Ok, lets do it. Football season is here and just in time. Last year when I was in Southern California, the Dallas Cowboys flew into the base I was stationed at for their training camp and I got a few pictures and autographs with the players. I also stopped by the San Diego Charger's training camp, and I would just like to point out that both of those teams ended up going to the playoffs (and getting eliminated in their first game... but what can you do). Maybe I am good luck for teams.

This year, I am making a much longer trip back to Moscow and will be able to stop by a lot more camps. Baltimore doesn't start their camp early enough for me to go there, but I will see the Washington Redskins, Indianapolis Colts, St Louis Rams, and the Denver Broncos with the option of the Pittsburgh Steelers if I feel like it. I will post pictures, but now onto the pressing business. My yearly evaluation of the Packers.

Unfortunately I won't be going to Packers camp because it is a bit out of my way, but I can evaluate them from a distance. Last year I said that they would go 6-10, but after a late season four game win streak that put them within one New York Giants loss of being in the playoffs at 8-8, they definitely have some potential this year. Most of the starters from last year are back,

Quarterbacks: Favre is 37 and this is probably his last year. Even if he wanted to come back, I am not sure the Packers would let him. They have cut pretty much every other 30+ year old player in their rebuilding, so I think that his legacy in Title Town will only keep him on the roster so long. Aaron Rodgers is now in his third year, and I am not sure he will sit around much longer. He was amazing in college and probably wants his shot. Either way, if Favre goes down this year, there is someone behind him ready to jump in (as long as he doesn't break his foot again).

Running Backs: Ahmad Green was the franchise back, but he got too old and was cut. They drafted Brandon Jackson in the second round, and have a few other backs that got light use in the past two years. Most likely, the Pack will use a committee of running backs, with Jackson slowly moving into a prominent role. That is... unless they land someone like Larry Johnson. But Ted Thompson seems to lean towards getting young, cheap talent that he can develop. Seems to be working so far. They also got rid of their full back (again, getting rid of 30+ year old William Henderson), and are handing the job to third year pro Brandon Miree. He got some starts and a fair amount of playing time last year, and did a fair job so this might be a good move.

Wide Receivers: Donald Driver is back, but he is getting older and is starting to lose a step. However, Greg Jennings should mature into a starting level WR this year. In addition, they have third rounder James Jones and second year Ruvell Martin who showed flashes of promise last year. I think that the wide receiver position is getting much better than it has been in years past (since 2004 when they last had Javon Walker).

Tight Ends: Bubba Franks is back, with Donald Lee backing him up. This is nothing to get excited about, but Franks is a reliable target and blocks well and Lee has done a good job in years past so this is not necessarily a weak point either. But this is no Antonio Gates or Tony Gonzolez.

Offensive Line: With all of the starters, and most of the backups coming back this year, the OL is finally looking more promising, and Thompson's moves from years past are starting to look a little more logical (still don't agree with most of them, but they are looking better). The line is finally going to have some consistency, and should improve on the acceptable performance of last year. That is critical when you have a 37 year old QB and young RBs in the backfield.

Defensive Line: While KGB is loosing his edge, Aaron Kampman has shown that he is one of the league's best with an NFC high 15.5 sacks last year. That pair teamed with a committee of defensive tackles, including Ryan Pickett and first round pick Justin Harrell should make the line a force to be reckoned with.

Cornerbacks: With Charles Woodson and Al Harris starting on each side, the Packers have one of the best starting CB combos in the NFL. Woodson showed that he still has quite a bit of gas left, and took a lot of the pressure off of Harris. Throw in Will Blackman, and you have the strong spot of the Packer's positions.

Safties: Both starting safties are back this year, and they both played all 16 games and had 80+ tackles last year. While they didn't get lots of interceptions last year, the consistency at this position will help and will continue to take some of the pressure off of the cornerbacks.

Linebackers: All three starting linebackers are back this year, including Nick Barnett and 2006 first rounder AJ Hawk, both of whom had over 110 tackles. The depth isn't great at this position, but with so much youth and so much talent back there, the Pack should have a shutdown linebacker corp as long as no one goes down.

So the strong point of the Packers this year is the consistency they have (including 20/22 starters returning) and the durability (19 of those 20 played 14 or more games last year), I think there is some serious promise this year.