January of 2013 vs January of 2012----WHICH January brings the most optimmism in year ahead

[Bretsky]

I was thinking about this last night.

At the end of last season, we finished the regular season 15-1 and lost to a Giant Team that beat our asses down...but they also got some breaks.

Going into the draft last year, many of us didn't see that many holes and were all about TT trading up to fill the few positions of need we had.

How do we feel now ? What is the consensus now ? Better or worse than one year ago at this time ????

After getting our ass kicked a few times by the teams we would categorize as my powerful/physical (Giants\Niners)......one could note a pattern that we just don't match up against the teams that are powerful in the trenches.

I'm not sure where I stand. Certainly we are set up for many years of playoffs runs in a row......but when I look at this roster I see more holes that need to be filled than I did at the end of last year.

We do have more talent as far as cover guys go via the draft but we undoubtedly still lack one hitter back there in the secondary....an enforcer type who is an all around player....and we seem to lack one rising star at both DL and at LB. Perhaps that guy is last year's first round pick; unlike Derrek Sherry I saw something from him that leaves me some optimism he can be a player sometimes down the road.

Jennings is leaving, bu still gotta still like the WR's next year and Finley I think stays so I'm not sure we lose much there.

But our OL leaves plenty of room for concern............maybe it's just the running game.....so I'm not sure if you want to say we need a legit RB or another legit OL. If there is an oustanding prospect at Center in round one or two, that would go a long way toward stabalizing this line. Newhouse is not good; but he's not that bad either and I think he can be serviceable.

QB.........we're set as long as AROD stays healthy and screwed if he does not.


So the question....with some reqeusts to share your thoughts....................

Are you more or less optimistic about this Packer team than you were one year ago after getting bounced from the playoffs ????

[Bretsky]

ooops.........spelled optimism wrong in the Title................

CALLING WIST............I want to hear your anti homer views on this too

[Joemailman]

I don't think that much has changed, except for the fact I'm convinced the Packers still need a replacement for Nick Collins. They will be losing great players like Jennings and Woodson soon, but it appears TT has done a pretty good job of drafting their replacements. If TT can upgrade the Safety and Defensive line positions in the draft, I think they're in pretty good shape. I don't think the prospects of the offensive line going forward are as bad as people think.

[pbmax]

It all depends on how you feel about the health and immediate future prospects of Bulaga and Sherrod. I am guardedly optimistic and therefore feel much the same as last year. My concerns on D have shifted forward, from DBs and OLBs to DL, but that is it. My concern over the D is less than it was last year.

[Patler]

It all depends on how you feel about the health and immediate future prospects of Bulaga and Sherrod. I am guardedly optimistic and therefore feel much the same as last year. My concerns on D have shifted forward, from DBs and OLBs to DL, but that is it. My concern over the D is less than it was last year.

I agree with pbmax 100%. Last year at this time I was petty down about half the team. The defense was horrible. But some ground has been made in fixing it, and I think the offense will rebound to some middle position between the "O" of 2011 and that of 2012. A lot will depend on the health of not only Bulaga and Sherrod, but also the health of Nelson next year, and whether another top WR is found to go with Nelson, Jones and Cobb. Finley is the wild card.

There are still holes to fill on defense to be sure, but there is more young talent on that side than there has been in a long time. I'm not sure what to think about Tramon Williams, and the injury to Worthy is a concern for next year. I'm not sure why, but I am guardedly optimistic about Perry, and he is a guy who could give the defense a tougher edge to it.

I guess I feel better than last year, perhaps only because the team has better balance than a year ago.

[Bretsky]

It all depends on how you feel about the health and immediate future prospects of Bulaga and Sherrod. I am guardedly optimistic and therefore feel much the same as last year. My concerns on D have shifted forward, from DBs and OLBs to DL, but that is it. My concern over the D is less than it was last year.

We need Buluga back; Sherry.......no expectation here

[smuggler]

I'd say the January 2012 outlook was better than the January 2013 outlook, but it's still not bad.

[SkinBasket]

I agree with pbmax 100%.

I do too even though he's kind of a jerk. I feel the team is in a more flexible position than it was last off season, whatever the fuck that means. I think what I mean is that Ted Thompson is fucking awesome, like that Thrift Shop song. Just because you didn't pay $50 for that t-shirt doesn't mean it isn't a nice shirt, it just means he's not a bitch who pays a lot of money for shiny things. Shiny things being overpriced black men in this extended mixed metaphor, or is it a simile? So instead of having one tee shirt from Wet Seal that will probably be mocked in a year or two for looking stupid or getting a big hole in the armpit, he has a whole drawer of nice, plain shirts that can be worn in different combinations with different pants and shorts and stuff.

The offensive line is what worries me most and I'm very smart, so you should feel that way too.

[RashanGary]

The offensive line is what worries me most and I'm very smart, so you should feel that way too.

No reason to quote this, but here it is anyway .


I'm most worried about the interior of our defensive back 7 and RB.

[woodbuck27]

Good question B.

a) Our team has picked it up a long ways on 'D' from the 2011 season but we need help at LBer to seal the edge.

b) We need 'a strong big body player' on the DL to assist and take pressure off Pickett and Raji. Those men are certainly wearing down.

c) We need to see an improvement overall in team tackling and that goes to the size, strength and speed of the defensive roster.

d) We see the need for a FS that can cover up the weakness with the loss of Nick Collins. We need a punishing hitter back there.

e) We're likely losing our NO. 1 WR in Greg Jennings; so we need to see Jordy Nelson return to 2011 season form. James Jones has shown us a break out year and Randall Cobb looks great but we need more at WR. Without emphasis there the effectiveness of Aaron Rodgers is wasted. We need to see more chemistry between our QB and whomever plays TE. That problem must be solved in order to run a real WCO.

f) An upgrade at RB would be nice but are we ready for that investment? You don't put the cart before the horse. Before TT goes there he needs to see our OL shored up. We need to upgrade at both tackle positions and see development at center. Do we have the men at present to get that done? TT and MM must know the answer to that. The OL is a NO. 1 priority.

Win some - lose some. It's there in regards to how we are, entering this off season compared to last. Overall we're three - four solid position upgrades towords becoming a much improved, more competitive team with the big boys. It's a step by step process that IMO, and if all goes on schedule. Should realistically take at least two-three seasons.

All that matters is winning the Super Bowl. So much of that has to do with luck and momentum.

GO PACKERS !

[SkinBasket]

e) We're likely losing our NO. 1 WR in Greg Jennings; so we need to see Jordy Nelson return to 2011 season form. James Jones has shown us a break out year and Randall Cobb looks great but we need more at WR. Without emphasis there the effectiveness of Aaron Rodgers is wasted. We need to see more chemistry between our QB and whomever plays TE. That problem must be solved in order to run a real WCO.

36 receptions for 366 yards and 4 TDs are not NO. 1 WR numbers. Ergo, he was not our number one WR. We're losing an athletic receiver who's had a couple of standout seasons. There of lots of those guys around. I like him, but he's averaged 60 rec a year for 930 and 7.5 TD a season. Hardly irreplaceable.

[Cheesehead Craig]

c) We need to see an improvement overall in team tackling and that goes to the size, strength and speed of the defensive roster.

While I agree that the Packers need to improve tackling; tackling is not about size, speed, and strength. It's about technique and desire. Lots of big, strong, fast players out there who can't tackle worth a damn because they just think that slamming into the ball carrier will bring him down. Get the right form and technique and good things will happen.

[George Cumby]

I am less optimistic. The Vikes will continue to improve, the Bears will be better. If Woodson stays, he will be another year older, if he goes, we lose that leadership. My perception is that the Packers just seem a little too satisfied and complacent, there is a hard edge missing.

[woodbuck27]

36 receptions for 366 yards and 4 TDs are not NO. 1 WR numbers. Ergo, he was not our number one WR. We're losing an athletic receiver who's had a couple of standout seasons. There of lots of those guys around. I like him, but he's averaged 60 rec a year for 930 and 7.5 TD a season. Hardly irreplaceable.

When we entered this past season 'the 2012 season'. It was my understanding that Greg Jennings was ranked as our NO. 1 WR; and that inspite of the lofty numbers put up in 2011 by Jordy Nelson.

Greg Jennings no longer rates such status given his health last season. Clearly last season given the numbers. James Jones has earned consideration for that distinction.

PACKERS !

[mraynrand]

We need to see more chemistry between our QB and whomever plays TE. That problem must be solved in order to run a real WCO.

why would the Packers want to run a 'real WCO' when they haven't for over a decade.