NFL Training Camp Capsules - NFC: Arizona still rues final drive in Super Bowl

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — After avoiding it for months, Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt will watch a replay of the Cardinals’ Super Bowl loss to Pittsburgh.

Whisenhunt said he planned to view the tape this weekend as part of his preparations for Arizona’s preseason opener at Pittsburgh on Thursday night. But he acknowledged that the exercise may stir some painful memories — and that’s why he’s waited this long to watch the game again.

"They’ve been playing it on NFL Network, so I’ve seen a lot of the clips, and it brings back a lot of the things that I remember from it," Whisenhunt said. "And now it is a little further removed."

For many Cardinals players and coaches, the most haunting part of that tape is the final minutes. Depending on one’s perspective, the Steelers put together one of the more memorable winning drives in Super Bowl history or the Cardinals’ defense broke down and let the game slip away.

"It makes all of us sick to our stomach defensively," said Arizona defensive coordinator Bill Davis, who was the Cardinals’ linebackers coach at the Super Bowl. "I mean, there’s a knot in my gut when you just bring it up right now. The whole defense, collectively, we don’t talk about it much."

Strong safety Adrian Wilson was blunt when asked what he remembers about his first Super Bowl.

"I think (about) the mistakes on the last drive for the defense," Wilson said this week. "Defensively, we had a lot of breakdowns. We didn’t play winning football on the last drive. I think it came back and it bit us on our butt."

The final drive may have spelled the end for former defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast, who was fired within a week.

It may be unfair to blame the defense, which scored a safety and gave up only 13 points in the first 59 minutes. The Cardinals’ potent offense mustered only a touchdown before two fourth-quarter scores, including a 64-yard pass from Kurt Warner to Larry Fitzgerald that gave Arizona its first lead, 23-20, with 2:37 to play.

The defense couldn’t protect that lead. But Whisenhunt refused to pin the loss on the unit.

"The last drive, for me, is not the only thing in that game that made a difference," he said. "Not at all. I don’t consider that the reason that we didn’t win the Super Bowl. That was just one of many factors. I mean, there’s always a bunch of other plays in the game that could have made the difference."

The biggest play was the acrobatic, winning touchdown catch by Santonio Holmes, the game’s MVP. But the Cardinals’ defenders and coaches think back to the plays that led up to it.

After Pittsburgh took over at its own 22 with 2:37 to play, a holding penalty on first down left the Steelers facing a first-and-20 at the 12.

That’s where the Cardinals needed to bottle up the Steelers. But they watched as Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger found Holmes for 14 yards on first down and 13 more on third-and-6.

Those completions revived the Steelers. Three plays later, Roethlisberger hit Holmes for 40 yards, giving the Steelers a first-and-goal at the Cardinals’ 6.

Two plays later, Roethlisberger hit Holmes in the end zone. The touchdown was upheld on a replay challenge, and the Steelers suddenly led 27-23.

"We were excited about that drive," Davis said. "I knew we were going to stop them. But one or two plays later, you turn around and the scoreboard’s got the wrong numbers on it."

The drive officially covered 78 yards — 88 yards in reality — in eight plays and 2:02.

Although they knew the Steelers would be throwing on every down, the Cardinals failed to sack Roethlisberger, who went 5-for-7 on the march. They also couldn’t corral Holmes, who caught four passes on the drive.

"We didn’t finish the way we should have," free safety Antrel Rolle said. "It was in our hands. (The defense) was in the perfect call, but we didn’t execute the call right."

Six months have passed since the Super Bowl, and a promising new season beckons as the Cardinals practice among the tall pines at Northern Arizona University. But the memories of the final drive persist.

Unlike Whisenhunt, Davis has watched film of the Super Bowl and he doesn’t want to see it again.

"I don’t know if I can stomach it one more time," Davis said.

Wilson has also reviewed game film, and said he’s tried to look for ways to improve instead of dwelling on the breakdowns.

"We learned a lot of valuable lessons in that last drive, period, because we did a lot of things wrong," Wilson said. "We didn’t play the techniques that we’d been playing throughout the playoffs on that last drive. Whenever the game’s on the line like that, you have to buckle down."

-- Andrew Bagnato

49ers’ Vernon Davis still up to old scuffling ways

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Vernon Davis found out in a hurry that his old antics won’t be tolerated with Mike Singletary running the San Francisco 49ers’ show.

As if Davis needed a reminder.

After the testy tight end scuffled — he won’t call it a fight, rather just an act of being competitive — with linebacker Marques Harris during a recent practice, everybody paid. As in all the Niners running enough "gassers," 12 sprints across the width of the field, to make one pass out as Davis so put it.

"A few guys were mad, but like I told them, ‘You can’t get mad because there will be times you make the rest of us run,"’ Davis said. "I told them they should be happy that I made them run because it’s extra work for us and a chance for us to get better, keep our lungs going."

The excitable Davis, a regular fighter during his first three NFL seasons, received a talking-to from Singletary. Star running back Frank Gore spoke up as well. The two have an amicable relationship.

"I wasn’t mad about having to run gassers," Gore said Saturday. "I just feel it’s his fourth year now, and I told him it shouldn’t be him now. Everybody makes mistakes but it shouldn’t be him. OK, a rookie, I accept that. It’s his fourth year now, now it’s time. It’s time to be a man and try to do everything right. There are younger guys who probably look up to you on the team."

All this after Davis said before training camp began that he agreed with Singletary’s no-fighting rules and that he was beyond such behavior. All this after Davis’ infamous early exit against Seattle last season on Singletary’s orders — because the then-interim coach disapproved of how Davis responded to him following a personal-foul penalty. It was Singletary’s debut after taking over from the fired Mike Nolan.

"I’d rather play with 10 people and just get penalized all the way until we have to do something else rather than play with 11 when I know that right now that person is not sold out to be a part of this team," Singletary said at the time. "It is more about them than it is about the team. Cannot play with them, cannot win with them, cannot coach with them. Can’t do it. I want winners. I want people that want to win."

Two years ago, Davis tangled almost daily at training camp and once even went after one of his offensive teammates.

Davis said that Harris, the outside linebacker responsible for covering tight ends, held his jersey during Thursday’s first practice. The two had to be separated.

"He held my jersey and I couldn’t get off of it, so I swiped his hands out the way and he came up and pushed me," Davis said. "With me being competitive, I reacted back to it. ...

"Sometimes it’s bound to happen, but that’s not what Singletary wants. He wants us to just let it go and move on because you get in a game situation and something like that goes down, boom, I’m out of the game."

Whether he’s finally learned a lesson is anybody’s guess. Volatile Vernon himself seems like he wants to cool his jets.

"It’s a fine line. It’s football and there’s a lot of competitiveness," receiver Arnaz Battle said. "Coach Singletary has instilled he wants us to be a family and he wants us to be together and not fight. He wants us to resolve conflicts as men. Vernon, it’s his fourth year and he’s learned a lot and come a long way. He’s continued to mature and he’s on the right track."

The 25-year-old Davis, the 49ers’ first-round draft pick in 2006, was a Pro Bowl alternate last season after making 31 receptions for 358 yards and two touchdowns in former offensive coordinator Mike Martz’s receiver-friendly spread offense. His catches ranked third on the team.

Davis hopes to be utilized more regularly under new offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye, who while in Kansas City kept All-Pro tight end Tony Gonzalez a main part of the Chiefs’ mix.

"The way we play offensively has always been tight-end friendly," Raye said. "At the places I’ve been, the tight end is really an integral part of what we do. His speed and athleticism and his ability to inline block is unusual for a tight end. As a combination of that and his ability to run down field and match up and catch the ball, I see him being very good for us."

That is, if Davis can keep his cool.

-- Janie McCauley

Second-year LB Kehl playing well on weak side for Giants

ALBANY, N.J. — New York Giants backup quarterback David Carr took the snap from center, took a quick glance to the left sideline and fired a quick out.

The tight pass spiraled through the air until second-year linebacker Bryan Kehl stuck his hands up, snared the ball and took off down the sidelines with a convoy of defenders all yelling: "Don’t stop! Keep going!"

Kehl obliged. He needed no urging. The interception on Saturday morning was his third in the opening week of training camp, and it has clearly put him in front of Gerris Wilkinson in the race to win the weakside linebacker job, at least for opening game of the regular season against Washington on Sept. 13.

"I love running with the ball, I love getting a sack," Kehl said between practices at the University of Albany. "They are my two favorite things. I just try to be around the ball and it has been paying off."

How long it pays off for Kehl remains to be seen.

The Giants signed former Atlanta Falcon Michael Boley to a five-year, $25 million contract in the offseason with the idea he would take over on the weakside.

However, Boley hurt his hip during the offseason and had surgery in late June, sidelining him for 8 to 10 weeks. He started training camp on the physically unable to perform list, and also is suspended for the regular-season opener for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy for an arrest on a battery charge against his wife in May 2008.

"My mindset is to do what I have to do and let them (management) make the tough decisions," Kehl said of Boley’s return. "So I am going to go out there and ball. That’s what I am going to do. The coaches can deal with the rest. When (No.) 53 is on the field, 53 is going to do his thing. That is my mindset."

A fourth-round draft choice out of Brigham Young, Kehl had a good rookie season. He played in all 17 games, including the playoffs, and had 30 tackles, one sack and one interception in a year where he was learning all the time. He also played on all the special teams and admits he was "10-toed" a few times by opponents as he ran down the field.

"This time last year, I was swimming," Kehl said. "My mind was a buzz. I was trying to figure where I was supposed to go, who I was supposed to look at and what I am reading. Now I know, and it’s just reacting. It’s so much better. I am still not as comfortable as I was in my defense at BYU when I was a senior, but I am close, so the game has slowed down."

Kehl also thinks he is a little more intense and a little tougher this season, although he did show signs of that last season. He sprained a ligament in a toe after intercepting a Ben Roethlisberger pass against Pittsburgh and didn’t miss a game.

That was one of the two games that he started.

"I got a little taste to savor in my mouth and now I’m hungry for it," said Kehl, who got married a couple of weeks ago. "No football player who is a competitor likes to sit on the bench and so I’ve definitely got to get out on the field and make plays to contribute to the defense and try to make the coaches want me on the field."

The one thing that is unmistakable is that Kehl believes in himself.

"Confidence breeds confidence," he said. "That is just one of those things where it is a snowball effect. It will just compound and go from there. When you are on the field you have to have the confidence, the swagger, Antonio Pierce-type swagger, and that’s what I seek. To be out there and have it in your mind, ‘I belong here."’

-- Tom Canavan

’O’ ahead of ‘D’ after 10 days of Redskins camp

ASHBURN, Va. — Washington Redskins coach Jim Zorn took the microphone Saturday and gave an enthusiastic 5-minute speech to thousands who turned out for Fan Appreciation Day.

Nestled near the beginning were two sentences summing up the team on the 10th day of training camp: "We’re especially good right now, I think, on defense. We’re getting better on offense."

That’s the polite way to say it. When examining the hits and misses of camp so far, it’s clear that one side of the ball is far, far ahead of the other. The defense continued to hold sway in the intrasquad scrimmage that followed, giving linebacker Rocky McIntosh reason to toss a ball from midfield deep into the crowd once the festivities were over.

"They didn’t get too much action from the offense today," McIntosh said. "Good job to the defense, so I had to go out there and do something for them."

The offensive players point out that the defense usually gets ahead early in camp because its schemes are less sophisticated. Also, this Redskins defense looks to be very good, with a unit that finished fourth in yards allowed in 2008 bolstered by the additions of Albert Haynesworth and Brian Orakpo.

"In our practices, you don’t see a lot of people running free," Zorn said.

Still, in the second year under Zorn’s offense, quarterback Jason Campbell was no doubt hoping to spent more time completing passes and less time worried about the health and stability of his offensive line and receivers. There have been more sacks, scrambles, throwaways and interceptions that any coach would like. Campbell’s first drive Saturday stalled in the red zone — a familiar sight from last year — and he threw an interception to end another drive.

"I think there’s a comfort zone on offense from the standpoint of knowing more of the offense," Zorn said. "But probably the thing we need to work on most is our pass protection."

So, with the first exhibition game looming with a short trip to face the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, here are the standouts — good and bad — from camp to date:

— ORAKPO: From the day he arrived at camp, the No. 13 overall pick from Texas has been the real deal, fitting in comfortably in his transition from defensive end to linebacker. He already looks and sounds like a veteran, showing no sign of rookie immaturity. He was fooled on a play-action pass during the scrimmage but otherwise had his way rushing the quarterback against backup offensive linemen. He and Haynesworth should be just the tonic for last year’s paltry sack and turnover tallies.

"This guy’s going to be pretty good," veteran defensive end Renaldo Wynn said. "The first step, the quickness, the explosion."

— JEREMY JARMON: This Kentucky rookie came from the supplemental draft, making him a bonus 2009 addition to an already stacked defensive line. He arrived well down on the depth chart, but he’s moving up and could challenge veterans Phillip Daniels and Wynn for playing time. Teammates are already envisioning Orakpo and Jarmon on the field at the same time, pressuring opposing quarterbacks in regular season games the way they did during Saturday’s scrimmage.

"That was one of the problems we had in our passing game — because those guys were so quick up the field," Zorn said.

— COLT BRENNAN: Sure, he’s still the third-string quarterback, but he’s no longer the raw rookie of a year ago and has shown a willingness to be coached and adjust his game. With the quarterback position uncertain for 2010 — Campbell’s entering a contract year — Brennan’s future could get very interesting.

— THE OFFENSIVE LINE: The big disappointment of camp, a mixture of age and youth featuring the downsides of both. Left tackle Chris Samuels, 32, had fluid drained from his knee this week. Right guard Randy Thomas, 33, also has an aching knee. Right tackle was supposed to be a competition between Stephon Heyer and comeback player Mike Williams, but Williams has been inconsistent and has been sidelined with a groin injury. Heyer has a minor knee ailment, and another option at the position — Jeremy Bridges — sprained his right ankle during the scrimmage.

Asked what he hopes to see in the coming days, offensive line coach Joe Bugel said: "Some guys get healthy."

NOTES: The only touchdown of the regular part of the scrimmage was scored on a scramble by fourth-string QB Chase Daniel. ... Several veterans, such as RB Clinton Portis and Haynesworth, did not take part. Players nursing nagging injuries, including WRs Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly, also sat out. ... K Dave Rayner went 3-for-3 from longer than 55 yards, while incumbent Shaun Suisham was 1-for-3, prompting fans to chant, "We want Rayner!." ... Best sign of the day: "No Vick. Just Soup ... Campbell Soup."

-- Joseph White

Chicago QB Cutler clarifies comments about Denver

CHICAGO — Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler said Saturday that comments about the Denver Broncos that he made during a recent radio interview were aimed at Denver’s training camp, not its fans.

Cutler, traded by the Broncos to the Bears in the spring, sought Saturday to clarify comments he made in an interview earlier in the week, when he had given Chicago a nine and Denver a six on a scale of one to 10.

"Denver’s got great fans," Cutler said following the Bears’ workout at Soldier Field before a crowd of 27,793 fans. "I wasn’t saying anything about their fans."

Instead, Cutler said he was comparing the two team’s training camps.

"I was saying stuff about our camp at Bourbonnais (Il.) and just how expansive it is and how much money and effort and energy they put into it down there," Cutler said. "We get 11,000 fans on a Saturday. If it wasn’t for the fans coming out like that, we wouldn’t have to have such a big camp.

"Every NFL team has great fans. That’s why the NFL and football is the No. 1 sport in this country, because the fans are great everywhere we go."

Cutler said he heard that Denver fans booed former Chicago quarterback Kyle Orton during a Broncos scrimmage.

"It’s a tough situation," Cutler said. "With (former coach) Mike (Shanahan) gone, new coaches, they’ve got pretty much a whole new roster out there. It’s hard for the fans. They’re coming along, but it’s early. It’s early in camp.

"If they win some games, anywhere you go if you win some games, then they’ll get on your side."

On the field, Cutler estimated that about 90 percent to 95 percent of Chicago’s offense has played in practice. But he said the Bears but haven’t spent much time working on rollout or misdirection passes that he has often been effective at in the past.

"This defense we’re going against with the Bears, they kind of prevent that," he said. "So we’re not getting as much work as we like to.

"But it’s definitely going to be part of our package."

Cutler’s biggest concern is locating good targets. Wide receiver Brandon Rideau has excelled the first nine days of practice and got to work with the first team Saturday ahead of Earl Bennett in some drills.

"We’ve got to find some guys we can trust other than Earl and Devin (Hester) and the tight ends," Cutler said. "We’re getting there. I’m real happy with the receiving group right now."

NOTES: Starting left cornerback Charles Tillman (back) and backup Zack Bowman (hamstring) remain sidelined. ... Guard Frank Omiyale practiced with the first string for the first time ahead of 2008 starter Josh Beekman. ... Rookie safety Al Afalava received playing time with the first team because safety Danieal Manning missed practice with a pulled hamstring. ... The Bears have Sunday off.

15,000 Lions fans turn out to see overhauled team

DETROIT — The Detroit Lions set a record for futility last year in compiling the NFL’s first 0-16 season. The team hasn’t reached the playoffs in a decade, and has won just once in the postseason since 1957. But their fans still love them.

Thousands of fans stood outside of Ford Field in a line in persistent rain on Saturday to wait to go inside and watch a team that can only improve on last year’s dismal season. More than half the players are new, as is the coaching staff and front office. Small numbers fans have attended practices at the team’s training facility, but Saturday’s two-hour open practice offered fans their first long look at the team.

"I’ve got hope," said fan Greg Kowaleski, of Southgate. "There’s a new coach and a lot of new players. Things are pretty bad around here so maybe they’ll entertain us."

Before practice, coach Jim Schwartz spoke with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who stopped by on his way to Canton, Ohio, for Saturday night’s Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Schwartz said he hoped the fans’ show of support made an impression.

"Anytime I hear someone around the country talking about taking (the annual Thanksgiving) game away from Detroit, I want to remind the commissioner of 15,000 people standing in the rain for two hours to watch a practice," Schwartz said. "It says something about our fans."

Goodell said he didn’t think Detroit was in danger of losing the Thanksgiving game. He did say the league will not alter its blackout policy. Five Lions games were not broadcast on local television last season because tickets to those games did not sell out. They were the first blacked out Lions games since the team moved to Ford Field in 2002.

The team’s horrid season last year led to wholesale changes on the staff and roster.

Owner William Clay Ford fired president Matt Millen three games into last season and sacked coach Rod Marinelli a day after the team finished with the league’s first-ever 0-16 record. Tom Lewand was promoted to Millen’s position, Martin Mayhew became the general manager and Schwartz, the Tennessee Titans’ former defensive coordinator, was hired to replace Marinelli.

The winless season also added to the woes of the Detroit area, which has taken a beating in the economic downturn and has the nation’s highest unemployment rate.

A winning season this year wouldn’t solve all of the region’s problems, but it certainly wouldn’t hurt, said fan Chris Moody.

"The product on the field has been so bad the last several seasons, but the fans are so passionate," he said. "If they get something worth cheering for, at the very least I think people will feel a little better," said Moody, who began following the team five years ago.

The Lions’ last playoff appearance came after the 1999 season and their last winning campaign was a year later. They’ve won just one postseason game since winning the 1957 NFL championship.

The Lions play the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field on Aug. 15 in both teams’ preseason opener.

Notes: A team spokesman said 15,387 turned out for the program, which included an autograph session. ... Goodell said his office will address before the season whether defensive lineman Grady Jackson, whose name was on a list of players who tested positive last season for a diuretic, will be disciplined. ... CB Anthony Henry has seen reps at safety, but said the move is precautionary. Safeties Louis Delmas and Daniel Bullocks have missed the last several days of practice with injuries. ... WR Derrick Williams and CB Eric King had a brief scuffle after a play, but it was broken up quickly.

Vikings glad to have Frazier back as D coordinator

MANKATO, Minn. — As far as Jared Allen was concerned, Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier was as good as gone.

In two seasons in Minnesota, Tony Dungy’s protege helped the Vikings rise to the No. 6 ranking in total defense, all the while exhibiting a quiet authority and eliciting the universal respect that were hallmarks of Dungy’s Super Bowl-winning coaching career.

So Allen, the defensive end who had 14½ sacks in his first season in Minnesota, figured Frazier was a shoo-in for one of the open head coaching jobs this offseason. He was a finalist in Denver and St. Louis, and interviewed in Detroit. But all three teams went in different directions, so Frazier is unexpectedly back for a third season with the Vikings.

"As much stuff that I was doing for the Denver press, I thought he was going to Denver," Allen said. "We’re glad he’s back. I told him for selfish reasons we want to keep him."

Frazier’s return is one of the many reasons that the veteran Vikings defense is wrapped in a soothing blanket of continuity as the season approaches. All 11 starters this season started at least seven games last year, with safety Darren Sharper’s move to New Orleans the only significant loss to the group.

Frazier arrived in Minnesota in 2007 after winning the Super Bowl as an assistant with Indianapolis. He replaced Mike Tomlin, who parlayed one season as the Vikings defensive coordinator into the coveted job as head coach in Pittsburgh.

Many thought Frazier would follow a similarly brisk path to a big job. He interviewed with Atlanta and Miami during the 2008 offseason and coach Brad Childress gave him the title and added responsibility of associate head coach in recognition of his contributions to the team.

In a copycat league, Frazier is attractive to owners and team executives who watched Dungy have so much success with Tampa Bay and Indianapolis.

The similarities are uncanny. Both speak softly but openly and rarely raise their voices in practice, yet both still command enormous respect from the players they coach.

"It’s the way he can relate to us and talk to us like men," linebacker Ben Leber said. "His door is always open and you feel like you can go and talk to him about any issues you have and know that you’re going to get a straight answer. That counts more than anything else."

Childress, too, said he was surprised that Frazier was still around, but doesn’t expect that to be the case too much longer.

"With Leslie, it’s not a matter of if, it’s when," Childress said. "And I’m tickled to death that he’s back."

In three seasons coaching the Vikings, Childress has become known for his flat-line demeanor and aversion to hyperbole. The times that he has used the phrase "tickled to death" can be counted on one finger.

"You just know you’re hiring the right guys if people are trying to hire them as head coaches," Childress said.

As disappointing as it has been for Frazier to be so close to his dream of being a head coach only to be let down, he is happy to be back in purple coaching a group that aspires to be the league’s top defense.

"My focus and concentration is on helping this team win a championship," Frazier said. "I am at peace with where I am and what we have to get done here. I am excited about the 2009 season."

With Allen, defensive tackles Kevin and Pat Williams and cornerback Antoine Winfield all coming off Pro Bowl seasons, it’s easy to see why. The Vikings are loaded with talent, experience and familiarity — three of the key ingredients for success.

"I feel the pieces are in place for us to have a great defense," Frazier said. "The No. 1 ranking I’m not as worried about as they might be. I really want us to have a great year on defense and help our team win a championship."

Allen joked that he might have to "sabotage some things on the field just to make sure he sticks around a little longer." But he knows that he better enjoy the time he has with Frazier now, because goodbye is likely right around the corner.

"Obviously I was rooting for him to get a head coaching job," Allen said. "He deserves it. He’s a good man and he’s a good coach. I’m sure one day, he’ll get it eventually."

-- Jon Krawczynski

Packers family night scrimmage washed out

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The bizarre sign gave Aaron Rodgers a big smile: "Aaron Rodgers is our Favre-ite quarterback."

The Packers’ fan base is now firmly entrenched behind their young quarterback a year removed from an awkward family night scrimmage that featured Brett Favre flying in and watching from a private luxury box.

But none of the Packers got a chance to play in the team’s most unique event of the season on Saturday night after strong thunderstorms swept through the area, leaving more than 50,000 fans without an early season football fix.

"I didn’t get booed and I didn’t throw any interceptions tonight, so that was good," Rodgers joked. "Last time was an interesting night with everything that happened during the day, but it was the beginning of a solid preseason and moving forward as a team together."

The Packers knew that this year’s scrimmage would lack the off-field drama of last year’s event when Favre returned days before his eventual trade to the New York Jets.

Turns out, it lacked any on-field drama, too.

Heavy rains began about 15 minutes before the scrimmage was scheduled to begin with players just finishing warmups and the lightning never let up. After a delay of an hour and a half, the event was called.

"Warmups were a lot of fun, I saw some cool signs out there, interesting signs, but we apologize as a team for not being able to play tonight," Rodgers said. "You always love playing family night in front of a packed house and an electric stadium."

The rainout means that the Packers will have two days off in a time of year known more for two daily practices.

Coach Mike McCarthy said they wouldn’t make changes to the schedule and that the complete offensive and defensive packages would be installed this week.

"We’re definitely on track. I’m very pleased with the amount of work and the quality of work we’ve been able to accomplish to this point," McCarthy said.

The Packers’ preseason opener is Aug. 15 against Cleveland, but this scrimmage was supposed to be the first glimpse into Green Bay’s 3-4 base defense installed by defensive coordinator Dom Capers.

"I think we were ready to get out there in a game atmosphere. It’s different this year with our new defense," Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk said. "Everything we do is pretty important. I don’t think it’s going to hurt us, but I think it’s something we were looking forward to, going out there tonight."

One player who wouldn’t be featured is first-round pick B.J. Raji. Selected No. 9 overall, Raji has been in Green Bay, but has held out while the defensive lineman’s contract negotiations continue.

General manager Ted Thompson said Saturday night he’s still not sure there’s a timetable on signing him, but they continue to work at it.

"Hopefully he can jump right in, you know, with some extra work. It won’t take him too long to catch up," defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins said. "It’s definitely not benefiting him not being here. ... He’s in a difficult spot."

While several key players weren’t expected to participate in the scrimmage, including starting cornerbacks Charles Woodson and Al Harris, others were ready to play in the event that included fireworks. The fireworks show did go on as scheduled with about 15,000 of the 50,787 in attendance remaining.

"We were hopeful that we could get (the scrimmage) in, but the storms just kind of hung over the area," Packers president Mark Murphy said. "It was pretty apparent after a while it was not going to move through as quickly as we had anticipated."

The year before, Favre flew to Green Bay the night of the event before his reinstatement to the NFL the next day.

While 56,600 fans that night watched Rodgers struggle in the scrimmage, hundreds more greeted Favre at the airport. Favre was traded to the Jets three days later.

Rodgers went on to complete 63.6 percent of his passes for 4,038 yards with 28 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in his first season as starter despite playing through a painful shoulder injury for a large part of the year. But the Packers lost five of their final six games to finish 6-10.

Now they’ll have to wait one more week before showing their new look to the Browns and new coach Eric Mangini, who is trying to pick between quarterbacks Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn.

"It’s not just a normal run of the mill preseason game," Hawk said. "For both sides, there are story lines that guys are trying to work out, figure out that don’t normally happen."

-- Colin Fly

Panthers scrimmage without stars

CHARLOTTE — The Carolina Panthers held their annual Fan Fest without their regular stars.

Panthers coach John Fox elected to rest most of the top players during the 36-play intrasquad scrimmage Saturday at Bank of America Stadium.

The 15,549 fans didn’t see running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart or wide receivers Steve Smith and Muhsin Muhammad. Defensive stalwart Julius Peppers also didn’t play.

Fox said he withheld the players because the Panthers reported to training camp a few days later than normal. The Panthers open the preseason Aug. 17 on the road against the New York Giants.

Quarterback Jake Delhomme participated in six plays before making a quick exit in Carolina’s first exhibition since its stunning 33-13 playoff loss to Arizona in the NFC divisional playoff.

"We were two days late coming to camp this year and we wanted to ease into it a little bit," Fox said. "We got a little taste of some tackling. We were able to look at the younger guys and we have plenty of time with four preseason games."

The Panthers were without their "Double Trouble" attack of Williams and Stewart, who helped set a franchise rushing record last season with 2,437 yards and 30 touchdowns. Stewart is nursing an Achilles’ tendon injury, while Williams jammed his toe in practice Friday.

"It feels fine," Williams said. "No big deal."

As for Smith, Muhammad and Peppers, they were held out so as not to risk injury. Linebackers Thomas Davis (knee) and Jon Beason (hamstring) have missed most of training camp while recovering from their injuries.

During the short scrimmage, the defense completely dominated as the first- and second-team offenses managed a combined two first downs. The offense failed to get into scoring range after starting drives at their 35-yard line.

The third-team offense managed a field goal, but there were no big plays.

The first-team offense had looked good in camp, but Fox refused to read too much into Saturday’s lackluster performance, which featured no plays longer than 20 yards.

"I think usually most camps this time of the year, the defenses are a little bit ahead. But there were some guys standing over by me that are weapons out there on offense," Fox said. "But I think we accomplished what we wanted to, getting guys some live hitting and tackling."

For many young players, it was their first chance to step foot inside the home stadium. Defensive end Everette Brown, the team’s top pick in the NFL draft, couldn’t stop smiling after practice.

The North Carolina star grew up in Stantonsburg, N.C., and said he got shivers walking through the tunnel for the first time.

"I haven’t been back to this stadium since I was 14," Brown said. "I just turned 22, so it’s been awhile. But this gives me a little taste of what it’s going to be like to play here this season. I can’t wait."

The Panthers have Sunday off and resume practice Monday in Spartanburg, S.C.

Saints QB Brees leaves camp for family matter

METAIRIE, La. — The New Orleans Saints held their first scrimmage of training camp on Saturday without starting quarterback Drew Brees, who was excused for what the club said was a family matter.

The Saints did not go into further detail about Brees’ absence, and head coach Sean Payton said he was unsure whether the quarterback would return for the club’s next scheduled set of practices on Monday.

Quarterback Mark Brunell worked mostly with the first-team offense, completing 13-of-19 passes for 134 yards, including a touchdown pass to Marques Colston on a third-and-goal play from the 1-yard line.

The 6-foot-4 Colston led all receivers with seven catches for 63 yards, including a 22-yarder that set up his touchdown.

"I’m smart. Throw to the big guy that can catch," Brunell said. "He’s so talented and I really hope he has a very good year, obviously for our team but (also) for him. ... He can catch. He’s big. He’s smart. He’s got everything. He can run. We’re very fortunate to have him."

The longest completion for Brunell, who is competing with Joey Harrington to back up Brees, was a 44-yarder to Rod Harper.

The defense produced several highlights as well, including Roman Harper’s interception of Joey Harrington, which Harper returned 34 yards. Later, Jason David intercepted Brunell on a pass tipped at the line of scrimmage by defensive end Bobby McCray.

On the first drive of the game, linebacker Mark Simoneau stripped running back Mike Bell just behind the line of scrimmage and recovered the fumble himself. Defensive end Jeff Charleston recovered a fumble on a bad snap.

"You’re disappointed offensively, but you took it away defensively and that’s a positive," Payton said. "The fumble by Mike Bell was discouraging because it looked like he just didn’t have it put away cleanly. But I thought we made some plays on the ball defensively, which was encouraging."

Simoneau later went out with an elbow injury and Payton said it was not clear how serious Simoneau’s injury was, adding that the linebacker would have X-rays. Cornerback Tracy Porter was limited by a tight hamstring.

Running back Reggie Bush, who is healthy enough to play but taking intermittent practices off to rest his surgically repaired left knee, did not participate.

Payton also held out wide receivers Adrian Arrington (hamstring) and Lance Moore (shoulder); tight end Dan Campbell (knee); and defensive backs Randall Gay (heel), Darren Sharper (knee) and Chip Vaughn (knee).

Payton said Vaughn, a fourth-round draft choice, has a slight meniscus tear in his left knee.

"It’s not real big, but it has caused some swelling and some knee pain and we’ll have to examine it further," Payton said.

The scrimmage format included the first-team offense going against the second-team defense, and the second team-offense against the first-team defense, with third-team units mixed in. Players were in full pads but were instructed to resist tackling fully. Referees blew plays dead when defenders grabbed the ball carriers or tapped the quarterbacks.

The defense was credited with four sacks, one each for safeties Roman Harper and Chris Reis on blitzes. Defensive ends Charles Grant and Anthony Hargrove also got one apiece.

In between drives, the Saints worked on the kicking game. Place kicker Garrett Hartley made all eight field goals he attempted, ranging in distance from 33 to 41 yards. Hartley also looked solid on kickoffs. He did not have any touchbacks but several of his kicks were fielded inside the 5.

Because of rain, the Saints held the scrimmage on their indoor field and did not work on punts. Payton has said the competition between incumbent punter Glenn Pakulak and fifth-round draft choice Thomas Morstead will play out during preseason games.

Harrington, working primarily with the second team was 16-of-26 for 126 yards, including a short touchdown pass to first-team receiver Devery Henderson.

Undrafted rookie Herb Donaldson led all rushers with 56 yards in 11 carries, highlighted by a 26-yard gain. Fellow undrafted rookie P.J. Hill rushed eight times for 22 yards and a 1-yard touchdowns. Pierre Thomas and Bell each gained 22 yards, with Thomas carrying six times and Bell five. Lynell Hamilton carried five times for 19 yards.

-- Brett Martel