After sitting out of this past Saturday at Cleveland, tight end Jermichael Finley said he plans to return to game action this upcoming Friday against the Arizona Cardinals in the preseason home opener. “I feel great, I’ll be out there Friday,” Finley told Kareem Copeland of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. “I felt good (Saturday). It was just precautionary. Just holding back. … This game, I’m going to go out there and get a series or two and knock the cobwebs off.” Finley also returned to the practice field on Monday after having sustaining a glute contusion last week.

More on Jermichael Finley and his intentions to play on Friday appear at ESPNMilwaukee.com.

Linebacker Frank Zombo practiced as the starter at right outside linebacker on Monday, perhaps a sign that it's his job to lose. "Zombo, who started nine games last season, including Super Bowl XLV, got the starting nod in Saturday night’s preseason opener at Cleveland and worked with the No. 1 defense in practice again on Monday," writes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com. Mike McCarthy won't acknowledge a starter, however, maintaining the need to balance reps among Zombo, Erik Walden and Brad Jones.

More on Frank Zombo and the outside linebacker position is at the Press-Gazette.

Derek Sherrod and T.J. Lang continued to split reps at left guard and left tackle during practice on Monday, although one of them might have a leg up on the competition. "After two weeks of training camp, including one preseason game, Sherrod appears to be a little behind third-year pro T.J. Lang in their battle for the starting job at left guard with not much time left to win the job," writes Pete Dougherty of the Press-Gazette. Mike McCarthy said Lang probably graded out slightly higher than Sherrod in the first preseason game.

The offensive line and how it's becoming a position of strength for the Packers is detailed in an article by Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "In general, the Packers are probably in better shape on the line than their NFC North brethren because of the continuity," writes Silverstein. "In Detroit there are injury concerns at both tackle positions; in Minnesota, there's a new left tackle and possibly a new right guard; and in Chicago center and right tackle will feature new starters." The offensive line probably has its most depth its had in the entire Ted Thompson era.

A feature on the third-down back role is penned by Tyler Dunne of the Journal Sentinel with a focus on rookie running back Alex Green. "Coaches haven't told Green they envision him as a third-down back," writes Dunne. "No specific job description was provided. But the fit is obvious. At Hawaii, this is how Green flourished. With defenses in nickel and dime - trying to defend the Warriors' pyrotechnic passing game - Green led the nation in yards per carry." Green continued to sit out of practice on Monday with a thigh strain though he says he's ready to return to the field today.

An article about Wisconsin native Adrian Battles is written by Bob McGinn of the Journal Sentinel. "Battles just wants to get back on the field," writes McGinn. "He injured an Achilles' tendon in a no-pads practice July 31, the second day of training camp, and hasn't been in uniform since. It isn't torn, said Battles, but the medical staff has given him no date for his return." Battles was prominently lined up behind Barack Obama during his speech at the White House this past Friday.

Speaking of the White House, quarterback Aaron Rodgers offered reaction to Barack Obama's suggestion that the Packers trade him to the Chicago Bears. "I was wondering how that would work," Rodgers told Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune. "No, I don't think I want to be a No. 2 for at least a few more years." The White House offered clarification saying Rodgers would be the backup behind Jay Cutler.

Aaron Rodgers was the focus of another article by Jason Cole of Yahoo Sports. "Sitting in his house late last season trying to deal with the effects of his second concussion, Rodgers said that’s when he found the focus that led to a six-game winning streak for the Green Bay Packers," writes Cole. "That turned a teetering, injury-marred season for Green Bay into a Super Bowl championship as Rodgers played four brilliant games and two others in which he managed to beat heated rival, the Chicago Bears."

Linebacker Desmond Bishop talked about his mistake of leaving behind his identification that caused him to miss meeting the President last week. “It was pretty disappointing,” Bishop told Packer Report. “It was a historic time, something you can tell your kids or your grandkids one day. To have missed that opportunity, it definitely stung a little bit. But, spilled milk. Just keep fighting and hopefully we'll do the same next year."

More on Desmond Bishop and his presidential mishap appears by ESPNMilwaukee.com, the Associated Press and JSOnline.

Sports Illustrated's Peter King wrote about the Packers' quest to repeat as Super Bowl champs.

Mike Neal and C.J. Wilson couldn't sleep on Saturday night.

Punter Tim Masthay is the focus of an article by Jason Wilde.

Undrafted rookie linebacker Vic So'oto gets some attention at the Packers official website.

Training camp reports are written by Bob McGinn, Tyler Dunne, Rob Demovsky, Larry McCarren and Jason Wilde.

Some training camp battles are profiled at the Packers official website.

More training camp battles and an article on A.J. Hawk are at Packer Report (subscription required).

Video of Randall Cobb is at JSOnline.

Video of Josh Gordy is at the Press-Gazette.

Brian Carriveau is the editor of the Maple Street Press Packers Annual. To contact Brian, email [email protected].