A season ago, the Green Bay Packers took an unusual configuration of running backs, fullbacks and tight ends into their season opener at Philadelphia.

General Manger Ted Thompson gave coach Mike McCarthy only two halfbacks Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson to start the season and for the second straight year overloaded on fullbacks, keeping three John Kuhn, Korey Hall and Quinn Johnson. He also kept four tight ends Jermichael Finley, Donald Lee, Tom Crabtree and Andrew Quarless.

When or if the season opens this year, the configuration could look quite a bit different.

Thompson surprisingly went heavy on tight ends in the draft, taking the talented D.J. Williams of Arkansas in the fifth round and Ryan Taylor of North Carolina in the seventh. He also took a running back, Alex Green of Hawaii, in the third round.

Injury or preseason performance could change things, but at this point in an offseason marred by a lockout that has prevented any workouts, organized team activities or minicamps, it appears likely Thompson and McCarthy will have an opportunity to keep more running backs and perhaps even more tight ends going into 2011, likely at the expense of the fullback position.

Mike likes tight ends, Thompson said shortly after the draft.

With that in mind, heres a position-by-position breakdown of the Packers roster:

Running backs
All signs indicate veteran starter Grant, who sustained season-ending ankle and leg injuries in that opener against the Eagles, is healthy and will return for the final year of his contract, even though hes scheduled to make at least $5.25 million in salary and bonus money.

James Starks, who last season as a rookie came off the physically unable to perform list in November and became the top halfback during the playoffs, is a promising prospect if he can stay healthy. Hes a decisive runner who can get tough yards. He and Grant likely will split carries.

Then theres the question of the third-down back. Its been the reliable Jackson, the former second-round pick who flopped as a primary ball carrier. He excels at blitz pickup and is a decent receiver. He could return depending on what the rules for free agency will be when the lockout ends. If hes restricted, theres a decent chance hell return and again be the one to protect quarterback Aaron Rodgers from blitzing linebackers and defensive backs.

If Jackson returns, the Packers almost certainly will keep four halfbacks, twice as many as they did last September, because the rookie, Green, will make it, too. He has the chance to be a third-down back because he played in a single-back spread offense at Hawaii and was productive as a receiver. But hell have to convince the coaches he can be trusted with blitz pickup, and thats no easy task for a rookie.

After keeping three fullbacks the last two years, this could be the year the Packers go more traditional and keep only one or two. Kuhn and Hall could be free agents depending on the rules, but Kuhn is almost a sure bet to return because of his short-yardage rushing ability and his role on special teams. Hall, too, is a core special teams player, but his annual late-season injuries are becoming tiresome. Johnsons role is limited on offense, and hes a poor special teams player, so his time might be over.

Tight ends
This seemed like a well-stocked position before the draft even after cutting the aging veteran Lee. With the return of the playmaker Finley, who missed all but five games last season with a knee injury, a prospect in Quarless and a mauling blocker and special teams player in Crabtree, this didnt appear to be a position of need.

But the addition of Williams, one of the elite receiving tight ends in college last season, and Taylor have made this position overflowing with depth.

Theres a theory the Packers might not be willing to make a long-term commitment to Finley, who is entering his fourth season and the final year of his rookie contract, because its sure to be costly. But letting him walk in free agency would mean losing the player McCarthy spent all of last offseason building his offense around. That seems unlikely.

Rather, the addition of two tight ends could be because of Quarless slow development. He had almost no impact as a rookie and worse, made repeated mental mistakes.

Receivers
By drafting Kentuckys Randall Cobb in the second round, Thompson was preparing for the possibility of losing No. 3 receiver James Jones in free agency and/or the eventual decline of the aging Donald Driver, 36.

The 5-foot-10 Cobb looks like a prototypical West Coast slot receiver.

Sixth-year pro Greg Jennings made his first Pro Bowl last season after taking over as the focal point of the offense following the injury to Finley in Week 5. The challenge for McCarthy and Rodgers will be to keep the highly productive Jennings involved when Finley returns.

Drivers age showed up last season, when injuries slowed him, but he still has at least another year of production in him.

Jordy Nelson, who caught nine passes in Super Bowl XLV, might be ready to break out, but hell need to overcome the drops.

Brett Swain has been little more than a special teams guy the last two seasons and again will have to fight to make the roster. He could be in competition with Chastin West, who spent last season on the practice squad, for the final spot.

Quarterbacks
Theres going to be a decision to make on Matt Flynn. In relief last season when Rodgers missed the New England game because of his second concussion, Flynn played well enough to convince teams hes worth a shot as a starter. Flynn no doubt wants that shot and knows that as long as Rodgers is healthy, it wont happen in Green Bay.

So, do the Packers try to trade him or just let him walk in free agency, likely after the 2011 season?

Part of that depends on whether they think Graham Harrell can develop into another Flynn. If he can by the time this season starts, then perhaps theyll try to deal Flynn. If not, theyd rather keep Flynn and take whatever comes their way in terms of a compensatory draft pick.

Offensive line
The only starting job potentially open is at left guard, and thats only if starter Daryn Colledge leaves in free agency. With five years of service, hell be unrestricted only if the free agency rules are different than what they were last season.

If Colledge doesnt return, the Packers could try T.J. Lang or Nick McDonald there. They also could give rookie first-round pick Derek Sherrod a shot. Sherrod is a long-term tackle prospect at either right or left, but McCarthy said after the draft that Sherrod will start out on the left side, which could mean some guard work.

Eventually, Sherrod and Bryan Bulaga, last years first-round pick, will be the starting tackles.

The other two interior spots Scott Wells at center and Josh Sitton at right guard are set, barring injuries. McDonald, an undrafted rookie in 2010, could be the center of the future. So could sixth-round pick Caleb Schlauderaff, a guard from Utah. Its unlikely Schlauderaff would be a candidate for the left guard spot this year.

Veteran right tackle Mark Tauscher remains on the roster but almost certainly is done. Starting left tackle Chad Clifton appears to have at least another year in him.

Defensive line
Somewhat surprisingly, the Packers didnt address this spot until their final pick, Lawrence Guy of Arizona State, in the seventh round at No. 233 overall. Guy is an intriguing prospect because of his raw ability but probably left school a year early.

Mike Neal, a second-round pick last year, and last years in-season acquisition, Howard Green, likely will inherit most of the snaps played last year by end Cullen Jenkins, who is expected to leave in free agency. Two months ago, the Packers were counting on Johnny Jolly to return from suspension, but after another brush with the law, that seems unlikely. Former first-round bust Justin Harrell probably wont be back, either.

The Packers are hoping C.J. Wilson, a seventh-round pick last year, benefits from some playing time as a rookie.

In nose tackle B.J. Raji and end Ryan Pickett, the Packers have two stalwarts.

Linebackers
The inside positions are well stocked. A.J. Hawk and emerging playmaker Desmond Bishop are the starters. Both received contract extensions, which means former starter Nick Barnett, with his $5.5 million salary and recovering from last years wrist surgery, is probably gone. Perhaps Brandon Chillar faces the same fate.

Sixth-round pick D.J. Smith of Appalachian State will play on the inside.

By waiting until the sixth round to take an outside linebacker, Ricky Elmore of Arizona, it means the Packers are content to go with the same trio Brad Jones, Frank Zombo and Erik Walden that ran through the spot opposite Clay Matthews last season. Losing Jenkins, their best interior pass rusher, could have an impact on Matthews, who has 23 sacks in his first two seasons.

Defensive backs
Charles Woodson is expected to recover from the broken collarbone he sustained in the Super Bowl and should be ready for the season opener. With rising star Tramon Williams and speedy Sam Shields, the top three cornerbacks are set.

The addition of fourth-round pick Davon House of New Mexico State adds to the depth of a group that includes a pair of underachievers, Pat Lee and Brandon Underwood. Josh Gordy is a developmental prospect.

At safety, Pro Bowler Nick Collins is at the top of his game. At the other spot, Morgan Burnett, who opened his rookie season last year as the other starter, is recovering from reconstructive knee surgery and might be limited to start the season. Charlie Peprah proved to be an adequate fill-in for Burnett. Veteran Atari Bigby wasnt tendered as a restricted free agent and probably is a goner.

Specialists
Kicker Mason Crosby is without a contract, but the Packers plan to re-sign him when the lockout is lifted. Punter Tim Masthay had a strong first season and has a bright future. Reliable long snapper Brett Goode received a contract extension late last season.

Its possible none of the three will have training camp competition.

Cobb finally might be the return specialist the Packers have lacked.

GBPressGazette wrote: