One of the things I've heard Packers fans complain most about after this years draft is that we didnt select a cornerback.

Now, with Woodson and Harris aging and Bush having to play as our nickel corner last year, it does look like it's a position of need.

If you ask me, though, it really isn't.

At least, not past round one.

Let's see who we have on the roster right now, in alphabetical order.

Josh Bell, Will Blackmon, Jarrett Bush, D.J. Clark, Trevor Ford, Al Harris, Pat Lee, Brandon Underwood, Tramon Williams and Charles Woodson.

That's 10 CBs on our roster, already.

Let's start with the obvious starters on this list. Charles Woodson and Al Harris. Both are getting up there in age, but they still form one of the best corner tandems in the league. [img_r]http://cdn.bleacherreport.com/images_root/image_pictures/0092/6577/cwood_and_al_harris_feature.jpg[/img_r]

Then we have the man who filled in very well for Harris when he went down these last two seasons and might even start the first few weeks this season. Tramon Williams. He's our only "young" CB who looks like he can really take over the Nr. 2 CB spot when either Harris or Woodson calls it quits.
[align=right]Al Harris and Charles Woodson[/align]After that, it gets a little more clouded.

I think that Brandon Underwood might be our dime back next year. If he bulks up a little he has a chance to be a very good CB. Starting material, even.

Will Blackmon and Pat Lee should be pushing for that spot, as well, though.

After those spots, you pretty much make the roster on ST abilities alone. This means that Bush will most likely be back.

Bell, Lee, Ford and Clark will all be fighting for a roster spot in training camp.

So where exactly would that 2nd 7th round rookie fit in here? You have as much potential as you could want behind our starting 3 "veterans". Underwood has too much upside and potential to cut. Blackmon and Bush should survive on STs skills. That already leaves you with 6 corners on your roster, with Bush being a hybrid CB/S on paper.

We might add one more, but I imagine it would be Lee, to give him a chance to prove himself after getting injured early last year.

Now, a 1st rounder could make an instant impact. Or be an immediate upgrade over one of these players, but rookie past the 1st round will warrant enough value to start cutting in that group of names.

The situation is not as dire as some fans make it out to be. The only reason that Bush had to play in the nickel last year was injuries. And a lot of them. There's no unit in the league that can take injuries to their starting, dime and 5th CB and still field a group that can stop everything.

Considering that Blackmon, Lee and Harris were out, we actually looked quite good.

The present looks amazing and the future doesn't look too bad. I don't think that the Packers have as much to fear as many analysts, fans and experts want to make you believe. This CB group could be something very, very special.

[align=right]Detlev Dimmitry[/align]

Excellent Read! +1.

I'll add that I totally agree with you. Also, consider this: Nick Collins has been known to come down and cover the slot receiver on occasion. Granted, he is not a full-time CB, but he gives you another good option in terms of covering receivers.

Still, I wonder if the Packers could not get a developmental CB prospect - much like a Pat Lee - and have him be a special teamer initially, taking Bush's spot on the depth chart while learning the ins and outs of the position. Bush, quite honestly, is an okay Special Teamer. You could do much worse, definitely, but he isn't going to be a Tracey White / Derrick Martin player in terms of value.

I've read some writers wondering if the Packers board really took a hit this year based on what the other teams were doing ahead of them. Consider that Ted solidified the depth on the D-line and O-line this off-season, two major problem areas that led to our 6-10 record and really inconsistent start last year.

It's a bit odd that he'd cover the weaknesses of those under-performing teams, but not address CB which we'd all agree was a problem when injuries hit. I'm playing the devil's advocate here, throwing something out for discussion.

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It's hard to look good as a secondary when you don't put any pressure on the QB. I think improving our pass rush is a lot more important than adding an 11th CB.

By that same token, it's impossible to put pressure on a QB when they get rid of the ball in about 2 seconds - which Favre and Warner both did.

Honestly the more I think about it, the more I agree with Brian over at railbird central blog: you could have had James Harrison at LOLB and that still wouldn't have let you get a pass-rush in those situations last year.

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I am personally a bit concerned about our CB position ...
yes we do have woodson, harris is out with a acl tear and when he is back we dont know let alone how he will be (I am hoping for the best).

Williams is good yes but he tends to grab receivers too much (ie arm lock); ie I think he does this to make up for lack in skill. ie the baltimore game he does this a ton.

Well all know what happens when bush covers a guy ... underwood; well most people are high on him doing well. I havnt seen anything from him yet - well besides doing alright in ST.

The rest are unknown.

I do agree getting a better pass rush is a priority and if we get that done even average corners might do well.

I will be shocked if Lee doesn't become a factor this year. It was a shame he got hurt last season but at least it was early and he should definately be ready.

Lee is a good football player. Like many coming out of college his learning curve is high at CB but this defense is much better for him than what they were asking him to do when he first got here.

Remember, they took Lee in the second round. I live in Alabama but am still a Badger fan, however, I can tell you Lee was a very good player at Auburn. One of the best corners in the SEC at the time.

Don't be surprised if you start hearing his name in the upcoming camps as a player coming on. I won't be.

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If Ted Thompson could have gotten the same value as he did with the late picks I believe he would have taken a CB. I really like the value of Quarless and Newhouse, don't know as much about the RB(Starks?). In signing Shields I think he got as good a value as he could have with another CB as a late pick. Shields should have a great upside based on the short time he's played the position and should be a good STer. Got that wonderful speed which, of course, you cannot teach.

Agree, we have some decent talent coming back and should be OK. With Shields, Burnette and the development of Lee and Underwood we should add some good depth to the backfield.

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+1. If the kid can stay on the field and get some reps, he's got all the ability needed to develop into a very good NFL corner.

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I don't know what we will see out of Harris this year. Hopefully a full recovery.
I expect Lee to take a step forward this year and get out onto the field if Harris or Williams struggles.
Woodson is Woodson.
Underwood is #5 and Bush makes the team for his versatility.
Blackmon will be back as a returner if he has not lost a step.
Bell, Clark and Ford are expendable.

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Good thread.

I like Underwood but I think Pat Lee is in prime position to win the dime job. He's a 2nd round pick with 2 years of pro coaching whereas Underwood is a second year 6th round pick.

Blackmon's been out so long I can't remember what he was like as a CB. But he should at least put up a fight for the 5th CB spot vs Underwood. So that's 6 CBs not including Bush.

I also think our defensive backfield as a whole is improved by Burnett. I can see both him AND Bigby being used with Collins if the CBs aren't up to the job.

As for Shields he's going to have to pick the return game quick (he's been more of a gunner at college). From what I've read his ball skills sound worse than Bush's. I hope we don't have to use him on Defense this year.

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