3rd Year Players-Who Has Break Out Season?

[hoosier]

The lingering doubts about Barbre: he hasn't done anything yet, and MM has had the same blocking system in place for four off-seasons now and still hasn't managed to establish continuity in the form of known starters.

Ummm........

Clifton-Colledge-Wells-Spitz-Tausher has been our healthy lineup for all but the Chiefs game in '07 (Colledge was benched in favor of Coston) throughout MM's tenure.

What am I missing?

Is it really certain that your ineup would have started every healthy game the last two years? There was frequent talk last summer of starting Spitz at center and Sitton at RG even if Wells was healthy. The point I was trying to make was that none of the nominal OL starters, with the possible exception of Colledge, seem to have really secured a position and developed into a solid starter. Spitz seemed like he was on the verge of doing so last fall, but then (by all reports) he had a regression last year. Tauscher and Clifton are showing signs of breaking down and it's far from clear whether the Packers have their replacements on the current roster. The OL isn't a disaster, and it's possible that this is the year it gels into a solid unit, but it's not there yet.

[Scott Campbell]

Williams...

Hopefully Barbre can step up... Harrell is a bust.

I've watched him a little at OTA's. He looks like a slug. I'm still hoping

Slug? You are talking about Harrell - right?

If so, not good.

[RashanGary]

He doesn't look quick at all. He looks big and slow. I've barely watched him though, it's an observation of one or two plays.

[rbaloha1]

Voted for JH. Working with Pickett and Raji allows JH to possibly flourish. The size, power and explosion should surface this season on a consistent basis.

Runner up is Brandon Jackson. Never goes down after initial contact and learned how to read blocks better. Already the best pass receiver. The Grant/Jackson may rival the Levens/Bennett tandem.

[Guiness]

Agreed that Jones and Williams shouldn't be there. Done too much already to truly be considered 'break out' unless one goes pro bowl or something.

I'd like to say Harrel, but Jackson is more likely, IMO.

[Joemailman]

I see the points about Jones and Williams not belonging on the list. In the case of Jones, he had a poor finish in 2007, and then had an injury-plagued season in 2008. He's had just 24 catches in the Packers last 20 games, so I wouldn't say he's as established as some think.

In the case of Williams, he could have a break-out season for 2 reasons. First, he may be a better fit for this defense than Al Harris is. Second, Harris is at an age where he could start to decline. If he does, Williams will have a real opportunity.

[falco]

I see the points about Jones and Williams not belonging on the list. In the case of Jones, he had a poor finish in 2007, and then had an injury-plagued season in 2008. He's had just 24 catches in the Packers last 20 games, so I wouldn't say he's as established as some think.

In the case of Williams, he could have a break-out season for 2 reasons. First, he may be a better fit for this defense than Al Harris is. Second, Harris is at an age where he could start to decline. If he does, Williams will have a real opportunity.

Williams had a real opportunity last year, and showed he is the second coming of Deion Sanders.

Joe, did you even watch any games last year???

[Joemailman]

I did. I thought he played great when filling in for Al Harris. I thought he did not play quite as well when filling in for Woodson when Woodson was moved to safety. I think he's a talented player who still has room for improvement.

[falco]

I did. I thought he played great when filling in for Al Harris. I thought he did not play quite as well when filling in for Woodson when Woodson was moved to safety. I think he's a talented player who still has room for improvement.

I agree completely. I was being overly dramatic. I think he'll be a solid starter for the next 5-6 years.

[Willard]

Wynn. Just a hunch....and I wanted to be different.