The Packer Pundit

After a humdrum first three weeks of training camp, the fifth pick in April's draft gave the Packers' coaching staff reason to believe he might be ready to make some big-time, game-changing plays when the regular season opens three weeks from today against the Chicago Bears. Hawk played the entire first half with the No. 1 defense and into the third quarter with a collection of mostly backups in Saturday's preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons at Lambeau Field. He shined on one negative-yardage running play and a pair of coverage efforts down the field. "He took care of the things we asked him to take care of," defensive coordinator Bob Sanders said after the Packers' 38-10 victory. "I'll have to watch the tape, but I thought he did a nice job. That's what he can do. That's what we expect out of him."

Hawk's highlights against the Falcons:

On Atlanta's third possession, Hawk showed good pursuit, shed a blocker and stopped Falcons fullback Justin Griffith for a 2-yard loss. Griffith was trying to bounce a run outside around the left end when he ran into Hawk.

"That's my job to make that tackle," Hawk said. "Our defensive end did a good job holding up the lineman, and I could just go around the outside and make the play."

Two plays later, on first-and-10 from the Packers' 38, backup quarterback Matt Schaub thought he had Blakley open on a middle seam route well down the field. But Hawk ran with the tight end stride for stride and at the moment the ball arrived, Hawk broke up the pass, which would have gone for a big gain and perhaps a touchdown. "He's my guy, especially in the middle of the field, so I had to make sure I was on him," Hawk said. "I wish I could have gotten my head around to see the ball but once I saw him go up for it, I was trying to separate him from the ball." MORE>>

Jennings lightens Driver's load
Veteran, rookie spark passing game
By TOM SILVERSTEIN / journalsentinel.com

Green Bay - If Donald Driver's performance Saturday wasn't intended to be a message, it should have been. And if no one else in the stadium recognized it as such, rookie wide receiver Greg Jennings did. Coming on the heels of a complete disaster in the exhibition opener last week, the Green Bay Packers needed something to inject life into their system and they got it in the form of Driver's seven catches for 91 yards in the team's 38-10 exhibition victory over the Atlanta Falcons Saturday at Lambeau Field. While the rest of the Packer nation wrings its hands over who's going to catch passes from quarterback Brett Favre this season, Driver went out and showed them who's first in line. But in doing so, he showed how important it is for someone else to chip in and take away the pressure he'll feel when opponents start game-planning against him.

"I just play," Driver said when asked if he was trying to set an example for the others. "I do what I do. I don't know how those guys are going to play behind me. I just have to go out and do my job and I know they'll follow. I don't have to tell them anything. Just go out and play." MORE>>

Culver learns quickly
Interception a highlight in up-and-down night
By LORI NICKEL / journalsentinel.com

Soon after Green Bay rookie safety Tyrone Culver saw Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick's touchdown pass sail over his head in the first quarter, he was on the bench getting some serious coaching.

From teammate Marquand Manuel.

But Culver will be cut some slack here. Manuel is still expected to be the starter at strong safety and one of the locker room leaders for the Packers, but he's been hurt. The backup, Marviel Underwood, was having a great camp but suddenly he was lost for the year with the injury last week.

So just like that, Culver, a sixth-round draft pick out of Fresno State probably looking for playing time on special teams this season, ditched those duties to take over as the starter this week. Who knows what will be a month from now with the season in full swing, but if Manuel can't come back, Culver could be counted on for a lot. Playing for all but the last five minutes in the Packers' 38-10 exhibition victory against the Falcons will only accelerate his development.

"If I'm called, I am going to be ready," Culver said. "I am going to do whatever it takes. If it's extra film, I'll do extra film, if it's staying on the practice field a little extra longer, I'm going to do that. I'll do whatever it takes to make sure this team doesn't miss a step if I am in." MORE>>