Packer July/Precamp Notes:

Well, constant reader, I stand corrected. Before I get to my camp preview, I must address the obvious: The Brett Favre Fiasco.

As you all know Brett Favre has insisted on making some sort of return. I had thought that it was far more likely that the team would make it impossible for him to do so, but it seems that we are to the point of no return.

The real sticking point (as in the knife sticking out of the back of the franchise and the Packer nation) is that Brett seemingly decided to actively PURSUE employment with the team’s greatest rival, the hated Vikings, sending text messages and phone calls to Childress and Bevell, trying to make arrangements sometime in April.

There is no way the team/franchise could bring him back under such circumstances, within this singular context. Also, there is NO WAY that the team will allow him to go to the Vikings. No way. They’ll let him back on the roster before that happens.

It is far more likely now that some sort of trade will occur; a trade that would likely carry the guarantee that the team NOT trade Favre to another NFC central team. Likely suitors:

1. Tampa Bay
2. Jets
3. Redskins
4. Atlanta
5. 49ers

If it is Tampa bay…week #4 will be very interesting.

Onto camp: The Ryan Grant situation is threatening to cause some trouble, but I think Grant will be soon satisfied and report. He may miss one or two days here and there, but Grant will be given a sizeable raise. Hel, if Brady Poppinga is given a 4-year 17 M extension, then Grant can’t be far behind.

The rest of the team looks solid and healthy. The big battles to watch are:

1. CB: Who wins the #3 and #4 positions respectively? Jarret Bush, Will Blakmon, and Tramon Williams are the favorites (I think Blakmon will prevail), but don’t rule out rookie Pat Lee either.
2. FS: Aaron Rouse vs. Nick Collins: Rouse Nearly unseated the incumbent Collins last season. It could well be Rouse’s job to lose. He is a TALL, hard hitting man.
3. WR: Who will become #3 & #4? James Jones, Ruvell Martin, or rookie sensation Jordy Nelson? My guess is that Jones and Nelson will win the jobs, with Martin being traded or released at the end of preseason.
4. TE: There are SIX TE’s in camp. Donald Lee is the starter, and Jermichael Finley was drafted in the 3^rd round. Tory, hands o’ stone, Humphrey has some experience, but is nothing special. It will be interesting to see what happens here.
5. DL: With 13 tackles and ends in camp (7 and 6 respectively) there are a lot of cuts to be made over the preseason. Johnny Jolly is in some legal trouble opening the door for Daniel Muir, Justin Harrell (a potential bust) and Colin Cole. At end, we have KGB and the great Aaron Kampman, and Cullen Jenkins will make it; but the other 3 guys are question marks. One will likely make the team…the other two?
6. QB: Rodgers is the starter. I personally think he will be another Matt Hasselbeck. Behind HIM though who knows? Brian Brohm is supposed to be the most NFL ready QB in the last draft, but Matt Flynn looked better in mini-camp last May.

That’s the preview! Look for camp reports aplenty!