Green Bay Railbird Central

Make sure to head over to the new Railbird Central

2008-08-15T11:36:00.004-05:00

This is the last post at the old R.C. Make sure to make your daily visit over to the new and improved Railbird Central over at SportsBubbler.com.

For those of you who like to use the old fashioned copy and pasting method or simply typing it in, the address at the new Railbird Central is: http://community.sportsbubbler.com/blogs/railbird_central/default.aspx

I suggest making it your homepage or putting it in your "favorites" or bookmarking the site. You can also be directed to the new website by visiting SportsBubbler's home page.

Please remember that nothing's changing at the Railbird. We're simply moving over to a new platform. Thanks and see you there!

Blue chips & cow chips from the Packers preseason opener

2008-08-13T11:35:00.002-05:00

It's still early to make inferences on the impact of one preseason game, but it's not too early to make snap judgements and rash opinions while sitting on the couch. Here's some of the winners and losers from the first Green Bay Packers vs. Cincinnati Bengals Monday Night Football game:

The blue chip, premiere players:

Aaron Rodgers -- The Packers' new quarterback is the talk of the national media after leading the Packers' to two scoring drives and throwing for 117 yards in just a quarter of play. Rodgers didn't exactly get a ton of help either. A drop by Donald Driver on third and 17 negated what would have been a first down on the opening drive of the game. Another drop by Chris Francies resulted in an interception when the ball bounced off of him. Rodgers was also plagued by shaky pass protection from guard Josh Sitton and running back Brandon Jackson.
The middle linebackers -- Nick Barnett picked up where he left off last year when he was making plays from sideline to sideline. He was second on the team in tackles with five despite only playing for about three series. He was also involved in all four of the team's first four tackles of the game. Production didn't decline once Barnett left the field either. Abdul Hodge showed he's back from knee surgery in a big way. Hodge led the team in tackles with six, one of them going for a loss. He was very active always showing up where the ball was. Desmond Bishop did himself no favors when he couldn't play and Hodge could.

The red chip, solid players:

Tramon Williams -- Getting an opportunity to start in place of inactives Al Harris and Charles Woodson, Williams made the most of his chances. He frequently shadowed star receiver Chad Johnson and didn't allow any big plays. He also showed he's worthy of being of teaming up with Will Blackmon as the team's top kick return duo when he took two kickoffs for a 24.5 yard average.
Brandon Jackson & Kregg Lumpkin -- The only thing that prevented the two reserve running backs from being blue chips were one big mental error apiece. Jackson totally whiffed on a Bengals blitzing safety that led to a sack of Aaron Rodgers. Lumpkin, meanwhile, fumbled the football on the Packers' possession in the fourth quarter of the game when they were down by three points. Working in their favor was that Jackson averaged 7.3 yards per carry with Lumpkin averaging 5.1. Lumpkin also scored a touchdown on a screen pass. They're young and will learn from their mistakes.

The cow chip, forgettable players:

Jon Ryan -- Ryan totally shanked one punt for 15 yards and had another that was partially blocked that went for 14 yards. Two more punts reached the endzone. His final net aveage was 31.3 yards, a good high school punter can do better than that. Consistency has been his problem.
Several offensive rookies - Brian Brohm was terrible in relief of Rodgers. He completed less than 50 percent of his passes and threw and interception. If Flynn has another good outing, he could vault in front of Brohm for the top backup job. Fifth round offensive linemen Josh Sitton and Breno Giacomini also looked like flops. Sitton underachieved with a penalty and giving up a sack after being inserted into the starting lineup. Giacomini was routinely outperformed by the players on the other side of the line of scrimmage.

Getting ready for change at "R.C."

2008-08-12T12:14:00.002-05:00

You may have noticed the new header at the top of the page. The new look is in preparation of our move over to SportsBubbler.com.

We're almost ready to launch the new Railbird Central. So make sure to set your bookmarks or make us your homepage.

The new address is a long one so a bookmark would definitely be a smart idea. But feel free to either copy and past or type in our new address: http://community.sportsbubbler.com/blogs/railbird_central/default.aspx

In just a few days, the old Railbird Central won't be updated anymore, but it's not like we're quitting you on. We're just switching over to a new platform.

And, of course, in a few days time, you'll also be able to find us just by visiting the Sports Bubbler's main page at www.SportsBubbler.com. We're excited for the change, and we hope you are too.

Up and down game for Packer draft picks

2008-08-12T09:38:00.002-05:00

Among the Green Bay Packers' seven 2008 draft choices on the offensive side of the ball, it was an uneven game against the Cincinnati Bengals. While a couple of players were up to the occassion like Matt Flynn, there were also some that played poorly like Breno Giacomini.

The Good:

Matt Flynn -- The seventh round draft choice played better than the Packers' second round draft choice at quarterback. Flynn led a touchdown scoring drive that was capped off by a screen pass for a touchdown by Kregg Lumpkin. And if Lumpkins wouldn't have fumbled late in the fourth quarter, Flynn might have led another.
Jordy Nelson -- Most of Nelson's fireworks came on punt returns when he got ample opportunities. His four returns went for a 7.8 yard average highlighted by a 16 yard return. He also played solidly on offense when he registered two receptions and was a target for at least one more that fell incomplete.
Jermichael Finley -- His two receptions were nothing special, but his blocking drew praise from Packers Radio Network analyst Larry McCarren. That's heady stuff considering Finley wasn't much of a blocker at Texas especially with the praise coming from a former Pro Bowl offensive lineman.
Brett Swain -- Swain also had a pair of receptions that weren't remarkable, but he did nothing to hurt himself.

The Bad:

Josh Sitton -- More was expected from the rookie suprise of training camp. He's only a rookie, but the fact that the coaching staff had enough confidence to place him in the starting lineup started to make his expectations high. A false start penalty followed by a play in which Sitton let his man hit quarterback Aaron Rodgers didn't exactly prove that the guard is ready to be starting lineup just yet.
Breno Giacomini -- Giacomini was routinely beat by defenders he was playing against. Unless the Packer are really, really scared that he they might lose him to another team, Giacomini may be practice squad material.
Brian Brohm -- People said that Brohm might be the most NFL ready quarterback in the entire '08 draft class. His 8 for 17 performance with an interception and a 33.9 quarterback rating were evidence that he is not, at least not yet.

Packers vs. Bengals: thoughts

2008-08-12T09:26:00.002-05:00

Here are some off-the-cuff, knee jerk reactions to the Green Bay Packers' performance against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Footbal that might not have registered on everyone's radar screen:

Thumbs up:

Aaron Rouse -- Another interception proved why Rouse needs to be in the starting lineup. The team might go through a couple headaches as Rouse gets used to defending against complex NFL offenses, but his knack for generating turnovers offsets any negatives he might have. Three interceptions last season combined with one last night and one in the team's preseason scrimmage prove that he can help the team. At least Nick Collins can be the most reliable backup safety in the league.
Jason Hunter -- Hunter led the team in sacks last night and was second on the team in tackles. While not spectacular, he just showed he was very active and is probably worth keeping around another season as a backup defensive lineman and key special teams contributor. He may even get snaps that KGB doesn't while recovering from a knee injury. And did you notice that Hunter even took some snaps at defensive tackle while filling in at a thin position?
Brennan Carvalho -- The undrafted rookie center is making the most of his oppotunity. With both Scott Wells and Junius Coston sitting out with injuries, Carvalho is the top backup at center to starter Jason Spitz. He also paved the way for Kregg Lumpkin's touchdown with a nice block on a screen pass. His body needs some work, but he's working his way on up.

Thumbs down:

Chris Francies -- Two drops, one of which led to Aaron Rodgers' only interception, has Francies on the outside looking in. The drop that led to the interception was clearly Francies' fault when it bounced off of him into the air. With Greg Jennings sitting the game out due to injury, Francies got limited opportunities to play with the first string offense. He only hurt his chances to stick around.
Conrad Bolston and Alfred Malone -- No one is expecting defensive tackles to be tackling machines, but the backup duo combined for exactly one tackle during the preseason opener. At such a thin position, they did very little to distinguish themselves.
Vernand Morency -- It wasn't Morency's fault, but why didn't he get any opportunities to carry the ball? Only the coaching staff can answer that question. Maybe they know what they have with him while they want to give chances to guys like DeShawn Wynn and Kregg Lumpkin. But if Morency makes the team as the third down back, don't you want to give him at least a handful of carries to help him prepare?

Packers vs. Bengals: What to Watch For

2008-08-10T17:22:00.003-05:00

Everyone and their brother are sure as heck going to be scrutinizing every move Aaron Rodgers makes down to how he receives the snap from center. And then they'll be analyzing how Brian Brohm hands off to the running backs. Here at Railbird Central, we'll give you five non-quarterback things to look for on Monday Night Football's Green Bay Packers vs. Cincinnati Bengals game:

Defensive tackle depth -- With injuries nagging Ryan Pickett, Johnny Jolly, Justin Harrell and Daniel Muir, there's not a whole heck of a lot of options left at the defensive tackle position. Expected to join Colin Cole in the starting lineup at the position is usual starting defensive end Cullen Jenkins. Will those two be able to hold up against the run? And can they keep the interior offensive linemen off the linebackers? Once they come out, reserve tackles Alfred Malone and Conrad Boston stand to see perhaps the most playing time on the entire team due to having such a depleted unit.
The offensive line shuffle -- It wouldn't be unexpected to see a starting offensive line comprised of Chad Clifton, Daryn Colledge, Jason Spitz, Josh Sitton and Mark Tauscher from left to right. But head coach Mike McCarthy probably won't keep Clifton in the game for more than a series or two. The obvious move is for Colledge to slide over to left tackle while Allen Barbre steps in a left guard. Then later in the game, watch players like Tony Moll, Orrin Thompson Breno Giacomini fight for their roster lives.
Strong side linebacker -- Both Brandon Chillar and Brady Poppinga are expected to see playing time at the "Sam" linebacker spot this season. But how exactly will defensive coordinator Bob Sanders pull it off? Will Chillar only see the field in passing situations? And will they utilize Poppinga as a defensive end in a three point stance as they've occassionally practiced? Packer fans will start to uncover the method to their madness on Monday.
Nickel duties -- Beyond Al Harris and Charles Woodson, the cornerback position is largely unsettled. Tramon Williams has the inside edge for the nickel job, but a nagging hip flexor injury earned Jarrett Bush some playing time in his absence. Rookie Patrick Lee has steadily improved since training camp began. He might steal away some snaps from both.
The safety valve -- In addition to two interceptions in three game he started last year, free safety Aaron Rouse started the pre-season off with a bang when he intercepted Aaron Rodgers in the endzone in the team's annual scrimmage last week. The knock on incumbent starter Nick Collins is the lack of turnovers he creates. If Rouse continues his ways, he may unseat Collins for a starting spot.

Best/worst case scenario for Packer defensive ends

2008-08-10T08:24:00.003-05:00

Today we take a look at the Green Bay Packer defensive ends in our best and worst case scenarios for the 2008 season:

Aaron Kampman -- There's no reason to think the two time Pro Bowler is going to have any letdown in his play. He's still young enough that there's plenty of energy left in his body and he'll be hungry for a Super Bowl ring. He plays the run and the pass equally well. Best case, he leads the entire NFL in sacks and becomes first team All-Pro. Worst case, Kampman has his first non-Pro Bowl season in three years.

Cullen Jenkins -- Due to some nagging injuries, Jenkins had a down year in 2007. Can he return to his 2006 form or will he rebound in a big way? If the Packer defense is going to improve on last year's numbers, they'll need an improved effort from Jenkins especially considering the injuries along the defensive front. Best case, Jenkins has the type of season he had in 2006 when he played solid at defensive end, and on passing downs he becomes one of the NFL's most feared interior pass rushers. Worst case, his play stagnates and has a career low in sacks and tackles.

Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila -- KGB was utilized effectively last season in a pass rushing role. But is age finally creeping up on him? Best case, KGB has 10 plus sacks while playing in certain down and distance situations. Worst case, his current injury problems linger which limits his playing time. That combined with age start pushing him out the door.

Michael Montgomery -- Montgomery's own injury history and lack of effectiveness three previous NFL seasons are two stikes against him. Luckily, he's healthy right now while the rest of the unit is having their own injury problems. Montgomery is definitely in a make-or-break year. Best case, Montgomery has his best NFL season in which he sees major playing time due to others' injury concerns. Worst case, he's hitting the streets when other players get healthy and the Packers decide that Jeremy Thompson is more valuable to develop than Montgomery.

Jason Hunter -- Hunter has been beating the odds for two seasons. He came in as an undrafted rookie and makes the team due to his special teams play. He shows just enough pass rush ability to keep around. Can he finally start to see the field on defense rather than only on special teams? Best case, Hunter starts to become the pass rush specialist that KGB formerly was. He also leads the team in special teams tackles. Worst case, Hunter is cut when his special teams prowess isn't good enough to keep him around when he can't contribute to the defense.

Jeremy Thompson -- General manager Ted Thompson is known for trading down in drafts. Jeremy Thompson showed enough value for Thompson to trade up for his first time ever. There must be something there that the regular fan has yet to see. Best case, Thompson sees the field in a reserve role and shows some promise that he can be a future starter in the NFL. Worst case, he makes the 53 man roster but is inactive every week when he shows he's not ready for primetime yet.

Photo credit: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Best/worst case scenarios for Packer defensive tackles

2008-08-09T16:03:00.003-05:00

In our continuing series, today we take a look at the best and worst case scenarios for this year's Green Bay Packer defensive tackles:

Ryan Pickett -- Pickett is one of the most underrated players in the entire NFL. He absolutely clogs up the middle of the field making it hard for opponents to run up the gut. His ability to keep blockers off the linebackers is top notch. And his hustle to make plays all over the field despite his size goes unnoticed by the national media. Best case, Pickett starts to get some recognition for his outstanding play as he has an All-Pro season. Worst case, his current hamstring issues linger and he becomes just another guy.

Johnny Jolly -- Jolly's upcoming court date in Texas hangs over the head of the Packers. If he's convicted, he stands to get a four game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Best case scenario, Jolly somehow avoids suspension and becomes a solid starter that fills the void left by Corey Williams' departure to Cleveland. Worst case, Jolly is suspended and his off-the-field troubles dog him all season long as he finds his way into Coach McCarthy's doghouse.

Justin Harrell -- Harrell could be a savior, or he could be another first round flop. Fans are losing patience with Harrell's injury history if they haven't lost it already. Best case, Harrell recovers in time for the season opener on Monday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings and plays injury-free football all season long. Worst case, Harrell is put on injured reserve ending his season and is on "last chance" status a year from now.

Colin Cole -- This steady but unspectacular performer stands to play a prominent role in the Packers defensive tackle rotation given all the problems the team has been having at that position. Best case, Cole has his best season yet in which he receives major playing time due to the uncertain status of Jolly and Harrell. Worst case, Cole proves he's nothing better than a fourth string defensive tackle that he's been most of his career.

Daniel Muir -- It's possible Muir could have the breakout type of season that nobody saw coming. There's a reason the Packers kept him on their 53 man roster all season long last year. Best case, Muir has the type of season Johnny Jolly had last year when he forces himself upon the scene and announces through his actions that he's ready to start in the NFL. Worst case, Muir only sees the field as part of the defensive tackle rotation to keep players fresh but rarely more than that.

Alfred Malone -- Malone probably wasn't expected to have much impact but with the uncertainty at the position, he's seeing more playing time than anyone planned. Can he take advantage of the situation? Tom Pelissero of the Green Bay Press-Gazette writes, "Does anyone tip more passes than Alfred Malone? The 6-foot-4 defensive tackle had two more Friday night, one on which led to Blackmon’s interception." Best case, Malone does take advantage and sees some regular season P.T. due to the team's D-tackle troubles. Worst case, he gets cut when he gets caught in a number crunch.

Conrad Bolston -- Bolston was signed at the end of the regular season last year and parlayed the opportunity into a chance to make the team this year. Best case, injuries give him a shot to make the team once again. Worst case, the other tackles start to get healthy forcing him out of a job.

Photo credit: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Best/worst case scenarios for Packer linebackers

2008-08-08T11:55:00.004-05:00

In our ongoing series, we now preview the linebackers in our best case/worst case scenarios:

A.J. Hawk – Now in his third year, this may be the season Hawk puts it all together. And that’s not to insinuate that Hawk hasn’t played well his first two years. He’s been reliable as German engineering. It’s just that he hasn’t had that breakout streak of game changing plays that he was known for in college. Best case scenario, Hawk has a Pro Bowl year full of interceptions, forced fumbles and recoveries. In addition, they add the blitz to his repertoire, which results in at least five sacks. Worst case, Hawk stagnates and was the same old player he was his first two seasons, reliable but unremarkable.
Nick Barnett – With any possible legal troubles behind him, Barnett could pick up where he left off last year, his finest season as a professional. It’s a shame he didn’t get a Pro Bowl he deserved. He made plays all over the field, plain and simple. Best case, he earns a Pro Bowl berth he deserves, not just some nod to make up for last year’s snub. Worst case, he becomes dogged by the things that have nagged him in the past like unnecessary roughness penalties, injuries like the one that forced him to wear a club-like cast that limited his effectiveness, or more legal troubles.
Brandon Chillar – The Packers didn’t break the bank bringing in Chillar, but they didn’t bring him in for nothing. He may thrive in the scheme the Packers had in mind when they made him their only free agent signing this off-season. Best case, Chillar plays so well that he keeps Brady Poppinga off the field even in short distance situations that suit the larger and aggressive Poppinga.
Brady Poppinga – The Packers singed Poppinga to a contract extension for a reason. His play improved heavily as the season went on, and his football player mentality is almost second to none. Pass coverage was a problem, but it did get better. His willingness to play on special teams despite starting is a plus. Best case scenario, Poppinga becomes more effective despite playing less as the Packers put him in down and distance situations that play to his strengths. Poppinga makes tackles from sideline to sideline on running situations, they utilize him as a pass rusher on both the blitz and from the three point stance, and he even has an interception to display his improved pass coverage skills. Worst case, his role becomes so diminished because Chillar shows his play is as good if not better than Poppinga’s.
Desmond Bishop – For a sixth round draft choice, Bishop had a good rookie season. He was a key special teams player, and the Packers showed enough trust in him that they only kept five linebackers allowing him back up all three positions. Best case, Bishop fills the same role he did last year only he gets better at it. Worst case, Bishop is cut when Abdul Hodge’s improved play makes him expendable.
Abdul Hodge – Hodge has come to a crossroads, make-it-or-break-it season in his young career. It’s a good thing he’s shown that he’s recovered from injury as he’s had a better than expected training camp thus far. Best case, Hodge shows the Packers he’s worth keeping when he becomes a top backup and special teams player. He doesn’t look as if he’s concerned about his knees and neither does the coaching staff. Worst case, he gets cut when a good early showing is overshadowed by a decline in his play later in camp.
Tracy White – How long can a special teams demon demand a spot on the team despite not offering much on defense? It’s hard to tell. White’s remarks this off-season that it’s a goal of his to make the Pro Bowl on special teams play showed his determination. Remember that the Packers thought enough of him to make him a post-season captain last year. If he plays at that level, he’ll stick. Best case, he leads the team in special teams tackles, becomes at least a Pro Bowl alternate, and provides depth at linebacker. Worst case, his special teams prowess isn’t enough to keep both Hodge and Bishop off the team and is cut.
Spencer Havner – Havner has shown dedication to the team and the Packers have rewarded it by keeping him around on the practice squad for a full season last year. He may be out of practice squad eligibility, so he faces an uphill battle. Best case, he makes the 53 man roster due to multiple injuries ahead of him. It’s a remote possibility, but it may be his only chance. Worst case, he’s gone on the first roster cutdown date.
Danny Lansanah – The All-Big East performer also faces a tough task in making the team with so much depth ahead of him. Best case, he shows enough worth to keep on the practice squad. Worst case, he’s cut sooner instead of later.

We'll preview the defensive linemen tomorrow.

Photo credit: fool's photstream on flickr.com

Martin practices getting the jump ball

2008-08-08T11:42:00.003-05:00

For the first time this year, I did the "railbird" thing and attended Wednesday's evening training camp practice. The next several posts detail some of the things the Packers worked on during the practice.

Before practice even started, a few players were practicing punt returns from the JUGS machine. The usual suspects were there taking turns: Will Blackmon, Pat Lee, Jordy Nelson. And then I saw Ruvell Martin. At first I thought, “Since when did Martin become a punt returner?” and “Why would the Packers even want him returning punts?”

Turns out he was practicing catching Hail Mary-type jump balls. For good reason too. The Packers later practiced Hail Mary throws in the team portion of practice.

In fact, the Packers practiced several exotic plays including the Hail Mary, hook and lateral, and a multiple lateral play that would only be used as the clock expired and a touchdown would be required as players raced down the field making about a dozen laterals.

Tom Pelissero of the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports, "Installing the 'Last Eight' portion of their playbook -- an extrapolation of Bill Walsh's 'Last Six,' plays used for specific final-play situations -- the Packers at one point fielded the most athletic unit they'll ever put on the field together, including Charles Woodson, Will Blackmon, Donald Driver, Greg Jennings and A.J. Hawk, among others."

Blackmon dances the night away

2008-08-08T11:41:00.000-05:00

Packers cornerback and return specialist was dancing like it was an audition for the next Dancing With the Stars during an early stretching period. It looks like it was the coaching staff’s choice to rest Blackmon during a few practices last week. McCarthy even said that the trainer thought Blackmon was fine. He showed no ill effects, and was very active all practice long.

Packer O-line work on fumble recovery

2008-08-08T11:39:00.000-05:00

With a little time to spare before the next sequence of practice began, offensive line coach James Campen had maybe four minutes to kill. He got the entire offensive line unit taking part in a fumble recovery drill in which a ball was buried underneath a veritable heap of mats and pads. The linemen would proceed to search for the ball in a scrum-like fashion. Campen could be heard instructing, “Peel somebody off,” as the players hunted for the ball.

Wynn, running backs practice routes

2008-08-08T11:38:00.000-05:00

There was a five minute or so portion of practice in which only the quarterbacks and running backs worked on pass routes. After a simulated snap, two backs would go out on differing pass routes and receive passes thrown from Aaron Rodgers, Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn.

All sorts of routes were practiced in including play action fakes where the fullbacks run through the line of scrimmage and do a down an out, simple safety valve passes where the backs flare to the sidelines, routes ran after a back goes in motion, and routes where a back may line up in the slot.

DeShawn Wynn showed good hands snaring passes away from his body. According to the Green Bay Press-Gazette, though, he also showed inconsistency by making one good play followed by dropping the ball.

Packers spend time instructing Finley

2008-08-08T11:37:00.002-05:00

You could tell how rookie tight end Jermichael Finley rates. With Tory Humphrey out, rookie tight end Jermichael Finley was getting instruction in a drill where the tight end was working in tandem with the tackle on a blocking drill. Finley was paired up with Pro Bowl left tackle Chad Clifton while the only other pair taking part in the drill were backup tackle Orrin Thompson and reserve tight end Evan Moore.

Packers' Driver doesn't succumb to age

2008-08-08T11:37:00.001-05:00

Any worries that Donald Driver might be slowing down due to age were quelled when Driver was among the wide receivers getting the most separation in one-on-one wide receiver vs. defensive back drills. Undrafted rookie receiver Taj Smith wasn’t able to get the separation Driver got, but somehow found a way to catch balls thrown to him. In the same drill, rookie cornerback Pat Lee batted away a pass at the last second.

Packer wideouts working on the little things

2008-08-08T11:35:00.000-05:00

During a redzone team portion of practice, several receivers made nice catches along the sidelines while trying to stay in bounds. Chris Francies and Jordy Nelson both caught passes that went for touchdowns. Unfortunately, the Press-Gazette also noted that Francies dropped a couple balls after making some nice ones.

Players look to make Packers' punt squad

2008-08-08T11:32:00.000-05:00

The Packers were working on a punt protection drill at one point. There weren’t any gunners, just the interior blockers. It was hard to tell if there was an A and B squad, but one unit from right to left was Jeremy Thompson at the wing, Brandon Chillar at tackle, John Kuhn at guard, J.J. Jansen snapping, Korey Hall at guard, Vernand Morency at tackle, and Jermichael Finley at wing.

The other team from right to left was Desmond Bishop at wing, Donald Lee at tackle, Jason Hunter at guard, Jansen snapping, Abdul Hodge at guard, Tracy White at tackle, and Michael Montgomery at wing. Corey White worked at the fullback spot with both units.

Tip for those going to Packers training camp

2008-08-08T11:28:00.000-05:00

A tip to fans heading to training camp night practices, look where the lights are when scoping out a seat. The lights are portable deals on wheels, and I’m not sure if they move them practice to practice, but I made a mistake.

Seeing as it was light out when practice began, I didn’t really think about the impending darkness. Once daylight faded, practice was run on one end of the Clark Hinkle practice field far from where I was sitting.

J-E-T-S! Jets. Jets. Jets?

2008-08-06T23:23:00.003-05:00

Brett's a Jet. A couple of reports are now showing that Brett Favre is now a member of the New York Jets. No mention yet of what the trade involved, but my guess is that it includes a sort of tiered compensation. I'm sure it's probably at least a 3rd round draft choice, but may move up based on Brett's and the teams performance.

Personally, I have mixed emotions on this, as I'm sure you all do as well. I am a HUGE Favre fan. I appreciate everything he's done for the Packers. But I am, and always will be first and foremost, a Packers fan. I'm really going to miss him, but i'm glad the ordeal is over for the organization. I'm looking forward to the Aaron Rodgers era. Best of luck to you Aaron. We're all behind you!!!

A little more from Packers.com. Mark Murphy and Ted Thompson issued this statement:

"Brett has had a long and storied career in Green Bay, and the Packers owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude for everything he accomplished on the field and for the impact he made in the state. It is with some sadness that we make this announcement, but also with the desire for certainty that will allow us to move the team and organization forward in the most positive way possible.

"We respect Brett's decision that he could no longer remain here as a Packer. But there were certain things we were not willing to do because they were not in the best interest of the team. We were not going to release him nor trade him to a team within the division. When Brett ultimately decided that he still wanted to play football, but not in Green Bay, we told him that we would work to find the best solution for all parties involved. We wish Brett and his family well.

"We appreciate the tremendous passion shown by our fans. We, like them, always will see Brett Favre as a Green Bay Packer and our respect for him never will change. Moving forward, we are dedicated to delivering a successful 2008 season for all Packers fans."

Best/worst case scenarios for Packer cornerbacks

2008-08-06T09:31:00.004-05:00

Today's installment of the best and worst case scenarios for every player on the Green Bay Packers 80 man training camp roster continues today with the cornerbacks:

Al Harris -- It was a confusing year for Al Harris. Most people will probably point to Harris' poor performance in the NFC Championship game in failing to adequately cover Plaxico Burress. But yet he made the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career. Harris had a solid season, but not exactly the type that gets you to the Pro Bowl. It's just another example in a long line that players get voted into the Pro Bowl long after they're due as sort of a career achievement. That being said, Harris is aging, but he's not yet at the point where his skills are severely diminished. Best case, he makes the Pro Bowl again, and actually has a Pro Bowl type of year to deserve it. Worst case, age catches up to Harris and there are more games like last year's NFC Championship. Although Harris certainly remains a starter no matter what.

Charles Woodson -- If there's anyone who's been deserving of a Pro Bowl nod from the Packer secondary, it's Woodson. Ever since coming to the green and gold, he's been a solid, solid player. Remember his touchdown in the Washington Redskins game last year that turned the tide? He's been among the team's leader in interceptions in his three years in Green Bay, and there's no reason to think that he can't continue to do so based upon his performance in training camp practices so far this year. Best case, Woodson gets the Pro Bowl nod he deserves while being among the NFL leaders in interceptions. Now that punt returns are out of the picture, he can focus on defense. Worst case, Woodson has a solid year but fails to generate turnovers.

Tramon Williams -- Williams just seemed to get better last year as the season wore on. He's the favorite to win the nickel back job once again, although a hip flexor injury early in training camp slowed him a little bit. Thankfully, he returned the playing field on Sunday for the annual Family Night scrimmage where he'll hopefully stay. Best case, Williams nails down the nickel and return duties all season long while becoming the favorite to replace either Harris or Woodson in the starting lineup when they move on. Worst case, Williams makes the team but struggles in pass coverage so much that the team is forced to make a change at the nickel spot.

Jarrett Bush -- The ultra-athletic Bush let an opportunity slip through his hands last year when he lost grip on the nickel job he earned at the beginning of last season. Long completions made to the receivers he was covering were the main culprit. If Bush can learn from his mistakes, he can improve, but he's running out of chances. Best case, he earns playing time whether it's in the nickel or the dime due to improved play. Worst case, Bush is cut after the last preseason game when the team decides he just doesn't have as much upside as Williams, Will Blackmon or Pat Lee.

Will Blackmon -- Blackmon certainly has value as a return man if he can stay healthy, but he has to prove he's more than just a return specialist if he's going to make the team. No one is expecting him to start or even play in the nickel defense as long as he can be a big special teams contributor, but he must at least become a reliable backup cornerback if they have to call on him. Best case, Blackmon is the primary return specialist and the Packers show they trust him enough to play once in a while on defense. Worst case, Blackmon gets injured once again and the Packers are forced to put him on injured reserve.

Patrick Lee -- The rookie has had an up and down training camp thus far, but it's early. The encouraging part is that he had a solid performance in the team's intra-squad scrimmage on Sunday. If he plays like that, he'll push for playing time. Best case, it doesn't happen right away, but Lee forces the Packers' hand by eventually stealing away the nickel job by mid-season all the while being a special teams contributor. Worst case, Lee shows he's just not ready for action when the Packers keep him inactive on the 53 man roster nearly every gameday.

Joe Porter -- Only injuries would somehow keep Porter around. Best case scenario, the Packers keep Porter around for one more season on the practice squad. Worst case, Porter is the first player out the door when the Packers have to make room on the 80 man roster for any players brought in via trade for Brett Favre or the addition of a defensive tackle.

Condrew Allen -- Allen is already on injured reserve meaning his season is done. Best case, the Packers keep him there all year giving him a shot next season. Worst case, the Packers give him some sort of injury settlement and he's gone for good.

Photo credit: Associated Press

Best/worst case scenario for Packer safeties

2008-08-05T18:55:00.003-05:00

For the second year in a row, we present our best and worst case scenarios for every player on the Green Bay Packers 80-man pre-season roster. We start with the safeties:

Nick Collins -- Collins has always been a solid but far from spectacular player. He's been a willing tackler but not a fierce hitter. He's been good in pass coverage but fails to make many interceptions. The best case scenario has him putting it all together in his fourth year and really, really breaking out. He has the talent. The worst case scenario has him losing his job to Aaron Rouse. If that happens, he's likely to stick around at least this year as a back-up, but he's unlikely to stick around Green Bay any longer in that type of role.

Atari Bigby -- Bigby has the potential to build off a solid first year as a starting player. There's the possibility he will pick up where he became the NFL's defensive player of the month in December and a huge, huge playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks. Pro Bowl is not out of line if he can play all year like that. Worst case scenario, he struggles in pass coverage but hangs onto his job. With how aggressive he is, I just can't see him losing hold on a starting position.

Aaron Rouse -- Rouse got the training camp started with a bang when he intercepted an Aaron Rodgers' pass in the end zone during the team's Family Night scrimmage. Rouse can steal the starting job from Nick Collins and lead the team in interceptions. On the other hand, he might the third safety off the bench and special teams contributor if he can't beat out Collins.

Charlie Peprah -- Peprah had a good training camp last year and has so far impressed again this year. He had perhaps the best performance of any Packer during the team's annual scrimmage when he was absolutely a ball magnet to add to his kamikaze style hitting. Best case scenario, he sees some time in dime packages and solidifies his spot on the team due to his continued improvement that demands playing time. Worst case scenario, he is on the 53 man roster but is inactive from week to week. I just can't see him not making the team.

Tyrone Culver -- Culver is a good guy to have around for training camp. He has knowlede of the defense and certainly isn't wasting anyone's time. With only four safeties ahead of him, he's likely only an injury away from making the team. Best case scenario, he makes the team, although it almost definitely will take an injury to do so. Worst case scenario, he's among the first round of cuts.

Come back tomorrow when we continue our best/worst case scenarios for the rest of the defensive backfield with the cornerbacks.

Photo credit: Joe Murphy / Getty Images

MNF tickets available

2008-08-05T18:53:00.002-05:00

Four seats together in the fifth row at Lambeau Field are available at face price for Monday Night's pre-season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. Call (715) 854-7711 to inquire about the tickets.

Blue chips & cow chips for Packers' Tuesday training camp practice

2008-08-05T18:07:00.003-05:00

Aside from the whole Brett Favre ordeal, here's what's happening at training camp practice. Among Tuesday's blue chip performers:

Ryan Grant -- After missing about a week's worth of training camp, Grant appeared to pick up where he left off last season. He stepped right in with the first team and made his presence felt today. "Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson seemed to split carries with the first team but Grant appeared to be 1A," writes Greg Bedard of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "He looked decent -- seems a bit bigger than the end of last season -- and took a few good hits, including one from Nick Barnett. Grant did have a touchdown where he fought through a few tackles."

The solid red chip performers:

James Jones -- Despite a less than spectacular performance by the offense and especially the quarterbacks during Sunday's scrimmage, it looks like at least Jones has bounced back. He had a drop in the scrimmage, but made up for it with spectacular catch today. "It wasn’t all bad for Rodgers, however, during the red-zone drill," according to the guys at the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "He lofted a nifty touchdown pass to James Jones, who made a spectacular one-handed grab, to the delight of cheering fans."

And the disappointing cow chippers:

Johnny Jolly -- After a great performance during Sunday's Family Night scrimmage, Jolly was surprisingly absent at Tuesday's practice, and we're still unsure why. Cullen Jenkins was once again forced to play inside at tackle with the team's lack of depth at the position. I would not at all be surprised if the Packers pull off a trade to acquire another D-tackle before training camp is over.

Favre traded to Tampa Bay?

2008-08-05T17:59:00.002-05:00

The site SaveBrett.net is reporting that Brett Favre has been traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

At the moment, their so-called breaking news is already over two hours old and no one else has reported it yet. The biased site has less credibility than most blogs, but anyway ...

Of course, I'm not saying that it's not true, because it's certainly within the realm of believability. The Packers are likely trying to get the best deal possible for Favre.

Speaking of unreliability, when are people going to start to distrust unnamed and anonymous sources? Favre, himself, was upset with the untruths that have come out in the media. Things like the so-called team-issued cell phone.

I'd like to think whoever reported that first reconsiders using that "source" as a person with inside information.

The Railbird is about to join a new flock

2008-08-05T07:20:00.005-05:00

I'm happy to announce a change at Railbird Central. We're moving over to SportsBubbler.com.

Nothing much is changing. We'll still be called Railbird Central, and you'll still be getting the same great content, just in a new place.

What does it mean to you? You'll just have to go to a different place to get all the Green Bay Packers news you need. I'll keep you updated on the new web address shortly. In the meantime, go check out SportsBubbler.com and get used to the new digs.

The reason for change is to bring our services to a wider audience. SportsBubbler.com is owned by Journal Communications, Inc., parent company of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The association with such a respected publication is a welcome one.

I'm excited for the new opportunity ahead for us. Keep reading. More information to come.