Kiwon
06-15-2007, 02:37 AM
In Green Bay, they've got Favre and inexperience
By Larry Weisman, USA TODAY
The colossus dominates the landscape and casts a lengthy shadow.
The offseason in Green Bay is almost always about Brett Favre, the biggest name in a football-mad town of 100,000. Is he coming back? Is he retiring? The seemingly annual ritual was a little different this year but no less obsessive and no less about Favre.
He had already clearly indicated he would return and that he'd like to see the Packers make some moves to improve the team. But when they did very little in free agency and then failed to pull off a trade for receiver Randy Moss, Favre let loose his frustration.
He voiced many of the concerns coming from the locals — that the team had not improved itself sufficiently — and wondered if he truly fit into the equation anymore.
And there's your offseason update from the NFL's smallest city.
Favre is back, perhaps less cheery than he'd like, but back nonetheless. And the Packers, 8-8 in coach Mike McCarthy's first season, will try to improve with a 37-year-old quarterback and a dearth of proven weapons. Might as well put it on the shoulders of the Colossus of Green Bay one more time.
"Ultimately," Favre says, "it comes down to me wanting to play and help this team win, and that's the one thing I can control. I don't think anyone can question my leadership and determination to win, and that hasn't changed."
Favre needs seven touchdown passes to break Dan Marino's career record of 420. For a man who never misses a start, that's a given. But how much of the player Favre once was can he still be, given the personnel around him?
Favre threw 18 touchdown passes and 18 interceptions last year, the second consecutive season in which he did not throw more touchdowns than picks. His passer rating of 72.7 was eclipsed by every NFC quarterback except Brad Johnson and rookie Bruce Gradkowski and was only marginally better than the 70.9 he posted in 2005 when he led the NFL with 29 interceptions.
If he's not the Favre of old and instead just an old Favre, the Packers could unravel. There are few experienced hands in the backfield and few with good hands among the receivers. The offensive line lacks its old punch. Favre isn't out there alone, but maybe it looks that way sometimes.
The ground game gets an entirely new look with Ahman Green, who signed with the Houston Texans, and fullback William Henderson gone. Vernand Morency, a former Texan, could be the starter. The Packers also like their second-round pick, Brandon Jackson. They remain unsettled at fullback after releasing Henderson.
Tight end Bubba Franks didn't play well at all last season and could lose his job to Donald Lee. Among receivers, Donald Driver continues to excel, but Favre lobbied to add Moss so he'd have more options.
Driver went to the Pro Bowl after setting career highs in catches (92) and yards (1,295). But the only other veteran with notable experience is Robert Ferguson, who can never stay healthy. Ferguson played in only four games last year and has started just 26 in six seasons. Everybody else is young. Greg Jennings played well early in '06 before hitting the wall; he should start opposite Driver. Koren Robinson, who can apply for reinstatement to the NFL in October after completing a one-year suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, could also make a positive impact.
The defense revolves around a strong linebacker corps. On the weak side, A.J. Hawk goes into his second season showing the skills that led the Packers to make him the fifth overall selection in the 2006 draft. He's got excellent range and handles coverage assignments with aplomb.
"I think A.J. Hawk is a prime-time player, and I think that will be proven as he moves forward," McCarthy says.
Nick Barnett mans the middle and also can run from sideline to sideline. Brady Poppinga starts on the strong side and could get a challenge from second-year man Abdul Hodge.
The defensive line returns four starters and adds depth with No. 1 pick Justin Harrell, a tackle. Harrell was well-regarded by most teams but was also considered a question mark as he recovers from a torn biceps. He will likely replace Corey Williams as a starter once he has a chance to round into form.
The secondary looks better at the corners than at safety, though the nickel and dime packages still need to be filled out. Al Harris and Charles Woodson are the starting corners and a good tandem. But some failed draft picks, notably Ahmad Carroll, who was the team's top pick in 2004 but is no longer with the club, left the Packers wanting when they needed to put five or six defensive backs on the field.
Will Blackmon, who played in only four games last year because of injury, and Patrick Dendy will compete with Frank Walker, the team's only free agent signee, as the club sorts out its nickel and dime packages. Walker, McCarthy says, "is an explosive player. I think Frank is an excellent addition."
Marquand Manuel may hang on at strong safety after a poor first season with the club, and Nick Collins is the free safety. Rookie Aaron Rouse may push Manuel, and Marviel Underwood, coming off major knee surgery, could make Collins a little nervous.
With all of that said, the focus, as always, remains on the quarterback. What does he have left and how high can he lift this team?
"You take me out of the picture, and this is really the youngest team in football," Favre says. "That's where I'd like to think that I can be the difference-maker. I do have the experience and should be able to lead these guys where we want to go, and I believe that."
Seeing is believing.
AROUND THE FIELD IN GREEN BAY
Quarterback: Favre, the future Hall of Famer, returns for his 17th season. He had surgery on his ankle but should be fully operational by training camp. Backup Aaron Rodgers, coming off a foot injury, is a question mark for camp.
Running back: Vernand Morency is the top candidate to replace the departed Ahman Green as the starter, but the Packers are high on second-round pick Brandon Jackson. Eight other inexperienced backs on the roster will also get a look. Fullback is wide open with William Henderson gone, and Brandon Miree the nominal No.1.
Wide receiver: Donald Driver and Favre enjoy a terrific rapport, but Driver's the only consistent threat. Robert Ferguson goes into his seventh season with career stats (116 catches for 1,577 yards, 12 TDs) often duplicated in one year by the best players. Greg Jennings showed great skills in his first season, and rookie David Clowney will get a look.
Tight end: Bubba Franks is a declining player coming off a poor season, and Donald Lee should start.
Offensive line: Once a formidable group, this unit is now so-so and young in the interior. Tackles Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher, both entering their eighth seasons, have size and savvy. Center Scott Wells keeps growing into the position and has good feet and the ability to lead running plays to the outside. Daryn Colledge and Jason Spitz are the guards.
Defensive line: Left end Aaron Kampman is the best of the bunch. The right side features emerging Cullen Jenkins with Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila likely returning to a role as pass-rush specialist. Ryan Pickett and Corey Williams should start inside, but the Packers want to find a role for surprise No.1 pick Justin Harrell.
Linebacker: Probably the team's strength with starters A.J. Hawk, Nick Barnett and Brady Poppinga. All of these guys can run and hit. Competition in training camp will be for the backup spots.
Secondary: Starting corners Al Harris and Charles Woodson are fine, but there are questions after that. Newcomer Frank Walker is the likely nickel back. Marquand Manuel played poorly at strong safety last year after coming over from Seattle but may hang on alongside Nick Collins.
Special teams: Kicking game — iffy. Returners — up for grabs. Kicker Dave Rayner will battle rookie Mason Crosby. Punter Jon Ryan will duel David Lonie. Feel the excitement. Neither Woodson (punts) nor Morency (kickoffs) will be in those roles again. Koren Robinson is a Pro Bowl-caliber return man but remains under NFL suspension.
Coaching staff: Mike McCarthy goes into his second season with much of the roster intact. Whether that's good or bad has been the subject of intense debate around Green Bay. With such a young team, this is a great teaching opportunity. But fans (and Favre) want to win now. Joe Philbin, who coached the offensive line last year and tight ends the year before that, is the offensive coordinator. He's a first-timer in this role. Bob Sanders runs the defense for a second year.
Outlook: The Packers clearly chose to build through the draft and did not chase free agents. That can lead to short-term growing pains, but where has free agency been a panacea? The club closed last season with four consecutive wins to get to 8-8, so there could have been reason to buy a few players and try to maximize the waning presence of Favre. The Packers need to solidify their offensive line, find a starting running back and get decent second and third receivers. The defense should be sound enough, but the special teams need to be more special.
While the Chicago Bears are playoff-caliber, no other NFC North team seems ready to make that leap. The Packers should certainly be no worse than third but probably not better than second.
BREAKING DOWN THE PACKERS
Last season: 8-8, second place in the NFC north, missed playoffs
Additions Subtractions Draft picks
CB Frank Walker LB Kurt Campbell Justin Harrell, DT, Tennessee (16)
RB Ahman Green Justin Harrell, DT, Tennessee (63)
FB William Henderson James Jones, WR, San Jose State (78)
TE David Martin Aaron Rouse, S, Virginia Tech (89)
Allen Barbre, T, Missouri Southern State (119)
David Clowney, WR, Virginia Tech (157)
Korey Hall, LB, Boise State (191)
Desmond Bishop, LB, California (192)
Mason Crosby, K, Colorado (193)
DeShawn Wynn, RB, Florida (228)
Clark Harris, TE, Rutgers (243)
(Overall pick in parentheses)
By Larry Weisman, USA TODAY
The colossus dominates the landscape and casts a lengthy shadow.
The offseason in Green Bay is almost always about Brett Favre, the biggest name in a football-mad town of 100,000. Is he coming back? Is he retiring? The seemingly annual ritual was a little different this year but no less obsessive and no less about Favre.
He had already clearly indicated he would return and that he'd like to see the Packers make some moves to improve the team. But when they did very little in free agency and then failed to pull off a trade for receiver Randy Moss, Favre let loose his frustration.
He voiced many of the concerns coming from the locals — that the team had not improved itself sufficiently — and wondered if he truly fit into the equation anymore.
And there's your offseason update from the NFL's smallest city.
Favre is back, perhaps less cheery than he'd like, but back nonetheless. And the Packers, 8-8 in coach Mike McCarthy's first season, will try to improve with a 37-year-old quarterback and a dearth of proven weapons. Might as well put it on the shoulders of the Colossus of Green Bay one more time.
"Ultimately," Favre says, "it comes down to me wanting to play and help this team win, and that's the one thing I can control. I don't think anyone can question my leadership and determination to win, and that hasn't changed."
Favre needs seven touchdown passes to break Dan Marino's career record of 420. For a man who never misses a start, that's a given. But how much of the player Favre once was can he still be, given the personnel around him?
Favre threw 18 touchdown passes and 18 interceptions last year, the second consecutive season in which he did not throw more touchdowns than picks. His passer rating of 72.7 was eclipsed by every NFC quarterback except Brad Johnson and rookie Bruce Gradkowski and was only marginally better than the 70.9 he posted in 2005 when he led the NFL with 29 interceptions.
If he's not the Favre of old and instead just an old Favre, the Packers could unravel. There are few experienced hands in the backfield and few with good hands among the receivers. The offensive line lacks its old punch. Favre isn't out there alone, but maybe it looks that way sometimes.
The ground game gets an entirely new look with Ahman Green, who signed with the Houston Texans, and fullback William Henderson gone. Vernand Morency, a former Texan, could be the starter. The Packers also like their second-round pick, Brandon Jackson. They remain unsettled at fullback after releasing Henderson.
Tight end Bubba Franks didn't play well at all last season and could lose his job to Donald Lee. Among receivers, Donald Driver continues to excel, but Favre lobbied to add Moss so he'd have more options.
Driver went to the Pro Bowl after setting career highs in catches (92) and yards (1,295). But the only other veteran with notable experience is Robert Ferguson, who can never stay healthy. Ferguson played in only four games last year and has started just 26 in six seasons. Everybody else is young. Greg Jennings played well early in '06 before hitting the wall; he should start opposite Driver. Koren Robinson, who can apply for reinstatement to the NFL in October after completing a one-year suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, could also make a positive impact.
The defense revolves around a strong linebacker corps. On the weak side, A.J. Hawk goes into his second season showing the skills that led the Packers to make him the fifth overall selection in the 2006 draft. He's got excellent range and handles coverage assignments with aplomb.
"I think A.J. Hawk is a prime-time player, and I think that will be proven as he moves forward," McCarthy says.
Nick Barnett mans the middle and also can run from sideline to sideline. Brady Poppinga starts on the strong side and could get a challenge from second-year man Abdul Hodge.
The defensive line returns four starters and adds depth with No. 1 pick Justin Harrell, a tackle. Harrell was well-regarded by most teams but was also considered a question mark as he recovers from a torn biceps. He will likely replace Corey Williams as a starter once he has a chance to round into form.
The secondary looks better at the corners than at safety, though the nickel and dime packages still need to be filled out. Al Harris and Charles Woodson are the starting corners and a good tandem. But some failed draft picks, notably Ahmad Carroll, who was the team's top pick in 2004 but is no longer with the club, left the Packers wanting when they needed to put five or six defensive backs on the field.
Will Blackmon, who played in only four games last year because of injury, and Patrick Dendy will compete with Frank Walker, the team's only free agent signee, as the club sorts out its nickel and dime packages. Walker, McCarthy says, "is an explosive player. I think Frank is an excellent addition."
Marquand Manuel may hang on at strong safety after a poor first season with the club, and Nick Collins is the free safety. Rookie Aaron Rouse may push Manuel, and Marviel Underwood, coming off major knee surgery, could make Collins a little nervous.
With all of that said, the focus, as always, remains on the quarterback. What does he have left and how high can he lift this team?
"You take me out of the picture, and this is really the youngest team in football," Favre says. "That's where I'd like to think that I can be the difference-maker. I do have the experience and should be able to lead these guys where we want to go, and I believe that."
Seeing is believing.
AROUND THE FIELD IN GREEN BAY
Quarterback: Favre, the future Hall of Famer, returns for his 17th season. He had surgery on his ankle but should be fully operational by training camp. Backup Aaron Rodgers, coming off a foot injury, is a question mark for camp.
Running back: Vernand Morency is the top candidate to replace the departed Ahman Green as the starter, but the Packers are high on second-round pick Brandon Jackson. Eight other inexperienced backs on the roster will also get a look. Fullback is wide open with William Henderson gone, and Brandon Miree the nominal No.1.
Wide receiver: Donald Driver and Favre enjoy a terrific rapport, but Driver's the only consistent threat. Robert Ferguson goes into his seventh season with career stats (116 catches for 1,577 yards, 12 TDs) often duplicated in one year by the best players. Greg Jennings showed great skills in his first season, and rookie David Clowney will get a look.
Tight end: Bubba Franks is a declining player coming off a poor season, and Donald Lee should start.
Offensive line: Once a formidable group, this unit is now so-so and young in the interior. Tackles Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher, both entering their eighth seasons, have size and savvy. Center Scott Wells keeps growing into the position and has good feet and the ability to lead running plays to the outside. Daryn Colledge and Jason Spitz are the guards.
Defensive line: Left end Aaron Kampman is the best of the bunch. The right side features emerging Cullen Jenkins with Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila likely returning to a role as pass-rush specialist. Ryan Pickett and Corey Williams should start inside, but the Packers want to find a role for surprise No.1 pick Justin Harrell.
Linebacker: Probably the team's strength with starters A.J. Hawk, Nick Barnett and Brady Poppinga. All of these guys can run and hit. Competition in training camp will be for the backup spots.
Secondary: Starting corners Al Harris and Charles Woodson are fine, but there are questions after that. Newcomer Frank Walker is the likely nickel back. Marquand Manuel played poorly at strong safety last year after coming over from Seattle but may hang on alongside Nick Collins.
Special teams: Kicking game — iffy. Returners — up for grabs. Kicker Dave Rayner will battle rookie Mason Crosby. Punter Jon Ryan will duel David Lonie. Feel the excitement. Neither Woodson (punts) nor Morency (kickoffs) will be in those roles again. Koren Robinson is a Pro Bowl-caliber return man but remains under NFL suspension.
Coaching staff: Mike McCarthy goes into his second season with much of the roster intact. Whether that's good or bad has been the subject of intense debate around Green Bay. With such a young team, this is a great teaching opportunity. But fans (and Favre) want to win now. Joe Philbin, who coached the offensive line last year and tight ends the year before that, is the offensive coordinator. He's a first-timer in this role. Bob Sanders runs the defense for a second year.
Outlook: The Packers clearly chose to build through the draft and did not chase free agents. That can lead to short-term growing pains, but where has free agency been a panacea? The club closed last season with four consecutive wins to get to 8-8, so there could have been reason to buy a few players and try to maximize the waning presence of Favre. The Packers need to solidify their offensive line, find a starting running back and get decent second and third receivers. The defense should be sound enough, but the special teams need to be more special.
While the Chicago Bears are playoff-caliber, no other NFC North team seems ready to make that leap. The Packers should certainly be no worse than third but probably not better than second.
BREAKING DOWN THE PACKERS
Last season: 8-8, second place in the NFC north, missed playoffs
Additions Subtractions Draft picks
CB Frank Walker LB Kurt Campbell Justin Harrell, DT, Tennessee (16)
RB Ahman Green Justin Harrell, DT, Tennessee (63)
FB William Henderson James Jones, WR, San Jose State (78)
TE David Martin Aaron Rouse, S, Virginia Tech (89)
Allen Barbre, T, Missouri Southern State (119)
David Clowney, WR, Virginia Tech (157)
Korey Hall, LB, Boise State (191)
Desmond Bishop, LB, California (192)
Mason Crosby, K, Colorado (193)
DeShawn Wynn, RB, Florida (228)
Clark Harris, TE, Rutgers (243)
(Overall pick in parentheses)