JJ live on post-game show

[RashanGary]

We'll see how Jennings performs in the regular season. I find it odd how he just disappeared, but maybe that X position really is a bad spot to play. Driver said he played a couple snaps and it was like he wasn't even in the play. He said he didn't want to play it again. That's all Jennings plays. I'm not going to worry aobut Jennings until 3 games into the reg season. If he's still not getting anything then I'll start talking about JJ taking the #2. As for now, I'm just glad JJ looks as good as he has. Both of them stepping up and playing good would be great.

[Scott Campbell]

hold off on the Jones is better than Jennings talk until we have real games. The first time he runs a wrong route, and Favre throws a pick because of it, your tune may change.

I never said Jones is better than Jennings. I'm just excited we have a rookie WR doing well.....just as I felt last year with Jennings. May the best man make #2. ...which I expect will be Jennings. As far as him running the wrong route, will he be the first ever? nope.

The thing we seem to like most about Jones so far is also what we always hated about Fergy - how he fights for the ball.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Rookie Jones likely won't start despite solid play
By Rob Demovsky

As good as James Jones has been as a rookie receiver for the Green Bay Packers, there's probably little chance coach Mike McCarthy will throw him into the starting lineup anytime soon.

The third-round draft pick from San Jose State had another eye-opening performance on Saturday against the Seattle Seahawks in preseason game No. 2. He improved upon what has been a solid summer of work on the practice field by putting up almost unheard-of numbers for a rookie at his position.

Jones caught four passes for 58 yards and two touchdowns. A week earlier, he caught a team-high six passes for 58 yards in the preseason opener at Pittsburgh. A week before that, he caught two balls for 26 yards in the Family Night scrimmage at Lambeau Field.

All summer, Jones has been lauded for his sturdy hands. Saturday against the Seahawks was perhaps the greatest evidence of them. He plucked a ball from inches above the ground with his right hand and shifted it to his left to secure a 7-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Aaron Rodgers. That came after his 16-yard touchdown catch and run on a drag route from Brett Favre and a sparkling sideline catch for 32 yards on a go-route from Favre.

"You talk about guys stepping up and making a play," offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said. "The one down the sideline could have gone either way, and he competed for the ball and obviously got his feet down and made a tough catch. It looked like he produced pretty well."

Jones' play during camp and the first two preseason games has matched — if not bettered — what receiver Greg Jennings did as a rookie a year ago, when he won a starting job.

"Jones was a pretty good player in college," Packers General Manager Ted Thompson said on Sunday. "He seems to like to play the game. He doesn't seem awed by it, and he's got strong hands."

Why, then, wouldn't Philbin and McCarthy consider elevating him into the starting lineup?

The coaches have schooled Jones primarily in the "Z" or flanker position — the same spot played by Pro Bowler Donald Driver — and haven't used him often at the "X" or split-end spot that Jennings has played.

"I'm at 'Z' right now, and that's where I'm most comfortable," Jones said. "They've pretty much left me there, but I do know 'X' and 'Z' because you've got to know both of those spots."

Two of Jones' three big plays against the Seahawks came out of personnel groupings other than the base (two-receiver) set. His 16-yard touchdown catch was out of a three-receiver set, and his deep sideline catch came from four wides. In the three-receiver set, Driver typically moves inside to the slot position, meaning Jones assumes Driver's "Z" position.

"We've left him exclusively at flanker," McCarthy said. "He's benefited from those opportunities. He's done a nice job. He catches everything that hits his hands. He's a physical guy that will only get stronger."

Jones hasn't been without his faults. On his 16-yard touchdown catch against Seattle, he lined up incorrectly and only a savvy adjustment by Driver made the play go off without a hitch. Jones lined up too tight to the left side of the offensive line, leaving little room for Driver, who went in motion from right to left. Just before the snap, Driver told Jones to switch routes with him.

"I had a few mistakes," Jones said. "I definitely have to clean that up. But I caught the ball pretty well. I just need to limit my mistakes."

There are two preseason games left if the Packers wanted to try pairing Jones with Driver in the base offense, but at this point, it appears they still believe Jennings will be productive like he was early last season before an ankle injury slowed him. Jennings also has more experience playing multiple positions. Last year, he played "X" in the base offense but moved to the "Z" in three-receiver sets.

Jennings hasn't had a catch in either of the preseason games and hasn't made many big plays during practice so far perhaps because he hasn't had many balls thrown his way.

"I'm not disappointed in his play," McCarthy said of Jennings. "It's more about opportunities. I'm not calling plays to get the ball to certain people. You're looking at different combinations. Greg should not be disappointed about his opportunities. I'm sure he is. He's a true competitor. Greg Jennings will get the football."

[Carolina_Packer]

Man, I just love it for Brett if he's got three legit options to go to. If Bubba can bounce back, and our RB can catch passes out of the backfield, make that 5 options. Nice. That's exactly what they need. We'll see how it plays out.

I hope they all succeed, that they all pull together and that they all stay healthy!

[LL2]

If Bubba can bounce back,

It's starting to look like Bubba is returning to form. He caught a few passes in the Seahawks game. Having a good TE again will help the entire offense.

[Deputy Nutz]

The Packers are in a position to have to play a lot of 3 receiver sets, and two tight end sets because they lack depth at fullback right now. So Jones and Jennings are going to be seeing the field quite a bit.

Jennings has not been happy with his role in camp, and the way he is positioned in the offense. he is all alone on the weak side of the formation and the claim is that he is the fourth or fifth option on alignment alone. I don't buy it completely because he should be getting a lot of one on one matchups. Still they want the younger players situated in roles that best suit their abilities and learning capabilities, Jones may shine early, but that is only going to shift the attention of opposing defenses.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Sounds like Jennings is starting to get the ball a lot more. Of course, a lot of this has to do with Double D being out. He's making plays now that he's getting opportunities. If Jennings plays like he did the first 6 weeks last year, Driver is okay, and Jones is for real (all of which seem like good possibilities), I like our WR corps.

THUMBS UP

Aside from a couple of passes by Brett Favre that had a little bit too much juice on short patterns, practice Sunday was very sharp for the quarterbacks, especially with deep passes.

Favre, Aaron Rodgers and Paul Thompson each completed at least one pass of more than 20 yards. Wide receiver Greg Jennings, looking much more confident, caught three of the bombs, two coming from Favre. Ruvell Martin (two) and David Clowney also got behind the secondary. The highlight came in the 2-minute drill, when James Jones flew past cornerback Frank Walker down the right sideline and hauled in a 43-yard pass from Favre to the 6-yard line. The offense could not capitalize, however, as two runs and two incomplete passes turned the ball over on downs.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Jennings appears to be the go to receiver when Driver is out.

And in the only competitive 11-on-11 period, Brett Favre was 3-for-4 with a 7-yard touchdown strike to Greg Jennings.

Somebody sniped Jennings from me in a fantasy league that I have Driver, so I ended up taking Jones late.

[Him8123]

You cant help but love this guy ("JJ"), truly humble and funny. Gonna be a great Packer. Best of luck!!!!