Packers Fan Journal

With OTAs and mini camp over, the Pack have a five-week break to gear up for training camp. Here are what I think will be the best battles to watch over the course of the Packers’ training camp.

1. #3 Wideout

As a rookie, James Jones looked like a future number one receiver. He posted more yards and receptions, albeit slightly, in 2007 than Greg Jennings did in his rookie year. Unfortunately for Jones, he was hit hard last year by a sophomore jinx that kept him sidelined with a bum wheel most of the year. This year though, Jones feels and looks healthy again. Reports are that Jones looks leaner, faster and meaner after having dropped about 10 pounds during the offseason. It should be noted that throughout last year’s training camp, Jones was making plays and catching eyes and was expected to break before nagging knee injuries slowed him down. Will this year be Jones’ break out year? The one he should have had last year? Or will Nelson upstage him? Nelson’s rookie campaign was decent, but not as productive as Jones’ or Jennings’. Nelson become a reliable third receiver and became a popular target for QB Aaron Rodgers on third down. Nelson kept the chains moving last year with 33 receptions for 366 yards. Reports from OTAs and mini camp have Nelson looking much improved and ready to step up as the number three receiver. So come September 13th, 2009, who will line up as the number three receiver when the Pack go to three wides? Jones? Nelson? In truth, both will probably spend about en equal amount of time on the field.

2. Right Tackle

Reports so far are that the right tackle job is Allen Barbre’s to lose. But I have a strong feeling that once they put the pads on, the rookie T.J. Lang is going to give Barbre a run for his money. Lang has looked solid in OTAs at guard and tackle and is known for having a mean streak. Barbre on the other hand has been an underachiever throughout his career as a Packer and last year lost his chance to play left guard early on in training camp.

3. Right Outside Linebacker

The Packers drafted Clay Matthews III late in the first round of this year’s draft. Many observers had penciled him in as the started opposite Aaron Kampman before OTAs began. But then the Pack’s coaching staff threw a new variable into the equation: Jeremy Thompson. Thompson reported to OTAs ripped and fit, having lost a few pounds and looks like the early front-runner to take the position as a starter. So will Matthews be able to live up to his hype and beat out Thompson? Or will Thompson put a stranglehold on ROLB before Matthews can make the case for himself? Either way, it seems like the Packers will be in good hands on the right side of the line.

4. Tight End

Jermichael Finley has all the tools to be a star tight end in the NFL. Or so we’re told. His biggest rival in the battle for the starting spot seems so far to be, himself. He turned heads at OTAs and minicamp by catching everything thrown to him, but it has also been said he thinks too much when under pressure, which slows down his game. On top of that, he must overcome the maturity issues that plagued him last year. Donald Lee is the incumbent and is a solid if unspectacular player when healthy. He is a jack of all trades, but unfortunately, a master of nothing. Will coaches choose his reliability over Finley’s potential? While it’s tempting to think so, I think that Lee will remain the starter with Finley coming in with a variety of sub packages. Not unlike The Chmura/Jackson combination of 1995 and ‘96.