packers11
07-02-2007, 12:08 PM
http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070702/PKR07/70702068/1989
By Mike Vandermause July 2, 2007
NFL regular-season games don't kick off for more than two months, but that hasn't stopped the so-called experts from weighing in on the 2007 season.
Four of five national publications surveyed predict the Green Bay Packers will finish second behind the Chicago Bears in the NFC North, while one magazine has the Packers placing third behind the Bears and Lions. The Packers are given only modest hopes of making the playoffs.
For what it's worth, most of these same publications forecast a last-place finish for the Packers in 2006 and are still wiping the egg off their faces after Green Bay finished second at 8-8.
What follows is a summary of how the Packers are being viewed nationally, including a "clueless" category devoted to some questionable analysis or useless information.
STREET & SMITH'S
NFC North forecast: Second place.
Chatter: The Pack is back? There are some subtle signs pointing to a playoff renewal for ageless Brett Favre and Green Bay.
Notable: In Favre's first 11 years with the club, the Packers were 75-13 at home. Since 2002, the Packers are 15-17 in Green Bay. Strangely, the slump has coincided with the renovation of Lambeau Field. It's as if friendly ghosts of the past have been disturbed.
By the numbers: During Favre's tenure, the Bears have started 20 different quarterbacks against him, the Lions 15 and the Vikings 12.
Clueless: How the Packers fare without longtime fullback William Henderson remains to be seen.
Quotable: "Don't tell anybody, but (Donald Driver) is among the top five receivers in the league. ...I can't blame the Packers for not chasing Randy Moss."
-- Unnamed rival.
ATHLON SPORTS
NFC North forecast: Second place.
Chatter: If all goes according to plan, a final playoff run could be Favre's going-away present.
Notable: The Packers' defense tallied 46 sacks while the offense gave up only 24, for a sack ratio of plus-22, third-best in the NFL and the only non-playoff team to crack the top eight.
By the numbers: Green Bay's 5-1 NFC North record was tied for the best division mark in the NFL.
Clueless: When Bob Harlan retired as Packers Chairman & CEO in May, it marked the end of an historic era in this storied franchise's history.
Quotable: "Packer fans are familiar with forest green and Forrest Gregg, but the 2007 Packers might have more in common with another Forrest -- Gump. Like his box of chocolates, you don't really know what to expect."
-- Athlon.
SPORTING NEWS
NFC North prediction: Second place (8-8).
Chatter: They're relying on a young roster to take a big step, but they may be a year away from advancing to the playoffs.
Notable: Guard Daryn Colledge is expected to make the most improvement of any player on the team. ... Receiver Shaun Bodiford will be the surprise of training camp and emerge as a big-play threat on special teams.
By the numbers: Packers receivers led the NFL in drops last season.
Clueless: Brett Favre has the offensive supporting cast to make one more playoff push, but the defense - despite some young stars - might not have enough to get the team above .500.
Quotable: "I don't think Brett Favre has declined anywhere outside the color of his hair. He's still most effective in situations where he has a chance to win. When the game is on the line, that's when he's at his best."
- Unnamed scout from another team.
LINDY'S
NFC North prediction: Third place.
Chatter: There's reason to question whether the Packers will have any more offensive punch than they did struggling through last season.
Notable: Most of the Packers' top playmakers - Brett Favre, Donald Driver, Charles Woodson and Al Harris - are in their 30s, so this team desperately needs a couple of youngsters to make major strides and show Pro Bowl-type ability if they are to qualify for the playoffs.
By the numbers: Twenty starters return from last season, including nine on offense and all 11 on defense.
Clueless: On one hand, Lindy's picks the Lions to finish second in the division. But in answering the question, "Which team is most likely to catch the Bears?", the magazine answers: "The Packers."
Quotable: Justin Harrell, a surprise selection in the first round, needs to be a difference maker early if the Packers are going to make up for their lack of offensive playmakers.
- Lindy's.
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
NFC North prediction: Second place (7-9).
Chatter: The window is open for Green Bay. However, the front office did little to improve an offense lacking gamebreakers and a team that had to rally furiously to finish 8-8.
Notable: Donald Driver is projected as the offensive MVP and A.J. Hawk the defensive MVP.
By the numbers: Only one spot on the entire defense is up for grabs: Marquand Manuel vs. Marviel Underwood at safety.
Clueless: Pro Football Weekly falls short in offering even a nugget or two of fresh information or compelling statistics.
Quotable: "Brett Favre has made far-lesser receivers look good."
- PFW on predicting a breakthrough season for receiver Greg Jennings.
By Mike Vandermause July 2, 2007
NFL regular-season games don't kick off for more than two months, but that hasn't stopped the so-called experts from weighing in on the 2007 season.
Four of five national publications surveyed predict the Green Bay Packers will finish second behind the Chicago Bears in the NFC North, while one magazine has the Packers placing third behind the Bears and Lions. The Packers are given only modest hopes of making the playoffs.
For what it's worth, most of these same publications forecast a last-place finish for the Packers in 2006 and are still wiping the egg off their faces after Green Bay finished second at 8-8.
What follows is a summary of how the Packers are being viewed nationally, including a "clueless" category devoted to some questionable analysis or useless information.
STREET & SMITH'S
NFC North forecast: Second place.
Chatter: The Pack is back? There are some subtle signs pointing to a playoff renewal for ageless Brett Favre and Green Bay.
Notable: In Favre's first 11 years with the club, the Packers were 75-13 at home. Since 2002, the Packers are 15-17 in Green Bay. Strangely, the slump has coincided with the renovation of Lambeau Field. It's as if friendly ghosts of the past have been disturbed.
By the numbers: During Favre's tenure, the Bears have started 20 different quarterbacks against him, the Lions 15 and the Vikings 12.
Clueless: How the Packers fare without longtime fullback William Henderson remains to be seen.
Quotable: "Don't tell anybody, but (Donald Driver) is among the top five receivers in the league. ...I can't blame the Packers for not chasing Randy Moss."
-- Unnamed rival.
ATHLON SPORTS
NFC North forecast: Second place.
Chatter: If all goes according to plan, a final playoff run could be Favre's going-away present.
Notable: The Packers' defense tallied 46 sacks while the offense gave up only 24, for a sack ratio of plus-22, third-best in the NFL and the only non-playoff team to crack the top eight.
By the numbers: Green Bay's 5-1 NFC North record was tied for the best division mark in the NFL.
Clueless: When Bob Harlan retired as Packers Chairman & CEO in May, it marked the end of an historic era in this storied franchise's history.
Quotable: "Packer fans are familiar with forest green and Forrest Gregg, but the 2007 Packers might have more in common with another Forrest -- Gump. Like his box of chocolates, you don't really know what to expect."
-- Athlon.
SPORTING NEWS
NFC North prediction: Second place (8-8).
Chatter: They're relying on a young roster to take a big step, but they may be a year away from advancing to the playoffs.
Notable: Guard Daryn Colledge is expected to make the most improvement of any player on the team. ... Receiver Shaun Bodiford will be the surprise of training camp and emerge as a big-play threat on special teams.
By the numbers: Packers receivers led the NFL in drops last season.
Clueless: Brett Favre has the offensive supporting cast to make one more playoff push, but the defense - despite some young stars - might not have enough to get the team above .500.
Quotable: "I don't think Brett Favre has declined anywhere outside the color of his hair. He's still most effective in situations where he has a chance to win. When the game is on the line, that's when he's at his best."
- Unnamed scout from another team.
LINDY'S
NFC North prediction: Third place.
Chatter: There's reason to question whether the Packers will have any more offensive punch than they did struggling through last season.
Notable: Most of the Packers' top playmakers - Brett Favre, Donald Driver, Charles Woodson and Al Harris - are in their 30s, so this team desperately needs a couple of youngsters to make major strides and show Pro Bowl-type ability if they are to qualify for the playoffs.
By the numbers: Twenty starters return from last season, including nine on offense and all 11 on defense.
Clueless: On one hand, Lindy's picks the Lions to finish second in the division. But in answering the question, "Which team is most likely to catch the Bears?", the magazine answers: "The Packers."
Quotable: Justin Harrell, a surprise selection in the first round, needs to be a difference maker early if the Packers are going to make up for their lack of offensive playmakers.
- Lindy's.
PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY
NFC North prediction: Second place (7-9).
Chatter: The window is open for Green Bay. However, the front office did little to improve an offense lacking gamebreakers and a team that had to rally furiously to finish 8-8.
Notable: Donald Driver is projected as the offensive MVP and A.J. Hawk the defensive MVP.
By the numbers: Only one spot on the entire defense is up for grabs: Marquand Manuel vs. Marviel Underwood at safety.
Clueless: Pro Football Weekly falls short in offering even a nugget or two of fresh information or compelling statistics.
Quotable: "Brett Favre has made far-lesser receivers look good."
- PFW on predicting a breakthrough season for receiver Greg Jennings.