Cardinals DE Dockett will report to camp

DT Darnell Dockett announced on his Twitter page Monday that he will report to training camp on time. Dockett, who has three years remaining on his existing deal, didn't participate in a team workout since the Super Bowl. But that was the situation last offseason as well.

"From the first day of training camp and on, I will not let my contract issues distract me or my team from reaching our goals," Dockett wrote. "I also look forward to playing with my teammates and defending our NFC championship title, and I am looking forward to a great season."

4-0 Packers Hardly Perfect

Clearly the feel-good story through the first month of the season, the Green Bay Packers still can't get away from the notion that they're by far the least imposing of the four remaining unbeaten teams.

However, most people don't realize the Packers have an eight-game winning streak after finishing last season with four consecutive wins. And if they can manage to beat Chicago on Sunday, they'll put three games between themselves and their most feared competition in the NFC South (sorry, Detroit).

With two home games leading into their bye week, the Packers have plenty to be excited about. But they also have a lot of work to do to stay on top considering they have the league's worst running attack.

Sooner than later, the Packers must find production somewhere among the group of Vernand Morency, rookies Brandon Jackson and DeShawn Wynn and second-year player Ryan Grant.

Quarterback Brett Favre is playing lights out with a 97.3 passer rating considering the one-dimensional offense he's running. But it's too much to expect Favre to play nearly mistake-free football through a 16-game schedule if his supporting cast doesn't step up in a hurry.

"We're not blind to the things we need to work on, and I think that's just part of keeping the focus of the football team," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said.

Other quarterback news:

• Bears coach Lovie Smith is sticking with Brian Griese for at least another week, but one has to wonder how long the leash will be. At 1-3, the Bears are quickly running out of time to let Griese shake off the rust and help the scuffling offense become more consistent.
  
• Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart remains the starter, but he isn't making many fantasy owners happy. With Leinart struggling to find consistency and confidence in the new offense, coach Ken Whisenhunt has not been shy to turn to Kurt Warner, especially when the Cardinals want to run up-tempo.
  
• David Carr is coming off a horrendous first outing with Carolina. The Panthers better hope he rebounds quickly with Jake Delhomme likely out a few more games -- and possibly longer if surgery is required on his ailing elbow.
  
• Trent Dilfer will start the 49ers' next few games in place of injured Alex Smith. San Francisco's offensive line is already struggling mightily, missing several blocking assignments against Seattle, and it's not going to get any easier with an immobile backup quarterback under center.
  
• Bills quarterback J.P. Losman is recovering quickly from his knee injury, but the team won't rush him back for Monday night's game after rookie Trent Edwards' impressive debut.

Honeymoon Period Ends for Levi

Injuries have already hit the Cardinals hard, as outside linebacker Chike Okeafor and right tackle Oliver Ross could be facing season-ending injuries.

Okeafor has a torn left biceps suffered in the preseason opener. He's seeking a second opinion, but could well be done for the year. That leaves Darryl Blackstock and Calvin Pace to compete for Okeafor's starting job.

The Cardinals are a bit more prepared for Ross' injury. He was trying to fight over first-round pick Levi Brown when he tore his left triceps in practice last week. Ross tried to play in the preseason opener, but felt weakness in the area. He, too, is seeking a second opinion before being shut down for season-ending surgery.

Meanwhile, Brown is now vaulted in the starting job on the right side after playing the left side at Penn State. The Cardinals are giving him the best crash course they can -- pitting the No. 5 overall pick against the team's top pass rusher, Bertrand Berry, in pass-rushing drills.

While Brown certainly has work to do on his pass blocking, his strength coming out of college was his ability to block downfield. That has already been apparent, and the change from Ross to Brown might actually be an upgrade in front of RB Edgerrin James.