Packers LB Kampman expects to be ready for training camp

The Green Bay Packers linebacker Aaron Kampman expects that he will recover fully form the left knee injury by the beginning of training camp, but he needs to figure out which team’s NFL jersey he will put on to play next season’s games.

The two-time Pro Bowl selection for the Packers has played all eight of his NFL season in Packers jersey, but he is scheduled to become a free agent and there has not yet any confirmation on his future with the team.

“Obviously, this is the only place I’ve been and it’d be great to continue my career here,” Kampman said Monday following the Packers’ 51-45 overtime playoff loss to the Arizona Cardinals. “But we’ll see what happens.”

Kampman’s season-ending knee injury came during the Nov. 22 game against the San Francisco 49ers and had surgery on Dec. 4. Although he thinks that he can do both 4-3 defensive scheme and 3-4 that new defensive coordinator Dom Capers installed to the Packers, Kampman also thinks he will possibly choose a team that runs a 4-3 defensive scheme.

Packers’ offensive line remains a mystery

With only two days left before Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings, the Green Bay Packers Coach Mike McCarthy said Friday that he had some options offensive players, leaving everyone guessing what the OL will look like.

At least one thing is for sure: Aaron Rodgers will be the starting quarterback wearing his No. 12 green Packers jersey to confront the quarterback in purple No. 4 Vikings jersey, and McCarthy only needs to choose from his options the best to protect Rodgers, who was sacked eight times in the first game against the Vikings on Oct. 5. Although McCarthy reiterated that first-year starter Allen Barbre remains the starter at right tackle, he also said that Barbre needs to continue to improve to keep his job as the team has brought back veteran tackle Mark Tauscher, who was the Packers’ starting right tackle since his rookie season in 2000 until he suffered a serious knee injury late last season.

Rookie T.J. Lang also has a competitor for the starting job at left tackle now as veteran tackle Chad Clifton took full part in Friday’s practice. But the rookie has just been preparing for Sunday’s game as if he will start again. As Clinton was listed questionable for Sunday with an ankle injury, which kept him out for three of the last four games, it is very likely Lang will keep his starting job at least for this week.

Packers GM does not rule Michael Vick out

Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson said on Tuesday that the team will not rule out the scandal-tainted quarterback Michael Vick. But since Thompson is notoriously coy about the team's plans, it is still hard to judge from his comments whether the team have a sincere and significant level of interest in giving Vick chance of wearing packers jersey.

"What is the answer that we give to questions like this? We're always looking to improve our team," Thompson said. "We look at all options at all times. I wouldn't care to speculate in terms of the odds or the percentages (of signing Vick) or anything like that."

Thompson admitted that Vick is in unique situation but the team will just evaluate him in the same routine of evaluting other players. No matter whether the Packers are really interested in Vick, they are the first team showing such stance in public after Vick was conditionally reinstated to the NFL.