ESPN NFL

GREEN BAY, WIS. -- If it were up to Nick Barnett, this would have been Monday's storyline:

"First day of training camp. The Green Bay Packers looked great. Their defense made some plays. A few of the young guys stepped up."

Barnett offered that analysis to reporters gathered around his locker here after the Packers' first training camp practice of the summer. Then he laughed, knowing there was only one reason why the locker room was overflowing.

"All I can tell you," Barnett said, "is that Aaron Rodgers is our quarterback right now."

The Packers opened training camp Monday morning amid one of the most unique stories in recent NFL memory: Their Hall of Fame quarterback has reversed his decision on retiring and is waging a public battle to return to the team. Rodgers worked with the first team Monday, but Packers players admitted they don't know what would happen if Favre reports to camp later this week, as he has threatened.

Indeed, all they know is what is happening right now.

"This has turned into a soap opera," Barnett said. "It's become, 'He said, she said.' But our focus has to be on the 2008 season. The rest is up to the front office to decide. We have to look forward as players. We can't get caught up in this."

For a team that been engulfed in turmoil for most of the summer, the first practice Monday morning was decidedly uneventful. Anyone expecting a circus atmosphere was disappointed. A relatively small crowd of fans gathered around the Don Hutson center -- better attendance is expected for Monday night's full-pads workout -- and there were few signs of even muted protests from Favre's legion of dedicated fans.

Rodgers committed one false start penalty but otherwise appeared to have a sharp morning practice. He said afterwards that Favre's situation had caused him no insecurity.

"I was told that I'm the starter," Rodgers said. "I was told that when I walked in the door March 17 [for offseason workouts] and nothing has changed. Until something does change, that will be my focus."

Rodgers said he hasn't spoken recently to Favre but said: "I just hope he is content and happy with whatever happens."

Rodgers was patient and sprinkled in his usual dose of humor during a long interview session in front of his locker. Asked about hugging entertainer Justin Timberlake during the ESPY awards, Rodgers laughed and said: "He smelled really good."

Favre told ESPN on Sunday that he could send reinstatement papers to the NFL as early as Tuesday. If Favre reports to Packers training camp, coach Mike McCarthy said he wouldn't view it was a disruption. McCarthy briefly addressed the team on the issue Sunday afternoon and implored them to focus on the team goals he set during the offseason.

"I don't foresee Brett Favre coming in here as a problem," McCarthy said. "Brett Favre is a big part of Green Bay Packers history and he may be part of the future if he reports. That's an option."

General Manager Ted Thompson has a previously-scheduled news conference Monday at 1 p.m. CT. We'll bring you updates as soon as possible.