LuvdaFan36
08-10-2004, 01:23 PM
Cornerback Michael Hawthorne (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?4001) has a simple goal this season, and he can boil it down to four words:
“Proving those doubters wrong.”
Hawthorne was referring to his situation in the secondary, in which he has been thrust into a starting cornerback role since Mike McKenzie (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?2853) went AWOL.
But he could just as well have been referring to the entire Green Bay Packers defensive backfield this season.
The skeptics are out in force, and for good reason. With McKenzie’s holdout entering its second week, the Packers look extremely vulnerable in the secondary.
Hawthorne’s career resume includes just nine starts and three interceptions. First-round draft pick Ahmad Carroll (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?7081) was last seen getting toasted by Shockmain Davis (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?4211) on a 71-yard touchdown pass at Saturday night’s scrimmage. Another rookie, third-round pick Joey Thomas (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?7226), has been nursing a knee injury since last week.
It’s far too early to reach for the panic button. But the vision of the Packers engaged in multiple 38-35 shootouts this season isn’t far-fetched, based on the first week of training camp.
Wishful thinking?
Maybe Hawthorne will emerge as a starter, even if he couldn’t do so during his first four seasons in the NFL. Maybe Carroll will overcome his rookie mistakes and become an impact player. Maybe Thomas will get healthy enough to make a major contribution.
Or maybe that’s a lot of wishful thinking and the Packers will be begging McKenzie to return in another month.
Packers coach Mike Sherman insists his team has enough talent in the secondary.
“You’d like to have a little more experience at that position, but it is what it is,” he said Monday. “I feel confident with the guys we have.”
If Hawthorne doesn’t pan out as a starter, the Packers are hoping one of the rookies will step up.
But safety Darren Sharper (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?2388), the group’s elder statesman, said that’s asking an awful lot.
“It’s hard. Not too many guys can do it,” he said. “I’m not even going to try to sugarcoat it. It’s tough for a young guy ... to play his first year.”
Ironically, Sharper remembers only one rookie defensive back coming onto the scene and becoming an immediate starter, and that was McKenzie in 1999.
It’s tough for rookies
If new defensive coordinator Bob Slowik follows through with his plan for more blitzing to generate a pass rush, it will put even more pressure on the cornerbacks in coverage.
Sharper admits the thought of a rookie starter is a little scary.
“But if that’s what happens, we’re going to have to find a way to make it work,” he said.
Put simply, the Packers can’t afford to give up big plays and big points if they want to reach the Super Bowl. McKenzie’s return would reduce a lot of anxiety. But until that happens, members of the Packers’ secondary will keep busy trying to silence a lot of doubters.
Things just dont look good right now on defense
“Proving those doubters wrong.”
Hawthorne was referring to his situation in the secondary, in which he has been thrust into a starting cornerback role since Mike McKenzie (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?2853) went AWOL.
But he could just as well have been referring to the entire Green Bay Packers defensive backfield this season.
The skeptics are out in force, and for good reason. With McKenzie’s holdout entering its second week, the Packers look extremely vulnerable in the secondary.
Hawthorne’s career resume includes just nine starts and three interceptions. First-round draft pick Ahmad Carroll (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?7081) was last seen getting toasted by Shockmain Davis (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?4211) on a 71-yard touchdown pass at Saturday night’s scrimmage. Another rookie, third-round pick Joey Thomas (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?7226), has been nursing a knee injury since last week.
It’s far too early to reach for the panic button. But the vision of the Packers engaged in multiple 38-35 shootouts this season isn’t far-fetched, based on the first week of training camp.
Wishful thinking?
Maybe Hawthorne will emerge as a starter, even if he couldn’t do so during his first four seasons in the NFL. Maybe Carroll will overcome his rookie mistakes and become an impact player. Maybe Thomas will get healthy enough to make a major contribution.
Or maybe that’s a lot of wishful thinking and the Packers will be begging McKenzie to return in another month.
Packers coach Mike Sherman insists his team has enough talent in the secondary.
“You’d like to have a little more experience at that position, but it is what it is,” he said Monday. “I feel confident with the guys we have.”
If Hawthorne doesn’t pan out as a starter, the Packers are hoping one of the rookies will step up.
But safety Darren Sharper (http://www.forecaster.info/packersnews/football/player.cgi?2388), the group’s elder statesman, said that’s asking an awful lot.
“It’s hard. Not too many guys can do it,” he said. “I’m not even going to try to sugarcoat it. It’s tough for a young guy ... to play his first year.”
Ironically, Sharper remembers only one rookie defensive back coming onto the scene and becoming an immediate starter, and that was McKenzie in 1999.
It’s tough for rookies
If new defensive coordinator Bob Slowik follows through with his plan for more blitzing to generate a pass rush, it will put even more pressure on the cornerbacks in coverage.
Sharper admits the thought of a rookie starter is a little scary.
“But if that’s what happens, we’re going to have to find a way to make it work,” he said.
Put simply, the Packers can’t afford to give up big plays and big points if they want to reach the Super Bowl. McKenzie’s return would reduce a lot of anxiety. But until that happens, members of the Packers’ secondary will keep busy trying to silence a lot of doubters.
Things just dont look good right now on defense