Packers Family Night kicks off football season at Lambeau - FOX 25/48 - WLAX/WEUX La Crosse & Eau Claire News

Packers Family Night kicks off football season at Lambeau

FOX 25/48 Football Insider

By Marty Hendricks

Aug. 3, 2012

In a few hours, the Green Bay Packers faithful will begin to flow into the Lambeau Field parking lot.

It's Packers Family Night.

The weather promises to be near perfect.  The tailgate parties and grills will be in full force.  The beverages will be flowing.  The Atrium will be packed as fans tour the Hall of Fame, lighten their wallets in the Pro Shop, or dine at Curly's Pub.

It's a new NFL season, a fresh start.  Optimism will be high as the Packers unveil their 2012 team at Lambeau Field in the annual scrimmage/practice session that begins at 6:30 p.m.

It will be a stark contrast from the team's last contest in the historic stadium.

Green Bay, 15-1, was thoroughly outplayed by the eventual Super Bowl Champion New York Giants.  The Packers defense could not stop Eli Manning and his arsenal of receivers.  Aaron Rodgers and the Green  Bay offense did not have its best day, uncharacteristically turning the ball over three times.

The Giants took full advantage and ended the Packers' franchise-best regular season with a thud in the playoffs.

The expectations are again high for Green Bay in 2012.  The Packers, with its reigning league MVP and potent offense, are favored by many national pundits to return to the Super Bowl.  They're ranked number one in the Associated Press power rankings.

With six draft picks bolstering the league's worst defense,general manager Ted Thompson addressed the team's most critical needs. The success of the 2012 Packers  team is most dependent on the improvement ofDom Capers' defense, a priority in training camp.

Better fundamentals, especially tackling.  Developing a consistent pass rush.  Complementing Clay Matthews at linebacker.  Stabilizing and improving communication in the secondary.

The first glimpse comes Friday night.