Green Bay's top 5 position battles heading into '08 camp

The Packers have an even stronger team in many areas than the 2007 squad that finished 13-3. With so much depth at numerous positions, there will be no lack of competition for playing time. The following are what I see as the top 5 position battles, followed by others to also keep an eye on. Let us know if you agree. Also try to predict which Packers will emerge victorious.

1. Linebacker (strong-side, a.k.a. “Sam”): Brandon Chillar, the Packers only significant free agent signing this offseason, will be in a very close competition to unseat ’07 starter Brady Poppinga at strong side linebacker. Regardless of who emerges as the starter, the Packers have added valuable depth, which should help improve what has been disappointing pass coverage against tight ends.
Who Wins: Chillar

2. Defensive tackle: Even after trading Corey Williams to the Browns, the Packers have four legitimate starters at defensive tackle. When healthy Ryan Pickett is great at plugging up the middle. But will last year’s first round pick, Justin Harrell, be able to beat out Colin Cole and Johnny Jolly for the second spot?
Who Wins: Pickett and Harrell

3. Cornerback (nickel and dime backs): Rookie second-rounder Patrick Lee will be battling with Tramon Williams, second season, and Jarrett Bush and Will Blackmon, both entering their third seasons, to determine who will serve as nickel and dime backs behind starters Al Harris and Charles Woodson.
Who Wins: Lee (nickel), Williams (dime)

4. Wide Receiver (6th spot): Chris Francies, Shaun Bodiford and rookie Brett Swain will all be fighting for a sixth receiver spot that may not even be there come the regular season. Last season the Packers kept six receivers on their roster, but they also went into the season with only two quarterbacks and two tight ends – a situation that won’t happen this year. It’s unlikely Ruvell Martin would lose out to any of these guys either.
Who Wins: Too close to call

5. Safety (both strong and free): Aaron Rouse is too big and talented to remain a backup for long. Rouse plays strong safety, so he would logically be competing against Atari Bigby, who is a hard hitter but showed weakness in coverage at times. But Rouse also filled in nicely at free safety last season when Nick Collins missed time with a knee injury, nabbing two interceptions in three games.
Who Wins: Bigby (strong), Collins (free), but Rouse will replace the weaker of the two by week three.

More.....

http://mvn.com/nfl-packers/2008/05/13/green-bay%e2%80%9...%9908-camp-and-more/

Pretty good article. For me, as GB gets younger and has more depth in the DB field I agree Collins time is probably winding down as a starter. This guy predicts either Collins or Bigby gets knocked out by week 3. I think Rouse wins out over Collins by week 1.

If Jolly's injury heals I don't see why he won't be dominating. He played consistently better than Corey Williams before his shoulder injury. I think Jolly, Harrell and Pickett will all see plenty of playing time considering the Packers penchant for rotation.

Another tidbit I read (no link) is the coaches aren't as enamoured with Rouse as the fans are. Sounds like they weren't overly crazy with his consistency in tackling and angles. Fixable, but let's see how he develops this year.

LB: Since TT has not yet proven to me he can sign "under the radar" free agents, I predict Poppinga beats out Chillar.

DT: We like to rotate them, but, for the "game day status" I'd imagine Pickett and a healthy Jolly are the starters. If Jolly can't get going, Harrell is the obvious starter. Cole is just so vanilla for being so black.

CB: A healthy Blackmon is the nickel or dime, depending how Lee looks. Tramon will be the 5th CB.

WR: I hate Ruvell Martin. Francies and Bodiford are useless. I'd cut all three and just keep Swain, if he doesn't suck, too. I would only keep 5 WRs at this point. I predict the 5th WR will be one of the ten million FA rookies.

S: Collins has to go. Rouse and Bigby.

I'd guess Cole or Muir gets in on the rotation at DT too, because they seem to like rotating a lot of guys there.

I'm going to guess that barring injury the two safties on opening day are the same two that started last year.

I really like Blackmon but wouldn't be too surprised to see him get cut, or you know, hurt. But I guess he'd need to get healthy before he can get hurt.

quote:

Originally posted by Henry:
If Jolly's injury heals I don't see why he won't be dominating.

agreed. He may be the most talented of the bunch

James Jones is the likely #3 but it will also be interesting to see where Jordy Nelson fits in.

Usually WR's step it up following their rookie year and in their 3rd, really break out. That bodes well for JJ and of course for Jennings as well.

A receiving set of...

Driver
Jennings
Jones
Nelson
Lee

looks awful nice for Rodgers to have plenty of options on the field.

Don't forget about Finley as well

Somebody help me. We're not too strong tight-end wise behind Lee. What are we looking at going into next year----and don't say Shockey!

It may just be me but I'd put the interior OL battle (whichever OG spot Spitz doesn't win) in any top-5. Aside from possibly S and SSLB that may be the only true open starting spot.

quote:

Originally posted by packerboi:
2. Defensive tackle: Even after trading Corey Williams to the Browns, the Packers have four legitimate starters at defensive tackle. When healthy Ryan Pickett is great at plugging up the middle. But will last year’s first round pick, Justin Harrell, be able to beat out Colin Cole and Johnny Jolly for the second spot?
Who Wins: Pickett and Harrell

In what fantasy world are Colin Cole and Justin Harrell considered "legitimate starters" or even really known commodities? Cole's been around and IMO teased whereas Harrell couldn't be more of an unknown IMO. Sure, he played well enough late to provide a little encouragement.

My point is that the cupboard may not be bare at DT but it ain't flush either...and Cole/Harrell have much to prove before they're even marginally starter quality IMO.

On that note how could anyone pick Harrell to beat out Jolly (probably the Packers most talented DL)?

Aside from the exclusion of the OG spot/s in the list agreed those are some of the more intriguing battles. As was the case in the '90's it's guaranteed legit NFL players will be cut this year by GB which is a good thing.

Good topic.

You need at least 3 or 4 solid DT's , so all of those guys better be ready....Muir can play too. Only injury can stop Jolly.

Same with CB....you need atleast 4 to 5 good ones. If Lee is solid and Blackmon's healthy we are in good shape. We know Williams can play.

Safety....may the best men win. I Like Rouse, but my money is on Collins and Bigby again.

LB depth is just icing on the cake...Poppinga has gotten steadily better...Chillar makes the position more versatile.



I see the LG position battle being much bigger then the 6th WR spot.

Can't wait to see how the O-line battles unfold.....

We all know the tackle spots are set with Cliffy and Tausch, center with Wells, and probably RG with Spitzy. The LG and depth positions are up in the air.

Colledge is the incumbent at LG but has had some pretty spotty moments. I look forward to seeing if he's improved, what "Juice" can bring, and how the DII phenom Barbre has developed. The Packers O-line is really coming together, but they need to solidify the LG guard spot. I think this is the year it happens.

Hoping we get a glimpse of who will be the heir apparent(back-up) at tackle too.....Orin Thompson, is Sitton athletic enough, is Tony Moll over his injury ???...

quote:

Originally posted by Blair Kiel:
Somebody help me. We're not too strong tight-end wise behind Lee. What are we looking at going into next year----and don't say Shockey!

Right now it's down to the big Maryland undrafted kid and Humphrey for the 3rd spot. Interestingly, GB's gone into the season w/ 4 TE's...or 2...so who knows?

The Haynos? kid has a chance based purely on blocking potential I think depending on Humphrey's health. They must like something about Tory but he's on his last health chance IMO.

Let's face it, Lee's no pile-mover, Finley can't block at this point, and I doubt Humphrey can much either. Any young TE prospect that can block should send in a resume.

What happened to 87, Krause?

quote:

Originally posted by The Artist fka TD:
What happened to 87, Krause?

CUT!!! Too bad. Don't we need a white TE? Maybe the guy from Maryland is white.

If Al Sharpton wasn't currently incarcerated I'd bring him in here to protest your racist remarks....Now go find me a white cornerback!

He is lunchpail.

OG: Assuming Spitz is a lock at one spot, I predict a major battle between Barbre and Giacomini. I will not yet predict a winner.

Colledge and Coston are pedestrial backups.

EDIT: Did I mean Sitton and not Giacomini? Whatever.

quote:

Originally posted by Bad Moon Rison:
OG: Assuming Spitz is a lock at one spot, I predict a major battle between Barbre and Giacomini. I will not yet predict a winner.

We shall wait with baited breath for the time you make that prediction. Hurry hurry! I cannot wait.

quote:

Originally posted by Blair Kiel:
If Al Sharpton wasn't currently incarcerated I'd bring him in here to protest your racist remarks....Now go find me a white cornerback!

And y'all think we don't need affirmative action? Where's Jason Sehorn?

Dude prolly had a black grandfather.

I agree OL should be above WRs in position battles. SOMEBODY has to step up and the G positions. I think someone will this year.
I think we're set at TE this year too. Lee might not even be the #1 guy by the end of the season. I like Finley and I like that young Haynos kid too. I'd like to see these guys in game type situations.
As far as WRs, I think Bodiford has a shot, because he looked very good on kick returns. If Swain can outplay him in that regard, Swain can make the team.

quote:

Originally posted by Blair Kiel:
Dude prolly had a black grandfather.

Talking to Mike Irvin again?

quote:

Originally posted by Bad Moon Rison:

EDIT: Did I mean Sitton and not Giacomini? Whatever.

I think you did. Both played tackle in college, but Sitton projects better to guard.

quote:

Originally posted by Henry:
Another tidbit I read (no link) is the coaches aren't as enamoured with Rouse as the fans are. Sounds like they weren't overly crazy with his consistency in tackling and angles. Fixable, but let's see how he develops this year.

From Packer Update:

"We hear that the coaches were not thrilled with the overall performance of Aaron Rouse last season. While the former Virginia Tech star showed some good instincts in pass defense, he was slow out of his breaks and rarely played to his size....."

Still not sure I buy much of what these guys say, but that's a source for part of your post.

quote:

Originally posted by Since69:

quote:

Originally posted by Bad Moon Rison:

EDIT: Did I mean Sitton and not Giacomini? Whatever.

I think you did. Both played tackle in college, but Sitton projects better to guard.

Sitton also projects well to getting cut... sliced-open, not released.