Flying under the radar is nothing new for Packers

[Cheesehead]

Since everyone had the Packers pegged for a receiver, naturally GM Brian Gutekunst used the team's second-round pick to draft Boston College running back AJ Dillon last April.


The addition of a bruising, power back like Dillon raised questions in the minds of some about where Jamaal Williams fit into the Packers' plans well into training camp.


Instead, Williams is again poised to be a featured part of the blueprint for the backfield. Having received a checklist of items to improve from position coach Ben Sirmans, Williams reported back to Green Bay in the best shape of his career.


Wanting to improve his route running against man coverage, Williams reached out to Adams this offseason for pointers. He ran sand hills in the Arizona desert for conditioning and caught passes from local quarterbacks.


During his August media carwash, Rodgers continued to single out Williams as an underrated player who had taken a leap.


"We talked about some of the things I felt he needed to work on to become a more complete player. He went out this offseason and did that," Sirmans said. "You can see it more in his quickness, his ability. He wanted to improve his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. You can see that he's done that."


The list goes on and on for the 2020 Packers – from the consternation about not drafting a defensive lineman for the first time in 24 years to the Smith Bros. not being ranked among the NFL's top 10 pass-rush duos after a season in which the two combined for 25½ sacks and more than 140 pressures.


Outside perception can be whatever others want it to be, but the Packers feel they're built to contend with a young and hungry roster eager to silence doubters. On the eve of a season unlike any other, Rodgers and Co. are ready to put words into action.


"I don't know how you can play this game and not get butterflies before every game," said Rodgers, now in his 16th season. "It's maybe a little bit more in the first game, but it's that excitement, it's the love, the love meets the excitement, and you know they're putting 15 (minutes) on that clock. Period says one and you're about to head to the field.


"It's a pretty special feeling, especially the older you get as you realize how long you've been at this, how much you've learned over the years, a lot of memories kind of flood your brain quickly from other opening games or certain games at certain fields, so it will be definitely an exciting time to start the season off."