By Chris Havel
Special to Event USA

LaFleur’s practices show good energy while players begin finding their way

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Packers kicked off head coach Matt LaFleur’s first training camp practice Thursday in front of about 2,000 fans at Ray Nitschke Field.

Comparisons between LaFleur and his predecessor are expected, to be sure, but so far I can tell you this: LaFleur is his own man.

Two obvious differences are that practices are shorter and conversations between the coach and quarterback are longer.

The Packers’ first full pads practice Sunday went one hour and 50 minutes, whereas Mike McCarthy’s lasted much longer.

“I don’t think a half-an-hour is going to matter come the season,” LaFleur told reporters. “But if you lose a guy, that can certainly impact things. The places I’ve been, I think we can get the work that needs to be done in a shorter period of time.”

Amen to that, coach.

In addition, it appears Aaron Rodgers and LaFleur are comfortable addressing questions as they unfold. It’s that immediate clarification and/or correction that LaFleur is talking about when he says, “We’ve got to dig out the details.”

In that spirit, here is what I’ve learned after four practices worth of detail digging:

** One of the best early matchups has been Davante Adams being covered by Kevin King. It was smooth on smooth. It also was reminder that both are supreme athletes.

Adams hauled in several passes despite tight – and I mean blanketed – coverage by King.

Thus far, Jaire Alexander and King are looking like the pair of bookend cornerbacks the Packers are hoping they become. King is still wearing a harness on his right shoulder, but he doesn’t seem to be encumbered by it.

Meantime, Adams continues to amaze with his skill and attitude.

Quick note: When a player such as Cincinnati’s A.J. Green endures a severe ankle injury on an allegedly not-NFL-quality surface in Dayton, it reminds Packers players and fans how fortunate they are to have top-notch facilities.

** Rodgers looks tremendous. He’s engaged with his teammates and coaches while flashing that amazing right arm. Head to toe, Rodgers looks like he’s fed up with missing the playoffs.

** Tim Boyle has been much more impressive than DeShone Kizer in their battle to be Rodgers’ backup. Boyle’s arm strength and accuracy are superior to Kizer’s.

Unless Boyle’s play doesn’t translate to the preseason games, it seems pretty clear that he’s ahead of Kizer for the No. 2 job.

** One challenge with LaFleur’s scheme is all the pre-snap movement that’s designed to put the defense back on its cleats. That’s all wonderful unless the offense self-destructs with its own collection of pre-snap penalties.

The offense has been guilty of committing pre-snap penalties. Hopefully, that’s just a natural part of the learning process. Fans love the deception, unless it sabotages their own offense.

** Justin McCray and Cole Madison have been working behind Corey Linsley at center. Furthermore, Madison has been especially effective in the one-on-one pass blocking drill.

Elgton Jenkins, the Packers’ second-round pick, is lining up behind Lane Taylor at left guard – for now. The fact that McCray and Madison are working at center suggests Jenkins is in a serious competition to win the job at left guard.

** The offense’s starting skill players, for now, appear to be Aaron Jones at RB, Jimmy Graham at TE, Geronimo Allison in the slot and Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Adams wide.

LaFleur has used them in a variety of formations. Often, they’ll be spread out five across, which forces the defense to declare how it will match up. It’s been effective thus far.

Also, LaFleur has lined up with Adams 2 yards off the line, just to the inside shoulder of the tackle. Adams has options, I’m sure, but several times he would find a seam and run a shallow crossing route. The defensive back is almost immediately in a chase position and Adams has made plenty of hay with this.

** Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams and Dexter Williams all have shown their skills. Jones appears to be perfect for the scheme in that he’s got a natural feel for how to press the defense effectively before hitting the cut-back lane.

Jamaal Williams appears leaner and quicker. He was playing well before being sidelined by a pulled hamstring.

Dexter Williams made an over-the-shoulder catch and completed the toe-tap before going out-of-bounds. He’s got excellent hands, but needs work on adjusting to the offense. Unlike Jones, it seems Dexter Williams isn’t quite as natural in terms of pressing the edge and cutting back. He’ll learn, according to LaFleur.

“I think Dexter’s starting to learn what this league’s all about because early on he was really struggling at pressing things and was looking to cut back,” LaFleur said. “If you pitter-patter in the hole at this level, you’re hit in the backfield, and that’s something we’re going to continue to harp on him.”

** Offensive players who have looked good include Trevor Davis, Teo Redding and Jawill Davis. All three can run like the wind, and LaFleur seems intent on using the jet sweep.

One of these three should make the roster.

I wouldn’t discount Davis, who wears No. 1, and is cat-quick. I haven’t seen him drop anything so far. His 4.3 speed is legit. Redding, who also is 6-1, is a bit slighter of build. However, Redding has to be one of the fastest players on the roster.

Trevor Davis is trying to overcome an injury-filled 2018.

Right now I really like Jawill Davis’ game.

Meantime, J’Mon Moore continues to struggle catching it.

** On defense, first-round pick Rashan Gary flashed in the first one-on-one pass drills of camp. Gary (6-5, 277) is learning to combine speed and power – and he’s got plenty of both.

“The one thing that I really like that he’s shown is just the effort that he plays with,” LaFleur said.

Preston Smith (6-5, 265) has shown a great awareness defensively while combining pass rush with the ability to set an edge against the run. Za’Darius Smith (6-4, 272) hasn’t made any splash plays yet, but he certainly looks the part.

All three are 30 pounds heavier than Kyler Fackrell (6-5, 245) and just as fast, if not faster. Clearly, these four represent a significant upgrade in the pass rush.

By Chris Havel
Special to Event USA

LaFleur’s offense, Pettine’s defense start Thursday to become a cohesive winner

GREEN BAY, Wis. – There is a genuine air of excitement surrounding the Green Bay Packers’ 2019 training camp.

It’s always an exciting time of year, but this feels different.

There is a promising first-year head coach with a new direction.

There is a highly skilled and motivated 15-year quarterback with plenty to prove.

There is a second-year defensive coordinator – thanks to an infusion of talent directed by the second-year GM – who has a full complement of pieces to begin playing chess. The Packers’ defense has veteran experience, youthful exuberance and talent.

Never discount talent. It doesn’t guarantee success, but it’s still the best way to bet. Fortunately the disastrous 6-9-1 season seems like a lifetime ago.

It’s not Ok having the Packers miss the playoffs twice in a row.

In fact, it’s unacceptable.

The Packers’ goal should be fairly obvious: Win the NFC North and advance at least beyond the first round of the post-season. After that it lightning strikes and the Packers do the unthinkable – well, let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves.

This is only the start of a long journey.

The rookies reported to St. Norbert College today. That’s two days before the rest of the team. It’s just one change fans can expect to see under new head coach Matt LaFleur.

They can expect to see another change: Aaron Rodgers is going to elevate his level of leadership to a career high. He’s also going to benefit from both the challenge and the benefits that will come with a new scheme.
Rodgers is a known commodity, but that was in the previous offense. The Packers’ new offense is essentially a compilation of un-scouted looks for opponents to decipher, while also gauging the threats Rodgers poses within a new system.

The Packers’ prospects are good.

I base it on LaFleur’s offense, which I liked the handful of times I saw him run it in Tennessee last year. I base it on Rodgers’ desire to win AND prove he wasn’t the problem a year ago. I base it on Mike Pettine’s revamped defensive unit, which added three veteran studs and two first-round draft picks.

Preston Smith, Za’Darius Smith and Adrian Amos bring a lot to the party. They are all in their prime. They are all working after signing life-changing contracts that they intend to earn.

Rookie edge rusher Rashan Gary and rookie safety Darnell Savage Jr. are going to command much of the attention early in training camp. When the one-on-one pass rush battles begin Gary’s performance will be critically and duly noted. When Rodgers and the offense cut it loose through the air Savage’s speed and reaction time will be scrutinized.

It’s only my opinion, but I don’t believe they’ll disappoint.

Both possess rare athleticism to go with speed and power. By the coaches’ and teammates’ accounts they’re also students of the game, which bodes well for them.

They’re also coming into a situation where they don’t have to be Superman right away. Gary is going to be working behind Za’Darius Smith. It’ll be good for him to learn the trade.

Savage is expected to start, which is a heavy responsibility. However, he has the advantage of working next to Amos, a veteran safety who worked wonders in tandem with the Bears’ Eddie Jackson. It will be interesting – and a breath of fresh air – to watch them grow together.

Kenny Clark and Blake Martinez are the defense’s heart and soul. They along with Amos make the Packers’ defense exceptionally strong up the middle.

Oren Burks, a second-year linebacker, is expected to team up next to Martinez. It’s one of the biggest questions to be answered in camp: Can Burks cut it?

If not, will it fall on Josh Jones, or is he out of the picture?

Offensively, the running back tandem of Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams enter camp in the best shape of their careers. We’ll see if it leads to improved agility, speed and health.

In Jones’ case, it’s especially about his health.

The receivers will sort themselves out.

Davante Adams, Geronimo Allison and Marques Valdes-Scantling are the top three. After that it’s a battle royal involving Jake Kumerow, Equanimeous St. Brown, J’Mon Moore and Trevor Davis.

I’m not giving up on Moore.

He was the first of the three receivers drafted for a reason. The reason is that he’s silky smooth in and out of his routes and dangerous after the catch. It’s before the catch, or more accurately, making the catch, that’s the problem.

If Moore isn’t over the jitters by now he’ll never be.

The tight ends are led by Jimmy Graham, but I anticipate Marcedes Lewis and Jace Sternberger to contribute once their roles are carved out.

Last, but not least, there is the expectation that the offensive line is going to be nastier and more athletic than in the past.

They better be. Rodgers can’t absorb many more 49-sack seasons despite throwing it away a record high 59 times.

Those days are over, or so we believe.

By Chris Havel
Special to Event USA

Pettine’s revamped unit critical early on as Green Bay’s offense finds its way

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers’ offense under new head coach Matt LaFleur is a prime source of intrigue.

Will they run more? Will they audible less?

Will they strike the pass-run balance necessary to win?

While all of those questions, and more, are being sorted out there is this simple fact: The Chicago Bears are ready and waiting to destroy the Packers in their Sept. 5 season opener.

Chicago cares about the Packers’ problems only to the extent that it can exploit them.

Meantime, the reality is this: It’s going to take Aaron Rodgers and the offense time to come together. The Packers’ offense has great potential. The question is how long before it is realized?

The Packers play five of their first seven games at home. That includes home games against NFC North foes Minnesota and Detroit, and winnable games against Denver and Oakland.

A fast start is essential to the Packers’ success. That’s especially true under a first-year head coach. That’s where second-year defensive coordinator Mike Pettine’s unit comes into play.

For what seems like forever the Packers have relied on offense to carry the day. Green Bay slowly has eroded into a one-trick pony – it’s Rodgers or bust!
Those days may be over.

Pettine fielded the NFL’s 18th ranked defense last year. It also ranked among the league leaders in sacks, although that was a bit misleading as they generally came in bunches or not at all.

The Packers’ defense also returns players with a total of just two interceptions a year ago. It’s why Green Bay spent a lot of capital on defense in the draft and free agency. It’s why they retained Pettine. They couldn’t afford an overhaul on both sides.

The payoff is expected to come sooner than later on defense.

The offseason changes have been numerous and significant. There will be as many as six new starters on defense. Beyond that a handful of newcomers will be expected to fill key roles.

Let’s compare the Packers’ anticipated defensive starters with their 2018 counterparts that limped to a 6-9-1 finish.

Let’s break it down position-by-position on defense:

DEFENSE (Six of 11 new starters)

Left defensive tackle: Dean Lowry is a study in perseverance.

The Packers’ second of two fourth-round draft picks in 2016, Lowry earned a roster spot and played in 15 games. Since then he has started 19 of 32 games and contributed significantly.

Lowry started eight games last season while contributing 57 tackles (39 solo), seven tackles for loss and three sacks.

Tyler Lancaster is a promising reserve. Signed as an undrafted free agent out of Northwestern, Lancaster made his first NFL start Nov. 25 at Minnesota, where he registered one tackle. In the next five games he racked up 23 tackles and was very active.

When Mo Wilkerson went down with a season-ending injury in September at Washington, Lowry and Lancaster delivered.

Right defensive tackle: It’s time for Mike Daniels to step up.

The eight-year veteran played in just 10 games last season. The good news is that he performed well when he did play.

Daniels racked up 26 tackles (five for loss), eight QB hits (second on the team) and two sacks.

The Packers need him to recapture his Pro Bowl form of 2016.

If not, Lancaster or perhaps rookie Kingsley Keke will be given more snaps on that side.

Nose tackle: Kenny Clark is a beast.

The Packers’ interior defensive lineman continued to excel last season. Packers’ fans shudder to think where the defense would be without this man-child in the middle.

Clark, 23, is just entering his prime.

The 6-foot-3, 314-pound nose tackle had 73 tackles (46 solo), six sacks (second on the team) and 13 tackles for loss (tied for the team lead).

He was a Pro Bowl alternate and for good reason.

He had 13 QB pressures and seven QB hits while generally causing mayhem in the interior line.

Lancaster provides quality depth, with Montravius Adams still trying to figure it out in his third season.

Left outside linebacker: The upgrade of Preston Smith in place of Clay Matthews should be immediate and obvious.

Smith has pass rush ability, but his forte is stuffing the run, collapsing the pocket and showing up to play every week. Smith’s no-nonsense, workmanlike approach coupled with his size and athleticism should strengthen one edge of the defense.

Right outside linebacker: Za’Darius Smith is expected to shore up the other edge opposite Preston Smith. Like Preston, Za’Darius is in the midst of his prime with a big payday behind him and big plays ahead of him.

Za’Darius should provide the toughness, dependability and pass rush that couldn’t be counted on from the oft-injured Nick Perry. His presence alone makes the defense tougher to crack.

Talented rookie Rashan Gary and holdover Kyler Fackrell (10 sacks) should provide pass rush and quality depth.

Inside linebacker: Blake Martinez is a tackling machine.

Martinez posted a team-high 147 tackles (103 solo) with 10 tackles for loss and a career-high five sacks.

He and Clark are the glue of the defense.

At a position that’s difficult to make headlines, Martinez is on pace to become a Pro Bowl inside linebacker.

Inside linebacker: Oren Burks is something of an unknown, although he had worked his way into the lineup before being torpedoed by a preseason injury.

He still managed to return and reclaim his playing time, but he never really made the impact that was hoped for.

Burks, a third-round pick in 2018, went on to play in 14 games with four starts last season. His numbers were modest, but he’s an athletic 6-3, 233-pounder who allegedly possesses pass coverage skills. He’ll get a chance to prove it this season.

Left cornerback: Jaire Alexander was a bright spot last season. The first-round pick came in and played like it.

Alexander, who can run like the wind, had 76 tackles (61 solo) to rank second on the team. He led the Packers with 15 passes defensed and added an interception.

He was a Pro Football Writers’ Association All-Pro rookie, just the second Green Bay cornerback to be so honored since 1974 (Casey Hayward was named in 2012).

Right cornerback: Kevin King’s presence on defense would be appreciated this season. His rookie season was derailed by a shoulder injury. Last season, it was the shoulder coupled with a pesky hamstring injury that did him in.

King, who has flashed talent, needs to stay healthy.

He’s played in just 15 games the past two seasons with 11 passes defensed and one interception. With Alexander opposite him, King should get plenty of action.

The Packers are counting on him to be up to the task.

Rookie Ka’Dar Hollman and second-year pro Josh Jackson are expected to offer depth, with Jackson likely playing in “nickel” situations.

Strong safety: The Packers will feature two new starters at safety, to which their fans can only say, “Thank God.”

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Kentrell Brice were that bad. And veteran Tramon Williams didn’t fare better given his limited time at safety and a host of inexperienced players around him.

That’s where Adrian Amos comes in.

Amos, the former Chicago Bear, brings a welcome infusion of experience and ability to the position. The Packers paid him to run the show in the secondary with confidence and consistency.

Both were dreadfully lacking last season.

Free safety: Rookie Darnell Savage, Jr., is slotted to be Amos’ running mate at safety. The first-round pick brings 4.3 speed and play-making ability to the position.

The Packers have paired Amos and Savage at safety throughout this offseason. Instead of dreading “third-and-long” when the opposing offense has the ball, the Packers should be poised to force the action and create turnovers.

That’s the goal anyway.

Next week: Packers’ training camp primer

By Chris Havel
Special to Event USA

Green Bay’s “impact” newcomers expected to transform OL, secondary

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers kick off training camp in 17 days. Their Thursday night regular-season opener at Chicago is less than two months away.

The offseason changes have been numerous and significant.
Let’s compare the Packers’ anticipated starters with their 2018 counterparts that limped to a 6-9-1 finish.

How much better are the Packers? It seems fairly obvious that Green Bay’s defense, especially, is better-equipped to deal with the NFL’s high-powered offensive attacks. I will analyze the Packers’ 2019 defense and compare it with last year’s crew in next week’s column.

It also appears the Packers’ offensive line is much improved.

I project Green Bay will feature at least 10 new starters when they line up against the Bears on Thursday, Sept. 5. This week we’ll take a close look at the offense; next week, the defense.

Let’s break it down position-by-position of offense:

OFFENSE (Four of 11 new starters)

Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers returns with a new head coach, two new starters in the offensive line and a receiving corps that features Davante Adams and a handful of young, talented players behind him.

Rodgers’ quarterback rating of 97.6 was excellent given the lack of protection (49 sacks), but it was offset by a porous Packers’ defense that allowed opposing QBs to post a 100.9 rating. Rodgers was forced to throw the football away 59 times, the most by any NFL QB since 2006.

My guess is that Rodgers’ completion percentage (62.3), yards per attempt (7.44) and touchdowns (25) will increase dramatically. It may mean more interceptions, too, given the fact that it’s a new offense.

In the long run, Rodgers’ performance should improve, which means more wins for Green Bay.

Running back: Aaron Jones’ two-game suspension placed Jamaal Williams in the starter’s role in the Bears’ opener last year. Williams managed 47 yards on 15 carries with a long run of just 11 yards. Jones, the expected starter, is much more explosive and appears to fit new coach Matt LaFleur’s offense.

A healthy, available Jones clearly gives the Packers’ attack more big-play capability in the run game. Jones rating of 81.3 per Pro Football Focus ranked him 12th among all running backs.

Williams, who reshaped his physique in the offseason, should be quicker and more agile this season. He is a reliable receiver out of the backfield and more than capable as a backup.

Wide receiver: Davante Adams is one of the NFL’s top five receivers and will continue to be so. Adams should profit from a more-balanced attack, but it’s difficult to see him duplicating his huge numbers (111 catches, 13 touchdowns) of last year.

I do believe Adams’ yards-per-catch (12.5) will increase significantly. In a perfect world, Adams will be subjected to less wear and tear and more yards per catch.

Wide receiver: Randall Cobb’s best game in 2018 might’ve been the opener against Chicago, when he caught nine passes for 142 yards and a touchdown. Now he’s off to Dallas. He will be replaced by Marques Valdez-Scantling, who was among the NFL’s top rookie receivers in catches and big plays.

At this stage of Cobb’s career, MVS is a decided upgrade. He possesses big-play potential downfield and forces defense to account for his exceptional straight-line speed.

I’m predicting big things for MVS this season.

Wide receiver: Geronimo Allison was underrated before being injured last year. His absence was a big hit on the offense. He had five catches for 69 yards and a touchdown versus the Bears in the opener last year.

Allison’s return, perhaps as the slot receiver, gives Green Bay a veteran who’s capable of making clutch catches.

J’Mon Moore, Equanimeous St. Brown, Jake Kumerow and Trevor Davis will be among those fighting for playing time. It’s a group long on potential and light on experience. The good news is the receivers have been through an NFL season, which gives them a knowledge base to build on in the new attack.

Tight end: Jimmy Graham gets an opportunity to redeem himself after a lackluster 2018 season. Graham’s greatest problems were a lingering knee injury and a sputtering offense that left him either covered or ignored.

That is likely to change given a new offense that’s designed to focus on the tight ends. It’s up to Graham to respond.

Left tackle: David Bakhtiari was the NFL’s top-ranked offensive tackle in 2018 with an 88.4 rating, according to Pro Football Focus. He and center Corey Linsley likely will be flanking rookie Elgton Jenkins, the second-round draft pick, in the season opener. Jenkins is fortunate to have two top-flight pros to play with.

Left guard: Lane Taylor started a year ago, but it’ll be the rookie, Jenkins, at left guard when the season opens. Jenkins is a big (6-4, 310), strong and athletic guard. He should give the Packers’ line an upgrade in both the run game and pass pro.

Center: Corey Linsley is a solid, reliable center who communicates well with the quarterback. Linsley (fifth round) and Bakhtiari (fourth round) were tremendous draft picks.

Right guard: Justin McCray may be serviceable as a backup, but as a starter he can’t cut it. He will give way to Billy Turner, a kick-butt right guard who was acquired in free agency.

Turner’s size (6-4, 315) and tenacity will serve Green Bay well. It’s been too long since the Packers had a dynamic duo at guard. Turner and Jenkins could develop into that.

Right tackle: Bryan Bulaga scored a 75 by Pro Football Focus last season, an indicator that he remains an above-average tackle when healthy. That’s the key, of course – staying healthy.

Bulaga, who turned 30 in March, enters his 10th NFL season. His health is critical to the Packers’ success this season. Right now, I don’t see a surefire, reliable backup tackle on the roster.

The Packers need someone to emerge in that capacity during training camp. If not, they may need to scour the waiver wire for help once the final cuts are made.

Next week: A defense that features six of 11 new starters. How much better will it be? Find out next week…

By Chris Havel
Special to Event USA

Green Bay needs a ‘bounce-back’ season from these five players to get back on top

GREEN BAY, Wis. – Much of the Packers’ offseason has been spent analyzing the new additions.

Everyone from head coach Matt LaFleur and his coaching staff newbies to the defense’s edge-rushing Smiths – Za’Darius and Preston – has been subjected to close scrutiny.

With that in mind, I asked my radio show listeners to call in and name the returning Packers who need a “bounce-back” season. They could define “bounce-back” however they wished.

After a 6-9-1 season, it’s not surprising that more than a few players were mentioned. Everyone from Aaron Rodgers and Aaron Jones to Oren Burks and Geronimo Allison was cited by hopeful-sounding fans.

Here’s my list of top five players who need to bounce back:

** Jimmy Graham, tight end, 10th season

It created quite a stir when the Packers signed Graham in free agency last offseason. Fans had visions of red-zone dominance dancing in their heads.

It didn’t work out quite that well.

Graham’s numbers weren’t awful. He was the team’s No. 2 receiver with 55 catches for 636 yards (11.6 average) and two touchdowns.
However, they didn’t come close to matching expectations.

Some of it was because Graham was nursing a sore knee through much of the season. And some of it was because Graham never really developed into a top option.

The good news is Graham’s three least-productive seasons were his 2010 rookie season in New Orleans (31 catches, five TDs), his first season in Seattle in 2015 (48 catches, two TDs) and in Green Bay last season.

LaFleur’s desire to run the ball and rely on play-action passes should give Graham’s game a boost. Then again, it’s his first year in a “new” offense, so keep your fingers crossed.

** Bryan Bulaga, offensive tackle, 10th season

Bulaga, who turned 30 on March 21, has to be one of the NFL’s oldest 30-year-olds in terms of wear and tear on his body. He has missed 45 of a possible 144 games due to injury during his nine-year career here.

That’s almost three season’s worth of games lost.

Still, Bulaga remains an above-average right tackle when healthy. The 6-5, 314-pound tackle is a workout warrior in terms of rehabbing injuries. He’s certainly had way too much practice.

If Bulaga can hold up this season, the Packers’ offensive line is almost certain to show considerable improvement over last year.

** Mason Crosby, kicker, 13th season

Crosby, like Bulaga, has been a consummate pro since his arrival in Green Bay. The franchise’s all-time leading scorer with 1,469 points ranks as the NFL’s seventh-highest scorer among active players.

He also has kicked the seven longest field goals in team history.

Still, last season was a grind for Crosby.

He connected on just 30 of 37 field goal attempts (81 percent) with a long of 53 yards. His misfires either came at a bad time, in bunches or both.

For example, Crosby drilled five field goals against Minnesota in Week 2, but a 53-yard miss in regulation forced the game into overtime. The Packers and Vikings played to a tie.

At Detroit on Oct. 7, Crosby missed on four attempts before converting a meaningless 41-yarder late in the game.

He bounced back the following week to make four field goals and three extra-points in the Packers’ narrow win over the 49ers.

The Packers brought in Sam Ficken to compete for the job.

My money is on Crosby to have a big season.

** Mike Daniels, defensive tackle, eighth season

Daniels managed only nine starts last season, which was his first single-digit total since 2013, his second season here.

It came after a stellar 2017 season in which he was named to his first career Pro Bowl. That year he registered 72 tackles and five sacks, numbers that plummeted to 26 tackles and two sacks last season.

Daniels, who turned 30 on May 5, must prove he isn’t in decline. He should be helped by a more competent front seven, including the new additions and Kenny Clark’s development into a Pro Bowl-caliber defensive tackle.

If the Packers’ defense can apply pressure off the edges, it’s critical for Daniels to respond with interior pressure, too. This is an important season in his career.

** Kevin King, cornerback, third season

In two seasons, King has started 11 of 15 games played with just one interception. The third-year pro has battled shoulder and hamstring injuries since his arrival in 2017.

King, a fast, rangy athlete, is expected to start opposite Jaire Alexander at cornerback. The 6-3, 200-pound defensive back has all the tools to be an above-average NFL corner.

However, he has to stay healthy.

We haven’t seen what King can do on the field given the injuries and relative lack of experience. With a new defensive core and veteran leadership, King should finally blossom.