Green Bay’s revolving door to the M.A.S.H. unit continues to swing back and forth, it has allowed many young players opportunities to grow and excel at training camp. It also could be closing on guys such as wide receivers Jared Abbrederis and Adrian Coxson.

While every practice provides a small piece of every player’s puzzle and affords the younger players opportunities to show General Manager Ted Thompson and the Packers’ coaching staff that they belong, Thursday night’s preseason contest at New England provided a much bigger and better picture.


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Green Bay was far from perfect, but a host of players picked their games up a notch or two, proved they belonged and/or showed they should be in the conversation for roster spots.

It’s only one game, and injuries ultimately always factor into these prognostications and decisions, but the games are a much better barometer of where players stand and prove what they can and can’t do.

Reserves who, in my mind, solidified spots for 2015 included center J.C. Tretter, quarterbacks Scott Tolzien and Brett Hundley and linebackers/rush ends Jayrone Elliott and Andy Mulumba.

Numerous guys who took big steps in that direction included Jeff Janis, Josh Walker, Justin Perillo, Aaron Ripkowski, Mike Pennel and LaDarius Gunter.

Linebacker Carl Bradford finally flashed, and running backs Alonzo Harris and John Crockett proved that the race for the No. 3 spot behind Eddie Lacy and James Starks isn’t over yet and could prompt keeping a fourth one if they can prove their worth on special teams.

Here is About Packers’ second updated 53-man roster projection, where changes from my most recent list affect running back, offensive line, defensive line, tight end and safety.

Roster projection No. 1

Roster projection No. 2

Quarterbacks (3): Aaron Rodgers, Scott Tolzien, Brett Hundley

Running backs (4): Eddie Lacy, James Starks, Alonzo Harris, John Crockett

Fullbacks (2): John Kuhn, Aaron Ripkowski

Wide receivers (5): Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, Ty Montgomery, Jeff Janis

Tight ends (3): Richard Rodgers, Justin Perillo, Kennard Backman (Andrew Quarless)

Offensive linemen (9): Bryan Bulaga, T.J. Lang, Corey Linsley, Josh Sitton, David Bakhtiari, J.C. Tretter, Don Barclay, Josh Walker, Jeremy Vujnovich

Kicker (1): Mason Crosby

Long snapper (1): Brett Goode

Punter (1): Tim Masthay

Defensive linemen (6): Mike Daniels, B.J. Raji, Josh Boyd, Christian Ringo, Bruce Gaston (Datone Jones), Mike Pennel (Letroy Guion)

Linebackers (9): Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, Sam Barrington, Jake Ryan, Mike Neal, Nick Perry, Jayrone Elliott, Andy Mulumba, Nate Palmer

Safeties (3): Morgan Burnett, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Sean Richardson

Cornerbacks (6): Sam Shields, Casey Hayward, Micah Hyde, Damarious Randall, Quinten Rollins, LaDarius Gunter