RashanGary
06-28-2006, 05:01 PM
1. Show that they don't have any glaring "weak links"
2. Win the turnover battle
3. Make big plays on offense
1 - The most glaring weak links that could change games in the negative direction for GB are K, P, RG, LG, RB, WR. If that Packers want to win games in 2006, quite a few mostly young guys are going to have to step up. Colledge, Spitz, Cundiff, Ryan/Sander, Green/Gado/Davenport, Jennings. How likely are those things to happen right away in 2006? I think maybe half of those problems will be solved right away in 2006. That leaves 3 weak links that will be working in the wrong direction for GB in 06. Last year there were weak links at RB, WR, RG, LG, DE depth, LB depth by my estimation. I think there will be considerably less "weak links" in 06 -vs- 05. Injuries shouldn't be as much of a concern becuase the depth of the team seems to be much stronger after Thompsons 2nd full season as GM.
2 - Favre is huge in elimnating turn overs. He needs to play smart and not change the game by making silly mistakes. After the QB, the defense is the next unit that needs to step up big. 32nd in the league in turnovers is not going to cut it in the NFL. The team that wins the turnover battle usually wins the game and you cannot get buy with 0 playmakers on defense. The Packers have a bunch of solid players on defense who can do their jobs. Harris, Woodson, KGB, Kamp, Barnett, Pickett, Cole, Manuel ect.....What they need is 1 or 2 guys to step up and change the outcome of the game. Hawk and Nick Collins are the two who I think are most likely to change the game. We need forced fumbles, INT's and sacks. We need 2 probowl players on defense. If not, the Packers will not be much better than in 2005. #7 in yards doesn't mean shit if you can't turn the ball over on the 15 yard line and get an easy 6 points 4 or 5 times a year. That is what wins games. That is how you take the wind out of the opponents sails.
3 Favre is at a point in his career where he just isn't the most physically dominate player on the field. A while back someone showed an old Favre clip and you couldn't help but be wowed by the amazing things he did on a pretty regular basis. His arm isn't as strong, his legs arn't as lively and his body isn't as bullet proof. He's showing his mortality and I think the biggest thing he can do in his old age is not throw INT's. The Packers cannot count on Favre to make all the big plays in the game. Unfortunately it doesn't look like anyone has the capability to do that. Jennings has the hands/speed/quickness combo to make a few in his career, but he is a rookie. Gado has break away speed, but is dependent on a good OL. Driver is a very good player but not a playmaker. I just don't see it happening. Unless Favre can turn back time, this is going to be the area that hurts the Packers most. Big plays lead to defensive turnovers which lead to more big plays because the oppent goes for broke on D and it is one big cycle.
I may be optimistic here, but I think Hawk and Collins are going to show probowl form. I think they will cause TO's and win games with big plays. Unfortunately, I think they have a few weak links and have no offensive game changers. I see an 8/8 team who needs a star RB and better WR's to take it to the next level. I don't see it happening in 06, but if Thompson can fill a few key holes and some guys step up and start to show NFL ability, they have a real chance in 07 assuming Favre plays one more. I see no hope right now for a good team. As for 06, average is best and that is assuming Hawk and Collins are damn near probowl level.
2. Win the turnover battle
3. Make big plays on offense
1 - The most glaring weak links that could change games in the negative direction for GB are K, P, RG, LG, RB, WR. If that Packers want to win games in 2006, quite a few mostly young guys are going to have to step up. Colledge, Spitz, Cundiff, Ryan/Sander, Green/Gado/Davenport, Jennings. How likely are those things to happen right away in 2006? I think maybe half of those problems will be solved right away in 2006. That leaves 3 weak links that will be working in the wrong direction for GB in 06. Last year there were weak links at RB, WR, RG, LG, DE depth, LB depth by my estimation. I think there will be considerably less "weak links" in 06 -vs- 05. Injuries shouldn't be as much of a concern becuase the depth of the team seems to be much stronger after Thompsons 2nd full season as GM.
2 - Favre is huge in elimnating turn overs. He needs to play smart and not change the game by making silly mistakes. After the QB, the defense is the next unit that needs to step up big. 32nd in the league in turnovers is not going to cut it in the NFL. The team that wins the turnover battle usually wins the game and you cannot get buy with 0 playmakers on defense. The Packers have a bunch of solid players on defense who can do their jobs. Harris, Woodson, KGB, Kamp, Barnett, Pickett, Cole, Manuel ect.....What they need is 1 or 2 guys to step up and change the outcome of the game. Hawk and Nick Collins are the two who I think are most likely to change the game. We need forced fumbles, INT's and sacks. We need 2 probowl players on defense. If not, the Packers will not be much better than in 2005. #7 in yards doesn't mean shit if you can't turn the ball over on the 15 yard line and get an easy 6 points 4 or 5 times a year. That is what wins games. That is how you take the wind out of the opponents sails.
3 Favre is at a point in his career where he just isn't the most physically dominate player on the field. A while back someone showed an old Favre clip and you couldn't help but be wowed by the amazing things he did on a pretty regular basis. His arm isn't as strong, his legs arn't as lively and his body isn't as bullet proof. He's showing his mortality and I think the biggest thing he can do in his old age is not throw INT's. The Packers cannot count on Favre to make all the big plays in the game. Unfortunately it doesn't look like anyone has the capability to do that. Jennings has the hands/speed/quickness combo to make a few in his career, but he is a rookie. Gado has break away speed, but is dependent on a good OL. Driver is a very good player but not a playmaker. I just don't see it happening. Unless Favre can turn back time, this is going to be the area that hurts the Packers most. Big plays lead to defensive turnovers which lead to more big plays because the oppent goes for broke on D and it is one big cycle.
I may be optimistic here, but I think Hawk and Collins are going to show probowl form. I think they will cause TO's and win games with big plays. Unfortunately, I think they have a few weak links and have no offensive game changers. I see an 8/8 team who needs a star RB and better WR's to take it to the next level. I don't see it happening in 06, but if Thompson can fill a few key holes and some guys step up and start to show NFL ability, they have a real chance in 07 assuming Favre plays one more. I see no hope right now for a good team. As for 06, average is best and that is assuming Hawk and Collins are damn near probowl level.