When a reporter at the Green Bay Packers' camp mentioned that the team hasn't had a kick returned for a touchdown since 2000, former University of Kentucky star Randall Cobb smiled and said: "I was 10 years old."

Cobb is vying to get a chance to end the drought.

"Returning is definitely a lot easier (than playing receiver) just for the fact that it's a natural play," Cobb told ESPN.com. "You're just able to be back there and make a play. ... All you have to do is understand the blocking and the concept, and you're off."

Allen Rossum was the last Packer to return a kick for a TD. That was on Nov. 19, 2000.

"Hopefully, that's something I'll be able to do moving forward," Cobb said, "and take that task on and help us get better field position to start the offense."

ESPN reported that Cobb has worked at all three receiving positions in camp, and he has also served as the holder in special-teams drills. But Cobb hasn't yet gotten an indication that the Packers will use him in the backfield.

"If they want," Cobb said, "I'll be happy to do it. But that's not anything we've put in or even looked toward doing. That's not something I'm really worried about right now. I'm just trying to learn the basic stuff."

ESPN reported that Cobb's first reaction when he saw the Packers' offensive playbook was that "it was huge. I'm trying to ... learn as much as I can to get on the field as fast as I can."

Herald-Leader STaff Report