Packers With Something to Prove: Players to Watch in Training Camp

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Mini-camp is not so much a time for evaluation as it is for installation. As the coaching staff attempts to make their installations to the offensive, defensive, and special teams systems, players are expected to first get a grasp in the classroom.

As Mike McCarthy continues to evolve his offense, Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers and staff are working vigorously at installing the 3-4 defense. New Special Teams Coordinator Shawn Slocum hopes to improve upon the Packers dismal display last year, ranking them last in the league in kick return yards.

With that being said, the offseason is quickly flowing by, and soon, training camp will be upon us. Then, it will be time to evaluate players based on their performance, as well as mental grasp of the playbook, while they strap on the pads and prove their worth.

This training camp, there are countless storylines and players for every Packer fan to keep an eye on. Here is a list of a few—out of many—who are either fighting for a spot on the roster, locked in a heated position battle, have plenty to prove, or will just be flat-out entertaining for any cheese-head to watch come August first:

Jeremy Thompson, OLB

Selected in the fourth round, 102nd overall in 2008, Jeremy Thompson enters his second season as the beneficiary of a system change that makes him a perfect fit. Originally an undersized defensive end, the Packers coaching staff asked him to gain weight following the 2008 season to make him more problematic for offensive tackles around the league and more durable.

Now, just a year later, Thompson has shed 10 pounds to fit his role as the outside linebacker opposite Aaron Kampman in the new 3-4 defense. The switch will call for him to use the athleticism that caught the Packers front office’s eye when he was coming out of Wake Forest.

Interestingly enough, Jeremy was the first player Packers General Manager Ted Thompson has traded up to draft in his entire career.

Thompson, who is leaner than ever, certainly has the athletic ability to get the job done. As of now, he has taken almost all of the reps with the first team defense and finds himself battling to maintain his role as a starter.

If he can keep the dinged up Clay Matthews at bay and prove that he can be more effective as an outside rusher than Brady Poppinga, then Jeremy Thompson may find himself as a starting linebacker for the Packers exciting defensive squad.

Brandon Jackson, RB

After injuries depleted Green Bay’s backfield in his rookie season, Brandon Jackson came into 2008 hoping to be the spell to Ryan Grant that the offense so desperately needed. With injuries hampering DeShawn Wynn since his rookie season, Jackson emerged as the solid number two halfback and also showed potential to become a prototypical third down RB.

He was fifth on the team in receptions, with 30 in 2008, and if he is able to continue to improve as a receiver, his role will take on higher importance in this offense.

Jackson is aware of this, stating that he looks to improve, “All around, blocking better, better zone reads and catching the ball.”

Jackson is also playing at 220lbs. now, his heaviest ever, and the results can be seen on the field. The extra weight should help him in pass protection situations, and Jackson looked much more difficult to bring to the turf at times in 2008.

He only carried the ball 45 times in 2008, but capped his season heading in the right direction, rushing for 113 yards in the season finale against Detroit.

If DeShawn Wynn can come back healthy, and last season's training camp, Kregg Lumpkin, can continue to improve, the backfield should be in good position to turn the ground game struggles around.

Mike McCarthy stated that it’s Ryan Grant’s group to lead, but loves the fact there is healthy competition behind him:

“[Grant] is the primary runner. But I think there is a lot of competition. I think Brandon Jackson did a lot of positive things for us last year with his opportunities. DeShawn Wynn jumped on the scene, had some production….You always plan to utilize all your players.”

If given the opportunities that McCarthy likely feels more inclined to give him, Jackson should emerge as a great asset for the offense. Keep an eye on the entire RB group come August, as the running game is one of the most obvious areas for improvement.

Jason Spitz, C/G

Drafted in the third round in 2006, the former Louisville Cardinal enters his fourth season in Green Bay looking to turn this young, and often disheveled, offensive line around.

Spitz is now arguably the most versatile lineman the Packers have, amassing 25 starts at three different positions (RG, C, LG). Spitz will battle it out with Scott Wells in training camp for the starting center position, but carries with him the experience from playing the guard positions that Coach McCarthy holds in high regard.

“I think any time you have the opportunity to play guard first and then move to center it really helps you,” McCarthy said. “I have always referred to the center and two guards as the core of our offense…”

“So Jason having the opportunity to learn guard then move to center really helps him….He does look natural there”

Whether it is Wells or Spitz starting at center when the season opens, it is likely Spitz will be starting at any three of the “core” spots in the offense. A strong core is vital to an entire body’s success, so consider Jason Spitz a very important part of the Packers 2009 season.

Anthony Smith, S

With Nick Collins deciding not to show up to OTA’s, one of the Packers only free agent acquisitions in 2009, Anthony Smith, took almost all of the reps with the first team defense.

Smith was an effective starter for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2007, playing in all 16 games and totaling 68 tackles and two interceptions. However, in 2008, he was a healthy inactive for the majority of their Super Bowl run.

Perhaps Smith’s biggest contributions for the Packers will come in the classroom, as he is one of the only Packers accustomed to running the 3-4. At safety, he has taken on the responsibility of making the checks for the secondary and has a pretty firm grasp on things due to past experience.

McCarthy noted his exceptional work in OTA’s, calling him, “The furthest ahead of everybody,” and saying, “He looks very natural out there.”

With this mental leg-up on the other safeties, and with Nick Collins wasting valuable reps in the offseason due to his contract situation, Smith may have a chance to rejuvenate his career as a solid backup or better in Green Bay.

Jermichael Finley, TE

Jermichael Finley is a very interesting case. Coming into the league after playing only two seasons at the University of Texas, Finley was an extremely raw talent.

He possesses a great build at 6'5", 245 lbs., and has outstanding athletic ability. Catching passes was not a problem during college, but making the adjustment to the professional game is an entirely different story.

“Last year it was all just overwhelming with everything I was getting thrown it and thrown at,” Finley admits. It’s only natural for a 21-year-old tight end, asked to take on increased responsibility in both run and pass block situations to be overwhelmed.

However, entering his second year, Finley is likely to see the field more and hopes to emerge as a legitimate pass catching target and a productive backup to Donald Lee.

A true pass-catching tight end is something the Packers have lacked in recent years, and having one would open up this offense in a big way. If Finley reaches his potential, he can bring that dimension to Green Bay.

Should he combine his physical tool set with hard work in the classroom and turn it into production, he can develop into a menacing player for any linebacker to have to cover in the future.

Ruvell Martin, WR

Ruvell Martin is a true workman’s receiver. Having played in NFL Europe and battling to make an NFL roster for three years, he broke in as a Packer late in 2006 and carried that momentum over to have a very productive 2007 season.

Granted, Martin only hauled in 16 passes, but consider this: A remarkable 15 of them were for either a touchdown or a first down. 

Moving the chains and putting points on the board are the most valuable things a receiver can do for his club, and Ruvell’s four touchdowns in 2007 had me thinking he was finally the tall-build, red zone threat the Packers needed.

However, hampered by injuries in 2008, Martin finds himself on the rebound entering 2009’s training camp. A guy who showed vast improvement from year to year, Ruvell now has to battle his way to make the roster once more, as the Packers are loaded at receiver and are set on Jordy Nelson and James Jones being their three and four options, interchangeably.

Martin is no stranger to fighting for his NFL life, and will do so come training camp, as he will battle to maintain his role as the fifth and likely final receiver on this club.

Korey Hall/John Kuhn/Quinn Johnson, FB

It’s not the most intriguing position battle for obvious reasons, but the fullbacks need some love here. Last season, both Korey Hall and John Kuhn saw the field quite often at fullback.

Hall brings a great understanding of the game from the flip side, having played linebacker in his tenure at Boise State. He is widely considered the true starter at the position, and took the most reps at fullback for the Packers in 2008.

John Kuhn contributed later on in the season, earning more playing time as the year progressed. He is also a key contributor on special teams and posted 11 special teams tackles in 2008.

However, when drafting Quinn Johnson in the fifth round last April, Ted Thompson clearly saw something that he liked. Quinn also played linebacker at Louisiana State, so the physicality is there. When blocking in the NFL, the tenacity of a big time SEC linebacker is certainly helpful.

When Jacob Hester graduated, LSU switched Johnson to fullback, and the move was a good one. An interesting stat: Johnson had 11 touchdown-resulting blocks in 2008, second on a team that had significant talent on the offensive line.

I wouldn’t think the Packers would use a fifth rounder on a fullback just to have a body (and a huge one at that) in training camp. Johnson is here to compete.

But with the running-back group shaping up, it seems improbable the Packers will consider keeping all three fullbacks on the team. We’ll see which of these workhorses makes the final 53-man roster after training camp.

Will Blackmon, KR/PR/CB

Will Blackmon has shown very brief glimpses of greatness, and I still feel he has the capability to become an above-average/great return man. However, as I mentioned earlier, the Packers were dead last in the league in kick returns, so Blackmon may be on the hot seat in 2009.

He returned two punts for touchdowns in 2008, averaging just over 11 yards a return. On kickoffs, he averaged 21 yards per return, but he, and the entire Packers team failed to reach the end zone.

Shawn Slocum takes over as the Special Teams Coordinator after three seasons as special teams assistant. His most daunting tasks will be finding a punter to get the job done (Jeremy Kapinos and Durant Brooks will fight for the job) and setting up the offense in better field position.

When it comes to field position, Blackmon is the essential piece, assuming that he will resume his duties as the primary return man. Tramon Williams may potentially challenge him, along with Jordy Nelson. They both have had experience returning kicks and punts in their brief career with the team.

For Blackmon, it’s time to step up. His overall value on the team may decline if he cannot come up big in 2009, as Tramon Williams solidified himself as the third cornerback, and Blackmon has struggled to be productive there.

He is but only one part of an entire unit that struggled last season, but with a big year from him, he can be the most important piece to turning things around.

Assuming Blackmon finds a way to consistently set up the offense in good field position, his contributions will go far from unnoticed, and he can prolong his tenure in Green Bay for years to come. 

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