Tonight marks the return of three possible starters for the Packers, most notably their feature back Ahman Green. Green is set to return to action Monday night against the Bengals, in hope to rekindle the fire that once was the Packers running game. Green is said to be in top shape, even after he ruptured his tendon in a game last season against the Vikings. Head coach Mike McCarthy said Green should see 10-12 carries in the Packers 3rd preseason game. There will always be a cause for concern when it comes to a achilles injury, especially for a running back, and the pounding that they take. But doctors told the Packers that Green’s particular injury doesn’t have a high percentage of recurrence. Green had strung together four consecutive 1,100 yard seasons since coming to Green Bay. Fiery linebacker Brady Poppinga in also slated to return for the Pack, after injuring his knee last December. The BYU product could compete for a starting spot, depending on the play of Ben Taylor and rookie AJ Hawk. Free agent acquisition Marquand Manuel is set to make his unofficial Packers debut as well Monday night. The former Seattle strong safety signed a 5 year, 10 million dollar contract with the Pack ealier in the offseason and has been slowed by groin and hamstring injuries. Manuel also has a little extra to be playing for, as he faces off against his old team.

Thursday the Bucks made yet another risky move in order to acquire much needed depth at the small forward, when they traded Joe Smith to the Nuggets for Ruben Patterson. This was a questionable move to say the least by GM Larry Harris, who perhaps traded the best “good guy” on the Bucks for the most “unpredictable” player in the league. Harris said he knows Patterson’s path through the NBA has been difficult, but says Patterson’s defensive-minded mentality and playoff experience is exactly what the Bucks are looking for. Patterson has a long list of legal problems, and whether or not he can stay on the court will be his biggest battle. When on the court however, Patterson has had decent success. Last year, he averaged 13 points per game and shot over 51 percent from the field, marking 15th best in the league. Patterson was mainly brought in to provide security at the 3, as small forward has been a position of uncertainty. Other than Bobby Simmons, the Bucks had really no one to pick up the slack last year. As far as Joe Smith goes, he has always been a very consistent player throughout his career, but one could definitely argue that he hasn’t lived up to his #1 pick expectations. Smith hampered a knee injury that kept him out most of the 05-06′ season, and after the addition of Charlie Villanueva at the 4, Smith became expendable. When looking at this trade, I see a player in Patterson who is a definite “boom” or “bust” guy and we will see how this trade will play out. But by trading one of the most respected players in the Bucks locker room and maybe the city for a guy with a history of arrests, I think the Bucks will come out on the short end once again. The Bucks and Larry Harris can only hope that Patterson cleans up his act and focuses just on basketball.

Western Michigan phenom Greg Jennings has more hope now than he probably will ever have. The 2nd round pick has a chance of a lifetime: to start for the Green Bay Packers. After the departure of Javon Walker to the Denver Broncos, there is a gaping hole in the Packers receiver core with the spot opposite new #1 receiver Donald Driver up for grabs. Jennings has impressed all of the coaches; even Brett Favre said Jennings has natural ability and “gets it”. Jennings notched over 3,000 yards throughout his career as a Bronco, one of only 11 in D-1A history to record 3 consecutive 1,000 yard seasons. In addition, Jennings notched double-digit touchdowns in three of four seasons. Jennings said he was blessed to go to Western Michigan, as it forced him to learn quicker as he was the go-to-receiver and a top recruit. Despite Jennings’ exceptional marks in college, scouts regarded him as small and didn’t think that he could handle the top notch compeitition. Jennings is out to prove the scouts wrong. Jennings says that his idol throughout his college career was Panthers superstar Steve Smith, who has beat the odds and has helped redefine the wide receiver position in today’s NFL. Perhaps Jennings strongest assets are his pure speed and route-running, similar to Smith’s, which Favre praised him for most. His ability to learn quickly and do things right make him the favorite to line up beside Driver on August 10. When the Packers picked Jennings in the second round, passing on top-rated receiver Chad Jackson, I was upset. Now, I can’t wait to see Jennings play and think he will be a star in his upcoming years in a Packer uniform. Hopefully he will make Packer fans forget about Javon Walker very soon.