(Published Saturday, May 19, 2007 10:50:36 PM CST)
A d v e r t i s e m e n t
Associated Press
GREEN BAY, Wis. - Vernand Morency couldn't help but smile as he thought about how the halfback position has evolved for the Green Bay Packers in less than a year.
The Packers acquired Morency three days after their 2006 season opener by trading running back Samkon Gado to Houston. Six months later, Ahman Green, Green Bay's No. 2 all-time leading rusher, signed a lucrative four-year contract with the Texans early in free agency in March.
"It's funny, they got two for one, it seems like," Morency said of his former employers. "It's a funny deal, but I know (Green will) do fine. I know he'll put up some good numbers, so I'm excited for him."
The departure of Green, who was the Packers' workhorse back for seven years, leaves a substantial void in Green Bay's offense. Morency, though, is brimming with confidence that he can swing the roundabout two-for-one swap of running backs in the Packers' favor.
"Since I came in the league, I always felt like I was a No. 1 back," said Morency, a third-year pro. "I can take the pounding and still be strong in Week 24. I've just worked hard in the offseason trying to prepare myself every day to be that guy."
Yet with only three starts in his first two NFL seasons, questions linger about whether Morency is ready to assume a full-time role. He had a career-high 26 carries for 99 yards as a starting replacement for Green at Philadelphia last October.
In the subsequent two weeks, however, Morency was pulled early from one game after fumbling and then suffered a back injury after gaining a personal-best 101 yards in a game against Arizona. The injury kept Morency out of two games, and he had a total of only 38 carries in the final seven games of the season.
"I don't know enough about 'Mo' to sit here and tell you he can't carry the ball 20 times a game," Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said.
Philbin acknowledged Saturday, as the Packers held two practices on the second day of minicamp, that the team might be inclined to go into next season with a running-back-by-committee. Morency and Noah Herron, who's considered more of a third-down back, are the top holdovers from last year.
Green Bay used its second-round pick in last month's draft on Nebraska running back Brandon Jackson, who was a part-time starter.
"I don't have a preference that it has to be by committee," Philbin said. "I think we all know in the NFL there's quite a few examples of two running backs getting a good bit of time of sharing the ball. We'll just have to see how it plays out."
Philbin added that there's an obvious benefit to divvying up the carries.
"Do we want to beat one guy down into the ground and he can't walk for four days? No. So, we want to be smart," Philbin said.
Other potential young challengers are Arliss Beach, P.J. Pope and DeShawn Wynn, a seventh-round draft pick this year. Beach (foot) and Wynn (calf) haven't practiced in the minicamp.
Center Scott Wells isn't concerned that the offense is lacking what he called "household names like Ahman."
"When Ahman came in, he wasn't a household name, either," Wells said. "So, you have to start somewhere. He was able to build a career here and do great things."
Morency, armed with nearly a full season in the Packers' zone-blocking system, believes he's on the cusp of breaking through as a productive back and earning recognition in the league.
"I'm always a confident guy," he said. "If Ahman was here or not, I always felt like I could be an every-down back. So it's not going to stop my progress or my work ethic."
"I feel like I'm the total package. I feel like I can block, catch, run. Whatever the situation calls for me to do, I feel like I can do that."
Head coach Mike McCarthy and Philbin said Morency has made a favorable early impression in the offseason. Morency has participated in the team's workout program since it started March 19.
The 5-foot-10 Morency weighs 220 pounds after adding more than 5 pounds of muscle since the end of last season.
"After watching him the last couple weeks, this guy is busting his tail, working extremely hard," Philbin said.
Morency also could be benefiting from Jackson's absence this weekend. Jackson was required to attend a promotional event in Los Angeles with several other top draft picks this year.
"It comes with the territory. We all have to fulfill our NFL dues and needs," Morency said of Jackson's situation. "I had to do the same deal, too, (as a third-round draft pick in 2005), so I understand what's going on. I know he wanted to be here, and we can't wait until he gets back."
NOTES: QB Brett Favre practiced, albeit on a limited basis, for the second straight day. Favre, who underwent surgery on his left ankle in February, was held out of team drills in the two practices Saturday. "He's a little rusty, but he's obviously picking up all of the things mentally," quarterbacks coach Tom Clements said. Before Friday, Favre hadn't thrown a football since the final game of last season. "He said (the arm) was fine. Just maybe a little tightness but no soreness, and he felt good," Clements said. Favre's top backup, Aaron Rodgers, also was limited to non-team drills for the second straight day. Rodgers is recovering from a broken left foot sustained in November. WR Robert Ferguson hopes to return to the field for the organized team activities, which start May 31. Ferguson missed the last 12 games in 2006 with a foot injury. DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (thigh) and G Jason Spitz (back) didn't practice Saturday after suffering injuries the previous day. LT Chad Clifton practiced in the afternoon after being rested in the morning. CBs Al Harris and Charles Woodson didn't practice in the afternoon. LB Desmond Bishop, a sixth-round draft pick this year, rejoined the team Saturday. Bishop didn't practice Friday because of the academic schedule at University of California-Berkeley.
