One last chance to make a lasting impression.  That’s what the Green Bay

Dom Capers

Packers backups have tonight when the Packers close out the preseason at Kansas City against the Chiefs.

The Packers defense started slow last season, but came on strong in the end and finishing with the #1 run defense in the NFL.  How will they stack up this season?

The Packers have had a rash of training camp injuries and cornerback Al Harris and safety Atari Bigby will start the season on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.  There’s a chance that rookie Sam Shields may have to start the season as the teams nickelback.

I talked this week with Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers about the Packers defense in 2010.

AUDIO: Bill Scott talks defense with Dom Capers 3:16

The Green Bay Packers have placed safety Atari Bigby, cornerback Al Harris and running back James Starks on the reserve/physically unable to perform list, and running back Quinn Porter on injured reserve.

The Packers roster now stands at the league mandated 75 players.  The team will have to reduce its roster to 53 players on Saturday.

The Packers held their final practice open to the public today.  They’ll close out the preseason against the Chiefs in Kansas City on Thursday.

Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Sunday that Daryn Colledge

Daryn Colledge

will get the start at left guard on opening day against the Philadelphia Eagles.  McCarthy opened up the competition by allowing rookie first round pick Bryan Bulaga the opportunity to compete for the job.  But while Bulaga had to deal with a hip flexor injury and some missed practice time, Colledge stayed on the field and won the competition with a solid training camp.

This is the second or third time that Colledge has been challenged with his job on the line.  He was asked if it’s getting tiring.

AUDIO: Daryn Colledge says being challenged doesn’t bother him :17

College is a part of a starting unit that didn’t allow a sack in over 4-quarters of play during the preseason.  The decision means Colledge and Bulaga won’t be alternating reps at guard anymore and Colledge will be able to focus his time on getting ready for the start of the regular season on Sept. 12th at Philadelphia. 

Colledge was asked what he did to win the job when he first heard the job was up for grabs.

AUDIO: Daryn Colledge on what he did when he found out he was in a job battle :15

Most NFL fans I’ve talked with, favor an expansion to 18 regular season

Lambeau Field

games.  It’s a reaction that’s expected.  Fans in Green Bay currently have to buy the preseason game because the Packers sell out every game.  With a waiting list in the tens of thousands, they can force ticket holders to buy the home preseason games, or forfeit their right to the tickets.

Naturally, those ticket holders don’t want to lose the regular season privilege, so they pony up.  If the NFL goes to 18 regular season games, fans will still be shelling out the same amount of money, but they’ll feel better about spending the average $63.00 price per ticket because the game means something.

The players are concerned about the extra two games and what it might mean long term for their health.  They also have issues as to how long the off-season program is going to be.  Will there be more time off?  And what about the development time that reserve players are currently getting to work on their skill development, time that they won’t get if the preseason is reduced.

It’s a win-win for the owners because its more money in their pockets.  They’ll no doubt spread the wealth with the players.  And the fans get 2 more meaningful games.

Something that isn’t being talked about though are things like length of the season, competitive balance near the end of the regular season and more games for players to potentially get hurt in.

We already have an issue of teams that lock up their divisions and playoff spots and want to rest their players.  What’s going to happen when two more games are added?  Divisions could be clinched even sooner and the issue of competitive balance will come up faster.  Fans don’t like paying for preseason tickets when the games don’t mean anything.  What are Packers fans going to do in the middle of January when the Packers have the division clinched?  What happens when below zero wind chill factors come into the picture and the Packers want to rest their top players, protecting them for the playoffs?  Are you even going to the game?

Games won’t start until after Labor Day, so you’re making the season last longer.  Many NFL fans don’t care about this one.  But the NFL already crosses over into other sports, and that crossover will now be in effect even longer.  The Super Bowl won’t be played until the middle of February at the earliest. 

Is there such a thing as overkill?  It seems many people don’t seem to think of that now.  But when college basketball is in it’s stretch run, what’s considered one of the best times on the sports calendar, has to be shared with the NFL.  In fact, the NFL season will carry on so long that pitchers and catchers will be getting ready to report to spring training.

This 18-game schedule will go through, there’s no doubt in my mind.  But when is enough, enough?  Why not play 26 regular season games, in effect, half of the calendar year?  Then those rich owners could really rake in the dough.

Green Bay Packers rookie tight end Andrew Quarless had to learn his lesson

TE Andrew Quarless

the hard way, but he had plenty of support along the way.

Quarless played college football at Penn State.  He immediately got caught in an underage drinking incident.  A year or so later came another, only this time it involved a DUI.

Penn State coach Joe Paterno was looking to get rid of Quarless, but the young tight end begged for another opportunity.  Paterno gave it to him and Quarless hasn’t looked back

AUDIO: Bill Scott with Andrew Quarless’ path to the NFL 2:54

The Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts square off in preseason game

QB Aaron Rodgers

number-3 at Lambeau Field tonight.  It’ll be the longest stint of the preseason for the starters, who are expected to play at least a half and maybe into the 3rd quarter before giving way to the reserves.  Starting defensive end Ryan Pickett said he’s looking forward to it.

AUDIO: Ryan Pickett on getting extended time against the Colts tonight :17

Starting running back Ryan Grant figures to get more involved tonight.  He’s had just 8-carries in the first two preseason games.  Injuries to Kregg Lumpkin and Quinn Porter should also add more to the load for Grant, as well as Brandon Jackson and fullback John Kuhn.

On defense, the Packers have been pretty vanilla in the blitz department.  Look for defensive coordinator Dom Capers to open up a bit more in this game. 

It’s also a good test for the Packers first offensive line unit.  So far, they’ve looked good and protected Aaron Rodgers well.  Tonight, they’ll get their best test, against the likes of Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney.  Rodgers has yet to be sacked in two preseason games. 

Kickoff tonight is set for 7pm at Lambeau Field.

The Green Bay Packers are doing more shuffling at linebacker as the regular

LB Frank Zombo

season draws closer. 

During Monday night’s Training Camp workout, the Packers moved Brandon Chillar from the outside and back to the inside.  Mike McCarthy has also been happy with the recent play of Frank Zombo, so he’s moved Zombo to the outside.  Zombo has a real shot at making the regular 53-man roster and will get an extended look against the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday night.

In two preseason games, Zombo has three quarterback hits, 1 sack and 6 tackles.  He’s one of three undrafted rookies who has a decent shot at a final roster spot, along with RB Quinn Porter and DB Sam Shields.

AUDIO: Bill Scott on the Packers changes at linebacker 1:07

Packer Injuries

Rookie offensive lineman Bryan Bulaga dropped out of practice with a right hip flexor injury that coach Mike McCarthy said has been bothering him off and on for awhile.  –  DE Cullen Jenkins left practice with a calf injury.

Tom Crabtree is continually being singled out for his play in Green Bay Packers training camp by head coach Mike McCarthy.  But Crabtree is dealing with a hand injury and there’s questions as to whether or not he’s going to be a player that can catch the ball the way he needs to.

Crabtree missed one practice, on Monday, to undergo further tests on his hand.  Things turned out just fine and Crabtree was back on the field on Tuesday.  He knows he can’t afford to miss any time to have a chance to make the Packers roster.

I talked with Crabtree earlier this week to get some of his thoughts on this 2010 Training Camp.

Bill Scott on Tom Crabtree 2:54

The Green Bay Packers are moving into their next stage of training camp. 

LB Brady Poppinga

The part that has them sleeping in their own beds again.  The team packed up and left the dorms at St. Norbert College on Wednesday night.

On Tuesday, defensive end Justin Harrell missed both practices after his back tightened up on him.  Speculation continued to run rampant this morning after Harrell was a no show at practice.  As it turned out, Harrell and his wife Barbie had their first child on Wednesday night.  Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Harrell would have practiced today.

The coach was raving about the teams tempo at practice again today.  It’s a philosophy about practicing fast and according to the coach, they’ve been doing it well.

AUDIO: Mike McCarthy on his teams uptempo practices :30

Safety Atari Bigby made an appearance in the lockerroom today.  He’s coming off of ankle surgery to clean up some scar tissue.  Mike McCarthy originally said that Bigby would miss about 4-weeks.  Bigby today said the timetable is now 4 to 8 weeks.  That could mean Bigby may start out the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, which would cause him to miss the first six weeks of practice.

As it turns out, Clay Matthews hamstring injury is providing some opportunity for his replacement, Brady Poppinga.  Packers coach Mike McCarthy said he’s very happy with the work of Poppinga.

AUDIO: Mike McCarthy is happy with Brady Poppinga’s play :21

The Packers will close out the practice week in shells tonight.  It’s also the final two-a-day session.  Starting next week, the Packers will get into a regular season practice mode.

The team will leave for Seattle on Friday and play exhibition game #2 on Saturday night in Seattle.

Rookie first round draft pick, Bryan Bulaga, can guarantee himself more

Bryan Bulaga's Training Camp blocking drills

money if he earns a starting job with the Packers.

According to a report in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Bulaga can earn an additional $5.4-million by becoming a starter in the first four years of his five-year deal. 

Bulaga is currently battling Daryn Colledge for the starting left guard job in training camp.  Bulaga called that a work in progress.

AUDIO: Bulaga says competing at left guard is a work in progress :20