Preseason A Prime Opportunity For Packers QB Rodgers

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) _ Matt Hasselbeck has been there before, so he has a pretty good idea of how important Saturday night's Seattle Seahawks-Green Bay Packers preseason game at Lambeau Field is to

Friday, August 17th 2007, 3:06 pm

By: News On 6

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) _ Matt Hasselbeck has been there before, so he has a pretty good idea of how important Saturday night's Seattle Seahawks-Green Bay Packers preseason game at Lambeau Field is to Aaron Rodgers.

In some NFL cities that don't have a three-time MVP starting at quarterback, the backup is the most popular guy in town. But that certainly hasn't been the case in Green Bay, where backups to Brett Favre _ even the talented ones _ have always been an afterthought.

Favre has started 257 consecutive games including the playoffs and hasn't given any indication of how many more seasons he plans to play. Given his durability, the preseason is just about the only chance for a backup to prove himself.

``Really, that is the only opportunity you have,'' said Hasselbeck, who attempted only 19 passes over two seasons in Green Bay before he was traded to Seattle. ``It's not really playing behind Brett. It's just sitting on the bench behind Brett. You have to make the most of your opportunities in the preseason.''

The continued development of Rodgers, who was taken in the first round of the 2005 draft with the idea that he would eventually replace Favre, has been one of the bright spots of Packers training camp.

Rodgers has consistently shown off his underrated scrambling ability, arm strength and poise in practice. He even upstaged Favre in the Packers' first preseason game at Pittsburgh last Saturday.

Rodgers hopes to play even better this Saturday, knowing it's a chance for him to win over hometown fans who are skeptical that he's worthy of succeeding an icon.

``Not everybody saw the game last week, so it'll be nice to play well in front of them _ especially the ones who still don't like me,'' Rodgers said.

But while the Packers' future with Rodgers might be shaping up better than expected, their present still looks shaky.

The Packers are thin at running back and tight end, and the coaches have made it clear that they might not be happy with last year's starting strong safety, Marquand Manuel.

Beyond that, the Packers' first-string offense failed to gain a single first down in four series at Pittsburgh. Favre said this week that he was as frustrated on Saturday as he has ever been after a preseason game.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said the Packers' first-string players would play about 30 plays on Saturday, with the second string playing into the fourth quarter.

``We want to get out there, get into a rhythm, get our timing better,'' McCarthy said. ``Our execution wasn't very high.''

The Packers lost free agent running back Ahman Green to the Houston Texans in the offseason, then watched as his projected replacement, Vernand Morency, injured his knee in the Packers' first training camp practice.

With Morency still sidelined for an indefinite time, the Packers want to see as much as they can on Saturday from rookie Brandon Jackson, a second-round pick out of Nebraska.

Also worth watching is the competition at strong safety, where Manuel is trying to fend off a challenge from Atari Bigby. Manuel bore much of the blame for the Packers' vulnerability to big plays last season, and Bigby offers upgraded range and mobility _ if he can put himself in the right place at the right time more often than he did in the first preseason game.

Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren, who once again returns to face the team he led to two Super Bowls in the 1990s, will be cautious with his starters on Saturday.

Hasselbeck, who is returning from surgery on his non-throwing shoulder, played only one series in the Seahawks' first preseason game against San Diego and isn't likely to play more than that on Saturday _ if at all.

``It really isn't what Matt wants,'' Holmgren said. ``Matt certainly would like to play. I give him a lot of leeway on decision making around here _ but that's one I have to make the call on.''

Backup Seneca Wallace is likely to play most if not all of the first half Saturday.

``I'm doing what they say,'' Hasselbeck said. ``I realize that I am just one guy on this team and that they have to get a look at other guys and also find out some things about different positions.''

Running back Shaun Alexander, tight end Marcus Pollard, wide receiver Deion Branch and many other starters on offense may play through the first quarter but not beyond, Holmgren said.

Pro Bowl left tackle Walter Jones (sore shoulder) and right tackle Sean Locklear (bruised knee) will not travel to Green Bay.