Packers Check On Taylor Status

According to ESPN, the Packers have reportedly made a call to the Dolphins to check on the availability of the former defensive player of the year Jason Taylor. And a source in South Florida told the Journal Sentinel that, despite Taylor's insistence earlier this month that he's willing to play in Miami in 2008, he has only pushed harder for a trade from the only team he has ever played for. The Packers would reportedly offer a second round pick for Taylor, as long as he decides to play for more than one season. Funny how the Packers are willing to trade a second round pick for Taylor and not a guy like Randy Moss...

Packers Might Go After Gray...Again

A few months ago, when the Packers were searching to find a veteran back-up for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, former Jaguar Quinn Gray came in for multiple interviews with GM Ted Thompson and Coach McCarthy. The Packers liked what they saw and looked to sign Gray to a multi-year deal. Although he later signed with the Texans, the Packers now have another chance to sign the quarterback. The Texans released Gray on Monday, only two months after he was signed. According to the Texans, Gray was slow to learn the new system, which resulted in his release. The Packers currently have three quarterbacks on their roster (Aaron Rodgers, Brian Brohm, Matt Flynn) all with zero NFL starts. Although McCarthy has repetedly said that he feels safe going into the season with three unexperienced quarterbacks, the Packers might try to sign Gray to the league minimum-deal, just to be safe.

Williams Shows Improvement

Cornerback Tramon Williams, who was a longshot to make the roster last year, but ended up playing as the nickel cornerback has shown some major improvements over the offseason. Williams was originally working at the 'nickel' position, but has been moved over to the 'slot' position lately, to see how he handles the open field defense. Williams acknowledges the difficulty of playing against a slot receiver: "The (slot) receiver has a lot more room," Williams said. "There's two ways to go. He can go across the field, and he has a lot of room to go outside. "As far as the outside receiver, you've got the sideline to help you out. You can use the sideline as another man. It's much easier on the outside. Inside, if you play your technique and the right leverage, you'll be OK. But if you don't do that, you'll be exposed." Williams hopes that his improved play will not only help him solidify the 3rd string position, but will make him a future replacement for aging cornerbacks Al Harris and Charles Woodson.

Is Collins Safe At Safety?

According to the Green Bay Press Gazette, Nick Collins may not keep is starting safety position coming into this season. Second year man Aaron Rouse has impressed defensive coordinator Bob Sanders, but more importantly Coach McCarthy. Collins is a solid player, but isn't an elite safety yet. Collins knows he has to step his game up this season: "This is the year," Collins said on Wednesday. "This is the year I've got to step my game up and put everything on the line. I think I'm capable of doing it, but I've just got to keep working at it. Me and the rest of the guys have been studying it hard and trying to correct all of our mistakes from last year, so this is going to be a great year for me."

Harris Shows Up At OTA's

A surprise appearance by Al Harris came today at the Packers voluntary workouts. Harris usually does not participate in the team practices, preferring to workout with a personal trainer. Though Coach McCarthy did say he expected Harris to show up for a few practices, no one thought he was going to show up this early. Harris' counterpart Charles Woodson has also showed up at the workouts. Woodson, like Harris usually works out alone during the offseason.

In other news, rookie tight end Jeremichael Finnley was injured his leg in practice today and is being evaluated by team doctor Pat McKenzie. Also, tight end Tory Humphrey was cleared to practice for the first time today, and caught two nice passes from Aaron Rodgers in the 11-11 workouts.

Injury Update

Linebacker Abdul Hodge, who spent the last two years on the IR has made a full recovery from multiple surgeries on his knees and is back practicing with the Packers. Hodge says that he's "110 percent right now" and that he's "in the best shape since his junior year in college". It's good news for the Packers, which means that they have even more depth at the linebacker position now.

Mike McCarthy said today that defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamilla (KGB) will have arthroscopic surgery on his knee thursday, and will be out until training camp. KGB hurt his knee during the voluntary OTA's, though the injury is not considered to be very serious, the Packers are going to be careful with him and will let him take his time to recover.

Defensive tackles Johnny Jolly (shoulder), Colin Cole (forearm), Justin Harrell (back), and Daniel Muir (pectoral) are all still out of practice, though all of them are expected to return in time for the season. Luckily, the Packers do have enough depth at the position that they can actually practice. Defensive end Cullen Jenkins have moved over and has been practicing at the tackle position, while Michael Montgomery and rookie Jeremy Thompson have been practicing as the ends.

Now to the offensive line, Tony Moll sprained his ankle, though they expect him to return as early as next week. Chad Clifton sat out of practice today for an unspecified reason, which gave rookie Orrin Thompson to play with the first unit offense.

Herron Foils Break-In

Runningback Noah Herron foiled an attempted robbery at his home Friday night by slugging the burgler with his bedpost. After Herron heard glass breaking on the first floor of his home, he called the police and unscrewed his bedpost. When the robber entered he hit him in the head, knocking him unconcious. Herron was not injured, and another suspect was arrested outside the home. Congrats Noah! Click Here For A Full Article