Improve from within.

That's the mantra we've heard since Ted Thompson came on board, from both Ted and coach McCarthy, that this team would "improve from within". After getting back to the playoffs in 2009, fans are understandably anxious for the team to take the proverbial "next step". In other NFL cities, it is somewhat easier for fans to follow their favorite teams' process as they go about trading for guys, signing free agents and generally trying to improve the roster.

For Packer fans, its a bit more difficult, as Ted Thompson, especially this offseason, has pretty much doubled-down on the "Improve from within" mantra. He spent incredible amounts of money to keep his own guys in the fold and drafted guys who may or may not make immediate impacts. (Though with Jolly's suspension, it would seem to be sooner rather than later for Neal and Wilson - and who knows what happens with Burnett when the pads go on)

But what doesn't get talked about a whole lot, except by me, just because I LOVE being called a 'hater' - is that the most improving being done from "within" should be done by guys who are already playing at a high level. If the Packers' blue-chip players play even better, to compliment expected improvement from guys like Brandon Underwood and Brad Jones, this will be a juggernaut of a team.

I wanted to point out some areas in need of improvement, some obvious, some less so, before camp starts to see what kind of adjustments, if any, the players and coaches in question may have made over the offseason.

The first, and probably most obvious, if the need for Aaron Rodgers to improve at getting the ball out of his hand, but specifically on three step drops. Rodgers actually did an admirable job last season of improving his five-step releases, an area that Tom Clements had Rodgers focus on last offseason. But the three step drop seemed to give Rodgers problems at times last season, though, much like the offense in general, he improved in this area as the season wore on.

Take a look at the clip below and we'll chat on the other side.

Now, it's impossible to tell what Rodgers is looking at. The route combos and coverages are completely out of frame. But what IS in frame is Colledges' (admittedly weak) attempt at cutting Jared Allen. That block is specifically used on a three-step drop because by the time the defensive end is able to recover and go after the quarterback, the ball should be long gone.

Again, I can't say what Rodgers is seeing or not seeing with any certainty - but what I can say is that he needs to know within a second after the ball being snapped if he needs to look either on the backside of this play or to Ryan Grant for the check-down. He simply holds onto his initial read for far too long for a three step drop. He HAS to know this (and of course, he does) He compounds the problem by tucking and running TOWARD the side of the attempted cut-block.

Yes, I know. This is incredibly nit-picky. But Rodgers is on the cusp of greatness and the great ones ALWAYS look to improve their game, from the moment they enter the league until the day they retire. If Rodgers can improve just in this one small area, he and the offense will be even more potent than they were in 2009.