PaCkFan_n_MD
08-27-2006, 11:00 AM
By Rob Demovsky
rdemovsk@greenbaypressgazette.com
As homecomings go, this one should be pretty easy for rookie linebacker A.J. Hawk.
The Green Bay Packers' first-round draft choice grew up in Centerville, Ohio, less than an hour from Cincinnati, where the Packers will play the Bengals in a preseason game on Monday night.
Hawk is expected to have dozens of family members and friends in the stands, but he didn't have to work hard to get tickets.
"A lot of them are Bengals fans," Hawk said, "so they already had tickets."
Hawk's relatives and friends are used to seeing him play because he played his college football at nearby Ohio State.
One person expected to be at Paul Brown Stadium is Hawk's longtime friend, Mark MacDonald, who has used a wheelchair all his life. Hawk and MacDonald became friends in high school, and MacDonald never missed one of Hawk's games. This will be MacDonald's first chance to see Hawk in an NFL game.
"He's been e-mailing me, and he's very excited about going," Hawk said.
A full backfield
Coach Mike McCarthy should have plenty of choices at running back against the Bengals.
Ahman Green will start, McCarthy said Saturday. It will be his first game action since he tore a quadriceps tendon at Minnesota on Oct. 23.
Also expected to be available are Najeh Davenport and Arliss Beach, both of whom have been banged up and limited in practice this week. Davenport (hip) made it through practice for a second straight day. Beach (shoulder) practiced all week with a red jersey, meaning he could not have contact. Samkon Gado and Noah Herron also are expected to play.
Green is expected to play 18 to 20 snaps, but the No. 1 offense will play more than that. McCarthy didn't say which running back would follow Green. Herron could get a few snaps at fullback because starter William Henderson is out with a knee injury.
In or out?
Cornerback Mike Hawkins, who returned to practice on Monday after missing almost three weeks with a sore knee, made it through Saturday's practice and should be available for the Bengals game.
Cornerback Patrick Dendy also returned Monday after missing three weeks with an ankle sprain, but McCarthy said his status was less certain than that of Hawkins.
Game-time decisions are expected for defensive lineman Kenny Peterson (ankle), offensive lineman Mookie Moore (shoulder), fullback Ben Brown (tailbone) and Dendy.
Odds and ends
McCarthy said he hopes to give cornerback Charles Woodson a couple of opportunities to return punts against the Bengals. Woodson has been bothered by a sore left thumb but will play with it wrapped.
McCarthy said he hopes to have most of his special teams assignments set after Monday's game. [/b]
rdemovsk@greenbaypressgazette.com
As homecomings go, this one should be pretty easy for rookie linebacker A.J. Hawk.
The Green Bay Packers' first-round draft choice grew up in Centerville, Ohio, less than an hour from Cincinnati, where the Packers will play the Bengals in a preseason game on Monday night.
Hawk is expected to have dozens of family members and friends in the stands, but he didn't have to work hard to get tickets.
"A lot of them are Bengals fans," Hawk said, "so they already had tickets."
Hawk's relatives and friends are used to seeing him play because he played his college football at nearby Ohio State.
One person expected to be at Paul Brown Stadium is Hawk's longtime friend, Mark MacDonald, who has used a wheelchair all his life. Hawk and MacDonald became friends in high school, and MacDonald never missed one of Hawk's games. This will be MacDonald's first chance to see Hawk in an NFL game.
"He's been e-mailing me, and he's very excited about going," Hawk said.
A full backfield
Coach Mike McCarthy should have plenty of choices at running back against the Bengals.
Ahman Green will start, McCarthy said Saturday. It will be his first game action since he tore a quadriceps tendon at Minnesota on Oct. 23.
Also expected to be available are Najeh Davenport and Arliss Beach, both of whom have been banged up and limited in practice this week. Davenport (hip) made it through practice for a second straight day. Beach (shoulder) practiced all week with a red jersey, meaning he could not have contact. Samkon Gado and Noah Herron also are expected to play.
Green is expected to play 18 to 20 snaps, but the No. 1 offense will play more than that. McCarthy didn't say which running back would follow Green. Herron could get a few snaps at fullback because starter William Henderson is out with a knee injury.
In or out?
Cornerback Mike Hawkins, who returned to practice on Monday after missing almost three weeks with a sore knee, made it through Saturday's practice and should be available for the Bengals game.
Cornerback Patrick Dendy also returned Monday after missing three weeks with an ankle sprain, but McCarthy said his status was less certain than that of Hawkins.
Game-time decisions are expected for defensive lineman Kenny Peterson (ankle), offensive lineman Mookie Moore (shoulder), fullback Ben Brown (tailbone) and Dendy.
Odds and ends
McCarthy said he hopes to give cornerback Charles Woodson a couple of opportunities to return punts against the Bengals. Woodson has been bothered by a sore left thumb but will play with it wrapped.
McCarthy said he hopes to have most of his special teams assignments set after Monday's game. [/b]