The Packers play Jacksonville in the annual Bishop's Charities Game tonight at Lambeau Field. Here are five things to watch in the game, which will be televised nationally by Fox (Channel 6 in Milwaukee) beginning at 7 p.m., along with a look at the injury report and five quick facts.
A matter of time: The third exhibition game is traditionally the night when starters play about three quarters before backing off in the pre-season finale. That won't be the case for the Packers tonight.
With injury problems at several positions, coach Mike McCarthy and his staff plan to take it easy on his front-line players and use the game to sort out some positional battles. By letting players who are "on the bubble" for making the roster face the Jaguars' front-line talent, McCarthy and Co. hope to gather vital information that will help with upcoming roster cuts. Teams are required to get to 75 by 3 p.m. on Tuesday and must make final roster cuts will be made Sept. 1.
Cinderella story: Safety Atari Bigby will start opposite Nick Collins tonight and would love to be in the same position for the season opener against Philadelphia on Sept. 9. Bigby, an undrafted rookie from Central Florida who was cut by Miami and the New York Jets in 2005 and spent time in NFL Europa, has shown excellent range and ability during camp and took Marquand Manuel's place on the depth chart. Despite a five-year, $10 million contract, Manuel, a disappointment last season, could end up being released if he doesn't win back his starting job.
Get your kicks: One of the more interesting battles in Packers' camp has been among the kickers. Incumbent Dave Rayner and rookie Mason Crosby have been impressive in practice and in games. The difference-maker could be the length and hang-time on kickoffs, but Rayner's experience may ultimately carry the day.
Back in the game: Fullback Brandon Miree, who suffered a neck stinger early in camp, will return to the field tonight and try to wrestle the starting job away from rookie Korey Hall. A former standout linebacker at Boise State, Hall has emerged as one of the better stories of the summer. His football smarts, work ethic and performance on special teams could make him the next William Henderson.
Passing fancy: After playing together for several years, Packers quarterback Brett Favre and receiver Donald Driver are usually on the same page when it comes to improvising patterns, etc. Favre has said a few times this summer that he has not developed that chemistry with the other receivers. Bubba Franks, seemingly a forgotten man last year, appears to be back in the plans this year. Greg Jennings, who was a standout in the exhibition season last year, hasn't been utilized very much in camp and that could change in a hurry.
Injury report: Packers -- RB Vernand Morency (knee), RB P.J. Pope (knee), RB DeShawn Wynn (thigh), DE DeVon Hicks (groin), OG Tony Palmer (hamstring), OT Tony Moll (stinger), WR Shaun Bodiford (knee), FB Ryan Powdrell (knee), DE Michael Montgomery (knee) and OT Orrin Thompson (knee) are out. Jaguars -- DE Paul Spicer (back), S Reggie Nelson (ankle), LB Clint Ingram (ankle), OG Chris Naeole (knee), DT Tony McDaniel (knee) and LB Pat Thomas (hamstring) are out.
Here are five more facts to ponder before you settle in to watch Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston call the action with help from sideline reporters Tony Siragusa and Chris Myers:
The Packers will play four nationally-televised games in 2007. They will face Chicago Oct. 7 at Lambeau Field (Sunday Night Football on NBC); they'll play Oct. 29 at Denver (Monday Night Football on ESPN), they will play Thanksgiving Day in Detroit (Fox), and they will play Nov. 29 at Dallas (NFL Network).
This will be the 47th Bishop's Charities Game. The Packers are 24-21-1 in the game, but have lost four in a row.
The Packers set a franchise record for points scored in an exhibition game when they beat Seattle, 48-13, last week.
The Packers have moved out of the dorms at St. Norbert College, they are done with two-a-days and night practices and will have both Friday and Saturday off following the game tonight.
Jacksonville beat the Packers, 28-25, during a matchup Dec. 19, 2004 at Lambeau Field. Of the 22 players who started that game for the Packers, only 10 are still with the team.
Host of “The Drew Olson Show,” which airs 1-3 p.m. weekdays on The Big 902. Sidekick on “The Mike Heller Show,” airing weekdays on The Big 920 and a statewide network including stations in Madison, Appleton and Wausau. Co-author of Bill Schroeder’s “If These Walls Could Talk: Milwaukee Brewers” on Triumph Books. Co-host of “Big 12 Sports Saturday,” which airs Saturdays during football season on WISN-12. Former senior editor at OnMilwaukee.com. Former reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
