The Packer Pundit

5 things to watch in Packers-Steelers game
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1. How will the Packers fare with just two healthy halfbacks — rookie Brandon Jackson and Noah Herron? Actually, it’s 2½ if you count Corey White, who the Packers officially list as a fullback but is capable of running with the ball. In the absence of injured Vernand Morency and P.J. Pope, this will be Jackson’s chance to shine and put in a claim for the starting job.

2. They should rename them the Blitz-burgh Steelers. In their preseason opener last week against New Orleans, the Steelers blitzed on nine of the first 10 plays. The Packers’ offensive line, and Brett Favre, must come prepared for the onslaught.

3. Rookie Mason Crosby is making a strong run at unseating veteran kicker Dave Rayner. But it’s one thing to boot field goals in practice; it’s another to do it in a game. Let the competition begin.

4. In two previous seasons, quarterback Aaron Rodgers has done nothing to push Favre toward retirement. Of course, he hasn’t had much of a chance. The preseason will give Rodgers ample playing time and a prime opportunity to prove he can run the offense.

5. Starters Al Harris and Charles Woodson might not play, which should only intensify the battle for the No. 3 and No. 4 cornerback spots. It’s time to put up or shut up for Jarrett Bush, Patrick Dendy, Will Blackmon and Frank Walker.


Notebook:
Clifton, Jennings in; Miree, Wynn out for Saturday
By Tom Pelissero / greenbaypressgazette.com / Story Link
Left tackle Chad Clifton and receiver Greg Jennings are on track to start Saturday's preseason opener at Pittsburgh, but the Packers' backfield keeps getting more short-handed. Starting fullback Brandon Miree and rookie running back DeShawn Wynn likely will sit out Saturday because of injuries, coach Mike McCarthy said Thursday night. The five expected to be available include four rookies — three listed as fullbacks — and third-year pro Noah Herron. Wynn sustained a strained quadriceps in practice Tuesday night. Miree has a shoulder stinger. They're among a handful of players trainers were expected to re-evaluate this morning, but McCarthy didn't express optimism about either playing. With Vernand Morency and P.J. Pope each sitting out because of a knee injury, Herron, second-round draft pick Brandon Jackson and undrafted running back/fullback Corey White are the only backs likely to carry the ball Saturday. Sixth-round draft pick Korey Hall, a converted linebacker, would start in Miree's place, backed up by undrafted Ryan Powdrell. Clifton (knees) and Jennings (hip flexor) returned to practice Thursday night and will play Saturday, McCarthy said. Neither had practiced since Monday.

CBs battle injuries
Cornerbacks Charles Woodson and Al Harris also could miss Saturday's game, though McCarthy said he'd like to have both on the field. Woodson left practice Thursday morning because of a left hamstring injury and didn't suit up in the evening. Harris sat out Thursday night because of back problems, which he also reported before McCarthy sat he and Woodson for the Family Night scrimmage. "I'm a little worried about Al," McCarthy said. "That's two weeks in a row now." Woodson, Harris and backup tackle Tony Moll (shoulder stinger) will be re-evaluated today.

Herron's close call
As if they didn't have enough problems, the Packers endured a scary moment in the morning practice when safety Tyrone Culver clotheslined Herron during a non-contact scouting period. Herron was running downfield along the left hash marks when Culver extended his forearm to swipe at the ball, followed through and hit Herron in the throat. Herron slammed onto his back, trainers rushed to his side and McCarthy, who said he wasn't watching the play, came to the scene as his only healthy veteran back lay on the ground. Herron got up after about a minute, walked to the sideline and returned to the field for the last play of the drill. "I'm fine," Herron said after practice, adding that Culver apologized. "My throat kind of closed for a sec. A lack of air."

You can go home again
Saturday's game will be McCarthy's first in his hometown in 15 years as an NFL coach. He grew up in Pittsburgh's Greenfield neighborhood and graduated from Bishop Boyle High School in nearby Homestead, Pa. He last coached in the city in 1992, the last season in his four-year stint with the University of Pittsburgh, and said he hasn't visited since summer 2006. He plans to have dinner at his parents' home near downtown this weekend. "But other than that," McCarthy said, "we're only there for a day-and-half, so it's business." (Edit: More on Mccarthy's Return to Pittsburgh below)

Odds and ends
McCarthy said he anticipates the starters will play about 12 to 15 snaps Saturday, though some veterans could play less, including QB Brett Favre. McCarthy said he wants to get backup Aaron Rodgers some action with the starters. Third-string QB Ingle Martin will play most of the fourth quarter, McCarthy said, while rookie Paul Thompson will get the same opportunity a week later against Seattle. … McCarthy said he will try to turn over some play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Joe Philbin in the preseason, perhaps as soon as Saturday. Philbin said he called some of the plays late in Saturday's scrimmage.



McCarthy's return to Pittsburgh just 'business'
By JASON WILDE / madison.com
GREEN BAY — When Ted Thompson hired Mike McCarthy as the Green Bay Packers' head coach in January 2006, one of the things Thompson liked about the 43-year-old was his toughness. "Pittsburgh Macho," Thompson called it. If you're wondering where that came from, and if you happen to be road tripping to the Packers' preseason opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday, swing by the bar at 3806 Acorn Street in Greenfield. The place is called Chasers now, but it's not all that different from when it was Joe McCarthy's Bar and Grill. "Be careful if you go down there," McCarthy joked between practices Thursday. "I wouldn't wear green and gold in there." For McCarthy, the game is a homecoming, his first as an NFL coach in his hometown. -- More




Favre looks for chemistry vs. Steelers
By JASON WILDE / madison.com

"We have to gain some chemistry quickly. And some trust. We don't have that right now, and it's understandable. You can't expect some of these young guys who are trying to figure out where they're going to recognize those things. But that's where we have to get to." -- Brett Favre

PITTSBURGH — They don't need name tags, or those silly strips of athletic tape coaches used to put on your helmet in high school so they'd know exactly who they were yelling at. No, it's not that Brett Favre doesn't know his offensive skill position players. It's just that the Green Bay Packers' veteran quarterback isn't sure what they're going to do much of the time. Which is what makes Saturday night's preseason opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers more important — in Favre's mind, anyway — than your run-of-the-mill meaningless exhibition game. For while his long-standing connection to No. 1 receiver Donald Driver remains intact, Favre is understandably apprehensive about the other backs and receivers around him. -- More