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Kevin Greene chooses Dom Capers as his HOF presenter

Posted by Mike Spofford on March 10, 2016 – 9:21 am

GREEN BAY — Former Packers outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene has chosen current Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers to present him for his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction this August.

Capers was Greene’s defensive coordinator during Greene’s first two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1993-94. Capers was then his head coach with the Carolina Panthers in 1996 and again in 1998, and the two coached together in Green Bay for five seasons (2009-13).

“He’s had a remarkable impact on my life and my family’s life,” Greene said in a short Twitter video regarding the announcement. “No question it’s got to be Dom Capers.”

Conveniently, Capers will already be in Canton, Ohio, on induction weekend because the Packers will be playing in the Hall of Fame Game to kick off the 2016 preseason. Former Packers QB Brett Favre will also be inducted then, but he has not yet publicly named a presenter.

 


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Posted in Packers.com Blog

Dom Capers likes read-option looks in training camp

Posted by Vic Ketchman, packers.com editor on August 2, 2013 – 12:01 pm

GREEN BAY–Whatever the result is in San Francisco on opening day, nobody can accuse the Packers of not being prepared.

Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers

Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers

Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers has spent an early practice period each day in training camp on preparation for the read-option offense the Packers will face on Sept. 8. Clearly, the period has been carefully orchestrated. It includes a scout-team offense armed with 49ers-like formations and read-option schemes, especially as they pertain to the actions of the quarterback.

“It just becomes a matter of guys becoming comfortable with that style of play. We’re getting a better look. I don’t know that we can put 4.4 guys out there, but we’re getting good looks,” Capers said.

The plays are run at half speed, which means the Packers’ preparation to this point is about assignments. Preparing for the physical challenge 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick presents will be more difficult. Packers backup quarterbacks Graham Harrell and B.J. Coleman are running the read-option with the scout-team offense, and neither quarterback is in the mold of Kaepernick or RG3, who will lead the Redskins into Lambeau Field in Week 2.

“Against these quarterbacks nowadays, you have to have guys with enough quickness to track them down,” Capers said.

Defensive end Datone Jones was selected in the first round of this year’s draft, largely because Jones has the kind of quickness and athletic ability to counter running quarterbacks such as Kaepernick and RG3. Second-year linebacker Nick Perry is another of those athletic-type defenders that are made for the new-age game; Perry didn’t play in the playoff loss to the 49ers, when the Packers surrendered 579 yards of offense.

Asked if the defensive line has more athletic ability than it’s had in the past, Defensive Line Coach Mike Trgovac said, “I would say that’s correct. I think we’ve got a good mixture of guys that are big and some guys that are good, fundamental football players, and we have some impact players.”

One of those athletic types is Johnny Jolly, who’s making a comeback from a three-year absence from football due to a substance-abuse problem. Can Jolly make a complete comeback?

“I think Johnny would tell you this: He has a lot of natural instincts. He’s a hungry player that really wants it. It’s not all quite coming to him right now, but it will. The difference is how fast it all comes to him and that’ll only come with repetitions,” Trgovac said.

The Packers will also show the 49ers a different look on offense: What was the right side of the offensive line is now the left side, and vice versa.

“You’ve got to go with the facts. You’ve got to protect the backside of the quarterback. They accepted it. We’re over the hump and progressing on a daily basis,” Offensive Line Coach James Campen reports on the flip-flop that has moved Bryan Bulaga and Josh Sitton from right tackle and right guard to left tackle and left guard. Marshall Newhouse and T.J. Lang are making the move from left tackle and left guard to right tackle and right guard.


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Posted in Packers.com Blog, Training Camp

Worthy took no plays off

Posted by Vic Ketchman, packers.com editor on July 27, 2012 – 10:35 am

Jerel Worthy

Packers second-round draft pick Jerel Worthy attracted attention and criticism for a comment he made at Michigan State about needing to take plays off once in a while. Worthy took no plays off in Friday morning’s practice. The defensive lineman was the high-energy player of practice, which was forced indoors by rain.

Worthy chased after receivers following completions. His voice could be heard celebrating defensive stops and his motor never stopped. Worthy was all over the field and finished a couple of plays on the turf in a tangle of players he created.

Most notably, it appears Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers might have had his two-down lineman nickel defense in mind when Worthy was selected with the 51st overall pick of the 2012 draft. Worthy and B.J. Raji are the two down linemen in the Packers’ nickel defense, and it’s a role Worthy appears to relish. He was a chase tackle at Michigan State and he appears to be reveling in the space he has to operate in Capers’ nickel, which is clearly in Capers’ plans for this season.

Also in Friday’s practice:

…It’s becoming obvious the Packers have a creative role in mind for second-year wide receiver Randall Cobb.

…Backup quarterback Graham Harrell threw arguably the most impressive completion of the morning, a deep out to Cobb, who caught the ball and turned up field to pull away from rookie safety Jerron McMillian, whose coverage on the play was tight.

…Safety M.D. Jennings made an interception off a deflection.

…Quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ signature pass might be the back-shoulder throw, and he tossed a beauty of one to Jordy Nelson along the right sideline. Unfortunately, Nelson dropped the pass.

…Undrafted free agent linebacker Dezman Moses appears to be competing for more than a roster spot. He appears to be competing for playing time.

…First-year safety Anthony Levine broke impressively on a pass along the sideline and nearly made an interception.


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Posted in Packers.com Blog

Meet the Packers’ 2012 draft class

Posted by Duke Bobber on April 28, 2012 – 8:31 pm

Nick Perry

#53 NICK PERRY • LINEBACKER • SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Drafted: 1st Round (#28 overall)
Ht: 6-3   Wt: 265

 

#99 JEREL WORTHY • DEFENSIVE END • MICHIGAN STATE
Drafted: 2nd Round (#51 overall)
Ht: 6-2   Wt: 308

 

#29 CASEY HAYWARD • CORNERBACK • VANDERBILT
Drafted: 2nd Round (#62 overall)
Ht: 5-11  Wt: 192

 

#76 MIKE DANIELS • DEFENSIVE TACKLE • IOWA
Drafted: 4th Round (#132 overall)
Ht: 6-0   Wt: 291

 

#22 JERRON McMILLIAN • SAFETY • MAINE
Drafted: 4th Round (#133 overall)
Ht: 5-11   Wt: 203

 

#56 TERRELL MANNING • LINEBACKER • NORTH CAROLINA STATE
Drafted: 5th Round (#163 overall)
Ht: 6-2   Wt: 237

 

#77 ANDREW DATKO • TACKLE • FLORIDA STATE
Drafted: 7th Round (#241 overall)
Ht: 6-6   Wt: 315

 

#9 B.J. COLEMAN • QUARTERBACK • TENNESSEE-CHATTANOOGA
Drafted: 7th Round (#243 overall)
Ht: 6-3   Wt: 231

 


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Posted in Packers.com Blog