The Green Bay Packers had high hopes entering the 2013, but once again injuries derailed what could have been a great season. After losing Bryan Bulaga to a torn ACL in August, the team had to rely on rookie David Bakhtiari to start at left tackle. Things only got worse in a span of seven days when the team lost Randall Cobb and Jermichael Finley to significant injuries.

But the Packers tried to stay the course entering their Monday Night Football battle against the Chicago Bears. Aaron Rodgers was leading a brilliant opening drive when the Packers season was torn to pieces on a single play. Rodgers escaped the pocket and moved to the left side on 3rd and 8 when Shea McClellin grabbed him around the shoulder and landed on top of him as Rodgers' shoulder was slammed to the ground. Rodgers' would walk to the sideline in pain and the rest is history. It was a devastating blow for the Packers' offense and left them without their star quarterback and top receiving threats.

Now the Packers head into the 2014 season completely healthy and that means some very exciting things going forward. An improved offensive line, powerful running back and elite passing game all come together as the team meets for the first time this year.

New Starter: Bryan Bulaga

Bulaga's career has been a rollercoaster ride in his first four years with the Packers. The former first-round pick alternated between right tackle and left tackle before he seemed to find a home on the right side. But the one thing standing in Bulaga's path to being a good tackle has been his health.

After missing the final quarter of the 2012 season, everything seemed to be going well for Bulaga at left tackle during training camp last year. But after a team scrimmage, Bulaga's knee was bothering him and he was diagnosed with a torn ACL. The Packers were losing their top tackle once again and would have to rely on a rookie in his place.

Now Bulaga is ready for his fifth season and returns home to right tackle, where he has always seemed to be a fit for. The left side of the offensive line is already anchored down with Bakhtiari and Sitton, while the right side has a chance to be just as good if Bulaga and Lang can stay healthy. Rodgers has played his entire career with huge question marks on the offensive line, but finally may be looking at a group he can trust. As long as Bakhtiari, Sitton, Lang and Bulaga stay on the field, this could be a very good group for the Packers.

Areas of Improvement

Green Bay made a tough decision in the offseason when they let Evan Dietrich-Smith walk out the door and head for Tampa Bay. Dietrich-Smith took over for Jeff Saturday during the 2012 season and looked sharp all the way through the 2013 season with the Packers. He excelled in pass-protection where he helped keep the inside clean and allowed Rodgers to step into a clean pocket. Now with Dietrich-Smith gone, Rodgers will have to work with a new starting center, something he is far too familiar with.

Tretter, a fourth-round pick last year, will get the first opportunity to start at center for the Packers. Tretter was a tight end at Cornell for two seasons before coaches switched him to offensive tackle as a junior. He was a first-team All-Ivy League selection and drew the Packers' interest for his smarts and athleticism, and was moved to center when he arrived in Green Bay. Unfortunately, Tretter broke his leg and tore ligaments in his ankle just 11 days after signing his rookie contract and was unable to take any snaps for the Packers in his first season. He was activated in December but only saw a few snaps in practice while working with an injured Rodgers.

Now Tretter heads into training camp with a healthy body and as the lead dog for the starting job. It will be a major transition for him, having never played center in college and not having the opportunity to get any real work at it last season. But with Tretter's athleticism at 6'4" and 307 pounds combined with his ability to learn quickly, this is an opportunity he should take advantage of. 

This will remain a major question mark for the Packers — playoff teams rarely rely on first-year centers to be their starter right out of the gate. It's an even more rarity considering Tretter has no experience at center and missed a full season last year. Protecting Rodgers will be key heading into the season so the Packers are taking a big risk at center.

Potential Breakout Star

Brandon Bostick has been a quiet name the past two seasons, patiently waiting on the Packers' practice squad in 2012 before getting a short stint this past season until he landed on injured reserve with a foot injury. The former Newberry College player has always had the potential and it appears to finally be coming together.

Bostick was already praised earlier in the year by head coach Mike McCarthy for his blocking and was called the team's best blocking tight end and praised for his special teams play. Bostick may be moving on from special teams but his blocking ability will certainly help him stay on the field more this year. It's especially promising when you consider that Bostick was more of an athlete coming out of college who needed serious help with blocking but always possessed receiving ability.

Now Bostick enters team workouts with a great chance to surpass Quarless and be the team's top tight end. He impressed with his ability to get open last season, showing some similarities to Finley. But like Finley, he needs to do a better job focusing on the ball and hauling it in for the catch. Bostick has a great chance at being a major piece of this offense and emerging as the next great Packers' tight end.

On His Way Out

You could look to one of the wide receivers here with Nelson and Cobb both due for contract extensions after this season, but it's very likely that the Packers hold on to both players. Instead the focus turns to a fan favorite in John Kuhn who has been a hero in the city and been a big part of the Packers' offense, including his block on new teammate Julius Peppers last year in the magical play last year.

Kuhn's days are numbered though as demonstrated by the lack of interest the 31-year-old fullback was shown on the free agent market. He returned to Green Bay on a one-year deal in what will likely be his last season wearing the green and yellow. The fullback is on the brink of extinction in the NFL and while the Packers still like using one, they are already preparing to say farewell to Kuhn.