Green Bay Press-Gazette from Green Bay, Wisconsin • Page 24

C-2 Sunday, July 23, 2006 Green Buy Press-Gazette www.greenbaypressgazette.com Football Secondary Talented, but doubts linger "Tt CM I 1JS i'i-Vj" as a bust. But he'll have to grow from the high-strung, immature player he's been in his first two seasons to become a starting-caliber NFL cornerback. Retired Packers tight end Keith Jackson, right, hugs former teammate LeRoy Butler before the Packers Hall of Fame Induction banquet. Former teammate Edgar Bennett is at left. Jackson presented the late Reggie White for induction.

"I think he's matured a great deal," Sanders said. "If you watch his responses to the situations he's been confronted with, if you watch his work ethic on the Carroll -I ah ity i jj i.t-............ BtoiMilillllfri'il IhWillMliiMiMi I From C-1 A gifted player, Woodson went to the Pro Bowl in each of his first four seasons in the NFL but has missed 12 games over the past two years because of a knee injury (two games in 2004) and a broken leg (10 games last year). The Packers have been woefully short of defensive play-makers for several years, and they're looking for the pairing of Woodson with Al Harris at starting cornerback to help change that. Last year, their cornerbacks had five interceptions (Harris three and Carroll two); in 2004, they had only three (one each by Harris, Carroll and Bhawoh Jue).

Woodson left open to question his commitment to football by skipping all of the Packers' voluntary offseason practices after signing a deal that will pay him $15.5 million plus incentives over the first three years. But all will be forgotten if he he's a playmaker. "He's intelligent, he's football savvy, he's tough," defensive coordinator Bob Sanders said. "He definitely can be an impact 1 A U.S. Marine honor guard carries the Green Bay Packers' Super Bowl trophies into the Lambeau Field atrium during the Packers Hall of Fame induction banquet on Saturday night.

player for us. Harris, 31, has been a big story during the offseason because he skipped all voluntary minicamp practices and or Lome Brusletten of Clear Lake, and his children, from left, Madison, 10, Courteney, 14, and Huston, 12, look at an autographed Packers helmet during the silent auction at the Packers Hall of Fame induction banquet. Press-Gazette photos by H. Marc Larson HavelDefense left 'nowhere to run' practice field, he loves to play, he's enthusiastic, he brings a love of the game. I think he's been very, very professional.

He's worked hard, he's done everything (cornerbacks coach) Lionel (Washington) and (defensive backs coach) Kurt (Schot-tenheimer) have asked him to do." Carroll almost surely will be the nickel back, playing when the Packers go to five defensive backs. That leaves second-year pro Mike Hawkins, third-year pro Jason Horton and rookie Will Blackmon as the leading candidates for the dime job, playing when six defensive backs are needed. Hawkins, a fifth-round pick last season, probably is the most intriguing talent of the group but is raw after playing only one year of college football. At 6-foot-l, 180 pounds, his slight build might make him susceptible to injury Blackmon, a fourth-round draft pick, switched to receiver last year at Boston College after three years at cornerback. During the Packers' first two mini-camps, he showed an innate ability to play the ball in the air.

But a broken right foot sustained in the second camp could diminish his chances of winning a regular role, depending on how much of training camp he misses while recovering from the injury "Mike Hawkins has made big gains," McCarthy said, "and I can see why everybody is excited about Jason Horton. He wasn't out there very long (in the offseason), but you could definitely see the athletic ability, the explosiveness he has in his body. I think we have a very good group, a very competitive group. "Ahmad Carroll's had as good an offseason as anybody on the defensive back board, so we'll definitely have the ability to stop three- and four-wide-receiver sets." The Packers also probably will have a new starting safety in Marquand Manuel, the former Seattle Seahawks player whom Thompson signed in the first week of free agency to a five-year, $10 million deal, to supplant Mark Roman. Thompson targeted Manuel because of his intelligence and "communication skills in running a secondary.

He'll join second-year pro Nick Collins, who had 96 tackles, an interception and nine passes defended as a rookie starter last year. From C-1 "I'm biased, of course, but I've always felt that defense didn't get the recognition it deserved," Jones said. "It was somewhat overshadowed by the offense, and to a degree the special teams. Why? I'm not sure." The Packers' defensive line of Santana Dotson, Gilbert Brown and Jones was a force to be reckoned with. From left to right, Jones (6-foot-7, 283 pounds), Brown (6-2, 340), Dot- son (6-5, 285) and White (6-5, 315) were a sight to behold.

"When offenses broke the huddle and came to the line, you could see that look in then-eyes, like, 'Damn, they're Brown said. "There was nowhere to run, period, end of story" When teams passed, most of the time there was nobody open and nowhere to hide. The '96 Packers' defense allowed just 82 points in the second half, or an average of 5.1 points per game. That's less than a field goal per quarter for 32 quarters. When the Packers got behind, Brett Favre routinely found a way to rally When the Packers got ahead, forget it.

Wayne Simmons, who died in a car accident in 2002, was poison mean. He talked tough and played tougher. Fellow linebackers Brian Williams, George Koonce and Ron Cox had their moments. Cornerbacks Craig Newsome and Doug Evans and safeties LeRoy Butler and Eugene Robinson helped the defense rack up 26 interceptions. Butler was especially disruptive, and a borderline Pro Football Hall of Fame player.

Desmond Howard and the offense got the attention. The defense got the ball back. On the day after White's Hall of Fame induction, and as the 1996 Super Bowl XXXI season's 10th anniversary draws nearer, it's time to give that defense its due. Chris Havel can be reached by voice mail at (920) 431 -8586 or by e-mail at chavelgreenbay.gannett.com ganized team ac- Harris tivities to protest his contract. At the start of the 2004 season, he signed an extension that runs through 2009.

It paid him $7.5 million over the last two years, with an another $2.5 million due this season. Harris has said he'll report for the start of training camp on Friday but will be seeking a new contract during the season. His agent, Jack Bechta, has said Harris will not make the contract a locker-room issue, but there's no knowing how Harris will handle the matter. The Packers have said nothing about whether they'll improve Harris' contract. McCarthy said he spoke with Harris in late June or July.

"Our conversation was in line with everything I've been told about Al. Obviously, I haven't had much interaction with him," McCarthy said. "He told me he loves the Green Bay Packers, he loves playing here and he'll be prepared to play. That was the basis of our whole conversation." Another key to the pass defense will be the development of the nickel and dime corner-backs, most notably whether Carroll has made substantial progress. The Packers' 2004 first-round pick had a horrible rookie season, committing 16 penalties, and first half of 2005, when he had 10 penalties in eight games.

However, he showed some signs of improvement as the season went on. Carroll turns 23 next month, so it's too early to dismiss him Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame members The defensive backs 1951-57. Billy Howton, end, 1952-58. Bobby Dillon, defensive back, 1952-59. John Martinkovic, end, 1951-56.

Howie Ferguson, fullback, 1953-58. Jim Ringo, center, 1953-63. Bill Forester, linebacker, 1953-63. Tobin Rote, quarterback, 1950-56. 1975 Don Chandler, kicker, 1965-67.

Ron Kramer, tight end, 1957, 59-64. Willie Davis, defensive end, 1960-69. Vince Lombardi, coach, 1959-67. Paul Hornung, running backkicker, 1957-62, 1964-66. Max McGee, end, 1954, 57-67.

Henry Jordan, defensive tackle, 1959-69. Jim Taylor, fullback, 1958- 66. Jerry Kramer, guard, 1 958-68. Fuzzy Thurston, guard 1959- 67. 1976 Joseph "Red" Dunn', back, 1927-31.

Bob Skoronski, tackle, 1956, 1959-68. Hank Gremminger, defensive back, 1956-65. Jesse Whittenton, defensive back, 1958-64. Gary Knafelc, end, 1954-62. Bud Jorgensen, trainer, 1924-1970.

1977 Howard "Cub" Buck, tackle, 1921-25. Bart Starr, quarterback, 1956-71. Forrest Gregg, tackle, 1956, 58-70. Andrew B. Turnbull, president, 1923-27.

Charlie Mathys, back, 1922-26. Willie Wood, safety, the Packers Hall of Fame. 1996 John Anderson, linebacker, 1978-89. Lee Remmel, contributor. 1997 Red Cochran, coachscout, 1959-66, 1971-2004.

Ezra Johnson, 1977-87. Travis Williams, kick returner, 1967-70. 1998 Ken Ellis, cornerback, 1970-75. Mark Murphy, safety, Robert J. Parins, president, 1982-89.

1999 James Lofton, wide receiver, 1978-86. Tom Miller, contributor, 1956-88. 2000 Ron Wolf, general manager, 1991-2001. 2001 Johnny Holland, linebacker, 1987-83. Ray Scott, contributor.

2002 Sterling Sharpe, wide receiver, 1988-94. Vernon Biever, contributor. 2003 Mike Douglass, linebacker, 1978-85. Jim Irwin, contributor. 2004 Bob Harlan, president and chief executive officer, 1989-present.

2005 Edgar Bennett, running back, 1992-96. Don Majkowski, quarterback, 1987-92. 2006 Reggie White, defensive end, 1993-98. Players in bold type are members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Inducted 1970 Bernard "Boob" Darling, center, 1927-31. Curly Lambeau, coach, 1919-49.

LaVern "Lawie" Dilweg, end, 1927-34. Mike Michalske, guard, 1929-35, 1937. Johnny "Blood" McNally, halfback, 1929-33, 1935-36. Robert "Cal" Hubbard, tackle, 1929-33, 1935. Verne Lewellen, 1924-32.

1972 Hank Bolder, guard, 1931-39. Don Hutson, end, 1935-45. Milt Gantenbein, end, 1931- 40. Charles "Buckets" Gold-enberg, guardback, 1933-45. Joe Laws, back, 1934-45.

Arnie Herber, quarterback, 1930-40. Russ Letlow, guard, 1936-42, 1946. Clarke Hinkle, back, 1932- 41. George Svendsen, centerlinebacker, 1935-37, 1940- 41. 1973 Charley Brock, center, 1939-47.

Bob Monnett, back, 1933-38. Tony Canadeo, back, 1941- Buford "Baby" Ray, tackle, 1938- 48. Larry Craig, backend, 1939- 49. Andy Uram, halfback, 1938-43. Bob Forte, back, 1946-53.

Dick Wildung, tackle, Ted Fritsch, back, 1942-50. H.L. "Whitey" Woodin, guard, 1922-31. 1974 Al Carmichael, running back, 1953-58. Dave Hanner, defensive tackle, 1952-64.

Fred Cone, fullbackkicker, 1978 Boyd Dowler, receiver, 1959-69. Paul "Tiny" Engebretsen, guard, 1934-41. Lon Evans, guard, 1933-37. Ray Nitschke, linebacker, 1958-72. George Calhoun, publicity director, 1919-46.

1979 Nate Barragar, center, Carroll Dale, end, 1965-72. Elijah Pitts, running back, Pete Tinsley, guardlinebacker, 1938-39, 1941-45. Dominic Olejniczak, president, 1958-82. 1981 Herb Adderley, defensive back, 1961-69. Ken Bowman, center, 1964-73.

Chester "Swede" Johnston, back, Lee H. Joannes, president, 1930-47. 1982 Lou Brock, back, 1940-45. Gale Gillingham, guard, 1966-74, 1976. Dave Robinson, linebacker, 1963-72.

Jack Vainisi, scout: 1950-60. 1983 Donny Anderson, running back, 1966-71. Fred Carr, linebacker, 1968-77. Carl Mulleneaux, end, Fred Leicht, contributor. 1984 John Brockington, running back, 1971-77.

Dan Currie, linebacker, 1958- 64. Ed Jankowski, back, 1937-41. Fred Trowbridge contributor. 1985 Phil Bengtson, coach, 1959- 70. Bob Jeter, defensive back, 1963-70.

Earl "Bud" Svendsen, centerlinebacker, 1937, 1939. 1986 Lee Roy Caffey, linebacker, 1964-69. Irv Comp, back, 1943-49: Led the Packers in passing from 1943 to 1946. Wilner Burke, contributor. 1987 Chester Marcol, kicker, 1972- 80.

Deral Teteak, linebackerguard, 1 952-56. Dr. E. S. Brusky, contributor.

1988 Lionel Aldridge, defensive end, 1963-71. Bob Mann, end, 1950-54. Jerry Atkinson, contributor. 1989 Zeke Bratkowski, quarterback, 1963-68, 1971. Ron Kostelnik, defensive tackle, 1961-68.

1991 Harry Jacunski, end, 1939-44. Jan Stenerud, kicker, 1980-83. Gerald L. Clifford, contributor. 1992 Lynn Dickey, quarterback, 1976-77, 1979-84.

Larry McCarren, center, 1973- 84. 1993 Willie Buchanon, corner-back, 1972-78. Johnnie Gray, safety, 1975-83. Art Daley, contributor. 1994 Paul Coffman, tight end, 1978-85.

Gerry Ellis, fullback, 1980-86. Dr. W. Webber Kelly, contributor. 1995 William Brault, founder of No.

Name Pos. Ht. Wt Age Exp. College 20 Mark Roman 5-11 201 29 7 LSU 21 Charles Woodson CB 6-1 208 29 9 Michigan 22 Marquand Manuel 6-0 209 27 5 Florida 24 TraBoger 5-11 210 23 Tulane 25 Marviel Underwood 5-10 197 24 2 San Diego St. 26 Jason Horton CB 6-0 190 26 3 N.C.A&T 27 Will Blackmon CB 6-0 198 21 Boston Coll.

28 Ahmad Carroll CB 5-10 190 22 3 Arkansas 29 Tyrone Culver 6-1 200 23 Fresno St. 31 Al Harris CB 6-1 185 31 9 Tex. 34 Patrick Dendy CB 6-0 194 24 2 Rice 36 Nick Collins 5-11 200 22 2 Beth'-Cookman 37 Mike Hawkins CB 6-1 180 22 2 Oklahoma 38 Atari Bigby 5-11 211 24 1 C.Florida 39 Therrian Fontenot CB 5-11 187 24 1 Fresno St. 41 Jerron Wishorn CB 6-0 197 24 2 Louisiana Tech Note: The Packers have not yet established a depth chart for the 2006 training camp. SUMMER FAMILY DAYS Child plays for FREE with each paying adult.

children 1 7 under Weekends after 3:00 p.m. FRIDAY GOLF FISH SPECIAL 9 Holes of Golf with Perch or Baked Cod All Fisfo Dinners Include Complimentary Grasshopper $22 walking or $28 riding after 4:00 p.m. HAVEN SUNDAY NINE DINE 9 Holes of Golf with Choice of Salad or Big Bertha Wrap $2 1 .50 walking or $27.50 riding after 4:00 p.m..