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By BOB McGINN
bmcginn@journalsentinel.com
Green Bay - Linebacker Nick Barnett of the Green Bay Packers has been fined $15,000 by the National Football League for tackles in the first two games that didn't warrant penalties from game officials.
Barnett's first $7,500 fine was for what the NFL announced as "unnecessary roughness - horse collar" against the Minnesota Vikings. Presumably, it occurred on a 7-yard pass completion in the final 2 minutes in which Barnett grabbed running back Chester Taylor high and from behind.
His other $7,500 fine was for what the NFL said was impermissible use of the helmet, or helmet-to-helmet contact with quarterback Jon Kitna of the Detroit Lions. Kitna was scrambling late in the first half and, before completing a 22-yard pass, he was hit by Barnett and Cullen Jenkins.
Barnett said he would appeal the fine for hitting Kitna. He denied hitting Kitna with his helmet.
"Why would I be fined?" Barnett said. "He was out of the pocket. He was a running back. How are you supposed to tackle the guy?"
On Friday, coach Mike McCarthy read a memorandum to his players from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell warning that stiffer penalties could be coming for players endangering the safety of other players:
"Player safety on the field is important to all of us in the NFL. Football is a tough game and we need to do everything possible to protect all players . . . from unnecessary injury caused by illegal and dangerous hits.
"From this point forward, you should be clear on the following point: Any conduct that unnecessarily risks the safety of other players has no role in (football) and will be disciplined at increased levels, including on a first offense.
"Playing by the rules shows respect for your fellow players. No one wants to see unnecessary injuries. Let's have a safe and exciting 2008 season."
Barnett appeared to be struggling with what the crackdown will mean to his game.
"There's just so many rules now as far as how you can tackle somebody," he said. "It's going to take some time to get used to it. It's not like you can just go and change fundamentals we've been working on all our life.
"I'm not trying to fight the NFL. I truly understand where the NFL is going with their fine system and trying to protect players. At the same time, it's kind of hard to gauge how to play physical without being physical."
McCarthy said players now must play smarter.
"It's tough . . . he was out of the pocket," he said. "You have rules and they're being regulated. I just think that's where we are as a league right now."
Roster move
Former starting guard Junius Coston was waived from the injured-reserve list this week, three days after the Packers reached an injury settlement with him. Coston suffered a sprained knee ligament in the exhibition finale and went on IR Aug. 30.
The Detroit Lions, who are weak at guard, are expected to bring him in for a workout next week, according to an NFL source. Coston should be healthy in two to three weeks.
"I'll be surprised if he's not on a roster," McCarthy said. "Body type. Length. Athletic ability. Knee bend. He's got all the attributes."
Coston, the team's fifth-round pick in 2005, started seven games at guard last season before suffering a season-ending calf injury.
"'Juice' is a kid that just has to turn the corner," McCarthy said. "It's just the health thing. He could never string a full season together."
Decision looming
With center Scott Wells (back) ready to play, the Packers are weighing two lineup options Sunday night against Dallas.
The first would be to give Wells another week of practice and stay with the interior grouping of left guard Daryn Colledge, center Jason Spitz and right guard Tony Moll.
The second would be to start Wells and move Spitz back to right guard, replacing Moll.
"(Wells) looked like his old self today," McCarthy said.
Injury list
Cornerback Charles Woodson (toe) missed another entire week of practice but will start. Defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (knee) sat out Friday but will play.
Tight end Tory Humphrey (knee) probably has a better chance to play than fullback Korey Hall (knee). Both are questionable after limited practices Friday.
McCarthy said running back Ryan Grant (hamstring) "looked better this week than last week." He also said safety Aaron Rouse, who will start for Atari Bigby (hamstring), appears fully recovered from an ankle injury.
In Dallas, the Cowboys will have Kyle Kosier (foot) back in the lineup at left guard after he missed two games. Wide receiver Sam Hurd (ankle) probably won't play. Linebacker Anthony Spencer (knee) is out.
On the mend
Defensive tackle Justin Harrell should play this season, according to McCarthy.
"He's here all the time, in the training room and the weight room," McCarthy said. "Just looking at him, as far as being in shape, I think he looks the best since he's been here."
Harrell must remain on the physically unable to perform list for at least four more games. A back injury prevented him from taking a snap this summer.
Practice time
Matt Flynn and even fellow rookie Brian Brohm are getting some practice time at quarterback with the No. 1 offense. In one 10-play segment late in practice this week, Aaron Rodgers had six snaps, Flynn had three and Brohm had one.
"We give Aaron as much as we can," McCarthy said. "You're also trying to get Matt some work and we always try to give Brian a play in there just to kind of keep him going. It kind of varies every week."
Flynn gets about 60% of the turns on the scout team compared with 40% for Brohm.
bmcginn@journalsentinel.com
Green Bay - Linebacker Nick Barnett of the Green Bay Packers has been fined $15,000 by the National Football League for tackles in the first two games that didn't warrant penalties from game officials.
Barnett's first $7,500 fine was for what the NFL announced as "unnecessary roughness - horse collar" against the Minnesota Vikings. Presumably, it occurred on a 7-yard pass completion in the final 2 minutes in which Barnett grabbed running back Chester Taylor high and from behind.
His other $7,500 fine was for what the NFL said was impermissible use of the helmet, or helmet-to-helmet contact with quarterback Jon Kitna of the Detroit Lions. Kitna was scrambling late in the first half and, before completing a 22-yard pass, he was hit by Barnett and Cullen Jenkins.
Barnett said he would appeal the fine for hitting Kitna. He denied hitting Kitna with his helmet.
"Why would I be fined?" Barnett said. "He was out of the pocket. He was a running back. How are you supposed to tackle the guy?"
On Friday, coach Mike McCarthy read a memorandum to his players from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell warning that stiffer penalties could be coming for players endangering the safety of other players:
"Player safety on the field is important to all of us in the NFL. Football is a tough game and we need to do everything possible to protect all players . . . from unnecessary injury caused by illegal and dangerous hits.
"From this point forward, you should be clear on the following point: Any conduct that unnecessarily risks the safety of other players has no role in (football) and will be disciplined at increased levels, including on a first offense.
"Playing by the rules shows respect for your fellow players. No one wants to see unnecessary injuries. Let's have a safe and exciting 2008 season."
Barnett appeared to be struggling with what the crackdown will mean to his game.
"There's just so many rules now as far as how you can tackle somebody," he said. "It's going to take some time to get used to it. It's not like you can just go and change fundamentals we've been working on all our life.
"I'm not trying to fight the NFL. I truly understand where the NFL is going with their fine system and trying to protect players. At the same time, it's kind of hard to gauge how to play physical without being physical."
McCarthy said players now must play smarter.
"It's tough . . . he was out of the pocket," he said. "You have rules and they're being regulated. I just think that's where we are as a league right now."
Roster move
Former starting guard Junius Coston was waived from the injured-reserve list this week, three days after the Packers reached an injury settlement with him. Coston suffered a sprained knee ligament in the exhibition finale and went on IR Aug. 30.
The Detroit Lions, who are weak at guard, are expected to bring him in for a workout next week, according to an NFL source. Coston should be healthy in two to three weeks.
"I'll be surprised if he's not on a roster," McCarthy said. "Body type. Length. Athletic ability. Knee bend. He's got all the attributes."
Coston, the team's fifth-round pick in 2005, started seven games at guard last season before suffering a season-ending calf injury.
"'Juice' is a kid that just has to turn the corner," McCarthy said. "It's just the health thing. He could never string a full season together."
Decision looming
With center Scott Wells (back) ready to play, the Packers are weighing two lineup options Sunday night against Dallas.
The first would be to give Wells another week of practice and stay with the interior grouping of left guard Daryn Colledge, center Jason Spitz and right guard Tony Moll.
The second would be to start Wells and move Spitz back to right guard, replacing Moll.
"(Wells) looked like his old self today," McCarthy said.
Injury list
Cornerback Charles Woodson (toe) missed another entire week of practice but will start. Defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (knee) sat out Friday but will play.
Tight end Tory Humphrey (knee) probably has a better chance to play than fullback Korey Hall (knee). Both are questionable after limited practices Friday.
McCarthy said running back Ryan Grant (hamstring) "looked better this week than last week." He also said safety Aaron Rouse, who will start for Atari Bigby (hamstring), appears fully recovered from an ankle injury.
In Dallas, the Cowboys will have Kyle Kosier (foot) back in the lineup at left guard after he missed two games. Wide receiver Sam Hurd (ankle) probably won't play. Linebacker Anthony Spencer (knee) is out.
On the mend
Defensive tackle Justin Harrell should play this season, according to McCarthy.
"He's here all the time, in the training room and the weight room," McCarthy said. "Just looking at him, as far as being in shape, I think he looks the best since he's been here."
Harrell must remain on the physically unable to perform list for at least four more games. A back injury prevented him from taking a snap this summer.
Practice time
Matt Flynn and even fellow rookie Brian Brohm are getting some practice time at quarterback with the No. 1 offense. In one 10-play segment late in practice this week, Aaron Rodgers had six snaps, Flynn had three and Brohm had one.
"We give Aaron as much as we can," McCarthy said. "You're also trying to get Matt some work and we always try to give Brian a play in there just to kind of keep him going. It kind of varies every week."
Flynn gets about 60% of the turns on the scout team compared with 40% for Brohm.