What player(s) do you expect to break out this season?

[Brandon494]

Shields was the best Packers CB in the second half of the 2011 season and second best on the team behind Heyward last year. He doesn't get enough credit and people will complain when he gets a big pay raise thinking he's not worth it.

At least someone knows what they are talking about. Same goes with Tramon Williams, seems like fans only remember those two games against the Vikings and 49ers and act like Tramon Williams was getting toasted all season.

[rbaloha1]

At least someone knows what they are talking about. Same goes with Tramon Williams, seems like fans only remember those two games against the Vikings and 49ers and act like Tramon Williams was getting toasted all season.

SS is not the problem. TW has had 2 mediocre years in row -- that is what fans remember.

Guess where the option plays are headed if TW is on the field? The Jarrett Bush of run defense

[pbmax]

There’s been the occasional bump in the road, but Shields molded into one of the top defenders in the league last year. According to Pro Football Focus, no NFL cornerback was tougher to foil than Shields, who led the league in coverage snaps per reception (16.3).

http://www.packersnews.com/article/20130520/PKR0101/130520044

As I recall, Shields wasn't having a tough camp because of his play, but unavailability/limited action due to nagging injuries. House took advantage of this opening and played the best of the rest until he was hurt. Shields then came back late and had good practices but not enough that he could dissuade the coaches from starting Bush.

The doubts about Shields lasted less than one week.

[Patler]

http://www.packersnews.com/article/2...0101/130520044

As I recall, Shields wasn't having a tough camp because of his play, but unavailability/limited action due to nagging injuries. House took advantage of this opening and played the best of the rest until he was hurt. Shields then came back late and had good practices but not enough that he could dissuade the coaches from starting Bush.

The doubts about Shields lasted less than one week.

My recollection is that he was just playing poorly in camp, but I could be wrong about that.

[pbmax]

At least someone knows what they are talking about. Same goes with Tramon Williams, seems like fans only remember those two games against the Vikings and 49ers and act like Tramon Williams was getting toasted all season.

He is still not the same guy as 2010, but the news about his shoulder seemed to suggest that the nerve damage would not have healed by the start of the 2012 season. So he could still be recovering. If the shoulder was still the issue, he should be markedly more consistent this year.

[3irty1]

I think the House love might be kind of premature. He's looked good so far in limited roles but the whole thing seems rooted in the 2012 camp battle between Shields, House, and Bush. A battle that ultimately resulted in Bush starting against the 49ers week 1. As of now Williams and Shields seem pretty entrenched as starters.

[run pMc]

I think they keep TW this year. Those CB's will get dinged up and I like Bush on ST but not at CB. Hard to have 4 good-enough corners, you don't give that up w/o good reason. AFAIK, TW's not a locker room problem or a crazy evil felon. The shoulder will be better this year and the increased competition will help. I think Whitt will push him to play better, including tackling and run defense.
House doesn't have much of a track record, and Heyward is a slot corner. Skeptical he has the speed to play outside, and I like his instincts to play slot. I like but don't love Shields -- he's coachable and still has room to grow, so I consider him "good but not great" and not at his ceiling. If he were playing for MIN or DET he'd easily be their top corner.

Nominating/hoping for a breakout year from EDS.

[Cleft Crusty]

He is still not the same guy as 2010, but the news about his shoulder seemed to suggest that the nerve damage would not have healed by the start of the 2012 season. So he could still be recovering. If the shoulder was still the issue, he should be markedly more consistent this year.

When you are hurt, your willingness to throw your body in there goes way down. Even with a full recovery, you can still have that trepidation. Williams may need a confidence boost as much as any physical improvement.

[MadScientist]

J.C. Tretter.

Oh wait, break out, not break down.

[pbmax]

When you are hurt, your willingness to throw your body in there goes way down. Even with a full recovery, you can still have that trepidation. Williams may need a confidence boost as much as any physical improvement.

I hope so. Williams apparently gave an interview in Baltimore that indicated his shoulder was still bothering him but he told the media that he had been referring back to 2011.

He says nerve is still getting better but shoulder (structurally?) is sound. Claims it did not bother him in 2012. But if he knows nerve is not back, then it must manifest itself in some way.

Today: http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/208371061.html

Radio: http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2013/0...alks-football/

[RashanGary]

When you are hurt, your willingness to throw your body in there goes way down. Even with a full recovery, you can still have that trepidation. Williams may need a confidence boost as much as any physical improvement.

This could very well be. If the nerv damage is still there, I imagine it's harder to get the injury out of his head even though he probably can do everything. He has to get his head right though. Now that's on him. You just have to do it, learn to trust it.

[Joemailman]

Tramon was clearly avoiding making some tackles late last year. Something wasn't right. His shoulder. His head. Something.

[Fritz]

J.C. Tretter.

Oh wait, break out, not break down.

Maybe we need a thread called "Players you expect will break this season."

[RashanGary]

Just read a fluff piece on Williams. It sounds like he's in fantastic friggin shape and ready to roll. There was also a really interesting comment on Woodson. Apparently Williams met two of Woodson's trainers and both said Wood was the hardest worker they've seen. I woulda never guessed that. Woodson has a lot of pride. I hope he gets 5 more picks this year. That guy loves football.

[rbaloha1]

Just read a fluff piece on Williams. It sounds like he's in fantastic friggin shape and ready to roll. There was also a really interesting comment on Woodson. Apparently Williams met two of Woodson's trainers and both said Wood was the hardest worker they've seen. I woulda never guessed that. Woodson has a lot of pride. I hope he gets 5 more picks this year. That guy loves football.

Again Woodson is a great role model off the field.