Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers, Jermichael Finley stars of 2010 training camp 
BY ROB DEMOVSKY RDEMOVSK@GREENBAYPRESSGAZETTE.COM AUGUST 31, 2010

Tuesday was the final practice of training camp. Heres a look at the highs and lows of the last month:

Thumbs Up

Aaron Rodgers: An NFL scout who has seen film on all 32 teams said of the 2,500 or so players on training camp rosters, no one is playing better than the Packers starting quarterback. MVP awards arent handed out in August, but Rodgers body of work during the month suggests hell be a candidate for the award when the time comes.

Jermichael Finley: Other than Rodgers, no one on the Packers has performed better than this budding star. He seemingly picked up where he left off in the playoff loss at Arizona, when he had eight catches for 130 yards and a touchdown. He appears poised for a Pro Bowl season.

Punters: Whether they pick Chris Bryan or Tim Masthay, it looks like the punting situation will be much improved. It couldnt be any worse, considering the Packers were tied for 31st in the NFL in net punting last season with Jeremy Kapinos. Bryan and Masthay look like legitimate upgrades.

Undrafted rookies: Cornerback Sam Shields and outside linebacker Frank Zombo are almost sure bets to make the roster. Shields was highly regarded for his speed coming out of Miami and has a chance be the third cornerback in the nickel. Zombo has been the best pass rusher in the first three preseason games and might be the added rusher the Packers need.

The draft class: Third-round pick Morgan Burnett is going to start at strong safety. Second-round pick Mike Neal will see plenty of playing time on the defensive line. First-round pick Bryan Bulaga didnt win the starting left guard job in part because he has missed time because of a hip flexor, but when he has played, he has looked like a starter.

Thumbs Down

Linebackers: The entire preseason will have passed without the starting linebackers playing together in a game. Clay Matthews practiced for a week, then missed the rest of camp because he pulled a hamstring in the Aug. 7 scrimmage. Brad Jones has missed time because of back and shoulder injuries. Nick Barnett has been limited by his recovery from knee surgery. A.J. Hawk has been slowed by ankle sprain, and Desmond Bishop has been bothered a hamstring.

Atari Bigby: His plan to skip the offseason with the hope of getting a new contract backfired. He took a pay cut when he refused to sign his tender on time and when he finally showed up, he hurt his ankle and had to undergo surgery. That landed him on the reserve/physically unable to perform list, meaning he will miss at least the first six games, and it left the Packers thin at safety.

Al Harris: The cornerback who initially insisted he would return six months following his knee blowout last November also wont play in the first six games. Like Bigby, he missed all of camp and landed on PUP. That leaves the Packers with inexperienced backup corners who will have to play in the nickel and dime defenses.

Justin Harrell: At least the oft-injured former first-round pick was upright when training camp ended, but thats about the best thing that could be said for the fourth-year defensive end. Harrell missed only a couple of practices because of his chronically sore back, but his play has been mediocre at best. He might make the roster but only because theres no one better to take his spot.

James Starks: The sixth-round running back was the only true disappointment among the draft class. He pulled a hamstring in June and never got on the field during camp. He also landed on PUP, but the chances of him playing this season are probably nil, leaving the Packers without a legitimate No. 3 back.