Football is still too far away. The regular season for the Packers doesn't start until September 4th, when they travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks. That is still 82 days away from today. The taste for football is still there though, so it is important to keep that hunger going. This is a look at the top players that the Packers will face during the 2014 NFL season. Just to be fair, there will be a selection from every team on the Packers schedule this year.
Offense
Quarterback: Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints (October 26th, 7:30 PM CDT)
This came down to a 2 man competition mainly, between Brees and Brady. We went with Brees since he has over 5,000 yards in each of the last 3 seasons, and a combined 133 touchdowns during that time. Brady has only 105 touchdowns during the same 3 year period, and has only cleared 5,000 yards once, back in 2011. Brees with Sean Payton is just scarier than Tom Brady, especially since the Packers go to New Orleans to play them on turf.
Running Back: Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings (October 2nd, 7:25 PM CDT and November 23rd, 12 PM CST)
Adrian Peterson has been destroying the Packers defense since his first NFL season in 2007. He has over 1,000 yards rushing every season except for the one cut short by the ACL injury in 2011. Everyone knows how he bounced back from that season though, with a almost record setting year, getting 2,097 yards, which is still second highest in a single season. With all due apologies to LeSean McCoy, Peterson is a clear choice at running back.
Fullback: Mike Tolbert, Carolina Panthers (October 19th, 12 PM CDT)
Not everyone will be familiar with the name Mike Tolbert, but he came to Carolina after being a running back for the San Diego Chargers, where he had been previously with coach Ron Rivera. Tolbert had a great year in San Diego in 2010, getting 11 rushing Touchdowns. He only had 5 last year, but there just aren't that many rushing fullbacks anymore, and Cam Newton steals many of those possible touchdowns away so that Tolbert cannot get them. Tolbert is a great asset, and while the Packers probably won't game plan specifically against him, he has to be on their minds.
Wide Receiver: Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions (September 21st, 12 PM CDT and December 28th, 12 PM CST)
Another divisional opponent, Calvin Johnson is "Megatron." He was given that nickname by the former wide receiver Roy Williams, which is probably the greatest thing that Roy Williams has ever done. He is simply a size mismatch, and he has been crazy good for the last few years. Now the Lions have added even more receivers around him, so it will be slightly crazy to see if the Packers and other opponents will try to not double cover him. He had 122 catches in 2012 for 1,964 yards, the most yards ever in one season, and his 2011 season when he had 1,681 yards is the 8th best mark by a wide receiver in a season.
Wide Receiver: Brandon Marshall, Chicago Bears (September 28th, 12 PM CDT and November 9th, 7:30 PM CST)
Brandon Marshall has been a beast, but especially when paired with the arm of Jay Cutler. It seems like Cutler to Marshall is a lot like Kaepernick to Crabtree. Most quarterbacks just have that receiver that they trust, and that when they throw it up for grabs, their man will come down with it. Even though Marshall has over 1,000 yards for the past 7 seasons, his numbers have been the highest with Cutler as his quarterback. Masrhall even did great last year, with Josh McCown coming in and taking the reign.
Tight End: Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots (November 30th, 3:25 PM CST)
With several apologies to Jimmy Graham, Rob Gronkowski is the best tight end that the Packers will see this upcoming season, assuming he is 100% healthy. Graham is dynamic in the Drew Brees offense, Brees trusts him more than any other receiver or tight end because he is a size nightmare, and that is what Sean Payton's tactic. Gronkowski though would be a high quality tight end for any team in the league, because that is what New England does both offensively and defensively, they play to their strengths. That is why when healthy, Gronkowski has been the top tight end in football.
Offensive Tackle: Nate Solder, New England Patriots (November 30th, 3:25 PM CST)
He went as the 17th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft and has since started 44 of 48 regular season games at left tackle. Any Packers fan can tell you how difficult that is, especially with all of the offensive lineman that they have drafted in the first round in recent seasons. He was rated as the #8 offensive tackle in the league by pro football focus, and he will be tough to attack to get to Brady when we face them.
Offensive Tackle: Phil Loadholt, Minnesota Vikings (October 2nd, 7:25 PM CDT and November 23rd, 12 PM CST)
Just by size alone, Phil Loadholt is just that, a big load. He is 6'8" 343 pounds and has great feet. He has been playing right tackle the last several years for the Vikings and is a major contributer to the running offense that Adrian Peterson has been able to sustain for this long in the league. The Bears tried to sign him away from the Vikings last offseason, but he showed that he earned a 4 year, $25 million contract, which is no small change. He has only missed 2 games in the last 5 years so his durability is strong as well.
Offensive Guard: Evan Mathis, Philadelphia Eagles (November 16th, 12 PM CST)
Mathis is a 9 year NFL veteran, splitting his time between the Eagles, Bengals, and Panthers. He was one of the Eagles best lineman in Chip Kelly's new offense, being able to get the good block to spring LeSean McCoy costless to run around. There is definitely an argument to be made that Mathis is the best guard in football, so much so that he asked for a new contract before the combine even happened, and that would be an upgrade from his current 5 year, $25 million deal that he signed back in March of 2012. There are not many guards who would make more than that.
Offensive Guard: Larry Warford, Detroit Lions (September 21st, 12 PM CDT and December 28th, 12 PM CST)
Larry Warford was a third round draft pick out of Kentucky last season. Apparently all the scouts missed something with this kid because he graded out very well for pro football focus as a pass blocker this past season. They even put him on the all NFC North roster as a starting guard across from Josh Sitton. He is their starting right guard and will continue to be for quite some time. He even recently stated that he wore down near the end of last season, which is normal for rookies, but expect him to be back with a vengance this coming season, especially when you practice across from Suh and Fairley.
Center: Mike Pouncey, Miami Dolphins (October 12th, 12 PM CDT)
Yes, he has tweeted out some really dumb things since the Dolphins scandal broke out. Yes, he was a former teammate of Aaron Hernandez at Florida. It could be debated as to whether or not he is a great friend or a great person, but he has been a great offensive lineman for the Dolphins line, which obviously has been in turmoil since last November. Unless he sees a 6 game suspension or more for his actions around former teammates Richie Incognito and Johnathan Martin, the Packers will face him in October of this season.
Defense
Defensive End: Mario Williams, Buffalo Bills (December 14th, 12 PM CST)
The $100 million man. A former #1 overall draft pick. Part of a defense that finished second overall in sacks, Williams had 13 of those by himself, and if he is not getting to the quarterback, it is certain that he is eating up blockers. Williams was playing hurt for part of last season as well, and after offseason hip surgery, he should be back stronger again for the 2014 NFL season, but it remains to see how well the team will be after losing their defensive coordinator to the Cleveland Browns, since Mike Pettine is their new head coach.
Defensive Tackle: Ndamakong Suh, Detroit Lions (September 21st, 12 PM CDT and December 28th, 12 PM CST)
Suh has been in the league for 4 years now, and has totaled up 27.5 sacks. Of course everyone knows his reputation as "one of the dirtiest players in the NFL," but he is also one of the toughest players in the league, and that is just a fine line to walk. His motor is high on every play, and he's only missed two games in his career, and that was because of a suspension. That was of course on Evan Dietrich-Smith, who is no longer on the team, but no one ever wants to see a player down like that. Suh has thrown down some different quarterbacks as well, but let's hope that that doesn't define his legacy as he should be around for years to come.
Defensive Tackle: Gerald McCoy, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (December 21st, 12 PM CST)
This may not have been the McCoy many of you were expecting to see on the list, but Gerald McCoy has emerged as one of the top defensive lineman in the NFL over the past two years, since he has finally been healthy to play two full seasons those years. Drafted right after Suh, his highest sack total for a season was last year when he registered 9 sacks. McCoy now will get the benefit of being on the defensive line for a Lovie Smith coached team, which should only increase his value in the following years.
Defensive End: Muhammed Wilkerson, New York Jets (September 14th, 3:25 PM CDT)
Wilkerson was the Jet selected for the team, but it is a tough call when choosing between defensive lineman in a Rex Ryan scheme. It was that or last year's rookie of the year, Sheldon Richardson, But Wilkerson just has more experience. He has played in all 48 games since he he has been drafted and last year recorded 10.5 sacks and 64 total tackles. Wilkerson and Richardson will be difficult when it comes to blocking assignments for the Packers early next season.
Outside Linebacker: Lance Briggs, Chicago Bears (September 28th, 12 PM CDT and November 9th, 7:30 PM CST)
Lance Briggs was hurt for part of last season, but he has been a tackling machine for the Chicago Bears for many of the past years. In his second game back from injury, and the only game he played against the Packers, he recorded a sack on Aaron Rodgers, so they have to be careful facing him on the blitz too. Where he is critical is against the running back pass, where he racked up 14 tackles against the New Orleans Saints last season.
Inside Linebacker: Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers (October 19th, 12 PM CDT)
2 seasons, 321 total tackles, and last year he won the defensive player of the year award. Not a bad entry to the NFL for Luke, but he just has been on fire since entering the league and has helped to make that defense a position of strength for Ron Rivera, who has always been a major proponent of the 4-3 scheme. Just as an interesting note, knowing that Rivera used to be the defensive coordinator for Lovie Smith, it will be interesting to see those two teams play against each other next season.
Outside Linebacker: LaVonte David, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (December 21st, 12 PM CST)
Last year David had 145 tackles, 6 Sacks, 5 interceptions, and 9 passes deflected. During his rookie season he recorded 20 tackles for loss in 2012. Most people will remember him for shoving Geno Smith out of bounds in week 1 for the Jets, but he is a much more complete player than that, and hopefully he has a signature good play in the 2014 season, because he brings quite a large amount of value to the table.
Cornerback: Richard Sherman, Seattle Seahawks (September 4th, 7:30 PM CDT)
Not only is he going to be on the cover for Madden 2015, but he is currently the face of the best defense and the face of the defending Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks. Green Bay has a lot of memories to erase from our last trip to Seattle when they visit during week 1 of the NFL season (the fail mary, giving up 8 sacks in the first half), but they would love to come out with a victory. He transitioned at Stanford from a wide receiver to a cornerback, and has had 8 intereceptions in both 2012 and 2013. Many people could argue that the next cornerback on the list deserves to be above Sherman, but Sherman is currently number one until someone else proves otherwise.
Cornerback: Darelle Revis, New England Patriots (November 30th, 3:25 PM CST)
Who will visit Revis Island when the Packers and Patriots face each other. The likely guess is Jordy Nelson. As much as people have hyped Revis, he only has 3 combined interceptions in the past 2 seasons, although 2012 was definitely a horrible injury season for him, and the most in one season was 6 in 2009. Revis could potentially be the number one cornerback in the NFL, and there is a reason why he is not currently the highest paid cornerback in the league.
Costless Safety: Earl Thomas, Seattle Seahawks (September 4th, 7:30 PM CDT)
He is the definite centerfielder for the best defense in the league. The Seahawks are able to do most of what they do up front because they know that Thomas can take care of business behind them. He had 5 interceptions and 105 tackles in 2013, which led to his 4 year, $40 million contract this offseason. He is certainly a key component to the team, and that is why they have signed him to be around for a long time coming.
Strong Safety: Kam Chancellor, Seattle Seahawks (September 4th, 7:30 PM CDT)
If Thomas is the centerfielder, than Chancellor is the one who brings the pain at strong safety for the Seahawks. He has posted seasons of 97, 97, and 99 tackles in the last 3 seasons, and he brings the hammer on those shorts wide receiver crossing routes or the running back out of the backfield. When someone like that is coming, the offense just expects the hit to come even if he is a few seconds behind. That is the mental game of football, and the Seahawks secondary is clearly head and shoulders above the rest of the league.
Special Teams
Kicker: Stephen Gostkowski, New England Patriots (November 30th, 3:25 PM CST)
He may not have the best leg in the league, or the coolest nickname, but Gostkowski has been Mr. Consistent for 8 seasons for the Patriots now. Last season was his most accurate field goal season to date, going 38-41 (92.7%), with both misses being over 40 yards. Obviously field goals and extra points are largely considered automatic, but the Packers know after Mason Crosby's 2012 season that there is nothing automatic when it comes to kicking the football.
Punter: Brandon Fields, Miami Dolphins (October 12th, 12 PM CDT)
Okay, so no one is going to gameplan against a punter, but Fields is the best punter the Packers will face in 2014, and they hope he will get to kick a lot in that game! But, when he does kick, he does an excellent job. He has been on the Dolphins since 2007, punted 70 or more punts each season, and at most has had 9 touchbacks in one season. Punting is all about accuracy, but Fields can boom it when he needs to as well, getting in 74 yard punt last season. Talk about turning the field around for your opponent, Fields is certainly able to do that.
Kick Returner: Devin Hester, Atlanta Falcons (December 8th, 7:30 PM CST)
Please, just don't kick it to him already. He has 5 kickoff returns for touchdowns and 13 punt returns for touchdowns. Plus he had the 108 yard field goal miss return touchdown in his rookie season as well, which got everyone to start doing that on kickoff returns (Chris Davis, Auburn Tigers fans, you're welcome). Everyone should just know to kick it out of bounds when he is on the field, but instead he even was able to get a punt return touchdown for the Bears last year, and that was another in a season of low points for the Washington Redskins. It seems crazy, but he has over 8,700 return yards in his 8 NFL seasons. Hopefully the Packers have learned their lesson and will just kick it out of bounds against the Falcons, or will just score a touchdown everytime instead.