New man in town

Rhodes takes over in Green Bay, trying to keep it going

Ray Rhodes faces great expectations in Green Bay. AP

The Green Bay Packers, 11-5 last season but with a new head coach this season, opened their training camp on July 25 in DePere, Wis. Here are a few questions from Sports Illustrated's Dr. Z, followed by CNNSI.com's perspective on some of the issues facing the Packers this season. SI's season previews will be posted August 24.

Dr. Z wants to know :

1) Ray Rhodes' blood-and-thunder approach finally wore thin in Philly last year. Will the Packers buy the new act after Mike Holmgren's calmer, more analytical style?

2) Why is everyone making such a big deal about Holmgren bringing his Seahawks into Lambeau on Nov. 1? Coaches face their former teams all the time.

3) Three defensive backs drafted in the first three rounds. Are they planning to surround Randy Moss and cut off his supply lines?

4) No more Fritz Shurmur to run the defense, no more Reggie White for the third-down sack, and Gilbert Brown's 400-pound motor is running out of juice. Are we due for a defensive letdown?

The Packers can make the playoffs if : When Brett Favre stays healthy -- and he's started 109 straight games -- the Pack always has an edge. A healthy Dorsey Levens at running back will help, and a young secondary that might slow down that Moss guy up in Minnesota wouldn't hurt.

Pivotal games : Oct. 17 at Denver, Dec. 20 at Minnesota. The seventh toughest schedule in the league -- largely because of the NFC Central -- is dotted with the game against the Super Bowl champion Broncos and NFC West landmines San Francisco and Carolina. And watch out for Nov. 1, when ex-Packers boss Holmgren brings the Seahawks to Lambeau Field.

On the hot seat : This camp will be where Robert Brooks, the one-time hot-shot receiver, will have to show he's recovered from his litany of injuries. If not, the former 1,000-yard wideout may not make it to opening day.

Up-and-comers : The league's all-time sack leader, White, has retired, going out in grand fashion with 16 quarterback pops. Stepping into his shoes at left end will be Vonnie Holliday, who had eight sacks as a rookie last season and may be headed for a slice of greatness, too.

Player Movement Unrestricted Free Agents Restricted Free Agents Players Lost Raleigh McKenzie, G, from S.D. Mike Morton, LB, from Oak. Santana Dotson, DT, re-signed William Henderson, RB, re-signed George Koonce, LB, re-signed Mike Flanagan, C, re-signed Derrick Mayes, WR, re-signed Keith McKenzie, DE, re-signed Marco Rivera, G, re-signed Tyrone Williams, CB, re-signed Robert Kuberski, DT, Atl. Roderick Mullen, CB-S, Car. Darick Holmes, RB, Ind. Lamont Hollinquest, LB, K.C. Sean Landeta, P, Phi. Adam Timmerman, G, Stl.

1999 Draft Picks Round Overall Pick Player Pos School 1 25 Antwan Edwards CB Clemson 2 47 Fred Vinson CB Vanderbilt 3 87 Mike McKenzie CB Memphis 3 94 Cletidus Hunt DE Kentucky State 4 131 Aaron Brooks QB Virginia 4 133 Josh Bidwell P Oregon 5 159 Demond Parker RB Oklahoma 5 163 Craig Heimburger OG Missouri 6 196 Dee Miller WR Ohio St. 6 203 Scott Curry OT Montana 7 212 Chris Akins S Arkansas Pine Bluff 7 213 Donald Driver WR Alcorn St.