CCQ #10: Is there any reason to keep three FBs again?

This is the third installment of our Camp Countdown Questions series. Each day leading up to July 31st, we'll be posing a crucial question the Pack need to answer in training camp.

Last year, one of the biggest questions entering camp was which fullback would be cut. The Packers had drafted Quinn Johnson in April, adding a powerful run blocker to a group that already included proven veterans John Kuhn and Korey Hall. The logic of most at the time was that the Packers just couldn't afford to use three roster spots up on a position of diminishing importance, and that they'd be forced to part ways with one of the veterans.

However, Ted Thompson had different things in mind, and the Packers opted to retain all three FBs, a highly unorthodox move in this era of pass happy offenses. Now, nearly one year later, we can't help but to wonder...is there any reason to do it again?

Why losing Johnny hurts Justin

Well if you haven't heard the big news yet, you probably live under a rock...or you're actually having an enjoyable summer and don't spend the majority of your time glued to a computer screen.

But I digress.

Last Friday, Johnny Jolly was suspended indefinitely for violating the league's substance abuse policy. He'll be gone for at least the entire upcoming season, play-offs included.

Packers bloggers wasted absolutely no time in dissecting this story from nearly every possible angle. Jersey Al calls Jolly's suspension a blessing in disguise. Brian Carriveau vlogs that the Packers were well prepared for this loss. And John Rehor writes that Johnny Jolly is a moron.

I tend to agree with all of them. Having the suspension handed down now is good for two reasons: It prevents Jolly's court proceedings from becoming a headache during the season and it also allows the Packers to hang on to a player that they probably would've had to cut in favor of Jolly. Additionally, the Packers were definitely well prepared for this development, as they drafted two DEs in the 2010 NFL draft. Ted Thompson, your draft score has jumped up a whole letter grade. And yes, Johnny Jolly is a bit stupid for throwing away a career in the NFL for some drugs, no matter how much fun Grimace makes the Purple Drank appear.

But I want to take a look at this story in a different way. Instead of analyzing where the Packers go from here, or how well prepared they are to handle this loss, I want to take a look at a player whose hopes of making the roster may actually be hurt by the Jolly suspension. Because I believe someone on the current Packers roster is going to be adversely affected by Jolly leaving...and it may not be who you think.

Will the next Desmond Howard please stand up

The Packers of the mid-90's had a number of traits that made them a special bunch. One of them, as I discussed a few days ago, was their ability to play with an edge at Lambeau. This not only made them successful in the regular season, but it also allowed them to ride home-field advantage throughout the playoffs to two Super Bowl appearances.

Another asset was the presence of a bonafide home-run threat lining up to receive kickoffs and punts. I am, of course, talking about Super Bowl XXXI MVP Desmond Howard.

Desmond only played one full season with the Packers, but his impact was felt in a big way. During the 1996 regular season, he returned 58 punts, with a ridiculous average of 15.1 yards per return. The 875 punt return yards he accrued that year still constitute the NFL's single season record, with a nice, nearly-200 yard cushion.

But with Desmond, it wasn't really about the numbers. He was truly a game-changer. Coupling his ability to shorten the field with Packers already potent offense allowed the team to score points in bunches; it's no coincidence that in '96 the Packers scored 456 points, which stood as the all-time franchise record until it was broken this past year. Of course, his field-position changing ability was only even a factor if he didn't bring the punt all the way back for a touchdown, which he did three times in the '96 regular season.

Desmond's real value was displayed in the 1996 NFL play-offs. In the Mud Bowl, he helped the Packers jump to a 14-0 lead over the 49ers after running only three offensive plays.The first time Howard touched the ball, he turned it into points, returning a punt 71 yards for a six. A few minutes later, he returned a punt 46 yards, setting up an easy, 4-yard Brett Favre to Andre Rison TD pass. From that point on, the game was never in any real jeopardy. The Packers coasted to a 35-14 victory, despite racking up 135 less yards on offense than their season average.

The crown jewel in Desmond's brief career with the Packers was his performance in Super Bowl XXXI (and no, I'm not talking about his performance of "The Robot")With the Patriots beginning to mount a comeback in the second half, Howard delivered a death blow, returning a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. New England failed to respond, and the Packers won their first Super Bowl since 1968. On that night, Howard essentially rewrote the punt and kickoff return section of the Super Bowl record book with 90 yards on punt returns, 154 on kick returns, and 244 total return yards. He rightfully won the MVP award, the only special teams player ever to do so.

Since those days, the Packers have lacked someone special returning kicks and punts, with the exception of Roell Preston in 1998 and Allen Rossum in 2000. But after those two names, things go down hill. In fact, the Packers have not returned a kickoff for a touchdown since 2000, when the feat was last accomplished by Rossum. That's right: for nine straight seasons, the Packers have not taken a kick back to the house.

The Packers have fared better in terms of punt returning, but don't factor in last year's performance in that statement. In 2009, Jordy Nelson, the Packers' primary return man, had a putrid average of 5.3 yards per return. Out of players around the league who had returned 10 or more punts he ranked 36th. Needless to say, the Packers have plenty of room for improvement when it comes to the return game.

The big question is, do the Packers have the pieces in place to make this adjustment? Do they have the next Desmond Howard on the roster? Let's take a look.

Quarless Signs...Now What?

In case you missed it, the only real noteworthy news of this past week was the Packers' signing of rookie tight end Andrew Quarless. If you'll recall, Quarless was considered a great natural talent and receiving threat out of Penn State, but fell to the fifth round due to character concerns and trouble with the law. He's also been accused of having the worst tattoo in college football, but I don't think that had anything to do with his draft day tumble.

Signing a fifth round pick isn't that big of a deal, in and of itself. However, Quarless' signing does raise this important question: With three already proven TEs on the roster, what do the Packers do next?