The Packers missed the playoffs at 6-10 last season, but considering seven of their losses were by four points or fewer, they probably weren’t as bad as their record indicates. Still, entering their second season A.F. (anno Favre), the Green Bay brass evidently saw enough signs they didn’t like that they decided to really shake things up. That decision will make the Pack’s one of the league’s most interesting training camps.

Not that the starting lineup will change a ton, especially among the skill players. But Green Bay has big-time questions on the offensive line, where left tackle Chad Clifton is coming off knee surgery and right tackle Mark Tauscher wasn’t re-signed. Whoever will be playing right tackle in ‘09 will probably never have made an NFL start. Meanwhile, the defense is changing from its long-standing 4-3 scheme to new defensive coordinator Dom Capers’ preferred 3-4. This means a ton of moving parts, including integrating the Packers’ top draft pick, DL B.J. Raji. While it was initially assumed Raji would be exactly the two-gap player Capers would need to anchor the middle of his defense, that’s no longer certain. And a guy like Aaron Kampman, who might be the team’s best defensive player, will have to play outside linebacker, probably on the strong side, which could put a serious crimp in his sack-related plans.

When a club has this many moving parts on its offensive and defensive lines heading into training camp, it takes a perfect camp to make it all come out right. In fact, it may be more likely that the Pack take a step back in ‘09.

Article via ESPN, written by Christopher Harris – http://sports.espn.go.com/fantasy/football/ffl/story?page=nfldk2k9packerscamppreview

Everyone finally got a chance to see Aaron Rodgers as a full-time starter a season ago. While is individual numbers were not disappointing, his team going 6-10 was anything but pleasant for the Packers and their fans. You can’t really put most of the blame on him for that happening. Rodgers was top-ten in all major passing categories, except interceptions where he was tied for 11th. The running game on both sides of the ball are where the Packers struggled. To fix things on the defensive side of the ball, Green Bay bypassed the explosive Michael Crabtree to select B.J. Raji. He’ll help sure-up the running game on the defensive side of the ball and can even be a pass-rusher when needed. It’s not too often that one player can change an entire defense, especially a rookie. However, he has all the tools to make the Green Bay Packers defense a much improved defense compared to last season.

What kind of help will Rodgers get from his running game this season? Ryan Grant did get over 1,200 rushing yards a season ago and it’s hard to expect much more from him, although they could of used him scoring a few more TD’s than he did. The offensively line needs to play better this season as well. The play makers are there all over the offense and they have a quarterback who now has a full year of experience under his belt and just that alone will make him a better player. Green Bay could very easily challenge for the NFC North crown this season.