Are You Optimistic about 2016?

[Fritz]

same core players, another group of new inexperienced players (thus keeping us one of the youngest teams in the nfl), loss of some experienced players that know our system, and late round draft picks, equals another 10-12 win team that will make the playoffs but not the superbowl. meh!

maybe i'm just getting old.

It's funny that someone else in this very thread posted that they didn't like the Packers heavily favoring the vets, keeping young talent on the bench. I think it was TPB.

So which is it?

My own sense is that a few years ago we were bitching that to run Capers's system properly you need veterans, but Ted was sabotaging it all by this reliance on raw kids - but I see Ted now re-signing more defensive vets. Guion back, Perry back, and maybe either Neal or Raji (I'd like to know why TPB has no desire for Raji to come back), so now Capers has vets who know the system.

[pbmax]

They need solid backup options at guard and tackle. They need to sign a backup running back. And they need to find a new starter at inside linebacker.

Of these needs, the only one that concerns me is finding a starter at ILB, I suspect they like Ryan. Ted will have four new offensive tackles from Poughkeepsie by the time camp starts. The backup guard and running back were probably on the roster last year.

The tight end in this offense, while I think it would help Rodgers immensely, is not a necessity for this offense to function well.

So I am almost as optimistic as ever, the only caveat is the dysfunction on offense last year. If it was the changing the coaches roles, they will be fine.

[texaspackerbacker]

He sorta said the same thing I said - going too much with "core players" and being slow to develop young talent. Hell, quite a few of those late round picks have been better than you'd expect according to where they were drafted.

I like Capers' system - with the personnel we have on D, we'd be screwed without it. We just can't line up and stop teams without the trickery. I remember literally decades of bland seldom blitzing D - going all the way back to Lombardi, when we actually had the personnel to win that way. That's why I like the Capers stuff.

As for Raji, I've just seen him pushed around too much. When he was drafted, I had visions of a dominant Vince Wilfork type guy in the D Line. He ain't that, not even close. He has been outplayed by basically every D Lineman competing with him even though all were lower picks or even FAs - Daniels, Boyd, Pennell, Guion, etc., and other than Daniels, none of those others has been anything special. Am I really the only one seeing that?

[RonWolfGOAT]

10 to 12 wins, 1st or 2nd round playoff exist.

We have seen if every year, why would this year be any different?

Sure the offense will be less injured, but maybe this year it will be another position? That's just the nature of the NFL.

And when someone inevitably does get injured, Bum Fuck McGee from Nowhere State who is undersized but plays hard will take his place.

We won't sign an ILB, we won't sign a TE. We'll hear reports in camp about "backman turning heads at TE" and "barrington is looking better than he did before his injury." etc etc Same shit different year.

[Striker]

I think you are wrong about the Vikings, they are a pretty good team and have great coaching.

Defensive coaching is great, though you never quite know what a Norv Turner offense will do.

AP is a year older and I think Bridgewater may be around his ceiling. So they'll get as far as their D and health will take them.

[Striker]

I'm cautiously optimistic. The injuries mounted everywhere, two of the most important players on the team crashed to earth, and the rookies played well.

If Rodgers and Lacy bounce back it'll do a lot to help the offense, which truly was the weakest part of the team last season. Plus with dedicated position coaches again (what a concept) one would assume both WRs and TEs will bounce back as well.

[George Cumby]

And when someone inevitably does get injured, Bum Fuck McGee from Nowhere State who is undersized but plays hard will take his place.

The proper term is "Barney Fuckdoggle". Try to keep up you ignorant worm.

[Cheesehead Craig]

On the optimism scale of 1-12, I'm about an 8 right now. If TT can hit the draft like last year, and Jordy shows to be his usual self, I'll go higher.

That said, the defense will still give me concerns, due to Capers. So it's hard for me to buy into that they will be as good as they were last year.

[pbmax]

1-12?