The battle between Spitz and Wells was one of the closest watched in camp.  Both players have started games for the Packers over the last few years and both have something to bring to the table.  However, Wells was hurt for much of 2008 and didn’t match Spitz’s improvement.

McCarthy had this to say about Wells:

“Scott’s a professional,” said McCarthy. “I didn’t expect him to be excited about it, and he was not. He had a few questions, I answered them very honestly and he understands why we made that move.”

Spitz commented on the move:

“I’ve always had aspirations of being a great center,” Spitz said. “Things are slowing down for me at center. Obviously, I spent a lot of time playing center in the off-season.”

Wells said:

“No one is happy when they are not playing.”

Barbre beat out 2008 draft pick Breno Giacomini, in a battle between two guys who have never started in the NFL.  However, the left side of Chad Clifton and Darryn Colledge is very experienced which balances the line in terms of experience. 

The Packers are really excited about having Sitton on the starting O-line:

“Josh Sitton earned a starting position at guard last year and lost that due to injury,” said McCarthy. “We felt that he has improved. He’s a physical player on that right side, and that’s probably the reason why we did go with him.”

Sitton is obviously excited as well:

“I’ve got to strive to get better on fundamentals, the small things,” said Sitton. “It’s gratifying. I’m happy for the opportunity to get out and show what I can do. I’m going to take this opportunity and run with it.”

Now the unit can focus on cohesion and opening up holes for Ryan Grant and protecting Aaron Rodgers.  The offensive line was weak in 2008, and it needs to perform for the Packers to get back to the playoffs.

But enough introduction, time to get down to the offensive battles to take place on the field:

Fullback
The Packers have a three-way battle for the fullback spot in Mike McCarthy‘s West Coast offense between Korey Hall and John Kuhn, who have been in Green Bay for the past two years, and Quinn Johnson, a draft pick out of LSU.  Both Hall and Kuhn are special teamers who could make the team that way, while the blocking abilities of Johnson will be tested by the coaches at every opportunity.  Ryan Grant‘s yards-per-carry average dropped from 5.1 in 2007 to 3.9 in 2008, so the Packers are looking for the best blocker they can get.  The Packers have kept multiple fullbacks on the roster in the past few years.  My picks: Hall and Johnson, with Kuhn the odd man out.  Hall will be the starter.  Hall has been solid in his conversion from a linebacker at Boise State and continues to progress, while Johnson provides some athleticism as a blocker.

Right Tackle
With long time mainstay Mark Tauscher gone, the Packers have a wide-open competition for that spot.  During OTAs and mini-camps, third-year man Allen Barbre worked with the first unit and many expect him to open camp with the first team.  Rookie T.J. Lang wants to play immediated and will be no slouch for Barbre to compete with, with while second-year man Breno Giacomini is coming off ankle surgery and could steal the job if Lang and Barbre aren’t careful.  My pick: Barbre, on experience.  This battle will be interesting, as Lang, who went to Eastern Michigan, is intriguing, but Barbre’s good performance in OTAs and mini-camps will translate into a good training camp and a starting job for him.

Center
In the past two years, Scott Wells and Jason Spitz have started all the games for the Packers at center, with Wells starting 26 and Spitz filling in on the other 6.  Wells ran into injury problems in 2008, causing the offensive line to be shuffled around as Spitz filled in at center.  This race will go down to the wire and has potential ramifications for the rest of the offensive line, as Spitz can also play either guard position, meaning that if he loses this race, he could jump in one of the guard racers and steal that spot.  My pick: I’m going to have to give it to Wells by a nose.

No. 5 Wide Receiver
The Packers already have their Top 4 lined up, but the Packers want a fifth wide receiver to make their “Big 5″ formaton work.  Ruvell Martin has held down the spot the last three years, but has seen his production decline.  One of the Packers seventh-round picks from 2008, Brett Swain spent 2008 on the practice squad but has been impressive in camps.  Also in the race are Jake Allen, who had a good preseason in 2008 and Kole Heckendorf who “flashed some ability during OTAs” according to the Packers website.  My picks: The Packers carry six receivers, allowing them to go big within the Big 5 with Martin, or smaller with Swain, creating more matchup problems.

No. 2 Quarterback
We were all shocked last year when seventh-round pick Matt Flynn came into training camp and beat out second-round pick Brian Brohm for the No. 2 spot.  However, Flynn’s brief appearances relieving Aaron Rodgers and his subsequent offseason workouts and OTAs have done nothing to secure his spot as the No. 2 QB, allowing Brohm another crack at the job.  Both players have had a year in the system and will be working against a difficult 3-4 defense so they will be tested and able to show much improvement.  Plus, they will see more time in preseason games, as Rodgers no longer needs that starting experience as much as he did last year.  My pick: Brohm leapfrogs Flynn to take the job.

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Aaron Rodgers

Yes, we all knew this one was coming. Rodgers has the hopes and dreams of millions to deal with while leading the Packers offense. The offense (and team most likely) will go as Rodgers goes. If he’s doing well, the team will. If he doesn’t do well, then the team most likely won’t. The main key for him is to stay healthy and stay off of his back. Staying off his back leads to our next key for the season…

The Offensive Line

For Rodgers to be successful, he needs a successful or at least decent offensive line. The Packers offensive line is bookended by Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher who have been through just about everything in the green and gold. The middle three positions of the offensive line is where the concern pops up. Center Scott Wells is listed as questionable for Monday night’s opener against the Minnesota Vikings, which means that guard Jason Spitz will slide over to center, giving Darryn Colledge and Allen Barbre the starting nods, most likely.  The Packers offensive linemen will be the key to Rodgers’ success this season.  If they keep him upright, the Packers win ten games.  If they don’t, then that really sucks.

The Secondary

Al Harris is 33.  Charles Woodson is 31.  They’re obviously nearing the end of their line.  After them is a group of unproven or subpar defensive backs.  Jarrett Bush remains on the team because he can also play safety.  Tramon Williams came on strong at the end of last year, but he will have to back it up this year.  Will Blackmon is usually injured and Patrick Lee is green.  At safety, Atari Bigby has the strong safety spot locked up, but Nick Collins barely beat out the young, big, and athletic Aaron Rouse for that spot.  Expect to see a lot of Rouse this year in the secondary, as Mike McCarthy really likes him.  The Dallas Cowboys come to town Week 3.  The Indianapolis Colts come in Week 7.  Will the secondary be ready to stop these aerial assaults?