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5 Players Who'll Pose the Biggest Threat to the Green Bay Packers in the NFC North

2012-05-16T21:34:00Z

Coming off a 15-1 regular season, it is of little surprise that the Green Bay Packers will likely be the favorites to win the NFC North, and possibly return to the Super Bowl for the second time in three years.

Unfortunately, the Packers play in an extremely difficult division with each team looking to dethrone Green Bay as the elite team in the NFC North. Today we'll take a look at five players who'll pose the biggest threat to Green Bay's hopes of repeating as division champions in 2012.

5. Jared Allen, DE, Minnesota Vikings

Let me start by saying the Vikings don't stand a chance in any game against Green Bay. With that said, Allen has dominated the Packers since he joined the Vikings back in 2008. It's like he's an unstoppable force who was sent here for the only purpose of absolutely destroying Aaron Rodgers.

4. Devin Hester, KR/PR, Chicago Bears

Whenever you have to face the all-time leader in kick/punt return touchdowns (17 by the way) twice a year, it is never a good thing for your special teams unit. Hester is a threat to score every single time he touches the ball, and considering the fact that whenever Green Bay and Chicago meet it's a close game, one score is usually the difference.

The best way for Green Bay to not get beat by Hester is to not let him touch the ball. You hear me Tim Masthay; don't let him touch the ball.

3. Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions

Stafford proved that when healthy, he is one heck of a quarterback. He easily separated himself as a top-10 quarterback in the league, and one of the best young quarterbacks out there.

Of course, it helps to have a weapon like Calvin Johnson (more on him later), but Stafford gets the ball to all his weapons. He's talented and gritty enough to give the Packers' defense a run for their money every single time he steps on the field.

The winner of this head-to-head series will likely come out on top in the NFC North, so containing Stafford will be a must-do for Green Bay.

2. Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears

There are numerous reasons why Forte scares the heck out of me, but his versatility is the main reason. Last year the Packers struggled with slowing down receivers who caught the ball out of the backfield. Forte excels at doing that, and his improved ground-game makes him an even bigger threat to Green Bay.

If Forte can continuously pick up short chunks of yardage on the Packers' defense, it will keep their offense off the field. If that happens, the Packers are in big trouble.

1. Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions

I told you we'd be getting to Mr. Megatron himself.

Simply put, Johnson poses a major threat to every single team he faces, and Green Bay gets the luxury of trying to slow him down (he's impossible to stop) twice per year. The best that the Packers can hope to do against a player like Johnson is to contain him.

They can only hope that he only scores one touchdown instead of three or four.

Packers Linebackers: Perry Left, Matthews Right

2012-05-16T19:30:02Z

If this weekend's rookie mini-camp is any indication, Dom Capers and the Packers coaching staff appear poised to move Clay Matthews III back to the right side, his primary position in his rookie year of 2009. This is because the Packers' first round pick Nick Perry took all of his reps on the left side over the weekend, as noted by Paul Imig of Fox Sports Wisconsin.

On Perry's position on the left side, coach Mike McCarthy commented "It's a starting point." Perry's reaction was equally as ambiguous:

They gave me a spot to play, and that's where I'm going to play it. Hopefully all goes well. I may play the left side.

Perry's pass-rushing abilities are not in question when deciding where to play him, as his 22 collegiate sacks indicate. What will be more difficult for Perry is adjusting to playing coverage from the linebacker position. The physical tools are present, as Perry ran a 4.58-second 40-yard dash and showed a 38.5-inch vertical jump, but learning the techniques will be key. About learning coverages, Dom Capers said, "We'll ask him to do more of that than he's done. But that isn't uncommon."

Since the left outside linebacker in the Packers' 3-4 defense focuses more on rushing the passer, putting Perry on the left side would free up Matthews to roam the right side and play in coverage more frequently. That will immediately provide an upgrade from the rotation of Erik Walden, Frank Zombo, and Brad Jones in coverage alone, in addition to the obvious benefit of taking pressure off Matthews in the pass rush. Given the two players' skill sets, it seems logical to move Matthews back to the right side.

Injury Update: McCarthy Hopeful Sherrod, Green Ready for Training Camp

2012-05-16T17:00:45Z

Derek Sherrod and Alex Green both suffered season-ending leg injuries in 2011 which endangered their 2012 seasons as well. Sherrod's broken leg against the Kansas City Chiefs and Green's torn ACL against the Vikings brought their seasons to a close, and as the off-season progresses, both are continuing with their rehabilitation.

Head coach Mike McCarthy provided some words of optimism for both players' contributions in 2012 at his press conference after the rookie mini-camps.

Alex looks great. I think it’s definitely going to be one of those situations that we’re going to be cautious with him. And Derek Sherrod is really progressing, so I’m hopeful that both Alex and Derek will be ready by training camp.

That echoes McCarthy's comments in March, but regardless it's very encouraging to hear that two important depth players are progressing properly in their rehabs and may get the benefit of a full training camp.

Andrew Quarless, who had knee surgery at the end of last season is still a question mark, as McCarthy indicated:

Andrew, I talked to him the other day and he’s champing at the bit...he’s a little ahead of schedule. He’s going to be challenged for training camp.

There really aren't any major revelations here, which isn't a surprise given that Packers officials tend to be pretty tight-lipped about the organization. The important thing to take away is that Green and Sherrod are healing on schedule and should have no issues being productive in 2012.

Charlie Peprah Isn't Getting Benched Without A Fight

2012-05-16T16:28:20Z

The Green Bay Packers' personnel moves during the offseason make it seem like a foregone conclusion that Charles Woodson is going to become an every down safety. The Packers released Nick Collins, didn't draft a safety in the first two days of the draft and didn't sign any free agents. They re-signed Jarrett Bush, traded up for cornerback Casey Hayward and signed more rookie free agent corners. Counting Woodson, there are nine cornerbacks on Green Bay's 90-man roster.

Charlie Peprah is -- surprise! -- a very competitive professional athlete. He's not going to accept Morgan Burnett and Woodson occupying the two starting safety spots. When asked about his role in the team and whether or not he expects to be the starter on the Packers' tailgate tour yesterday, Peprah said exactly what you want your players to say.

"As far as I'm concerned, I plan on it just because that's the way I view myself and my abilities ... They're always looking to replace you, coaches and players and staff alike. None of that stuff, you can't let it get to you. You just keep believing in yourself, keep pushing, keep working, and the rest will take care of itself."

I don't think Peprah is going to be the starter on Week 1, but this is exactly what I want to hear him say, regardless.

Packers 5K run at Lambeau announced

2012-05-16T16:04:14Z

Packers 5K run at Lambeau announced

If you live in Wisconsin and you're a runner, go support a great cause. Benefits the American Red Cross, plus local charities.

Cheese Curds: Green Bay Packers News And Links For May 16, 2012

2012-05-16T12:56:19Z

Happy Wednesday, everyone. It's a really beautiful sunny day both where I am and in Wisconsin, so I encourage you to take your lunch break somewhere that has outdoor dining, then sit on the patio for a couple hours before strolling back into work around 2:30. You deserve it. Here's your daily Green Bay Packers news and links.

Surviving life after the NFL | ESPN NFC West Blog

A really fantastic guest column by former Packers linebacker George Koonce. He struggled with what to do with his life after retiring from football, but has just finished his doctoral dissertation. He talks about a suicide attempt and his wife's passing, it's pretty heavy stuff.

WR Nelson gave mind a rest from football in offseason | Green Bay Press-Gazette

Hopefully he chose different means than Nick Fairley.

Tailgate tour: La Crosse | Packers.com

Video chronicling the first day of the Packers tailgate tour.

There's no shortcuts in McCarthy's minicamps | JSOnline

TOUGHNESS. GRIT. HARD WORK. PLAYING THE GAME THE RIGHT WAY.

It's Sam Shields' turn to improve from within | All Green Bay Packers

And if he doesn't improve, there are some guys waiting to take his job.

More from around SB Nation after the jump

Don Banks thinks Chad Henne will win Jaguars QB job | Big Cat Country

It would be incredible if they didn't even give Blaine Gabbert one year.

Lions reportedly bring in German receiver for tryout | Pride of Detroit

6'5", 220 lbs, 4.48 40-yard dash. You never know man.

Terrelle Pryor is not planning to be the backup | Silver And Black Pride

So he's planning to play wide receiver? Or baseball?

Adam Schefter thinks it will be an upset if Ryan Tannehill doesn't start at some point in 2012 | The Phinsider

Yes, as in, the Dolphins will need to pull off enough upset wins to be in playoff contention in Week 17.

Family Night set for Friday, August 3

2012-05-16T12:03:41Z

Family Night set for Friday, August 3

Tickets are $10 and go on sale on June 25.

Green Bay Packers: Could Aaron Rodgers Win the Most MVP Awards Ever?

2012-05-15T21:27:00Z

The NFL is a quarterback driven league. Since the 2003 Super Bowl, the teams to have won the Super Bowl have had the following quarterbacks: Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers.

Simply put, if you don't have a great quarterback you aren't winning the Super Bowl.

This is also why nine of the last 11 MVP winners have been quarterbacks, the most recent winner being Aaron Rodgers. Which brings us to the question of the afternoon: Could Aaron Rodgers win the most MVP Awards in NFL history?

Peyton Manning currently has more MVP trophies than any other player in NFL history with four. While it's possible that he wins another trophy with the Denver Broncos in the next year or two, it's rather unlikely considering the lack of wide receiver talent currently surrounding him.

No, the most likely scenario is that Rodgers has a strangle hold on the MVP trophy for the next five-to-seven years. Rodgers will be 29 years old during the 2012 season, and he is only starting to hit his prime. To be honest, I'm not even sure we've seen him play his best football yet.

His 2011 season was simply stunning, and for the majority of the season, it was a collection of mind-blowing performance after mind-blowing performance. He finished the season with 4,643 yards, 45 touchdowns, only six interceptions and a NFL-record 122.5 quarterback rating.

And the crazy thing is that the numbers only paint half the picture. What you can't see in the above statistics were the throws. Those precise, laser-like throws that literally dropped your jaw to the ground happened all the time. It was almost as if the Zeus himself had fallen to Earth in the form of a 6'2" quarterback with a funny looking beard.

When you look at Rodgers' 2011 season, and combine it with the fact that he has only improved since taking over starting duties in the 2008 season, it's nearly unfathomable to think what he'll accomplish in the future. If he continues to improve at such an accelerated rate, no NFL record is safe around him, including the number of MVP trophies that a single player has won.

While Rodgers as an individual is certainly enough to consistently be in conversation for the MVP Award year after year, it is the players around him that will make him a near lock to win the award in 2012 and the following years.

Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Jermichael Finley and Randall Cobb form one of the most potent group of targets in the entire NFL. Having two of those targets would be enough for Rodgers to continue his dominance over the NFL's quarterbacks, but having all five to play with is simply unfair to opposing defenses.

On top of all of that, which is certainly quite a large pile, we also can't forget Rodgers' ability to find the end zone with his legs. He isn't a Cam Newton or Michael Vick when running with the ball, but he is sneaky-athletic which is evident by his 16 rushing touchdowns in just four years.

With injuries, trades, free agency and everything else that happens in the NFL, it's never easy to crown a champion. However, with Rodgers, you might as well pen in his name under MVP for the foreseeable future.