Although the news was not unexpected, Packers fans were probably excited to find out that Aaron Rodgers was voted number one in the top 100 NFL players of 2012. This was certainly one well-deserved honor, among many, after stellar performances over the last two years. Rodgers seems very gracious and acknowledges the high level of talent among the other 99 players. Furthermore, he has been extremely candid that the team may have been too “comfortable” coming off a Super Bowl win.
I will be tactful enough to not mention that I said something very similar in a previous week. It is refreshing, if not a sigh of relief, to see the level of awareness the team has. Hopefully, this translates into a season where the Packers are much more grounded. The upcoming season should be one that showcases a team that plays to its full potential, doesn’t take anything for granted, and corrects deficiencies promptly before they become destructive patterns. Lastly, with little or no emphasis on having a perfect season, we can get back to more important matters…getting to and through post-season. Frankly, that topic monopolized too much of last season.
With the time dwindling until roster cuts, the Packers are working hard to improve their defense, but are also determining which players will be more useful in their roles. Some players were utilized in multiple roles, suggesting their versatility may be a major factor in avoiding being cut. As we have seen in previous weeks, with other defensive changes and speculation about additional changes in the future, challenging players by moving them out of their comfort zone and creating versatility is high on the Packers agenda for building a better defense.
As a side note, the NFL recently announced some time changes for kickoff, with the 49ers and Saints games affected. So, mark your calendars. 
