EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsGREEN BAY, Wis. -- The deeper the Green Bay Packers get into training camp, the more uncertain it is that Keisean Nixon will be one of their opening day starting cornerbacks.Despite being named to the Pro Bowl as an alternate last season, Nixon has not been guaranteed a job.In fact, coach Matt LaFleur and several defensive assistant coaches have reiterated in recent days that it is an open competition at cornerback."I guess I'm being punished right now, I guess, I don't know," Nixon said Sunday. "I don't really worry about what I'm running in camp, ones or twos, I just keep my process and just compete -- for real."Nixon said he does not know what he's being punished for or why there might be an open competition."I don't view myself in no competition," Nixon said. "I'm come here to compete for myself. What they do and who they choose, that's out of my control. I can only control what I can control. Nah, I came from the bottom. So I'm here. Year 8. Since I've been here, I ain't been off the field. And anything they've asked me to do, I played at a high level. Whether it was getting accolades or anything, however it came, I showed up. So I always show up."Nixon became a full-time starter as an outside cornerback last season after previously playing in the slot and as a kick returner. This season, Nixon is scheduled to make $5 million, which is on the low end of the starting cornerback pay scale. Nixon was not on the field for the first practice of training camp but said it was injury-related and not to make a statement about his contract.Last season, Nixon led the NFL with 15 pass breakups but also led all defensive backs in penalties (13, including those accepted and declined), according to ESPN Research. He also came under fire for appearing to turn down a tackle opportunity near the goal line in the Packers' playoff loss to the Bears. He also had a missed tackle in the preseason opener against the Steelers.Without mentioning names, LaFleur said Sunday that tackling is part of what he's looking for from the cornerbacks."We want to see ... obviously, it starts doing your right assignment, and then it comes down to your style of play," LaFleur said. "How are you competing? Going after the ball? Not only in the in the pass game, but in the run game as well? Are you sticking your nose in there? And we need corners that are willing and capable tacklers."Nixon lined up exclusively with the starters in Sunday's training camp practice but last week he had been relegated to taking snaps with the second- and third-string defensive units. On Sunday, he was called for pass interference on a deep ball against Matthew Golden.The Packers used their top overall pick on cornerback Brandon Cisse, a second-round selection at No. 52 overall. They also signed veteran Benjamin St-Juste in free agency. Cisse has gotten the most work at the cornerback spot opposite Nixon, but St-Juste has also worked in with the starters as well. They also have Carrington Valentine, who started 11 games last season, but he has been slowed by a hamstring injury in camp."They ain't really told me nothing," Nixon said. "Every day I find out a different thing, and I just attack it. I don't care what it is, whether it's me taking reps on special teams, whatever it is. I attack it, though. I'm here. Can't really run me off, so I'm ready to play ball."
