Tweet
I'll start. It's the top 10 improvements, in reverse order, from a year ago.
10. Ryan Grant/Brandon Jackson - Grant was slowed most of the season with his hamstring injury. He should run harder and break more runs being healthy. Brandon Jackson is 23 years old heading into his third season. Physically and mentally he should take yet another step. The Packers may not have one star, but if they can have two good players sharing the load, it will go a long way toward becoming a more balanced offensive football team.
9. Tramon Williams - Already a good player, Tramon Williams is poised to take off and become a starter. Capers owes nothing to anybody. Look for Woodson and Williams to be the starting corners by the end of the season.
8. James Jones - I'm a huge Jones fan. The guy is strong, good after the catch, has great hands, is tough. . . There are only so many balls, but one injury will happen in front of him and he will take advantage of his playing time
7. Jordy Nelson - Our best run blocking receiver, our biggest receiver and if his college and short NFL career have anything to say, he might be our surest handed receiver. With his complete set of skills, it's going to be hard to keep him off the field.
6. Justin Harrell - From bust to quality starting DE. Getting good play from Harrell and the addition of Raji would go a long way toward bolstering our run game and through rest and rotation, improving the pass rush.
5. Josh Sitton - Did nothing a year ago. Will go from not contributing at all, to being a key member of a much improved running game.
4. Cullen Jenkins - From doing nothing on the sideline to stopping the run and creating pressure from the starting DE position and some sub package DT. Having Jenkins healthy is as good as adding a quality free agent but without the monster contract.
3. BJ Raji - I expect Raji's impact will be as a pass rusher early in his career. He will help in the rotation, keeping everyone fresh and stopping the run. His big plays will come in the nickle package where his impressive first step, balance and strength will make him tough to block with one lineman.
2. Dom Capers - I'm a big believer in players making most of the difference. However, Capers comes with a wealth of knowledge, a track record that proves success and experience with the hoodie. We will go from one of the most predictable defenses in the NFL to a defense that is hard to plan against. Also, the Packers are thin on the DL. What better way to improve the DL than to take one out of every play. Just moving to the 3-4 means we need less lineman.
1. Aaron Rodgers - I know he had a borderline probowl year last year, but he can improve. I'm sure there were little things that overwealmed him that we didn't notice. I'm sure there are little things he could have done to a little better in every aspect of the game. The 2nd year starting should be huge for Rodgers. Look for a probowl year out of the most important position on the team. Look for me to go buy my first Packer jersey since Reggie White.
10. Ryan Grant/Brandon Jackson - Grant was slowed most of the season with his hamstring injury. He should run harder and break more runs being healthy. Brandon Jackson is 23 years old heading into his third season. Physically and mentally he should take yet another step. The Packers may not have one star, but if they can have two good players sharing the load, it will go a long way toward becoming a more balanced offensive football team.
9. Tramon Williams - Already a good player, Tramon Williams is poised to take off and become a starter. Capers owes nothing to anybody. Look for Woodson and Williams to be the starting corners by the end of the season.
8. James Jones - I'm a huge Jones fan. The guy is strong, good after the catch, has great hands, is tough. . . There are only so many balls, but one injury will happen in front of him and he will take advantage of his playing time
7. Jordy Nelson - Our best run blocking receiver, our biggest receiver and if his college and short NFL career have anything to say, he might be our surest handed receiver. With his complete set of skills, it's going to be hard to keep him off the field.
6. Justin Harrell - From bust to quality starting DE. Getting good play from Harrell and the addition of Raji would go a long way toward bolstering our run game and through rest and rotation, improving the pass rush.
5. Josh Sitton - Did nothing a year ago. Will go from not contributing at all, to being a key member of a much improved running game.
4. Cullen Jenkins - From doing nothing on the sideline to stopping the run and creating pressure from the starting DE position and some sub package DT. Having Jenkins healthy is as good as adding a quality free agent but without the monster contract.
3. BJ Raji - I expect Raji's impact will be as a pass rusher early in his career. He will help in the rotation, keeping everyone fresh and stopping the run. His big plays will come in the nickle package where his impressive first step, balance and strength will make him tough to block with one lineman.
2. Dom Capers - I'm a big believer in players making most of the difference. However, Capers comes with a wealth of knowledge, a track record that proves success and experience with the hoodie. We will go from one of the most predictable defenses in the NFL to a defense that is hard to plan against. Also, the Packers are thin on the DL. What better way to improve the DL than to take one out of every play. Just moving to the 3-4 means we need less lineman.
1. Aaron Rodgers - I know he had a borderline probowl year last year, but he can improve. I'm sure there were little things that overwealmed him that we didn't notice. I'm sure there are little things he could have done to a little better in every aspect of the game. The 2nd year starting should be huge for Rodgers. Look for a probowl year out of the most important position on the team. Look for me to go buy my first Packer jersey since Reggie White.
Comment