Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy opened Packers’ training camp on July 28, marking the official beginning to the 2006 season.

After a depression-inducing 2005, the new head coach has his work cut out for him. Here’s what the depth chart looks like heading into the preseason:

Quarterback

Brett Favre flirted with retirement, but eventually No. 4 chose Packers over tractors. Though the graying QB chucked a pitiful 29 picks last year, the Green and Gold expect him to return to the Favre of old … or young. Aaron Rodgers resumes his duties as the clipboard holder, while rookie Ingle Martin will backup the backup.

Running back

Ahman Green, Najeh Davenport and Samkon Gado all return and all hope to start. If one of the three can stay healthy, the Packers offense will be able to get their feet back on the ground. In addition to the three bruised ballcarriers, William Henderson and Vonta Leach both return at fullback.

Wide Receiver

With Javon Walker crying about his contract elsewhere, Donald Driver is the team’s go-to-guy. Robert Ferguson, Marc Boerigter, Rod Gardner and rookies Greg Jennings and Cory Rodgers round out the group. The battle to start beside Driver will be wide open, much unlike the players at this position all of last year.

Tight End

The Packers are hoping to use all three of their tight ends frequently, and will let each of them do what they do best: Bubba Franks will be used as a blocker and in short yardage situations, Donald Lee as a deep threat receiver, and David Martin will get hurt again.

Offensive Line

Ted Thompson still hasn’t found adequate replacements at guard, but he did draft two promising rookies, Daryn Colledge and Jason Spitz, each of whom could start. Mark Tauscher and Chad Clifton remain at tackle, with Scott Wells finally the permanent solution at center.

Meanwhile, thanks to a new zone blocking scheme, even guys like Adrian Klemm and Will Whitticker, who blocked nothing but their own arteries during the 2005 campaign, will get a second look as backups.

Defensive Line

Aaron Kampman and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila are back on the ends, but Green Bay gutted the middle of its D-line. Veteran additions Kendrick Allen and Ryan Pickett are favored to start, but Cullen Jenkins, Corey Williams and others are right behind them.

Linebacker

The Pack drafted A.J. Hawk and Abdul Hodge, and both could join Nick Barnett in the starting lineup. Otherwise, free agent pickup Ben Taylor or holdovers Roy Manning or Brady Poppinga will get the nod. Regardless, the linebacking corps should be significantly better than last year.

Secondary

Free agent pickup Charles Woodson will do what Mike Sherman never could — kick Ahmad Carroll out of the starting lineup. The former Raider will join Al Harris as part of a suddenly impressive cornerback duo. At safety, Marquand Manuel joins Nick Collins as a young hard-hitting starter.

Special Teams

With Ryan Longwell turning to the dark side, Billy Cundiff has the leg up in the kicking department. At punter, CFL star Jon Ryan is the favorite to finally end the saga that is B.J. Sander.

Last year’s Packers lost five games by three points or less in an injury-plagued season. But with the return of a future Hall of Fame quarterback, an easier schedule, and a below average division, Packer backers have reason to be optimistic despite their team’s 4-12 finish. With a little luck, Green Bay could even return to the playoffs in ‘06. Well, with a lot of luck they can.

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