Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (foot probable) took full reps all week and will start this week.

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (foot) took reps Thursday and is expected to start.

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (foot) took reps Wednesday and is expected to start Sunday.

Packers WR Greg Jennings expressed his frustration with his limited role thusfar in the offense. Jennings has caught just 11 passes for 240 yards and a touchdown, including a combined three catches for 31 yards in the Packers' two losses.

Asked if teams are doing more to defend him, Jennings replied, "They have done more, but no, not excessively more. It’s not much more than they’ve done in the past, or anything they haven’t done before, or anything we haven’t seen. So I would have to say no."

Instead, Jennings cited the protection problems the Packers have had -- quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been sacked 20 times -- as the main reason for his dip in production.

The Green Bay Packers are concerned enough about their backup quarterback spot that they could get involved in trade talks with Tampa Bay, which is shopping quarterbacks Byron Leftwich, Luke Mccown and Josh Johnson. A league source said the Packers are exploring backup quarterbacks around the league and another source said Green Bay has McCown as a possibility.

The Packers have been concerned about their backup quarterback situation for awhile and seriously considered acquiring Michael Vick, who signed with the Eagles, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. Second-year players Matt Flynn and Brian Brohm are the Packers’ current backups, with Flynn serving as the No. 2 to starter Aaron Rodgers. Flynn is currently nursing a shoulder injury, and Brohm has done little to take advantage in Flynn’s absence.

NFC NORTH TIGHT ENDS -- Two of the four teams in the NFC North could have new starting tight ends this season.

Detroit has been enamored with rookie first-round pick Brandon Pettigrew and all indications are he will be the Lions' opening-day starter. It's going to be interesting to see how he does compared to the Jeremy Maclin, the player the Eagles selected one pick earlier.

Green Bay has a battle in store with second-year man Jermichael Finley, who this space mentioned a few weeks back, ready to supplant veteran Donald Lee as another target for quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

While Aaron Rodgers did have the ability to audible last season, he often was limited to what options he had. McCarthy has indicated to this point that Rodgers will have more options at his disposal.

"I just think that the way he calls plays, he'll give me more responsibility at the line of scrimmage this year," Rodgers said. "I think it's him trusting that he can call more plays where there's more of a chance that I might change it at the line of scrimmage depending on what I see.

Aaron Rodgers raved about two players in particular, saying Allen Barbre was the most athletic lineman the Packers have. He also complimented tight end Jermichael Finley, who seems to jump out with a big catch every practice.

"Yesterday he made two really impressive catches for touchdowns," said Rodgers. "He's a guy who has all the physical tools you could want - speed, athleticism, hands. Mentally he's just got to understand what we're trying to do on offense and make the right plays and not make any mental mistakes. And if he does that, you can't help but want to give him the ball."

Aaron Rodgers' strong 2008 season has him operating the 2009 Packers offense with confidence - much more so than last year at this time. “I think I'm much more comfortable with this offense,” Rodgers said. "Confidence-wise, I've always had confidence.” Comfort and confidence will only take a player so far. Rodgers’ successful 2008 has earned him respect of his teammates in the locker room. So much so that he has the final say in making decisions. Rodgers didn't play mistake-free football last year and still has plenty to learn. He only has one full year as a starting quarterback. “I think that something that Aaron can really draw from his experience this past year is how consistent that he was as a first-year starter,” Packers HC McCarthy said. “That's something that he needs to keep a hold of and it needs to stay a big part of his game, because his consistency and his decision-making, his ball accuracy, keeping us in favorable plays is his greatest asset to this offense.”

4for4 reports: Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (right shoulder)
had one of his better weeks of practice and he took full
reps on Friday. He will start as normal.