Packers scrimmage a near-standoff

VALDOSTA -- The crowd of intrepid Colquitt County fans who drove to Valdosta to watch the Wednesday night scrimmage were not treated to much in the way of scoring.

But they did get to watch the Packers' continuing maturing process.

Brian Knighton broke off one long run that would have been a touchdown under game circumstances. But the only other thing that came close to a score was a pass thrown by running back Hilton Brinson that just eluded a streaking Sherard Reynolds.

Otherwise the defense held its own on the third of the five camp scrimmages.

The defense got some help in the form of an immobile quarterback.

Montgomery Slaughter has a sore hamstring and did not attempt any options or passes.

Packers coach Mike Singletary said he thought the offense performed well in its first look at a five-man front defense.

The first group out had C.A. Sanders at center, Curtis Jackson and Alex Boring at the guards and Kenneth Bailey and Paul Herndon at tackle.

Sherrod Edwards was at tight end and Reynolds was the wide receiver.

Knighton, Brinson and Michael Cutts were in the backfield.

Sonny Braswell also saw some time at tight end and Clark Duncan, Tucker Jenkins, Freddie Williams and Josh Thompson got snaps on the offensive line.

Danny Butts and Kenny Green also receive some carries.

It was the defense's first opportunity at running the "50" front.

Singletary said he was pleased with the development of the defensive backfield, including Dantrell Hunt.

One of the big concerns defensively is the development of depth at the end position.

"They are not playing to the level they're expected to play at," Singletary said. But they are still learning. "They just won't turn it loose yet."

Edwards got some work with in the secondary.