Players to Watch
Last chance to impressBy Jason Wilde / madison.com
Posted 8-29-2007
NASHVILLE — The final preseason game is, by virtue of its let's-get-this-over-with vibe, the least compelling of the NFL exhibition season. But while most teams set simple goals for the finale — like, not getting anyone important hurt, or having the charter flight home leave on time — the Green Bay Packers enter Thursday night's final exhibition game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field with considerably more at stake. "We have a lot of questions that need to be answered," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. On Friday morning, general manager Ted Thompson and McCarthy will review the film of this game and decide who stays and who goes in the hours leading up to the final cutdown at 3 p.m. Saturday. Unlike perennial playoff teams, who have very little roster turnover, there's plenty of jockeying for position in the final spots on the Packers' depth chart. "It's a big week for a lot of people," McCarthy said. "Friday morning's conversation will be longer than probably some of the ones I've been part of in the past." The players with the most at stake, of course, are the ones with the most to lose: Their jobs. While starting quarterback Brett Favre will play two to three series in another attempt to get on the same wavelength with his young receiving corps, it's not as if his employment future — or that of receivers Greg Jennings or James Jones, for that matter — hinges on how he plays. No, it's the guys on the fringes of the 53-man roster — the Paul Thompsons, the DeShawn Wynns, the Zac Alcorns, the Charlie Peprahs of the football world — who need to play well Thursday night.
Paul Thompson
Despite the release of incumbent No. 3 quarterback Ingle Martin on the first roster reduction, Thompson's job behind Favre and backup Aaron Rodgers is hardly secure. Should he stumble the way he did during practice this week, when he threw multiple interceptions each day, the Packers could decide to go with just Favre and Rodgers on the 53-man roster and put Thompson on the practice squad. They could also bring back Martin for the 53-man roster or practice squad, as McCarthy intimated during the week. "They say I might (play) a full half or so, maybe more. That's the perfect situation," said Thompson, who threw two interceptions in the Aug. 18 preseason game against Seattle. "I'm looking forward to taking advantage of it and proving to my coaches and teammates that I belong here."
Zac Alcorn
Neither Alcorn nor rookie seventh-round pick Clark Harris has seized the No. 3 tight end job behind Bubba Franks and Donald Lee, and it's possible the Packers' third tight end will be someone who's released by another team on the final cutdown Saturday. Alcorn can prevent that with a strong showing. After playing in six games last year, he has shown good hands but has been inconsistent with his blocking. An infection in both of his big toes, coupled with a blister problem on the bottom of each of his feet, slowed him midway through camp, but he has come on of late and needs a strong performance tonight to earn a roster berth. "This is going to be a huge night for him," offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said. "He hit a real bump there where he was going kind of nowhere with his foot problems, but he's come out of that and he's making some progress. But his future may hinge on how he performs (in this game)."
DeShawn Wynn
Having missed most of camp — first with a stomach virus, then with a pulled quadriceps — the rookie seventh-round pick put himself in the most difficult possible position to make the final roster. Then, fellow rookie Brandon Jackson, who started the first three exhibition games, suffered a concussion during Sunday's practice and won't play as a result. Enter Wynn, who'll make his debut after fill-in starter Noah Herron and should get 10 to 12 carries to prove his worth. "I'm sure they're looking for me to make plays," Wynn said. "But as far as making anything spectacular or out of the ordinary, I don't think (it's necessary). I just think for me, they're looking for me to run hard and show them that I can be (effective) in the offense.'' Said McCarthy: "He needs to come out in a big way and earn a spot on this football team. We're going to give him every opportunity to do that."
Dave Rayner/Mason CrosbyThe kicking battle has been the most interesting — and the tightest — in camp, with neither player having given the Packers' brass a clear reason to pick one over the other. Both are perfect in games, Rayner leads the NFL in kickoff distance, and their accuracy in practice was impressive. Crosby made 98 of 115 (85.2 percent) while Rayner made 91 of 114 (79.8 percent). "I'm confident. I feel good about how I'm hitting the ball. At this point, I just have to finish strong and have a good final game," said Crosby, who was taken with the 193rd overall pick, after UCLA's Justin Medlock (No. 160) by Kansas City and Arizona's Nick Folk (No. 178) by Dallas. Crosby has a compact stroke and terrific leg strength, and being a draft pick doesn't hurt his cause. He also may have more long-term potential than Rayner. Rayner, meanwhile, has the experience of two NFL seasons — one as Indianapolis' kickoff specialist in 2005 and one as the Packers' do-everything kicker last year. He's kicked in game-winning situations and inclement weather in the NFL, so he knows what he's up against in December at Lambeau Field. "I'll be honest with you: I think I've done enough to stay here," Rayner said. "If I kick off well and make all my kicks (tonight), then I will have been perfect on field goals and extra points in the preseason, led the NFL in kickoff distance — I don't know what else I could do. I'd be pretty surprised if they cut me."
Charlie Peprah/Tyrone Culver
The Packers figure to keep four safeties — perhaps five if one more is needed on special teams coverage units — and the team seems to be looking for a reason to cut ties with veteran Marquand Manuel, who isn't slated to play tonight. Peprah and Culver can give the team that reason by playing well tonight. Three safety spots are set — starter Nick Collins, presumed starter Atari Bigby and injured rookie third-round pick Aaron Rouse are in. Peprah, Culver, Manuel and Alvin Nnabuife are battling for that fourth spot, and Peprah and Culver appear to be neck-and-neck at this point. Both will play early in the game with a chance to make one final impression. "They wanted to create competition, and I think they did a great job of doing that," said Peprah, who had an interception in the Seattle game. "I don't think I've shown what Charlie Peprah can do just yet. But I'm excited there's one more game, and I'm going to prepare for it like it's my last one."
Frank Walker
It's not Walker's fault that he's the only unrestricted free agent the Packers signed in the offseason, but the veteran corner understands his status as the only addition means more scrutiny. Problem is, he might not make the team because of all the young corners who have come on during camp. "I'm not a marquee guy or anything. I just happened to be the only guy they signed in free agency," Walker said. "I think I'll be here. I don't see why I shouldn't be. I feel like I gave them a good showing." Jarrett Bush gave them a better one, and he can lock up the No. 3 cornerback job with a strong performance tonight. Will Blackmon has already won the return job and will be a backup corner as well, and last year's third corner, Patrick Dendy, is likely to make the team as well. That could leave Walker as the odd man out.
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Related Article -- Battles go down to wire for roster spots >>
Published by PackerPundit On Wednesday, August 29, 2007 at 5:31 PM.
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