The Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers are ready to defend their title.
Their roster is so deep, and their talent so plentiful, that only four of 22 starting jobs are up for grabs as they enter the second week of training camp.
Perhaps the most intriguing battle is taking place in the backfield, where halfback Ryan Grant missed almost the entire 2010 season with an ankle injury and rookie James Starks came on like gangbusters late in the season and the playoffs. The Packers also added competition with third-round draft choice Alex Green.
The other starting position up for grabs on offense is at left guard, where rookie first-round draft choice Derek Sherrod is squaring off against T.J. Lang after Daryn Colledge departed in free agency.
On defense, the outside linebacker post opposite Clay Matthews features a three-man tussle involving Frank Zombo, Erik Walden and Brad Jones. At safety, Charlie Peprah will attempt to hang on to the job he assumed after Morgan Burnett went down with a knee injury in the first month of last season.
Injuries always can change the landscape, and there’s no telling which players might emerge from the shadows, but the other starting positions are all but locked up.
Training camp and the preseason will help shape the bottom end of the roster. Otherwise, the Packers are gearing up for another championship run.
Here is a position-by-position breakdown of how the roster should take shape. (The number in parentheses denotes how many players likely will be retained at each position).
Quarterback (3)
Matt Flynn will become an unrestricted free agent after this season, so his preseason performances will serve as a dress rehearsal of sorts for other teams that will consider signing him in 2012. Graham Harrell must prove he can become a credible backup, and it’s expected the Packers will keep him on the active roster all season. Meanwhile, the sky is the limit for Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers.
Halfback (3)
Grant has received the bulk of reps with the No. 1 unit early in camp, an indication his injury didn’t affect his job status. However, he must prove he hasn’t lost a step. It’s possible Grant and Starks will split carries and form a solid 1-2 combination, which will save on wear and tear. Starks also could become the primary third-down back. Or Green could find a change-of-pace role depending on how quickly he learns the offense and develops.
Fullback (2)
There’s no way the Packers will keep three fullbacks again. I said the same thing last year and was dead wrong. However, with the departure of Korey Hall in free agency, chances are starter John Kuhn and Quinn Johnson will be the only keepers, which will enable the Packers to hang on to an extra tight end.
Tight end (4)
There’s too much talent at this position to keep only three players. Jermichael Finley should become one of the best tight ends in the NFL, which leaves five players fighting for three jobs. The guess is Tom Crabtree, rookie D.J. Williams and second-year player Andrew Quarless stick, but don’t count rookie Ryan Taylor out of the equation. If Quarless can’t stay healthy, he might not have a job at the end of camp.
Receiver (5)
This is another loaded position led by Pro Bowler Greg Jennings. Veteran Donald Driver, 36, isn’t getting any younger but he is expected to hold off James Jones and Jordy Nelson for the starting job for at least one more year. The addition of second-round draft pick Randall Cobb could spell the end of the line for special teams ace Brett Swain.
Offensive line (9)
Defensive line (6)
Linebacker (8)
Cornerback (6)
Safety (4)
Special teams (3)
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