Is it too early to talk football? How about some predictions? Don't take any of this to heart, I'm always... ALWAYS wrong. See my Brett Favre post at the beginning of camp last year.
1) The Packers are winning the division this year. We really hit our stride last year, minus that horrendous defensive collapse against Arizona. Oh man, remember that final interception for the touchdown? That was awful.
If I were to think of any weaknesses on this team I'd have to go with lack of depth on the corners. Offensive line doesn't seem dramatically improved. We signed that Bulaga guy today. From what I hear the guy won't be ready to seriously contribute until next year. Defensive line is pretty weak too. Hopefully the 3-4 scheme can continue to make up for that.
2) The Patriots are going to suck and it will be a beautiful thing to watch. Tom Brady will start to pout.
3) Not too afraid of the Cowboys team everyone's talking about. Seems like the same old story to me.
4) Ungh, back to the bathroom again.
5) I will win fantasy football this year. I have a brilliant strategy this year. As many packers as possible.
6) Higgins will post a detailed comment on this blog post.
In other news, went to the EAA show yesterday. That stunt plane stuff is pretty cool but I wouldn't pay 36 bucks to see it again. Hung around the camp sites. Bunch of tents and trailers with dusty roads. Kind of reminded me of a refugee camp. You got guys with 4 million dollar RVs next to some guy in a pup tent. Funny mix of people. I'd debate camping there next year but don't know if it'd be worth the cost. I'd rather camp somewhere that isn't a field in Oshkosh.
That's all I got for now. I'm gonna try to go to work. Wish me luck!
1 comment:
"Higgins will post a detailed comment on this blog post."
Ask and you shall receive! I waited to write this until I drank a bunch of coffee Saturday morning.
I think the Packers are one of the top 5 teams in the NFL this year and could easily win 12 games. Unfortunately if Favre returns to the Vikings they are also one of the top 5 teams so no guarantee about winning the division.
The O-line is going to play like they did the second half of last season and protect Rodgers much better. Clifton and Tauscher are back and healthy but you know they will miss time so drafting Bulaga was a smart move. There is just no way they give up 40 sacks in the first 8 games like last year.
Considering that the Defensive line was second in the league stopping the run last year I like this unit a lot. People have to understand that in the 3-4 defense the lineman just don't get sacks, it's not their job. With Jolly suspended I like moving Pickett to end and letting Raji play the nose. I don't see any drop off this year with this unit.
The secondary is the big mystery. Can Al Harris make it back from major knee surgery? All of the doctors reports indicate the answer is yes but will it be in time to start the season? Too hard to tell but we have his heir apparent in Tramon Williams who was excellent last year. Charles Woodson won NFL defensive MVP honors last season, little else needs to be said about him. The real question is do the Packers have the depth at the position to cover the best offenses in the league. Last year against the Vikings, Steelers, and the Cardinals the lack of depth was expoited. Of course our best young talent was injured in Will Blackmon and Pat Lee. Both are back this season but are unproven players. Brandon Underwood did an admirable job filling in last year and may be the top backup this season. The Packers chances of advancing in the playoffs this season will probably hinge on whether any of these young guys can step up their game.
The only other defensive issue is whether the Packers can find an adequate pass rusher to compliement Clay Matthews. In all of our losses last year teams were able to double team Matthews and the Packers had no one else to generate a pass rush. Second year man Brad Jones was able to generate 4 sacks in 8 starts last year in place of the injured Aaron Kampman. With Kampman gone to Jacksonville Jones has no competition for the starting job. The Packers success this season may well be determined based on Jones ability to generate a pass rush when Matthews gets double teamed. If he can then the Packers will have a much easier time limiting the effectiveness of league's top quarterbacks. If he fails to generate the necessary pass rush then the Packers will probably have a repeat of their quick playoff exit against Arizona last year.
The offense is so good at putting up points that not much needs to be said about it. Rodgers will pass for 4500 yards and over 30 touchdowns just like last year. Ryan Grant will rush for over 1,200 yards just like last year. I think our big improvement this year will come in the red zone where Jermichael Finley will establish himself as one of the top 5 tight ends in the league. His emergence could allow Rodgers to potentially reach the 40 touchdown barrier this season.
Not at all out of the question that the Packers could reach the Superbowl this season. It will hinge on the O-lines ability to protect Rogers, the development of our young defensive backs, and Brad Jones ability to generate pass rush oppposite Clay Matthews. Of course we've got to stay healthy too which is no guarantee. That's why it takes a lot of luck to reach the Superbowl no matter how good your team is.
That's it for this year's Packer report!
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