Green Bay Packers Training Camp: Week 3 Stock Report

The Green Bay Packers have entered their third week of training-camp practices are are set to play their first preseason game of the year against the New England Patriots on Thursday. 

Once again, we'll be taking stock of five players who are standing out during this week's practices—bet it for better or for worse. 

Just because a player's stock is falling this week doesn't mean he won't turn his performance around next week, and vice versa, so these stock reports are not set in stone when it comes to determining the final roster. Rather, think of them as an up-and-down scale that follows the highs and lows of players' performances through camp.

TE Harold Spears: Rising

Morry Gash/Associated Press

At this point, undrafted rookie Harold Spears has an opening to make the Packers roster at tight end. 

Those in competition for what will most likely be three spots on the final roster include veteran Andrew Quarless, second-year player Richard Rodgers, sixth-round rookie Kennard Backman, former practice-squad player Justin Perillo and undrafted rookies Spears and Mitchell Henry.

While logic might dictate that a third spot behind Rodgers and Quarless would immediately go to drafted rookie Backman, Spears stood out in practice on Monday.

According to ESPNWisconsin.com's Jason Wilde, Spears was on the receiving end of an impressive play by quarterback Brett Hundley to get into the end zone at the end of a two-minute drill Monday. 

"It builds your confidence up," Spears said, per Wilde. "You [realize you] can make plays. Whenever the ball comes to you, you want to make a play. You want to catch it. That’s how I treat every play—you’ve got to make a play, regardless of the situation."

If Spears keeps up that mindset, he may be able to make a lasting impression on the front office when it comes time to reduce the tight end group during first cuts.

OL Don Barclay: Falling

Morry Gash/Associated Press

Backup offensive lineman Don Barclay may be ready to go for the 2015 season following the torn ACL he suffered in training camp last year, but unfortunately that doesn't mean he's back to midseason form. 

There's virtually no chance that Barclay doesn't make the final roster this year, so this report doesn't have any longstanding consequences for him. The depth and experience he brings to the line are too valuable.

However, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the veteran has struggled this week in practice, going back to the Packers' Family Night practice on Aug. 8:

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On Saturday night at Lambeau Field, Barclay allowed too much penetration to DE Khyri Thornton on the back side of fourth-and-1 running play in which rookie Alonzo Harris lost a yard.

In pass protection, he had trouble staying in front of OLB James Vaughters and, along with center JC Tretter, was beat by stunting Bruce Gaston and Lavon Hooks for what would have been a sack.

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Barclay's recent setbacks could perhaps be expected from a player working his way back from a torn ACL, but they're out of character for someone who is normally so solid in his play. Still, expect Barclay to head into the 2015 season ready to step in for any of the starting tackles or guards should they become injured; but perhaps he'll fall back into his old rhythm.

P Tim Masthay: Rising

Mike Roemer/Associated Press

The Packers released punter Tim Masthay's training-camp competition, Alabama's Cody Mandell, on Monday, as Michael Cohen of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. 

The move signified that Masthay's job is safe, though the punter is still under pressure to improve on his 2014 showing, which was his worst season in his career. Masthay averaged a career-low 37.0 net average yards per punt and had two punts blocked. 

In camp, however, it became clear that Masthay was still the better option over first-year player Mandell. Mandell faltered when holding for kicker Mason Crosby, a fact difficult to overlook when you consider, as Cohen pointed out, the only four field goals Crosby missed in camp all came while Mandell was holding the ball. 

So Masthay may not be out of the coaches' proverbial doghouse yet, but he's certainly the team's best option at punter this offseason. As for how he can improve in 2015, he told Cohen that he began experimenting with techniques during the middle of last season, which he now realizes wasn't prudent. 

But now, according to Cohen, "An offseason full of examining tape and reassessing technique served as a confidence boost entering camp, and Masthay said he is pleased with the way he's striking the ball so far."

WR Javess Blue: Falling

Morry Gash/Associated Press

Ideally, a player won't earn a spot on the final 53-man roster because of the level of his play—not an injury. Unfortunately, undrafted rookies often don't have the chance to prove they belong on the team if they can't stay on the field. 

With receivers Jared Abbrederis, Adrian Coxson and Ricky Collins already injured (and Collins subsequently released, per the team), Javess Blue had a chance to push for what could potentially be an open No. 6 wide receiver spot on the roster. If the Packers only keep five receivers, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, Ty Montgomery and Jeff Janis will likely take those spots. 

But there was Blue at practice on Monday with his shoulder in a sling, as the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported, injured after a sideline collision with Packers staff member Kandi Goltz, manager of game and fan development. 

What could have been Blue's wide-open opportunity to stand out this week has now turned into a setback, which results in his falling stock. If he can get back on the field in the next week or two, he might be able to make one final case for a roster spot or at the very least the practice squad.

C Corey Linsley: Rising

Morry Gash/Associated Press

Center Corey Linsley had a standout year in 2014 when he was unexpectedly thrown into the fire and asked to anchor an offensive line protecting one of the best quarterbacks in football. 

Through training-camp practices this week, he's not showing any signs of slowing down. 

On Monday, Linsley swifty took down two of the team's best defensive tackles. Per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "It was another stellar showing for Corey Linsley in the pass-rush drill. Working his hands beautifully against the top two nose tackles, he shut down B.J. Raji and [Mike] Pennel."

Linsley took over for JC Tretter in the preseason last year after Tretter was lost to injured reserve, and he performed admirably. Sure, there were a couple of tongue lashings by his quarterback on national television due to miscommunication, but Linsley finished the season ranked as the league's No. 5 center, according to Pro Football Focus.

No one else in the top 10 was a rookie. 

Now, Linsley is shaping up to have another solid year, only helped by his further knowledge of the system and chemistry with Aaron Rodgers.