Green Bay Gambling On Second & Third Year Defensive Players

It's no secret that the Green Bay Packers Achilles heel has been the defense for years. There's such a lack of stardom that it's hard to say who's even the best player on the defense.

After yesterday's news of Letroy Guion's release, Green Bay will now undoubtedly lean heavily on second year men Kenny Clark and Dean Lowry on the defensive line.

Green Bay's youngsters don't just end at the defensive line.The way it looks as of now, the Packers will start five players that are beginning their 2nd or 3rd years.

Dean Lowry is going to be starting at defensive end, Kenny Clark will start at nose tackle, Jake Ryan and Blake Martinez will play inside linebacker and either Quinten Rollins or Damarious Randall will likely get a starting corner spot, if Kevin King doesn't outshine them.

Green Bay's rush defense was solid last season and ended up ranking 8th in the league with 94.7 yards per game. Unfortunately, that effort is forgotten because the secondary for the Packers looked like it had never played before, which landed them second to last in passing yards with 269.3 per game.

After Micah Hyde left during free agency, it's likely the Packers won't be much better this season. However, safeties Morgan Burnett and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix have another year under their belts and Green Bay got Davon House back from Jacksonville.

The key for the defense this season will be three things. 1.) Whether or not rookie Kevin King can have a breakout year. 2.) Whether Clay Matthews and Nick Perry can get after the quarterback to help the Packers be top five in sacks again. 3.) Lastly, whether or not House, Rollins and Randall can be a serviceable rotation.