The Green Bay Packers secondary remains a mystery entering the first week of the real NFL season.
That is, we know Tramon Williams is starting at one cornerback spot and we know the safeties in the base defense are Charles Woodson and Morgan Burnett. The other cornerback job and the safety spot Woodson vacates by moving to the slot in the Packers nickel defense are being kept under wraps, though.
Not even the players know who will start in those spots.
“It’s still a waiting process,” cornerback Sam Shields said after Monday’s practice. “It’s like training camp is over, and you still don’t know. But whatever the coaches decide, whatever they come up with for Sunday against the 49ers, each one of us will be ready.”
The cornerback spot looks like it will come down to Shields or Jarrett Bush. It likely would have went to Davon House, but he’s still battling a shoulder injury he suffered during the Packers first preseason game. Rookie Casey Hayward also remains in the mix.
At safety, the job will go to either second-year man M.D. Jennings or rookie Jerron McMillian. Jennings started camp in the role, but McMillian was given a long look toward the end.
Our guess? Bush at corner and McMillian at safety.
Bush isn’t spectacular, but he gambles a lot less than Shields and is more seasoned than Hayward. As for McMillian, both he and Jennings are going to make mistakes. They’re both young. McMillian, however, has the greater upside and looks like the heavier hitter.