Externally, there was some question about who would replace the departed Cullen Jenkins at defensive end for the Green Bay Packers, but apparently there wasn’t much debate internally.

If the Green Bay Press Gazette is correct, the job has already been handed to 2010 second-round pick Mike Neal.

Mike Vandermause listed four starting positions on the Packers that are being contested. Jenkins’ old spot was not one of them.

Before we tell you how many times the Press Gazette has been wrong or how many times they’ve blatantly copied something a lowly blogger has written, we’ll note that they’ve been spot on more than their fair share.

It’s still early in camp, but most of us have been hearing quite a bit about C.J. Wilson, another 2010 draft choice. Wilson started two games in 2010 in place of Jenkins and recorded 18 tackles and a sack on the season. He added five tackles and a sack in the postseason and looked fundamentally sound throughout.

Jenkins had only 18 tackles in eight starts in 2010. Neal, of course, was one of the Packers’ walking wounded. He played in just two games before hitting injured reserve.

The book on Neal is he’s strong as an ox and can get to the quarterback. This long-term potential may give him an edge over Wilson for the starting spot.

However, it’s somewhat surprising if the Packers have indeed already made the decision.

Total Packers wrote:

--- On one bright note, Mike Neal has enjoyed a steady recovery from his torn rotator cuff a year ago. The defensive end admitted before camp that his shoulder may not be 100 percent until late October and then did not participate in team activities much of the first week. Now, he is in full, 11-on-11 action with the No. 1 defense. Monday night, Neal showed a good punch off the line, penetrating into the backfield. He has outplayed C.J. Wilson so far.