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The last 5 games give a small peep hole to what this team needs for future success. Maybe they have those needs on the roster already, maybe they have two days to trade for those needs, maybe they have to wait until 2010 for free agent market to open up( 
) or the NFL Draft in April.
It is never too early to determine what this team needs.
Offense
1. Tackle, whether it is left or right this team needs some help. Signing Mark Tauscher is a step in the right direction, but he is no longer a long term fit for this team. Clifton is all but done on this team as well, so going into 2010 the Packers will look to have two new starters on the bookends for the first time in 10 years. The questions are, whether Barbre is going to be the solution on the left and whether TJ Lang is more than just another Tony Moll. Amazingly enough Thompson has never spent more than a second round pick on an offensive linemen, so if the Packer are looking to improve their roster in 2010, most likely it will be with more low round draft picks.
2. Running back, Grant has yet to show the same ability that he demonstrated in 2007. He has yet to improve on his first season in Green Bay and at this point looks more like the street free agent that he was then the diamond in the rough of 2007. It is really hard to determine if he is the long term answer at running back that Thompson thought he could be when signing him to an extension in the summer of 2008. The only other player with any future in Green bay is Brandon Jackson. If Jackson could stay healthy he could at least give a base line on his ability at the position. But he has had injuries his last 3 years that has cost him games. He is as unproven as the day he has stepped off the plan from Nebraska.
Defense
1. Safety, Collins is still unsigned for the 2010 season and after. Collins is a strong talent and deserves a long term contract from the Packers. Outside of Collins the Packers have had a turnstyle at the strong safety position for the last two years. With no roster depth at the position the Packers will either have to trade to upgrade or spend some draft picks on a possible solution at the SS position. Bigby and Martin are not reliable solutions to the position at this point.
2. Inside Linebacker, Hawk isn't the answer at this point considering he played less than 20 plays against the lions. Nick Barnett could solidify one of the spots now that he has adjusted to his reconstructed knee, but the questions about his toughness and ability to shed block and make tackles in front of him instead of chasing from behind is still a matter of issue. Brandon Chillar is overated at this point, he is average in coverage, he hasn't made a play blitzing since week 1, and he gets engulfed at the point of attack, that is if he is even around the point of attack. Bishop isn't even considered an option at this point, which is too bad because he could be a viable run stopper and blitzer. Most likely neither Chillar or Hawk will be on the team in 2010. Hawk makes too much money to only play 15 snaps a game, and Chillar can be replaced by someone more well rounded. Barnett seems to be entrenched as the starter for long term. It is unlikely Thompson will trade at this point, but the position will have to be upgraded in 2010 most likely in the draft.
) or the NFL Draft in April. It is never too early to determine what this team needs.
Offense
1. Tackle, whether it is left or right this team needs some help. Signing Mark Tauscher is a step in the right direction, but he is no longer a long term fit for this team. Clifton is all but done on this team as well, so going into 2010 the Packers will look to have two new starters on the bookends for the first time in 10 years. The questions are, whether Barbre is going to be the solution on the left and whether TJ Lang is more than just another Tony Moll. Amazingly enough Thompson has never spent more than a second round pick on an offensive linemen, so if the Packer are looking to improve their roster in 2010, most likely it will be with more low round draft picks.
2. Running back, Grant has yet to show the same ability that he demonstrated in 2007. He has yet to improve on his first season in Green Bay and at this point looks more like the street free agent that he was then the diamond in the rough of 2007. It is really hard to determine if he is the long term answer at running back that Thompson thought he could be when signing him to an extension in the summer of 2008. The only other player with any future in Green bay is Brandon Jackson. If Jackson could stay healthy he could at least give a base line on his ability at the position. But he has had injuries his last 3 years that has cost him games. He is as unproven as the day he has stepped off the plan from Nebraska.
Defense
1. Safety, Collins is still unsigned for the 2010 season and after. Collins is a strong talent and deserves a long term contract from the Packers. Outside of Collins the Packers have had a turnstyle at the strong safety position for the last two years. With no roster depth at the position the Packers will either have to trade to upgrade or spend some draft picks on a possible solution at the SS position. Bigby and Martin are not reliable solutions to the position at this point.
2. Inside Linebacker, Hawk isn't the answer at this point considering he played less than 20 plays against the lions. Nick Barnett could solidify one of the spots now that he has adjusted to his reconstructed knee, but the questions about his toughness and ability to shed block and make tackles in front of him instead of chasing from behind is still a matter of issue. Brandon Chillar is overated at this point, he is average in coverage, he hasn't made a play blitzing since week 1, and he gets engulfed at the point of attack, that is if he is even around the point of attack. Bishop isn't even considered an option at this point, which is too bad because he could be a viable run stopper and blitzer. Most likely neither Chillar or Hawk will be on the team in 2010. Hawk makes too much money to only play 15 snaps a game, and Chillar can be replaced by someone more well rounded. Barnett seems to be entrenched as the starter for long term. It is unlikely Thompson will trade at this point, but the position will have to be upgraded in 2010 most likely in the draft.
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