Hard to believe in this era of heavy player movement, but of the 22 who started for the Green Bay Packers in their still unfathomable loss to Seattle in the NFC championship game, 21 remain with the team.
Since the Packers started in a three-wide receiver set on offense and a nickel alignment on defense against the Seahawks, the only missing starter during the just-completed offseason workouts was cornerback Tramon Williams, who left in free agency. That means this season’s Packers will look strikingly similar to the group that ended last season as the NFL’s most complete team.
Of the players who took a snap on offense in a game the Packers dominated until the final minutes, only two — wide receiver Jarrett Boykin and tight end Brandon Bostick — are gone, and they played a combined seven downs.
Other than Williams, who played all 70 downs, the only departed players who took snaps on defense against Seattle were linebacker A.J. Hawk and cornerback Jarrett Bush. They combined for only 18 plays.
Those numbers make one thing about this season crystal clear: Any improvement for the Packers is likely to come from within. For the most part, veterans will handle the heavy lifting and rookies will be expected to play supporting roles.
Indeed, the only rookie who is virtually guaranteed to play a prominent role is Ty Montgomery on kickoff returns. Barring injuries, even impressive rookie cornerbacks Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins will be reduced to fighting one another for snaps as the dime cornerback.
That means for Green Bay to be better in 2015, certain players will have to increase their contribution from last season. With that in mind, here are five veterans who will be critical for the Packers based on what they can add to the team if they improve their level of play.
• Cornerback Casey Hayward: This is a no-brainer. Hayward battled cornerback Davon House and safety Micah Hyde for snaps in the nickel and dime defenses last season. House, who played only special teams against Seattle, also left in free agency. Hayward will replace Williams in the lineup and, just like the longtime starter, has a knack for intercepting passes.
The questions on Hayward are his durability and speed. Cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt scoffs at those who say Hayward is a slot corner who doesn’t run well enough to play outside. Since Hayward missed the OTAs and the minicamp, that question won’t be answered until training camp.
• Wide receiver Davante Adams: Even though Andrew Quarless and Richard Rodgers are quality players, the Packers still haven’t replaced Jermichael Finley as a tight end who can stretch the field vertically. The coaches could attempt to overcome that deficiency by flooding the field with fast wide receivers.
In coach Mike McCarthy’s view, Adams has been the star of the offseason, making the expected jump from Year One to Year Two and then some. With an improved Adams on the field next to elite receivers Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb, the Packers can stretch the field in any number of ways and survive with possession-type tight ends.
• Defensive end Datone Jones: The Packers’ first-round draft pick in 2013 had only 1.5 sacks last season, but he whiffed on five or six others. Jones decided he needed more flexibility to make those plays, so he got into yoga during the offseason.
If it works, Jones has the size and athleticism to give the Packers a difference-maker on a line that is deep with solid players but lacks a dominant every-down menace. Jones, who played mostly on passing downs last season, has a long way to go to live up to his draft position, though he says this will be a breakout year. Since linemen can’t show much in non-padded summer workouts, Jones won’t have a chance to prove that until camp begins.
• Outside linebacker Jarone Elliott: At this stage of their careers, outside linebackers Nick Perry and Mike Neal are what they are — solid players who can get to the quarterback on occasion. With pass-rusher supreme Clay Matthews likely to take more snaps at inside linebacker, the Packers need to find another pass-rush threat from the outside.
Elliott could be their man. He made the team as undrafted rookie last year after recording three sacks in four plays in one exhibition game. He played sparingly but, after a year in the weight room, looked quick and strong this summer. If Perry and Neal can’t generate enough heat on the passer playing opposite Julius Peppers, Elliott might.
• Inside linebacker Sam Barrington: Barrington saw extensive action as a starter after Hawk and Brad Jones played their way to the bench and did fairly well. With the coaches planning to move Matthews all over the defense, they’ll need a physical inside linebacker such as Barrington to reprise Hawk’s role before the latter lost size and speed.
Barrington, now in his third season, was a fixture on defense during offseason workouts and could have a breakout year. There are other inside linebacker candidates such as Carl Bradford, Nate Palmer and fast rookie Jake Ryan, but Barrington could really help the Packers by taking one more step up.
