Prediction for 2009

[HarveyWallbangers]

Giacomini was a 5th round pick. I don't think they had any grand hopes that he'd start this year. Probably saw something they liked, but he obviously wasn't close to being able to contribute this year, or he would have played against the Lions. It would then be a stretch to project him as a starter in 2009.

[rpiotr01]

Colledge isn't the answer at LT. I'm hoping either Oher or Jason Smith is around at #9 and that should take care of that.

I'm not so sure about that. I'm reasonably confident that Colledge isn't the answer at either guard spot, but he's been much more productive (and natural) playing Tackle, which was his position at Boise State.

Really? I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree. I mean, he hasn't gotten killed this year like he did his first year against Jason Taylor. But we haven't seen him go up any of the real premier ends. Just think about the competition in the division. Can you imagine him going one on one against Jared Allen all game long like Clifton does? I think it would be a blood bath. I just don't see the strength, quickness and feet for it. I think he's been doing pretty well where he is at LG, I'd be inclined to leave him there. I mean, if push came to shove maybe next year if there is no choice, but I don't think he's the long term answer at LT.

This really could be the year to get a top LT in the draft. I don't want this team to be picking top ten for a while after this year, so I hope they take advantage of picking in the range where the best LTs are found.

[Gunakor]

Giacomini was a 5th round pick. I don't think they had any grand hopes that he'd start this year. Probably saw something they liked, but he obviously wasn't close to being able to contribute this year, or he would have played against the Lions. It would then be a stretch to project him as a starter in 2009.

I'm not talking about 2009 necessarily. I'm talking long term. Taucher was a 7th round pick, and a little patience went a long way with him.

2009 I'm guessing will have Clifton returning at least, and Colledge most likely starting on the other side. 2010 will likely see Clifton retired, and by then I think Gia could be ready. They wouldn't have drafted him if they didn't intend on playing him at some point.

Again, his non contribution this year from all I've read has to do with his lack of bulk, not a lack of talent. They're not going to put him out there if he's gonna be knocked on his ass every time he has to stop a bull rush. Even against the Lions.

[RashanGary]

Here's my guesses:

Short term: Clifton/Spitz/Wells/Sitton/Colledge
Long term: Draft/(Colledge or Draft)/Spitz/Sitton/(Draft or Colledge)

Giacomini has an outside chance. I don't like Barbre. Wells is fine if you don't have anything better so he may be a part of the long term as well. Moll is below average. I'm hoping for a couple good draft picks over the next year or two.

[texaspackerbacker]

Do you guys think it was some kind of an accident Sitton and Giacomini were drafted? Hell no. They were drafted by a ZBS team to be ZBS linemen. If they are perceived to be more physical, fine, but supposedly, they are mobile enough to do the ZBS thing. You can say the same for Spitz and Barbre and even Moll.

Who was NOT drafted to work in the ZBS? Well, aside from the old timers--Clifton and Tauscher, there is Wells--a holdover from pre-ZBS times, and he is clearly the least physical of the bunch.

I also think it will eventually end up Colledge, Spitz, Giacomini, maybe Barbre, and one or two draft picks--I would think mid round (3rd-5th) instead of high round. Hopefully, that comes after we get one more decent year out of Clifton.

The team may get a touch more physical within the ZBS, but I really don't see the Packers getting away from ZBS as long as McCarthy is there.

As for what somebody said about running more, hell no. We need to run less, or at least run less on early downs. We need to pass to set up the run instead of vice-versa. Call that "pretty boy/red carpet" or whatever, but that is what needs to be done to maximize offensive performance.

As for "toughening up" the defense, that too better be done within the context of the current scheme, or at least with man coverage by the corners and a minimum of blitzing. Stay the hell away from the stupidity of these so-called "pressure defenses"--the crap pushed by Gregg Williams, Sean McDermott, and maybe a couple of other DC candidates.

This is still a 13-3/14-4 team--that just happened to get derailed by injuries and other forms of bad luck this past season. Let's refrain from idiotic boat-rocking that will certainly drag the Packers down from that level.

[Guiness]

I don't think anybody knows enough about Giacomini. I'm no expert, but I'd be fine with Clifton and Colledge as our OTs this year and bringing on Giacomini (or better yet, a more highly acclaimed guy we acquire relatively early in the draft) slowly. It might be foolish to count on a guy like Giacomini.

2009
Clifton, Spitz, Wells, Sitton, Colledge?

Long-term
Colledge, Barbre, Spitz, Sitton, high draft pick?

I'd hate to see Tauscher gone. I know the injury might make the decision for us.

[Guiness]

Here's my guesses:

Short term: Clifton/Spitz/Wells/Sitton/Colledge
Long term: Draft/(Colledge or Draft)/Spitz/Sitton/(Draft or Colledge)

Giacomini has an outside chance. I don't like Barbre. Wells is fine if you don't have anything better so he may be a part of the long term as well. Moll is below average. I'm hoping for a couple good draft picks over the next year or two.

Based on what do you not like Barbre? I think we know about as much about him as we do about Giacomini.

[Gunakor]

Do you guys think it was some kind of an accident Sitton and Giacomini were drafted? Hell no. They were drafted by a ZBS team to be ZBS linemen. If they are perceived to be more physical, fine, but supposedly, they are mobile enough to do the ZBS thing. You can say the same for Spitz and Barbre and even Moll.

Who was NOT drafted to work in the ZBS? Well, aside from the old timers--Clifton and Tauscher, there is Wells--a holdover from pre-ZBS times, and he is clearly the least physical of the bunch.

I also think it will eventually end up Colledge, Spitz, Giacomini, maybe Barbre, and one or two draft picks--I would think mid round (3rd-5th) instead of high round. Hopefully, that comes after we get one more decent year out of Clifton.

The team may get a touch more physical within the ZBS, but I really don't see the Packers getting away from ZBS as long as McCarthy is there.

As for what somebody said about running more, hell no. We need to run less, or at least run less on early downs. We need to pass to set up the run instead of vice-versa. Call that "pretty boy/red carpet" or whatever, but that is what needs to be done to maximize offensive performance.

As for "toughening up" the defense, that too better be done within the context of the current scheme, or at least with man coverage by the corners and a minimum of blitzing. Stay the hell away from the stupidity of these so-called "pressure defenses"--the crap pushed by Gregg Williams, Sean McDermott, and maybe a couple of other DC candidates.

This is still a 13-3/14-4 team--that just happened to get derailed by injuries and other forms of bad luck this past season. Let's refrain from idiotic boat-rocking that will certainly drag the Packers down from that level.

Tex, would you be opposed to a Philadelphia style blitz happy defense? Because, I mean, they are pretty good. Consistenly good. Year to year good, not rollercoaster good then bad. I have no problem with blitzing if it works, and it works in Philadelphia. That's what McDermott would be bringing here - a blitz heavy defense that WORKS. Not a Bob Slowik blitz happy defense that gets shredded week in and week out.

You can't honestly look at a Jim Johnson defense in Philadelphia and not be excited about it. Those guys are so badass. I love what they do there. And I'd be all for bringing that style of defense here to Green Bay.

[steve823]

11-5..you heard it here first. seriously

[sheepshead]

A solid defense and consistent OL will make our offense better. You'll see a couple of offensive pro-bowlers in 09. Rodgers and Jennings?

[sheepshead]

Brett Favre will....

[RashanGary]

Here's my guesses:

Short term: Clifton/Spitz/Wells/Sitton/Colledge
Long term: Draft/(Colledge or Draft)/Spitz/Sitton/(Draft or Colledge)

Giacomini has an outside chance. I don't like Barbre. Wells is fine if you don't have anything better so he may be a part of the long term as well. Moll is below average. I'm hoping for a couple good draft picks over the next year or two.

Based on what do you not like Barbre? I think we know about as much about him as we do about Giacomini.

I don't like that he's in his 2nd year and a rookie (Sitton) beat him out for playing time. I don't like that he's not good enough to beat out Wells for a spot. I don't like that he's not good enough to beat out Moll for playing time. The writing is on the wall. Maybe he "gets it" late because he's a slow learner, but I'm guessing they never trust him because he's so damn stupid. Everyone loved him when we picked him becuase he was this "raw athlete" that could do it all. I saw an idiot that mgiht never learn.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Everyone loved him when we picked him becuase he was this "raw athlete" that could do it all. I saw an idiot that mgiht never learn.

Well, Sitton isn't much smarter apparently.