Time for Packers to focus on crucial roster spots
Analysis: One dilemma is what to do at backup running back. And, should LB Fackrell be cut?
Gary D’Amato: Quarterback Taysom Hill makes strong case for staying on
GREEN BAY - Although the Green Bay Packers have until 3 p.m. Saturday to reduce their roster to the NFL-mandated 53, the process was well underway Friday.
The Packers began clearing up their running back picture by releasing Kalif Phillips, an undrafted rookie from Charlotte, a source said. Phillips carried 12 times for 30 yards and caught six passes for 32 yards during the exhibition season.
The Packers released tight end Aaron Peck early Friday, according to his agent. Peck, an undrafted rookie out of Fresno State, was a college teammate of Packers receiver Davante Adams for one season in 2013. He had three catches for 39 yards this preseason. His best showing came in Thursday’s finale against the Los Angeles Rams, when he had two catches for 27 yards.
The Packers released undrafted rookie offensive lineman Thomas Evans, according to his agent. Evans, who played college football at Richmond, was given a $5,000 signing bonus when he signed with the Packers after the draft.
The Packers also released cornerback Daquan Holmes, an undrafted rookie from American International College. Holmes found it difficult to carve out consistent playing time in a crowded cornerback room. He was one of four undrafted corners on this year’s roster, and all four players faced uphill battles to make the final cut. Donatello Brown had begun to separate himself as the best undrafted corner in this year’s class, aided by an interception in the fourth exhibition game.
Other players cut Friday included linebacker David Talley, an undrafted rookie from Grand Valley State, and safety Aaron Taylor from Ball State.
Positive feelings: As far as Brett Hundley is concerned, August went about as well as it could have for him.
The Packers quarterback made up for a lot of the snaps he missed last season — when his training camp was interrupted by an ankle injury — with extended playing time in the final two exhibitions.
He played all but the first six minutes of the Denver game last week and the entire first half of the 24-10 win over the Rams.
Hundley’s four-game numbers weren’t that impressive — he completed 48 of 76 passes (63%) for 482 yards, three touchdowns and one interception with a pair of rushing touchdowns — but he made it clear he was entering the regular season as Aaron Rodgers’ backup with nothing but positive feelings.
“I think I did good,” Hundley said after completing 11 of 21 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown and running for a 13-yard touchdown Thursday. “For me, especially not playing last year, just to get back out there and sort of get the feel of it, I’m so happy for as many reps as I got this preseason.”
Against Denver, Hundley played nine series and managed just one score, a touchdown at the end of a nine-play, 54-yard drive. Against the Rams, he played seven series and put the ball in the end zone at the end of a six-play, 55-yard drive and a seven-play, 26-yard drive.
That’s three touchdowns in 16 drives in basically 1½ games.
Asked what he would have liked to do differently in the exhibition season, Hundley said throw the ball down the field.
“We had a lot of short, underneath throws and that’s all gameplanned just because it’s preseason,” he said. “It’s all basic stuff; it’s not shots down field all the time. Other than that, I felt we did a good job moving it around and scoring points.
“That’s one thing. But you never get that in the preseason. That’s one of the fun parts I’ve missed.”
King vows to be ready: Despite missing the Packers’ preseason finale with a groin injury, rookie cornerback Kevin King was adamant he will play in the team’s Sept. 10 regular-season opener against the Seattle Seahawks.
King said he injured his groin Tuesday during practice. There wasn’t one moment when he felt his groin pull, King said. The soreness gradually increased as he ran around the field during drills.
“It wasn’t like one specific thing,” King said. “It was kind of over time a little bit. Maybe wasn’t as loose as I thought it was. … Maybe hydrate a little more.”
Asked if he had any doubt he’d be available against the Seahawks, King said no.
The rookie played extensively through the Packers’ first three preseason weeks. He finished with seven tackles and two defended passes in 111 snaps. King said he studied Thursday’s finale intently.
“I was just watching those guys,” King said, “see how they move. Kind of just going through the game in my head, if I was out there. So I still got some mental reps out there.”
As for whether his body of work this preseason was enough to prepare him for the regular season, King said he’s confident. “I feel like I’m ready,” he said. Confidence boost: As the Packers concluded their exhibition season, players on both teams were reminded that training camp is a marathon and not a sprint, that in the NFL your last impression is often more valuable than your first.
On Thursday that parable explained the fleeting smile of LaDarius Gunter, a stoic cornerback known for his serious approach to the game. Gunter, whose last 12 months have mimicked a heart monitor, put forth his best performance of the exhibition season against the Rams. He sacked quarterback Dan Orlovsky and intercepted a pass in the span of three plays early in the first quarter.
“That was much-needed for me,” Gunter said. “Last game of the preseason, building on that success. Hopefully I can take it into the regular season and just continue.”
Gunter had fallen hard since January, when he finished as the team’s No. 1 cornerback and tracked Odell Beckham Jr., Dez Bryant and Julio Jones through the playoffs. His lack of speed was exploited on a daily basis through the first few weeks of camp, and the coaches responded by dropping Gunter down the depth chart. They even changed his position in hopes of jolting him back to life.
In that regard, cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt Jr. and defensive coordinator Dom Capers may have pulled off a coup. Gunter, despite his nontraditional build, began to thrive in the slot. On Thursday he hauled down Orlovsky after a slot blitz and intercepted a pass that ricocheted off a shoulder pad of the intended receiver.
“It does a lot for my confidence and the coaches’ confidence in me,” Gunter said. “Just being able to go out there and make plays when they present themselves. Hopefully I can be one of those guys for them.
“Nobody is safe. It’s always best to go out there and make a play and give yourself a chance.”
While Gunter allowed nothing more than a brief smile, fellow cornerback Brown failed to contain his glee. An undrafted rookie from Valdosta State, Brown had snagged an interception of his own to punctuate a strong training camp in which he separated himself from a crop of undrafted corners.
“We was in a Cover-2 call,” Brown said. “I’m out there on the corner. I see the quarterback staring down his initial receiver. I told myself if I see him throw it on the inside then I was going to trigger. He threw it, I triggered, caught it, seen some green field, green opening and just tried to take it to the house.”
Though he didn’t score, Brown was thrilled with the performance he put on tape in his final chance to impress the scouts. It may have won him a spot on the practice squad.
“That was like a big lift off my shoulders because the previous games I dropped two interceptions and came back with this one in the last (game) and had good coverage throughout,” Brown said.