I'm anxious to see how the Packers' defense looks. Starters are expected to play 10-15 snaps. Clay Matthews & Jeremy Thompson are both out, so the front 7 is more or less unchanged from last year (Jenkins/Pickett/Jolly | Kampman/Chillar/Hawk/Poppinga) at this point. I expect to see Poppinga, Jolly,and Chillar (although I think Chillar will have a major role in situational defenses) displaced in the starting line-up before the opener.

Raji is allegedly in shape, but for good reason he won't be suiting up until Monday. Johnny Jolly should be taking his place in the starting line-up. (I still think Raji will be the other starting DE, his being listed just at NT on the depth chart should be just temporary.) Hopefully Jolly will be able to play disciplined ball at DE, he had a real problem with freelancing at DT. That's fine and dandy for pass rushing (his forte), but is a serious issue with run defense. I'm really bummed Justin Harrell is hurt and not able to play, although at this point it's nowhere near shocking. He's the guy I was looking forward to see in action the most before he went down early this week, and is a much better fit as a 3-4 end than Jolly.

Should be interesting to see how Kampman looks at LOLB. Can they make him change his number or something? It's going to be so odd seeing a #74 standing upright, much less doing anything athletic. All accounts from Training Camp allude to Kampman being up to the challenge. Bummer that Thompson is out. Hopefully the staff will see enough of him (and Matthews, for that matter) throughout the year to accurately gauge whether or not they need to re-sign Kampman.

Not that there's a threat of him being cut or anything, but AJ Hawk really needs to come out strong to show that last year's downward level of performance really was the injuries. If he really is on the downside of his career already (not that I think so), I'm sure Desmond Bishop would be a great fit at SILB.

Woodson & Harris are both sitting, and Pat Lee is out. Really wanted to see Pat Lee in there to get some game reps, but he's another guy with back issues.

Offensively, I'm looking forward to some good old-fashioned Jermichael action at TE. Love, love, love that name, but wouldn't be surprised to see him get a few penalties this year for running his mouth.

I hope Scott Wells falls on his face (nothing personal) so the staff can keep Spitz at C and ergo Josh Sitton at RG. Same for Tony Moll (this one is personal). Sick of seeing that guy flounder. Also interested in seeing how Giacomini looks at RT in game situations, as my mind can't possibly fathom a dude named 'Breno' being an adequate starter at any position. I'm in the TJ Lang camp for that reason until proven otherwise.

And finally, c'mon Ryan Grant. Show me something. I'd like to see him alternate carries with Deshawn Wynn so we have an adequate barometer of where they're at competition-wise. Tom Silverstein of the J-S says that Grant's job (starting job, I presume) is in jeopardy if he can't get back to breaking some long runs, also mentioning that Wynn has to prove he can stay healthy. That's a promising development in my eyes, but is it a bad thing if I don't quite believe it's true?

Anyways, all these words for the first pre-season game.... it's been a long off-season.

All the pre-season games this year for the Packers are on their state network only. No national feeds. NFL Network my re-run them though.