3. Eddie Lacy
Rodgers has had to deal without a running game for most of his career. Ryan Grant was a serviceable option in 2008 and 2009, but Brandon Jackson and James Starks carried the load in 2010. Starks became the starter in 2011 after his postseason breakthrough, but he underwhelmed and continued to disappoint as a starter in 2012. Alex Green and DuJuan Harris eventually received starts in 2012, but they were also unable to keep the Packers offense from being one-dimensional. This changed in 2013 when the Packers selected Lacy in the second round of the draft. The former Alabama back won Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and proved capable of performing well without Rodgers. Assuming he stays healthy, this will be the first season that Rodgers plays all 16 games with Lacy. If they can both maintain their production, the Packers offense may become virtually unstoppable.
2. Team chemistry
The Packers only lost three of their starters, and one of those was M.D. Jennings, who performed abysmally at safety. James Jones and Evan Dietrich-Smith were significant losses, but everyone else will return to their positions. Having familiarity with the offense along with his teammates will benefit the former Cal quarterback greatly, and improvement from his supporting cast will only make his job easier. Unless the new starting center struggles mightily, the unity on the Packers should be easy to maintain.
COMMENTS