The Packer Pundit

Five things to watch
By Jason Wilde / madison.com / Story Link >>
Safety dance
McCarthy said he intends to sit out veteran safety Marquand Manuel, a 16-game starter last season, so he can get a longer look at youngsters Charlie Peprah and Tyrone Culver. That's not good news for Manuel, but it's reassurance that Atari Bigby simply must avoid major gaffes to hold onto the starting gig next to Nick Collins.

Chemistry 104
Quarterback Brett Favre has talked all camp long about trying to get comfortable with the young skill-position players around him, and this is his fourth and final chance before the games start to count. With Driver out, rookie James Jones, who drew Favre's ire twice in last week's loss to Jacksonville, will start opposite Greg Jennings. While it'll only be two or three series, Favre thinks every snap he takes with Jones and the other young'uns is valuable.

Wynn-er, Wynn-er, chicken dinner
With Morency and Jackson out, this is DeShawn Wynn's big night. While Noah Herron is set to start at halfback, Wynn will get the bulk of the carries after missing most of camp with a stomach virus and quadriceps strain. The rookie seventh-round pick clearly has talent, but whether he'll ever show it at the NFL level is debatable. We'll find out something about him — good or bad.

Last licks, kicks
Incumbent Dave Rayner and rookie sixth-round pick Mason Crosby are still too close to call in the big kicking race, although the rook will get the first shot on any kicks. It's clear that the team has two NFL-quality guys to choose from. Should one of them miss a kick tonight, it'd make the decision easier. If they both remain perfect, it'll be a tough call for GM Ted Thompson.

Taking the night off
In addition to Manuel, starting cornerbacks Al Harris and Charles Woodson also will not play tonight, McCarthy said. That means plenty of work for the young corners competing for backup spots — Jarrett Bush, Patrick Dendy, Will Blackmon, Tramon Williams and Frank Walker. Bush can nail down the No. 3 job.