Green Bay — In a season likely to be remembered for what it wasn't — the Green Bay Packers did not win the NFC North Division, did not reach the NFC Championship Game and did not reach the Super Bowl — it could be argued that the most valuable byproduct for general manager Ted Thompson was a never-ending test of his roster's depth.
The examination began during the exhibition season, when No. 1 wideout Jordy Nelson was lost for the year with a torn ACL, thrusting rookie Ty Montgomery into a significant role.
It continued with the foot injury to starting inside linebacker Sam Barrington, whose season-long absence created an avenue in which rookie Jake Ryan began to develop.