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5 best training camp battles for Packers in 2019

By Russell S. Baxter

GREEN BAY, WI - JUNE 11: Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) waits for a new drill to start during Green Bay Packers Minicamp at Clarke Hinkle Field on June 11, 2019 in Green Bay WI. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WI - JUNE 11: Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) waits for a new drill to start during Green Bay Packers Minicamp at Clarke Hinkle Field on June 11, 2019 in Green Bay WI. (Photo by Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 28: Oren Burks #42 of the Green Bay Packers played the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 28: Oren Burks #42 of the Green Bay Packers played the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /

2. Inside linebacker

Oren Burks vs. James Crawford vs. Ty Summers

In his first season as Green Bay’s defensive coordinator, Mike Pettine gave opponents plenty of different looks. Of course, that aspect didn’t necessarily translate into a lot of success on this side of the ball as the Packers finished 18th in the league in total yards allowed and 22nd vs. the run. The club allowed exactly 25 points per game, surrendered a disappointing 45 offensive touchdowns (30 through the air) and forced only 15 turnovers.

There were some bright spots. At inside linebacker, the team has quite the performer in Blake Martinez. He’s been a 16-game starter each of the past two seasons and had responded with 142 and 144 tackles, respectively. In ’18, he also finished third on the team with five sacks and added three passes defensed.

Pettine paired Oren Burks (4 starts) and Antonio Morrison (8 starts) with Martinez inside a year ago. But the latter is no longer with the team and Burks – a third-round pick in 2018 – wasn’t necessarily up to the task as a rookie. In the seventh round in April, GM Brian Gutekunst selected BYU linebacker Ty Summers with the 226th overall pick.

This is a Green Bay defense that already has a lot of new looks at outside linebacker with the addition of free agents Preston Smith (Redskins) and Za’Darius Smith (Ravens), as well as 2019 first-round pick Rashan Gary (Michigan). Could the team find a steady answer to pair along Martinez this season?

Next: No. 1

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