Green Bay The Green Bay Packers have generated plenty of pass rush through the preseason and season opener even though little has come from the outside-linebacker position.
Part of the reason is that rookie Clay Matthews was able to play in just the exhibition finale and the opener against Chicago due to a recurring hamstring injury.
What happens if Matthews quickly blossoms into the pass rusher that the Packers expected him to become when they traded up to draft him in the first round?
"He's just going to continue to progress," said Kevin Greene, who coaches the outside linebackers. "He's got great upside. He has something special."
In the opener, Matthews replaced Brady Poppinga at right outside linebacker in sub-packages. At times in the second half, Poppinga replaced him in sub before the rookie came back to finish the game.
"We threw him in the fire a little bit, pulled him out and threw him back in," Greene said. "He missed so much time in training camp. We just basically got him back. He did some good things."
Essentially playing a standup defensive end, the 250-pound Matthews was asked to power rush the Bears' once-great but now declining Orlando Pace. The left tackle might have outweighed Matthews by 100 pounds.
"He did exactly what he was coached to do," said Greene. "Collapse the pocket. Physical, physical. I didn't want nothing finesse. I wanted (Jay) Cutler to feel it. So he did that."
Many young players find that they have a shortage of strength compared to veterans. Matthews, however, doesn't seem to be one of them.
"His strength is very good," Greene said. "He has a feel for getting his hands inside and head butting, the things we're coaching."
On the spot: [ul]The Packers didn't prepare anyone other than Allen Barbre at right tackle during the practice week. According to offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, Breno Giacomini and T.J. Lang received no more than a snap or two here and there at the position.
Barbre was dominated by defensive end Adewale Ogunleye on opening night. If Barbre isn't any better in the first half against Cincinnati end Robert Geathers than he was against Ogunleye, would the Packers have to make a change at halftime?
"I don't know about that," said Philbin. "We've got to look at the big picture. We're going to be watching things closely . . . and how the kid's performing. I don't know that we're mandated to do anything."
Clearly, Barbre will be under pressure on Sunday. Philbin was asked if there also can be pressure on a position coach, which in this case would be James Campen.
"There's pressure on everybody," said Philbin. "Every position coach is the head coach of their position.
"These guys take a lot of pride in their job. They take it very seriously. These guys are working their butt off and helping these guys play up to their potential."[/ul]
Injury list:[ul]Daryn Colledge observed but didn't participate in practice Friday, one day after suffering a sprained right foot. Coach Mike McCarthy said Colledge had a "good chance" of playing.
"I'm ready to go," said Colledge. "I expect to be out there. I haven't missed a start yet and I don't plan on missing one this week."
Colledge said someone stepped on his foot in practice Thursday.
"We get stepped on every day," he said. "It was just a tweak. I want to be 100% for the weekend. We've got a great defense coming in here and it will take more than 90% of me."
McCarthy has said several times recently that center Scott Wells would be the next player in if a starter couldn't play. Center Jason Spitz also has said he is more than prepared to start at either guard.
Meanwhile, McCarthy indicated that cornerback Will Blackmon (thigh) would be back as the return specialist and that Mason Crosby (abdominal strain), who booted Friday at Lambeau Field, would be available to kick.
Nose tackle B.J. Raji (ankle), who practiced all week, said he wasn't limited in the least. Still, he was listed as questionable.
Tackle Chad Clifton was given Friday off by McCarthy to rest.[/ul]
Odd and ends: [ul]Wide receiver Greg Jennings said he chews gum during games and plays without a mouthpiece. He has been doing that since his days at Western Michigan.
Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher wasn't fined by the league for his hard-charging frontal hit on Aaron Rodgers.
The injury settlement between tight end Evan Moore and the Packers was for $50,588. Moore damaged a finger the second day of camp but never stopped playing until being placed on injured reserve Sept. 5. The injury settlement was announced Sept. 7 and he was waived.
The concussion that Jennings suffered on a reception in Arizona Aug. 28 was his first in any sport. He said there have been no repercussions.[/ul]