Charles Woodson doesn't take it personally that opposing quarterbacks keep pointing him out on the field.
On the contrary, he considers it a compliment.
The Green Bay Packers cornerback would like to think he has become his opponents' obsession every time they line up, wondering where he's at, where he's going and what are his plans.
It was especially so in the Packers' victory over Dallas on Sunday when defensive coordinator Dom Capers had him playing four different positions, sometimes blitzing, sometimes covering wide receivers, sometimes covering tight ends and sometimes playing the run.
"As much as Dom has blitzed me, a lot of times they're turning the protection to me," Woodson said. "Me being able to move around, nickel, dime, safety, you don't know where I'm coming from, or if I'm coming, and I think that's a positive.
"I think guys now even more understand the defense, and moving around a little more and showing different looks, it's going to throw some people off."
Woodson was the first player to publicly criticize Capers for not blitzing heavily, expressing frustration after the first Minnesota Vikings loss. Since then, he has patiently waited for Capers to unleash his best pressure packages.
It wasn't until the Cowboys game that Capers really let loose and expanded Woodson's assignments to include all those different positions and a role in pressuring quarterback Tony Romo. Woodson blitzed only four times, but one resulted in a sack and strip of Romo that played a key part in the victory.
And it wasn't just that Woodson blitzed, it was that Capers threatened to blitz him and instead brought a combination of cornerbacks Al Harris, Tramon Williams and Jarrett Bush, and safeties Nick Collins and Atari Bigby. There were 14 plays when at least one member of the secondary blitzed.
"I think guys had fun out there Sunday," Woodson said. "That's the main component of it. If you're out there flying around and having fun you're apt to do it again. And hopefully it does carry over to this week."
Woodson is a proponent of keeping the heat turned up and he said the success the team had last Sunday should provide Capers the confidence to do it again. After forcing two fumbles, getting a sack and intercepting a pass, Woodson finds it hard to believe he will be doing something other than what he did last Sunday.
"To be able to move inside or move back to safety in whatever situation is the best way to use my ability because at that point you cant hide from me. I can mix it up, I can disguise. I think I can be around that ball a lot more."
Line out
Mike McCarthy's desire to keep his offensive line static could be affected by the status of center Scott Wells.
This week, veteran Mark Tauscher has moved back to his starting spot at right tackle and the unit appeared ready to move on with what could be its permanent starting five. But Wells was held out Thursday after he reported symptoms consistent with a concussion.
"The symptoms were reported to the medical staff yesterday, so that's why we're dealing with it today," McCarthy said. "He missed practice yesterday, so we held him again today."
Wells was not on the injury report Wednesday and McCarthy did not say when the injury occurred. Given the caution the medical staff has taken with concussions, it's not a given Wells will play this week.
He was replaced in the lineup by rookie Evan Dietrich-Smith.
Injury report
Defensive end Johnny Jolly had his back lock up on him Wednesday and was limited in practice. Jolly said he got hit in the back Sunday, but he didn't think the injury was serious.
Offensive tackle Allen Barbre suffered an ankle injury in practice and was added to the injury report. Linebacker Brady Poppinga (thigh), linebacker Brad Jones (concussion) and Woodson (hip) were all upgraded to full participation.
Job filled
It didn't take long for the Packers to fill their third quarterback position after Brian Brohm elected to sign with the Buffalo Bills.
The Packers signed former Central Washington quarterback Mike Reilly to their practice squad.
Reilly agreed to terms at 5 p.m. central time Wednesday. He then flew on the red eye with stops in Seattle and Minneapolis before landing in Appleton at 8 a.m. Reilly didn't even glance at a playbook before suiting up for practice.
"Not being able to have the opportunity to play football for the past couple of months, I'm hungry," said the 6-foot-3, 213-pound Reilly. "Practice feels like a blessing, really, rather than a burden, so I'm excited to get out and just kind of work hard and show what I can do."
Reilly eclipsed all the school records at Division II Central Washington set by alumnus and current Dallas Cowboys backup Jon Kitna. He was considered a solid prospect before the draft but went undrafted and signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Reilly completed 10 of 15 passes (66.7%) for 117 yards in exhibition games and then failed to make the final cut.
"Very athletic quarterback and did some good things in Pittsburgh during the preseason," McCarthy said. "So we'll have an opportunity to try to get him acclimated to the way we do things here. I'm glad he's here."
Brohm, a second-round pick in 2008, signed a two-year contract with the Bills after the Packers made the same offer, a source said.
"I had a chance to talk to Brian about it," McCarthy said. "He had an opportunity to stay here. I respect Brian. I thought Brian was improving. I just want to wish him the best."