Charlie Batch
GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman said he was pleased with the performance of Packers quarterbacks during the June mini-camp, but that wasn't going to stop him from scouting other talent, which is why he invited former Detroit Lions starter Charlie Batch to Green Bay for a private workout Wednesday evening.
Batch, who missed the final five games of the 2001 season with a separated right shoulder, completed 198-of-341 passes (58.1 percent) last season for 2,392 yards. Much of that output came in a record-setting performance at Arizona, in which he completed 36-of-62 passes for 436 yards and three touchdowns.
"We want to bring Charlie in just to see what he can do," Sherman said. "We're never going to think that we have it all figured out and have all the answers, so we're going to always look at other people. Maybe he's better than what we've got."
With three-time MVP Brett Favre still going strong approaching his 12th NFL season, Batch would obviously be contending for a backup role. Presently, Doug Pederson is the team's primary backup, entering his 10th professional season and sixth with the Packers.
Sherman said he was "pleased" with Pederson's performance over the last mini-camp, while also praising the progress of fifth-round draft pick Craig Nall, who he said was "ahead of schedule" in his development as Favre's possible successor.
Sherman said the Packers could carry as many as five quarterbacks into training camp to keep arms fresh.
On The Run
The Packers opened their final mini-camp practice Wednesday with a series of 100-yard runs. While also monitoring players' effort and endurance, Coach Sherman was more interested in the period of two-minute drills afterward.
"We talked this morning about the Tampa game and how we kind of faded in the fourth quarter," Sherman said. "They had a long drive against us and we were on the 5-yard line and couldn't put it in in the fourth quarter. And we talked about the Detroit game over there, where we almost lost the game in the fourth quarter.
"This workout today was time well-spent. As opposed to just going out and practicing again, we wore them down and when they were tired tried to expose them and test their mental toughness today."
The defense won the first series by forcing a turnover.
Hey, Rocky!
Coming off a relatively pain-free season for Brett Favre and his throwing elbow, Coach Sherman has instructed Favre to duplicate last year's offseason workout regimen that often involves hurling footballs at his father-in-law, Rocky.
"The plan that we used last year certainly sufficed and hopefully will continue to suffice," Sherman said. "Rocky, who is about 55-years-old, runs routes for him and Brett tries to break one of his ribs with a football. Hopefully that will continue and hopefully Rocky won't break too many ribs as Brett is throwing the football at Rocky running across the yard.
"That's the extent of our sophisticated offseason program for Brett Favre."
