Who will remain a starter???

[oregonpackfan]

the nickle cornerback changes every year.

I agree. Though Bush is scappy, he allows many big deep passes over the man he covers. May may find someone else in his place this season.

[Patler]

I'm not arguing with that....But, Bigby allowed the highest completion percentage (92.7% Packer Insider) than any other DB. He also had the most penalties.

In fairness to Bigby, if you want to consider his stats, among all Packer DBs, he also had the most interceptions, the most passes defensed, the most forced fumbles and the most tackles.

[The Leaper]

I would say the best chance is CB...because the potential disaster waiting to happen with the age of our starters and lack of depth has to be Thompson's most immediate concern.

At least at OG, we have young guys in there who at least have a chance to still improve...and who probably won't get any worse in the short term.

At CB, Harris and Woodson have the potential to see their play drop off a cliff at any time...and they aren't going to get any better than they were in 2007. We have no depth whatsoever behind them.

I also feel like no one we draft at OG would have a great chance of being a solid contributor as a starter in 2008. We could easily find a top backup CB even into the 4th and 5th round.

[packers11]

Leaper, Woodson is only 31 and still playing at a very high level... Woodson was always known for his speed/instincts on the football... I think he will be a starter for the next 3-4 years because even if he losses a little speed he still will be a very solid corner...

Al Harris on the other hand is 33 and was never known for his speed... If he losses anymore speed it could be a very steep decline... I could see another 2 years out of him at a starting level but his age will catch up to him and it will start to show...

[Patler]

Leaper, Woodson is only 31 and still playing at a very high level... Woodson was always known for his speed/instincts on the football... I think he will be a starter for the next 3-4 years because even if he losses a little speed he still will be a very solid corner...

Al Harris on the other hand is 33 and was never known for his speed... If he losses anymore speed it could be a very steep decline... I could see another 2 years out of him at a starting level but his age will catch up to him and it will start to show...

I think we will be making excuses for Al Harris in 2008, not wanting to admit he has slipped already.

[packers11]

Patler he still can play cornerback... He locked most people up all season besides T.O. and Plaxico that one time... If his play declines I'm sure the coaching staff will put woodson on the best wr or switch up their game plan...

I would still take Al Harris right now at the #2 spot, then any other cb playing in the league... I'm not saying his play won't decline, but it hasn't dropped off to were he is not even "solid" at his position...

[Lurker64]

I think part of the problem is that Green Bay is one of the only teams in the league that pretty much leave their corners on an island on the vast majority of plays. Our defense calls for a whole lot from Harris, and if slips just a little bit more it could be disastrous unless we adapt the scheme.

[packers11]

Very good point Lurker... I was listening to the radio down here in NE and they said that Asante thrives in the Pats D scheme... If he were to go to a place were they play man on coverage / bump and run; he would be a whole different cornerback. They all thought that if he were to go to a place like GB he would never last (hypothetically speaking, GB would never look at him in the first place)...

Its really hard to play the bump-run scheme like the packers do with the rules so out of your favor...

Al Harris and Charles Woodson led the league in the most 5 yard penalties on D... Its not their fault, the rules favor high scoring games... Teams have to adjust on D...

[Patler]

Patler he still can play cornerback... He locked most people up all season besides T.O. and Plaxico that one time... If his play declines I'm sure the coaching staff will put woodson on the best wr or switch up their game plan...

I would still take Al Harris right now at the #2 spot, then any other cb playing in the league... I'm not saying his play won't decline, but it hasn't dropped off to were he is not even "solid" at his position...

I disagree. I do not think he played as well this year as last, and I am not just referring to a few games.

[Patler]

I think part of the problem is that Green Bay is one of the only teams in the league that pretty much leave their corners on an island on the vast majority of plays. Our defense calls for a whole lot from Harris, and if slips just a little bit more it could be disastrous unless we adapt the scheme.

The biggest problem is that Harris can only play that type of coverage. He is not successful playing off of receivers, never really has been. He is also not real good in zones. He fits what the packers ask of him. When he no longer does, he will have to be replaced because he will not fair well if asked to do something else.

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

Patler he still can play cornerback... He locked most people up all season besides T.O. and Plaxico that one time... If his play declines I'm sure the coaching staff will put woodson on the best wr or switch up their game plan...

I would still take Al Harris right now at the #2 spot, then any other cb playing in the league... I'm not saying his play won't decline, but it hasn't dropped off to were he is not even "solid" at his position...

I disagree. I do not think he played as well this year as last, and I am not just referring to a few games.

I agree with Patler. Harris decline a lot last year compared to the year before. I think next year is his last as a starter.