Green Bay Packers 2009 Position Battles

At least this season there won't be any debate at the quarterback situation. Well, not the starter, anyways.

No, with all the Brett Favre drama being dispersed over in Minnesota, Aaron Rodgers can calmly take over for Green Bay in year two, and confidently know the job is his.

As long as he can stay healthy, of course.

However, quarterback isn't the only position in Green Bay, and after an unsuccessful 6-10 season, there are due some heated position battles.

After all, you don't get any better just standing pat, now do you, Ted Thompson?

Quarterbacks

Brian Brohm looked like a DIII prospect all of last pre-season, as seventh rounder Matt Flynn performed consistently enough to win back-up duties to Aaron Rodgers.

Quite honestly, nothing has changed. Green Bay would love for Brohm their 2008 second round pick, to out-do Flynn, but it looks like they'll be waiting eagerly with the rest of us.

Flynn may not have the physical tools that Brohm has, but he clearly has the mental toughness and awareness to functionally operate an NFL offense.

Running Backs

While Ryan Grant is the guaranteed starter for the Packers, Brandon Jackson figures to fight for a good amount of carries.

In fact, if Grant begins the season as he did last season, with three out of his first six starts with less than three yards per carry, then Jackson could eventually take his spot.

But let's not jump to conclusions.

The fullback position appears to be wide open, with Green Bay drafting LSU's Quinn Johnson. He will battle with veterans Korey Hall and John Kuhn, and has a good chance of winning the job, due to the team's investment in him.

Wide Receivers

Barring an injury, it will be Greg Jennings and Donald Driver starting on opening day. As for the third and fourth receiver, it's likely between Jordy Nelson and James Jones, with Ruvell Martin getting somewhat into the mix.

Nelson performed admirably for a rookie as the third option, as he had to replace the often-injured Jones for most of the season.

Even once healthy, Jones was too nicked up and inconsistent to supplant Nelson. With his size, hands, and excellent route-running, Nelson should retain the job, and provide Aaron Rodgers with a big target over the middle.

The Packers didn't make a splash by nabbing an elite tight end in the draft, and they stopped their attempts at landing Tony Gonzalez.

This means another season of mediocrity at the tight end position is inevitable. Donald Lee is a serviceable veteran, but far from elite.

There have been slight rumors of Jermichael Finley pushing Donal Lee for the starting job, but there isn't enough weight in those words to believe them.

Both Finley and Tory Humphrey are too inconsistent and raw to make an impact in 2009.

Defensive Ends

With the switch to the new 3-4 scheme, Green Bay is sending established end, Aaron Kampman to rush on the outside, leaving them with zero experienced defensive ends. Throw in the fact that the scheme is different, and they're really in rough shape.

Cullen Jenkins, assuming he's healthy, should easily hold down one side, while Johnny Jolly, Justin Harrell, and possibly even Ryan Pickett vie for the other.

Jolly will most likely end up winning that battle by default, as Harrell isn't right for the position (and he can't stay healthy), and Pickett may still keep his job over B.J. Raji.

Raji has a great chance to be the starting defensive tackle, but he might be brought along slowly, and could be used at defensive end in his first year. With Pickett being a contract year, the Packers may try to eek as much out of him as possible, as well.

Linebackers

Easily their strongest area on defense, Dom Capers could have a field day working with this great group of linebackers.

While none of them outside of Nick Barnett are elite individual linebackers, they all hold special potential within the new system.

Hawk and Barnett are the early favorites (and inevitable choices) to man the middle, while Kampman is slated to man one side of the 3-4.

That leaves rookie Clay Matthews, Brady Poppinga, and Brandon Chillar to fight for the remaining spot.

Considering Chillar is regarded as more of an inside linebacker, it's undoubtedly between Matthews and Poppinga for the final starting spot. Poppinga has plenty of experience and athleticism to excel at rushing the quarterback, but with zero sacks in the past two seasons, he doesn't have the production to create optimism.

While Matthews has great athleticism and pedigree, the early favorite is 4th rounder, Jeremy Thompson. He has great size and solid athleticism for the 3-4 linebacker spot, and is the early favorite to win the job.

Cornerbacks

Injury could change this line-up, but as it stands, Al Harris and Charles Woodson will give it another go with their crafty, hands-on coverage.

Second year man Patrick Lee should be able to contend for a spot in the Nickel package, but Tramon Williams (who has yet to sign his exclusive rights tender) is the projected third corner.

Williams displayed great play-making ability and solid tackling, with five interceptions and 57 tackles.

Safeties

There doesn't look to be much change at either safety position, as both Atari Bigby and Nick Collins should be able to hold down their respective positions.

The signing of Anthony Smith shows Green Bay wants competition at the spot, but despite being a liability in coverage, Bigby brings hard-hitting and good play-making skills.

Aaron Rouse continued to impress in flashes last season, and a good off-season could get him on the field more in special packages. After Nick Collins' great 2008, it's unlikely Rouse would be even considered to take his place as a starter.

Green Bay has a good amount of young talent across the board, and have added solid depth through their draft class. If they offense can repeat last year's production, and the new defense is even half as exciting as it sounds, a 10-6 showing isn't out of the question.

If we can see Clay Matthews and B.J. Raji emerge as starters in their first year, it will ensure the Packers have successfully upgraded an already solid corps.