Philly week begins

Now that the dust has settled from the weekend roster cuts, the Packers began preparations for opening day in Phiadelphia with a practice on Monday.  For the first time since the first week of training camp, the defense worked with the preferred 11 starters for the first time with Clay Matthews returning from his hamstring injury and Brad Jones working after missing time with a shoulder injury.  Cullen Jenkins was limited in practice and Brandon Underwood sat it out with a shoulder problem.  Rookie free agent Sam Shields is the likely nickel back on Sunday against the Eagles.   With Will Blackmon released, the team will use Jordy Nelson as the primary kickoff returner with Tramon Williams handling punt returns.  A bit of a gamble to use the starting corner on special teams but Mike McCarthy has done this before, using Charles Woodson back in 2007.   The Packers rounded out their practice squad by signing running back James Johnson Monday.  The former Kansas State back spent two seasons with Cincinnati, appearing in 4 games in 2008 and spending last year on the practice squad.  He's joined by waived players returning, tackles Brenno Giacommini and Chris Campbell, linebackers Robert Franciois and Maurice Simpkins, receiver Chastin West, safety Anthony Levine and quarterback Graham Harrell.  The Packers had an NFL high five players claimed off waivers after the final cutdown.  Spencer Havner was signed by Detroit, Kregg Lumpkin by Tampa Bay, Anthony Toribio by Kansas City, Cyril Obiozor by Arizona and Evan Dietrich-Smith by Seattle.

Here are some Monday quotes from Mike McCarthy and several players on the top stories heading into Eagles week.