One of the deepest positions on the Green Bay Packers roster is at linebacker, which is in stark contrast to last season. The opposite effect has happened along the defensive line where that is now a much thinner position, also a major difference from last year.

A year ago the Packers only kept five linebackers on the roster all season long. And behind the starters, no one had a whole lot of confidence in either rookie Desmond Bishop or backup Tracy White if they were forced into duty for an extended period of time. One year changes a lot.

"The plan is to keep the best 53 players on the final roster, McCarthy said One of the deepest positions is at linebacker, where as many as seven players could be kept (sic)," according to Packersnews.com.

In addition to starters A.J. Hawk, Nick Barnett and Brady Poppinga, the Packers have reliable and encouraging options including new free agent pick-up Brandon Chillar, a healthy Abdul Hodge, a more experienced Bishop, and a veteran White. Even good things have been said about undrafted rookie Danny Lansaneh, but he might be a practice squad candidate.

After maybe Chillar, the backup linebackers don't stand to see the field very often, so hopefully they will be special teams demons this year. White has even said it's a goal of his to go to the Pro Bowl on special teams.

If the Packers keep seven linebackers this year as opposed to the five they kept last year, they will have to keep two less people at other positions than they did a year ago.

One of those positions figures to be the defensive line where they kept 11 players last year. After trading away Corey Williams and having the position decimated by injuries, it would be a shock if they kept more than ten players along the defensive line.

The Packers also know that Justin Harrell will be eligible to come off the physically unable to perform list after week six, so in essence, he provides a little depth in case of future injury. Until that time, they may have to make due with a couple ends playing at tackle, especially on passing downs.

What a difference a year makes!