Packers have busy day at OTA's

Posted by Mark Daniels on

The second week of the Packers organized team activities featured a spirited Wednesday practice, the return of a rehabbing Pro Bowler and words of open concern about a big man in big trouble.

On the practice field, a team, two-minute drill was highlighted by one of the biggest, and certainly one of the loudest punches ever thrown in a practice dust up.  Nearly every practice field fight involves offensive and defensive linemen getting tangled up, getting nasty and not letting go after the whistle.  When linebacker Brad Jones blitzed hard against Brenno Giacommini, the two tangled and Giacommini hauled off with a roundhouse right with a very loud thud against the helmet of Jones.  The impact ripped the hat right off the second year player and the brawl was on.   A handful of players joined the fray with Brady Poppinga playing the part of a WWE wrestler diving onto the pile.  It took several minutes to separate the bodies.  Afterwards, both players say it was just a heat of the moment exchange.  "That's football", said Jones who wasn't worried about an OTA, non-padded practice was a bit feisty.  "It's always feisty", he said.  As for Giacommini, he said he has nothing against Jones and the incident helped pick up the intensity of practice.

The team worked on two minute and red zone situations with big plays on both sides.  Aaron Rodgers hit Jermichael Finley on a middle seam route for a touchdown but Matt Flynn got picked off by Josh Bell in another series.  Brandon Underwood and rookie Morgan Burnett also had interceptions.

Al Harris arrived in town.   The 35 year old veteran's season ended badly last November when he blew out his knee against the 49ers.  He needed major reconstructive surgery and has been rehabilitating the knee in Florida with private trainers all spring.  His workouts were videotaped and put on Youtube.  Harris says the knee is coming along and he's going to remain in Green Bay to finish the rehab work in the hope he's ready for the start of the 2010 season.

Defensive end Johnny Jolly remains unsigned and was not in camp.  He has more pressing matters.   His trial on codeine posession charges is scheduled to begin Friday in Houston, Texas.   Prosecutors disclosed this week they have information they plan to use at sentencing, if Jolly is convicted, that details far more involvement in the drug trade that originally thought.   According to documents filed this week, authorities alledge Jolly was actively involved in the distribution and use of marijuana and cocanie between 2006 and 2008.  They also say Jolly has violated several terms of his bond by appearing in nightclubs and consuming alcohol.  The Packers have not commented on Jolly's situation although head coach Mike McCarthy said Wednesday they continue to monitor the case and express concern for Jolly, the person.  The team appears to have contingency plans in place pending the outcome.  If convicted, Jolly faces prison time, if acquitted, he likely will fall under the NFL's personal conduct policy and be subject to suspension.  The team drafted two defensive ends in April and they've moved Ryan Pickett from nose tackle to defensive end in camp.  Another dealy in the court case could have the trial scheduled for later this summer, impacting Jolly's availability for training camp.

 

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