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By CHRIS HAVEL
Mike McCarthy held his regular Monday news conference in the wake of the Packers’ 21-7 victory Saturday at St. Louis in Week 2 of the NFL’s preseason. The Packers’ head coach talked about the first-team offense’s tempo, the defense’s improvement against the run and which players stood out.
What he didn’t have to dwell on was injuries. The Packers have had a productive and healthy training camp thus far. In McCarthy’s world, the less drama that exists, the better.
Backup offensive lineman Don Barclay’s season-ending injury has been about it from the bad news department. Otherwise it’s been full speed ahead with a roster that appears to be talented and deep. In 16 days, the Packers will travel to Seattle to face the defending Super Bowl champions in the Sept. 4 regular-season opener. Between now and then McCarthy has to play two preseason games, navigate two roster reductions and be prepared for a challenging first month of the season.
The Packers’ performance at St. Louis suggests everything is on track. Aaron Rodgers and the No. 1 offense looked mid-season sharp on a 12-play, 86-yard touchdown drive to open the game. The Packers’ blend of pass-run coupled with Rodgers’ weaponry should be dynamite. The defense appears competent, at least, compared with last season’s unit at this stage.
Up front, B.J. Raji has been disruptive, while Mike Daniels continues to impress and DaTone Jones continues to improve. The addition of Julius Peppers gives Clay Matthews a pass-rushing counterpart, and the defensive secondary seems equipped to do some heavy duty ball-hawking.
Individually, first-round pick Ha Ha Clinton-Dix looks smooth at safety. The Packers have put him in a position to succeed by featuring his skills in sub-packages, rather than rushing him into a starting role. Clinton-Dix’s range, tackling ability and instincts are readily apparent. Micah Hyde also looks as if he was born to play safety. Hyde has been an aggressive, sure-tackling player with a knack for making plays near the line of scrimmage. Third-year safety Sean Richardson also has been solid, while incumbent Morgan Burnett is back from a spate of injuries. Burnett has been more physical than in the past and might be feeling the heat.
Offensively, the Packers’ toughest decision is which skill players to keep. It appears Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Jarrett Boykin, Davante Adams and Jeff Janis will be the receiving corps. The tight ends will be Richard Rodgers, Andrew Quarless, Brandon Bostick and Ryan Taylor. It gets trickier at running back behind Eddie Lacy and James Starks. While some view the third running back as a battle between DuJuan Harris and the field, John Kuhn’s job may not be secure.
Derek Sherrod struggled Saturday at St. Louis, but that’s to be expected given his lengthy layoff with injuries.
The other decision is a quarterback where Matt Flynn and Scott Tolzien are competing behind Rodgers. Tolzien was 10 for 15 for 107 yards against St. Louis, while Flynn was 2-for-3 including a 34-yard touchdown pass to Janis.
“The offense got off to a great start,” McCarthy said. “I really liked the production that we were able to get done in the first two series.”
The guess here is that Tolzien has a chance to beat out Flynn for the backup job with a strong showing against the Raiders, in which case I suspect the Packers will keep just two quarterbacks on the roster.
At any rate, expect the Packers to be sharp against the Raiders on Friday night. McCarthy has been on top of everything from offense and defense to nutrition and sleep in an effort to best-prepare his team.
So far, it’s been all good.
Chris Havel is a national best-selling author and his latest book is Lombardi: An Illustrated Life. Havel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. CDT on WDUZ FM 107.5 The Fan, or on AM-1400, as well as Fan Internet Radio (www.thefan1075.com). Havel also hosts Event USA’ MVP Parties the evening before home games.

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Tretter, Bostick, Clinton-Dix among Packers singled out by head coach
By CHRIS HAVEL
Mike McCarthy’s best decision in the Packers’ preseason opener Saturday night at Tennessee came before kickoff.
A driving Nashville rain resulting in sloppy field conditions sealed McCarthy’s decision to sit Aaron Rodgers and Eddie Lacy along with Jordy Nelson, who is day-to-day with a sore hamstring. Without the Packers’ top three offensive weapons on the field, it was up to others to step up their game. McCarthy wasn’t disappointed.
The offensive line and first-year starting center J.C. Tretter played well, especially in the run game. Tretter handled the wet football, played with command and didn’t get rattled when he made a mistake.
“I thought J.C. had a good game,” McCarthy said Monday. “It gives me more confidence in him.”
It’s all about trust in the NFL, and Tretter, tight end Brandon Bostick and first-round safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix gained a fair measure in the Packers’ 20-16 loss to the Titans in the preseason opener. Bostick showed big-play capability from the tight end position and perhaps the ability to mitigate the loss of Jermichael Finley.
Clinton-Dix, who played the entire first half, teamed with second-year defensive back Micah Hyde on the first unit. Clinton-Dix was beaten at the line of scrimmage by Titans tight end Taylor Thompson, but recovered in time to strip the football loose for an incomplete pass.
Clinton-Dix also was a willing and able tackler, and it appears the Packers’ first-round pick out of Alabama will see considerable playing time as a rookie. He will be involved in sub-packages and also will play a key role in special teams’ coverage units.
Clinton-Dix’s solid debut coupled with veteran Morgan Burnett’s return to practice Monday after missing several days with an oblique strain qualifies as good news for the defense. McCarthy also praised linebacker Sam Barrington (playing faster), center Garth Gerhardt (handled the second- and third- offensive line units well) and linebacker Joe Thomas (on special teams).
Veteran outside linebacker Julius Peppers played about a dozen snaps. While his production was minimal, his mere presence was formidable. Peppers’ athleticism at his age (34) and size (6-foot-7, 287 pounds) is absolutely freakish. Peppers’ bookend, Clay Matthews, participated in the half-line drill during Monday’s practice and his thumb appears to be healed. The action was pretty heated at times and there were several scuffles.
“You’re at that point in camp (when) there’s an irritation level that’s higher,” McCarthy said. “You’re working against the same guys all the time, and we had a lot of hitting today in practice.”
For his part, McCarthy was pleased with Saturday night’s sloppy conditions because it allowed his players to work through adversity.
“To me it’s one of the best preseason games I’ve ever been part of because it’s a training camp environment you can’t create,” he said. “You do wet ball drills and all of that, but the headsets went down, we had players making calls and checks on the field. Those are things you coach, you try to create in practice, but to have the real thing, the tackling, the footwork, to play with balance … it was a great opportunity.”
McCarthy didn’t mind that it was a balmy 70 degrees in Nashville. He also liked what he saw.
“It’s nice when it rains like that when it’s still warm,” he said. “That game was something we can build off.”
Perhaps the best performances were turned in by third-string quarterback Scott Tolzien (8-for-12) and backup ball carrier James Starks (6-for-49 and a touchdown). Now, the Packers get ready for Saturday’s game at St. Louis, where the Rams’ defensive line will pose a serious challenge.
Fortunately, McCarthy can feel better about that because Derek Sherrod and J.C. Tretter played so well at Tennessee. It will be nice to see Aaron Rodgers – and to not see him get hit.
Chris Havel is a national best-selling author and his latest book is Lombardi: An Illustrated Life. Havel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. CDT on WDUZ FM 107.5 The Fan, or on AM-1400, as well as Fan Internet Radio (www.thefan1075.com). Havel also hosts Event USA’ MVP Parties the evening before home games.

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Plus, the latest from training camp: Abbrederis deals with tough injury
By CHRIS HAVEL
In the National Football League, as in life, timing is everything. In this case the sooner, the better.
So it is with Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers, who in a joint news conference today, announced that Favre’s No. 4 jersey will be retired and he will be inducted into the Packer Hall of Fame July 18, 2015. The honor is richly deserved by Favre, who isn’t merely one of the NFL’s greatest quarterbacks of all-time, but one of its greatest players.
Favre was a savvy, durable, hard-nosed football player whose insanely strong right arm dictated that he play quarterback. His leadership was palpable, his toughness at quarterback unparalleled and his love of the game as unrelenting as his never-say-die spirit.
Bob Harlan, the Packers’ chairman emeritus, said today, “Brett was the greatest competitor I have ever been around.”
Clearly, it wasn’t a matter of “if” Favre’s jersey would be retired and he would be inducted into the Packer Hall of Fame. Rather, it was a question of “when”? Now we know.
So a week after Packers GM Ted Thompson’s contract extension was announced the team then jointly announced plans to honor Favre. If there was any “Favre vs. Thompson” drama this ends it. In fact, Thompson and his head coach, Mike McCarthy, attended today’s news conference and appeared to be enjoying the proceedings.
The Packers and President Mark Murphy – after a drama-filled summer surrounding Favre’s “return to the family” – bounced back strong by bringing one of their greatest players back home. Favre is synonymous with the Packers, and vice-versa, so to honor the man is to honor the franchise.
It ought to be one tremendous party next summer.

Training camp notes, quotes and observations…

Jared Abbrederis’ knee injury rates among the greatest disappointments of Packers’ training camp. The ex-Wisconsin receiver showed he can play in the NFL before his injury. Now, it is up to him to come back bigger, stronger and even better prepared to make the Packers’ 53-man roster in 2015.
In his brief time at training camp, Abbrederis displayed soft hands and precise route-running to go with his more than adequate speed. However, his upper body and torso need to be strengthened. Sadly, the knee injury will give Abbrederis an opportunity to get stronger. I suspect he’ll make good on his vow to do exactly that.
Mason Crosby was perfect during the Family Night practice. On a personal level, I am pleased for Crosby. On a professional level, as a sports radio talk-show host in Green Bay, I can only say, “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”
J.C. Tretter is improving with each practice in his role as the team’s starting center. Much is expected of Tretter, but as long as he maintains quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ trust he should be OK. While Tretter needs to keep growing and improving, he also needs to stay healthy in light of rookie center Corey Linsley’s shoulder injury. The Packers’ offensive line gets a bit thin if Linsley has to miss time.
The Packers’ defensive backs look like they are ready to challenge Seattle’s “Legion of Boom!” for NFC bragging rights. Certainly, it’s a long way from last year’s Packers defense to where the Seahawks were at, but Tramon Williams, Sam Shields and Co. definitely looks the part.
Davon House is noticeably bigger and stronger while also appearing to be quicker and more aware. Casey Hayward is reminding everyone why fans were so gaga over him two seasons ago. Also, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is progressing, Micah Hyde looks like he was born to play safety, and Sean Richardson looks pretty good backing up Morgan Burnett.
Julius Peppers is doing his part in Bryan Bulaga’s return to form by challenging him at each practice.
“You just don’t see many guys that big, strong and athletic,” Bulaga said. “So it’s good for me to work against him every day, and he’ll let me know what I’m doing wrong or need to work on.”
It is just one way Peppers is making an impact without registering his first sack in a Packers’ uniform.
Chris Havel is a national best-selling author and his latest book is Lombardi: An Illustrated Life. Havel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. CDT on WDUZ FM 107.5 The Fan, or on AM-1400, as well as Fan Internet Radio (www.thefan1075.com). Havel also hosts Event USA’ MVP Parties the evening before home games.

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Lacy, Richard Rodgers bring attitude to offense
By CHRIS HAVEL
Training camp officially opened for the Green Bay Packers with Saturday’s morning practice on Ray Nitschke Field. Its unofficial opening arrived Monday when the pads came on. It didn’t take long to be reminded why expectations are high.
In one of the early periods Eddie Lacy took a handoff, barreled off right tackle and welcomed Utah State rookie linebacker Jake Doughty to the NFL. Lacy feigned outside, ducked back inside and slammed his left shoulder pad squarely between the 4 and the 5 on Doughty’s jersey. I suspect Doughty’s family and friends felt the blast back in Utah.
Meantime, Lacy seemed barely inconvenienced.
A bit later third-round draft pick Richard Rodgers was running a seam route when an Aaron Rodgers fastball came upon him in a blink. Just as quickly the tight end reached up and plucked the ball out of the air. The ease with which Rodgers snatched the football was impressive.
The running back-tight end combo of Lacy and Rodgers gives the Packers’ offense a chance to play with physicality and finesse. Rodgers, at 6-4, 257, is a rare dual threat at tight end who can block and catch with equal aplomb. He’s still raw which means he’ll only get better as the season progresses. Lacy, who is only 24, has gone from last year’s training camp curiosity to this year’s offensive cornerstone.
When I see Lacy and Rodgers I think two words: “Play” and “action.” The Packers can ground and pound if they choose to do so, but the reality is this is a pass first, run second team. In that regard, the quarterback looks terrific and the receiver corps looks talented and deep.
The newly minted Jordy Nelson looks superb, as does No. 2 receiver Randall Cobb, who is noticeably stronger in the upper body. Furthermore, second-round pick Davante Adams immediately flashed as a smooth, sure-handed pass catcher who seems eminently self-assured.
Jared Abbrederis, the pride of Wisconsin and Wautoma, made a diving catch early in practice and had a bad drop late. If Abbrederis makes the 53-man roster it will mean he had one tremendous camp. That’s because Jarrett Boykin, Kevin Dorsey and Chris Harper all flashed Monday. Boykin made a nifty sideline catch, Harper snagged a difficult pass and Dorsey was smooth and sure-handed as a return man.
Defensively, Micah Hyde lined up opposite Morgan Burnett at safety with the No. 1 defense. While the popular storyline here is that Hyde is ahead of first-round pick Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, the reality is that Burnett better up his game because Clinton-Dix is waiting in the wings. In fact, I suspect it will be the Hyde-Ha Ha show at safety within a year and maybe sooner.
Fellow safety Sean Richardson had a nice interception on a Rodgers-to-Nelson pass down the middle, and the cornerback quartet of Sam Shields, Tramon Williams, Casey Hayward and Davon House all appeared lean, mean and ready to roll.
Once again, defensive coordinator Dom Capers had Julius Peppers and Clay Matthews lining up all over the place. Peppers would have his hand on the ground in a pass-rushing position on one play, and line up as a stand up outside linebacker on the next.Matthews was equally active and disruptive.
The defensive line certainly looks the part. Third-round pick Khyri Thornton moves much quicker than you might guess for a 304-pound man. Speaking of looking quicker, B.J. Raji seems like he’s in the mood to earn a lot of money this season. Raji was hustling and showing a nice burst in the one-on-one pass rush drills.
For one padded practice, at least, it was all systems go.
Chris Havel is a national best-selling author and his latest book is Lombardi: An Illustrated Life. Havel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. CDT on WDUZ FM 107.5 The Fan, or on AM-1400, as well as Fan Internet Radio (www.thefan1075.com). Havel also hosts Event USA’ MVP Parties the evening before home games.

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Projected starters comparable to 2010 Super Bowl champions
By CHRIS HAVEL
Ahman Green is the Green Bay Packers’ all-time leading rusher. Ken Ruettgers is one of several key players who helped Green Bay bridge the gap from Lindy Infante’s futility to Mike Holmgren’s brilliance.
It has been four years since the Green Bay Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 in Super Bowl XLV.
While a handful of stars from that 2010 Packers team have departed, many of the key core players are on the 2014 roster. In fact, it could be argued that the 2014 edition is stronger going into training camp.
In four days Packers head coach Mike McCarthy and his team will embark on a new adventure. Here is a starter-by-starter comparison of 2010 and 2014:

Quarterback:

Aaron Rodgers is one of the games top players. ESPN’s Ron Jaworski, who played the position and studies game film constantly, ranked Rodgers third among NFL quarterbacks. An easy argument could be made for Rodgers at the top.
Either way, Rodgers gives Green Bay a chance to win the Super Bowl every season he plays and stays healthy. With Matt Flynn back in a reserve role just like 2010, and Scott Tolzien competing at the position, the quarterback position is in great hands.

Running back:

Eddie Lacy’s emergence as one of the top young backs in the league is a game-changer. Backup James Starks was good enough in 2010 to help the Packers become the NFC’s first sixth seed to an unprecedented three straight road games and the Super Bowl.

Fullback:

John Kuhn returns to his role as a situational fullback and core special teams’ player.

Offensive line:

In 2010, it was (left to right) Chad Clifton, Daryn Colledge, Scott Wells, Josh Sitton and Bryan Bulaga.
This season the Packers will start David Bakhtiari, Sitton, J.C. Tretter, T.J. Lang and Bulaga. Clifton played at a Pro Bowl level, and Wells was an above-average center, but the 2014 group should be as good.

Tight end:

Jermichael Finley played five games before going on season-ending injured reserve. Andrew Quarless, who will compete for the starting job, took over and helped the Packers win it all. With the addition of Richard Rodgers and Colt Lyerla, plus Brandon Bostick and Ryan Taylor, the tight end position is strong. Furthermore, nobody has ruled out a return by Finley.

Wide receiver:

Greg Jennings was a stud in 2010. He made a terrific touchdown catch in the Super Bowl and was a difference-maker. He is gone. So is the irrepressible Donald Driver. However, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams and Jarrett Boykin comprise a stronger, deeper position group.

Defensive line:

B.J. Raji was young and hungry in 2010. Perhaps after being stifled in free agency after a very subpar season he will be reinvigorated and return to form. Ryan Pickett was the left end and Cullen Jenkins the right end in 2010. Jenkins is gone and Pickett is waiting to get a call that may not come. The 2014 group has Raji flanked by Mike Daniels and DaTone Jones as the starters.
The reason for optimism is the depth. Mike Neal, Jerel Worthy and Khyri Thornton have potential. In fact, I think Worthy could have a big season if he can regain his rookie form.

Linebackers:

Clay Matthews has registered sacks and logged miles since 2010. He remains an impact pass rusher, but he has to stay healthy. He also has Julius Peppers opposite him this season. If Matthews’ thumb and hamstrings hold up he should have a terrific season.
Peppers’ experience and athleticism – not to mention his pedigree – represent a significant upgrade over Frank Zombo and Brad Jones.
Inside, it’s A.J. Hawk and Jones instead of Hawk and Desmond Bishop. The Packers were better at inside linebacker in 2010, but it remains to be seen if Jamari Lattimore or another player emerges during camp.

Cornerbacks:

It was Tramon Williams and Charles Woodson in 2010, which is certainly better than Williams-Sam Shields. However, Williams finished strong last season, Shields is a rising star and Casey Hayward provides top-flight depth.

Safeties:

Nick Collins and Charlie Peprah (in place of the injured Morgan Burnett) started in Super Bowl XLV. Collins was a top-flight veteran who had an outstanding season, while Peprah was willing and smart.
Much of the secondary’s improvement depends on rookie Ha Ha Clinton-Dix’s development alongside Morgan Burnett. Micah Hyde is the wild card this season. This year’s safeties might be as good as the 2010 version.

Special teams:

Tim Masthay and Mason Crosby were the punter and kicker then and now.

Here’s to the 2014 Season

Ultimately, Lacy makes the offense much more balanced and explosive, while the influx of talent on defense gives it a chance to approach what the 2010 team did that season.
On defense, the 2010 Packers ranked among the franchise’s finest units. It allowed just 240 total points (second-best in team history) with 47 sacks and 24 interceptions.
The 2014 group has a terrific challenge ahead. However, the potential exists for a return to the 2010 form that featured a bend-but-don’t-break defense that helped the Packers never trail by more than seven points all season.
Chris Havel is a national best-selling author and his latest book is Lombardi: An Illustrated Life. Havel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. CDT on WDUZ FM 107.5 The Fan, or on AM-1400, as well as Fan Internet Radio (www.thefan1075.com). Havel also hosts Event USA’ MVP Parties the evening before home games.

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Rodgers, Lacy headline reasons Hall of Fame RB, T like chances
By CHRIS HAVEL
Ahman Green is the Green Bay Packers’ all-time leading rusher. Ken Ruettgers is one of several key players who helped Green Bay bridge the gap from Lindy Infante’s futility to Mike Holmgren’s brilliance.
They will be honored at the 44th annual Packer Hall of Fame banquet this summer. On Monday, they attended the Packer Hall of Fame Golf Classic at The Bull in Sheboygan Falls. Their paths to greatness and Packer immortality are divergent, but their belief in the Packers’ 2014 team is identical: Both see the potential for a sixth straight playoff appearance and a possible Super Bowl berth.
“Oh, man, I really like this team,” said Green. “We haven’t really seen Aaron Rodgers and Eddie Lacy together for an entire season. That’s really going to put a lot of pressure on defenses. Those who know football know that you have to control the interior of the line between the tackles. To be honest, when the Giants knocked out the Packers after the 15-1 season, it was because (Green Bay) couldn’t control the inside.
“Now, you’ve got Lacy slamming it in between the tackles, which forces defenses to commit more players to stopping the run. That’s fine. The Packers still have Aaron throwing the ball to the perimeter. It’s really going to put a lot of pressure on defenses.”
Ruettgers, the seventh player selected in the 1985 NFL draft, played with the Packers from 1985-1996. His film study and attention to detail made him a 6-foot-6, 295-pound tactician and technician. When he was at the top of his game opposing pass rushers were routinely and unceremoniously stoned. Ruettgers was a focused player who played with purpose and through pain. His knees were grinding bone-on-bone when he finally called it a career.
But not before he helped the Packers win Super Bowl XXXI in 1996. He didn’t play in the game, but he did receive a Super Bowl ring.
“I take a lot of pride in being able to have helped the Packers get from losing teams to the playoffs,” he said. “It was nice to be a part of that history, and it’s an honor to be in the Packer Hall of Fame.”
Ruettgers believes the Packers’ offensive line is going to be able to protect Rodgers, who he sees having an excellent season.
“The NFC is very competitive,” Ruettgers said. “But I think the Packers have a chance to go deep in the playoffs and get to the Super Bowl.”
Green agreed.
“They have a lot of offensive firepower,” he said.
Green, who lives in Green Bay and is involved in his Ahman Green Foundation, supports several causes including Alzheimer’s research. He also coaches high school football and track, and is an administrator for the Green Bay Blizzard Indoor Football League team. Ruettgers, who lives in Bend, Ore., worked in the publishing industry briefly before founding the non-profit, GamesOver.org, which is dedicated to helping former pro athletes cope with the stress of retirement.
“There is the need for a way to bridge that gap,” Ruettgers said. “We help athletes make the transition from pro athlete to retirement.
He has his B.A. in Business Administration and also earned a Ph.D in sociology from Cal State University, Bakersfield. He enjoys teaching and also coaching high school football. However, he counts his induction into the Packer Hall of Fame among his greatest achievements.
He bridged the Packers’ gap from loser to winner, and he now helps athletes to bridge the gap from the NFL to society.
Both are proud of their contributions to the Packers’ success, which they are confident will live on with the 2014 edition.
Chris Havel is a national best-selling author and his latest book is Lombardi: An Illustrated Life. Havel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4-6 p.m. CDT on WDUZ FM 107.5 The Fan, or on AM-1400, as well as Fan Internet Radio (www.thefan1075.com). Havel also hosts Event USA’ MVP Parties the evening before home games.

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Thompson, McCarthy & Rodgers headline intriguing 2014 season
By CHRIS HAVEL
Ted Thompson’s role in building the 2014 Packers is slowly drawing to a close. Green Bay’s general manager has done his best to improve the team’s talent and depth.
Thompson acquired Julius Peppers in free agency. He adroitly re-signed B.J. Raji and Sam Shields. He drafted a safety (Ha Ha Clinton-Dix), a couple receivers (DaVante Adams and Jared Abrederis) and a nose tackle (Khyri Thornton) to fight for starting jobs and roster spots.
Now it is up to head coach Mike McCarthy to mold and develop the talent. Beyond that it is quarterback Aaron Rodgers who must run the show. Together, this trio gives the Packers a chance to win every season.
In 2014, Green Bay seems poised to win the NFC crown. The players sense this is their time. Some of that is due to acquiring a player such as Peppers, who brings immediate character and credibility. It tells the younger players, “The front office and coaches believe we’re close – so let’s go out and prove them right.”
It was no secret the Packers needed help at safety. To have Clinton-Dix, arguably the top player at that position in the draft, fall to them was fortuitous. To have Adams, a player they coveted at a position they needed help, also was a bonus.
In 19 days, McCarthy will roll out the 2014 season for fans who entertain high hopes and expectations.

• Rodgers will be healthy and ready to roll off his best offseason, according to the head coach.
• The offensive line is as settled as it’s been going into camp. Once McCarthy decides who to start at center (my guess is J.C. Tretter) the line will have time to work together and gel.
• The running game is outstanding with second-year back Eddie Lacy.
• The defense has been significantly upgraded by an infusion of talent through free agency (Peppers, Shields, Raji, etc.), the draft (Clinton-Dix, etc.) and healthy returning players (Jerel Worthy, DaTone Jones, Randall Cobb, etc.).
• The special teams have been upgraded by the addition of assistant coordinator Ron Zook. His experience should be most useful to coordinator Shawn Slocum.
• There seems to be a positive aura surrounding this team. It comes from surviving and even thriving at times during a difficult season the year before. And it comes from knowing that if the Packers handle their business as a team, they should be playing for an NFC Championship.

First, the Packers must control the NFC North. That won’t be easy given the obvious talent in the division. However, the Packers are the defending champions and they have reached the post-season five straight years. That doesn’t mean they’ve been good. They’ve also been a match-up problem for division foes.
Sure, the Bears’ offense has been upgraded under head coach Marc Trestman and the Alshon Jeffrey-Brandon Marshall tandem is dynamic. Even running back Matt Forte is dangerous. The problem is the Bears’ defense isn’t as good as Green Bay’s and neither is Chicago’s quarterback. That’s two big realities to overcome.
The Lions have a new head coach but many of the same old questions. Is the offensive line good enough to protect Matthew Stafford? Is Stafford good enough to win the big game? Is the defense going to play with discipline or continue to do as much damage as good?
Then there is the Minnesota Vikings. Enough said.
Everything from the offseason to the opponents and even the schedule sets up nicely for the Packers. They open at Seattle – a tremendous challenge to be sure – but it also means an opportunity to get off to a fast start against a conference opponent with a road victory. If the Packers lose, well, it’s one of 16 … and a road game besides.
But now isn’t the time to talk of losses. It’s time to look forward to what shapes up to be a superb 2014 season … 19 days and counting.