NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

Legendary senior writer jclombardi highlights family night scrimmage.

Highlights: Thumbs up: Randall Cobb does at least one thing to impress, and Saturday night's Family Night Scrimmage was no exception. Working with the No. 1 offense in a three-receiver set because starter Greg Jennings sat out, Cobb reeled in a 40-yard back-shoulder pass from quarterback Aaron Rodgers on a second-and-10 play for the night's longest gain. When linebacker Erik Walden jumped offside on the play, the receivers converted their routes to go routes, and Rodgers and Cobb were on the same wavelength. "Aaron threw me the ball and I just had to make a play on it," Cobb said. "When they jump offsides, we all run all go's. We had the penalty, but it's always better to get extra yards." Thumbs down: Mother Nature clearly has it in for the Family Night Scrimmage.

Storms end family night scrimmage: Thunderstorms ended activities early at Saturday's Green Bay Packers Family Night, but fans were allowed back in the stadium bowl more than an hour later for a jersey giveaway and fireworks show. Earlier in the day, 90 fans were randomly selected to receive a custom No. 1 Packers green jersey with the word Packers on the back. A presentation was held on the field. Nelson Wahl, 8, of Cadott was quick to put his jersey on and said he was excited he got to stand next to quarterback Aaron Rodgers. His dad Tom Wahl also received a jersey and said he got to shake linebacker A.J. Hawk's hand. "It's just one of those father-son moments you'll remember forever," he said. "It just shows how special this organization is. You always hear that, but I experienced it today."

Practice schedule: Monday, the Packers return to Nitschke Field for practice at 7 p.m.

By Panthers Gab Columnist Trey Woody

With the preseason approaching and anxious fans awaiting the final 53, many are already making their predictions for the outcome of the 2011 season. Will the Panthers have a playoff picture? Will they shatter expectations and have a breakout year? Or will the Panthers just be happy with a winning season? I for one would not like a less than average year, but I have my sights set on a team that will expose many weaknesses in teams that are projected to be in the playoffs this year.

Throughout Panther history, they have had a tradition of exposing and exploiting major weaknesses in offenses and defenses. It is obvious to Panther fans what ours have been, but how will it affect this year’s regular season? With the preseason kickoff only a week away, it is hard to tell who will have the advantage in the NFC South. Reviews on training camps for the Panthers and the Buccaneers have been slightly more revealing than the Saints and Falcons. Since it appears the latter two are the projected top competitors for the #1 spot in the division, it makes sense that they would want to keep their progress under wraps. As for Carolina, many of the gaps are apparent and the future of a turnaround team could just be out of reach.

Coach Rivera has continually given promising feedback on the progression of the players and things could start to become clear with the availability of the full roster post CBA finalization. Davis has returned from a 2 year hiatus to help out DE Charles Johnson and linebacker James Anderson on defense.

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By Redskins Gab Columnist Patrick Rice

As the Redskins approach their first pre-season game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, there is a mutual feeling amongst the players in Redskin camp. With players diligently working through drills at a blue-collar rate, a sense of optimism has taken over Redskins camp.

Recently the Redskins have retained two valuable pieces to their 2010 campaign in Jamaal Brown and Kendric Golston and both say they have come back because they believe in what Mike Shanahan is doing at Redskin Park. Both players had the chance to walk in their free agent years and decided that Redskin Park was were they wanted to be. This is a refreshing occurrence in DC and here is why:

1. Money Doesn’t Talk -For years the Redskins have brought in high-priced talent that did not work out. Most notably Albert Haynesworth, but the list is seemingly endless and includes Adam Archuletta, Deon Sanders, Jeremiah Trotter, etc. The Skins stayed away from their lavish spending this brief off-season and instead went after young proven players who have high ceilings of potential. A welcome change to all who bleed the Burgundy and Gold.

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Troy Smith was a one-time Heisman Trophy winner at Ohio State. He was drafted by the Ravens, and ended up in San Fran playing with the 49′ers last season trying to get his career on track.

Now, Smith has gone from starting six games for the 49ers last season to losing a tryout to quarterback Kevin O'Connell for the right to backup Dolphins QB Chad Henne. That might be the worst quarterback situation in the league, and Smith couldn't hook on there.

The future for Smith is as murky as ever, as now that the Dolphins have turned him down, he’s probably going to have to wait for an injury somewhere in the league in order to get another look.

Former Ravens wide receiver Derrick Mason says he has decided to sign with the Jets, reuniting with Rex Ryan and adding a boost to New York's receiving corps.

Mason said in a statement that he's "looking forward to working under Rex and rejoining some familiar faces." After choosing the Jets over the Ravens and Titans on Saturday, he wrote on his Twitter page: "Jet fuel is full time to fly!!!!"

Mason, 37, fills the void created when the Jets granted Jerricho Cotchery's request to be released. Mason spent his first eight seasons with the Tennessee franchise before playing the last six with Baltimore.

Mason caught 61 passes for 802 yards and seven touchdowns last season, but was cut by the Ravens on July 28th. ESPN first reported Mason's decision.

The Dark Knight Rises has assembled a large cast of actors who’ve worked with director Christopher Nolan before: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Tom Hardy, Liam Neeson, Gary Oldman and Michael Caine.

Steeler fans and alum will get a special treat as some of the new actors appearing in the big-budget last chapter in the trilogy. No, I’m not talking about the new Bat babes, Juno Temple and Anne Hathaway. I’m referring to Pittsburgh Steelers Hines Ward, Willie Colon, Maurkice Pouncey, Mike Wallace, Heath Miller, Aaron Smith, Ryan Clark, Troy Polamalu, James Farrior and Casey Hampton. They will film multiple scenes for the film where they are warming up to play a fictional team, the Gotham Rogues (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). The Dark Knight Rises hits theaters July 18th, 2013.