Packers: Five things you should know
Camp Tour: Packers
Five observations from Packers camp:
1. Expect to see more of Brett Favre this summer. Coach Mike
McCarthy plans to play Favre more in the first three preseason games
than he's accustomed to playing, though McCarthy also said he expects to
sit the veteran quarterback in the summer finale. "I'd like to play him
10-20 plays in the opener; a little more in the second game; a bunch in
the third game; then rest him in the fourth," McCarthy said. He followed
that script in Saturday's loss to San Diego, with Favre in the lineup
for 18 snaps. McCarthy's reasoning is sound. "Because of our offense,"
he said. "I've had zero success resting players in the past. You come
out of the (preseason) flat. It's risk/reward, but a decision you have
to make. And I'm going to try."
2. With three new starters on the offensive line, including
rookie Tony Moll at right guard and rookie Jason Spitz at
left guard, there is concern in Titletown. Most of it is concern for
Favre, who spent much of Saturday night trying to avoid a furious pass
rush. Favre dropped back 12 times, was sacked twice and hit at least six
times. If that doesn't change, he can serve as the poster boy for the
Black N' Blue Division, but it changed this week when the Packers sat
down rookie Daryn Colledge and inserted Moll, a converted tackle,
into the lineup. The good news is that the Packers have three-and-a-half
weeks to iron out their problems, with McCarthy confident it will be
done. "We're a little thin there," he said of his offensive line, "and
we're young. But I always look at it as an opportunity for guys to play,
so we'll find out about some of them. We'll be OK."
3. There's a lot of talk about Favre and what he can do for the
Packers, but the key to this offense is a rushing attack to alleviate
the pressure on the quarterback. Which means the key to this offense is Ahman
Green returning to the field. Not the Ahman Green who hasn't run for
100 yards in a game since Nov. 14, 2004; the Ahman Green who shredded
the league for 1883 yards and scored 20 times in 2003. Green, recovering
from a torn quadriceps, didn't play against San Diego, and the results
were predictable: The Packers ran for 44 yards and averaged 2.4 yards a
carry. That won't cut it, folks. The thinking now is that he might be
able to return for the team's third preseason game, and Green Bay will
take a deep breath. If he's back he takes the heat off Favre because
opponents won't dare to ignore the run as the Chargers did Saturday --
regularly running six and seven defenders at the defenseless quarterback.
4. Robert Ferguson is the team's second wide receiver, but
watch out for rookie Greg Jennings. The second-round draft pick
looked sharp against San Diego, catching a team-high four passes for 68
yards -- including a 47-yarder from Aaron Rodgers. "We're excited
about what Greg's done," McCarthy said. "He looks like he's been there
awhile. He's very natural and very comfortable. He and Donald (Driver
) clearly are the most consistent of the group."
5. There's been a lot of knocking of Rodgers, the team's
first-round draft pick a year ago, but he didn't look bad against the
Chargers. In fact, he looked downright decent. OK, so he's no Brett
Favre, but who is? Rodgers showed an ability to move in the pocket, made
smart decisions and was remarkably accurate, hitting 9 of 11 for 124
yards -- including that bomb to Jennings. Sitting behind Favre another
season will be good for the guy, particularly if the Packers believe
he's the man to succeed the future Hall of Famer. For now, the jury is
out.
Why I like this team
To quote Mike McCarthy: "Anytime you have Brett Favre as the quarterback of your football team you have a chance to win games." Amen.
Why I don't like this team
There aren't enough players around Favre to make a difference ... especially in front of him. If his protection doesn't improve he'll wish he were staring at seven-foot putts instead of 300-pound linemen.
