HarveyWallbangers
05-17-2007, 12:16 AM
I was deleting some stuff off my computer, and found this article I had typed up just before the start of preseason last year.
PRESEASON STORYLINES
Green Bay Packers football is back after an eight month hiatus. Throughout much of the offseason, there was a negative vibe surrounding the team. That all changed during one week in April. Brett Favre announced he would return, free agent Charles Woodson was signed, and A.J. Hawk was drafted. Since then, there’s been so much positivity coming from the team that many Packers fans probably have unreal expectations for this team. Suddenly, Greg Jennings is the next Derrick Mason, Daryn Colledge is the next Logan Mankins, Jason Spitz is the next Marco Rivera, Abdul Hodge is the next Mike Singletary, and Jon Ryan is the next Ray Guy. This preseason will separate fact from fiction, and will give fans a good feel for how this team will do when the games count. Here are some of the preseason stories to watch:
The Development of Aaron Rodgers
According to everyone associated with the team, Aaron Rodgers has made big strides in his second season. Rodgers looked much better in this year’s intrasquad scrimmage then he did in at any time last year. This has given Packers fans—even those who haven’t been big Rodgers supporters—hope that he may indeed succeed after Brett Favre retires. With a good preseason, Rodgers can turn even his harshest critics into supporters. It’s time for him to prove his worth in games against teams in different-colored jerseys.
The Running Back Situation
The Packers have a stable full of capable running backs, but they all have question marks surrounding them. Ahman Green needs to prove that he’s fully recovered from an injury that is difficult for running backs to overcome. Najeh Davenport needs to prove that he can be counted on. His upright running style leads to fumbles and injuries, and Davenport doesn’t seem to want to change his style. Samkon Gado needs to prove that last year wasn’t a fluke and that he can succeed in the one-cut, zone blocking scheme. Gado has the athletic ability, but lacks experience. Noah Herron needs to prove that his all-around ability is enough to keep him on the roster despite his limited speed.
Who Will Step Up Opposite Donald Driver at Wide Receiver
Robert Ferguson is the nominal starter alongside Donald Driver. At times, he’s shown he can be a capable number 3 receiver in the NFL, but expecting him to step up and be a solid number 2 receiver in his 6th season is probably a stretch. Marc Boerigter is too stiff and injury prone, and will be in a battle to win a roster spot. Ruvell Martin is probably too raw. That leaves Greg Jennings and Rod Gardner as the best hope for Packer fans. Gardner needs to show consistency before the Packers can trust him as a starter. He also needs to show that he really wants it. Jennings looks advanced for a rookie, but seldom do rookies play well enough to be solid starters their rookie season. Jennings could be the exception to the rule. His development—along with the development of interior offensive linemen—will be the biggest stories for the offensive unit this preseason.
The Youth Along The Interior Offensive Line
Daryn Colledge and Jason Spitz are rookies who have been penciled in as starters. This will be Scott Wells first year as a full-time starter. Colledge and Spitz have potential to be starters in this league, but their promotion to the first string may be more the result of the quality of their competition than their own ability. They need to prove that they should be starting from day one. There are fewer reservations about Wells. People associated with the team expect him to be as good or better than an injured Mike Flanagan was last year, but until he proves it on the field, it’s all just speculation.
Help For KGB
The Packers have a lot of depth at defensive tackle, and the group should be solid despite the fact they have no stars at the position. The biggest development for the Packers would be for a defensive end to play well enough to take the run down snaps from Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. KGB has his share of detractors, but most reasonable people realize he can still be an effective player. He is the best pass rusher on the team, and the only guy opposing offenses scheme against among the defensive linemen on the team. The Packers need to determine if there is a player on the roster who can fill this role. Mike Montgomery and Kenny Peterson are the leading candidates, but they haven’t shown much in this camp.
How Much Better Will The Linebackers Be
The Packers have reloaded at linebacker with the drafting of A.J. Hawk and Abdul Hodge, and the signing of free agent Ben Taylor. There’s minor concern among Packer faithful by the initial performance of Hawk. This concern is premature. He needs time to acclimate himself to the defense after missing most of the OTAs. He has a good shot at being a solid starter, but he must prove that he can be a playmaker for a defense sorely lacking one. Hodge has had a fantastic start to training camp, but he must prove that he won’t be a complete liability in coverage before the coaching staff will elevate him past Ben Taylor on the depth chart. Taylor is a solid player who lacks playmaking skills, so ideally Hodge stands out and earns the starting spot. This position should be better than last season. It’s up to the likes of Hawk and Hodge to make this position a strength.
Not So Special Teams
Dave Rayner hasn’t shown any consistency this offseason, so the placekicking duties will likely go to Billy Cundiff or a player not currently on the roster. Cundiff had a couple of solid seasons in Dallas, and he kicked in cold weather in college, so it’s not completely out of the question that he could get the job done. He needs to step up this preseason and prove he deserves a shot at replacing Ryan Longwell. If not, the Packers will be scrambling for a kicker at the end of camp. Jon Ryan has been the talk of camp, but he needs to prove that he can kick when the bright lights are on, that he can get the ball off in sufficient time, and that his hang times are adequate. It he doesn’t earn the job, the Packers could have the worst kicking unit in the league.
There are other stories to follow, but these could be the most interesting. It’s not important to win preseason games, but it is important that the team stays healthy, shows the ability to play mistake free football offensively, and shows the ability to make plays defensively.
PRESEASON STORYLINES
Green Bay Packers football is back after an eight month hiatus. Throughout much of the offseason, there was a negative vibe surrounding the team. That all changed during one week in April. Brett Favre announced he would return, free agent Charles Woodson was signed, and A.J. Hawk was drafted. Since then, there’s been so much positivity coming from the team that many Packers fans probably have unreal expectations for this team. Suddenly, Greg Jennings is the next Derrick Mason, Daryn Colledge is the next Logan Mankins, Jason Spitz is the next Marco Rivera, Abdul Hodge is the next Mike Singletary, and Jon Ryan is the next Ray Guy. This preseason will separate fact from fiction, and will give fans a good feel for how this team will do when the games count. Here are some of the preseason stories to watch:
The Development of Aaron Rodgers
According to everyone associated with the team, Aaron Rodgers has made big strides in his second season. Rodgers looked much better in this year’s intrasquad scrimmage then he did in at any time last year. This has given Packers fans—even those who haven’t been big Rodgers supporters—hope that he may indeed succeed after Brett Favre retires. With a good preseason, Rodgers can turn even his harshest critics into supporters. It’s time for him to prove his worth in games against teams in different-colored jerseys.
The Running Back Situation
The Packers have a stable full of capable running backs, but they all have question marks surrounding them. Ahman Green needs to prove that he’s fully recovered from an injury that is difficult for running backs to overcome. Najeh Davenport needs to prove that he can be counted on. His upright running style leads to fumbles and injuries, and Davenport doesn’t seem to want to change his style. Samkon Gado needs to prove that last year wasn’t a fluke and that he can succeed in the one-cut, zone blocking scheme. Gado has the athletic ability, but lacks experience. Noah Herron needs to prove that his all-around ability is enough to keep him on the roster despite his limited speed.
Who Will Step Up Opposite Donald Driver at Wide Receiver
Robert Ferguson is the nominal starter alongside Donald Driver. At times, he’s shown he can be a capable number 3 receiver in the NFL, but expecting him to step up and be a solid number 2 receiver in his 6th season is probably a stretch. Marc Boerigter is too stiff and injury prone, and will be in a battle to win a roster spot. Ruvell Martin is probably too raw. That leaves Greg Jennings and Rod Gardner as the best hope for Packer fans. Gardner needs to show consistency before the Packers can trust him as a starter. He also needs to show that he really wants it. Jennings looks advanced for a rookie, but seldom do rookies play well enough to be solid starters their rookie season. Jennings could be the exception to the rule. His development—along with the development of interior offensive linemen—will be the biggest stories for the offensive unit this preseason.
The Youth Along The Interior Offensive Line
Daryn Colledge and Jason Spitz are rookies who have been penciled in as starters. This will be Scott Wells first year as a full-time starter. Colledge and Spitz have potential to be starters in this league, but their promotion to the first string may be more the result of the quality of their competition than their own ability. They need to prove that they should be starting from day one. There are fewer reservations about Wells. People associated with the team expect him to be as good or better than an injured Mike Flanagan was last year, but until he proves it on the field, it’s all just speculation.
Help For KGB
The Packers have a lot of depth at defensive tackle, and the group should be solid despite the fact they have no stars at the position. The biggest development for the Packers would be for a defensive end to play well enough to take the run down snaps from Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. KGB has his share of detractors, but most reasonable people realize he can still be an effective player. He is the best pass rusher on the team, and the only guy opposing offenses scheme against among the defensive linemen on the team. The Packers need to determine if there is a player on the roster who can fill this role. Mike Montgomery and Kenny Peterson are the leading candidates, but they haven’t shown much in this camp.
How Much Better Will The Linebackers Be
The Packers have reloaded at linebacker with the drafting of A.J. Hawk and Abdul Hodge, and the signing of free agent Ben Taylor. There’s minor concern among Packer faithful by the initial performance of Hawk. This concern is premature. He needs time to acclimate himself to the defense after missing most of the OTAs. He has a good shot at being a solid starter, but he must prove that he can be a playmaker for a defense sorely lacking one. Hodge has had a fantastic start to training camp, but he must prove that he won’t be a complete liability in coverage before the coaching staff will elevate him past Ben Taylor on the depth chart. Taylor is a solid player who lacks playmaking skills, so ideally Hodge stands out and earns the starting spot. This position should be better than last season. It’s up to the likes of Hawk and Hodge to make this position a strength.
Not So Special Teams
Dave Rayner hasn’t shown any consistency this offseason, so the placekicking duties will likely go to Billy Cundiff or a player not currently on the roster. Cundiff had a couple of solid seasons in Dallas, and he kicked in cold weather in college, so it’s not completely out of the question that he could get the job done. He needs to step up this preseason and prove he deserves a shot at replacing Ryan Longwell. If not, the Packers will be scrambling for a kicker at the end of camp. Jon Ryan has been the talk of camp, but he needs to prove that he can kick when the bright lights are on, that he can get the ball off in sufficient time, and that his hang times are adequate. It he doesn’t earn the job, the Packers could have the worst kicking unit in the league.
There are other stories to follow, but these could be the most interesting. It’s not important to win preseason games, but it is important that the team stays healthy, shows the ability to play mistake free football offensively, and shows the ability to make plays defensively.