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Rodgers Sharp In Packers' Loss

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 12, 2008

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Aaron Rodgers shrugged off a shaky beginning as Brett Favre's replacement.

In his first start for the Green Bay Packers, Rodgers delivered a pair of scoring drives and a handful of highlights in a 20-17 preseason loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night.

The Packers definitively handed Rodgers the keys to one of the NFL's best offenses after trading Favre to the New York Jets last week - ending an ugly, monthlong divorce with one of the most beloved players in franchise history.

And despite spending most of the past three seasons holding a clipboard, Rodgers didn't show many signs of nerves in his first step out of Favre's shadow. The Bengals tagged Rodgers for an early interception off of a deflected pass, but he recovered to complete nine of 15 throws for 117 yards and a touchdown.

Rodgers could have had a second scoring strike, but couldn't connect on a deep ball to wide open receiver James Jones on the Packers' third drive. On the next play, Rodgers threw a crisp 30-yard pass to Ruvell Martin on third-and-2 that helped set up a 37-yard field goal by Mason Crosby.

On the Packers' next possession, Jones caught a dart from Rodgers and ran for a 30-yard touchdown - despite bouncing off a jarring hit from Bengals safety Marvin White that knocked off his helmet. As Jones completed a "Lambeau Leap" into the grandstands, Rodgers ran down the field to congratulate him.

Rodgers left the game after the first quarter, with the Packers leading 10-0 after a sluggish performance by the Bengals' No. 1 offense.

Playing without running back Rudi Johnson and wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Cincinnati didn't gain a first down until early in the second quarter.

Carson Palmer finished the game 5-for-9 for 33 yards with a touchdown, connecting with tight end Ben Utecht for a 14-yard score early in the second quarter.

Pennington's First Practice 'A Blur'

DAVIE - Chad Pennington worked overtime in his first practice with the Miami Dolphins.

After a workout that lasted almost two hours, Pennington remained inside the team's practice bubble for about 20 extra minutes to work on routes with tight ends and wide receivers.

Pennington, cut by the New York Jets to make room for Brett Favre last week, began playing catch-up with his new team Monday.

As Dolphins coach Tony Sparano hinted before practice, Pennington got the bulk of the work in 11-on-11 drills. He took 28 of the 54 snaps, with rookie Chad Henne getting 21. Veteran Josh McCown and second-year quarterback John Beck split the rest.

"Did we even practice?" Pennington joked afterward. "It went by real fast. It was like a blur. I remember when I was a rookie and everything is just a blur. It wasn't a blur from the defensive side because I could actually see what was going on defensively, but just trying to recall the information and my responsibilities as quarterback with each play, it went by pretty fast."

BILLS: Reserve offensive tackle Matt Murphy was driven to a hospital shortly after hurting his left shoulder during practice.

JAGUARS: Receiver Matt Jones pleaded not guilty to possession of cocaine, a charge that carries up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Jones, who is free on a $2,500 bond, returned to Jacksonville on Monday in time to show up at the Jaguars' practice that evening. He faces an Oct. 10 trial date - two days before the Jaguars play at Denver.

PANTHERS: Receiver Steve Smith, who sustained a concussion in the preseason opener, did not practice. Coach John Fox said only that he's day-to-day.

RAIDERS: Signed Adam Archuleta to a contract in a move to add depth to their defense.

REDSKINS: Defensive lineman Erasmus James passed his physical and was activated from the physically unable to perform list. After three weeks of doing rehabilitation exercises on the side, the former first-round draft pick from Wisconsin was finally able to don a helmet and take part in his first Redskins training camp practice.

SEAHAWKS: Leading receiver Bobby Engram will miss six to eight weeks with a cracked shoulder. Engram, 35, set a Seattle franchise record last season with 94 catches and then skipped offseason minicamps while in a dispute over his contract that expires after this season.

Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Hasselbeck also missed practice for the second consecutive day Monday. He has a back injury. He might miss Saturday's preseason game against the Chicago Bears.

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