http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=658378
Notes: Bush prepared for a challenge. Eagles expected to pick on nickel back.
The way the Philadelphia Eagles abused nickel back Ahmad Carroll the last time they played the Green Bay Packers, you would think they'd be despondent that he has been replaced in the lineup by promising, young cornerback Jarrett Bush. Bush is expecting the same treatment Carroll got last year when the Eagles took shot after shot at the 5-foot-9 cornerback, knowing they'd either draw a penalty or connect for a big play. The 6-foot, 197-pound Bush might be better suited for the nickel job, but he is as green as the Lambeau Field grass and hasn't proved a thing yet. Bush earned the right to be Eagles coach Andy Reid's opening day clay pigeon by winning a hard-fought training camp battle....His reward is to see what Reid cooks up with his countless receiver shifts, empty backfields and willingness to throw the ball as often as it takes to win a game. Who's to say Reid won't test Bush the way he did Carroll? It's a better alternative than going after Al Harris or Charles Woodson. It remains to be seen whether defensive coordinator Bob Sanders can give Bush help. Reid likes to send his running back, Brian Westbrook, into the slot and run four verticals either with two receivers and a tight end or three receivers. The safeties have to cover inside and Bush will be left alone along the sideline.
The medical unit
Add wide receiver Greg Jennings to the list of Packers hurting. Jennings apparently pulled a hamstring in practice Wednesday and was limited in the work he did Thursday. In the portion of practice in which reporters were present, Jennings was in uniform and took part in all the drills, but he did not finish the practice. Coach Mike McCarthy will have to list him as either probable, questionable, doubtful or out on the injury report today. Under the NFL's new injury report format, he has to indicate only the injured player's practice status. No one else new was added to the report and everyone on it took part in some form of practice.
Running it out
Neither McCarthy nor running backs coach Edgar Bennett could say that Vernand Morency (knee) would be available against the Eagles. Morency took part in practice but Bennett said his work was limited. The decision on his status probably won't be determined until after practice today. "He was a little sore today," McCarthy said. "You don't want to bring a guy back after a long (layoff) and risk setting him back another four, five or six weeks. He went through today. I'll see how he felt."
Bennett said Morency was showing the burst he had before the injury, but other factors are still being considered. Morency missed all of training camp. There's little doubt that rookie Brandon Jackson will start and be the primary back, but what isn't known is how much work he can handle after coming back from a concussion. With Morency a big question mark, rookie DeShawn Wynn is lined up for extensive use.
Ready position
Only a few days off the plane from Pittsburgh, rookie fullback John Kuhn has a fairly good chance of being active Sunday. The Packers' only other fullback is rookie Korey Hall and given his duties on special teams there's almost no way McCarthy can go into the game without another fullback. Good thing for the Packers that Kuhn was a chemistry major at Shippensburg University.
