night, it would obviously be a big boost for the Packers defense if they could get Neal on the field for passing downs. The best way to disrupt Saints quarterback Drew Brees, as with most quarterbacks, will be with pressure up the middle. Neal, alongside B.J. Raji, could help provide just that from the 2-4-5 nickel that Capers likes to use on passing downs.
As for Cobb, it remains to be seen how effective he'll be coming off the two knee bruises that kept him out of the past two preseason games. With the return of Jones as well, its hard to see the rookie making much of a contribution from scrimmage. He could still be a factor on punt returns, but the guess here is McCarthy and the medical staff will wait to see how his knee's respond to today's practice, which was conducted without pads. (The new collective bargaining agreement only allows for one padded practice a week)
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Comments (16)
September 04, 2011 at 03:25 pm
Who's returning punts if Cobb is out?
September 04, 2011 at 03:29 pm
I see Silverstien's report that Jordy is listed as back up PR & Green as back up KR.
September 04, 2011 at 04:19 pm
Well then, lets hope cobb is not out. Love jordy as a wr, as a punt returner... Not so much.
September 04, 2011 at 04:32 pm
I'm with you on that, but with this offense, does it matter whether we start from the 20 or the 40?? Just need a guy back there who can secure the ball and let AR & Co. go to work.
September 05, 2011 at 12:52 pm
Don't take this the wrong way, but, "yes!" The way this offense tends to sputter, especially at the beginning of every season? The way they have not cemented the pass pro yet this year? The way they have not consistently run the ball for the last two years? Not to be too hard on them, but this offense often needs a few weeks to get in the grove.
September 05, 2011 at 07:17 am
I think Jordy did fine returning punts, he was not impressive returning kickoffs though. I expect the punt returner to secure the ball first and formost. Jordy has the skills to check to a fair catch if neccessary and to catch it in traffic also and might be able to make one guy miss. The rest is mostly up to the coverage unit, and the Packers were not very good at that last year anyway.
September 05, 2011 at 05:18 pm
One good thing about Jordy being the punt returner though is that I feel pretty confident that he won't muff the punt. And with Rodgers we don't really need a big return. I trust him more than the other options after Cobb besides tramon, but tramon is too important to risk injury on a punt.
September 04, 2011 at 05:17 pm
Let's see if Cobb an beat out Swain's #5 receiver stats from last year:
9 targets
6 receptions
72 yards
long of 31
0 TD
3 first downs
September 04, 2011 at 08:35 pm
You forgot one big drop in the Super Bowl.
September 04, 2011 at 08:00 pm
If Neal is borderline, I'd prefer they wait to the Carolina game. That would give him 10 more days to heal. Rather have him for the full season.
September 04, 2011 at 11:21 pm
i agree. let the guy get 100% healthy before throwing him out there
September 05, 2011 at 12:17 am
Where did you read that Wynn will start on D-line? I read the press transcripts and saw that Wilson is ahead of Wynn, for good reason. Are you sure that you didnt just read that Wynn would start the last pre season game? I dont think you are right about him starting against the Saints.
PackerAaron
September 05, 2011 at 08:26 am
I didn't read it. I was told it.
September 05, 2011 at 12:33 pm
There's always the possibility that Wynn is being looked at as a fixture of our nickle packages, and that the Packers intended to play Nickle until the Saints make the Packers honor their run game.
If that's the case, it's entirely possible that Wynn starts, even if Wilson is looked upon as "the guy" in base alignment.
September 05, 2011 at 07:01 am
I'm sure that we all agree that MM will do what he thinks is best.
I would like to see all-hands-on-deck for the Saints game as it could mean alot as a tie-breaker in Jan. Carolina, meh?; rest him that week.
September 05, 2011 at 07:03 am
Can't believe the reg season is about to begin... Go Pack Go!