The secondary, namely Anthony Smith and Atari Bigby, will see plenty of action their way with the high-flying Cardinals attack.  The Cardinals, like the Packers, are a team in transition with new offensive and defensive coordinators.  Arizona is also in the process of installing a variation of the 3-4 defense, one with many different looks that could easily give the Packers developing offensive line problems.

Unlike the Browns and Bills, the Cardinals have Warner, an older, more experienced quarterback that can recognize a 3-4 and be able to do more with it than, say, Trent Edwards or Derek Anderson.  The Packers defense needs to watch for Warner changing the plays to exploit weaknesses.  Cardinals coaches Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm also hail from the Pittsburgh Steelers organization, where the 3-4 Dom Capers is installing originated.  Capers will have to change up his play-calling and try some new things to try to confuse the veteran quarterback and experienced coaches.

The battle between Spitz and Wells was one of the closest watched in camp.  Both players have started games for the Packers over the last few years and both have something to bring to the table.  However, Wells was hurt for much of 2008 and didn’t match Spitz’s improvement.

McCarthy had this to say about Wells:

“Scott’s a professional,” said McCarthy. “I didn’t expect him to be excited about it, and he was not. He had a few questions, I answered them very honestly and he understands why we made that move.”

Spitz commented on the move:

“I’ve always had aspirations of being a great center,” Spitz said. “Things are slowing down for me at center. Obviously, I spent a lot of time playing center in the off-season.”

Wells said:

“No one is happy when they are not playing.”

Barbre beat out 2008 draft pick Breno Giacomini, in a battle between two guys who have never started in the NFL.  However, the left side of Chad Clifton and Darryn Colledge is very experienced which balances the line in terms of experience. 

The Packers are really excited about having Sitton on the starting O-line:

“Josh Sitton earned a starting position at guard last year and lost that due to injury,” said McCarthy. “We felt that he has improved. He’s a physical player on that right side, and that’s probably the reason why we did go with him.”

Sitton is obviously excited as well:

“I’ve got to strive to get better on fundamentals, the small things,” said Sitton. “It’s gratifying. I’m happy for the opportunity to get out and show what I can do. I’m going to take this opportunity and run with it.”

Now the unit can focus on cohesion and opening up holes for Ryan Grant and protecting Aaron Rodgers.  The offensive line was weak in 2008, and it needs to perform for the Packers to get back to the playoffs.

A source close to Brett Favre said the quarterback, pending a physical, will sign a contract with the Minnesota Vikings for between $10 million to $12 million, according to ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen.

Jay Glazer had reported yesterday that many of the Vikings players thought that Favre-to-Minny was a done deal.  And it seems like he was right.  While everything is a waiting game with Favre, it seems he may actually get to Minnesota.  Favre will most likely leap over Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels on the roster and cost John David Booty a spot on the team.  And Favre will take Booty’s number 4.

More on this (and some actual Packers news) later.

UPDATE: Favre is on a plane bound for Minnesota and expected to sign a 1-year, $12 million contract.

From Deadspin:

Hey, I bet you didn’t see this coming! He’s on a plane to St. Paul, Minnesota, as we speak. His own words: “We may know something by dinner.” Just in time for you to throw it up!

From Jason Cole at Yahoo!: 

A high-placed NFL source said Tuesday morning that the agent for retired quarterback Brett Favre(notes) spent much of Monday calling to check on the details of what would be a one-year, $12 million deal for Favre to join the Minnesota Vikings.

Much, much more to come.

I for one believed for a second.  But then I realized this is Brett Favre we’re talking about, the most notorious flip-flopper, waffler, whatever you want to call him.  He’ll play when he wants.

Now FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer is reporting that Favre could join the Vikings in the near future:

If I were a betting man, I’d swear Brett Favre would be joining the Vikings in the next few weeks, or at least attempt to join the team in that time frame.

Glazer isn’t using reports from inside sources to make this prediction; he’s going straight to the players, talking to them to get their two cents on the subject.  And they seem to think it’s a “when” situation instead of an “if” scenario.

Glazer uses four things to gauge his speculation: “acceptance within the team that it’s pretty much already done”; “Favre has not closed the door on his decision”; “best available option”; “Favre hates camp.”

“I’m telling you it’s already done,” said one Viking. “Right after the Indy game (first preseason game). I don’t think anyone here doesn’t think that.”

Another Viking said, “I don’t know if it’s done, but I think he’ll be in by the third preseason game.”

If the players on the team are talking like that, the possiblities of having Favre suit up in the purple and gold look pretty likely.  Everyone knows that training camp is the last thing Favre wants to be involved in at this point in his career, and the Vikings will probably pursue him if they do not get what they feel they need out of Sage Rosenfels and Tarvaris Jackson, which is probably that they don’t think either one of them can take them to a Super Bowl while they feel Favre could.

The possibilities there.  All that’s left is to wait (again).

After the Packers preseason victory over the Cleveland Browns in which the new defense held the Browns to just 191 total yards, all systems look like a go.  While defensive stalwarts Charles Woodson, Al Harris, and Nick Barnett did not play along with rookies Clay Matthews and B.J. Raji, plus Jeremy Thompson, the defense still looked good, limiting the Browns running game to just 59 yards on the ground.

The Packers offense was also hitting on all cylinders, as the first-team put up 14 points in the first quarter on a 53-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers to Donald Driver on a third down, and a two-yard run by Ryan Grant late in the first quarter.  The running game put up an astounding 230 yards behind a thought to be suspect offensive line.  Rookie running back Tyrell Sutton paced the team with 91 yards on 18 second half rushes.  Kregg Lumpkin, who snuck onto the team in 2008 before suffering a season-ending injury, also have a productive night with 8 rushes for 48 yards.

Granted, this is the preseason, and this is the Cleveland Browns we’re talking about, but last night was a success.  The players are becoming more comfortable in the 3-4 scheme and it showed results (although it was against the Cleveland Browns in the preseason).  The most impressive part is the rushing defense.  Fifty-nine yards is impressive no matter the circumstances.  At various junctures of 2008, the Packers were just gashed by opposing running backs, so to see Jamal Lewis held to 17 yards on 7 carries.

The pass defense also held as well.  Brett Ratliff, an Eric Mangini favorite from the New York Jets, was harrassed all day, as he was sacked three times and only completed 7 of 13 passes for 84 yards and two picks.  Brady Quinn was 7-11 for 68 yards and a pick, while his main competition Derek Anderson was 0-2 with one interception.  The 3-4 held against an offense it should have held against.  Tramon Williams, Charlie Peprah, Anthony Smith, and Desmond Bishop had the interceptions for the Packers.

The most disconcerting aspect of the game was the fact that after two scores by the first team in the first quarter, the Packers didn’t score again the fourth quarter.  Brian Brohm did not play well at all, as he was 3-10 for 18 yards and two picks and a fat passer rating of 0.0.  He is looking more and more like trade bait for a veteran if he doesn’t keep improving.  Matt Flynn was solid, however, completing 5 of 6 throws 50 yards, although he couldn’t find the end zone.

Sure, it’s preseason and you’re playing with second teamers, but you’re playing second teamers (the Cleveland Browns’ second teamers at that).  There should be some offense generated by the offense that does have depth in the running game and the wide receivers.  Where’s the production from Flynn and Brohm?  Both are thought to be capable quarterbacks, but Brohm, who was projected as a high first-round pick had he left school after his junior year) has yet to live up to his potential and Flynn is playing like a third or fourth-round pick, as opposed to the seventh-round pick he is, which is a bit of a plus for the Packers.  Could veteran leadership help solve this issue?  Maybe.  But then again, we’re talking about scoring points in the preseason against the Browns, so it could be a moot point.

Anyhow, the Packers have Terrell Owens and the Buffalo Bills this Saturday, and we’ll have to see how the defense reacts to a team thought to have a potentially explosive offense and see how the offense reacts to a defense that isn’t Cleveland’s.

It’s like when you’re high school.  There’s that girl out there.  You hear she likes you.  But nothing legitimate is coming from her mouth.  All your mutual friends are abuzz with the possibility of a relationship, but between the two of you, neither of you are saying anything.  You’re saying that you want real concrete proof she’s into you; she’s sending out mixed messages.  You hear she just wants to hook up with you and you aren’t the type she’d actually date.  Or maybe she just wants a “summer fling” with you.  Basically, you have no idea what’s going on, despite what everyone else is saying.

That’s how it is now.  Thompson isn’t giving a straight answer on what the Packers want to do.  Are the Packers even interested in Vick in the first place?  Do the Packers just want Vick as gimmick player?  Do the Packers want Vick just for this year as a backup for Aaron Rodgers that could be more reliable than Matt Flynn or Brian Brohm?  Or do the Packers see Vick as a long-term player in their scheme?  It feels like high school all over again.

Scenario 1: There is no interest.

The rumors are just the product of those curses called mutual friends.  You come to find that your friends were just throwing names out there as possibilities and liked the sound of this.  In their minds, it’s a perfect fit.  You two seem picture perfect to each other, but in reality, it would never work.  It’s your friends making something out of nothing.

The Packers aren’t interested in this scenario.  Thompson is sticking to his reputation of not commenting on personnel issues until there is something concrete.  Thompson just doesn’t want to say no to Vick because he wants to leave the door open just in case there’s that one in a million chance the Packers need Vick.  The Packers GM is just making a statement and is letting the media run with it and assume what they want.  Some of the more anti-Ted Thompson camps should have some pretty interesting things to say about these comments, but they appear to be innocuous.  Not saying anything about personnel has been his game, and he’s sticking to it.

Scenario 2: The hook up.

The girl just wants you for your body.  She’s attracted to you, but she doesn’t care about anything else that has to do with you.  It’s one night or bust.  It’s just up to you to decide whether or not you want to be pulled into this.  After all, she is a pretty enticing option and there is a bit of chemistry.  There is the slight chance it’ll go beyond that one night, but it’s anybody’s guess how far it can go.

In this option, Vick is the gimmick player.  The Packers feel they need to make a splash.  The Detroit Lions got Matthew Stafford in the draft.  The Chicago Bears acquired Jay Cutler from the Broncos.  The Minnesota Vikings drafted Percy Harvin out of Florida for some use in the Wildcat.  Yes, the Packers drafted B.J. Raji at No. 9 and traded back up into the first round (an OMG IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING?!?!?! moment with Thompson) for Clay Matthews.  Both of these guys are great for the defense and really signal the turn around that is happening under Dom Capers, but offense sells tickets and makes the highlights.  What did the Packers do on offense?  Nothing.  I mean, the drafting of Jamon Meredith and T.J. Lang did do something to add competition to the offensive line, but as much as I love the offensive line, it won’t be a conversation topic on SportsCenter.  Vick adds this to the offense.  How are they going to use it?  What crazy formation does Mike McCarthy have thought up for Vick?  He is the innovator behind the Big 5 that utilizes all of Green Bay’s wide receiver talent.  What could he do with the Wildcat?  The possibilities are limitless.  But lying under all of this is the possibility of this being a one-time deal.  Vick could only be in Green Bay for 12 games as an experiment.  After the season he could be cut loose while the Packer pursue a more permanent Wildcat or gimmick player.  It could be strictly to keep pace with Detroit, Chicago, Minnesota, and the changing National Football League.

Scenario 3: The summer fling.

You and your lady friend get to talking, and you feel that you two have some chemistry and it could go places, but once you get around to school and life in general, you two don’t really have time for each other.  Summer is great because you can see each other multiple times a week and just spend a lot of “romantic” time together talking about how you wish summer could never end, but before you know it, it’s back to reality and you both part ways, never to really see each other again.  Of course, you meet randomly, check in every once in a while to see how things are going, but you aren’t too involved in each others lives.  You appreciate what happened, but it was best to be contained by that time.

Scenario 3 is similar to Scenario 2, but at the same time it is different.  The Packers bring Vick in, not as a gimmick player, but as a backup quarterback to Rodgers.  Flynn and Brohm haven’t been too too impressive, so it seems logical to bring Vick in.  Vick’s played quarterback before, so backing up Rodgers would be a good role for him.  He wouldn’t be expected to be a star contributor from Day 1, while he still could make token appearances as a Wildcat or change of pace quarterback.  Also, being a backup quarterback to Rodgers could be a springboard for Vick.  Other teams could see how he is progressing with integrating back into a team and how he is at learning an offense.  The time spent playing in games could be used as an audition period and a team could trade for him at the deadline or after the season, or if the Packers sign him to just a one-year deal he could be free to sign with a team that needs his services.  This could benefit both sides, as it gives Vick an opportunity and it gives Brohm and/or Flynn more time to become adequate NFL backups.

Scenario 4: The relationship.

You and your girl decide it’s go time.  You have chemistry, everything is great, you commit to each other.  You’ve gone over certain things that are important to you, like your allegiances to certain teams becoming more important than the relationship and what kind of music you can tolerate.  Everything is compatible, so you have a girlfriend.  For the long haul.

Vick and the Packers decide that everything looks great.  The situation is great for him.  Green Bay is the smallest media market in the NFL, and although everyone knows how much of a circus it can be (see: Favre, Brett; Summer 2008), he won’t be under a microscope as much as he would be in a larger market (although the way ESPN covers things, it’s hard to tell).  This relationship wouldn’t end with Vick in a starting job obviously, but it would end up with him being a contributing member of the Packers organization as a Wildcat/running back/wide receiver/backup quarterback.  Vick would show up in the stat sheet frequently and mesh well with Rodgers and the whole bunch.  Of course he would cost either Brohm or Flynn a spot on the team, but it would be for the greater good of the team.  Vick could use the relationship as a jumping off point, if the feeling is mutual, for something better, but he was a success in Green Bay.

Scenario 5: A break up.

So things just didn’t work out.  Turns out she didn’t really like that music she said she did and she won’t give you your alone time with your team.  Things just aren’t meant to be, right?  There’s other fish in the sea.

So Vick comes in, spends a year filling a utility role, and things just aren’t right.  He couldn’t totally mesh, missing training camp and the first few weeks of the season.  He can’t get rolling out of the Wildcat, and the team can’t pick it up in the short time period they had to learn it so everyone feels clueless.  He can’t get it going when he has to come in relieve Rodgers either and the whole just kind of fails and disappears from view.

Scenario 6: Marriage.

Scenario 4 evolves and you and your girlfriend get hitched in a little shindig.  You all live happily ever after.  There’s kids and stuff.  Fun stuff you see in movies.

Vick is a career Packer.  All is forgiven for him defeating the Packers at Lambeau back in 2003 and the public finally accepts for his mistakes.  It’s great stuff.  He gets a ring (or two) with the Packers and keeps his nose clean.  He proves Roger Goodell right for reinstating him.  The dream scenario.

Scenario 7: Divorce.  A messy one at that.

So turns out you and your girlfriend got hitched in Vegas and it’s just bad.  Fighting.  Crying.  Broken hearts.  It is definitely not meant to be.  Once you two get that annulment or those divorce papers filed, you’ll never see each other again.

The Vick experiment fails in Green Bay, epically and publicly.  Vick does something off the field that is just embarrassing and gets himself suspended again and banned from the NFL, or McCarthy and Vick don’t click at all and get in some public disputes.  The players chime (or Tweet) in their problems with the experiment and the team morale collapses.  Pretty soon it’s Top 10 Draft Pick all over again.  People lose their jobs.  Just garbage.  The last thing anyone wants to happen.

I’m hoping for Scenario 4 or 6.  They would be the best for the Packers and Vick, who I’ll have my two cents on up soon.

Any other scenarios you can think of that could happen to Vick and the Packers?  Let me know in the comments.

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• Linebacker Nick Barnett is opening camp on the physically-unable-to-perform (PUP) list after he did not pass his physical.  Barnett flunking his physical has nothing to do with him being out of shape, as he is recovering from a torn ACL suffered last year in a game against the Minnesota Vikings.  There is no time table yet for his return to the practice field.  Brandon Chillar has replaced him on the No. 1 unit.
• Approximately 2,100 people attended the first practice, filling the stands that have a capacity of 1,500 people.
• The battle for the center and right guard spots is interesting, with Scott Wells, Jason Spitz, and Josh Sitton all rotating around the positions as Mike McCarthy looks to find the best fit for the team.
• In the aforementioned 3-4 defense, Jeremy Thompson was working with the No. 1 unit on the right side, opposite Aaron Kampman.
• Top draft choice B.J. Raji was not in camp yesterday, as the stalemate for contracts for draft picks above him and below him affects the ability for the Packers to get a contract done with him.
• Rookie linebacker Brad Jones, a seventh-round pick, also failed his physical and was put on the PUP list.
• After suffering a torn pectoral muscle that ended his season in Week 4 last year, lineman Cullen Jenkins is back in top shape, according to McCarthy.
• Tackle Chad Clifton told reporters he also had work done on his shoulders as well as his knees during the offseason.  Greg A. Bedard said he looked “nimble and strong” in practice.

With two-a-days starting today, the Packers look to get back into shape for the season as September 13 looms in the distance.

But enough introduction, time to get down to the offensive battles to take place on the field:

Fullback
The Packers have a three-way battle for the fullback spot in Mike McCarthy‘s West Coast offense between Korey Hall and John Kuhn, who have been in Green Bay for the past two years, and Quinn Johnson, a draft pick out of LSU.  Both Hall and Kuhn are special teamers who could make the team that way, while the blocking abilities of Johnson will be tested by the coaches at every opportunity.  Ryan Grant‘s yards-per-carry average dropped from 5.1 in 2007 to 3.9 in 2008, so the Packers are looking for the best blocker they can get.  The Packers have kept multiple fullbacks on the roster in the past few years.  My picks: Hall and Johnson, with Kuhn the odd man out.  Hall will be the starter.  Hall has been solid in his conversion from a linebacker at Boise State and continues to progress, while Johnson provides some athleticism as a blocker.

Right Tackle
With long time mainstay Mark Tauscher gone, the Packers have a wide-open competition for that spot.  During OTAs and mini-camps, third-year man Allen Barbre worked with the first unit and many expect him to open camp with the first team.  Rookie T.J. Lang wants to play immediated and will be no slouch for Barbre to compete with, with while second-year man Breno Giacomini is coming off ankle surgery and could steal the job if Lang and Barbre aren’t careful.  My pick: Barbre, on experience.  This battle will be interesting, as Lang, who went to Eastern Michigan, is intriguing, but Barbre’s good performance in OTAs and mini-camps will translate into a good training camp and a starting job for him.

Center
In the past two years, Scott Wells and Jason Spitz have started all the games for the Packers at center, with Wells starting 26 and Spitz filling in on the other 6.  Wells ran into injury problems in 2008, causing the offensive line to be shuffled around as Spitz filled in at center.  This race will go down to the wire and has potential ramifications for the rest of the offensive line, as Spitz can also play either guard position, meaning that if he loses this race, he could jump in one of the guard racers and steal that spot.  My pick: I’m going to have to give it to Wells by a nose.

No. 5 Wide Receiver
The Packers already have their Top 4 lined up, but the Packers want a fifth wide receiver to make their “Big 5″ formaton work.  Ruvell Martin has held down the spot the last three years, but has seen his production decline.  One of the Packers seventh-round picks from 2008, Brett Swain spent 2008 on the practice squad but has been impressive in camps.  Also in the race are Jake Allen, who had a good preseason in 2008 and Kole Heckendorf who “flashed some ability during OTAs” according to the Packers website.  My picks: The Packers carry six receivers, allowing them to go big within the Big 5 with Martin, or smaller with Swain, creating more matchup problems.

No. 2 Quarterback
We were all shocked last year when seventh-round pick Matt Flynn came into training camp and beat out second-round pick Brian Brohm for the No. 2 spot.  However, Flynn’s brief appearances relieving Aaron Rodgers and his subsequent offseason workouts and OTAs have done nothing to secure his spot as the No. 2 QB, allowing Brohm another crack at the job.  Both players have had a year in the system and will be working against a difficult 3-4 defense so they will be tested and able to show much improvement.  Plus, they will see more time in preseason games, as Rodgers no longer needs that starting experience as much as he did last year.  My pick: Brohm leapfrogs Flynn to take the job.

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The signing of Matthews means that ninth-overall pick B.J. Raji is the only Packers not signed as of today, July 30.

Matthews joins a crowded battle for the outside linebacker spots in Dom Capers‘ new 3-4 defense.  Aaron Kampman appears to have the left side under wraps, leaving right side wide open for Matthews, Jeremy Thompson, who impressed during mini-camps after revamping his body, and veteran Brady Poppinga, a strong run stopper.  Matthews appeared to have the inside track after being drafted, but after tweaking his hamstring during OTAs, it opened the door for Thompson to make a splash and an impression, which he most certainly did, making the battle for outside linebacker in the 3-4 defense one of the most important of camp.

Matthews will wear No. 52 for the Pack.

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Of course, as how everything with Favre has been, time will tell.

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Chicago Bears
The Bears brought in a franchise quarterback during the offseason in Jay Cutler from the Denver Broncos in a massive trade.  The Bears now have a face to the franchise on offense to go with Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs on defense.  Although I said that Bears receivers are bad a few posts ago (a statement I still stand behind), Cutler makes them a bit better, while the presence of Cutler takes the pressure of Matt Forte and the running game.  So would you throw Vick in this mix?

The Bears already have one gimmick player on offense in Devin Hester.  Hester is the main decoy on many plays and the Bears love to use his vertical speed to stretch the defense and give the coordinators headaches.  Adding Vick would give the Bears two potentially explosive players on offense at the same time.  Putting Vick into the offense without a full offseason and training camp to get everything to work between him and Hester would be a burden for Cutler, who’s learning a new system, and the offense in general.

Also, owner Jerry Angelo and head coach Lovie Smith are classy guys.  While I think Vick should be allowed back in the league as soon as commissioner Roger Goodell can approve of him and I don’t think he’s a threat to society, Angelo and Smith would want to avoid any backlash.  Vick could really work in Chicago, but I feel that Angelo and Smith wouldn’t run the risk of the backlash and something going wrong.

Detroit Lions
It doesn’t seem like things can get any worse for the Detroit Lions.  With last year’s debacle, there is really nowhere for the Lions to go but up.  With Matthew Stafford and revamped linebacking corps, there is hope in Detroit for a few wins here or there.  But would Vick be a fit in Detroit?

The first thing you have to look at his playmakers.  Who are the Lions playmakers?  Stafford isn’t even the starter yet, as he’s behind Daunte Culpepper.  Kevin Smith guaranteed the playoffs this year for Detroit and he does give them a steady option at running back, but he’s nothing too special yet.  Calvin Johnson is the closest thing the Lions have to a star player.  After Johnson, there’s a mess with Keary Colbert, Ronald Curry, Bryant Johnson, Dennis Northcutt, and rookie Derrick Williams.  Those guys are all going for the spots behind Calvin Johnson.  Is there room for Vick in here?  I’d say yes.

The Lions could definitely use Vick’s playmaking ability.  However, Stafford is the quarterback of the future and coach Jim Schwartz wants to use Culpepper as the stop gap.  Vick would be relegated to a Wildcat role and basically be a gimmick player.

Image-wise, the Lions can’t really get that much lower after the 0-16 season.  Getting Vick would show that they are serious about making an attempt to get better.  But then again, they might look as a risk for getting their reputation dumbed down even more.  They could use his talent, but will stay hands off, as there is enough work to do on that team already.

Green Bay Packers
First off, I don’t see Vick in a Green Bay Packer uniform.  Sure, if he was more of a traditional quarterback, I could definitely see Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy run the risk and sign him to back up Aaron Rodgers if Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn can’t improve.  But the fact that Vick is all over the place with his play, I don’t see it happening.  Vick could also serve the purpose of a Wildcat in the Packers offense, but the team has been prolific enough the last few years that they should (and will) stay with what works.

Also, I can’t see Vick meshing too well in Green Bay.  He’s done his time and deserves to be back in, but Green Bay doesn’t seem to be the town to take him.  This is a big year for the Packers, so anything to upset the balance could gain the ire of the stockholders, which the team does not want.

Minnesota Vikings
Finally, the Minnesota Vikings.  There are three reasons why I think the Vikings are the least likely to land Vick in the division: 1) Brett Favre; 2) Percy Harvin; 3) Tarvaris Jackson.

Favre.  Right now, the Vikings are waiting for Favre to notify Brad Childress and the team whether or not he will be returning to football and joining the Vikings on July 30 (or sooner).  If the Vikings get Favre, it can give them a quarterback that can hand off to Adrian Peterson and get the ball down the field and make plays if necessary.  No need for Vick there.

Harvin.  Harvin fills the role of Minnesota’s Wildcat.  He can run with the ball, he can catch the ball, and the Vikings have had him throwing in practice.  If he can do all that, why do they need Vick?  Plus, they’re waiting on Favre; why wait on Vick too?

Jackson.  The Vikings have been dealing with the mobile quarterback with shoddy decision making over the past few years with T-Jack.  Vick is an exponentially better version of Tarvaris, but do the Vikings and their fans really want to go through this ordeal all over again?  I don’t think so.  Small chance of Vick in Viking purple.

Lions, Bears, Packers, Vikings.  That’s the order (from most likely to least likely) of teams in the NFC North going after one Michael Vick.

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TO’s new reality show on VH1, “The TO Show,” confirms everything we already knew about the Buffalo Bills wide receiver.  He’s selfish, likes to be the center of attention, and doesn’t really listen to anyone else.  The pilot episode last night centered around TO’s two publicists (who I refer to as his “handlers”), Kita and Monique trying to change TO’s image from TO to Terrell.  I don’t think giving the entire world a look into the life of one the biggest divas in NFL history was the best move.

Apparently, the show is supposed to show a different side of TO.  What it does is show the viewers that TO is exactly the same at home as he is out in public.  He pays up $137,000 for diamond earrings.  He invites an entire club back to his house for a party.  He hooks up with his real estate agent in his hot tub.  On the field, he always wants the ball.  Off the field, he always the attention.

The show also seems painfully calculated.  He is forced by his handlers to contact his ex-fiance to see how she is doing.  When TO meets with her, he dodges her questions about his love life, a la Drew Rosenhaus.  He had to have learned it somewhere.  TO didn’t want to go meet with her.  He is forced into it by his handlers and he makes it clear he doesn’t want to do what they tell him.  It’s hard to imagine that Jeff Garcia, Donovan McNabb, and Tony Romo know how Kita and Mo feel.

The show did have one interesting part which, surprisingly, pertained to football.  In one scene, TO sits down with his best friend Pablo, a large dude that cuts rank farts on the LA freeways, and divulges how his meeting with Jerry Jones went when Jones told TO that he was no longer a member of the Dallas Cowboys.  The reasoning that TO says Jones used makes perfect sense: I support you 100%, so I’m going to cut you.  Jones’ method of drawing a diagram on a tablecloth is original to say the least.  The show becomes even more amusing when TO describes waiting around so he could take the tablecloth with him after the meeting.

The advent of “The T.O. Show” has to be a low point in the history of reality TV shows.  If TO’s handlers want to “change the man,” as is their mantra throughout the show, then they should take my advice: get him out of the spotlight.  The less there is of TO, the more people like him.  The last thing that will change people’s opinions about him is seeing him in his cushy personal life still being TO.  As a closet Philadelphia Eagles fan, the disdain factor for TO just reaches the ridiculous.  If TO wasn’t already a joke to people before, he has definitely surpassed that now.  If he was already a joke to people, he has pushed himself totally out of the radar.

Dick Jauron and Trent Edwards, study up.  Using this show as film on how to deal with TO could come in more handy than any other games tapes you have on him.

You can watch the episode here.

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“They don’t have a receiver,” Driver said on the “Waddle & Silvy” show on ESPN 1000. “They don’t have any true receivers that step up and play and take their team to where they want to go.

“I love Devin [Hester], and Devin knows that, but Devin plays [defensive back]. I don’t think he’s just a solid receiver right now. He may become one as years go on, but it doesn’t happen overnight.”

I’m not sure there’s anyone that can deny this, even Bears fans.  Let’s look at the wide receivers on the Bears roster currently: Hester, Brandon Rideau, Eric Peterman, Johnny Knox, Derek Kinder, Juaquin Iglesias, Rashied Davis, John Broussard, Earl Bennett, and Devin Aromashodu.  Peterman, Knox, Kinder, and Iglesias are all rookies.  I’ve never heard of Rideau.  Bennett and Aromashodu have yet to show anything on the NFL level.  Davis has had flashes of brilliance, but his career season was 2008, when he had 35 receptions for 445 yards and two touchdowns.  Hester had 52 receptions for 665 yards and three touchdowns.

Granted, with Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman as your quarterbacks, it’s hard to produce.  With Jay Cutler in town, the wide receivers will see some improvement, but you have to have some toys for your quarterback to play with.  Cutler is a great quarterback, but I doubt he will be able to turn these guys into Pro Bowlers within one or two seasons.  The Bears weakest point on their offense is their receiving corps.  Hester has his moments, but it feels like most of the time he is used as a diversion or as a gimmick.

If Chicago wants to contend, they need a Brandon Marshall or an Anquan Boldin, a big target that can make any quarterback look good.  However, with the king’s ransom they payed for Cutler, it doesn’t look like they have anything to give up for them.  The Cutler acquisition of Cutler gives Chicago the franchise quarterback it needs, but he doesn’t have any receivers, meaning a tough time getting adjusted for Jay.

Donald Driver states the obvious folks.  Seriously, before you read this, could you name a Bears wide receiver besides Hester?

The other thing that I found interesting about this is that Driver is usually pretty silent when it comes to the media.  He doesn’t toot his own horn that much or make too much noise on the airwaves.  That being said, I like it.  It gives the Packers a bit of an edge for 2009.  Driver also answered questions about future Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre:

“A lot of guys just kind of put it out of their mind, and said that whatever Brett does he’s going to do it on his own, and we can’t worry about it in Green Bay,” Driver said. “If he signs with Minnesota, he does, and if he doesn’t he doesn’t.

“If he signs with them, then we prepare for him when that week comes around, but right now we’re not focused on that. We’re just focused on winning games trying to get to where we want to go, and that’s the world championship.”

Good words from Driver.  Less than two weeks until Favre’s decision.  My guess?  He’ll be back.

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Is Justin Harrell a bust?  Ask any Packers fan and they’ll most likely say yes.  The third-year pro and 2007 first-round pick has been hounded by injuries for the later part of his college career and first two years of his pro career.  Was he worth that first-round pick?  So far, no.  Harrell went off the board with Pro Bowl players such as Michael Griffin of the Tennessee Titans and Jon Beason of the Carolina Panthers, and solid pros Aaron Ross of the New York Giants and Dwayne Bowe of the Kansas City Chiefs still available.  This season is crunch time for Harrell to make good on his first-round pick billing.

With Ryan Pickett and B.J. Raji in competition for the starting nose tackle job, Harrell figures into Dom Capers‘ 3-4 defense as a defensive end.  At 6’4″, 320 pounds, he has enough size to take up two blockers on the line.  However, having those capabilities and actually being able to do that are two totally different things.  Harrell’s history of back injuries is a major red flag, as the back is one of the most important parts of the body.  You need that to be able to do anything athletic.  If he keeps having back problems, that renders him nearly useless.

Packers fans mostly want to see Harrell justify his status.  We’ve been watching this guy sit on the sidelines for two years, when he was supposed to be an anchor of the Packers defensive line.  The defensive line in 2009 will need all the help it can get, as most of the depth is unproven.  If Harrell can get it together and make the transition to the 3-4 smoothly, it would do wonders for the team, on both offense and defense.

Justin Harrell, step it up in 2009.

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Favre talked to the Associated Press about how he felt his arm and shoulder were:

“There’s two weeks left and I’m doing everything I can. I was down here Sunday morning working out. I’m trying to get everything to where I feel 100 percent when I go in. I can’t go in any less. When you’re 39 years old, it’s hard enough. But it’s getting there.”

According to reports, his shoulder surgery was indeed successful and he has been rehabbing it ever since.  The only hurdle appears to be getting his shoulder rehabbed to coincide with camp opening for the Vikings.  Favre does not want to play at less than 100%, as that is what mainly hindered his performance with the Jets.

“I don’t think Minnesota would even consider it if I didn’t have it. Second of all, I wouldn’t even think about it if I didn’t have it. Now, having it here and having in on the field on Sundays is two different things, I know that for a fact. I know what it takes to play on Sunday and I still believe I have that.”

The one thing all of this does for this Favre saga is put a timetable on it, something it has lacked the whole summer.  We can all wait for this to end July 30, retired or unretired.

While it is nice to show that you’re a fan of the Packers or to get Packers updates whenever they become available, it seems to me that neither of these tools will provide any new insight into the inner workings of the Packers.  As of right now, both sites are basically newsfeeds for new stories going up on Packers.com.  Don’t get me wrong, the stories they post are great looks into the lives of the players and their goals, but for groundbreaking news, I’d recommend using Journal-Sentinel columnist Greg A. Bedard‘s Twitter account (@Greg_A_Bedard) as your main source for breaking Packers news.  And of course, Lombardi Ave is on Twitter as well (@LombardiAve).

However, it is nice to see the Packers, one of the oldest franchises in the NFL, getting up to date technologically and joining the social networking boom.

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In 2008, Donald Driver finally ceded the title of Packers No. 1 receiver to the young and up-and-coming Greg Jennings. Some said that Driver’s age was finally catching up with him. Others said that it was because Aaron Rodgers favored Jennings, while Driver was Brett Favre‘s favorite receiver. All of this being said, Driver still produced in 2008, with 74 receptions for 1,012 yards and five touchdowns. He only crested the 100-yard mark in two games during the season.

Although the Packers have stabled some quality receivers with youth, none of those receivers seem as if they are ready to take over the reigns right now. James Jones disappeared for the second half of 2007 and most of 2008. Ruvell Martin has been inconsistent while his size (6’4″) makes him very intriguing. Jordy Nelson has size and speed, but still needs work before he can step into a legitimate No. 2 spot.

Any of these receivers (or any of the others on Green Bay’s roster) could step up and make me eat my words, but as of right now, the Packers need Driver to bridge the gap from now to when one of the younger receivers can step up and replace him.

Driver provides an experienced security blanket for Rodgers. On third down plays, Driver seems to be the go-to guy, always at the marker. Driver provides the perfect complement for Jennings. While Jennings goes deep, Driver can slip into the middle and move the offense slowly but surely. Countless times during the season, he sits in the middle of a zone, catching ball after ball, helping the offense.

If Driver doesn’t play up to his talent and his age starts to show, the offense is in trouble. Jennings is an outstanding receiver, but he can’t do it all on his own. He’s going to start seeing the No. 1 corner from the opposing defense and more frequent double teams. Rodgers and the offense need Driver to be on his game to relieve this pressure. Sure, Martin, Jones, and Nelson have the potential to help, but right now, it’s on Driver. If he can do whatever it takes to help the offense I’m sure there will still be the great production there was in 2007 and 2008. If age catches up, the offense could be in trouble.

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Going into 2008, Nick Collins was under the radar.  Most only new him as that safety from Bethune-Cookman that Ted Thompson drafted after drafting Aaron Rodgers.  Well, like Rodgers, Collins had his breakout year in 2008.

Collins’ accomplishments from 2008 are a laundry list: Pro Bowl starter, Second Team All-Pro (AP), seven interceptions (tops in NFC, second in NFL), three interception returns for touchdowns, second on team with 99 tackles (77 solo).

In 2009, things look different for Collins.  In the offseason, Collins had the tragic family issues keep him away from OTAs and the team, with a contract dispute compounding his absence.  He’s one of the many Packers going into a contract year, and he wants a new deal.  With first priority Greg Jennings locked into an extension, the Packers free agents are all looking for deals.

However, the defensive situation makes what will happen to the free agents on defense pretty hazy.  As Dom Capers installs his 3-4 defense, no one knows how the players the Packers have already will respond to it.  Are they good fits?   Can they learn the system?

All of these questions are valid points for not giving Collins the big contract he wants.  Thompson, Capers, and Mike McCarthy want to see how he will respond to learning a system he is unfamiliar with.  His skill set might not even fit with the 3-4 defense.  Why would the Thompson dedicate so much money to someone who doesn’t fit the system?

Anyways, back to why Collins is No. 8 on my list of the ten most important players for the Packers 2009 season.  The Packers need a leader in the secondary.  Al Harris and Charles Woodson are both great players, but their positions make it hard for them to contribute to the leadership of the defense other than by example.  Collins, in the middle of it all, can join Nick Barnett in leading the defense and getting them fired up.  Collins follows in the footsteps of Leroy Butler and Darren Sharper with leadership roles in the secondary.

The Packers also need Collins to play defense exactly how he did in 2008: by making plays.  They need Collins to be the ballhawking safety the defense depends on.  Considering how the offense played last year, they won’t need the touchdowns as much as the interceptions.  The team will want Collins to force turnovers, making the transition to the 3-4 easier.

Collins is also important because of his attitude.  If he is the aforementioned leader of the secondary, the team will be fine.  If he whines about his contract and create a distraction, then that could be a problem.  Most Packers are hardened to distractions after 2008′s Brett Favre saga, but any distraction is a bad distraction for a team trying to rebound.

Collins is vital for the Packers defense, present and future.

Tomorrow: No. 7.

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Yesterday, I covered the punting battle between Jeremy Kapinos and Durant Brooks and how it affects the team in 2009.  Today, we’re going to be looking at something that you’d expect me to talk about: the defense.

When Cullen Jenkins went down with a torn pectoral muscle in an emotional Week 4 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2008, it dealt a huge blow to the Packers defensive line.  Jenkins is a rare player with the size, strength, quickness, and speed to play both inside and outside on the defensive line.  Throughout his career, he has played both defensive tackle and defensive end.

In 2009, Jenkins will have to both adjust and rebound.  His presence was sorely missed down the stretch in 2008 as opposing offenses just rolled over the Packers.  His biggest adjustment will be the switch to a 3-4 defense, where as a 3-4 end, he will have to stop the run and rush the passer.  The team feels that he has the versatility to make a huge impact rushing from the inside, as the team loved playing him at defensive tackle on passing downs when he was healthy.

Another reason that Jenkins is so important is what is behind him on the defensive line.  Aaron Kampman is now a linebacker.  Johnny Jolly is facing possible jail time.  Outside of Jenkins, Kampman, and Jolly, none of the other defensive ends on the roster have seen substantial playing time on an NFL field.  Possible uber-bust Justin Harrell has been working at defensive end, but based on his injury history and inability to get on the field, I doubt he will see that much time.  That being said, I’d love to see him work hard and reach that potential he had when Ted Thompson drafted him with a first round pick.  Another defensive end possibility is rookie B.J. Raji, who the Packers were working at some defensive end during mini-camps so they theoretically could put Raji and fellow nose tackle Ryan Pickett on the field at the same time in a definite running situation.  But that remains to be seen.

Jenkins is an important cog to the wheel that is the Packers.  He is the most versatile lineman on the roster with his rare physical package.  He just needs to stay on the field.  If he has a great season, it would be to the benefit of the entire defense and the team total.

Jenkins is No. 9 on my list of Top 10 Important Players for 2009.

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