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Marketplace | Jobs | Autos | Homes | Rentals | Obits | Weather | Archives Search Thank you for using our printer friendly story page. Return to story Packers notes: Grant's a flashback

By JASON WILDE 608-252-6176 August 15, 2009

GREEN BAY — It was only one game, but Ryan Grant certainly looked more like the 2007 version of himself than the guy he was last year.

Green Bay’s featured halfback ran six times for 28 yards and a while playing two series in the Packers’ 17-0 victory over the in the preseason opener Saturday night at .

Grant missed last year’s exhibition opener with a hamstring injury after missing the first week of training camp while contract negotiations lagged, and he was never quite himself all year as the injury lingered. Although he rushed for 1,203 yards and played in all 16 games, he seldom showed the explosiveness he’d exhibited during the ’07 season.

That wasn’t a problem Saturday night.

On the Packers’ first series, Grant’s first carry lost a yard, but he converted a third-and-inches with a hard 2-yard run. He exploded on a 14-yard run off right tackle on the next play, setting up ’ 53-yard touchdown pass to .

On the next possession, Grant had 6- and 5-yard runs before capping the drive with a 2-yard scoring , beating the defense to the left pylon.

Grant’s performance highlighted a dominating night on the ground, as the Packers racked up 230 yards rushing on 47 attempts. Brandon Jackson (8-41), DeShawn Wynn (6-23), (8-48) and leading rusher Tyrell Sutton (16-91) all got in on the act.

“It was good to get back out there,” Grant said. “To be able to run for 230 yards, that’s a reflection of guys working and how we’re practicing. The line was outstanding. It’s a great start for us. We know we have a lot of work to do, but it’s exactly what you want.”

Added Sutton: “It felt great. (I’m) living the dream right now. (But) we have to keep it rolling. That’s not the end of it. That’s just one game, and it’s over now. It’s back to work on Monday.”

Bishop’s checkmate

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At this rate, the Packers’ defensive coaches are going to have to find a place for , who’s currently the backup to starter A.J. Hawk at the “buck” inside linebacker spot.

Bishop was all over the field Saturday night.

First, he crunched quarterback on a third-down blitz, leading to an easy for . On the Browns’ second possession of the second half, Bishop dropped in coverage and picked off a Brett Ratliff pass inside Packers’ territory. And on the next possession, Bishop shot through the line and sacked Ratliff for an 8-yard loss, setting up third-and-17 and a punt.

“Not a bad night,” Bishop said with a smile.

“I think he’s been a guy who’s been improving through training camp,” defensive coordinator said. “Again, I think our inside linebacker position, we’ve got good competition going on there. In my mind, that’s what makes for a good football team.”

Centers of attention

While the Packers want to set their offensive line by the third preseason game, it might take longer than that.

The starting five consisted of at left tackle, at left guard, at center, at right guard and at right tackle.

On the second possession, Spitz took over at center, was at right guard and Wells sat out the series. Rodgers and a number of other starters called it a night after that.

For the third possession, though, Wells was back at center with Sitton at right guard and Spitz on the bench. After that, free agent pick-up Duke Preston took over at center while Wells and Spitz called it a night.

Meanwhile, Barbre continued to be the No. 1 right tackle, ahead of Breno Giacomini.

“I can’t answer that. I don’t know,” replied when asked if the team was close to finding its starting five.

“We’re going to have to go in there tomorrow, take a look at the tape, see if anything becomes real clear. We’re going to have to get a good look at them.”

Getting their kicks

Third-year kicker missed his first two field-goal attempts, though neither would be described as easy.

Crosby, who has been up-and-down thus far in camp, doinked a 60-yard

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attempt off the left upright — the kick had plenty of distance, hitting a third of the way up the post — before missing wide right from 55 yards.

“It was nice to try those in these preseason games and know that I’ve got the leg for it,” said Crosby, who connected on a 45-yarder with 5 minutes, 28 seconds left. “When that time comes in the regular season, hopefully we’ll try those again.”

Meanwhile, the punting competition between incumbent Jeremy Kapinos and challenger Durant Brooks never got off the ground. Brooks got the only shot and made the most of it, with a 39-yarder that had a 4.56 seconds of hangtime. Kapinos didn’t get to punt.

“We need to get more information (to make a decision),” coach Mike McCarthy said.

Cornering the market

With veteran and getting the night off — just as they did for last year’s preseason opener — Williams and started at cornerback and played well.

Williams was the beneficiary of Bishop’s pressure on his interception midway through the second quarter.

Blackmon had a chance at his own interception but wasn’t able to come up with it on a short pass two plays before Williams’ pick. On the Browns’ first series of the second half, Blackmon sacked Ratliff on a corner blitz for an 8-yard loss on third down to force a punt.

Extra points

Scratched from the game due to injury were cornerback Pat Lee (back); outside linebackers Clay Matthews (hamstring) and Jeremy Thompson (stingers); and defensive end (back). Linebackers (knee) and Brad Jones (back) remain on the physically unable to perform list. ... First-round draft pick B.J. Raji, a defensive lineman who signed a five-year, $28.5 million deal on Thursday night, also didn’t play. He is expected to start practicing Monday. ... The Packers’ captains were Crosby, Grant and Hawk, who was facing his brother-in-law, Quinn. Return to story madison.com is operated by Capital Newspapers, publishers of the Wisconsin State Journal, The Capital Times, Agri-View and Apartment Showcase. All contents Copyright ©2009, Capital Newspapers. All rights reserved.

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ESPN.com: TrackandField [Print without images]

Friday, August 14, 2009 Who to watch at 2009 track worlds

By Luke Cyphers ESPN The Magazine

Usain Bolt and aren't the only runners to keep on your radar during the world championships. Here are more athletes to watch as the meet kicks off Saturday in :

Women

Kara Goucher, , marathon: The 2007 world championship bronze medalist in the 10,000 could break out as a superstar with a win in Berlin. She finished third in the New York marathon last fall, third in Boston this spring and she has a sense of humor, starring in her shoe sponsor's naked running ads.

Veronica Campbell-Brown, , 200 meters: This one isn't just about Campbell-Brown, the reigning Olympic champ who has had a slow start this year; it's about her showdown with , who is back to her 2007 world- championship form with a world-best 21.88 in this summer. This Jamaica-U.S. tilt could prove as exciting as the -Tyson Gay showdown.

Stephanie Brown Trafton, United States, discus: From fluke to favorite in a single year, Brown Trafton shocked the world in when she won America's first in the event since 1932. The affable Californian, who goes hunting with her husband in the offseason, finds herself the hunted in this meet. She owns the world's best throw (217 feet, 2 inches) this season.

Sanya Richards, United States, 400 meters: Richards may be the best track and field performer never to have won the big one: an individual Olympic or world-championship race. The top-ranked 400 runner the past four years, she settled for bronze last year in Beijing, upset by the Britain's . This should be Richards' year.

Yelena Isinbayeva, , : The diva of the vault is vulnerable here, having lost her first competition in 19 meets last month. But without injured American Jenn Stuczynski to spice things up, it's likely Isinbayeva will be vamping all by her lonesome. Which is still fun to watch.

Men

LaShawn Merritt, United States, 400 meters: No country does one lap better than the Americans, who dominate this event and the 400 hurdles (see below). And, right now, no American runs one lap better than Merritt, the Olympic champ who unseated his countryman and rival, 2007 world champ . Merritt has twice run a season's best 44.5 this year, while Wariner has only managed a 44.66. The two will race against each other for the first time this season in Berlin.

Dwight Phillips, United States, long jump: One of the most disappointing aspects of the Americans' dreary performance at Beijing was being completely shut out in the jumping events. But Phillips, the 2004 Olympic gold medalist hampered by injuries last year, is once again ready for takeoff. His leap of 28 feet, 8¼ inches in June at the was the eighth-best outdoor jump ever.

Angelo Taylor, United States, 400-meter hurdles: Again, this isn't about just the 30-year-old Taylor, who picked

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himself off the track scrap heap to claim gold in Beijing; it's the possibility of a U.S. sweep. and , who took silver and bronze, respectively, in 2008, are back and in top form; but they could all be challenged by South Africa's LJ van Zyl, who has the best time in the world this year (47.94 seconds).

Abubaker Kaki, Sudan, 800 meters: The 20 year old set tracks ablaze in Europe last year before bombing out at the semifinals in Beijing. This year, he's dominating again, running a season's best 1:43.09 and 1:43.10. Chasing Kaki will be a trio of Kenyans, led by wily vet Asbel Kiprop, who is attempting an 800-1500 double.

Kenenisa Bekele, Ethiopia, 10,000 meters: The most dominant track athlete in any event right now (yes, including Bolt), Bekele hasn't lost a race at this distance, including two Olympics and a world championship. Not ever. The world-record holder (26:17.53) makes running 6.2 miles look like a stroll to the mailbox. The only suspense here is whether he'll try to double in the 5,000.

Luke Cyphers is a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine.

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