Green Bay Packers: 8 Players with Something to Prove in 2011

Unfinished Business: 8 Green Bay Packers With Something To Prove In 2011

When you start talking about the Packers post-Super Bowl XLV, you get a sense this team isn't done. 

This wasn't just a fluke championship. The Packers roster isn't being raided by free agency. The coaching staff is largely intact. 

And when you look at the team top to bottom, there are very few in the NFL who can boast the amount of talent and depth that the Packers currently possess. 

But, with all that talent comes competition. And with competition comes the need for certain players to step up to the plate.

Let's take a look at a few players who need to rise to the occasion next season for the Packers.

RB Ryan Grant

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GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 18: Ryan Grant #25 of the Green Bay Packers runs the ball against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on October 18, 2009 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Lions 26-0. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

What to prove

Health, starting status, long-term future

Breakdown

Losing your entire season after just eight touches is bad enough, but Grant's injury in Week 1 of last season was more than just bad luck. 

Without Grant, the Packers were able to give rookie James Starks important carries, and he delivered in the playoffs. To make matters worse, Green Bay used a third round pick on Alex Green from Hawaii in April's draft. 

Grant—who rushed for 1,200 yards in consecutive seasons before his injury—is still the leading candidate to start next season, but his competition has clearly closed the gap.

With over $5 million left on his contract, Grant has a lot to prove in 2011. If he doesn't produce early on, he could see his playing time drastically reduced, which could leave him looking for a new home come 2012.

WR Jordy Nelson

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Jordy Nelson #87 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after he scored a 6-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in

What to prove

Starting status, production

Breakdown

2011 should be an interesting season for the Packers receiving corps.

Donald Driver is past his prime, James Jones could be on the move, and Randall Cobb is a dynamic player that should see snaps. 

Greg Jennings is the undisputed No. 1, but where does Nelson fit in? At this point it's realistic to think that he could be the Packers No. 2 receiver in 2011. 

Is Nelson ready for that "promotion" up the receiving chain? He still needs to show he can be a threat every week, because he could be a very productive No. 2 receiver in the Packers offense if given the opportunity.

TE Jermichael Finley

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 03: Jermichael Finley #88 of the Green Bay Packers catches a five-yard touchdown pass over Greg Toler #28 of the Arizona Cardinals in the third quarter at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 3, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. (Pho

What to prove

Health, long-term future

Breakdown

When it comes to Finley, there's no denying the talent and potential. He's a matchup nightmare at every position on the field, and he's shown flashes of being the one of the more dominant tight ends in the game. 

Finley, however, hasn't been on the field enough over the past two seasons. He missed three games in 2009, and his 2010 season was cut short after just five games. 

It goes without saying that his injury trend needs to change in 2011. 

Finley will be a free agent next offseason, and the Packers have the kind of depth at the position to seriously consider letting him test the market if another injury occurs. 

His talent would be risky to let walk, but the Packers can't commit the necessary kind of dollars to Finley if he isn't on the field. 2011 is an important year for his career and future in Green Bay.

OL T.J. Lang

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Tackle T.J. Lang #70 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates as he walks off the field after the Packers won 48-21 against the Atlanta Falcons during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atla

What to prove

Starting status

Breakdown

Will Lang finally get his chance to start on the Packers offensive line? 

If he truly wants to start, 2011 should present his best opportunity. Daryn Colledge is a free agent, and the Packers currently don't have a better option to replace him at left guard. 

It makes sense to think Lang could fill that spot, but this certainly isn't set in stone.

Mike McCarthy and offensive line coach James Campen believe in starting the five best linemen, and that could mean Bryan Bulaga moves to guard and 2011 first round pick Derek Sherrod takes over at right tackle.

If Lang ever wants to be a part of the Packers offensive line, 2011 is the year he needs to make it happen.

DE Mike Neal

What to prove

Starting status, health

Breakdown

All signs point to Neal being the guy to replace the soon-to-be departed Cullen Jenkins, and those are some big shoes to fill. 

Jenkins was the Packers' most versatile lineman, giving defensive coordinator Dom Capers the ability to play him all over the line and on all three downs. 

While it would be foolish to expect Neal to completely replace Jenkins, the Packers need him to be a big contributor in 2011. 

If Neal can be consistently as good as he was to start his rookie campaign, the Packers defense shouldn't take too big of step backwards when losing Jenkins. But he needs to prove he can stay healthy and produce over a full season before we can make that claim.

LB Desmond Bishop

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GREEN BAY, WI - AUGUST 15: Linebacker Desmond Bishop #55 of the Green Bay Packers goes in to sack quarterback Brett Ratliff #5 of the Cleveland Browns in the third quarter during the preseason game at Lambeau Field on August 15, 2009 in Green Bay, Wiscon

What to prove

Production

Breakdown

While most thought that Bishop had the talent to start, we didn't know for sure until he got his opportunity in 2010. 

After Nick Barnett was lost in Week 4, Bishop started the final 12 games and registered 103 tackles and three sacks. He was then rewarded with a four-year, $19 million contract in January. 

But don't forget—Bishop always said that he carried a chip on his shoulder for being picked in the sixth round. Now that he's got his big contract and the job security that goes along with it, will he relax?

There's a long list of players who have busted after their first big contract. I'm not saying Bishop will join them, but he needs to prove in 2011 that last season was no fluke. 

CB Sam Shields

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Sam Shields #37 of the Green Bay Packers runs on the field during warm ups against the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. The {ackers won 31-25. (Photo by Mik

What to prove

Starting status, production, development

Breakdown

I'm not sure there's another Packers player hurt more by the current lockout than Shields. 

He's still trying to learn the cornerback position, and he has the potential to be a really good player in the NFL if he continues on his same path.

However, not having an offseason could really stunt his development. Shields is missing out on valuable team programs, and any time missed in the film room with Tramon Williams and Charles Woodson is time lost with two of the best in the game. 

Will he be ready if the Packers ask him to do more next season? Shields needs to prove he's ready to take the next step as Woodson gets older.

S Morgan Burnett

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SEATTLE - AUGUST 21: Wide receiver Mike Williams #1 of the Seattle Seahawks is tackled during the preseason game by Morgan Burnett #42 of the Green Bay Packers at Qwest Field on August 21, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Image

What to prove

Starting status, health

Breakdown

Burnett was a promising rookie in 2010, but like so many others on this list, his season was cut short due to injury. 

Luckily for the Packers, Charlie Peprah was able to take over and play well at the back-end of the secondary. 

However, the ideal scenario for next year and the future would be if Burnett was the full-time starter opposite Nick Collins. Given how well Peprah played in a backup role last season, will the still-inexperienced Burnett be able to win the starting spot? 

Burnett needs to show he's over his ACL injury and ready to be the Packers starting safety for the foreseeable future.