Packers: 5 things to watch for at Family Night scrimmage

The Packers play their annual Family Night scrimmage Friday night, an intrasquad game at Lambeau Field that is open to the public.

By James Carlton

Aug 3, 2012 at 6:21 pm ET • 3 min read

The Packers play their annual Family Night scrimmage Friday night, an intrasquad game at Lambeau Field that is open to the public. It’s a fun event that breaks up the monotony of training camp for players and fans, though general manager Ted Thompson is less than enthusiastic about it.

"I'm not a big fan of watching the Packers play the Packers," Thompson said at the beginning of the week. "There really can't be a winner on the practice field. Somebody is going to lose." The team hopes to avoid serious injuries in the scrimmage, which will feature live tackling, except on special teams. Here are five things to watch for in the first competitive, game-like opportunity for players.

No. 1 -- Harrell’s progress: Reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers will play long enough to satisfy his adoring fans, but then it will be the Graham Harrell Show at quarterback. Harrell has looked better than ever in camp, showing off a stronger arm, better command of the offense and more poise. He’s as loud as Rodgers is when bellowing out the calls and cadence at the line, a confidence that definitely wasn’t evident the past two camps. The Packers hope he’s as capable as he is confident, since they let coveted backup Matt Flynn leave in free agency during the offseason.

No. 2 -- Center of attention: Keep an eye on what’s going on right in front of Rodgers and Harrell. New center Jeff Saturday, the 14-year veteran who signed a two-year contract with Green Bay in the offseason to replace departed C Scott Wells, will be performing under the lights for the first time. Watch his pre-snap communication, his chemistry with the quarterbacks, how assignment-sure he looks after the snap, and his movement (he’s 37, after all). The Packers have a lot riding on the hope that Saturday plays like something close to the five-time Pro Bowler of his past.

No. 3 -- Time to shine: The No. 2 cornerback job is up for grabs and it’s been a merry-go-round of opportunities in practice. Re-signed veteran Jarrett Bush, a sure tackler but a liability in coverage, was given the first shot opposite starter Tramon Williams. Then improved second-year man Davon House got his chance with the ones and impressed. And don’t count out second-round rookie Casey Hayward and speedy incumbent Sam Shields. Family Night is tailor-made for cornerbacks to show off their big-play ability (think undrafted CB Brandian Ross’ pick-six against Rodgers last year). Expect at least one of these four to provoke a double-take, and at least one to produce a head-shake. The live-tackling scrimmage also offers the first real occasion for someone in the secondary to prove he can and will hit.

No. 4 -- Rookies ready? The Packers drafted six defensive players in April’s draft and also added a couple of undrafted prospects. They will all have plenty of chances to prove they can contribute to and improve what was last year the worst pass defense in NFL history. Will first-round OLB Nick Perry get pressure? Can second-round DE Jerel Worthy channel his energy into penetration and production? Will Hayward stand out in the CB scrum? Will fourth-round DE Mike Daniels, who’s banged up, play? Can fourth-round S Jerron McMillian overtake undrafted second-year M.D. Jennings with an impact performance? What about fifth-round LB Terrell Manning, who’s been quiet thus far in camp? And is undrafted OLB Dezman Moses, who’s shown pass-rushing flair potential, for real? Keep an eye on these young guys.

No. 5 -- D-line discipline: Coach Mike McCarthy was fuming over the numerous pre-snap penalties committed by the defense during Thursday’s practice. Most of them were the fault of the defensive line, which jumped offside early and often. New faces like Worthy, Daniel Muir and Anthony Hargrove have injected life and vigor into the moribund unit, but overzealousness can sometimes do more harm than good on defense. As long as you’re watching the defensive line, check out how many snaps Hargrove and Mike Neal get. Both are suspended to start the season -- Hargrove for eight games, Neal for four -- so it will be interesting to see whether their preseason playing time suffers in favor of players the Packers know will be eligible.