Middle Linebacker: Hawk vs. Chillar vs. Bishop

Desmond Bishop is fighting for starting time once again. One of the best hitting linebackers on the team, he continues to impress. However, with Brandon Chillar being more adept at pass coverage, Bishop may once again be sitting on the sidelines. I for one would like Bishop to start… at least against teams that are more run oriented. Chillar does a nice job covering most TEs in the league and does a great job in passing situations, but doesn’t really sniff out the run very well. The Packers most likely will continue to run their “Psycho” package again this year, which uses 5 linebackers where both will be utilized. This all rests on AJ Hawk however. Hawk may be on the outs, failing to show the flashes he had as a rookie. It seems that he never fully recovered from his knee injury from a few years ago. He still maintains the inside position in the base package, but needs to step it up this year in camp or on the field or he may get the quick trigger with Chillar and Bishop waiting in the wings. Hawk started losing playing time to Chillar and Bishop last year and I wouldn’t be surprised not to see him on the field hardly at all as the season progresses (Which sucks for me… My only jersey is his…lol). The Packers have also experimented with Chillar on the outside, further expanding his versatility. Interesting to see how this all shakes out.

WR: Jordy Nelson vs. James Jones

Jordy Nelson has shown big play ability and will be pushing for the main slot WR over James Jones. Depending on Donald Driver being able to continue to fight off Father Time, its nice to see a young receiver possibly be a solid number two wideout down the road. However, Jones continues to show big play capability. Should be interesting between the two. Not to mention, JerMichael Finley will be utilized as a wideout in the red zone, making this one of the best pass catching corps in the league.

Safety: Atari Bigby vs. Morgan Burnett

Supposed to be a huge battle may become a moot point. Bigby is scheduled to have ankle surgery today. Known as a big hitter, but seemingly lost on too many pass coverages, Bigby needed a big camp to fend of the rookie Burnett. However, forever plagued with injuries, Bigby once again will be sidelined for an undetermined amount of time. I’m not sure he’ll have a chance to take back the position once healthy either.

Rookie Report: Sam Shields

Undrafted out of the U, Shields was expected to help contribute on special teams, but has shown flashes at cornerback as well. The weakest area on the Packers, hopefully he can continue to learn the technique needed to be a successful corner. Only playing one year at corner after 3 years of being a wideout, I’m sure there is a huge learning curve. However, he should at least compete at PR/KR, an area that the Packers have been relatively poor at since the loss of Allen Rossum so many years back.

The Trenches presents team reports, focused on the NFL draft, from Sporting News' 32 NFL correspondents.
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As the Packers look ahead to having the No. 23 pick on the first night of the April 22-24 draft, they are keeping their fingers crossed that the investment they made at the outset of the 2007 draft will finally pay off.

Defensive tackle-turned-end Justin Harrell has been a flop since general manager Ted Thompson surprised many with the selection of the injured Tennessee player at No. 16 in the first round that year.

Harrell has played in only 13 regular-season games with two starts his first three years in the league. What’s more, he missed the entire 2009 season.

Yet, despite all of the trouble caused by Harrell’s litany of physical woes, the Packers are sticking with him and giving him one more shot to prove he can be a dependable and worthwhile contributor on the…
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The Southern Cal factory won’t crank out many first-rounders in this draft, but expect safety Taylor Mays to be in the mix.
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AUSTIN, Texas – Short passes, deep passes and everything in between. Colt McCoy hit them all.
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Short passes, deep passes and everything in between. Colt McCoy hit them all. The former Texas quarterback showed off his healed right shoulder for NFL scouts for the first time on Wednesday, completing all 46 of his passes in a controlled workout. "I've been waiting for this day a long time," he said.
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AFC Baltimore Ravens Aug. 12 Carolina (ESPN) Aug. 19-23 at Washington Aug. 26-29 N.Y. Giants Sept.
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The Southern Cal factory won’t crank out many first-rounders in this draft, but expect safety Taylor Mays to be in the mix.

AUSTIN, Texas – Short passes, deep passes and everything in between. Colt McCoy hit them all.

Short passes, deep passes and everything in between. Colt McCoy hit them all. The former Texas quarterback showed off his healed right shoulder for NFL scouts for the first time on Wednesday, completing all 46 of his passes in a controlled workout. "I've been waiting for this day a long time," he said.