The Green Bay Packers entered this year's training camp with several position battles promising to stand out.  The running back competition, the battle for the starting safety position opposite Morgan Burnett and the defensive line, to name a few. One of the battles that has taken a bit of a backseat is at kick returner.  [...]

JerseyAl  wrote:

So far and between the team’s organized team activities in the spring and in the few training camp practices, the team has given some of Cobb’s usual return reps to others such as Deangelo Pease, Jordy Nelson, Sam Shields, Jeremy Ross, Omarius Hines, Loyce Means, Johnathan Franklin and James Nixon. Ross spent some time returning kicks last season after Cobb was injured, including an appearance in the postseason as well. Despite some of his ball-handling woes, many are hopeful that Ross can secure the job and relieve Cobb. Even if not Ross, with some decent alternatives to Cobb, surely someone is bound to stand out, right? Well, after today’s practice, McCarthy stated that if games started now, Cobb would still be the return man.

It’s a good problem to have, but it could soon become a not-so-good problem if Cobb’s production as a receiver suffers in any way. With the majority of the preseason left, look for the battle at kick returner to become regular news as the team tries its best to keep its most dynamic player fresh and ready to haul in touchdown passes from quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Still, field position is key and if Cobb presents the best chance to shorten the field for Rodgers and the offense, he will continue to be the team’s choice.

As a little something to ease the minds of those who worry about Cobb’s current return duties hindering his progression as a wide receiver, here is an excerpt from NFL Network today . It’s a four-minute segment featuring Cobb demonstrating how he navigates life as a slot receiver. If this short glimpse is any indication of his abilities and understanding of the game, Cobb appears to be ready to take another step forward as a go-to receiver in Green Bay’s offense.

“Our return game, someone has to step up there. Randall Cobb has been excellent for us back there,” McCarthy said after Wednesday’s training-camp practice. “If we were to play a game tomorrow, Randall would be my returner.”

Even though Jeremy Ross took the first kickoff return rep in practice Wednesday, he hasn’t done enough to supplant Cobb – even though McCarthy wants someone to. With Cobb’s role in the offense expanding, McCarthy would prefer to let him focus on playing from scrimmage and save him for perhaps an occasional return. That was his plan in the NFC Divisional Playoffs after Ross had big returns against Tennessee and Minnesota late in the regular season, but the idea backfired when Ross muffed a punt at his own 9-yard line, setting up a San Francisco touchdown.

Ball handling has been an issue for those behind Cobb. Johnathan Franklin dropped a kick and a punt on Wednesday.

Cobb, Ross, Franklin, Sam Shields and Omarius Hines returned kicks Wednesday. Several players have been returning punts during camp as well, including Cobb, Ross, Franklin, Tramon Williams, Tyrone Walker, Myles White.