Health & Fitness
Three Potential Weaknesses on the 53-Man Roster
I take a look at some of the (very few) weak points on the Green Bay Packers' predicted final roster.
I figure that as Packer fans, you don't need me to tell you about where the Packers are strong. They've got a great quarterback, great starting linemen and wideouts, they're deep at TE and RB and basically everyplace else. Keeping all that in mind, there are a few areas they're lacking in because the world isn't perfect. Here's a couple:
-The starting offensive line of Chad Clifton, T.J. Lang, Scott Wells, Josh Sitton and Bryan Bulaga (from left to right) isn't in question. What is in question is the depth. Caleb Schlauderaff and Nick Macdonald had uninspiring camps at guard and center respectively, and utility man Evan Dietrich-Smith appears to be the default No. 6 offensive lineman on the roster. A year ago, Lang was the No. 6 and ready to fill in pretty much anywhere. This year, first-round pick Derek Sherrod can back up Clifton, but if any of the other starters goes down the Packers could be in trouble.
-The defensive line has run-stoppers in Howard Green, Ryan Pickett and B.J. Raji, but aside from Raji, they don't have a sure thing in the pass-rush department. Second-year defensive end Mike Neal has talent coming out his ears, but he’s been injured so often, the Packers would be foolish to depend on him entirely to replace Cullen Jenkins’ pass-rushing talents. Jarius Wynn and C.J. Wilson will probably stick on the roster, but if Neal spends the season in the training room, you won’t see much of a pass-rush from the defensive line.
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-Finally, Clay Matthews is a beast, but an oft-injured one. He played last season with a stress fracture in his shin, and has also dealt with persistent hamstring injuries. Obviously that didn’t stop him from making the Pro Bowl twice in his first two years, but frankly the Packers would be lost if they had to play without him. Erik Walden, Brad Jones (if he stays), Frank Zombo (when he heals) and Vic So’oto don’t exactly strike fear into the hearts of offensive coordinators.
Basically, the Packers have all the tools necessary to repeat, but it seems to me like they’re relying too much on the right players not getting injured. There’s not much depth on the O-line, at outside linebacker or at defensive end, and if injuries lay Neal or Matthews or Raji low, we could be in some real trouble.
