June 3, 2008

Mission accomplished: For better or worse, the Packers thoroughly revamped the QB position in the wake of Brett Favre’s retirement, installing Aaron Rod­gers as the new starter and adding two promising rookies (second-rounder Brian Brohm and seventh-rounder Matt Flynn) to back him up. The draft also added badly needed depth at cornerback, where second-round pick Patrick Lee appears well-suited for the No. 3 role behind aging starters Charles Woodson and Al Harris; on the offensive line; and at wide receiver, a position that was already well-stocked. Ex-Ram Brandon Chillar, the team’s lone free-agent addition, should help provide better overall play at strong-side linebacker.    

Unfinished business: On the field, the D-line’s health is cause for concern. Injury-prone former first-round pick Justin Harrell, who is expected to make much more of an impact in his second season with Corey Williams having been traded to Cleveland, recently underwent minor back surgery that will probably keep him sidelined until training camp. Meanwhile, fellow DTs Johnny Jolly (shoulder) and Colin Cole (arm) are on the mend from season-ending injuries, and DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila is also currently sidelined after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery in late May. Off the field, the Packers were hardly rushing to put together a new contract for RB Ryan Grant, who has declined to sign his $370,000, one-year tender as an exclusive-rights free agent. That Grant has been working out and attending meetings is viewed as a promising sign.