Green Bay Packers: 10 Final Questions Answered Before Start of Regular Season

The Green Bay Packers officially begin their defense of the Lombardi Trophy Thursday night against the New Orleans Saints. With only a few days left before their opening game, there were some final questions that needed to be answered.

I've gathered the other Featured Columnists for the Packers in Michael Kimble, Matt Smith and John Fellon and asked them to give their expert answers to the following questions. Here are their answers to 10 final questions before the start of the NFL season.

Vulnerable Positions

Question: What is the most vulnerable position for the Green Bay Packers?

Michael Kimble's answer: The offensive line, which struggled in the preseason, and at the moment only has 8 players at the position. They need to get better if they want to keep Aaron Rodgers upright for a whole season.

Matt Smith's answer: Offensive Line. While there's no real weak position here, the Packers are carrying less lineman than normal.

John Fellon's answer: There are two positions that are uncertain on the Packers depth chart and they’re both on defense. Someone will have to fill the shoes of DE Cullen Jenkins who is now with the Eagles and that man is Mike Neal. He’s shown great potential, but he’s dealt with injuries and finally began practicing again on Sunday. The outside linebacker slot opposite of Clay Matthews is also troubling since Frank Zombo will be out for a good month with a broken scapula. Erik Walden will be the starter with the undrafted Vic So’oto as his backup after a phenomenal postseason.

My answer: The offensive line has looked horrid in the preseason, which doesn't instill much confidence in me. They need to get better quick or Aaron Rodgers will be hurting all season long.

Deepest Position

Question: What is the deepest position on the Green Bay Packers?

Michael Kimble's answer: Wide Receiver is their deepest position. They have one of the best receivers in the league in Greg Jennings, an aging veteran in Donald Driver who still has some left in the tank, and then backup receivers in Jordy Nelson, James Jones and Randall Cobb who could probably be starters on other teams. Also consider the five tight ends they have, which will frequently catch passes, as well, and this is the best receiving corps in the NFL.

Matt Smith's answer: Tight end, when a team has to keep five tight ends because each of them are so good you know there is a ton of depth there.

John Fellon's answer: The Packers have the deepest receiving corps in the league after re-signing James Jones and drafting slot receiver Randall Cobb to back up Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson and Donald Driver.

My answer: It's hard to think of a team with more talent at wide receiver than the Green Bay Packers, so I'll agree with John and Michael and say that the receiving corps is their deepest position.

NFC North

Question: Which NFC North team will give the Green Bay Packers the most trouble this year?

Michael Kimble's answer: Surprisingly, I believe the Lions will give the Packers the most trouble this year. They have a stout defensive line that will be a handful for our offensive line that has struggled so far in the preseason. The Lions defense last year took out Aaron Rodgers, I'm a little worried what they may do with Nick Fairly added to the mix.

As for the other NFC North teams, I feel that the Bears will struggle this year, as I feel they over-performed last year due to lack of injuries and a few lucky breaks. I feel that the Vikings will improve upon last year, but they are an aging team that isn't what it was in 2009.

Matt Smith's answer: The Detroit Lions. Stafford has looked fantastic in the preseason and Nate Burleson looks like he could be a legitimate complement to Calvin Johnson also known as Megatron.

John Fellon's answer: The Packers will still have to deal with the defending NFC North champion Chicago Bears this season. The Bears put up a fight in the NFC Championship despite finishing the game with a third string QB and have improved slightly in the offseason with the additions of Roy Williams, Marion Barber, and Brandon Meriweather. Detroit is dangerous and the Vikings have potential, but the rival Bears are still the Pack’s greatest threat in the division.

My answer: I actually think every team in the NFC North has the potential to give Green Bay some trouble, but the Lions bandwagon is gaining steam, especially after an undefeated preseason. Their offense will be able to put up points and their defensive line has the ability to destroy opponents.

Rookies

Question: Will any rookies make a significant impact this year?

Michael Kimble's answer: Randall Cobb. Although they have a lot of receivers to throw to, he is a significant talent that the Packers will use on both offense and special teams. Two other rookies that I think could make an impact are Alex Green and Vic So'oto.

Matt Smith's answer: Both Randall Cobb and D.J. Smith. Cobb will add a spark to a return game that is lacking and D.J. Smith will be a more than capable back-up as well as a special teamer.

John Fellon's answer: Randall Cobb has the best opportunity to make an impact this year as both a receiver and a returner.

My answer: I've been high on Randall Cobb since the Packers drafted him and I really see him becoming quite the playmaker this year.

Breakout Candidate

Question: Which player will have a breakout year for the Green Bay Packers?

Michael Kimble's answer: Jermichael Finley has been primed for a breakout year for a couple of years, but has had nagging injuries. I believe that this will be the year that he will take over and be considered one of the top tight ends in the NFL.

Matt Smith's answer: Mike Neal. Neal has brute strength and was opening eyes his rookie season before his injury. If he can stay healthy than he'll break out.

John Fellon's answer: Jermichael Finley is due for a breakout year this season after his opportunity was cut short in 2010. He’s one of the most athletic pass catching tight ends in the NFL and benefits from being on one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL. The pieces are in place, but he just has to stay healthy.

My answer: I'm going out on a limb and saying that Morgan Burnett is going to have a huge year. He has looked great throughout the postseason and with so much talent already in the secondary, Burnett will thrive and have a Pro Bowl caliber season.

Disappointing Player

Question: Which player will be a disappointment this year for the Green Bay Packers?

Michael Kimble's answer: Mike Neal. The guy has struggled with injuries so far, despite being seen as the replacement of Cullen Jenkins. Although I hope he fills the shoes well, I think he will struggle at the position, either because of injuries or simply due to lack of experience in the position as a pro.

Matt Smith's answer: It'll have to be James Jones. Originally, I was excited that Ted Thompson brought back Jones. But now that I think about it, he'll be fourth on the depth chart while Green Bay adds another threat in Jermichael Finley. Where does Jones fit in this equation?

John Fellon's answer: Ryan Grant will have a solid season, but I’ll be surprised if he ever reaches 1,000 yards again with James Starks lurking in his shadow. Donald Driver could have a disappointing year, but nobody expects too much out of him anymore.

My answer: I'll have to go with Donald Driver who I see falling to fourth or fifth on the depth chart over the course of the season.

Defensive MVP

Question: Who will be the defensive MVP for the Green Bay Packers?

Michael Kimble's answer: I'm going to go out on a limb and say Tramon Williams. In 2010, he took major steps forward to be one of the best corners in the league, and I think he will take the next step this year.

Matt Smith's answer: Despite Clay Matthews being the best, the answer is Charles Woodson. He does so many things for Green Bay that he's the real MVP.

John Fellon's answer: The Packers defense is loaded with playmakers like cornerbacks Charles Woodson and Tramon Williams as well as safety Nick Collins, but it is scary to think of what OLB Clay Matthews can do when he’s not playing on a broken leg.

My answer: I'm going with Charles Woodson as defensive MVP for the Packers. He is so versatile and I think he will be moved all around the field and have a huge season.

Offensive MVP

Question: Who will be the offensive MVP for the Green Bay Packers?

Michael Kimble's answer: Aaron Rodgers. He is the leader of the offense, and will have another great season coming off the Super Bowl.

Matt Smith's answer: Aaron Rodgers. He could be the entire league's MVP.

John Fellon's answer: It’s a pretty safe bet to say that Aaron Rodgers will be the Packers’ offensive MVP in 2011 if he stays healthy, possibly even the league’s MVP. The offense is built around the star quarterback for a good reason.

My answer: No argument from me in Aaron Rodgers.

Best QB in the NFL

Question: Is Aaron Rodgers the best QB in the NFL right now?

Michael Kimble's answer: It's hard to say that he's better than Brady and Manning given everything they have accomplished. I believe that someday, Rodgers will be considered the best QB in the NFL, and I do believe that outside Brady and Manning, he is the best quarterback in the NFL, and if I were to start a franchise today, he would be the guy I would want as my QB.

Matt Smith's answer: No, at least not yet. Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are ahead of Rodgers. Brady is incredibly accurate while Manning makes everyone around him look great. I'll take my chances with Rodgers in the playoffs, but Brady and Manning are still ahead of him.

John Fellon's answer: Tom Brady was the NFL MVP in 2010, but it was Aaron Rodgers that won the Super Bowl MVP. Both No. 12’s are incredible quarterbacks, but Rodgers legs give him the advantage.

My answer: As much as I would love to say that he is the best in the league right now, I just can't put him ahead of Tom Brady quite yet. If Rodgers has another great season and a deep run in the playoffs, he will enter 2012 as the best in the NFL.

Super Bowl

Question: Will the Green Bay Packers repeat as Super Bowl champions?

Michael Kimble's answer: As much as I would love to see it happen, and they certainly have the power to do so, it has been proven to be very difficult to repeat. The Packers will certainly defend the title well, and I do think we will at least see them in the NFC Championship game again next year.

Matt Smith's answer: As of right now, it's hard to say, so I'll go with a no. I believe they'll at least go to the NFC Championship game, but they could lose in the Super Bowl to the Pats or someone else. It's too early to tell.

John Fellon's answer: It’s hard to repeat in any major professional sport, especially in the NFL. The NFC is looking strong this season, but the Packers look even better than last year on paper. If they can make it to Indianapolis, the Lombardi Trophy will be heading back to Title-town.

My answer: It will be difficult, but I don't think there is a better team in the NFL than the Packers. Their offense is explosive and their defense is one of the toughest in the leagues. I think we will see a repeat champion in the Packers.