The Rhinelander Daily News - Online news and information for the Rhinelander, Wisconsin region

GREEN BAY – Wide receivers Taj Smith and Johnny Quinn both have a firm grasp of reality.

Their position is loaded. Plain and simple. Behind four locks are eight wide receivers competing for one, maybe two, roster spots next month at training camp.

So Smith and Quinn have each employed personal plans of attack.

Quinn is returning home to Texas and will train at the nearby Michael Johnson Performance Center –– a training facility created by the four-time gold medalist sprinter. At the MJPC, Quinn works out with several NFL players, including Detroit tight end Dan Campbell, Oakland safety Michael Huff and Baltimore wide receiver Mark Clayton.

“It’s maintenance stuff to get you ready for training camp,” Quinn said. “Nothing too intense for your body. It gets you all geared up for camp.”

Smith is going home, too. The former Syracuse standout is heading back to East Rutherford, N.J., where he’ll train with a handful of rookies on the New York Giants, including third-round pick Mario Manningham.

“I’ll just be keeping a low profile and working,” Smith said. “Just working.”

Three years ago the Packers were forcing practice squad wide receivers onto the field during a dismal 4-12 season. This summer, they’ll have to turn some talented ones away. While Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, James Jones and second-round pick Jordy Nelson can be etched in as certainties to make the team, a very intriguing battle will wage behind them.

Incumbent No. 4 wideout Ruvell Martin caught 16 passes last year. Fifteen went for first downs and four for touchdowns. But he’ll be pushed at camp. Also in the mix is seventh-round pick Brett Swain, who caught 58 passes for 973 yards and five touchdowns at San Diego State last year. Shaun Bodiford and Chris Francies hopped in and out of the lineup over the last three years with the Packers. And there’s Smith, Quinn and fellow UFA’s Jake Allen and Rod Harper.

“We have a lot of good guys,” Quinn said. “Being versatile and real good on special teams will be a big part. But it’s all up in the air until we get pads on, start hitting and playing physical.”

Smith said Green Bay’s West Coast hybrid system came natural to him.

“A lot of plays are pretty much the same terminology,” he said. “As far as the whole concept on how the routes are ran and how the plays are set up, it’s pretty much the same.”

Smith said that the rookie receivers have stayed together after practice to review the offense.

On Thursday, Quinn made a nice catch on a slant in-stride from quarterback Brian Brohm with Pat Lee closely guarding him. Smith caught a touchdown in Green Bay’s red zone drill Wednesday from Brohm on a quick buttonhook route.

Starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers has thrown to all of the receivers. His perspective is all-encompassing. With four weeks of OTAs and one week of minicamp in the books, he likes what he sees.

“Johnny’s done a great job. I thought Ruvell had a really good camp,” Rodgers said. “You don’t need to say much about Driver, Jennings and Jones. They’re doing a great job. But I thought Ruvell had a really good camp. Johnny had a great camp. Brett did a nice job. Jordy, obviously, started really hot. We have a lot of guys. Shaun Bodiford and Chris Francies have been here three years now.

“Competition only breeds success for a team.”

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Comments »

travis conley wrote on Jun 24, 2008 1:54 PM:

" well i love the packers die hard here i think brett will be back during the year and i think rodergs will be great as long as he has protection and no one gets hurts the startes are as good as any in leage great defensive at green bay go packers super bowl bound i would bet on it less interceptions he can scrmable cant wait to see what we can do go ryan grant we will win at least 10 games this year at least "

Joseph Swirkowski wrote on Jun 24, 2008 12:36 PM:

" I think it's safe to say the Green Bay Packers will maintain that high powered passing game that they so often relied on with Brett Favre in the QB position. However, now with new faces in the lineup, at all positions, it's still pretty early to tell if the chemistry will be there between some of these guys to get it done down the stretch. All in all, I think this year will be a true testament to what we can look forward to see in years to come. I can't wait til' Sept. "

Eliott Mackenzie wrote on Jun 24, 2008 11:27 AM:

" It is awesome to hear we have a core of wide receivers. I just wish Brett Farve would have had such talent when he was with us. "

The comments above are from readers. In no way do they represent the views of the Rhinelander Daily News.