The public unveiling of Aaron Rodgers as starting quarterback unofficially begins May 21.

The Packers will hold the first of four outdoor practices that will be open to fans, provided the weather cooperates, as part of their organized team activities.

The team's OTAs commence May 19 and are spread over four weeks. The full squad will be on hand, although the sessions are voluntary.

As the sole veteran of the quarterback group, Rodgers gave way to new understudies Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn in the rookie orientation camp earlier this month.

Now, Rodgers' every move will be scrutinized, from the OTAs to the mandatory minicamp June 17-19 and then from the first day of training camp July 28 through all of next season.

Such is the life of playing in the small fishbowl of Green Bay and being the successor to the league's only three-time MVP, Brett Favre, who retired in March.

"Aaron's a pro. He knows this is his gig now," general manager Ted Thompson said. "I know he hasn't played a lot (his first three years in the league) but ... he carries himself very well. He'll be fine. He knows this is his job."

Rodgers has spent extra time preparing for the starting gig he has coveted since the Packers selected him in the first round of the 2005 draft. He started working with head coach Mike McCarthy and quarterbacks coach Tom Clements in their quarterback school on St. Patrick's Day (March 17), the first day the younger players began the team's offseason program.

Second-year running back Ryan Grant also has been a regular attendee for the conditioning and training at the Packers facilities, even though he's not under contract.

Coming off a surprisingly prolific second half of last season, Grant is seeking a lucrative contract and has refused to sign the team's tender as an exclusive-rights free agent.

Grant recently said he won't hold out of training camp in lieu of a long-term pact.

McCarthy told Sirius Radio on May 9 that he's not concerned about Grant's contract situation lingering into the late summer.

"We're working through that," McCarthy said. "He's here every day working. It's something that we're just looking at, and we'll move forward when the time is appropriate. I have full faith that those things will always be worked out."

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