RashanGary
06-15-2007, 09:28 AM
1. McCarthy and the staff have praised the Oline (young and old) for being in great shape. It hasn't been every off season that we come in and our young question marks are being praised for being in GREAT shape. Whittaker and Barry were the opposite a year ago.
2. Vernand Mornency - While he hasn't proven he could be an NFL starter, everything about his work ethic and approach suggest he'll be better than he was a year ago and maybe good enough to improve our run game combined with the O-line.
3. Greg Jennings - Jennings played well enough as a rookie that it inspires some excitement heading into his second season.
4. AJ Hawk - Ditto to Jennings but better. Hawk should be listed first on this list if it was in order of best to worste. With all of the ability (physical and skill) that Hawk has shown combined with what is said to be a second to none workout approach, I think we have a chance to see the next special Packer explode before our eyes.
5. Justin Harrell/Corey Williams/Ryan Pickett - I list this as one because with two of these three guys playing DT for every snap of every game, we have a chance at having a true impact from the interior defensive line for the first time since 1997.
6. Mike McCarthy/Brett Favre - McCarthy/Favre seem to be on the same page with a focus and a positive direction. I think we'll get to see Favre go out on a positive note with a defense setting him up with good field position and an improved offensive line that should pass block and run block better than a year ago. Also, McCarthy has a chance to build on last year successes and iron out it's failures. McCarthy seems to be stressing fundementals, repetition and excecution more than playbook volume. I tend to subscribe to the less is more approach to offense and defense.
7. Woodson - McCarthy has never been one to say a guy is in "better shape" when he's not. McCarthy has given credit to Woodson for being in better shape than a year ago and IMO him and Harris holding up are going to be key if we want to push at the playoffs.
8. Kickers and Punters tend to steadily improve early in their career so both Rayner and Ryan should be better in 07 than 06. If someone beats them out, it will be an improvement too, so regardless I expect improvement from the K/P. As far as coverage goes, we have Barbre and Rouse as new, likely additions to the ST's coverage units. I don't see us losing any atheltic, tough guys so if anything we should be better here as well.
That's about it as far as things that have inspired optimism with me. Guys like Dendy, Ruvell Martin, Johnny Jolly, et al. . . . are also guys that I think have a chance to step up but as far as the big ones, the 7 I listed above are the biggest reasons I have optimism in 2007.
2. Vernand Mornency - While he hasn't proven he could be an NFL starter, everything about his work ethic and approach suggest he'll be better than he was a year ago and maybe good enough to improve our run game combined with the O-line.
3. Greg Jennings - Jennings played well enough as a rookie that it inspires some excitement heading into his second season.
4. AJ Hawk - Ditto to Jennings but better. Hawk should be listed first on this list if it was in order of best to worste. With all of the ability (physical and skill) that Hawk has shown combined with what is said to be a second to none workout approach, I think we have a chance to see the next special Packer explode before our eyes.
5. Justin Harrell/Corey Williams/Ryan Pickett - I list this as one because with two of these three guys playing DT for every snap of every game, we have a chance at having a true impact from the interior defensive line for the first time since 1997.
6. Mike McCarthy/Brett Favre - McCarthy/Favre seem to be on the same page with a focus and a positive direction. I think we'll get to see Favre go out on a positive note with a defense setting him up with good field position and an improved offensive line that should pass block and run block better than a year ago. Also, McCarthy has a chance to build on last year successes and iron out it's failures. McCarthy seems to be stressing fundementals, repetition and excecution more than playbook volume. I tend to subscribe to the less is more approach to offense and defense.
7. Woodson - McCarthy has never been one to say a guy is in "better shape" when he's not. McCarthy has given credit to Woodson for being in better shape than a year ago and IMO him and Harris holding up are going to be key if we want to push at the playoffs.
8. Kickers and Punters tend to steadily improve early in their career so both Rayner and Ryan should be better in 07 than 06. If someone beats them out, it will be an improvement too, so regardless I expect improvement from the K/P. As far as coverage goes, we have Barbre and Rouse as new, likely additions to the ST's coverage units. I don't see us losing any atheltic, tough guys so if anything we should be better here as well.
That's about it as far as things that have inspired optimism with me. Guys like Dendy, Ruvell Martin, Johnny Jolly, et al. . . . are also guys that I think have a chance to step up but as far as the big ones, the 7 I listed above are the biggest reasons I have optimism in 2007.