2012 Two-a-Days: Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Montgomery Media

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

To help pass the time between now and the start of the 2012 NFL season I am going to be giving a look to two teams a day. I will give you their impact players on offense and defense, a breakout, and the biggest question as they open training camp.

Offense
QB - Matthew Stafford
RB - Jahvid Best
RB - Kevin Smith
TE - Brandon Pettigrew
WR - Calvin Johnson

Defense
DE - Cliff Avril
DT - Ndamukong Suh
DE - Kyle Vanden Bosch
MLB - Stephen Tulloch
S - Louis Delmas

Calvin Johnson WR

Breakout: Brandon Pettigrew - There is no way opponents will let the Lions get into the Red Zone and make it easy for Calvin Johnson to get targeted and score 16 times like he did in 2011. The Lions and Stafford need to find a secondary goal line option through the air and I believe the tight end could be in for his best year as a pro. Look for Pettigrew to flirt with 700 yards and 10 touchdowns this season.

Training Camp Question: There is no doubt in my mind that Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson will play to their full potential if healthy, but everything around them is a concern. The run game is complete question mark with often-injured trio of Jahvid Best, Mikel Leshoure, and Kevin Smith. The Lions need to force defenses to play against the run if they ever want to see Megatron in single coverage.

Last year's record: 10-6

Projected finish: 8-8 (Third in the NFC North)

Offense
QB - Aaron Rodgers
RB - James Starks
TE - Jermichael Finley
WR - Greg Jennings
WR - Jordy Nelson

Defense
DT - B.J. Raji
MLB - A.J. Hawk
OLB - Clay Matthews
S - Charles Woodson
S - Morgan Burnett

Aaron Rodgers QB

Breakout: Randall Cobb - There are a ton of mouths to feed for the Green Bay passing game, but Aaron Rodgers seems to find a way to make sure no one is left hungry. While the typical names will get their catches and scores, Cobb has a chance to use his big play abilities we have seen on special teams and became another team deep threat for Rodgers. Look for Cobb to cause even more confusion for opposing secondaries.

Training Camp Question: The Packers' offense was able to hide their putrid defense for 16 games and went 15-1 in the regular season before being exposed by the New York Giants in the playoffs. If the Packers want to get their second championship in three seasons they need Clay Matthews and company to pick up their level of play. Ranking dead last in passing yards allowed per game is not going to cut it in 2012.

Last year's record: 15-1

Projected finish: 13-3 (First in the NFC North)


**Check back tomorrow for the Texans and Colts**