Green Bay’s loss not all bad: No points, but no injuries, either Plus Bakhtiaria passed with an A
By CHRIS HAVEL
For a night, at least, the Green Bay Packers’ placekickers weren’t outperformed by the competition.
That and David Bakhtiari’s sharp debut at left tackle were two of a surprisingly high number of highlights in an otherwise mundane event. The Packers’ 17-0 loss to Arizona on Friday night at Lambeau Field was short on drama, which isn’t all bad in the preseason.
The Packers’ play could have been crisper on several fronts, but they did have a number of notable individual performances. In addition, the Packers managed to avoid any significant injuries, which is priceless.
Furthermore, the much-debated kicking competition between the Packers’ incumbent, Mason Crosby, and challenger Giorgio Tavecchio, never materialized. Technically, Crosby has the upper foot given his touchback on the game-opening kickoff. After that, the Packers’ kickers weren’t called upon to kick off, attempt a point-after touchdown, or even try a field goal.
Meantime, the Cardinals’ Jay Feely and Will Batson were awful. They went a combined 1-for-4 on field goal attempts, reminding Packers fans that it can always be worse.
Here are several observations in the wake of the preseason opener:
James Starks’ 12-for-38 evening was encouraging, but the feeling here is that it’s more about the Packers’ improvement in the run game than it is about Starks. I found myself seeing Starks hit holes and imagining what a healthy Eddie Lacy would have done.
Rookie running back Johnathan Franklin is going to be a contributor this season. He plays smart, fast and decisive for a rookie. His hands are exceptional, his toughness surprising and his balance impressive.
Another rookie, Bakhtiari, continued to play in the preseason game the same as he has played during training camp. He was Velcro when contacted by pass rushers, and he played an amazingly clean game.
If he was intimidated, he didn’t show it.
“It was a good first game-like scenario,” Bakhtiari said. “I’m happy where I was but there’s room to improve. I didn’t feel overwhelmed, that’s probably the best way to put it.”
Asked if he had pre-game jitters, Bakhtiari said. “To be honest, I think I probably had more jitters in college than I did for this game. Like I’ve been preaching earlier this week, I’ve just kind of been trying to keep a level head and keep a calm mind about it – just playing my game and just playing left tackle.”
The Packers’ opening drive covered 86 yards in 12 plays. It was at once exciting and disappointing. It included strong running plays, a nice balance of play-calling, clean pass protection and big plays. Aaron Rodgers’ 50-yard completion to James Jones was a beauty. It reminded everyone that Rodgers-to-Jones is the Packers’ go-to passing combination. It was last year, and it’s going to be again this year.
The disappointment came when the drive fizzled at the Arizona 1.
With first-and-goal at the 6, Starks busted off left tackle for 4 yards. After two incomplete passes, Starks was stuffed after a 1-yard gain on fourth down.
The Packers’ offense managed just 137 yards on 54 plays the rest of the game. Graham Harrell connected on 12 of 19 for 76 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. He was sacked twice, including one that resulted in a fumble and turnover.
Vince Young’s talent is obvious. So is his potential. Barring an unforeseen setback, Young has a great opportunity to open the regular season as Rodgers’ backup.
The Packers’ defensive secondary was out of sync and out of position way too much, especially after the first unit departed. The sight of Davon House wondering around the secondary like an accidental tourist was mind-boggling. That can’t happen. The coaches need to tighten it up. Good coverage on 9 of 10 plays isn’t good enough.

Newhouse, Bakhtiari will handle left, right tackle duties for now; Green Bay works out QB Young.
By CHRIS HAVEL
Bryan Bulaga and Josh Sitton spoke in such positives about the move from the right to left side of the offensive line during a TV interview for Saturday’s Family Night Scrimmage. Both were excited about the change and the progress they had made.
“It was a Monday morning when coach (Mike McCarthy) called us in to tell us,” Bulaga told Green Bay’s Fox 11. “We had an idea it was possible, and then he told us they made the switch.”
Since that day early in the offseason, Bulaga and Sitton had worked hard to become a dynamic tandem in the Packers’ pass and run games. Sunday that plan was put on hold with news of Bulaga’s knee injury. According to reports, the Packers believe he may have torn his ACL in the scrimmage. Bulaga played about 30 snaps.
Apparently the knee swelled up Sunday morning and the Packers went ahead with tests to determine the extent of the damage. As of noon Monday, no official word was given about Bulaga’s status by the team.
If it is a season-ending injury, it would qualify as a huge setback to an offensive line that is trying to protect quarterback Aaron Rodgers and build a reliable running attack. That challenge just became much greater.
When McCarthy decided to flip-flop the line it was clear that Bulaga was the key. The expectation was that he and Sitton would anchor the left side in pass protection, and also on cut-back runs by the backs. Just when it seemed they were getting a semblance of timing the injury hit. For Bulaga, who has missed 11 games the past two seasons, it is an unfortunate injury. According to McCarthy, Bulaga was in the Packers’ facility constantly throughout the offseason while rehabbing his hip.
Bulaga, 24, was having a very strong training camp. He looked comfortable at left tackle, and was outstanding during the one-on-one pass blocking drills. Now, it appears Marshall Newhouse will move back to left tackle, where he has started 29 games the past two seasons. Another option is rookie tackle David Bakhtiari, a fourth-round pick from Colorado. Bakhtiari has been impressive during camp, and could see time at right or left tackle, depending on how McCarthy and his staff wish to proceed.
Don Barclay, who started at right tackle late last season, has been working almost exclusively at center and right guard. Derek Sherrod remains unavailable due to a leg injury, and Kevin Hughes and Andrew Datko have been underwhelming. The best guess here is that Newhouse will be at left tackle, Bakhtiari will be at right tackle, and GM Ted Thompson will be on the phone searching for veteran tackle help.
The injury comes at a time when the Packers’ offensive line was beginning to mesh. Perhaps the Packers will get lucky, and Bulaga’s injury won’t be season-ending. If not, others are going to have to step up and play better, otherwise new players will be brought in to compete. Bulaga’s injury is a reminder just how unfair the NFL can be at times. Nobody worked harder this offseason to return from an injury, and Bulaga gets bitten by a seemingly harmless play in a scrimmage.

PLUS—in other training camp news …

The Packers brought in quarterback Vince Young for a workout Monday. Young, who hasn’t played since 2011, was in Buffalo’s camp last year before being cut.
Young, 30, was Mike Vick’s backup in Philadelphia in 2011. In six seasons Young has completed 755 of 1,304 passes (57.9%) for 8,964 yards, 46 touchdowns and 51 interceptions.
Packers’ backup quarterback Graham Harrell has been solid in camp, while B.J. Coleman has had good and bad moments. On Saturday night he completed 9 of 18 passes for 100 yards and two interceptions. The turnovers were especially alarming because of poor judgment.
The Packers canceled Monday’s practice.

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Jones, Perry bring power, speed to lift Capers’ crew
By CHRIS HAVEL
It is time for the Green Bay Packers’ defense – in particular its front seven – to stand tall and deliver.
It is popular to talk about the way Packers GM Ted Thompson drafts and develops players, rather than playing in free agency. The fact is that the Packers’ much-maligned defense has top-end talent.
The Packers’ front seven has six first-round draft picks.Defensive linemen Ryan Pickett, B.J. Raji and DaTone Jones are all first-round picks. So are linebackers Clay Matthews, A.J. Hawk and Nick Perry. Only inside linebacker Brad Jones (seventh round) wasn’t selected in the first round.That’s a strong investment in that group. The return needs to come now.
There is no good reason that Green Bay’s defense shouldn’t rank among the NFL’s top ten. Part of the perception that Green Bay’s defense isn’t talent-laden might be because two of its best players (Jones and Perry) might be the two youngest. If they continue to show what they’ve show early in training camp, the Packers’ defense should be better than Ok.
Its strength, contrary to how the players were acquired, is in the secondary. Even with Tramon Williams and Casey Hayward sidelined by injuries early in training camp, others such as Sam Shields, Davon House and Morgan Burnett have played extremely well.
While the Packers’ 45-31 blowout loss at San Francisco in the NFC Divisional Playoffs certainly was a defensive team effort, the Green Bay front seven certainly was its greatest liability. The Packers have the personnel to be a Top Ten defense. Add Mike Daniels, Mike Neal and Johnny Jolly to the mix up front, and the Packers should have the depth, too.
So far, the Packers’ defense has appeared to play a faster, more aggressive brand of football. Obviously, it’s a great leap from here to the regular season and all NFL offenses can bring to bear. But Green Bay’s defense, in general, and its front seven, in particular, looks much-improved.
On Thursday morning, safety Morgan Burnett continued to fly around and make plays. It was a follow-up to a strong practice on Wednesday when he broke up several passes.
Additionally, cornerback Davon House made it two good days in a row. Early in Thursday’s practice he was seated on Gator being looked at by trainers. After enduring an ear infection, food poisoning and shoulder problems, the thought was, “What now?” It turned out House just had his ankles re-taped and he was back on the field. Once there, he made several nice plays including a strip of receiver Jordy Nelson.

Training camp news and notes:

Wide receiver James Jones continues to look like a Pro Bowl player. He catches everything thrown his way. He leads by example. He brings energy to practice and he even defends his teammates afterward.
Jones defended quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the wake of ex-Packers receiver Greg Jennings’ comments. Jennings, now with Minnesota, suggested Rodgers wasn’t a good leader.
“I was taken aback by his comments, and I’m extremely close to Greg … I’m the godfather of his middle daughter,” Jones told the NFL Network. “It was a brotherhood here … him and Aaron especially for seven years, me and him for six. When you leave you don’t talk about your brother like that. I’ll leave it as that.”
Asked about Rodgers’ leadership ability, Jones said, “Since I’ve been here Aaron’s been the leader of this football team and he’s been one of those guys who’s going to be a leader for a long time.”
Jones, 29, is entering his seventh season. He appears to be accepting more of a leadership role, too. In practice, he seems supremely confident and comfortable, whether he’s helping younger receivers during drills or joking with Jordy Nelson or Jermichael Finley.
Some fans wonder if Randall Cobb can replace Greg Jennings. Actually, it is Jones replacing Jennings, and it has been happening for two seasons. Jennings has 103 catches to Jones’ 102 since 2010. Jennings has 1,300 yards receiving to Jones’ 1,400 yards.
The greatest surprise is this: Jones has 21 touchdown catches to Jennings’ 13 TD grabs.

Other camp news and notes:

RB Johnathan Franklin continues to impress. He beat the defense – particularly Jeron McMillian – up the right sideline for a nice, over-the-shoulder catch. He also catches it easily out of the backfield.
However, he did fumble a punt and seems to battle them a bit.
DE Johnny Jolly showed toughness by walking off a lower leg injury early in practice, and coming back a couple snaps later to stuff a running play. He threw his would-be blocker in the back to blow up the play. In years past he might’ve sat out the rest of the drill.
DE Mike Daniels went ballistic when James Jones dropped a pass, nobody snatched up the ball, and Daniels (with his back to the play) nearly stepped on the ball and possibly did some serious damage to a leg.
TE Andrew Quarless looked smooth, and on one quick slant out of the Tiger or double-tight end formation, snared a bullet from Aaron Rodgers.
QB BJ Coleman gets high marks for arm strength, and his accuracy has been OK, but on Wednesday he audibled, switched up the play again, then promptly threw into coverage. AJ Hawk, who had dropped into coverage, grabbed it right between the 5 and O for a probably pick 6. Graham Harrell continues to be the backup to Aaron Rodgers.

First padded practice elicits rugged, in-your-face action
By CHRIS HAVEL
Just as no two NFL teams are identical, neither are the training camps they will be conducting in the next month. However, there are some aspects common to all.
The Packers were 45 minutes into the first padded practice of training camp when the position groups broke off for individual work. The defensive linemen jogged over to the sled, where defensive line coach Mike Trgovac let them know exactly what was expected on this cool, overcast Sunday morning at Ray Nitschke Field.
Trgovac’s tone was firm and measured.
“Let’s go now,” he said. “Get low and explode. We’ve got the pads on now.”
As rookie defensive end Datone Jones eased into his three-point stance in front of the sled, Trgovac added, “Show no (expletive) mercy!”
At the whistle, Jones slammed into the sled before swatting it aside like one might shrug off a mosquito.
“Nice,” Trgovac said.
Whether it was the sled or offensive teammates the defense responded. Perhaps tired of tip-toeing through two days of unpadded practices, or maybe sick of hearing the number “579,” Dom Capers’ crew opened with a serious, get-in-your-face style that was much welcomed.
Interestingly, it was the first-round pick (Jones) and the former defensive linemen off a prison stint (Johnny Jolly) who led the charge.
The coaching staff seemed pleased with the tone-setters.
When the pads came on Jones (6-4, 295 pounds) seemed to get bigger while Jolly (6-3, 325) appeared to get nastier. After the San Francisco 49ers’ offense gashed Green Bay for 579 yards in last season’s NFC Divisional Playoff loss, something needed to change.
Sunday’s first padded practice qualified.
“It was great to get that competitive environment established,” Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said. “I thought they definitely practiced with an edge. We had too much extracurricular activities going on. That falls under your category of player safety. We have to practice better together, something that you don’t do overnight. This is a normal progression you go through every year in training camp.
“But I thought our guys came out on the high side of playing with an edge and that’s exactly what we want.”
Jones definitely made an impact.
“Definitely carries his pads,” McCarthy said. “Everybody’s different, everybody’s built different. You look at the way they carry their pads and the way they move in pads … I thought Datone looked very good, very comfortable. He’s in good shape.”
Will the Packers’ defense be in as good a shape when the season opens? It’s way too early to be certain, but the first padded practice proved to be a strong step in the right direction.
Add Jolly to the players who were impressed.
“(Jones) is looking good, man,” Jolly told reporters. “He’s so fast, man, it’s not even funny.”
Jones worked with the first unit and in the sub-packages.
Offensively, Aaron Rodgers and Co. did what they do best. They executed with a fair amount of precision, especially in the no-huddle. James Jones opened the day with a spectacular grab over right corner Sam Shields, who was in perfect position.
The day ended with Jarrett Boykin beating first-year cornerback James Nixon – who also was in position – by making a fine catch.
In between, there were several shouting/shoving matches with left guard Josh Sitton and Jolly often in the mix. For those who doubted Jolly would be successful in his return from a three-year absence that included jail time, Sunday’s practice suggested he has a great opportunity.
Elsewhere, rookie backs Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin showed speed, shiftiness and power. They were raw at times, but the potential is apparent.
Rookie receiver Myles White had a rough day. After dropping a pass and fumbling while running the gauntlet, White messed up during the one-on-one tackling drill.
One of the defensive assistants barked, “I would not mess up the drill if I was the 18th guy in line!”
The Packers were serious on Day 3 – the first full pads practice – and they showed a sense of urgency.
Now we shall see if they can sustain it.
The answers to these and many other questions will come to light beginning with Friday’s first practice of training camp.

Injuries, conditioning, depth chart guaranteed to dominate headlines when Packers kick off 2013 season

By CHRIS HAVEL
Just as no two NFL teams are identical, neither are the training camps they will be conducting in the next month. However, there are some aspects common to all.
Injuries, conditioning and team depth charts are several key areas that media members will be chronicling as each day’s practice unfolds. When the Packers kick off the 2013 season with Friday’s first practice of training camp, railbirds should consider these 10 areas of importance:

#1: Injuries.

Who’s healthy? Who’s hurting? Why didn’t so-and-so practice today? These questions will dominate Packers head coach Mike McCarthy’s post-practice news conferences on a daily basis.The only thing McCarthy dislikes more than injuries is discussing them. But he also knows they are a distasteful but unavoidable reality of football. What McCarthy hopes to dodge (fingers crossed) are the devastating season-ending injuries.
In 1994, Wisconsin native and fourth-year defensive end Don Davey lined up across first-round draft pick Aaron Taylor in the one-on-one pass rush drill. At the whistle Davey tried to get the edge and Taylor responded by sliding to his left. The trouble was Taylor’s cleat stuck, he lost balance and the awkward move resulted in a traumatic knee injury.
In the blink of an eye Taylor’s season was finished. Hopefully, the Packers can avoid such catastrophes this camp.

#2: Conditioning.

The question works both ways. Who’s in terrific shape? Who’s fat, sloppy and just plain lethargic? The answers will be quickly apparent. Big men such as Ryan Pickett and B.J. Raji will be scrutinized, but not as critically as skill position players. While a slightly overweight Johnny Jolly might rate a footnote, an out-of-shape running back, receiver or defensive back will be exposed in short order.

#3: Depth chart.

While the Packers’ depth chart may be unofficial for now, there is no escaping the reality of who’s lining up where and behind whom Friday. This weekend’s practices are sure to provide a glimpse into what McCarthy and his staff expect from certain players.
Is Marshall Newhouse working at right and left tackle? Will Casey Hayward get reps at corner in the base defense? Which receiver is first up as the No. 4 behind James Jones, Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb? It will be interesting to see how McCarthy splits reps between running backs Eddie Lacy, Johnathan Franklin, Alex Green, DuJuan Harris and James Starks.

#4: Flashing.

This applies mostly to the rookies and undrafted free agents. For example, if first-round pick Datone Jones “flashes” by dominating in the one-on-one pass rush drill, it will be the day’s top headline. It’s the same for rookie tackle David Bakhtiari. If he’s routinely stoning Jones, Nick Perry and others in those drills it will be noteworthy. For lesser-known players such as Northern Iowa receiver Terrell Sinkfield, it will be crucial to show that his 4.2 40-yard dash time translates onto the field in pads.

#5: Same player/new look.

Whether defensive coordinator Dom Capers truly intends to use defensive lineman Mike Neal as a “hybrid” will be apparent early on. The question then becomes, “Is Neal an impact player in that role?” This also applies to physical changes. Some years ago Donald Driver spent an entire offseason reshaping his body. He added muscle without sacrificing explosiveness in order to increase durability. He went from a spindly 180-something pounds to a chiseled 203 pounds. Everyone knows how that worked out for him.

#6: Position group assessment.

A year ago, it was fairly obvious early in camp that the Packers’ defensive backs were bigger, stronger and more athletic. Jeron McMillian, Sean Richardson, House and Hayward joined Morgan Burnett, Sam Shields and Tramon Williams to form an impressive-looking position group.
Which unit will stand out as a group? My curiosity is with the offensive line and the linebackers (especially the inside linebackers). Do they collectively show the power and explosiveness to go cleat-to-cleat with teams like San Francisco and Seattle?

#7: Scheme/sub-packages.

Will Johnathan Franklin be given a chance to develop into a third-down back? It might depend on his ability to pick up blitzes. Does House win the job as the dime defender? Will Andrew Quarless step up as the No. 2 tight end in tiger (double-tight end) personnel? Camp can be an indicator of McCarthy and Capers prefer to proceed within their scheme.

#8: Sense of urgency.

McCarthy has praised his team’s work ethic and focus in the OTA’s. Now we will see how that translates when the weather gets hot, the scrutiny and competition increases and the pads come on. Will his team play fast without being in a hurry?

#9: Pace of practice.

McCarthy, like all NFL coaches, preaches tempo. Does his team get in and out of drills in timely fashion? Do his assistants have to repeat drills because players aren’t getting what they need out of it the first time? Harry Sydney, the three-time Super Bowl champion, often talks about the great veteran leadership on the 49ers’ great teams of the 1990s. Occasionally, Joe Montana or Ronnie Lott – if displeased with practice – would get on any player or unit not carrying their fair share. It will be interesting to see if an Aaron Rodgers or a Clay Matthews will be even more vocal in their leadership roles.

#10: Backup quarterbacks.

Rodgers is sure to draw the “oohs” and “aahs” from the railbirds with his pinpoint accuracy and astonishing arm strength. That’s a given. The reality is that quarterback play as a group dictates to a degree the quality of the practice. In Oakland, for example, the Raiders’ offense had difficulty during OTA’s because Matt Flynn and Co. weren’t accurate enough to run anything resembling smooth offense.
Graham Harrell (6-2, 215, 2nd year) is capable, but how will B.J. Coleman (6-3, 231, 1st year out of Tennessee-Chattanooga) and Matt Brown (6-3, 225, rookie from Illinois State) carry themselves in the passing drills and when running the show?
The answers to these and many other questions will come to light beginning with Friday’s first practice of training camp.

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Crosby, Finley and left side of O-Line headline Packers’ ‘MIP’ prospects
By CHRIS HAVEL
Based on production, potential and pay grade Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews are the Packers’ “Most Valuable Players.” That much is fairly apparent.
But who is going to be Green Bay’s “Most Improved Player”?
Through the course of every NFL training camp there are a handful of players who distinguish themselves early on. They routinely flash the potential that makes coaches, fans and media gush. They are there each and every practice – available and accountable – for their teammates.
It is almost as if a switch has been turned on.
Frequently, but not always, it is a veteran who is entering the final year of a contract, coming off an inexplicably subpar season, or both. When teams have enough players step up and get noticed in training camp they generally start strong and declare themselves “contenders” at the outset.
Packers’ fans know Rodgers and Matthews will be there when it counts. But what of that all-important supporting cast? Here are five strong candidates to be the Packers’ 2013 “MIP”:

Jermichael Finley, TE, sixth season

Finley is coming off a season in which he caught 61 passes – the team record for tight ends – and two touchdowns. By Finley’s standards, and fans’ expectations, that could be thought a disappointment though.
The athletic 6-foot-5, 254-pound tight end is in a contract year. He also is in his prime and healthy on the heels of a good season. The guess here is that Finley will earn his next big contract. The only question is whether it comes via extension in Green Bay or a new deal elsewhere.

Josh Sitton, LG, sixth season

Sitton is being asked to help anchor the Packers’ left side of the offensive line. After starting 62 of 64 games at right guard in his first five NFL seasons, Sitton is being moved to left guard. He is expected to team up with newly installed left tackle Bryan Bulaga to form a reliable, powerful tandem on the left side.
Sitton was good enough to be a Pro Bowl alternate in 2012. He needs to be even better in 2013.

Mason Crosby, K, seventh season

Crosby boomed 35 touchbacks on kickoffs in 2012. That is the good news. The bad news is he converted just 21 of 33 field goal attempts and must improve to continue as the Packers’ placekicker. There are two good reasons to believe Crosby will respond in a big way.
The first is that he is just now entering his seventh season. He is still a young man, especially by placekicking standards. He is in his prime, and despite an “off” year there is nothing physically wrong with him. His leg strength remains exceptional and his attitude outstanding.
The second reason for hope is Crosby’s history. He has been a reliable placekicker whose numbers rival the best all-time. Look for Crosby to be pushed by Giorgio Tavecchio in camp, and look for Crosby to respond in a big way.

Randall Cobb, WR, third season

Cobb is merely expected to step in where Greg Jennings left off. Crazy as that sounds given Jennings’ amazing statistics in his eight seasons in Green Bay it is realistic to expect Cobb to be exceptional from the start.
Cobb has the hands, the intelligence and the after-the-catch elusiveness to be Rodgers’ No. 1 target. He is difficult to jam at the line of scrimmage, and he is a student of the game as a former quarterback. Furthermore, Cobb won’t be asked to return kicks, line up out of the backfield or split time with other wideouts.
He is a budding star.

Morgan Burnett, S, fourth season

Burnett’s impending contract extension suggests the Packers have big plans for the fourth-year safety. No doubt. Burnett was one of just two NFL players (the Rams’ James Laurenaitis is the other) who played on each of his team’s defensive snaps. That experience should be of great help to Burnett.
In addition, Burnett’s flashes of big-play potential are indicators that the skill is there. He just needs to get comfortable in his role as a defensive leader. Once that happens, the Packers might be able to say they have been able to replace Nick Collins. When the Packers decided not to re-sign Desmond Bishop much of the attention was given to his replacement, Brad Jones. However, Manning’s youth and untapped potential also were factors. It would be a mistake to underrate Manning going into this season.

Perry, Hayward lead promising six-player sophomore class
By CHRIS HAVEL
When the Green Bay Packers set out to improve their flagging defense they didn’t fool around in the 2012 NFL draft.
Packers’ GM Ted Thompson spent his first six draft picks on that side of the football. The result was a strong, six-player class that arrived in Green Bay teeming with promise and potential.
A year later, defensive coordinator Dom Capers is relying on that group to spearhead the Packers’ defensive revival. While 2013 first-round pick Datone Jones is going to receive much attention, and rightfully so, others such as second-year defenders Nick Perry and Casey Hayward are being counted on to get Green Bay back to the NFC Championship Game. Perry, Worthy and Hayward started multiple games as rookies, and McMillian, Daniels and Manning all forged roles and contributed.
Here is a look at the 2012 draft class going into its second training camp:

Nick Perry, LB, #53

The powerfully built outside linebacker played in just six games last season, including five starts, before being sidelined by a knee injury and a season-ending thumb injury.
Perry, the 28th pick overall, flashed early and often in training camp. He earned the starting right outside linebacker job opposite Clay Matthews and was impressive before injuries derailed him.
Perry notched two sacks and collected 29 tackles in his rookie season. He is slated to start at ROLB again, and will team with this year’s top pick – Datone Jones – to anchor the defense opposite Matthews.
The one-two punch of Perry and Jones is being counted on to balance the defense and give offenses more to worry about than Matthews. The Perry-Jones duo is sure to generate a lot of buzz in camp and beyond.

Jerel Worthy, DE, #99

Worthy, a high energy defensive end from Michigan State, was an early second-round pick of Thompson’s. While some NFL personnel experts had concerns about Worthy’s intensity going into the draft, nobody in Green Bay questioned it coming out of training camp.
Worthy started four of the 14 games he played in and was extremely effective at right defensive end. He registered 23 tackles, including 12 solo, and added 2 ½ sacks and a forced fumble.
Often overlooked is the negative impact Worthy’s knee injury had on the defensive unit. Worthy sustained a season-ending injury late in the Packers’ season finale at Minnesota. Undoubtedly it had a domino effect on the defensive line’s rotation going into the playoffs.
Capers found himself short by one defensive lineman and Green Bay paid the price in a 45-31 loss at San Francisco in the NFC Divisional Playoffs. Would Worthy have made the difference? Probably not, but his absence certainly made the 49ers’ task that much easier.
Worthy continues to rehabilitate his surgically repaired knee and has stated that he intends to play this season. His return is most welcome whenever it occurs.

Casey Hayward, CB, #29

Hayward played in 16 regular-season games and both playoff contests as a key member of the Packers’ secondary. The rangy, athletic cornerback had 55 tackles and team highs in interceptions (six) and passes defended (25) while starting seven games.
The second-round pick from Vanderbilt is expected to push Sam Shields for the starting corner spot opposite Tramon Williams. Whoever doesn’t win the starting job is going to be a key in the nickel and dime packages.
Hayward’s six interceptions were fourth-best in the NFL, and tops among rookies. He picked up right where he left off last season in the spring minicamps. When it’s all said and done, Hayward might be the best defender in the class of 2012.

Mike Daniels, DE, #76

Daniels, the first of two fourth-round selections, quietly worked his way into a role with the defense. He played in 14 games and delivered 19 tackles (11 solo), two sacks and two forced fumbles – one of which he returned for a touchdown.
Daniels will push for time in the defensive line rotation while providing pressure on passing downs in some sub-packages.
For such a raw talent there is much to like.

Jerron McMillian, S, #22

The second of two fourth-round picks, McMillian played in all 16 regular-season games in the defense’s sub-packages. He registered 30 tackles (21 solo) along with an interception, a fumble recovery and six passes defended.
The guess here is that McMillian eventually wins the starting safety job opposite veteran Morgan Burnett during training camp.
Even as a rookie, McMillian’s awareness, confidence and football IQ stood out. He has a nose for the football and is a willing tackler. The future is bright for McMillian.

Terrell Manning, LB, #56

Manning, a fifth-round pick out of North Carolina State, saw limited action because of a virus that affected him early in training camp.
Nevertheless, Manning flashed on special teams and contributed two special teams’ tackles in the postseason. The Packers believe Manning is going to be a good player who could develop into a starter one day.
When the Packers decided not to re-sign Desmond Bishop much of the attention was given to his replacement, Brad Jones. However, Manning’s youth and untapped potential also were factors. It would be a mistake to underrate Manning going into this season.

Sad offseason headlines deliver hits that already have been outlawed while it’s all quiet in Green Bay
By CHRIS HAVEL
They buried Odin Lloyd on Saturday.
He was 27 – still a young man by anyone’s measure – and he was a man with aspirations of making it to the National Football League. Those dreams died with him when he was shot three times in the back, and twice more in the back of the head execution style, allegedly by New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez.
Lloyd was laid to rest surrounded by friends and family, but this sad, sordid story is far from over. Lloyd’s funeral is the latest news in a daily string of disturbing revelations in a tale almost too bizarre to believe. It also is the latest hit in a series of hits to the NFL’s shield.
The 2013 season can’t come quick enough. Not in Green Bay where Packers fans are eager to see a reshuffled line, new legs in the backfield and the marvel that is Aaron Rodgers.
And not in New York City, where NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s calls for player safety are being trumped by concerns for public safety. This has been a difficult offseason to be sure.
Today’s headlines illustrate the point:

Ex-Patriot Deion Branch is “shocked” by Hernandez’ allegations.

“Aaron is a great guy and a great friend of mine and a great teammate,” Branch told The Albany (Ga.) Herald in a story published Saturday. “I love him to death, and it was shocking to hear his name involved in this situation. I truly hope and pray he doesn’t have any dealings with it.”
Branch also was quick to call for justice.
“Nobody deserves to walk, whoever the person is that did it,” he said. “Most of all what we as Americans need to understand is that is somebody’s child that was a victim. That’s somebody’s dad, and my prayers and thoughts go out to (Lloyd’s) family and hope that they bring whoever did this to their child to justice, regardless of who it is.”

 The Patriots are offering a jersey exchange.

If a Patriots fan wants to exchange their No. 81 jersey for another in stock, the team’s ProShop will grant their wish. The team said in a statement: “We know that children love wearing their Patriots jerseys, but may not understand why parents don’t want them wearing their Hernandez jerseys anymore.”
The troubling headlines don’t end at Hernandez. In Washington, D.C., Indianapolis Colts safety Joe Lefeged was arrested Saturday – a few hours before Lloyd was buried in Boston – after police officers found a semi-automatic pistol in the car he was riding in.
Lefeged was a front-seat passenger in a Chevy Camara that fled a traffic stop for speeding in northeast Washington just after midnight. Officers smelled marijuana in the car, found a plastic bottle of vodka and orange juice in the center console and a semi-automatic pistol under the front passenger seat, according to reports. The gun belonged to Lefeged, who along with another passenger tried to outrun police at the scene.
Lefeged, 25, was being held without bond at D.C. jail on a weapon charge. He faces a preliminary court hearing Tuesday.
In Dallas, the Josh Brent saga continues down its sorry path. Brent, a defensive lineman, failed a second drug test and was sent to jail late last week. Brent was traveling at speeds up to 110 mph when he crashed his car and killed teammate and friend Jerry Brown.
Amazingly, sadly, Brent remains on the Cowboys’ 90-man roster, and Cowboys’ executive vice-president Stephen Jones said the team would have no comment. The Cowboys’ only comment should be: “We have released Josh Brent.”
The sadness doesn’t end there. In Patterson, N.J., Cleveland Browns former rookie linebacker Ausar Walcott, 23, was arraigned late last week for attempted murder. Walcott is accused of punching Derek Jones in the side of the head outside The Palace Gentlemen’s Club in Passaic. Jones is in a medically induced coma at a New York hospital where he’s listed in critical condition.
The Browns did the right thing and cut Walcott three days later.
Meantime, it’s been all quiet in Green Bay, where fans are focused on football rather than police blotters. That is just how GM Ted Thompson and head coach Mike McCarthy prefer it. The closest thing to controversy has been the Packers’ decision to give Johnny Jolly a second chance after serving jail time on a drug conviction. But even second chances are part of what makes this country great.
The same can’t be said for so much else that has been going on. The NFL isn’t immune to the violence in this country. It just seems to hurt a little more, and to chip away at the shield’s edges, when the league’s own players are alleged to have been the perpetrators.
The 2013 season can’t come quick enough.
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.