As you would expect for a team that just won the Super Bowl eight months ago, the Green Bay Packers don’t have many open roster spots or training camp battles going on this preseason.

The Packers did not make many moves in the shortened offseason but the team feels its roster is so deep and the talent level so high that this was not necessary. Here is a position-by-position analysis of the team’s current roster.

Quarterback

This position is obviously well-settled both with the starter Aaron Rodgers and the backup Matt Flynn. Rodgers is fresh off his MVP performance in the Super Bowl and is poised to enter the top echelon of quarterbacks in the league. The sky is the limit for Rodgers and he will receive only limited play in the preseason.

Flynn is a capable and confident backup who will be a unrestricted free agent next year. This will make Flynn hungry to perform well in his limited role in the preseason in an attempt to set himself up as a candidate for a starting position on a new team next year. Flynn should get some time with the No. 1 offense to show what he can do and audition himself for the league. But once the season starts, it’s Rodgers' show.

Graham Harrell has been in the system for a while now and needs to show he can become the new backup if Flynn leaves after this season. The team is not carrying a fourth quarterback, so look for Harrell to get a lot of reps in the preseason games as they determine his future worth.
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Running Back

Ryan Grant is back from his injury and has been reportedly getting a high number of reps in camp thus far. Unless he is hobbled by the injury or slowed down, it is hard to expect a back who has ran for more than 1,200 yards each of the past two seasons he has been healthy to not be the primary ball carrier.

James Starks broke out late in the season and during the playoffs and made the team think highly enough of him to let the valuable Brandon Jackson go to Cleveland without much of a fight. Starks will spell Grant more than what Grant has seen in the past. Hopefully the two can become a combination situation that will make both players better and not hold one or both of them back.

Everyone appears excited about the potential of rookie Alex Green, but right now he is listed behind Dimitri Nance on the depth chart. Green will get his chances to make an impact in the return game as he figures out the system and the team sees where and if he may be of use on the offense.

The Packers re-signed John Kuhn in the offseason and actually made him one of the higher-paid fullbacks in the league. (A victory for lovers of yelling "OOO" at a game.) Kuhn is a good blocker and short-yardage performer who can catch well out of the backfield when called upon.
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Korey Hall left in the offseason, leaving Quinn Johnson as the only other legitimate fullback on the roster. At this point it appears the Pack may only keep two fullbacks to help out the logjam at other positions (see tight ends below).

Wide Receiver

The Packers wide receiving corps is as deep and talented as any in the league. Pro Bowler Greg Jennings leads the deep squad and is only getting better. Rodgers had been going to other options early last year, but injuries led him back to Jennings and the Packers offense took off when they found their rhythm.

The aging but still dangerous Donald Driver should hold on to the other starting position. Driver and the other two main options behind him all see about the same number of plays, so starting in this offense just means he gets his name announced before the game starts.

Driver is set to pass James Lofton and become the all-time leader in receiving yards for the Packers. (That reminds me to write that article about meeting James Lofton at the bar in Green Bay.)

The other two cogs in this interchangeable set are Jordy Nelson and James Jones. The Packers re-signed Jones after he tested the free agent market this offseason. His return keeps stability and production at a level most teams cannot duplicate from their No. 3 and 4 receivers. Nelson is coming off his near-MVP performance at the Super Bowl and seems to be improving with each season.

Rookie Randall Cobb looks to be the other keeper on the current roster. So far in camp, he appears to be confident and a real student of the game. He may even get some chances on offense and will certainly be given every chance to help the team in the return game.

Tight End

This is another position of depth on this team. The Pack let Donald Lee and all his experience leave as they liked their other options so much. Jermichael Finley is the projected starter. Finley has teased the league with his talent and ability but he needs to stay healthy and show he can play as well as he talks.

The Packers are nearly as excited about the ability of Andrew Quarless as their No. 2 tight end. He has many of the same skills as Finley and filled in decently during his rookie year.

Rookie D.J. Williams also excited the team with his potential. Tom Crabtree is a good special team player and has produced as a run blocker in a limited role thus far in his career.

There is talk that the Packers may look into keeping as many as five tight ends on the roster in exchange for keeping only two fullbacks. Like every year, this leaves Spencer Havner on the edge of a roster spot, though he seems to do nothing but produce when given an opportunity.

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Special Teams
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