Oct 23, 2011; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) returns a punt against the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter at the Metrodome. The Packers win 33-27. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-US PRESSWIRE

Every Green Bay Packers fan knew what they had when Ted Thompson drafted Randall Cobb in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft. They knew he had speed. They knew he had great hands. They knew he could be the X-factor the team had been missing and needed desperately in this 21st century game.

But they also knew he was a character guy – they type of individual who fits in well with the team and will do whatever it takes to make the roster and to make the team better.

That’s why it’s not surprising to hear that Packers special teams coach Shawn Slocum has declared Cobb the return guy again for 2012. While that decision ultimately falls on head coach Mike McCarthy‘s shoulders, there’s no reason in my mind why he would disagree with Slocum.

With the depth the Packers have at wide receiver and talk about the possibility that McCarthy may keep as many as seven – yes, seven – wide receivers on the roster, it would make sense that they would keep Cobb in the position where he excelled last year. It seems they would keep him at return man at least until they can develop another player to take the reins – moving Cobb permanently to the receiver ranks once that happens.

But with Donald Driver and James Jones coming off the bench, too, Cobb’s legs should be plenty fresh by the time the second half of the season rolls around to continue to help the team at both receiver and special teams.

He’s a dynamic player who can take it the distance any time he touches the ball and if he can touch it on every kick-off and punt, it only positions the team better on the field.

Frankly, I can’t wait to see him exploding again up the middle, breaking tackles and outrunning opponents.

If he stays healthy, he could become one of the most improved players in the league – possibly taking the step toward a Pro Bowl nod.

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The Packers special teams, and in this case their return coverage team, should improve this season under third-year coach Shawn Slocum. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Special teams has been nothing short of schitzophrenic for the Green Bay Packers the past few seasons.

Coach Shawn Slocum has worked with the tools he has been given, but the results have been far from satisfactory. In fact, if you take away the anemic running game of the first 12 games last year, the play of the special teams was probably not far behind as the Achilles heel in the Packers’ attack.

Slocum’s units have not ranked well at all the past few years and even before he was named Packers special teams coach, the teamwasn’t impressive.

So, it’s been a while since we’ve seen production from special teams in Green Bay.

Here are the rankings of the team the past few years - rankings that Slocum can only improve on this year. The Packers ranked 29th in the Dallas Morning News’ annual survey of performance after ranking 31st in 2009, 26th in ’08, tied for seventh in ’07 and 32nd in ’06. The Packers also were dead last in ’05 under Mike Sherman.

That’s pretty pathetic.

If last Saturday was any indication (though it is a long, long season) it looks as though GM Ted Thompson has finally outfitted Slocum with the depth of talent that could make a huge difference in production this coming season. (more…)

These OTAs mark a change for the Packers as they try to rediscover the magic they had in 2007, when they went 13-3 and were an errant pass from the Super Bowl. The team comes in with a new defensive coordinator (Dom Capers), new defensive scheme (3-4), new special teams coordinator (Shawn Slocum), and two new, high draft picks (B.J. Raji, Clay Matthews). The Packers are trying to rebound from the dismal 2008 season and keep up with the reloaded Chicago Bears, always dangerous Minnesota Vikings, and the making-an-attempt-at-being-a-football-team Detroit Lions.

So what should we watch for with these OTAs?

First, the obvious: the 3-4. With Capers, Raji, and Matthews coming in, change is happening. How long it takes that change to happen remains to be seen. The only new members of the Packer defense are the two rookies and safety Anthony Smith, who was signed away from the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency. Raji will compete with the incumbent Ryan Pickett for the nose tackle job, where the the team will look to them as space-eaters to free up the linebackers. Both men are listed at over 330 pounds, something absolutely necessary for the scheme to succeed. Pickett has performed solidly in his time with the Packers, but it remains to be seen if he has the athleticism to be more than serviceable in the 3-4. Raji is expected to become an impact player over the course of his career on the defensive line.

Joining Raji and Pickett on the defensive line is the competition for defensive end. Defensive end is a thankless job according to many who have worked with it. Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel of Pittsburgh are regarded as two of the best 3-4 defensive ends in the league, and I’m willing to bet the casual fan hasn’t heard of them. The Packers are hoping that Justin Harrell can make the transition to the 3-4 DE successfully, or else his time in Green Bay will most likely be up. Also expected to have big impacts in the defense are Johnny Jolly and Cullen Jenkins. However, any of the numerous defensive ends on the Green Bay roster currently have the potential to win the job, as nearly everyone is learning something new.

Talking about the Packers defense is like beating a dead horse, so something else to consider: Ryan Grant.

Last year, Ryan Grant rushed for over 1,200 yards, good for ninth in the league. However, we have no idea what Grant can do. After all, he only played half a season in 2007 and in 2008 missed all offseason activities before promptly hurting his hamstring the first week of training camp and never really being at 100%. The backups in Green Bay (Brandon Jackson, DeShawnn Wynn) have shown flashes of brilliance, and I’d expect Mike McCarthy and Joe Philbin to use them to put some pressure on Grant during these offseason workouts. While Grant’s total yards were good for someone who missed time, his yards per game (75.4) and yards per carry (3.9) could definitely use some improvement.

Grant’s performance ties in with the offensive line, obviously. The Packers offensive line in 2008 was banged up and inconsistent. As the younger guys continue to mature and develop, it takes some pressure off of the aging Mark Tauscher and Chad Clifton. The trenches are definitely the place to watch for the Packers during these OTAs.

Stay tuned.

Defensive Coordinator: Capers

Special Teams Coordinator: Shawn Slocum

Strength & Conditioning Coordinator: Dave Redding

Inside Linebackers: Winston Moss

Outside Linebackers: Greene

Defensive Line: Trgovac

Safeties: Darren Perry

Cornerbacks: Darren Whitt, Jr.

Assistant Special Teams: Curtis Fuller

Offensive Quality Control: John Rushing

Defensive Quality Control: Scott McCurley

Here’s to hoping that these new defensive coaches can actually coach defense. Same goes for the special teams coaches also.