Coming off a 15-1 regular season, it is of little surprise that the Green Bay Packers will likely be the favorites to win the NFC North, and possibly return to the Super Bowl for the second time in three years.

Unfortunately, the Packers play in an extremely difficult division with each team looking to dethrone Green Bay as the elite team in the NFC North. Today we'll take a look at five players who'll pose the biggest threat to Green Bay's hopes of repeating as division champions in 2012.

5. Jared Allen, DE, Minnesota Vikings

Let me start by saying the Vikings don't stand a chance in any game against Green Bay. With that said, Allen has dominated the Packers since he joined the Vikings back in 2008. It's like he's an unstoppable force who was sent here for the only purpose of absolutely destroying Aaron Rodgers.

Continue reading this post »

If this weekend's rookie mini-camp is any indication, Dom Capers and the Packers coaching staff appear poised to move Clay Matthews III back to the right side, his primary position in his rookie year of 2009. This is because the Packers' first round pick Nick Perry took all of his reps on the left side over the weekend, as noted by Paul Imig of Fox Sports Wisconsin.

On Perry's position on the left side, coach Mike McCarthy commented "It's a starting point." Perry's reaction was equally as ambiguous:

They gave me a spot to play, and that's where I'm going to play it. Hopefully all goes well. I may play the left side.

Perry's pass-rushing abilities are not in question when deciding where to play him, as his 22 collegiate sacks indicate. What will be more difficult for Perry is adjusting to playing coverage from the linebacker position. The physical tools are present, as Perry ran a 4.58-second 40-yard dash and showed a 38.5-inch vertical jump, but learning the techniques will be key. About learning coverages, Dom Capers said, "We'll ask him to do more of that than he's done. But that isn't uncommon."

Since the left outside linebacker in the Packers' 3-4 defense focuses more on rushing the passer, putting Perry on the left side would free up Matthews to roam the right side and play in coverage more frequently. That will immediately provide an upgrade from the rotation of Erik Walden, Frank Zombo, and Brad Jones in coverage alone, in addition to the obvious benefit of taking pressure off Matthews in the pass rush. Given the two players' skill sets, it seems logical to move Matthews back to the right side.

Derek Sherrod and Alex Green both suffered season-ending leg injuries in 2011 which endangered their 2012 seasons as well. Sherrod's broken leg against the Kansas City Chiefs and Green's torn ACL against the Vikings brought their seasons to a close, and as the off-season progresses, both are continuing with their rehabilitation.

Head coach Mike McCarthy provided some words of optimism for both players' contributions in 2012 at his press conference after the rookie mini-camps.

Alex looks great. I think it’s definitely going to be one of those situations that we’re going to be cautious with him. And Derek Sherrod is really progressing, so I’m hopeful that both Alex and Derek will be ready by training camp.

That echoes McCarthy's comments in March, but regardless it's very encouraging to hear that two important depth players are progressing properly in their rehabs and may get the benefit of a full training camp.

Andrew Quarless, who had knee surgery at the end of last season is still a question mark, as McCarthy indicated:

Andrew, I talked to him the other day and he’s champing at the bit...he’s a little ahead of schedule. He’s going to be challenged for training camp.

There really aren't any major revelations here, which isn't a surprise given that Packers officials tend to be pretty tight-lipped about the organization. The important thing to take away is that Green and Sherrod are healing on schedule and should have no issues being productive in 2012.

The Green Bay Packers' personnel moves during the offseason make it seem like a foregone conclusion that Charles Woodson is going to become an every down safety. The Packers released Nick Collins, didn't draft a safety in the first two days of the draft and didn't sign any free agents. They re-signed Jarrett Bush, traded up for cornerback Casey Hayward and signed more rookie free agent corners. Counting Woodson, there are nine cornerbacks on Green Bay's 90-man roster.

Charlie Peprah is -- surprise! -- a very competitive professional athlete. He's not going to accept Morgan Burnett and Woodson occupying the two starting safety spots. When asked about his role in the team and whether or not he expects to be the starter on the Packers' tailgate tour yesterday, Peprah said exactly what you want your players to say.

"As far as I'm concerned, I plan on it just because that's the way I view myself and my abilities ... They're always looking to replace you, coaches and players and staff alike. None of that stuff, you can't let it get to you. You just keep believing in yourself, keep pushing, keep working, and the rest will take care of itself."

I don't think Peprah is going to be the starter on Week 1, but this is exactly what I want to hear him say, regardless.

Happy Wednesday, everyone. It's a really beautiful sunny day both where I am and in Wisconsin, so I encourage you to take your lunch break somewhere that has outdoor dining, then sit on the patio for a couple hours before strolling back into work around 2:30. You deserve it. Here's your daily Green Bay Packers news and links.

Surviving life after the NFL | ESPN NFC West Blog

A really fantastic guest column by former Packers linebacker George Koonce. He struggled with what to do with his life after retiring from football, but has just finished his doctoral dissertation. He talks about a suicide attempt and his wife's passing, it's pretty heavy stuff.

WR Nelson gave mind a rest from football in offseason | Green Bay Press-Gazette

Hopefully he chose different means than Nick Fairley.

Tailgate tour: La Crosse | Packers.com

Video chronicling the first day of the Packers tailgate tour.

There's no shortcuts in McCarthy's minicamps | JSOnline

TOUGHNESS. GRIT. HARD WORK. PLAYING THE GAME THE RIGHT WAY.

It's Sam Shields' turn to improve from within | All Green Bay Packers

And if he doesn't improve, there are some guys waiting to take his job.

More from around SB Nation after the jump

Continue reading this post »

The NFL is a quarterback driven league. Since the 2003 Super Bowl, the teams to have won the Super Bowl have had the following quarterbacks: Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers.

Simply put, if you don't have a great quarterback you aren't winning the Super Bowl.

This is also why nine of the last 11 MVP winners have been quarterbacks, the most recent winner being Aaron Rodgers. Which brings us to the question of the afternoon: Could Aaron Rodgers win the most MVP Awards in NFL history?

Peyton Manning currently has more MVP trophies than any other player in NFL history with four. While it's possible that he wins another trophy with the Denver Broncos in the next year or two, it's rather unlikely considering the lack of wide receiver talent currently surrounding him.

Continue reading this post »