DENVER - No matter what you might think of Ted Thompson - and based on some of the e-mails still trickling into the ol' inbox following the Brett Favre saga, there's a number of folks who believe the Green Bay Packers general manager is an evil, villainous, heartless egomaniac - the man genuinely struggles with the harsh reality of NFL cutdowns.

PACKERS GAMEDAY

* who: Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos

* TV: Ch. 27

* where: Invesco Field, Denver

* When: Tonight, 8 p.m.

In fact, after spending 10 years as a special-teamer and backup linebacker with the Houston Oilers and having his career ended for him when he was released after the final roster reduction to make room for a newly signed draft pick, Thompson would prefer it if the Packers' public relations department didn't even announce when a player is waived. He won't even use the word "cut," preferring "released," as if in his mind it softens the otherwise hard truth that the player is no longer employed.

"Cut days are the toughest days for all of us in this business, because you get attached to people and you have to tell them they can't make your team," Thompson said. "It's a tough time."

This year - with the first roster reduction from 80 to 75 players set for 3 p.m. Tuesday and the final reduction to 53 players set for 5 p.m. Aug. 30 - will be tougher than any other in Thompson's four-year tenure as GM, since improved depth and a bevy of still-young players mean a number of players deserving of a spot will be released.

"We're going to have some very tough choices to make," coach Mike McCarthy said.

There's also a strong possibility of Thompson adding players after the last cutdown, as he has via trades or waiver claims in 2005 (Donald Lee, Robert Thomas), ‘06 (Jarrett Bush, Charlie Peprah, Tony Palmer) and last year (Ryan Grant, John Kuhn).

But entering tonight's critical third preseason game, here's a subjective look at where the Packers' roster stands as they take to Invesco Field against the Broncos:

QUARTERBACKS (3)

n In: Aaron Rodgers, Brian Brohm.

n On the bubble: Matt Flynn.

Rodgers' first two games were up-and-down but after all the melodrama, he is the unquestioned starter. Brohm hasn't made the transition from standout in college to the NFL yet, but as a second-round pick, his spot is locked. Flynn has been a pleasant surprise and could overtake Brohm for the No. 2 job with two more strong showings. However, if the club signs a veteran backup, Flynn could end up on the practice squad.

RUNNING BACKS (5 or 6)

n In: Ryan Grant, Brandon Jackson, Korey Hall, John Kuhn.

n On the bubble: Vernand Morency, Noah Herron, Kregg Lumpkin.

n Out: DeShawn Wynn, Corey White, Ryan Powdrell.

Grant's contract dispute allowed Jackson to work with the No. 1 offense and grow after a rocky rookie year. Morency and Herron, both healthy after injuries ended (Herron) or ruined (Morency) their 2007s, are likely to stick as the third and fourth halfbacks because Wynn (mild concussion, sprained ankle) remains unreliable due to injuries, just like last year. Lumpkin has shown promise as an undrafted rookie and could sneak onto the 53, especially if he plays well in the next two games and can't be stashed on the practice squad. White, who is behind Powdrell at fullback, could spend another year on the practice squad. Hall and Kuhn remain the two best blockers in the bunch.

WIDE RECEIVERS (5 or 6)

n In: Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, James Jones, Ruvell Martin, Jordy Nelson.

n On the bubble: Brett Swain, Chris Francies.

n Out: Johnny Quinn, Taj Smith, Jake Allen.

Nelson, the team's top draft pick, joins the Big Five and will have to fight for playing time. If they keep six, Swain, inconsistent as a seventh-round pick, or Francies, who's hung around for two-plus years, are the leading candidates, although a waiver claim also is an option. Francies is out of practice squad eligibility, but Swain or Quinn could wind up there.

TIGHT ENDS (3)

n In: Donald Lee, Jermichael Finley.

n On the bubble: Tory Humphrey.

n Out: Joey Haynos.

The team kept four tight ends in 2006 but only two last year. Finley, a third-round pick, makes it on potential, not on anything he's done in camp. Haynos has good size and might be a practice-squad candidate following intriguing ex-Stanford hoopster and wideout Evan Moore's injury. This position is screaming out for a post-cut addition, like Lee was in ‘05.

OFFENSIVE LINE (9 or 10)

n In: LT Chad Clifton, RT Mark Tauscher, C Scott Wells, RG Jason Spitz, LG Allen Barbre, RG Josh Sitton.

n On the bubble: LG Daryn Colledge, RT Tony Moll, C/G Junius Coston, T Breno Giacomini.

n Out: T Orrin Thompson, T Ryan Considine, G Ryan Keenan, C Brennen Carvalho.

Despite the uncertainty on the starting line and the way Wells' mysterious ‘'trunk" injury comes and goes, the unit has solid depth. Colledge has been up-and-down but his versatility is extremely valuable and, as a former second-round pick, probably isn't going anywhere. Moll has come on of late. Giacomini hasn't been as quick a study as Sitton, his fellow rookie draft pick. Coston remains an enigma - the Packers have invested three years in him but he's yet to truly impress.

DEFENSIVE LINE (10)

n In: DE Aaron Kampman, DE Cullen Jenkins, DT Ryan Pickett, DT Johnny Jolly, DE Michael Montgomery, DT Colin Cole, DE Jason Hunter.

n On the bubble: DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, DT Justin Harrell, DT Daniel Muir, DE Jeremy Thompson.

n Out: DT Conrad Bolston, DT Alfred Malone, DT Rodney Allen.

KGB's surgically repaired knee remains an issue and his lack of training-camp practice time is a concern, as is his $7.7 million cap number. Nevertheless, with speed rushers in short supply, he figures to survive if he's expected to get healthy. The same is true for Harrell, who's only on the bubble because his back problems could land him on the physically unable to perform list to start the season. If he is on PUP, Bolston, Malone or Allen could steal a roster spot. Pickett should be ready to go, while Muir has been inconsistent after an impressive rookie camp last year. Thompson, a fourth-round pick, has yet to impress but makes it as a potential heir to KGB as a speed rusher. Hunter is a valuable special-teamer who's flashed at end.

LINEBACKERS (6)

n In: MLB Nick Barnett, WLB A.J. Hawk, SLB Brady Poppinga, SLB/WLB Brandon Chillar.

n On the bubble: MLB Abdul Hodge, WLB Tracy White, MLB Desmond Bishop.

n Out: SLB Spencer Havner, SLB Danny Lansanah.

Seven deserve a roster spot, but the team normally keeps six. Then again, 11 defensive linemen made it last year, so who knows? The starters are set with Poppinga having beaten out Chillar. Hodge, who looks like a different player now that he's healthy, and Bishop, who impressed as a rookie and has been limited by an Achilles' tendon issue this year, both back-up Barnett in the middle and play on special teams. White's strength is on special teams. Lansanah could end up on the practice squad.

DEFENSIVE BACKS (9 or 10)

n In: CB Al Harris, S Nick Collins, CB Charles Woodson, S Atari Bigby, CB Will Blackmon, S Aaron Rouse, CB Tramon Williams, CB Pat Lee.

n On the bubble: CB Jarrett Bush, S Tyrone Culver, S Charlie Peprah.

n Out: CB Joey Porter, CB Scorpio Babers.

Collins has held off Rouse, at least for now, to keep his starting job alongside Bigby. A healthy Blackmon is on Williams' heels for the No. 3 corner job. Lee, a second-round pick, makes it on potential. Bush struggled against San Francisco at corner but is vital on special teams and probably sticks, especially now that he is cross-training as a safety. Peprah has missed a ton of time with a leg injury and needs to get back in action to beat out Culver for the fourth safety job if the team keeps 10 DBs. Porter is underrated.

SPECIAL TEAMS (3)

n In: LS J.J. Jansen, P Jon Ryan, K Mason Crosby.

Crosby beat out Dave Rayner last year in a tense kicking competition but after a fantastic rookie year has been an afterthought in camp. Ryan responded after two bad punts in the preseason opener with a terrific showing against the 49ers. The decision at long-snapper was made earlier in camp when the team kept the rookie Jansen over Thomas Gafford. He still could be replaced if he falters and a street free agent is brought in to replace him.