It Is May 2015, And The Competition For Packer Roster Spots Begin - Defensive Line

OK, it is still early, but the competition begins now!  Of the 88 players, 4 are special team players, 44 offense, and 42 defense.  We will begin with defense.  Here is what I have so far, some positions are blurred, like DE & OLB and S & CB, but the names and talent is what counts!

42 Defensive Players
8 - Safety
8 - Cornerback
8 - Outside Linebacker
8 - Inside Linebacker
10 - Defensive Ends & Tackles

Let us begin our evaluations with the defensive line.

1 - Mike Daniels - 6'0" - 305  DT
2 - Datone Jones - 6'4" - 285   DE
3 - BJ Raji - 6'2" - 337  DT
4 - Letroy Guion - 6'4" - 315
5 - Josh Boyd - 6'3" - 310  DT
6 - Mike Pennel - 6'4" - 332  DT
7 - Bruce Gaston - 6'2" - 310  DT
8 - Khyri Thorton - 6'3" - 304  DT
9 - Christian Ringo - 6'1" - 298  DT
10 - Lavon Hooks - 6'3" - 312  DT

First, did you notice the labels for positions from the Packer website - ONE Defensive End!  Remember the Dom Capers defensive scheme, we have a Base 3-4.  We have nickel backs, we have dime backs, we have Matthews playing inside & outside.  We have rotation of players.

To make it simple, the Pack plays according to down & distance.  This list contains the BIG boys!  Usually, at most, two play at a time except for short yardage.  And the Outside Linebacker position is filled with defensive ends, Peppers, Neal, Perry, etc.  So, what we look for is football players!

First BJ Raji!  What will we get, the BJ Raji of the first 3 years or, the last 3 years?  Injuries, playing out of position, Raji has had a difficult few years.  He must stay healthy!  And, Capers MUST play
him inside.  As I have mentioned the past few years, Raji has played some defensive end and that was a disaster!  Last pre-season, Raji showed signs of the Raji of old!  I hope this year we have that!!

Letroy Guion had a great first year with the Packers.  He just needs to grow up and not drive around the country with cash, guns & marijuana!  WOW!  OK, let's say Letroy is smarter.  Now, let's say Letroy feels even more comfortable in the Packer defense.  And, let's say BJ Raji looks like he did 3 years ago.  I like it!  Raj & Guion in the middle does 3 things!
1 - Run Defense improves  2 - Pass rush PUSH from the middle 3 - A more PHYSICAL defense!

The leader of the defensive line - Mike Daniels!  He not only became the spokesman, but backed it up with sound play!  Not a real big guy at 6'0", but plays hard and has a little mean streak (WE NEED THAT ON DEFENSE!)  Had a career high 37 tackles & 6.5 sacks!  Need Daniels to continue to improve and most of all, LEAD that defensive line!!!

Datone Jones - Jones enters year 3 with more to prove!  The #1 pick in 2013, Jones is a physical specimen!  He looks like a football player!  This year we need top get more out of Jones, last year
21 tackles 1.5 sacks!  We need more pressure on the QB!  Remember, he was a #1 draft choice!!!

Josh Boyd - 21 tackles & 0 sacks.  Boyd was not a starter, but played a lot of minutes.  This will be year 3 in his career and time to push it!  Why, the new players will be pushing for a roster spot and
Boyd will be on the hot seat!  With the new players coming in & Raji back, Boyd will have trouble
making this years team.

Mike Pennel - another big boy!  Pennel got some playing time last year, 13 games.  Was used to relieve Guion at time & short yardage.  With Raji back & healthy, this might push Pennel to a new level or make it more difficult to make the roster.

From last years team, Khyri Thorton & Bruce Gaston will be on the edge.  Thirteen missed all last year with an injury, & Gaston, signed off the Cardinals practice squad, spent most of the year on the Packer Practice Squad.  Both these players will be a long shot to make the team!

Rookies Christian Ringo and Lavon Hooks are trying to make the roster, Ringo as a 6th round draft choice and Hooks as a un-drafted rookie!

Overall, I think the Packer defensive line will be stronger.  Why?  Raji has something to prove & Guion looked good in his first year under Capers.  Jones, Pennel, & Boyd still have something to prove!  And there is enough young competition to make the veterans focus!

In the world of salary cap, the Packers are limited and choose be be "cheap" on the defensive line!

As a reminder, here are the top 10 Packer salaries for 2015:

1 - Aaron Rogers - $18,250,000
2 - Clay Matthews - $12,700,000
3 - Julius Peppers - $12,000,000
4 - Sam Shields - $9,062,500
5 - Josh Sitton - $7,000,000
6 - TJ Lang - $5,800,00
7 - Randall Cobb - $5,350,000
8 - Morgan Burnett - $5,131,250
9 - Jordy Nelson - $4,600,000
10 - Mike Neal - $4,250,000

No defensive line!  Although, Peppers & Neal are kinda like defensive ends!!!

So, 10 players trying to make the team!  Who will be there game one????