Green Bay Packers linebacker Brad Jones during the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. The Packers won 24-10. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Previous Defensive Positions: Defensive Line, Outside Linebacker

The inside linebacker position for the Green Bay Packers has just gotten interesting. Green Bay released inside linebacker Desmond Bishop today. This has come as a bit of a surprise considering Bishop was an integral part of the defense before he suffered his injury in the preseason opener last year.

Bishop has repeatedly stated that he is “100%” and ready to compete this offseason, but he has sat out OTAs with other lingering injuries. There is still question he would ever return to his pre-2012 form. It has also been reported that the Packers were trying to restructure Bishop’s $3.46 base salary, but the two sides could not come to terms.

Who can blame the Packers for trying to restructure Bishop’s salary, considering he’s coming off a major injury and did not play at all in 2012. The Packers also resigned ascending inside linebacker Brad Jones to a starter’s salary ($4.2 million) this offseason. That would mean Green Bay would have been paying three inside linebackers a starter’s salary if they retained Bishop at his current salary.

Even though there were reports this offseason that the Packers were looking to trade Bishop, I am still a bit surprised Bishop and the Packers front office couldn’t come to an agreement. Bishop’s release shows that Green Bay is ready to move on with Brad Jones and A.J. Hawk as the starting inside linebackers and must like what they have with the other young players at the position.

Bishop’s departure leaves a playmaking void in the middle of the defense. The Packers will rely on young talent to step up and provide the physical presence Bishop brought to the field on a consistent basis.

Now with Bishop and D.J. Smith gone this offseason, let’s see how the position pans out heading into the 2013 season.

Inside Linebacker (6)

Safe – Brad Jones, 6-3, 242 pounds; A.J. Hawk, 6-1, 242 pounds

A.J. Hawk works out during organized team activities at Clarke Hinkle Field in Green Bay. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

With Bishop’s release, it’s clear Jones and Hawk will be the starting inside linebackers for the Green Bay defense in 2013.

Hawk has been Mr. Reliable the past few seasons for the Packers, rarely missing any time due to injury. Hawk is consistent and a solid starter for the Packers. He won’t make a lot of the splashy plays fans may like, but he provides good leadership on the defense and plays well against the run.

Hawk has finished in the top two on the team in tackles every season since he was drafted by Green Bay in 2006, and put up another solid performance in 2012 with 120 tackles and 3 sacks. Hawk can be a liability in pass coverage, so look for Jones to be the lone linebacker in dime packages and passing situations. He will continue to be a leader on the defense and bring much-needed experience to a position group that is filled with youth.

Jones began his career at outside linebacker in 2009, but his inconsistent play at the position encouraged coaches to move him to inside linebacker last season. Jones flew under the radar for the first half of the 2012 season, making his mark on special teams. However, when D.J. Smith went down in week six against the Houston Texans, Jones stepped up and solidified himself as the starting inside linebacker for the remainder of the season.

Jones was arguably the Packers most improved defensive player last season. He finished third on the team in tackles, with 77, and recorded 2 sacks and 4 passes defensed. Jones is athletic and quick on his feet and was the Packers best linebacker in pass coverage last season. Jones’ emergence in 2012 gave the Packers the confidence to release both Smith and Bishop, so let’s hope Jones’ improved play will continue in 2013. The Packers defense may just be relying on it.

On the Fence – Robert Francois, 6-2, 250 pounds; Terrell Manning, 6-2, 237 pounds; Jamari Lattimore, 6-2, 237 pounds

Tight end D.J. Williams (right) and linebacker Terrell Manning work out during organized team activities at Clarke Hinkle Field in Green Bay. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports photograph

Francois, Manning, and Lattimore will provide depth at inside linebacker. Francois is a reliable veteran and important cog on special teams coverage units. Francois played well in the few games he started in 2011, but he nearly disappeared on defense last season. Francois entered the 2013 offseason as a free agent, but the Packers re-signed him for another season. Maybe Green Bay has an expanded role in mind for the veteran linebacker. He will be fighting for a roster spot with the younger players, but his experience may give him the edge.

The Packers seem to be really high on Manning. Green Bay drafted him in the fifth round last season, but they didn’t get a fair chance at seeing what he offers because of a stomach virus he suffered in training camp. The Packers kept him on the roster based on his potential, and it seems this move could pay off. Manning was a big time playmaker in college.

In his two years starting for North Carolina State, he recorded 207 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 5 interceptions, 5 forced fumbles, and 5 fumble recoveries. It is easy to see why Green Bay liked this guy coming out of college. Now it’s time for Manning to show the team what he can really do. Manning could prove to be the Packers top backup inside linebacker heading into the 2013 season.

Lattimore is a versatile player who has experience playing each linebacker position on the Packers roster. He joined Green Bay in 2011 as an undrafted free agent, and has been one of the Packers’ best special teams players since arriving. Lattimore brings a lot of energy to the position and his versatility and special teams expertise makes him a strong candidate for a roster spot this season.

Long Shot – Sam Barrington, 6-1, 235 pounds

South Florida Bulls linebacker Sam Barrington (36) during the first half against the Florida State Seminoles at Raymond James Stadium. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports photograph

Barrington is the rookie of the group and has a long way to go to beat out the other linebackers and make the final roster. Barrington was drafted in the sixth round in this year’s draft, and was a key player to the South Florida defense as a senior.

Barrington could be a surprise rookie this season that rises up the depth chart during training camp, but considering the other young talent at the position, Barrington will most likely remain at the bottom of the depth chart at the position. His best chance at making the team in 2013 will most likely be on the practice squad. Look for Barrington to be a developmental player.

Last year the Packers kept six inside linebackers on their final roster (Hawk, Smith, Jones, Francois, Lattimore, Manning) and placed one on injured reserve (Bishop). I expect them to keep a similar number this season. My early predictions are that the Packers start Jones and Hawk with Francois, Manning, and Lattimore providing depth and being key special teams contributors. I expect Barrington to be a practice squad candidate.

Bishop’s loss will be a tough pill to swallow for many Packer fans, but the young potential at the position should give us hope that another impact player will emerge at the position.

Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews sacks St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. Green Bay defeated St. Louis 30-20. Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports photograph

Previous Defensive Positions: Defensive Line

Outside linebacker is the premier position of the 3-4 defense, and with Clay Matthews secured in Green Bay for the foreseeable future, the young Green Bay Packers defense has something to build around. Though Matthews is the Packers most gifted defensive player, he can’t do it alone. Green Bay needs other players to step up at outside linebacker and provide consistent quarterback pressure on the field.

This is what the Green Bay Packers defense lacked last year. Consistent quarterback pressure outside of the three-time Pro Bowl linebacker. When Matthews missed four games last year with a hamstring injury, the Packers struggled to pressure the quarterback. Who will step up this year if Matthews misses time again?

The Packers need other edge rushers to emerge on the roster—not only to take some pressure off of Matthews on game day, but also to prevent the major drop-off in pressure that occurs if Matthews is out with an injury. The Packers lost Erik Walden and Frank Zombo in free agency, so they will be looking for young talent to emerge at the position. Second year players, Nick Perry and Dezman Moses, could add some juice to the Packers pass rush, and athletic defensive linemen, Datone Jones and Mike Neal, will also help the group out. The Packers could even see some contributions from unknown rookies at the position.

A lot of questions remain at the position heading into the 2013 season. Let’s see how the roster could shape out.

Outside Linebacker (6)

Safe – Clay Matthews, 6-3, 255 pounds; Nick Perry, 6-3, 265 pounds; Dezman Moses, 6-2, 249 pounds

Jan 15, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews (52) before the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game against the New York Giants at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Matthews continues to be one of the elite pass rushers in the league, recording 13.5 sacks in 2012, but even more impressively, each year he seems to get better in all facets of the game. Matthews was arguably the Packers best run-defender last season, and even held up well against the pass when he occasionally dropped back in coverage. Matthews is an elite athlete and has a motor that doesn’t stop on the field. Green Bay made him the highest paid defensive player this offseason, and for good reason. He is the heart of the defense, and with a stronger supporting cast this season, Matthews’ play will continue to shine.

The only drawback with Matthews is the reoccurring hamstring injuries. So far, each year of his young NFL career, Matthews has dealt with a pulled hamstring. He missed four games last season because of this injury. Let’s hope this isn’t an issue that continues to dog him each season, and cut an excellent career short.

Perry enters the 2013 season with a lot to prove. After missing a majority of last season with a wrist injury, Perry is virtually a rookie this season. It is important, as a fan, to be patient with Perry’s transition to outside linebacker. Perry showed some promise in his limited action last season, showing good push at the line and quickness for a player his size. Perry has all the physical tools to be an excellent 3-4 edge rusher, so if he puts it all together and gets comfortable in the position, the Packers defense could have a real formidable one-two punch with Matthews and Perry. Perry doesn’t need to be an all-pro this season or record double-digits sacks to be effective. If he holds up well against the run and provides consistent pressure from the left side, this will greatly help out Matthews and the Green Bay defense.

May 22, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Nick Perry (53) before organized team activities at Ray Nitschke Field. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

Look back at week two against the Bears last season to see what Perry could mean to this defense if he plays to his potential. Perry consistently collapsed the pocket from the left side, freeing up Matthews, who recorded 3.5 sacks against Cutler and the Bears. Perry didn’t record a sack in this game, but his performance made a big difference in preventing Matthews from seeing double-teams all game. Watch Perry’s progress closely this offseason. His performance will be integral to the Packers defense taking the next step this season.

Moses is the only backup player whose roster spot is most likely safe this season. Moses recorded four sacks last year in limited playing time. He started for an injured Matthews in four games, and provided consistent depth at outside linebacker as he rotated with Erik Walden during games. Moses plays with a high motor and could push Perry for playing time. Moses will also prove to be important if Matthews has to miss some time with hamstring issues.

On the Fence – Nate Palmer, 6-2, 248 pounds; Andy Mulumba, 6-3, 260 pounds; Donte Savage, 6-1, 252 pounds

Palmer, Mulumba, and Savage are young, unproven rookies that should bring some good competition to outside linebacker. With Walden and Zombo departing in free agency, the Packers will need one or two of these players to step up and provide some depth at the position. All three players played defensive end in college, so we’ll see how well they transition to 3-4 outside linebacker in the Packers defense. They will each have a good shot at making the roster, so this will be a position battle to keep a close eye on in training camp this year.

Palmer is about the right size for a 3-4 outside linebacker, and showed some pass rush ability in college, recording 7.5 sacks and 27 quarterback hurries as senior for Illinois State. The Packers seem to really like the sixth round pick. Coach Greene went down to Illinois State prior to the draft to take a close look at Palmer in person, and seemed to really like the athletic defensive end. Palmer could be one of those surprise camp players that plays well above the round he was drafted.

Michigan Wolverines running back Vincent Smith runs with the ball past Eastern Michigan Eagles defensive lineman Andy Mulumba in the third quarter at Michigan Stadium. Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Mulumba was brought in as an undrafted free agent and is a big linebacker that can hold up well against the run. As a defensive end at Eastern Michigan, Mulumba didn’t have great production as a pass rusher, only recording 4.5 sacks in his last two years in college. However, Mulumba has a lot of raw ability as an edge rusher, and the Packers must like his potential. Maybe under the right tutelage, Mulumba can develop into a pass rushing outside linebacker. If anything, Mulumba will be placed on the practice squad until he develops further.

Savage is an undrafted rookie who was signed as a tryout player after the Packers rookie minicamp. Savage would be an undersized defensive end in the pros, so switching to outside linebacker seemed to be his only chance at making an NFL roster. Just like Mulumba, Savage has raw ability as an edge rusher and will be an undrafted rookie who will get a good shot at making the final roster this offseason. The Packers need young players to step up at outside linebacker, so expect a lot from the rookies at the position.

Other Options – Mike Neal, DE, 6-3, 290 pounds; Jamari Lattimore, 6-2, 237 pounds

It doesn’t look like there are any long shots at outside linebacker on the roster currently. Each player at the position should be in contention for a roster spot, so instead, let’s take a look at some of the other options the Packers have at the position beyond just the players listed as outside linebackers.

Dom Capers has been experimenting with Neal at outside linebacker so far in OTAs. This has been one of the big surprises of the Green Bay offseason so far, and it looks like Neal is adjusting well to playing linebacker so far. Neal is a versatile defensive lineman who showed some pass rush ability last season with 4.5 sacks, and in the very least, Neal’s limited play at outside linebacker will allow Capers to get creative with some defensive packages.

Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson is brought down by Green Bay Packers defensive end Mike Neal at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Lattimore transitioned from outside linebacker to inside linebacker last offseason. Lattimore provides good depth at inside linebacker, but considering the depth at the position, Lattimore could be moved back to the outside, if needed. Lattimore’s versatility gives the Packers some options on game day.

Last year the Packers kept five outside linebackers on their 53-man roster (Matthews, Perry, Walden, Moses, Zombo), but this didn’t seem to be enough when the Packers were faced with injuries at the position during the season. I expect the Packers to keep at least five again with flex players like Neal or Lattimore providing additional depth at the position.

Green Bay will start Matthews and Perry with Moses as the top backup at the position, and will probably keep the best two players out of Palmer, Mulumba, and Savage.

Whatever happens, the Packers need to find depth at the position heading into the 2013 season, and with the roster full of young, ascending players, it should be an exciting position to watch develop in training camp.

Nov 4, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback John Skelton (19) gets pressure from Green Bay Packers defensive tackle B.J. Raji (90) and defensive tackle Ryan Pickett (79) at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

We continue our offseason series discussing each position on the Green Bay Packers roster by turning to the defense. Just in case you missed the offensive positions you can catch them here: QB, WR, RB, TE, OL.

Let’s begin taking a close look at the defensive side of the ball by discussing the big men in the trenches. Every good defense has big, athletic defensive linemen that can consistently win at the line of scrimmage. After being gashed for 579 yards, 323 of those on the ground, against the Forty-Niners in last year’s playoff loss, it was evident the Packers front seven needed to improve, and that begins with the players on the defensive front.

With the Packers bringing in two young defensive linemen in the draft and veteran starters, B.J. Raji and Ryan Pickett, entering contract years, the defensive line will be one of the most intriguing position groups to watch this offseason. Hopefully, the new additions to the defensive line will bring some heated competition to camp, and the Packers will get the best out of their players. If Green Bay’s defense wants to hold up against the elite offenses of the NFC in 2013, they’ll need outstanding play from their defensive line.

Let’s see if the Packers have the talent and depth on the defensive line to lay a solid foundation for a strong defense heading into the 2013 season.

Defensive Line (11)

Safe –  Datone Jones, DE, 6-4, 285 pounds; B.J. Raji, DT, 6-2, 337 pounds; Ryan Pickett, DT, 6-2, 338 pounds; Mike Neal, DE, 6-3, 290 pounds

May 10, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Datone Jones (center) works out during the Green Bay Packers rookie orientation weekend. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The Packers demonstrated their commitment to improving their defense by spending their first pick of the 2013 draft on an athletic defensive lineman. Jones is a versatile 3-4 defensive end who possesses the strength to hold up well against the run and the burst to get into the backfield and pressure the quarterback. He is a rare talent for a player his size, and could prove to be a real difference maker on the defense if he plays to his potential. Green Bay’s pass rush could be formative this season with Jones added into the mix with Clay Matthews, Nick Perry, an improved Mike Neal, and B.J. Raji. Jones has the skills to be more than just the typical hold the point type of 3-4 defensive end and could be a real impact player, but it is also important to garner our expectations of the rookie defensive end and give him time to grow as player in 2013.

Raji and Pickett are both entering contract years, and it will be interesting to see if either one of them gets a contract extension before the 2013 season concludes. They have been anchoring the Packers defensive line the past few seasons, and are valuable leaders for the young position group.

Pickett has been arguably the Packers most underrated player since he arrived in 2006. He has been the defense’s best run-defender and is effective in holding the point and eating up blocks. Pickett’s contributions largely go unnoticed because he rarely makes splashy plays on the field, but he has been the most consistent performer on a defensive line that has had its share of struggles the past few seasons. Pickett’s play has deteriorated a bit the past two seasons, and at age 34, it’s more than likely that Green Bay will let him walk after this season. Despite being the oldest player on the team, Pickett still has a lot to offer this season and will still be a key contributor in the base defense.

Nov 4, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive end Mike Neal (96) during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

2013 is a big year for Raji. It appears contract extension talks are on hold for the moment, and Raji will more than likely play out this year under his current deal. Raji could do himself and his bank account a big favor by having a fantastic year and returning to his 2010 form. Even though Raji is Green Bay’s most gifted defensive lineman, he has struggled at times the past two seasons. Raji’s play improved significantly when the Packers moved him from nose tackle to defensive end last season. Defensive end seemed to fit Raji better, but Green Bay still likes his ability to move to the nose or play on the inside in nickel packages. Raji should play at his best this season, proving to the Packers organization that he deserves a lucrative contract, and I expect Raji to be true leader on the defensive line.

Neal might be the only backup defensive lineman with a safe roster spot heading into 2013. Neal’s versatility has been well documented this offseason, and it is intriguing that Dom Capers is experimenting with him at outside linebacker. This demonstrates how athletic Neal is for a player his size, but for the time being, Neal is still a defensive end first. Neal offers some pass rush on the defensive line, and so far has the inside track for being one of the two defensive linemen in the nickel defense. It will be interesting to see how Neal’s role changes or expands based on Jones’ performance in his rookie season. Expect Neal to push Jones for playing time and maybe even some defensive packages where both Neal and Jones are on the field together.

On the Fence – Mike Daniels, DE, 6-0, 294 pounds; Josh Boyd, DT, 6-3, 310 pounds; C.J. Wilson, DE, 6-3, 305 pounds; Jerel Worthy, DE, 6-2, 304 pounds

There is not much separating the players in this group, except for second year player, Jerel Worthy. Worthy may not even see the field this season because of the knee surgery he underwent in January. Worthy will begin the 2013 season on the PUP list, and will be strong candidate to ride the entire season on injured reserve.

Dec 23, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Tennessee Titans running back Jamie Harper (23) (left) rushes with the football as Green Bay Packers defensive end Mike Daniels (76) defends during the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

With Worthy out of the picture this season, the Packers will keep at least two players between Daniels, Boyd, and Wilson. Wilson has the most playing experience. He started the last couple of seasons at defensive end and has done admirably against the run, but hasn’t done enough to standout. Wilson can provide good depth on the defensive line and should find himself with a roster spot because of his experience in the system.

Daniels is a high-effort player who brings some fight to the defensive line. Daniels had his moments last year and proved to be a solid rotational player. However, Daniels lacks the length to play a true 3-4 defensive end and lacks the bulk to play the nose in the base defense. Daniel’s lack of size will always work against him in the 3-4 system, and with Neal and Jones already competing for the nickel defensive linemen positions, I’m not sure where Daniels fits on the defensive line. However, the coaches seem to like him, and Daniels might bring enough tenacity that the Packers will find a spot for him on the roster.

As a fifth round pick, Boyd is a good bet for making the roster this season, even if he struggles in his first training camp. Boyd has the size and experience to play either defensive end or nose tackle. We’ll see how Boyd adjusts to the Packers’ 3-4 system. He could end up being Pickett’s replacement after the 2013 season.

Long Shots – Jordan Miller, DT, 6-1, 316 pounds; Gilbert Pena, DT, 6-2, 330 pounds; Johnny Jolly, DT, 6-3, 325 pounds

Miller, Pena, and Jolly all have long hills to climb to make the roster. Coming off the practice squad, Miller will compete with Pena for the backup nose tackle spot. Both Miller and Pena are good candidates for the practice squad this season, and with no clear nose tackle on the roster beyond Pickett, one of these players could even make the final roster.

Jolly’s return from a three year absence is one of the top storylines this offseason. Unfortunately, this feel good story may come to an abrupt end. The deck is stacked against Jolly to make the team, but like McCarthy said in his most recent press conference, if any player could do it, it would be Johnny Jolly. Recent reportsout of Packers mini-camp have stated that Jolly doesn’t look too bad in the limited action he’s seen so far. Maybe Jolly will make the team, after all. I know a lot of fans would love to see that. However, realistically Jolly’s best chance to make the team will be if the Packers are met with injuries at the position during training camp.

May 22, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive tackle B.J. Raji (90) during organized team activities at Ray Nitschke Field. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

Last year the Packers kept six defensive linemen (Raji, Pickett, Wilson, Neal, Worthy, Daniels) on their final roster and one on the practice squad (Miller). My early prediction is that Green Bay starts Jones, Raji, and Pickett, with Neal, Daniels, and Boyd providing depth. I also think they’ll retain one player from Wilson, Miller, and Jolly, and place Pena on the practice squad and Worthy on injured reserve.

For the Green Bay defense to take the next step in 2013, they’ll need improved play from their defensive line. With the additions of new young talent, the competition at this position should heat up this offseason, and consequently, make the overall position better. This group has the potential to anchor a solid defense heading into this season. It will be fun to see how this unfolds.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) with offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga (75), guard Josh Sitton (71), center Jeff Saturday (63) and guard T.J. Lang (70) during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lambeau Field. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports photograph

Previous Positions: Quarterback, Wide Receiver, Running Back, Tight End

 The Green Bay Packers are shaking things up on the offensive line this season. After surrendering an embarrassing 51 sacks last season, it was evident something needed to be done. Coach Mike McCarthy isn’t pulling any punches. He’s doing what he needs to do ensure the Packers’ franchise quarterback is protected during the prime of his career.

It’s rather simple. The Packers will contend for a championship each year riding Aaron Rodgers’ arm, so keeping the all-pro quarterback upright is priority uno numero this season.

The Packers have brought in some young offensive line talent through the draft and undrafted free agency, and McCarthy has made some offensive line switches, placing his best two linemen on the lefts side of the line and announcing an open competition for the right tackle spot.

So how will all this play out? Will the switch work? Will the Packers have the depth to withstand injuries at the position this season?

Offensive Line (15)

 Safe – Bryan Bulaga, T, 6-5, 314 pounds; Josh Sitton, G, 6-3, 318 pounds; Evan Dietrich-Smith, C, 6-2, 308 pounds; T.J. Lang, G, 6-4, 318 pounds; David Bakhtiari, T, 6-4 300 pounds; J.C. Tretter, G/T, 6-4, 307 pounds

Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga (75) blocks San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Travis LaBoy (99) during the second quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Four of the five starting offensive linemen positions seem set at this point. Though Bulaga, Sitton, and Lang will have to get comfortable playing on a new side of the line, all three players possess enough talent and experience to adjust properly and be as effective—if not more—than they have the past few seasons.

In fact, Green Bay is counting on the Bulaga-Sitton combination on the left side of the line to fortify Rodger’s blindside and provide stability in a spot that has been an Achilles heel for the Packers’ offense ever since Chad Clifton was injured in 2011 and released. Sitton is coming off a Pro Bowl season, and if Bulaga returns to his pre-injury form and adjusts to his new position, he could be the next Packer offensive lineman to earn a trip to Hawaii.

Coach McCarthy has made it clear that Bulaga and Sitton are the Packers’ two best offensive linemen, but what about the other guys?

Lang is a solid player who is tough, versatile, and reliable, but he also struggled at times last season and has plenty of a room to improve. I don’t believe we’ve seen the best out of Lang yet. I think the move to the right side of the line will suit his playing style more, and he’ll have to worry less about holding up against elite pass rushers and can concentrate more on being a physical presence in the running game.

This will be Dietrich-Smith’s first season as the full-time starter at center. The line clearly played better when Dietrich-Smith replaced Jeff Saturday late last season, and though Dietrich-Smith struggled at guard, he seems comfortable and a natural fit for center. I don’t think Packers fans have anything to worry about with Dietrich-Smith snapping the ball to Rodgers this season, but let’s just hope he stays healthy because things look rather bleak at the position after the Idaho State alum.

Green Bay Packers center Evan Dietrich-Smith (62) during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Vikings 23-14. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Because they were taken in the fourth round, rookie linemen Bakhtiari and Tretter are good bets to make the roster this season regardless of their performance during the offseason. Tretter will more than likely be placed the on the PUP list (Physically Unable to Perform) to start the season and may even spend the entire year on injured reserve. This means Tretter’s rookie season would be over before it even began, but it would also mean the Packers could retain Tretter for 2013 without using up a roster spot.

Bakhtiari is the big unknown on the offensive line this season. We know he’ll more than likely make the final 53-man roster, but where will Green Bay use him? He seems to be the dark horse candidate for the starting right tackle spot, but he’ll have to win it from returning veterans, Marshall Newhouse and Don Barclay. Bakhtiari can also play both guard spots and backup left tackle, if needed. Green Bay has to like his versatility, especially at a position that historically suffers a lot of injuries during the season.

Bakhtiari has a lot of natural ability and plays with the kind of balance of power and finesse you look for in a starting NFL offensive lineman. However, Bakhtiari is still pretty undersized for the position. The Packers have him listed as 300 lbs, but some reports from OTAs say that number is generous and he is more the ballpark of the low to mid-290s. Regardless, he needs to add some weight and bulk up if he expects to become an effective starting offensive lineman in the NFL. Look for Bakhtiari to be a valuable backup this season and develop into something more down the road.

On the Fence – Marshall Newhouse, T, 6-4, 319 pounds; Don Barclay, T/G, 6-4, 305 pounds; Derek Sherrod, T, 6-6, 321 pounds; Andrew Datko, G/T, 6-6, 315 pounds;  Greg Van Roten, G/C, 6-3, 303 pounds

Green Bay Packers tackle Marshall Newhouse (74) blocks Houston Texans outside linebacker Connor Barwin (98) during the second quarter at Reliant Stadium. The Packers won 42-24. Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports

The offensive line seems to have real depth this offseason. Newhouse will be in the fight for his life to retain a starting position and become the Packers’ new right tackle, and something tells me Newhouse will do everything in his power to earn the spot.

Newhouse struggled at times last season against elite pass rushers, like Minnesota’s Jared Allen and San Francisco’s Aldon Smith, but at other times during the season Newhouse held up well and did his job admirably. I believe Newhouse is a better player than many give him credit. He seemed to get the majority of the blame for the Packers line giving up an astonishing 51 sacks last season. Though Newhouse struggled, he was not the sole reason for the Packers’ abysmal pass protection. A switch to the right side of the line may serve his skill set better and breathe new life into Newhouse’s young career.

Look for Barclay to push Newhouse for the starting right tackle position. Barclay played well at times last season when he filled in at right tackle after a succession of injuries depleted the position. Barclay plays with fire and isn’t afraid to get aggressive, especially in the running game. One of Green Bay’s goals this season is to re-establish their ground game, and this may work in Barclay’s favor. In his limited action last season, Barclay proved to be an effective run blocker, and this may just give him the advantage over Newhouse and Sherrod for the starting right tackle position. Barclay just needs to prove this offseason that he can be a reliable pass protector—after all, that is the most important duty for a Packer’s offensive lineman.

Green Bay Packers guard Don Barclay (67) blocks during the game against the Tennessee Titans at Lambeau Field. The Packers won 55-7. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Barclay and Newhouse seem to be good bets to make the roster, but after them, it is a bit of a toss-up. Sherrod is still recovering from a broken leg he suffered at the end of the 2011 season and hasn’t participated in OTAs yet. Sherrod has all of the physical tools to be an NFL offensive lineman, but this won’t matter if he can’t stay healthy enough to compete for a roster spot.

Datko spent last season on the practice squad and was still recovering from a shoulder injury he suffered as a senior at Florida State, so it still remains to be seen what Datko can do when he’s fully healthy.

Van Roten began last season on the practice squad and then was called up to the 53-man roster after week nine. He could provide some depth on the interior line, and may even compete for the backup center position. With Tretter’s injury, Van Roten just may land a roster spot this season.

Long Shots – Lane Taylor, G, 6-3, 324 pounds; Garth Gerhart, C, 6-1, 310 pounds; Kevin Hughes, T, 6-4, 304 pounds; Patrick Lewis, C, 6-1, 311 pounds

Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Lane Taylor (68) in action during the second quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at the Cotton Bowl. The Cowboys beat the Boilermakers 58-14. Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Every year the Packers seem to find surprise talent on the offensive line in undrafted free agency. Barclay was the surprise lineman last year who had an outstanding camp and preseason and won a spot on the 53-man roster. This year, Green Bay brought in four undrafted linemen to compete for jobs, and I wonder if the Packers will be as fortunate this offseason as they have been in the past.

Centers Gerhart and Lewis may have a real shot at making the roster now that Tretter will miss a good portion of the season due to the ankle injury he suffered last week in OTAs. Tretter seemed to be poised as the guy behind Dietrich-Smith at center on the depth chart, but now that position is open to either Gerhart or Lewis. However, there is a good chance Green Bay only retains one of these players on the practice squad and uses another lineman, like Lang or Barclay, as an emergency backup center.

Taylor and Hughes are both players that have some experience and ability to play both tackle and guard, but are more likely projected to be natural guards in the NFL. Hughes has some experience playing on an NFL roster and spent time on the practice squad in St. Louis and San Diego the past two seasons, whereas Taylor is a rookie with some raw talent. Taylor seems to possess the most upside and may have the best chance to make the roster out of the undrafted free agents. In the very least, I see the Packers storing Taylor on the practice squad until they can further develop his skills.

Green Bay Packers center Evan Dietrich-Smith (62) holds the football prior to a play during the game against the Cleveland Browns at Lambeau Field. The Browns defeated the Packers 35-10. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Last season Green Bay only kept seven offensive linemen on their final roster (Bulaga, Sitton, Saturday, Lang, Newhouse, Dietrich-Smith, Barclay) and two on the practice squad (Datko, Van Roten), and with the injuries at the position, it proved to be a major risk.

Look for the Packers to keep at least eight or nine offensive linemen on the final 53-man roster this season. My early prediction at this point is that Green Bay starts Bulaga, Sitton, Dietrich-Smith, Lang, and Barclay, with Newhouse, Bakhtiari, Datko, and Sherrod providing depth on the final roster, and Van Roten and Taylor being placed on the practice squad and Tretter on IR. This would mean Lang or Barclay would play center if Dietrich-Smith went down, which might be interesting.

What do you think? This could play out a number of different ways. It will be interesting to watch how it all develops.

Jermichael Finley tries to break free from Jacksonville Jaguars safety Chris Prosinski (42) at Lambeau Field. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports photograph

Previous Positions: Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers Running Backs

As the Green Bay Packers are in the midst of OTAs, we continue to take a close look at their roster. We begin this week discussing the tight ends. Many questions still remain at the tight end position heading into the 2013 season, and hopefully, the offseason workouts and training camp will provide some answers.

The status of Finley’s future in Green Bay is still in question. Maybe by the beginning of the 2013 season there will be some clarity. Jermichael Finley’s future with the Packers may not only depend on his performance on the field this upcoming season, but also on whether or not other playmakers emerge at the position. It’s a relatively young group, so there are still many unknowns, but hopefully, there’ll be plenty of surprises.

Will another offensive weapon emerge at the position? Will the tight ends provide a blocking presence in the running game? Who will emerge as Tom Crabtree’s replacement as the second tight end on the depth chart?

Let’s take a look to see if this group of young players will provide some answers.

Tight End (7)

 Good Bet – Jermichael Finley, 6-5, 247 pounds

What will happen with Finley? This seems to be the question on most fans’ minds as Finley enters a contract year this season. Finley is due to make more than $8 million this year, and Green Bay neither extended his contract nor asked him to take a paycut this offseason. That tells us that the Packers organization is still waiting on what Finley has to offer on the field before they decide to fully commit to a lucrative long-term deal with the highly gifted tight end.

 Jermichael Finley reacts after getting a first down during the game against the Tennessee Titans at Lambeau Field in 2012. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports photograph

Finley had a rough start last season, struggling with drops and displaying an inconsistent effort on the field, but Finley fixed the errors and turned it on the latter half of the season. He finished the year with 61 receptions, 667 yards receiving, and two touchdowns. Not too bad for a starting tight end, but far below the level of play both the coaches and fans have been expecting out him for the past few seasons.

Finley seems to have all the physical tools to be a Pro Bowl-caliber tight end in this league, but it seems each year he fails to put it all together. So will this be the year he finally plays up to his potential? We have already written here at LombardiAve that Finley is due for a big year in 2013, which would be ironic considering this could be his last season with Green Bay.

Here’s part of the dilemma with Finley this season. If Finley has another mediocre season then he will be playing far below the $8 million salary he’s earning and the Packers may finally cut ties at the end of the year. However, if Finley comes out and has a monster season and puts up big numbers, then Ted Thompson and the Packers will be place in a tough spot. With a Pro Bowl-caliber season, Finley will have the leverage next offseason to ask for more money, and with other players on the roster to still re-sign (B.J. Raji, James Jones, Sam Shields, Morgan Burnett), will Green Bay be willing to hand over the kind of money Finley and his agent will be demanding?

This will definitely be an interesting storyline to follow this season, but I’m not sure I see a solution with which everyone will be satisfied at this point.

On the Fence – Andrew Quarless, 6-4, 252 pounds; D.J. Williams, 6-2, 245 pounds; Ryan Taylor, 6-3, 254 pounds; Brandon Bostick, 6-3, 250 pounds

Beyond Finley locking up the starting spot, the rest of the position is far from resolved. The second tight end position is wide open with Crabtree leaving in free agency, and there will be some heated competition at this position this offseason.

Andrew Quarless runs in motion before the snap during the second quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports photograph

At this point, it seems Quarless is the frontrunner to man the second tight end spot. He’s returning after missing all of last season and a good portion of 2011 with a torn ACL. Though Quarless suffered this serious injury, he’s still young, at 24, and shows a lot of promise at the position. Before the injury, Quarless was Green Bay’s best blocking tight end, and during the 2010 Super Bowl run, Quarless proved to be reliable in Finley’s absence.

Quarless is reportedly looking sharp this offseason after returning from the injury, and has been one of the early standout players in OTAs so far. In his press conference, Coach McCarthy even stated that Quarless is “moving better than he did before the injury” and looks like a new player. Quarless can be effective in both the running and passing game, bringing a much-needed balance to the position. This could be Quarless’s breakout season. We’ll see how he holds up when the pads go on in training camp.

The remaining players of this group are young and unproven. Williams and Taylor are both entering their third seasons, and it is time for them to prove they can become key contributors to the team. Williams has flashed some receiving ability, but is undersized for the position and was inconsistent in the limited playing time he saw last season.

Taylor is tough and has been effective on special teams coverage units, but it remains to be seen if he can offer more than that. Bostick spent last season on the practice squad and possesses raw ability as both a receiver and run blocker, but Bostick has a lot to prove and must show coaches that he offers more than just physical talent. But if Bostick can put it all together this offseason, he may prove to be a surprise player who rises up the depth chart.

Long Shots – Matt Mulligan, 6-4, 267 pounds; Jake Stoneburner, 6-3, 249 pounds

Mulligan was one of Green Bay’s only free agency signings this offseason, but the new tight end will have his work cut out for him to even make the roster. The Packers tend to prefer retaining players they’ve drafted and developed, and with Quarless, Williams, Taylor, and Bostick returning on this roster, Mulligan will have to have an impressive camp and really carve out a spot on the roster in a short amount of time.

Mulligan proved to be a good blocking tight end for the St. Louis Rams last season, but did little in the passing game. With his big body type, Mulligan could fill the void Crabtree left behind as the Packers’ primary blocking tight end, but Quarless, Taylor, and Bostick have also proven to be effective run blockers. Mulligan will need to find a way to separate himself from the pack in order to make the final cut.

Oct 15, 2011; Champaign, IL, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes tight end Jake Stoneburner (11) scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Stoneburner is an interesting prospect. He’s an athletic player who can play in space and line up wide off the line of scrimmage. He was even used in the slot and spent some time at wide receiver for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Stoneburner’s collegiate numbers weren’t great, only recording 16 receptions for 269 yards and 4 touchdowns as a senior in 2012, but many scouts attributed his lack of success to the lack of opportunities in an inconsistent Ohio State offense. Due to how crowded tight end is with young talent, Stoneburner probably won’t make the 53-man roster this season, but if Green Bay retains him on the practice squad, he could prove to be an offensive weapon down the road.

Last season, Green Bay kept four tight ends on their 53-man roster (Finley, Crabtree, Williams, Taylor), one on injured reserve (Quarless), and one on the practice squad (Bostick). At this point, my early predictions at tight end for the upcoming season is the Packers will retain Finley and Quarless, two players from the group of Williams, Taylor, Bostick, and Mulligan, and place Stoneburner on the practice squad.

We’ll see how it shakes out by the end of August.

Let me know who you think will make the final roster cut at tight end.

Green Bay Packers running back DuJuan Harris runs the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter of the NFC divisional round playoff game at Candlestick Park. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Previous Positions: Quarterback, Wide Receiver

The Green Bay Packers offseason activities are officially under way, and we will continue discussing each position on the roster. Today, we take a close look at the Packers’ backfield. Next week we’ll finish out the offense with the tight ends and offensive line, and then we’ll move on to the defense.

Much has been written about the Packers running back situation, especially since they acquired Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin in the draft. Both these young players are unique talents that add a much-needed dynamic to the position. Just about every fan that watched the Packers last season understands why it is important for Green Bay to establish a consistent running game, and it seems Ted Thompson has made moves this offseason to accomplish this. However, despite the new acquisitions, there is still a lot of uncertainty at running back heading into the 2013 season.

There will be some tough decisions to make at the position for Mike McCarthy and Ted Thompson. Who to start? Who to keep? Who to let go? Most likely, Green Bay will have to let some young talented players at the position walk. A difficult decision, indeed.

With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at the position.

Running Back/Fullback (8)

Eddie Lacy works out during the Green Bay Packers rookie orientation weekend. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Safe – Eddie Lacy, 5-11, 230 pounds; Jonathan Franklin, 5-10, 205 pounds; John Kuhn, 6-0, 250 pounds

There is a lot of excitement among Packers fans this offseason over Lacy and Franklin, and for good reason. It seems Green Bay is finally committing to building their running game by bringing in top talent at the position. Both Lacy and Franklin were highly productive in college.

Lacy ran for 1,322 yards and 17 touchdowns with a 6.7 yards per carry average in 2012, and proved to be a physical force in the Crimson Tide ground game. The number that really jumps out at me is Lacy’s yards per carry average. That is very high considering Lacy faced top collegiate defensive talent in the SEC. There will be a bit of an adjustment for Lacy in the pros, but if Lacy could produce even a fraction of those numbers in the Green Bay offense, then the Packers might have something here.

Similarly, Franklin rushed for a school record 1,734 and 13 touchdowns with a 6.1 yards per carry average. However, Franklin also showed his versatility out of the backfield by recording 33 receptions for 323 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2012. Add to that Franklin’s kick returning ability, and it seems Green Bay may have found a truly unique talent in the middle of the draft.

Franklin seems more like an all-purpose back who could be utilized in the offense in a variety of ways, much like McCarthy has done with Randall Cobb, and Lacy is that grind-it-out power back that can be especially effective in short yardage and red zone situations. Franklin and Lacy balance each other out nicely, and it will be interesting to see which back rises during camp and claims the starting spot.

Aug 30, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Jonathan Franklin (23) runs for a touchdown against the Rice Owls during the first quarter at Rice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports

I expect Kuhn to keep his job this season, but look for Green Bay to begin developing young talent at the position to eventually replace Kuhn. Even though Kuhn is a fan favorite, it seems it is becoming more difficult for him to find a role in the Packers offense. If Green Bay commits more to establishing the run then they will need a more physical fullback who is a true run blocker. And with Franklin and Green on the roster, it seems Kuhn’s third-down back duties may go to younger talent.

On the Fence – DuJuan Harris. 5-8, 203 pounds; Alex Green, 6-0, 220 pounds; James Starks, 6-2, 218 pounds

After Lacy and Franklin, there is a lot of uncertainty at running back. Suddenly, the position has become crowded, and there seems to be only a couple of spots open for the returning veterans. I don’t expect the Packers to retain Harris, Green, and Starks. It looks like Green Bay will have to let at least one of these guys go.

The coaches seem to really like Harris. He came on late in the season last year and looked like the best back on the roster heading into the playoffs. Harris had his best game in week 17 against the Minnesota Vikings, where he recorded 70 yards rushing on 14 carries. Harris is still very young and has a lot of potential, and without a full season under his belt, we still haven’t seen the best he can offer. Harris will still have to fight for a roster spot this offseason, but he seems to be the best bet out of the returning backs to make the final roster in 2013. If Harris has a great offseason, he might even challenge Lacy and Franklin for the starting spot.

Green Bay Packers running back Alex Green during the game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. The Packers won 27-20. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

If the Packers keep four running backs this season, Green and Starks will have to fight for the last spot. With Starks’ inability to stay in the lineup because of injuries, it seems Green is the better bet at this point. Starks has had some production in the past, but I’m not sure if the Packers will want to risk giving up a roster spot to a player who has trouble staying healthy.

Green has also had a string of injuries that kept him out of the lineup in his first two seasons, but the Packers haven’t really seen what Green can offer yet when healthy. Maybe this fact alone will keep him on the roster. Green also has some experience in the spread offense and could prove to be a reliable third-down back.

Either way, both Green and Starks have a lot to prove this offseason. Maybe they take this as extra motivation and impress their coaches during camp, but it seems the chips are stacked against them at this point.

Long Shots – Angelo Pease, 5-10, 211 pounds; Jonathan Amosa, 5-11, 247 pounds

Angelo Pease could be an interesting prospect for the Packers to keep around and develop. McCarthy seemed impressed with Pease’s movement out of the backfield in rookie camp, but we won’t really know what Pease has to offer until the pads are on and real contact is taking place. Unless Pease has an outstanding camp, my guess is that the Packers keep and develop Pease on the practice squad this season.

Amosa was a starting fullback for the Washington Huskies the past two seasons, and proved to be a very physical lead blocker for their running game. Maybe Green Bay brought in Amosa to add a more physical presence to the fullback position in their attempt to improve their running game. I’m not sure if Amosa will challenge Kuhn for the fullback position, but Amosa seems to have a different skill set than Kuhn and could prove to be a good special teams player. I could see Amosa landing on the practice squad this year and develop into the Packers blocking fullback of the future.

The Packers only kept four backs on their 53-man roster headed into last season (Benson, Starks, Green, Kuhn). Will this be the year they keep five? It could be a real possibility considering the amount of injuries they suffered at the position last year and the depth of young talent they currently have in the backfield.

This will be one of the more heated and intriguing position battles to observe heading into training camp. However, we won’t really know what these players offer until the real hitting starts in August. I can’t wait.

Protecting Aaron Rodgers will be a key component to a successful 2013 season by the Green Bay Packers.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Now that we’ve all had a chance to digest the Green Bay Packers 2013 regular season schedule, there are many who feel the Packers have gotten hosed with this one.

It’s a tough schedule, no doubt, but to complain about getting hosed at this place in time is pointless. It is what it is and the Packers coaches and players have to start preparing to play the teams who are lined up in their way to a Super Bowl.

While every game is important and a must-win, there are five games on this schedule that stand out to me. They are all home games the Packers will have to win to keep the 2013 season run going.

The guidance by Mike McCarthy and the Packers coaching staff is one of the reasons the Packers have been so successful the past seven years.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

While it’s always imperative that inter-divisional games are won, I haven’t included the Vikings, Lions and Bears on this list – it’s obvious the Packers have to win those games to come out at the end of a successful campaign. The teams I have targeted as must-wins are the Redskins, Browns, Eagles, Falcons and Steelers.

Here’s my reasoning for each:

Washington Redskins at Lambeau Field, Sept. 15, noon: The Packers open their season like they ended it last season – at Candlestick Park against the San Francisco 49ers. That’s a tough opener. They play the team that racked up 579 total yards against them in the playoffs with their quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, slicing through the Packers defense literally untouched for 181 of those yards.

I don’t see the Packers winning this game on the road in the season opener. My hope is that the Packers are competitive and show the league they are for real. They must stay healthy, play a solid game and come home with a hopeful attitude and ready to fight another day.

That other day will come quickly as they host Robert Griffin III and the Washington Redskins in the home opener at Lambeau Field. The Packers don’t want to start the season at 0-2 and have to bring their A-game for the fans. By that time, Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews will be signed to their mega-contracts and will have to play up to those deals for their fan base. The Packers defense will have to show and stop the high voltage running attack of the Redskins. Rodgers will have to do everything in his powers to move the offense against a defense with which they are not very familiar. This will be an opportunity to start quickly and roll to a home-opener win and get back on track. Being 1-1 would place the Packers in a good position at this point in the season.

The Packers defense has to come to play every game this season. Getting second-year linebacker Nick Perry back should help newly-signed Clay Matthews.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Cleveland Browns at Lambeau Field, Oct. 20, noon: After their bye and games against the Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions and Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens, the Packers come back home sitting at either 4-1 or 3-2 to face the Browns – a team that over the past decade have been terrible, but dangerous. In other words, this could be the first trap game of the season. While the Browns have been building through the draft, have a solid running game with Trent Richardson, and an average offense behind quarterback Brandon Weeden, they have a formidable defense that has shown flashes of brilliance, but for the most part has been up and down the past few years.

I expect this to be a battle as these two teams are unfamiliar with one another. Again, Rodgers will have to lead the Packers in this one. Recent history has shown the Packers having a difficult time stopping the run. Expect the Browns to test that right out of the box as they look to pound the Packers into submission. While I feel the Browns will be competitive in this one, this is a game the Packers have to win – they can’t allow this to become one of those “shoulda-coulda-woulda” games. This is a game that, in the end, they have to demonstrate why it’s so difficult to come into Green Bay and leave with a win.

Philadelphia Eagles, Nov. 10, Lambeau Field, noon: This is another dangerous game and difficult to project in April. However, it could look one of two ways: The first scenario is that new coach Chip Kelly has the Eagles flying high under his wide open offense and the Eagles are the surprise of the season; the second scenario is that the Eagles are still in the rebuilding process and have a difficult time gelling under the new system.

There are questions about whether Tramon Williams will even make this year’s roster. He will have to bring his A-game in training camp.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

I would like to prefer the former. I would like to see the Eagles bring their best to Lambeau Field in this important NFC matchup that pits two teams that have a long history. If Michael Vick is the Eagles’ quarterback, he presents his own problems for the Packers, just as Kaepernick and RG3 will prior to this game. My hope is that by mid-season Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers has his defense clicking and responding to the running-type quarterbacks.

That’s the only way the Packers win this game … well, they also need to have Rodgers show up. This is a game that could have playoff implications. At this point, I expect the Packers to come into Lambeau sitting around the 5-3 or 6-2 mark. That’s why it’s a must-win game. I expect the Eagles to have a similar record or something just a bit less. I expect them to be hungry and ready to give the Packers a game. This might be one that comes down to a field goal – and one that could make or break the season.

Atlanta Falcons, Dec. 8, Lambeau Field, 7:30 p.m.: This game is huge. It will be December under the lights at Lambeau Field in a nationally televised game against the Falcons – a team the Packers have had success against in the recent past. I’ve seen experts saying that the Falcons at this point in their season will have a losing record or might be right at the .500 mark.

If the Packers play as they are expected, they could be sitting at seven or eight wins and continuing their fight for another North Division title. Stopping Matt Ryan and Steven Jackson on the slow December turf will be key in this one. Again, the defense will have to come to play. Rodgers, historically, has had his way with the Falcons. Maybe it’s because the Atlanta defense doesn’t see him often, maybe it’s because Rodgers simply has Atlanta’s number. Whatever the case, he’s got to have his mojo heading into the final four games of the season.

I expect he will. This might be another one of those games that come down to a field goal and our hope is that Mason Crosby – if he is the Packers kicker – has his mojo with him, too. This has the makings of a great game and one that will not only be entertaining for the fans, but one that lifts the Packers into the elite status among NFC teams once again.

Jordy Nelson, Aaron Rodgers, and John Kuhn are key members of the Packers offense.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Pittsburgh Steelers, Dec. 22, Lambeau Field, 3:25 p.m.: This pre-Christmas late Sunday afternoon matchup with the Ben Roethlisberger-led Steelers has the makings of a classic. The rematch of Super Bowl XLV will be played in Green Bay and should give the fans the best of the NFL. With such a rich tradition between these two teams that goes back more than 50 years, I’m sure this one won’t disappoint. Whenever the Steelers come to town, expect some hitting and good old-fashioned football.

That’s why the Packers must win this game. If all goes as I see it, Green Bay will come into this matchup with around 10 wins and will be fighting once again for the division title. This is the game that could give them their third straight title and qualify them once again for the playoffs.

It won’t be easy. Turnovers and special teams play are important at any point in the season, but have greater implications in December. The Packers take care of the ball, but the vastly improved Packers defense forces it from the Steelers. Though the Packers have their chances to blow this one open, it remains close down to the end and is again decided by four or fewer points.

This must-win game goes the Packers way and sends them to the playoffs.

While I’m an optimist and we all know how many factors could make all of this change in a heartbeat, I feel these are five games the Packers have to win to have any chance at another NFC North Division title and a shot at making the Super Bowl tournament.

What are your thoughts?

Leave a comment below, like us over at our Facebook page, and/or follow us on Twitter.

Would love to hear from you!

Is the Read-Option here to stay? Colin Kaepernick probably hopes so. He shredded the Packers defense in the playoffs last year and will get the chance to do more damage as the 49ers open the 2013 season at home against Green Bay.

As I sat drinking my coffee and anxiously awaiting the schedule release last night, I couldn’t help but notice our beloved Green and Gold play at San Francisco again this year.

While the Packers faithful have 579 total reasons to forget their season ending there, this does make me wonder just how long this infamous “read-option” will be around? Mr. Aaron Rodgers was quoted a few months back as saying it’s more of a passing trend than anything. Maybe, maybe not. But after being beaten as soundly as the Packers were, I am curious as to whether or not this will have any bearing on the draft.

Isolate and attack. That’s really what it came down to as Colin Kaepernick isolated outside linebackers Eric Walden and Clay Matthews, waiting for their first misstep to run the opposite way en route to 181 rushing yards. The finger can be pointed every-which-way for such a loss as many fans were even calling for Dom Capers’ head after this blowout.

In the end it simply comes down to execution and Kaepernick executed far better than the Packers defense did. We do need to give credit where credit is due as Kaepernick is an outstanding all-around athlete. In the same light, he almost seems to be spearheading this new wave of quarterback, paving the way for other all-around athletic quarterbacks such as Geno Smith.

Will Kevin Sumlin help Dom Capers’ defense stop the read-option?

For a defensive unit to be dealt such a blow, Mike McCarthy wasted little time in getting his defensive staff up to speed, sending them to College Station to learn from Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin about defending the read-option. While probably not a bad move, it’s safe to say this one definitely caught many of the Packers Nation by surprise.

So what bearing (if any) will this have on the draft? Ted Thompson’s strategy and philosophy have both been well documented as he has always stuck to his guns. But has Thompson encountered a hurdle such as this before a draft?

This is truly a unique scenario as McCarthy went so far as sending his staff back to college. I can’t help but wonder if it will be enough to sway draft strategy one way or another. The majority of the projections out there seem to emphasize filling the void left by Charles Woodson more so than not. Overall speed would probably be the one trait to look for to defend a read-option.

Protecting Aaron Rodgers will be the number one task of the Green Bay Packers heading into 2013.
Raymond T. Rivard photograp

Zoneblitz.com, a site that is a veritable smorgasbord of NFL information, recently blitzed Lombardiave.com with a series of in-depth questions about where the Green Bay Packers have been and where they are headed.

With a Q&A that focuses on the Packers needs, strengths, weaknesses and overall state of affairs, Andrew Tellijohn of zoneblitz.com covers it all.

You might want to take a trip over to see the site, and all it has to offer. Not only do they cover the NFL, but like fansided.com they take apart Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, National Hockey League, NCAAF, NCAAB, and Soccer.

But in the meantime, see our exchange by clicking here or scanning below. Take the time to leave some comments on both of our sites, Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

In depth 2013: Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers are 66-30 with five playoff appearances spanning the last six seasons, one of which ended with the team hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.

But the last two seasons have ended with bad playoff losses, including a 2012 debacle in which second-year San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick shredded the Green and Gold both on the ground and through the air.

So, despite being the strongest team in the NFC North over the last several years, there are questions heading into the draft and into offseason training sessions. Can the Packers solve problems with the offensive line, the running game and the leaky defense? Raymond T. Rivard, editor of LombardiAve.Com, says doing so could again make Green Bay one of the top teams in the NFL.

The health of left offensive tackle Derek Sherrod will determine how the development of the offensive line proceeds.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Zoneblitz: The Packers won the NFC North and have been the class of the division the last few years, but have now lost badly in the playoffs the past two seasons. How would you assess 2012 and what do the Packers have to do to get back to the Super Bowl?

Rivard: There are three things the Packers have to address to get back to what I would consider elite status in the league: the offensive line, the defensive line, and the running game. With Aaron Rodgers being sacked 51 times last season, the Packers are playing with fire. It’s only a matter of time before Rodgers gets knocked out of a game or, God forbid, suffers an injury that knocks him out for the season. With Rodgers set to sign his mega-deal, I would be totally surprised if the Packers don’t expend at least one, if not a couple of their draft picks on offensive linemen. They can’t continue to put a patchwork group on the field in front of Rodgers.

That said, the Packers running game has been abysmal. Addressing the offensive line should help the team in that regard, but a mid- to-late-round running back would also help bolster the depth in the offensive backfield – again, taking some of the pressure off Rodgers and the passing game.

Lastly, the Packers’ defensive line and outside linebacking are very thin right now, with second-year defensive lineman Jerel Worthy out probably until mid-season. With the loss of Erik Walden and the questionable availability of second-year linebacker Nick Perry, the Packers must also address those two positions – hopefully in the draft.

If the Packers can shore up those three areas, they will be in good shape. Some say that they should also draft a safety, and they probably will. However, I feel those other areas are the team’s greatest needs to raise the team to the next level.

Zoneblitz:  What is your sense on when or if the Aaron Rodgers negotiations will result in an extension?

Rivard: Everyone keeps saying any day now, but they’ve been saying that for nearly a month. I feel it will most likely get done between the end of the draft and the start of training camp, at the latest. I’m sure it’s a complicated negotiation and these things don’t happen overnight. I’m sure it will happen, but like everyone else, we’ll know when we know.

The Packers receiving corps, including Jordy Nelson, when healthy, is among the league’s most productive.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Zoneblitz: Wide receiver depth has been strong on this team and with Jordy Nelson, James Jones and Randall Cobb returning, there are still weapons. But Greg Jennings left for Minnesota and Donald Driver retired. Any concerns about this once ridiculously deep position?

Rivard: No concerns with that group at all. You can also throw in tight end Jermichael Finley and the Packers are solid. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ted Thompson take a wide receiver or tight end in the draft to add depth for Aaron Rodgers. As long as Rodgers is healthy – and the receivers stay healthy (which has been an issue the past couple of seasons) – this group is as good as it gets and could be the best in the league.

Zoneblitz: The run game has been less than stellar in recent years and Jermichael Finley lacks consistency. What are your thoughts on how the Packers have or will address these spots?

Rivard: I addressed the run game above and would just reiterate that with help along the offensive line I think the run game will be OK. After all, if you’ve got a game with two runners who can combine for 100 or more yards per game, that’s all that the Packers ask for … they are a pass-first team and that won’t change.

As for Finley, he was one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the league in the last half of last season. He’s in the final year of a two-year contract, so look for him to really have a breakout year. Then he will test the free agent waters.

Zoneblitz: After a season that saw Aaron Rodgers take some hits, what are your thoughts on the offensive line?

Rivard: See above. The line needs help and it needs help now … hopefully Ted Thompson feels the same way.

The Packers hope linebacker Desmond Bishop comes back healthy this season.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Zoneblitz: Charles Woodson has been released. Erik Walden left as a free agent. The secondary was hurt by the loss of Nick Collins. And the team’s pass rush hasn’t always been consistent. How would you assess the strengths and weaknesses of Green Bay’s defense?

Rivard: I’ll give you one number: 579 yards. That’s how many the team gave up to the San Francisco 49ers in the Packers’ season-ending loss last year. Couple that with the fact that the defense rated dead last in the league in 2011 and clearly the D needs help. The upside to that is the defense did improve overall last year and there were several young players, led by cornerback Casey Hayward, who had outstanding seasons last year. Injuries didn’t help, but that’s no excuse. I feel if the players coming back off injury last year can pick up where they left off, the team will be in a good position to improve their defensive position in the league. Improvements also have to be made through the draft.

The defense is a concern and has been for some time now. We’re hoping defensive coordinator Dom Capers can get things figured out.

Zoneblitz: Mason Crosby had a poor season last year. Will he be back or do you expect the Packers to bring in someone else?

Rivard: The Packers have signed Giorgio Tavecchio to compete against Mason Crosby in training camp, but I expect Crosby to be back. Unless he completely blows it in camp, the Packers have too much money invested in Crosby at this point to kick him off the team – excuse the pun. But who knows? Tavecchio may come in and kick lights out. It will certainly be interesting to watch. My hope is that Tavecchio pushes Crosby enough to get him back on his game. He did convert his final four kicks of the season, including a couple in the playoffs, so Crosby seemed to have his mojo back. One has to remember that of his misses last year, seven of his nine attempts from 50-plus yards were among them.

Zoneblitz: Who on the roster do you see having a breakout season in 2013?

Rivard: Randall Cobb. You might say last year was his breakout year, but I think he’s going to really take off this year. Rodgers and Cobb have had a year together now and will only improve in 2013. Casey Hayward might also show the league that he’s no fluke, while linebacker Dezman Moses might be one to watch. I wouldn’t be surprised to see running back DuJuan Harris also turn some heads this year.

Zoneblitz: The Bears have made some moves to improve and the Vikings are coming off a 10 win season. It’s a little hard to figure out where the Lions are at, but heading into the draft and offseason training programs, how do you think the Packers fit into the NFC North hierarchy at the moment?

It’s unclear how the Bears’ defense will respond this year without Brian Urlacher in the mix.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Rivard: You’ve still got to put the Packers at the top. If they can figure out how to stop Adrian Peterson and Calvin Johnson of the Lions, they will again dominate the division. The Bears? With the new coach, they will start fast again, but will fade as their year of transition takes hold. I just feel the Packers are too deep to fall beyond second place in the division – that is if Rodgers stays healthy.

Zoneblitz: What are your reactions to the Packers’ approach to free agency thus far and what would you like to see the team do in the draft and the remainder of free agency?

Rivard: Free agency has never been a mode of operation for Ted Thompson, so this year is no different. The fact that he was active at all in pursuing Chris Canty and Steven Jackson, as well as being in the picture right to the end with Greg Jennings was a surprise to me. Thompson will never play the free agency game and yet the Packers are competitive year-in and year-out. I like his draft and develop philosophy. It seems to work.

Zoneblitz: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Rivard: We’re looking forward to another strong draft where Thompson adds to the team’s weaponry. Signing Rodgers and Clay Matthews will be huge and will have everyone looking toward a bright future in Green Bay. The Packers will open their newly-renovated Lambeau Field this year, which will bring in about 8,000 more fans and completely enclose the stadium. The noise level will be wild.

I look for another great season for the Packers.

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Greg Jennings left Green Bay for Minnesota. But for what reasons? We’ll never know.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

By P.J. Root

of Lombardiave.com

Pillaging and plundering from shore to shore, taking without thought or purpose – the Minnesota Vikings – barbarians of a different code, take without remorse or accountability for what damage they reap. These attributes connect the Vikings of Norse legend to the business acumen of their Minnesota counterparts.

A flood of Green Bay Packers in recent memory have made their migration near the end of their careers to this aforementioned next door neighbor. Either by financial, personal or a combination of reasons, The Vikings have been a warm location to a cold enemy too frequently.

Why is that?

The story reaches into the psyche of the athlete and the lack of creativity from the Vikings front office.

The collapse of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome roof was a statement in itself.

Eden Prairie, Minn., has been the home of the wolf, of more aptly, Viking’s owner Zygi Wilf. In his practices associated in handling the franchise have created disdain far-reaching across the game.

The implosion of the Hubert H. Humphrey Dome in 2010 was not only an allegory to their final season burrowing a Packer legend, but an accumulation of questionable practices.

Sending private planes to Mississippi initiated a long list of problems. By providing a team with wants before needs, the management has retarded the progress needed to sustain future wins.

Percy Harvin is the prime example of this culture.

By bringing Favre to the Vikings in Harvin’s rookie season, the team shaped their playmaker into a problem child. In experiencing a QB with Hall of Fame ability, Harvin became entitled to a way of being treated.

Getting the ball early and often.

Zygi Wilf.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Yes, the migraines have been a problem, but combine a nagging health scare that could ultimately cut his career short and then reverting to a quarterback like Christian Ponder can warp an anxious mind.

According to Jason Cole of Yahoo Sports, two unnamed sources confirmed that the inner squabbles surrounding Harvin’s departure stemmed from his disapproval of Ponder.

The dissolving of the rank of coach and player had been tarnished, and unlike the minor revolution by Baltimore’s core players against their own coach, the Vikings did not have a stable foundation to rein in their players when it was most necessary.

Brad Childress (left) was on the bus to nowhere in Minnesota before being thrown under it.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Why should they think they could?

Randy Moss’s stint in 2010 and subsequent removal gave an immense look into the hierarchy of the Vikings brass. Brad Childress, sensing that Wilf’s culture was poisoning his team, cut Moss because of diva comments directed toward the catering staff.

Wilf, in response, threw his coach under the bus and ultimately fired Childress. The lingering stench of disarray has hung over the organization since.

Yes, the Vikings deserve credit for earning a playoff spot, but a team, which displayed such mediocrity in depth, especially in the QB department, deserves scrutiny.

With Ponder gone from injury in the game, the Vikings exposed themselves and their draft strategy in the form of Joe Webb and his inability to run the offense.

Peterson’s heroics can only do so much in a league dominated by the pass.

Greg Jennings is the next ex-Packer to arrive, and mortgage the Vikings future for the last ounce of greatness of an aging productive rival.

Rather than building from within like the Packers, the Vikings have incessantly sniped playmakers like safety Darren Sharper, to fill in their glaring blanks.

Examples of New York Yankee spending have been seen and crushed, with the Philadelphia Eagles continuing to mend their wings from the “Dream Team” saga that engulfed their franchise.

Vikings management continues the same routine, even as their own failures still linger in the minds of the Minnesota faithful.

Greg Jennings was a fan favorite in Green Bay.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Why do these players leave?

For Jennings the success acquired in Green Bay has solidified himself in Lambeau lore, yet the underlying circumstances have left many questions to the selection of location.

Was it from the comments of former Packer-turned-Viking kicker Ryan Longwell?

“Every town in America has an Applebee’s restaurant. In Green Bay, Applebee’s was about as fancy as you got.” Longwell began. “In Minnesota, I’m sure there will be plenty of options before Applebee’s comes into the rotation.”

OK, Green Bay is not the epicenter of the world, yet how many places are? Is not the offseason a time to unwind and travel? Milwaukee and Madison are only a hop away, and Chicago is just around the bend.

The origin in Jennings’ case was thought to be the relationship with Aaron Rodgers.

Rodgers has been documented for being incredibly sensitive to criticism concerning his ability and personality.  Just watch at his recent “60 Minutes” interview and that comes to light.

“He’s sensitive. So you got to be careful what you say around him.” Jennings began. “He takes everything to heart,”

Now the comment itself was an observation by Jennings without judgment, but to display it for millions could make for an uncomfortable work environment.

Compound those comments with those made by Jennings’ sister on her Twitter account and the tension could be downright awkward.

Greg Jennings does the Lambeau Leap.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

“ARod is the most overrated QB in the league! He is nowhere near Peyton or Brady! It sickens me, Peyton would avg. 5 TD with this squad!!!”

and…

“My God Aaron Rodgers holds the ball forever! GJ was wide open 5x for that touchdown! Goodness he acts like he doesn’t want to throw to him”

and then…..

“@GregJennings ball out so you can leave this team! They will miss u when your gone! It’s all good bye packers! Cheap team, can’t afford him”

Jennings immediately blanketed the fire by explaining that they were not his words or thoughts, but it truly makes one wonder how far they are from the truth.

For the entire off-season, Jennings had been adamant that he was all but finished with the team without a new contract, which make his siblings in-season tweets all the more relevant .

Why go to a team then that does not have a solid quarterback and only has the legs of Adrian Peterson to crank out victories?

Money?

If we had not been bombarded through enough Old Spice commercials, I might think the financial aspect was the cause.

Attention?

For a season where Jennings only played eight games, his impact was immediate. Yet, there lies the rub. Jennings, the last two years, has started 21 of 32 games, and the old adage is that 90 percent of getting the job done is showing up.

Could have been from doing push-ups with a personal watercraft on his back.

Personality conflicts?

Percy Harvin’s attitude and inability to play nice bought him a ticket out of Minnesota.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

This is where the most smoke rises, and from the comments from both himself and family very well could have created an uneasiness between the receiver and Super Bowl MVP.

Publically, Jennings has been a class act, and a great ambassador for the Packers, but to go to an unfriendly rival like the Vikings creates these questions.

Which ultimately allows the merry-go-round of Minnesota to continue to spin. Rather than having a multi-faceted game-breaker, the tracks had been set before the train and had left the Vikings with another artifact from Green Bay’s legacy

Would Harvin have stuck with the team that drafted him if they would have groomed him like a receiver similar to the Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald? Rather than coddling with impulsive personal moves, could Harvin have learned that players like Favre do not come with a price tag but with patience and a few ugly ducklings?

Whatever the case, the Vikings have put themselves in another situation invested in the here and now.  This bet is huge, but like any obsessive gambler, they need that one win to offset those losses.

We all know how that turns out.

Packers President Mark Murphy
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

We all know about the Green Bay Packers way – draft, develop, and take care of your core players with contract extensions that keep them in Green and Gold for as long as the system will allow.

The debate rages, especially this particular offseason as the Packers make ovations, but walk away from the negotiating table when things get deep.

As a result, the Packers stand idly by – with the exception of Brad Jones and one Mulligan – while the rest of the league seems in a frenzy as quarterbacks play musical chairs and teams go after high-priced veterans. Though this offseason has been mild in comparison to others, keeping up with all the rumors and signings has been a chore.

Yesterday, an interview with Packers President Mark Murphy was published in the Racine Journal Times – a Q&A where Murphy touched on a variety of topics.

However, most notable was Murphy’s affirmation of the team’s draft and develop policy, saying that it was by far the most reliable way of doing business in today’s financial environment. He also said that though the Packers seemed a step behind the San Francisco 49ers on the playing field, those types of gaps between teams are made up through sound money management and drafting.

There are many who feel that championships are won in March, but Murphy, GM Ted Thompson and Head Coach Mike McCarthy are of the school that free agency wins nothing, but that the moves in the April NFL Draft and using cap money to sign their own is the way to build a team.

The best free agent signing by Ted Thompson.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Many feel that something in between might be the best mode of operation. And while Thompson has been successful in free agency (namely Charles Woodson and Ryan Pickett several years ago) his forays into the market has been so few and far between that it’s difficult to come to any conclusion as to whether it could be deemed a success. Clearly, it’s been the Draft and the signing of undrafted free agents that have been utilized and thus have benefitted the Packers most.

So, while the Packers walked away from signing Steven Jackson and their own wide receiver Greg Jennings in favor of saving their dollars for contract extensions to Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews, the 49ers traded for Ravens wide receiver Anquan Boldin and brought in Nnamdi Asomugha.

In the meantime, the Packers signed linebacker Brad Jones and and Matthew Mulligan, tight end from St. Louis – not headline news anywhere.

But don’t tell Murphy the Packers path is wrong … he will disagree vehemently.

Here’s what he told the Journal Times:

“Look at the teams who have done that [spent in free agency]. Two years ago, the Philadelphia Eagles were anointed the Dream Team and NFL champions. It’s not that we can’t afford it. It’s really just that we think the best way to spend money is to identify your core players and reach long-term extensions with them rather than taking other people’s players.”

Signing their own players is key for the Packers’ success.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Sounds good on paper, and it seems the Packers believe in their system because it’s been working. Though they have spent little over the course of the Ted/Mike/Mark regime, the team is year-in and year-out in the hunt for a ring. While having Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers at the helm during this time span has helped, so has managing the money and drafting smartly.

Murphy again:

“First all, setting Ted aside, there’s no question that when you look over the history of the league, the successful franchises who have sustained success over time do it through drafting players, developing them and then extending their key players. Now, teams will fill in with free agency and do a little bit here and there like we have, but I think the core has to be your draft. And I have tremendous confidence in Ted. I don’t think there’s a harder-working general manager in the league. When we draft somebody, he has spent time meeting with that player, watching him on tape, talking to his coaches, talking to his trainers … he makes an informed decision when he makes a draft pick. And the other thing that I think sets us apart is the amount of time and effort we put into undrafted free agents. It’s a combination of all those things and then Ted and his staff doing an outstanding job.”

But will it be enough in the coming few years as the Packers continue in their attempt to be competitive on the field and on the business side of football? Murphy believes they are on the right track and will continue to do what works for them.

In catching up to the 49ers on the field, here’s what Murphy said:

“We played them two times last year, the first game of the year and the last game of the year, and they beat us pretty soundly both times. But I’ve been around the league long enough to know that can change pretty quickly. And I think we’ll be better this year. I think getting back a number of injured players will make a huge difference. I think in the draft, we’ll be able to address some areas of concern and we have a great core of young players who are only going to get better.”

It’s Mike’s way or the highway.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Part of that equation will be the signing of Rodgers and Matthews, as well as possibly taking care of defensive lineman B.J. Raji – again, their core players as designated this offseason.

Keeping those players in Green and Gold and having the monetary flexibility to keep and sign other players to keep the team competitive will continue to be the issue. There is the element of fandom that wants the Packers to sign every big name free agent that comes along. That simply isn’t going to happen. The triumvirate of Murphy/Thompson/McCarthy believe in one another and continue to build the team the only way they think is prudent.

So, is the Packers way the right way?

Well, over the course of the last eight years, it seems to have worked well. The Packers have won a Super Bowl, the team has won two straight division titles and continue to be competitive. Until someone comes along and either changes that system for the Packers or proves that their way of doing things is wrong, expect them to continue to take their time in drafting, developing, and building a championship football team.

Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson (left) talks with head coach Mike McCarthy during training camp at Ray Nitschke Field.
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

As the pre-season before the pre-season drags on and we wait with anticipation for the Green Bay Packers to do something, I want to take a moment to reflect on a few things.

The first is that no matter how much you like to speculate and read tea leaves, there is no way that we will be able to pry open the lock on Ted Thompson’s mind to determine what he is thinking when it comes to the Packers draft picks.  Everyone (including my Grandma) has an opinion on what the needs of the team are and what direction we need to take.  Offense or defense?  Running Back or Defensive Back?  Fast or slow, thin or fat, bald or mullet?  The list goes on and on.

I however, having insider knowledge, I do know what the Packers are going to do. They are going to draft a college player who plays football.  I know, hold your excitement, but it is true.  I do not see Ted Thompson going on out on a limb this year and drafting a shooting guard or a left handed pitcher.  They do not fit any of the current needs or wants on the team.  For a second I thought Ted might look to pick up a good goaltender with the pick, but I decided against it, we really do not have a need for a good goalie this year.

Now who that player may be, I have no clue, I leave that to the professionals to figure out.  I just like to point out the obvious facts that seem to get lost with all the mock drafts and analysis of this and that.  Let’s keep it simple, draft for needs and we need a football player.

The second thing I wanted to touch on was all the Ted bashing when Charles Woodson was released.  Why is it that everyone with an opinion felt that it was the wrong move?  That we were letting a good player get away.  Well now that free agency is done with for the most part, Charles is unemployed.

He claims it is his age that is holding him back from getting picked up by another team.  I am guessing that Ted and the rest of the brain trust saw what the fans did not see.  A player who no longer could deliver; a player that had suffered a broken collar bone twice and was risking further injury; and a guy that had lost a step and was surpassed on the depth chart by younger players.

So for all of you who felt it was a bad move, how come no other NFL team has grabbed Woodson and brought him in to complete their secondary?  Is it that the rest of the NFL also realizes that Charles, though a great player who (in my opinion) undoubtedly belongs on the Hall of Fame, just is not the same player he was three years ago.

Finally, when all you doubting-Ted-Thompsons out there decide that he needs to be replaced, just think a moment, he has been right more than he has been wrong and his overall record is definitely better than most other NFL executives.  So why is it that we feel the need to replace him when he has done nothing but win?

I truly believe that Ted represents the Packers well.  He is not flamboyant like Rex Ryan and the Jets – look at the mess that they are.  He is not ego-driven like Jerry Jones – and they are a mess, too.  What we have is a man with a businesslike approach who is confident and steady, just like our team.  We may not win the Super Bowl every year, but we are successful and consistent and I would rather have that than relive the gory years of the 1970s and 1980s.

GO PACK GO!

Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk (50) gestures before the snap against the San Diego Chargers during the first quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The Green Bay Packers received a moderate surprise when Brad Jones re-signed on Thursday.

Jones, who had spent the better part of 2012 starting alongside A.J. Hawk at inside linebacker, had interest from as many as eight teams. With Green Bay negotiating a pay cut from Hawk and bringing back Robert Francois, it was generally believed Jones would leave for greener pastures. But Packers GM Ted Thompson was patient, and after the “stupid money” dried up, there was no better opportunity for Jones than a return to Green Bay.

Suddenly, the Packers find themselves with a logjam at inside linebacker. Desmond Bishop (hamstring) and D.J. Smith (ACL) return from injured reserve to challenge youngsters Jamari Lattimore and Terrell Manning along with the aforementioned Hawk, Jones, and Francois. Of that group of seven linebackers, five have started for Green Bay before.

As one might expect, there’s considerable uncertainty over which players will end up in the first unit.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman (5) looks for a receiver as Green Bay Packers linebacker Desmond Bishop (55) closes in at Lambeau Field. Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

Desmond Bishop has been Green Bay’s best inside linebacker when healthy. However, despite tearing his hamstring in the first week of the preseason, Bishop’s injury was severe enough to dissuade the Packers from using their IR return designation on him. Predictably, Bishop’s agent, Blake Baratz, has said Bishop is ahead of schedule in his recovery and should be ready for training camp. That remains to be seen, but Bishop is the team’s best option if he’s available.

Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk (50) puts pressure on Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

A.J. Hawk has been the whipping boy for fans, yet a coaches’ favorite for years now. While his play has never been spectacular, Hawk had one of his best seasons in 2012. It was largely for that reason that the Packers negotiated a cheaper deal rather than giving Hawk his outright release. At the time Hawk’s pay cut hit the newswire, it was assumed that he’d return to his spot on the first unit with the other inside linebackers competing for Bishop’s spot. Now with the speculation that Brad Jones returned for more money, one has to think Hawk’s spot is up for grabs as well.

Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Brad Jones (59) breaks up a pass to Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte. Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

The play of Brad Jones was one of the many pleasant developments of the 2012 season. After shifting between positions several times over his first few years, Jones finally found a home at inside linebacker. There, Jones’s superior coverage ability and athleticism allowed him to excel. After taking over for D.J. Smith following the Houston game, Jones played the most snaps of any linebacker. Most significantly, Jones became the inside linebacker in the nickel defense and was given the radio helmet for play call relay. While Bishop and Hawk are officially ahead on the depth chart, it would surprise me if Jones wasn’t starting come week 1.

Green Bay Packers linebacker D.J. Smith (51). Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The rest of the inside linebackers are muddled together. D.J. Smith, a late round pick due only to his 5-11 stature, was a reliable run defender and solid tackler in his first stint as starter. Smith struggled in coverage, however, and the team greatly improved when Jones took over for him following his ACL tear. Robert Francois has developed into an important special teams member, but hasn’t shown to be exceptional in any one area of defense. He’s a solid backup, but nothing more. Jamari Lattimore’s first two training camps invited several comparisons to a young Desmond Bishop, but like Bishop he won’t become a contributor until he becomes more consistent. Terrell Manning is the wildcard of the group. Ted Thompson traded up in the fifth round to acquire Manning. Had a stomach virus not knocked out his rookie year, Manning might have displaced Jones (who was still adjusting to the position at the time) for the slot behind Smith on the depth chart).

Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

With no clear frontrunners, and at least six players in contention, inside linebacker will host the most interesting position battle of training camp. While two may grab hold of the starting slots and never relinquish them, the specialized talents of the players may result in more situational use of the linebackers. Because of this, Brad Jones (best in coverage, experienced with play call duty) will probably find his way into the starting lineup. If he’s healthy, Bishop is not only the best overall player in the group but also the strongest complement to Jones. That would leave seven-year starter Hawk on the sidelines and perhaps place him on the market, but it’s too early to dig into that scenario.

Given the depth at inside linebacker, it’s not out of the realm of possibility defensive coordinator Dom Capers dusts off the old “Psycho” package to get more of these players on the field. Having the right linebackers on the field could help curtail the read-option which puzzled Green Bay last season.

Jason Hirschhorn covers the Green Bay Packers for Lombardi Ave. He has previously written for Hail to the Orange, College Hoops Net, Mocking the Draft, LiveBall Sports, and the List Universe. He is currently a senior writer for Beats Per Minute, an indie-music webzine. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JBHirschhorn.

The Packers’ top two money-makers together at the Pro Bowl in February 2012.
USA TODAY Sports

I bet you thought that Aaron Rodgers was the highest-paid player on the Green Bay Packers’ roster in 2012?

Think again … it was Charles Woodson. The recently-released Packers cornerback, who missed more than half of the 2012 season, made $11,562,500.

Charles Woodson has bowed out as a Packer, but he most likely will command a nice salary with whomever he signs.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Rodgers? Well he came home with a sweet $9 million even.

These numbers, provided by Fox Sports, break down individual salaries and where they stand among all 53 men on the roster.

Rodgers was second among those on the 53-man roster, but considering the 51 bone-crunching sacks he experienced last season, there’s no question in my mind that he earned every one of those American dollars.

Last year’s Green Bay Packers payroll situated the team just about in the middle of the pack among all 32 National Football League teams. In fact, the team was fourteenth with a total of $107,837,787.

Don Barclay earned every penny of his salary in 2012.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

While Woodson and Rodgers led the way last year in individual salaries, the lowest paid Packers were Jarrett Boykin and none other than Don Barclay, the offensive lineman who ended up starting at right tackle for much of December and into the Playoffs. Boykin also saw spot time in December after WR Jordy Nelson went down with a hamstring injury.

Interestingly enough, three of the top 10 players earning the most for the Packers have already been (Woodson, Jeff Saturday) or will be (Greg Jennings) removed from that list. No doubt much, if not all of the money paid to those three players will be utilized in re-signing Rodgers, B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews. Questions surrounding whether A.J. Hawk and Jermichael Finley will stick with the team should be answered sometime this offseason. Hawk and Finley were also among the top 10.

So, by the time next season rolls around, this list will most likely be vastly changed.

Here’s the top 10 for your review:

A few of the most productive players who didn’t crack the top 10 included Jordy Nelson (11), James Jones (12), Clay Matthews (17), Bryan Bulaga (18), and Randall Cobb (27).

Casey Hayward (29) defends during the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

In addition to Cobb, who probably brought the team the best value for his pay scale, there were others who saw the field a lot, but didn’t see much in their paycheck. They included Brad Jones ($630,063), Casey Hayward ($601,750), C.J. Wilson ($502,588), M.D. Jennings ($465,833), Jerron McMillian ($465,146), and Dezman Moses ($391,166).

And as a side note, take a look at where Mason Crosby sits … I’ll let you insert your comments here …

Team salaries

When looking at total team salaries, it’s clear that money always doesn’t buy success.

Consider the team with the highest salary total in 2012. Well yes, the Kansas City Chiefs will also be choosing number one in this year’s NFL Draft. The Chiefs top-rated team salary was a whopping $128,051,400.

Right behind the Chiefs? Da Bears … $126,358,124.

The other teams in the NFC North: The Lions were #4 ($116,478,991) and the Vikings were right on the Packers’ heels at #17 ($105,263,631).

Consider also that of the five teams with the lowest total salaries, four of them were Playoff teams:

And the Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens? They were ranked 25th ($98,730,030).

By the way, the other Super Bowl-qualifying team, the San Francisco 49ers, were rated third ($124,707,285).

Of course, the best value out there was the Indianapolis Colts. The Playoff team that surprised everyone came in with a measly team salary of $80,801,242. Now, that’s a success story.

Below you will find the Packers complete list, followed by the team total lists.

But before you do, Like Lombardiave.com on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

The charts below are courtesy of Fox Sports.

How do the Packers beat the mathematical odds?
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Editor’s note: Caution – if you don’t have a sense of humor or aren’t a brilliant mathematician, this post will probably mean nothing to you. However, if you like to smile, laugh outloud or get a kick out of a guy who likes to have fun with his posts, then you will enjoy this. In other words, if you’re looking for a post that talks about bench press repetitions, 40-yard dash time splits, wingspans, and core strength, you might want to move on.

So I decided that in honor of George Washington’s birthday (thus, I will not tell a lie), the start of the Combine, and the fact that my editor (the wise and talented expert that he is) emailed me and asked me when I was coming back to my $20 million-a-year writing job, I figured it was time to do some deep statistical analysis of the Green Bay Packers and their needs going into the combine.

When we apply basic statistical analysis to the 2012 season, the first thing that jumped out to me was that the Packers were 11-0 in games where they outscored their opponents.  In the five games they lost, they did not score more points than their opponents (you can even check these facts as I found them on the Internet, and everyone knows that if it is on the Internet, it is true).

This means that on 11 different occasions, the offense performed at a level greater than (another math term) the other team’s defense.  In order to increase the percentage of wins the Packers must determine what needs to be supplemented to the offense to increase the total output and subsequently maximize their victory total next year.

This was a familiar scene last year. New York Giants middle linebacker Chase Blackburn (93) during the game at Metlife Stadium.
Andrew Mills/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

In my analysis two things need to be done.  We need to significantly increase the production of the offensive line by adding a player who significantly produces an end product that will protect Aaron Rodgers from being sacked, and provide the ability to divide the defensive players which will then equate to the running lanes opening up, establishing the “X” quotient, which has been the missing running game.

Mathematically, if we assign the letter “O” to refer to the offensive line, the letter “A” for Aaron Rodgers and the letter “X” for unknown, our equation would look like this.  OA + X = ?

My pure genius of breaking this down to algebra is amazing and should revolutionize future draft boards and place me in the NFL Hall of Fame for revolutionizing the game of football.

This then brings me to the second need.  We need to have a running back who can be that guy who pounds the ball up the middle and out to the outside – that one horse who can pick the team up and carry it.

So then we need to adjust the equation (using “R” for the running back) to read, R(OA) + X = ?  By following this simple equation I would extrapolate that we should then augment the victory total from 11 to 16.  This would constitute a 69 percent increase in the total number of victories.

Now being the gifted mathematical genius I am (just ask my daughter), I will leave it up to those who subscribe to the theories of applied physics and Keynesian economics to determine which players would best fit the equation.  I do not like to pigeon hole myself by working outside of my normal wealth of pure awesomeness and comment on things I have no basis of knowledge to work from.

Defensively, the statistical analysis shows that on the five occasions that the other team’s offense scored more points than our defense, it was due to the fact that our defense allowed more points to be scored by the other team than we were able to score ourselves (again, you can check these facts on the Internet).

Remember when Clay did this to Brett? Well, not having him on the field for several games last year diminished the Packers chances of scoring more points than their opponents.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

I would surmise that this was due to the fact that our two primary defensive players, Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson, were missing for most of the season.  Normally this subtraction would be a bad thing, but it allowed for the addition of numerous unknown quotients to be included in the overall equation.  Because these unknown factors had a high variable, they had a positive impact on the end result.

Whereas many teams faced with the same formula would normally see diminished returns, the Packers were able to use the theory of addition by subtraction to their advantage.  This will allow for a continuous increase in the overall production next year and the end result should be a decrease in the number of points scored more often by the other team than ours.

This would then create a direct relationship between the increase in the total number of victories.  It does not mea, however, that there are weaknesses and areas that need to be improved.  Since we have completely factored out Charles Woodson from the equation, we need to determine which unknown quantity can be implemented within the equation to offset the deduction.

In addition (pun intended), we need to multiply the number of prime numbers that can create a continuous increase in the number of times that the opposing quarterback  fails to score more points than our offense.

In this case the equation would look like (3.14D)+(X+Y)=V+5.  X and Y are are unknown factors and “D” represents the defense and “V” is for last year’s total number of victories.  Thus, the combination of the unknowns will correlate to the inverse proportionate numerical total of the sum of all factors divided by the quotient.

By applying the statistical analysis and mathematical formulas based on my factual research, I can honestly say (in honor of George Washington) that if Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy apply these equations to their overall process of grading players, the end result will equal the sum of all work combined, resulting in the unknown being solved …

And that, my friends, is no lie.

GO PACK GO!

May 22, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson (right) visits with Texas A

Packers’ general manager Ted Thompson has one hell of a hard job. His decisions are viewed and analyzed by millions who take them personally. Even calls that are objectively easy, like not re-signing Donald Driver, can gather storm clouds in the form of angry Green Bay fans. It often takes years before his moves are given due credit.

Such is likely the case once again with Charles Woodson’s release.

Many cried foul in the wake of the Woodson news. A 15-year veteran, seven with the Packers, Woodson was widely acknowledged as the “heart” of Green Bay’s defense. The common themes amongst the angst-ridden were Packers GM Ted Thompson’s “insensitivity,” “disloyalty,” and “stupidity.” If the only opinions that mattered were those of the fans, Thompson would be joining Woodson on his way out of Green Bay.

But those opinions – formed largely through emotion and sentimentality – don’t matter. The only opinions that mean anything are those of Thompson and his assistants.

Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Lambeau Field. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Thompson operates like a mathematician. He crunches numbers, projects production, and makes the personnel decisions. And more often than not, Thompson has made the right calls: calls that fans, so often emotional and sentimental, can’t understand. What those fans fail to understand is that in order for a GM to be successful, he needs to approach decisions as a detached third party. That may feel wrong to fans, but success is built through proper perspective.

When Thompson analyzed Woodson, he weighed the production the Packers would receive versus the $10 million cost. He then looked at the replacement options. With the emergence of slot corner Casey Hayward and safeties Jerron McMillian and M.D. Jennings, the decision was simple.

Woodson’s release, along with the pending departure of Greg Jennings, is part of a big picture approach to team building. Few would argue that there isn’t a drop off from those veterans to their inexperienced successors, but these moves aren’t made in a vacuum.

Thompson knows this isn’t a decision between Woodson and McMillian. It’s a decision between Woodson and B.J. Raji, or Woodson and Matthews, or any of the other players in need of a contract extension. Because Thompson is so skilled as a talent evaluator, there are just too many good players to keep on one roster. At that point, the best move for the Packers is to retain the younger players who can contribute for longer. Woodson fell on the wrong side of that equation.

Defensive end Joe Johnson, one of the most disappointing free agent signings in Green Bay Packers history.

If you find yourself questioning this approach, just think back to the Mike Sherman era. Sherman was aggressive in free agency and ignored age in doing so. In 2001, Sherman signed Joe Johnson, a 30-year-old defensive end with 21 sacks over the previous two seasons. Johnson received a six year, $33 million contract, much of which was guaranteed. In return, the Packers received only 11 games played.

The biggest disappointment wasn’t how ineffective or unavailable Johnson was, but rather how much valuable cap space the contract ate up. By deferring much of Johnson’s signing bonus, Sherman guaranteed that the Packers would lose valuable assets in the years to come. That debt was paid following the 2004 season when the Packers lacked the cap room to re-sign All-Pro guards Mike Wahle and Marco Rivera.

Mike Wahle (68) talks with Marco Rivera (62) during their final season together in 2004.

Those twin losses effectively ended the Mike Sherman era as well as the Packers’ early 2000s run as contenders. Without Wahle and Rivera, the offense changed overnight. Favre, sacked only 12 times in 2004, was dropped behind the line 24 times the following year. Not coincidentally, his interception total rose to a league high 29. Green Bay wouldn’t have a winning record again until 2007.

Would Woodson have gone the way of Joe Johnson had he been retained? Likely not, but that doesn’t alter the cap ramifications of such a move. Woodson’s return would have meant departure for someone important, if not this year than next.

And it’s not only the big names that could be leaving. Sam Shields, Brad Jones, Bryan Bulaga, James Jones, Morgan Burnett, and Desmond Bishop are among those whose contracts expire over the next two years. At 36, Woodson doesn’t have the value to Green Bay as those players.

Fans may view Thompson’s decision on Woodson as inglorious, but choosing long-term championship contention over sentimentality is anything but.

Jason Hirschhorn covers the Green Bay Packers for Lombardiave.com. He has previously written for Hail to the Orange, College Hoops Net, Mocking the Draft, LiveBall Sports, and the List Universe. He is a senior writer for Beats Per Minute, an indie-music webzine. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JBHirschhorn.

Have some Packers fans lost their sense of direction in calling for Mike McCarthy’s job? We feel so.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

I knew it would happen, it just came sooner than I expected.

Some members of the Packer Nation have JUMPED THE SHARK. No I am not talking about recreating Fonzy’s epic water skiing jump. I am talking about that single moment in time when, according to the Urban Dictionary, “Someone behaves in a way that eliminates any traces of his/her credibility and, consequently, any sense of purpose in continuing the overall engagement.”

Since I don’t consider myself an Xs and Os kinda Packer fan and I tend to lean more toward the emotional and fanatic aspects of all things Green and Gold I figured it would be a few weeks or maybe a month or so after the dust settled from the flameout in Candlestick that some would call for the demise of Coach McCarthy. Yet there it was in black and white, in numerous posts. We need to fire Mike McCarthy.

Ted Thompson has his work cut out for him to put the Packers back together.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

We are all accustomed to the yearly ramblings calling for the ouster of Ted Thompson because he supposedly has no idea what he is doing. Not like he has assembled a team that has won one Super Bowl, been to two NFC Title games and won the division year-in and year-out. But to call for the hide of the man who has led the team to the very top of the NFL? Seriously, people this borders on criminal insanity or at least jay-walking.

Why are we even asking this question?

The answer is simple, some members of the Packer Nation have lost their internal bearings and are out of control and need to be brought back into the warmth of Lambeau Field (that or they have been replaced by cyborgs created by Viking and Bear fans to destabilize our fan base due to total jealousy).
Coach McCarthy may not be flashy or Rex Ryanesque, but he symbolizes what Packers Football is all about. He is structured and steady. You may disagree with his playcalling or how he may handle a player or call a game, but name one single time that you can honestly say that he was so far off base that he made a Mason Crosby 53-yard field goal attempt look good? NEVER.

Coach McCarthy is steering this franchise in the direction that it needs to go, forward. Think back to the late 70s and early 80s, when all was lost and we were the laughingstock of the NFL. Now we are the epitome of the NFL. We are one of the standard bearers for which many teams strive. The main reason for that is that we have McCarthy. He has established the basis by which this team operates, succeeds, and exceeds. It may not always be to our liking but it is better than the Gregg years, the Sherman years, the Rhodes year and the Infante years.

This organization wins with McCarthy at the helm and to think that you would remove him because the team is not winning enough is inconceivable. How many teams win the Super Bowl each year?

One.

How many teams win the Super Bowl back-to-back?  But how many teams are consistently at or near the top of their division and conference?  Very few, yet we can count our Packers as one of those teams.

So as we all come to terms with the end of the season, let us not lose focus on what is important and that is seeing what the Packers do to make improvements and adjustments that will take our team to the pinnacle of success.  The path to success is never easy and in Coach McCarthy we have the right man to navigate that route and do what it takes to consistently win, and more importantly, win with class.

So for all of you who are calling for his job, ask yourself, what other options are there?  Is there anyone better suited for Green Bay?  Can anyone else do what he has done year-in and year-out?  The answer, my friends, in a simple, “No.”  If you disagree that is fine, just let me know when you want to strap on those water skis, because I will be more than happy to operate that boat when you jump the shark!

GO PACK GO!

If the early reports are correct, Charles Woodson should return from his collarbone injury for this week’s division deciding showdown against the Chicago Bears. He’s one of a few names who are expected back, as Clay Matthews and C.J. Wilson are also expected to end their stints on the injury list. However, one question distinguishes Woodson’s return from the rest.

However, one question distinguishes Woodson’s return from the rest.

How will he be reintegrated into the Packers’ defense?

If the defense had struggled mightily in the areas Woodson covered, this wouldn’t be an issue. Yet the play at safety and slot corner has been great, if not greater, in Woodson’s absence.

At safety, M.D. Jennings and Jerron McMillian have both shown incredible ability to keep a lid on opponent’s passing games. McMillian especially has proven difficult to throw at, and veteran passers consistently look away from wherever he is stationed. Morgan Burnett has improved his play as well by rediscovering the ball-hawking ability he displayed during the first half of 2011. More impressive still, Burnett has developed pass rushing ability on safety blitzes, netting two sacks and even more quarterback pressures since Woodson’s injury. Even if Woodson takes the absolute minimum amount of time to shake the rust, it’s hard to imagine he’ll outperform this combined production.

The bigger story, though, is the ascension of Casey Hayward. Hayward went from showing mere competence as a slot corner to becoming one of the best in the entire league. Hayward plays highly instinctually, making the right reads and sticking on the hip of opposing receivers despite only having average speed for a cornerback. The slot corner spot has been Woodson’s since almost the beginning of his Green Bay tenure. It’s the position Woodson has done most of his damage: blitzing the QB, pushing around tight ends, and until recently, giving up little to slot receivers. Woodson may no longer be able to cover in the slot the way Hayward does, and it would be unconscionable to remove Hayward at this point.

So what can the Packers do to both satiate their longtime defensive leader and not see drop-offs in production? The answer may seem a little out of bounds, but when you consider the skills Woodson still possesses and where the Green Bay defense has struggled, it doesn’t seem so crazy.

Play Woodson at linebacker.

More specifically, play Woodson at linebacker in the nickel. This maximizes the skills he has while keeping the young, high-producing defensive backs on the field. Perhaps Woodson shifts to safety in the base 3-4, but it’s in the nickel where he should play primarily as a linebacker.

This wouldn’t be the first time Woodson’s played in such a role. While it wasn’t labeled as such in 2009 and 2010, Woodson played a hybrid slot corner/outside linebacker position to great effect. From this spot, Woodson would flush the quarterback out of the pocket, cover the tight end or slot receiver, and also be able to drop back with the linebackers into zone. Today, Woodson can still tackle like a linebacker, cover tight ends, and play at least as well as any of Green Bay’s current linebackers in zone. The last of these would help reduce the number of cheap 8-12 yard completions over the middle that have plagued the Packers this season.

As the Packers still play most of their defense out of the nickel – this past week the entire opening drive against the Lions was played in nickel – this would allow Woodson to get on the field without making major sacrifices. Woodson could take the linebacker spot opposite of Clay Matthews and give the pass rush the most balance it’s had since Nick Perry went down. Woodson could also shift to Brad Jones’ inside linebacker spot if coverage over the middle of the field becomes an issue.

While many fans might be pealing their jaws off the ground after reading this, such was the same reaction when the idea of playing Woodson primarily at safety was first floated. As with the other aging Packer veterans, the team must adapt to Woodson’s diminished skill set. Fortunately for the Packers, the skills he still has are incredibly unique and fit their defensive needs perfectly. Don’t be surprised to see Woodson playing a role like this as the regular season closes out.

December 2, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy walks off the field with safety Morgan Burnett (42) after game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. The Packers beat the Vikings 23-14. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-US PRESSWIRE

By now, everyone’s heard a sports radio or television personality question the value of the top two playoff seeds. It’s a novel idea, but nothing more. It’s not the first time you’ve heard it, but sports analysts often ignore large sample sizes in favor of what happened yesterday.

The last two Super Bowls were won by the Giants and the Packers, fourth and sixth seeds, respectively. Both championships were fantastic accomplishments by teams that proved to be better than their regular season records would indicate. However, this shouldn’t be confused with a model shift. The postseason bye week matters and it helps those who get them.

Over the last 20 Super Bowls, the winning team has been a top two seed 13 times. Further emphasizing how special Green Bay’s 2010 Super Bowl run was, only four champions over that span were wildcards. The argument that playoff seeding doesn’t matter or that the bye week hurts teams is clearly uninformed and ridiculous. Every team should want those first two playoff slots.

As of the writing of this article, Green Bay is 8-4 and holds the third seed in the NFC playoff bracket. That could change if the Giants win their Monday night matchup with the Redskins. However, even in that scenario the Packers wouldn’t be far removed from the number two seed.

December 2, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh talks with quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) before a game against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-US PRESSWIRE

The 49ers, currently holders of the second seed, have a slightly superior record at 8-3-1. While they also hold the head-to-head tie-breaker over the Packers, their tied game with the Rams virtually guarantees that no team will have the same record. San Francisco’s remaining opponents combine for 25-23. Their biggest challenges the rest of the regular season will be on the road at New England directly followed by a trip to Seattle.

As for the aforementioned Giants, they’ll either be a game back of the Packers or ahead via tiebreaker following their game in Washington. After that, their remaining opponents have a combined record of 28-20. Just like San Francisco, the Giants have their two toughest games back-to-back on the road in Atlanta and Baltimore, respectively.

Then there’s Chicago. By virtue of the Packers’ week 2 win over the Bears in Green Bay, the Packers hold a tentative lead in the NFC North. While a lot can happen over the last four weeks, it looks like the winner of the week 15 rematch at Soldier Field will take the division.

Nov 20, 2011; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Charles Woodson (left) and linebacker Clay Matthews (52) celebrate a play during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lambeau Field. The Packers defeated the Buccaneers 35-26. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Of all the second seed contenders, the Packers have the easiest remaining schedule. While the remaining opponents for Green Bay and Chicago each combine for a 22-26, the Packers play one more game at home. On paper, only the game at Chicago stands out as difficult. The other opponents are all well below the .500 mark and have nothing left to play for. With Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson set to return soon, the Packers may very well sweep their last four games.

If we assume that happens, the margin for error on the part of the 49ers, Giants, and Bears becomes small to nonexistent. Any loss for the 49ers would result in the Packers jumping them. The Giants would also need to win out, including the Monday night game against the Redskins. Finally, the Bears would have both an inferior record and the short end of the head-to-head tie-breaker. They, too, would be out of luck.Even if Green Bay drops one of their last four, they stand a reasonable chance of snaring a playoff bye. The Giants are capable of beating anybody, but they’re just as capable of losing games they shouldn’t. Two losses over their remaining schedule wouldn’t surprise anyone. The 49ers are better than Seattle and comparable to New England, but it’s not impossible they drop those back-to-back. The Bears would either need to win out or lose only once and not to the Packers.

As Aaron Rodgers repeated ad nauseam over the past two weeks, everything’s “right in front” of Green Bay. Their own challenges are manageable while those of their rivals are considerable. It is from these situations that the true championship contenders separate themselves from the herd. We’ll know on which side the Packers find themselves in only a few weeks’ time.

Feb 6, 2011; Arlington, TX, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Charles Woodson celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy following Super Bowl XLV against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cowboys Stadium. The Packers defeated the Steelers 31-25. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

The current struggles of the 2012 Green Bay Packers have caused many members of the media to question the legitimacy of the 2010 Super bowl champion Green Bay Packers.

The fact that many of the same players are on this year’s club, has caused some to view the 2010 Packers as just a good team that got hot at the right time. Quite frankly this is incorrect, and insulting to those who played so hard to become champions of the National Football League.

While it was an incredible run, make no mistake they were the best team in football that year, and I can prove it.

First, the Packers suffered through an injury bug like no other that year when 16 players ended up on season ending injured reserve. These were not just regular players either, but players like Nick Barnett, Ryan Grant, and Jermicheal Finley, all of whom were expected to make major contributions to the success of the Green Bay Packers.

Feb 6, 2011; Arlington, TX, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews during Super Bowl XLV against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cowboys Stadium. The Packers defeated the Steelers 31-25. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

Just as amazing, the Packers at no point in their 20 games that year trailed by more than 7 points. To put this in perspective, no team had done this since 1962. Just take a second and think of all the great teams, Lombardi’s Packers, Walsh’s 49er’s, the undefeated 72’ Dolphin’s, or the 85 Bears – none of them can say that.

The Packers lost last week to the Giants by 28 points, the 2010 Packers lost all 6 of their games by a combined 20 points. Of those losses, two of them were in overtime, two of them were without their star, (the real MVP of the NFL that year) Aaron Rodgers, and none of the loses were by more than 4 points.

Also there is a common belief that Aaron Rodgers went on an incredible run during the playoffs in 2010. While his play was phenomenal, his passer rating during that 4 game stretch was only 8 points higher (109.8) than his rating for the entire season (101.2).

The Packers offense was ranked fifth in passing that year, and was in the top five in every passing category there is. The offensive line gave up 38 sacks, but got much better as the season went on. While their running game was a weakness for most of the season, they did score 11 touchdowns and got much better when Starks got healthy. Starks even led the NFL in rushing during the post season with 315 yards (which was 85 yards better than anyone else).

The Packers defense that year was ranked fifth overall. They were second in the NFL in sacks (trailing only Pittsburgh by one) and second in interceptions (trialing only New England by one).  They also held opposing quarterbacks to a 67.2 rating, which was tops in the NFL by almost six full points. Finally and maybe most important, they were second in the NFL in points allowed, giving up only 15 points per game.

Fittingly enough even in their biggest game of the year, Superbowl XLV, the Packers had to meet adversity head on, losing almost their entire secondary to injury, including their captain, Charles Woodson, and star receiver Donald Driver. They would once again overcome the injuries and left Dallas that night victorious.

So the 2010 Packers were champions of the world, and raised the Lombardi trophy. As you can clearly see it was not by accident, or by catching lightning in a bottle. They were a very talented team, that could do everything well, played hard all the time and persevered in even the most difficult situations.

Now that my friends is the stuff from which true champions are made.