Packers DE Aaron Kampman speaks to the Aplington-Parkersburg Falcons prior to their home opener on Friday night, which they won 53-20.
The national media descended upon defensive end Aaron Kampman's tornado-ravaged hometown Friday night, as the Aplington-Parkersburg High School football team played its first home game of the 2008 season.
And Kampman, who returned to Iowa after the tornado in late May to help with the clean-up efforts, was in attendance as well. Kampman made the quick jaunt to Parkersburg after practice on Friday and spoke to his high school team in the locker room prior to their taking the field, which had been rebuilt next to the destroyed high school in time for the football season.
Aplington-Parkersburg did its community proud, trouncing West Marshall 53-20 to improve to 2-0 on the season. Kampman said it was an emotionally-charged evening, seeing his head coach with tears in his eyes and seeing the team play so well.
"I'll tell you, one of the greatest things was it was almost like there were two ballgames played last night," Kampman said. "One was the football game and one was kind of the game of life so to speak, and they won both of them being out there and playing. It was neat to be a part of that coming back and having some normalcy again in the community."
Kampman was back to the normal practice routine on Saturday in Green Bay and now has plenty of time to rest up from his trip prior to the Packers' season opener on Monday night against the Vikings. But Kampman was grateful to have seen the community take another big step in getting back on its feet.
"The reason it's a special community is because of the people there," he said. "I can't say enough about just the experience and being able to be a part of it. It was a tremendous evening and I'm glad I got a chance to go back and do it. But now I zero back in on Minnesota."
Moving up a spot
With receiver James Jones doubtful for Monday night's game with a knee injury, receivers Ruvell Martin and Jordy Nelson will move one spot up in the pecking order, to the No. 3 and 4 slots behind Donald Driver and Greg Jennings.
Martin is now in his third season after taking the long road to an NFL job, getting cut twice by San Diego and starting in Green Bay on the practice squad in 2005. But he has steadily increased his contributions, catching 16 passes last season, 15 of which went for first downs or touchdowns.
"I can't say enough about Ruvell Martin," Head Coach Mike McCarthy said. "I think he's clearly one player that illustrates what we're trying to and will continue to accomplish here as far as a football program. Someone who comes in, works hard, he's very detailed, has taken advantage of his opportunities given to him. It's been awesome to watch him grow in his time here."
Nelson, the rookie and the team's top draft choice in 2008, will look to make an impact much sooner in his career. Nelson caught five passes for 48 yards in the preseason and has a very good chance of seeing the field in his first NFL game when the Packers go to three- and four-wideout sets.
"Jordy Nelson just continues to get better," McCarthy said. "He's done a very good job of learning all the different positions, and I feel very comfortable with him in all aspects of our game plan."
Hawk feeling strong
Linebacker A.J. Hawk went through a full practice for the second straight day, and he remains confident that he's recovered from his chest muscle strain and ready to play. He still needs final clearance from the team's medical staff, but both Hawk and McCarthy sounded as though there's a good chance he'll get that.
{sportsad300}"Right now I'm just trying to give the doctors and trainers every opportunity to see me perform and see me do everything they wanted me to test on and see how I feel, and hopefully leave them no doubt on the decision to make," Hawk said.
Hawk said he would wear a harness underneath his jersey, and he's been working with the training staff on making the harness as comfortable as possible.
Injury/participation update
The Packers did not change the status of any players on the injury report.
Running back Ryan Grant remains probable, and he returned to full duty in practice on Saturday after sitting out on Friday. Defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila will be a game-time decision, but he remains probable.
Center Scott Wells is also questionable, and McCarthy said he would be a game-time decision as well. If Wells is active for the game, it would be as a backup at center. McCarthy said he would not start.
