Organized Team Activities are under way for the Green Bay Packers and after the first week there was plenty to talk about. Some of it good news and some of it bad news.
The Good: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ leadership is showing more and more and this now is clearly his team. With Rodgers coming off a superb season in which he became only the second quarterback in NFL history to throw for over 4,000 yards in his first year as a starter and also threw 28 touchdowns to only 13 interceptions, the Packers are in good hands at the most pivotal position. Rodgers has been sharp and his deep ball may even be better than last year when he led the league in completions over 40 yards. The combination of him and wide receiver Greg Jennings could be every bit as explosive as the Tom Brady-Randy Moss combo in New England. If Rodgers puts 16 more games under his belt I believe the Packers will certainly return to the playoffs this season.
Defensive lineman Justin Harrell has been a bright spot both on and off the field. The much maligned, often injured lineman is running with the one’s in practice playing defensive end in the new 3-4 defense the Packers are instituting. Harrell has looked good and claims to be 100 percent healthy for the first time since the Packers drafted him with their number one pick in 2007. He has stepped up to the plate off the field has as well by facing his critics and not making excuses for his lack of production after being drafted so high (number 15 overall). Harrell wants to prove to the world he is not a bust and I think he could easily end up being a starter on opening day.
The aforementioned Jennings, who is a star in the making and is in the last year of his contract is not holding out and showing much more class than most players lately that are in his same shoes. Jennings knows his deal will get done and punishing his teammates by not showing up for OTAs is not his style, unlike a certain safety and receiver to be mentioned later. Just by showing up Jennings proves to the Packers what type of person he is and when the deal gets done he will be worth every penny.
The Bad: In one of the weirdest situations I’ve ever seen wide receiver Donald Driver is crying for more money yet again. This has become pretty much a yearly occurrence and the Packers would be wise to draw the line this time. Driver probably has only one year left in Green Bay no matter what happens this year. The emergence of Jennings and young receivers like Jordy Nelson and James Jones and Driver’s advancing age make him expendable, especially if he thinks he’s worth $8-10 million per year. Driver probably knows the writing is on the wall and wants to get as much from the Packers this year knowing damn well he won’t be under contract next year. Driver has been a semi-class act during his career in Green Bay so the Packers might appease him, but they have no reason to do so.
Saftey Nick Collins also is also showing his selfish side and hurting his teammates by refusing to attend camp and learn the new defense. His job is supposed to be the “quarterback” of the defense and by not being here he is hurting not only himself but his team. I think the Packers should start grooming his replacement and not worry about him. He had one good year that I think was a fluke and if the Packers open the vault to him they will have a ton of dead money after he flops this year. The longer he stays away from camp the less money he is worth. The Packers have depth in the secondary with several guys who can play both corner and safety, so as far as Collins is concerned, it’s out of sight, out of mind. So long and good riddance.
Finally, what is up with Aaron Kampman? The media is pounding him and assuming that he doesn’t his like his role in the new defense and until he states otherwise that is what people are going to believe. I will give him credit for being here trying to learn the system. If he wanted to wait until he got into some meetings and practices and actually see what his role will be before talking publicly, then fine. A simple statement saying that would have been easy enough to release through the team. Now he just comes off as an immature girl giving the silent treatment. I think the Packers should be seriously shopping Kampman because the Packers have plenty of linebackers who can play the position. Brady Poppinga can play there no problem and with Jeremy Thompson opening eyes so far in camp, not to mention Clay Matthews, the Packers don’t need Kampman any longer. He’s been a good foot soldier but if any other team than the Vikings would have given him that offer sheet a few years ago I think the Packers might have let him go then.
There are a couple of other areas of concern like the offensive line but I think those issues will work themselves out as players get healthy and training camp unfolds. I do think at least one of the positions on the right side of the line will be manned by a rookie. I think Cliffy, Colledge and Spitz will work the left side and center positions come opening day. I just think T.J. Lang is going to get one of those right side spots.
So far I think the good outweighs the bad.