All eyes will be on quarterback Aaron Rodgers tonight when the Green Bay Packers open the preseason against the Cincinnati Bengals at Lambeau Field. It's only the first of four games that don't count, but Packers fans will watch tonight with great interest, now that Brett Favre is out of the picture.
But that's not it, in terms of the quarterback picture. Rookies Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn are still both in the hunt for the backup job and will see plenty of time tonight. What'll be interesting to see is whether or not either one or both of these young signal callers can turn into the type of quarterback that the Packers can trust as Aaron Rodgers backup. It will at least give fans a reason to hang around and watch the 2nd half with a little bit of interest.
Offensive line is another interesting battle. Daryn Colledge is battling Allen Barbre for the left guard spot, but now have Jason Spitz to contend with as well. Spitz will see more time at center tonight with Scott Wells out with a back injury, but clearly, Colledge needs to make a solid statement to convince the coaches he's the guy for the job. He has started 28 games in his first two seasons with the Packers, so he does have plenty of experience.
The nickel corner is always an interesting battle every season. Tramon Williams has the early edge, but he's been hurt and Jarrett Bush and Will Blackmon can make a push with some solid play.
The Packers also have a number of players that are nicked up. Coach Mike McCarthy said nobody is considered serious, but it'll be important that they get on the field soon. RB Ryan Grant could fit into that picture. He's been out with a strained hamstring and after missing the first week of camp in a contract squabble, needs to get back in the lineup to work the bugs out for the start of the regular season, Sept. 8 against Minnesota.