2013 OTA'S: Rookie Camp Updates (Packers Signing Tryout Guys to the 90 Roster)

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Packers rookies willing and able to shift spots
packers.com
by Mike Spofford on Saturday, May 11th, 2013

Fourth-round offensive linemen David Bakhtiari and JC Tretter started workouts on Friday at left and right tackle, respectively, then flip-flopped for Saturday’s second practice, as Head Coach Mike McCarthy suggested they would.

The need to adapt also extended to practice-squad holdover Andrew Datko, who played offensive tackle during his rookie season but was lining up at guard this weekend.

“We’re just trying it out,” Datko said. “They only dress so many on gameday, so the more versatile you are, the better.”
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Tretter opens at RT but still could move inside
Green Bay Press Gazette
by on Saturday, May 11th, 2013

“All I know is they’re going to move me around a little bit and see where I fit best,” Tretter said. “I’m just learning all the positions and I’ll go from there.”

Teams told Tretter there’s a good chance he’ll be an interior lineman in the NFL, so in his offseason training he supplemented work at tackle by learning techniques to play guard and center from former NFL center Dave Wohlabaugh.
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Packers QB B.J. Coleman making strides in Year 2
jsonline.com
by Tyler Dunne on Saturday, May 11th, 2013

He'll laugh about it now. But this time last year, B.J. Coleman was a quarterback in the headlights. There were times the 2012 seventh-round pick admits he walked up to the line of scrimmage and forgot the play.

"The first day you get pushed in there in minicamp and you’re going, ‘OK, the play is as long as a piece of notebook paper and then you call it — after three times, you get it right — you get to the line and you’re like ‘Man, what did I just say?'"

In Year 2, Coleman says "there's no comparison."

So this week, Coleman is the one helping everyone else out. He's trying to take it upon himself to help the linemen with protections, receivers with routes and anyone who may be forgetting plays. Granted, he's playing against several players who won't be around in September. But on Friday, Coleman split the safeties on one throw deep and also connected on some medium-to-deep out routes. This time, undrafted pick-up Matt Brown was the quarterback sailing passes high and turning the wrong way on play-action.

For Coleman, one specific emphasis has been to be more fluid. Blessed with a rocket arm, he was robotic at times in practice last year.

"That’s my thing," Coleman said. "I’m trying to be a little more looser. Not a stiff. Relax out there and get the football out and distribute it where it needs to go.” continue

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just looking at him with his shirt off in the locker room

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Originally posted by Henry:
I'm really interested in Coleman's development.

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Right side of Packers line cleared for competition
packers.com
By Vic Ketchman on Sunday, May 12th, 2012


Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy concluded the team’s rookie camp weekend by talking about his decision to move Bryan Bulaga and Josh Sitton from right tackle and right guard respectively, to the two positions on the left side of the Packers offensive line.

Obviously, last season’s starting left tackle, Marshall Newhouse, and starting left guard, T.J. Lang, are being forced to win the tackle and guard spots Bulaga and Sitton are vacating, but they’ll be facing competition.

“The offensive line is your biggest position group every year. We still don’t have a feel for how we’re going rep these guys. We’re committed to give every player a chance to win a job,” McCarthy said.

When asked about the status of former Packers defensive tackle Johnny Jolly, who’s attempting to reenter the league following a couple of troubled years, McCarthy said: “Johnny is not here currently. He’s still going through the process. When he is here, I’ll speak on it more.” continue

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Mike McCarthy on rookie camp, OL changes, Pease, OLB's
jsonline.com

--- Again, McCarthy made a point to mention Kansas State RB Angelo Pease as a player who stood out at rookie camp. Pease only had 60 carries last fall for 333 yards and no touchdowns. But in Green Bay, where Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin were the second- and fourth-round picks, the undrafted Pease has caught the eye of his coach.

"I'm going to do it to him again, I thought Pease of Kansas State had a very good weekend," McCarthy said. "He had another run today. I think he's a good young back. ...He’s here for a reason. So that’s a credit to the player and that’s a credit to our personnel department. You’re also practicing in helmets and shorts and that’s why you have to be practical about what you saw today. It really confirms movement ability, athletic ability. Are they systematic? Do they fit what you’re looking for? continue

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Packers begin signing tryout players
Green Bay Press Gazette
by Weston Hodkiewicz and Pete Dougherty on Sunday, May 12th, 2013

The Packers have started the process of signing tryout players following this weekend’s rookie orientation camp.

Press-Gazette Media has confirmed two of the signings thus far in Illinois State wide receiver Tyrone Walker and Washington fullback Jonathan Amosa.

Amosa (5-11, 233), whose signing was confirmed by his agent Marcus D. Williams, becomes the third fullback on the Packers roster, joining veteran John Kuhn and Texas undrafted rookie Ryan Roberson.

The Baltimore Sun’s Aaron Wilson is also reporting the Packers have signed Arizona State cornerback Brandon Smith. continue

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Tweets:
Packer Update
Keep an eye on rookie Sam Barrington - one of the few ILBs on the roster who actually played the position in college.

Packer Update
The more I watch Don Barclay play, the more convinced I become that he has the potential to be a really good RG.

Packer Update
EDS, Lang and Newhouse/Barclay/Sherrod/Bakhtiari doesn't excite me. Lang, Barclay and Newhouse/Sherrod/Bakhtiari is much more appealing.

Packer Update
Packers keep signing smallish fullbacks who run like offensive linemen. Amosa weighed 237 pounds at his Pro Day and ran a 4.93.

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“That’s one of the key points they told us. Just because I didn’t get drafted high – I didn’t get drafted at all – that doesn’t mean I can’t make the roster,” said undrafted free agent running back Angelo Pease, who caught McCarthy’s eye on several occasions during the three-day camp. “I get a fair opportunity just like all the other people get. I see what (McCarthy) said. He said your college stuff doesn’t matter. It’s a whole other level now. What you do here will determine the outcome.”

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Originally posted by Henry:
Tretter working at tackle. WTF?

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Originally posted by Henry:
Tretter working at tackle. WTF?

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What Can be Expected of Packers QB B.J. Coleman in Year Two?
acmepackingcompany.com
by By Jason Hirschhorn on May 13, 2013

Another factor in determining Coleman's role is practice squad eligibility. Because Coleman has yet to register a single game on the active list, he's still qualified for another season on the practice squad. Harrell on the other hand was active for all 16 games in 2012. Accordingly, he'd be unable to join the practice squad if released. That means that unless the Packers decide to carry three quarterbacks in 2013, choosing Coleman over Harrell would result in the latter's departure. Thus, the decision boils down to a choice between having one backup quarterback or two. Given the conservative nature of the Packers' front office and the three years already invested in Harrell, it would take a tremendous training camp and preseason for Coleman to assume the backup role. That's probably too much to expect from a second year player, especially one that's only just now grasping Green Bay's offense.continue

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Packers Sign Rookie Linebacker Donte Savage
acmepackingcompany.com

Wes Hodkiewicz of the Press-Gazette confirmed this report, so that brings the total number of players on the roster back up to 87.

Here are some of Savage's numbers from New Mexico State's Pro Day in late March:

6'1, 247 pounds
40 time: 4.80
Bench press: 20 reps at 225 pounds
Vertical: 32.5"
Broad Jump: 9'6"

Savage played in all 12 of the Aggies' games in 2012, posting three sacks, seven tackles for loss, and two blocked kicks while playing defensive end. He sat out the 2011 season on a medical redshirt but in his junior year of 2010 he posted another three sacks to go along with two forced fumbles. His sophomore year of 2009 was actually his most impressive statistically, as he put up six sacks, two forced fumbles, and a blocked punt.

Apparently a solid weekend in Green Bay has earned Savage a spot on the Packers' 90-man roster for the time being, and he will have the chance to show his skills again next Monday when OTAs begin.
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‏@PackerUpdate 12m
At this time a year ago, Packers fans were excited about WR Tori Gurley. Since then, he's been released by 6 teams - including BAL today.

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Originally posted by Grave Digger:
If Rodgers is hurt then the Packers are screwed either way. Coleman at least has the arm to play in the NFL...Harrell belongs in the Arena League.