GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Seneca Wallace has an unofficial -- but well-paid -- quarterbacks coach in Aaron Rodgers. Sidelined by a fractured left collarbone, Rodgers could only watch in green warmups while Wallace ran through drills Wednesday at practice. The process of getting Rodgers presumed replacement up to speed for Green Bays game Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles has begun in earnest. "Youre still learning," Wallace said. "Youre never going to get comfortable. Aaron, hes learning each and every day, when we come out here, even though hes been here a long time, theres always something new." But it sure helps being able to practice with the first-team offence, instead of being relegated to just running through a handful of plays a week. "Everybody will be much better off," coach Mike McCarthy said. "Not only just Seneca being comfortable going through the reps, but everybody else being comfortable with Seneca." Wallace is considered a mobile quarterback. He has been around the NFL since 2003, when he was drafted in the fourth round by the Seattle Seahawks. He has played in 63 games, starting 21, and McCarthy doesnt think recognizing defences will be an issue. Its more about the coaching staff fitting the game plan around Wallaces skill set, then the backup trying to be the next Rodgers, the 2011 NFL MVP. "You just have to try to adapt. Like I said, it is up-tempo, fast pace, and try to emulate some of the things he does," Wallace said. "Obviously, its not all going to be the same, but just try to make sure the receivers and everybody (are) on the same page." After Rogers was injured early against Chicago, Wallace was largely ineffective in a 27-20 loss, finishing 11 for 19 for 114 yards and an interception in his first regular-season action since Jan. 1, 2012, when he started for Cleveland in a 13-9 loss to Pittsburgh. For his career, Wallace has a 59 per cent completion rate with 31 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. Hell join a small club. The Packers have had just three starters over the last 22 years -- Brett Favre (253 games), Rodgers (86) and Matt Flynn (two). "Its going to be a good challenge. Obviously, when you lose someone of that calibre, no matter where it is," receiver Jordy Nelson said. "But a quarterback is a little more important. Were all confident in Seneca." Rodgers has his back. He was officially listed Wednesday on the practice report as having not participated. Coaches dont have to officially rule out players until Friday for a Sunday game. There was Rodgers at the indoor practice facility, hands on knees a few yards behind the quarterback coach, watching Wallace and newly-called up backup Scott Tolzien take practice snaps during light drills. At one point, Rodgers dropped back on his own without the ball and ran through the motions. Facing Tolzien from about 10 yards away, he leaned over with emphasis while watching a pass sail by, as if trying to will the ball to a certain spot. "Aarons going about it just as if he were playing in the game," McCarthy said. "Hes going right through it right next to Seneca." Notes: Tolzien, a third-year player who played at Wisconsin, was signed off the practice squad to serve as Wallaces backup. ... LB Clay Matthews, coming back from a thumb injury, sported a club on his right hand while talking to position coach Kevin Greene during a portion of practice Wednesday open to reporters. Hes missed four games. ... LBs Andy Mulumba (ankle) and Nick Perry (foot) were limited. G T.J. Lang (concussion) did not participate. ... T Derek Sherrod, the teams 2011 first-round draft pick, took part in his first practice since being activated from the reserve/physically unable to perform list. He broke his leg in a game in December 2011. ... The team signed Alex Gillett to the practice squad. 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Bjoerndalen, who had failed to win any major race for two years before Sochi, writes in a Facebook entry that he is "full of energy and inspiration" after winning the 10-kilometre sprint and mixed relay at last months Olympics. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jason Babin took a significant pay cut to stay in Jacksonville. But even at a reduced rate, the Jaguars couldnt envision him making the roster this fall. So the team released the veteran defensive end Thursday, parting ways with the 34-year-old pass-rusher for the second time in three months. "We feel that he still has some good games in him and some really good play in him," coach Gus Bradley said. "We were just juggling to try to find a way to get it done within our system. We felt like it was best to give him the opportunity to get out there and hook on with another team. I dont know if there ever is a right time or how to do it. We try to do the best we can, but when were dealing with a man like Jason Babin, that is tough on both sides." After signing former Seattle standout Chris Clemons in free agency and with the development of young pass-rushers Andre Branch, Ryan Davis and rookie Chris Smith, there was little room for the aging Babin on a rebuilding roster. "Thats just how the NFL works," said defensive tackle SenDerrick Marks, who also played with Babin in Tennessee. "You get used to a guy, you get comfortable, and you know that guy can still play. We know that Babs can still play. We saw him here in minicamp. But it also shows that weve got guys like Chris and Branch thats coming along and can also do that job. Its a younger league and thats what a lot of teams look for." Babin led the team with 7 1/2 sacks last season. He voided the final two years of his contract in March, hitting the free-agent market before the Jaguars cut him. He had been due to make $6 million in 2014. Jacksonvillee re-signed him for considerably less.dddddddddddd But after watching the younger defensive ends during organized team activities and a three-day minicamp that ended Thursday -- and crunching the roster numbers -- the Jaguars felt it was best to part ways with Babin now. "It was shocking," said Davis, a second-year pro. "Jason was a key piece of this team, definitely helped this team in leadership. We were such a young team and he helped in the development of myself. I havent had a chance to talk with him yet, but obviously Jasons career speaks for itself. High production guy, and Im pretty sure hell land in a great predicament for himself and his family, so I wish him the best." The Jaguars claimed Babin off waivers from Philadelphia in November 2012, bringing in the two-time Pro Bowler in hopes of beefing up one of the leagues worst pass rushes. Babin finished with seven sacks in 2012, a year after totalling 18 in his first year with the Eagles. He signed a five-year, $28 million deal with Philly after going to his first Pro Bowl with Tennessee following the 2010 season. Although Babin showed burst at times in Jacksonville, he wasnt the consistent sack threat he once was. He also dealt with knee and groin injuries last year. "At the end of the day, its a business," Branch said. "This is the NFL. Were wishing him nothing but the best and support him in everything he does, but weve got to keep going. Weve got a long season ahead of us and weve got training camp coming, so weve just got to keep pushing. "Ive seen guys come and go. Its still the NFL. You never can be surprised with anything. Its a business, but weve got to keep going." cheap jerseys wholesale jerseys ' ' ' |