Green Bay Packers Season Preview

In just over five weeks the Packers will start their 2010-11 season with high expectations and for good reason. After finishing last season winning seven out of their last eight, and returning all key contributors from last season's 11-5 record, the Packers are regarded as one of the favorites from the NFC to reach the Super Bowl in Dallas. One of the biggest reasons for the high expectations is the play of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The 6th year Cal product had his best season last year and has established himself as one of the elite quarterbacks in the game. He is surrounded by a talented receiving core lead by Greg Jennings and veteran Donald Driver. James Jones and Jordy Nelson round out one of the deepest receiving core's in the NFC. A player to watch this year is third year tight end Jermichael Finley. The Texas product had a breakout year last year and seems poised for an even bigger year with more experience and continuity with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Running back Ryan Grant is as solid as they come and should provide a productive running game to support the Packer's potent air attack.

The defense has some questions coming in with the absence of starting nose tackle Johnny Jolly who will miss the year for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Last year's first round pick B.J. Raji will be counted on to plug up the middle in the second year of defensive coordinator Dom Caper's 3-4 defense. The emergence of rookie linebacker Clay Matthews last year was a huge lift and he will need to have another stellar season if the Packer's wish to return to the playoffs. Defensive Player of the Year Charles Woodson will anchor a secondary that has some holes right now with veteran Al Harris recovering from a season ending knee injury. Cornerback Tramon Williams will have to play a bigger role this year and rookie safety Morgan Burnett may have to learn on the fly if Atari Bigby can't regain his form after having ankle surgery this off-season.

The Packers have all the right pieces in place to make a run at the Super Bowl this year and I believe they have a legitimate chance if all the pieces fall into place. If head coach Mike McCarthy can create the right chemistry, young players step up and perform, and the team stays relatively injury free, then the Lombardi Trophy could be headed back to Title Town come February.