6. Running game
The Packers had to deal without a reliable running game after the 2009 season as soon as Ryan Grant had a season-ending injury in the 2010 season opener. They have gone through running backs such as James Starks, Alex Green and DuJuan Harris. In the 2013 draft, Ted Thompson decided to double dip by taking Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin. Franklin suffered an unfortunate neck injury that led to an early retirement, but Lacy added another dimension to the Packers offense and won Offensive Rookie of the Year. The former Alabama bruiser will return with Starks and Harris providing quality depth even though they were not reliable full-time starters.
5. Depth
Last season’s injuries exposed the Packers’ reserves, but many of them performed adequately for being thrown into the fire. Just about every position on the roster has sufficient depth. For instance, Lacy will be able to receive rest and let Starks and Harris receive carries. Rodgers also has better depth behind him in case anything happens to him again. General manager Ted Thompson has done a phenomenal job in building a contender in Green Bay, and this year was no different as he beefed up the receiving corps by selecting Davante Adams, Jared Abbrederis and Jeff Janis. Upgrades on defense were made as well.
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