Brett or no Brett, lots to watch at Packers camp

Dennis Punzel — 8/22/2008 9:58 pm

While most of the attention will be on the quarterback position as the Green Bay Packers open training camp on Monday, the soap opera surrounding Brett Favre and his would-be successor Aaron Rodgers is not the only interesting story line that will play out under the watchful eyes of the railbirds at Clarke Hinkle Field.

There will be subplots galore to provide at least some relief for Packers fans weary of the Favre saga.

For those ready to move on, here are 11 other things to watch and contemplate as training camp opens.

1. Was last season a fluke? Remember that a year ago the Chicago Bears, coming off a 13-3 season and a Super Bowl appearance, were the presumptive NFC North favorites. How did that work out, Bears fans? This year it's the Packers -- even Favre-less -- who enter the season thinking Super Bowl after last year's 13-3 record and NFC title game overtime loss. But the path to the Super Bowl is seldom a straight line.

2. Running back. Ryan Grant came out of nowhere to give the Packers a much-needed running game last year with 956 yards. Assuming his contract issues are resolved, he still has to show he can repeat last year's performance. Also to be sorted out is the logjam of backs jockeying for playing time -- second-year players Brandon Jackson and DeShawn Wynn, and veterans Vernand Morency and Noah Herron.

3. Offensive tackles. Old reliables Chad Clifton (32) and Mark Tauscher (31) are getting older, but the Packers are relying on them to anchor the line for at least another year.

4. Offensive guards. Daryn Colledge and Jason Spitz have been starters for most of their two years in the league. But they've yet to distinguish themselves and face challenges from last year's backups, Junius Coston and Allen Barbre, as well as rookie Josh Sitton.

5. Jordy Nelson (left). The Packers' top draft pick has been impressive through the offseason camps and could be that big possession receiver to fit in with the receiving corps of Greg Jennings, Donald Driver and James Jones. He also could also fit in as a returner on special teams.

6. Backup quarterback. Assuming it isn't No. 4, can second-round pick Brian Brohm (a), prove he's ready to step in and play as a rookie if needed and (b), prove he's decidedly better than seventh-round pick Matt Flynn?

7. Justin Harrell. After an injury-filled rookie season, last year's No. 1 draft pick spent most of the offseason watching drills from the sidelines. With the departure of defensive tackle Corey Williams and the recent legal issues facing Johnny Jolly, Harrell will have to prove he's worthy of the faith general manager Ted Thompson expressed in him in the draft.

8. Cornerbacks. Al Harris and Charles Woodson set the tone for last year's improving defense with their aggressive style of coverage. Then Harris got lit up by Plaxico Burress in the NFC title game. Each in his 11th season, Harris (33) and Woodson (31) have to prove they haven't lost a step. And if they have, can Tramon Williams, Jarrett Bush or rookie Pat Lee fill their shoes?

9. A.J. Hawk. A strong, solid, reliable performer his first two years in the league, can Hawk make the jump to a Pro Bowl-level producer and be the playmaker he was at Ohio State?

10. Safety. Aaron Rouse could push Nick Collins for one starting spot, while Atari Bigby will try to show he's really the hard-hitting guy he was late in the season and not the penalty machine of the early season.

11. Punter. Former University of Wisconsin player Ken DeBauche is a long shot at best to unseat Jon Ryan, whose 44.5-yard average last season ranked ninth best in the NFL, but the hometown boy (DeBauche is from Suamico) will have a lot of fans pulling for him from the sidelines.

Packers training camp schedule

Monday, July 28 - 8:45 a.m., shells; 6:30 p.m., full pads

Tuesday, July 29 - 2 p.m., full pads

Wednesday, July 30 - 8:45 a.m., shells; 6:30 p.m., full pads

Thursday, July 31 - No public practice

Friday, Aug. 1 - 8:45 a.m., shells; 6:30 p.m., full pads

Saturday, Aug. 2 - 2 p.m., full pads

Sunday, Aug. 3 - Family Night Scrimmage at Lambeau Field, 6:30 p.m. (WMSN-TV/Ch. 47, NFL Network)

Monday, Aug. 4 - No practice

Tuesday, Aug. 5 - 2 p.m., full pads

Wednesday, Aug. 6 - 8:45 a.m., shells; 6:30 p.m., full pads

Thursday, Aug. 7 - No public practice