What are our real weaknesses?

[crosbiegrad]

I'm pretty sure this has been discussed in a round about way, but what is our weakness? Heading into the season we were all a little worried about the WR corps and we couldnt have been more wrong, we thought our TE situation was dire, again, wrong. I've always liked Poppinga but felt he was a liability and this year he has been ok. Who could have thought Ryan Grant would be the beast he is? And lastly, we were all worried a little about the safeties on the team, despite a great game last week, you can only really have guarded optimism for Atari Bigby. So yeah, what are our weaknesses? The O-line? Not so much anymore, what do we need in FA or the draft? Do we have many positions of "need"? Remember, I'm still kinda new to the whole American football thing!!! GO PACK!

[Scott Campbell]

While almost everything seems to be getting better as the season wears on, I think our pass rush was better early in the season.

[crosbiegrad]

So what do you think the solution to the pash rush problem is? Do we send someone like Poppinga on more blitzes? Bigby? It seems like these two guys can blitz, WHEN we get NE in the bowl, we'll be needing some pash rush!

[Scott Campbell]

So what do you think the solution to the pash rush problem is? Do we send someone like Poppinga on more blitzes? Bigby? It seems like these two guys can blitz, WHEN we get NE in the bowl, we'll be needing some pash rush!

For this game I think it may depend on how well it goes. I don't think they can go blitz crazy against a good Giant rushing game.

Long term they need Jolly and a healthy or a more productive Cullen Jenkins. I don't think it's too bad - I just don't think its quite as effective as it was early on.

[superfan]

Good post. Last offseason the strengths and weaknesses seemed to be pretty obvious. This team has few glaring holes now compared to this time last year.

If I was GM I would look for upgrades at offensive guard and safety, and a young CB or two to help in nickel and dime situations now, and as eventual replacements for Harris and Woodson. Blackmon might be able to fill that role, but with all of his injuries it's tough to say.

Rob Davis ain't getting any younger. First round pick on a longsnapper?

I'm not in love with Popp, but he is serviceable as the third best starting LB. I might also look for another TE, especially if Bubba doesn't return.

[OS PA]

So what do you think the solution to the pash rush problem is? Do we send someone like Poppinga on more blitzes? Bigby? It seems like these two guys can blitz, WHEN we get NE in the bowl, we'll be needing some pash rush!

For this game I think it may depend on how well it goes. I don't think they can go blitz crazy against a good Giant rushing game.

Long term they need Jolly and a healthy or a more productive Cullen Jenkins. I don't think it's too bad - I just don't think its quite as effective as it was early on.

Jolly really was a key cog to the equation. When we lost him, and then lost Cole, we lost our two of our top three run stuffing DT's and put Williams in there. He's done an amiable job trying to stop the run, but he's just so much better at getting to the QB on passing downs. If you forget, he also could swing to DE to spell Kampy or Jenkins if there was a need.

[Deputy Nutz]

The Packers were also playing against some pretty bad QBs in the first 10 weeks. Kampman has worn down and KGB has lost a step due to ankle and knee injuries. Jenkins really hasn't been good in the pass rush since the pre season.

If it were up to me, I would blitz more than 19% of the time, I would bring safeties, Hawk, Barnett, and corners to blitz. If Eli can handle defenders flying all over the place, more power to him.

[Packers4Ever]

So what do you think the solution to the pash rush problem is? Do we send someone like Poppinga on more blitzes? Bigby? It seems like these two guys can blitz, WHEN we get NE in the bowl, we'll be needing some pash rush!

Excuse me, crosbiegrad and everyone else, for butting in to your post
but I just wanted to say Welcome to crosbiegrad, we hope you'll enjoy
this Forum and all the great posters and readers here. Come back
and visit again, crosbie, Questions welcome! :P

[Cheesehead Craig]

Good post. Last offseason the strengths and weaknesses seemed to be pretty obvious. This team has few glaring holes now compared to this time last year.

If I was GM I would look for upgrades at offensive guard and safety, and a young CB or two to help in nickel and dime situations now, and as eventual replacements for Harris and Woodson. Blackmon might be able to fill that role, but with all of his injuries it's tough to say.

Rob Davis ain't getting any younger. First round pick on a longsnapper?

I'm not in love with Popp, but he is serviceable as the third best starting LB. I might also look for another TE, especially if Bubba doesn't return.

I think an OLB would be a nice pickup this draft on the first day. It's not a necessity, but getting a high-quality backup would be nice to have.

[gbgary]

ok........i don't think we really have any glaring weaknesses on the field. everyone's doing great. when we failed it was a failure of scheme or plan compounded by injuries. everyone's healthy. as for draft more depth at o-line and db is what i'd like to see. maybe another lb.

[The Leaper]

Our biggest weakness at this point IMO is inexperience. Compared to a team like NE or SD, our roster doesn't have a whole lot of guys who have experienced the playoffs prior to this season. I think it also translates to the coaching staff somewhat as well.

Maybe at some points, the inexperience is an advantage...but I think most of the time it is a disadvantage.

[CaliforniaCheez]

First off the Packes are a good team so weaknesses are not as bad as most teams.

1. Run game directed at DE's. Not wide sweeps and not up the middle but off tackle to the outside is where I would attack if I were the Giants.

2. The tight end downfield versus Poppinga or a safety.

Against the Offense

1. The O-line has had some difficulty with picking up stunts.

2. Corner blitz.

These are not major defects but these items have been somewhat effective
against the Packers.

[CaliforniaCheez]

If you are talking about the draft or free agency.

1. High quality CB such as a 1st round pick.

2. OLB depth or perhaps a guy that can challenge Popinga to start in 2 years. 3rd round pick??

3. Back up Center who can Long Snap. An LS specialist is too much of a luxury.

4. TE depth. Two TE formations are nice and Bubba and his big contract is not getting faster or cheaper.

5. A QB project. 3rd stringer or practice squad guy to develop. Long term Rodgers is not, and nobody is, as durable as Brett.

6. RB I like Grant and Jackson. Herron and Morency will be gone. Wynn and White are question marks.

7. Kick and Punt returner?? I hate saying that.

8. I think Ted might really suprise Packer fans when he takes a BPA DE

[crosbiegrad]

all good posts, thanks. I think that my biggest concern that i did not expect to have is the play of Al Harris, dont get me wrong, he has been far from poor and he is definetely above average but for me he has has a decline in play this year, so yeah another db would be good but in all honesty, I have liked Tramon Williams and if blackmon can stay heathy we may be better off than what we think

[SkinBasket]

I have a weakness for wine and pizza. And double cheeseburgers from McDonalds.

The Packers have a similar problem. Poppinga must be upgraded if they are going to insist on keeping Collins and Bigby at safety. Bishop hit hard and wasn't a complete bum in his preseason and clean up time this year, but other than that, White's place is on ST, and Hodge may or may not ever play at a serviceable level again. A solid OL outside of center would be nice too. Fill it out with a couple DBs and DLs in the middle/late rounds.