Today there was only one 2:00 p.m. practice in the sweltering 95-degree heat in Green Bay. Brett Favre was not on the field, as we specified earlier. He is in Mississippi for a family funeral. Or, as the Packers say, he has a “Bereavement Excuse.” Here are some of the things that a smaller group of sun-burned “railbirds” saw this afternoon along Oneida Street (courtesy of the Green Bay Press-Gazette):
• WR Robert Ferguson (who has switched from #89 to #87) was at least partly to blame for Aaron Rodgers' interception in the blitz period because of a sloppy route. Later, though, Ferguson had a nifty, leaping grab over Will Blackmon in the end zone that curiously drew congratulations from defenders on the sideline.
• TE Bubba Franks also had a fine touchdown grab in the final goal-line period.
• And today's passing stats (7-on-7 in parentheses): Rodgers 20-for-34, INT (10-for-13); Ingle Martin 12-for-16, INT (5-for-8, INT); Paul Thompson 1-for-4 (1-for-3); Brandon Jackson 0-for-1, INT.
• Running back Vernand Morency's knee injury is more serious than initially believed, and he likely will miss two weeks of practice, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said today. Morency hasn't practiced since Saturday. McCarthy declined to discuss specifics of the injury, which was described Sunday by General Manager Ted Thompson as a contusion. The Packers' first preseason game is 12 days away, so Morency likely will miss that game.
• Rookie guard Allen Barbre sat out today's practice with a hamstring injury and defensive tackle Daniel Muir left with a recurring ankle injury.
• McCarthy said he hopes defensive tackles Ryan Pickett and Johnny Jolly, both of whom failed conditioning tests on Friday, will practice Tuesday.
• Wide receiver Donald Driver, who has a shoulder injury, also could practice in the next day or two, McCarthy said.
• On third-and-goal from the 5, quarterback Aaron Rodgers tried to hit tight end Donald Lee on a quick slant, but LB A.J. Hawk perfectly read the play, stepped back and knocked down the pass, almost coming up with an interception. On third-and-goal from the 4, wide receiver James Jones caught a slant, but Hawk stopped him cold in his tracks and would have prevented a touchdown had they been doing full-tackling drills.
• Wide receiver Carlton Brewster caught a fade pass over cornerback Patrick Dendy on third-and-goal from the 8. The TD pass came from quarterback Ingle Martin.
• Fullback Corey White burst through the middle on first-and-goal from the 10 to score an easy TD. Rookie first-round draft pick Justin Harrell and Corey Williams were lined up as the defensive tackles on the play.
• Cornerback Charles Woodson made a nice diving interception of a Rodgers pass in a red zone drill. Rodgers was rolling right and his pass was intented for wide receiver Robert Ferguson.
• In a one-on-one receiver-vs.-defensive back drill, Ruvell Martin caught two long passes that would have gone for TDs. He beat cornerback Frank Walker, then safety Marquand Manuel. In the same drill, Jones ran a crisp route, came back for the ball and made a tough catch in tight coverage.
• Rookie kicker Mason Crosby showed off his big leg this afternoon with a booming kickoff that went 78 yards, or 8 yards deep into the end zone. On four kickoffs, Crosby averaged 71.5 yards. Incumbent kicker Dave Rayner wasn't far behind, averaging 70 yards on four kicks. In order, Crosby's kickoffs went 69, 78, 69 and 70 yards. His hang time ranged from 4.06 seconds to 4.31 seconds. Rayner's kickoffs, in order, went 67. 70, 74 and 69 yards. His hang time ranged from 4.22 seconds to 4.31 seconds.
• Quarterback Brett Favre is the only player not in attendance..
• Dressed in shorts and not taking part in full activities: guard Allen Barbre, running back Vernand Morency, wide receiver Donald Driver and defensive tackles Ryan Pickett and Johnny Jolly.
• Back in uniform after sitting out Sunday are linebackers Abdul Hodge and Juwan Simpson.
• Practices for tomorrow are set at 8:45 a.m. again on Clarke Hinkle Field, and at Old City Stadium on Baird Street (behind East High School) at 6:30 p.m. Gates open at 5:00 p.m.
