13-3 season for the Pack? Read this optimistic assessment

[boiga]

I'm optimistic, but really trying to keep my expectations low after last season's disappointment.

Considering all the defensive readjustment and the comparative lack of experience on the offensive line, we shouldn't be shocked if we stumble a little out of the gate. I'm hoping for a 5-5 record going into the Thanksgiving Day game, and then a late season push once things start really clicking.



I'm saddened by your guys' analysis of Al's future here. although it is hard to counter. During the second half of last season, Harris played as well as at any point in his entire career. I hope he finds a niche in our new defense to continue that degree of dominance.

Also, I'm really looking forward to having Al trash talk Harvin into the ground. Harvin's a punk so being tossed on his ass by a bump would be a great introduction to the NFL.

[Patler]

.


Blackmon is awful.

Woodson
Williams
Harris
Underwood
Lee (ST's)
Bush (ST's)

I really hope Underwood pans out because I have little to no confidence in Blackmon or Lee panning out and Woodson is getting older.

Blackmon is no where near as bad as you make him out to be, not compared to what the Packers have had in the recent past. As for ST's, I don't recall Lee showing anything there, nor do I recall him being "advertised" as a ST prospect. Blackmon is the best return man the Packers have had in a while. It would be hard to throw that away so soon. With all the LBs that will be on the roster, it will be less necessary to keep DBs just for STs.

[vince]

I love April when 2 rookies step right in to perform at a high level and transform a defense by themselves.

Dom Capers and the rest of the defensive coaching staff, the prospects of an improved scheme, and the hope for a healthy veteran group (Hawk, Jenkins, Harrell, Woodson, Harris, Bigby, Rouse, Barnett, Pickett) have far more to do with prospects of an improved defense than the two rooks, who will also add much needed depth at important positions to the group.

[Patler]

1. Woodson being Woodson
2. Williams, if he is ready to start full time
3. Blackmon, the returning return man
4. Lee if he is ready to be the nickel back; and
5. Underwood as the new CB in training

Keep Harris. Underwood can be kept as the 4th safety/6th corner.

Ya, with a couple cross-over guys like Bush and Underwood, you have to kind of look at the last few spots for CBs and safeties as a group. The DBs are going to be interesting to watch during pre-season.

[rbaloha1]

The article is much too optimistic. Yes, The Packers are going to be improved especially in stopping the run.

ARod and the running game shall also be improved. The Packers could reach the Super Bowl in 2010.

[Guiness]

If they think Harris has another year, and Lee is a year away, would it be unheard of to trade Lee for a second (where he was taken) after he's been on the roster for a year? That seems high, but he's still a young guy with a lot of promise.

BTW Lee did play ST in college

He also totaled 299 yards on twelve kickoff returns (24.9 avg).

[Bossman641]

Even I've upped my expectations... but they still have a lot of work to do.

Raji will make everyone better on D... Capers will devise game plans that will generate more pressure, and hopefully the OL will be improved.

Add all that together, and you get a contender for the division... not a SB contender though. Although, with an improved defense, the could have a "punchers chance" of making some noise in the playoffs.

I feel like I'm living in bizarro world here.

Wist and Packnut optimistic? Tex negative about the Packers?

What the hell is going on out there??

[rbaloha1]

If they think Harris has another year, and Lee is a year away, would it be unheard of to trade Lee for a second (where he was taken) after he's been on the roster for a year? That seems high, but he's still a young guy with a lot of promise.

BTW Lee did play ST in college

He also totaled 299 yards on twelve kickoff returns (24.9 avg).

Why the disrespect for Harris from other posters? Generally, Harris is at the age where corners are replaced.

However Harris's skills are still top notch. Realize its the Pro Bowl but Harris was running well with all the wrs.

Lee was lost last season. Expect improvement and maybe in 2 seasons be a contributor.

[Gunakor]

If they think Harris has another year, and Lee is a year away, would it be unheard of to trade Lee for a second (where he was taken) after he's been on the roster for a year? That seems high, but he's still a young guy with a lot of promise.

BTW Lee did play ST in college

He also totaled 299 yards on twelve kickoff returns (24.9 avg).

Why the disrespect for Harris from other posters? Generally, Harris is at the age where corners are replaced.

However Harris's skills are still top notch. Realize its the Pro Bowl but Harris was running well with all the wrs.

Lee was lost last season. Expect improvement and maybe in 2 seasons be a contributor.

That's fine. Harris will be okay at least this year, and I expect at least 2 more good years out of Woodson. If Harris retires or is traded/cut after this season, T-Will seems ready to step in and be a starter. There'd be a dropoff, certainly, but I don't think Williams is that much worse than most of the starting corners in the NFL as is. So if it takes Pat Lee 2 more years to get up to NFL speed and become a legitimate starting cornerback for us, I think we have enough left in our current starters to facilitate that. I have not yet given up hope on Lee in the least.

[Partial]

I'd release Pat Lee. You are trying to implement a new D. Capers needs to have the best talent available to him. Harris is still one of the best on the roster. I trust that Capers will maximize his use of Harris and would be better served year one to have another vet over Lee who would have to have major significant improvemnt to even think about moving Harris.

And you like to tell me that I'm retarded

[Patler]

Why the disrespect for Harris from other posters? Generally, Harris is at the age where corners are replaced.

However Harris's skills are still top notch. Realize its the Pro Bowl but Harris was running well with all the wrs.

Lee was lost last season. Expect improvement and maybe in 2 seasons be a contributor.

What disrespect? It's roster management. As I wrote before, better to replace a player one year too soon than one year too late. It all depends on whether they have suitable replacements or not. If not, sure, you keep Harris for another year. But, if Williams is ready to start full time, AND if another DB is ready to step into the nickel role, what would be so wrong with moving Harris for a draft pick? No one is suggesting getting rid of Harris just for the heck of it. It depends on what is behind him on the roster.

Teams all over the NFL do that with veterans that are getting up in age, why shouldn't the Packers?

[cpk1994]

I'd release Pat Lee. You are trying to implement a new D. Capers needs to have the best talent available to him. Harris is still one of the best on the roster. I trust that Capers will maximize his use of Harris and would be better served year one to have another vet over Lee who would have to have major significant improvemnt to even think about moving Harris.

And you like to tell me that I'm retarded

So you are willing to keep an absolute nobody over Harris? If Harris was a shell of himself I would agree. Harris can still go. Lee hasn't shown a reason to keep him yet. If Lee doesn't improve, yes he should be released, especially if it comes down to him or Harris. You are the retarded one letting Harris go while you can still use him.

[3irty1]

I can't say I'd be surprised if Harris were moved but I expect them to keep him on. Sanders may be gone but a press coverage specialist can still earn his check especially against the less physical WR that all our division rivals have as their top weapon.

[boiga]

Teams all over the NFL do that with veterans that are getting up in age, why shouldn't the Packers?

Because Al is by far the coolest Packer.

Materialist logic isn't the greatest factor in regards to fans' perspectives.

[mission]

I didn't think it was age as much as it is Age X Salary ... Al's not getting paid SO MUCH where we have to cut him. I don't know the numbers but it's not an LT type situation we have.