Green Bay Packers: Five players to watch in preseason

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SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 04: A Green Bay Packers helmet sits on the sideline during their game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on October 4, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Joe Kerridge

The Packers are among the only teams in the NFL to have more than one fullback on the roster. Aaron Ripkowski will be the team’s starting fullback, but Kerridge will surely see time on the field. Kerridge has shown to be an effective lead blocker, and even a semi-capable receiver, but his roster spot is dependent on his special teams performance.

The Packers’ coverage units have suffered in previous years, but Kerridge has slowly emerged as a leader on the kickoff coverage team. The Packers should look to mix Kerridge more and more into the lineup this season.

The Packers used three fullbacks during their Super Bowl run in 2010-2011. John Kuhn, Korey Hall, and Quinn Johnson were all used in separate packages to help the running game of James Starks and Brandon Jackson during the team’s playoff run.

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This time around, the Packers will likely only use Aaron Ripkowski and Kerridge, but will still have the necessary versatility out of the backfield to help out Aaron Rodgers. The inexperience of the Packers running backs will increase the importance of Joe Kerridge. Creating holes for Ty Montgomery and Jamaal Williams may be the single most important part of the Packers offense this coming season along with Aaron Rodgers.

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