Cliff Christl doubts '06 Packers will be as good as '05 team

[Terry]

As I said, I see no running game. 3.4 yards per carry tops and 65 yards per game are my guesses for 2006

Well, let's see.

1965:
Most carries: Jim Taylor, average yds/att = 3.5
2nd most carries: Paul Hornung, average yds/att = 3.4
Team result? NFL championship

1966:
Most carries: Jim Taylor, average yds/att = 3.5
2nd most carries: Elijah Pitts, average yds/att = 3.4
Team result? NFL championship

1967:
Most carries: Jim Grabowski, average yds/att = 3.9
2nd most carries: Ben Wilson, average yds/att = 4.4 (Oh, look!)
Team result? NFL championship

Now, let's see again:

1964:
Most carries: Jim Taylor, average yds/att = 5.0
2nd most carries: Paul Hornung, average yds/att = 4.0
Team result? Zilch
Ok, sorry, LOST the third place game - the game Lombardi considered a game for losers.

1963:
Most carries: Jim Taylor, average yds/att = 4.1
2nd most carries: Tom Moore, average yds/att = 5.0
Team result? Zilch
Ok, sorry, WON the third place game - the game Lombardi considered a game for losers.

PS. 1967 was also the year that Bart Starr threw 17 interceptions. It may not sound so high now, but for him it was astonishing - considering that for the previous 5 years, only one year had even hit double digits (10) and for two of the preceding 3 years (all of which were single digit), he had less than 5 interceptions. Good think '67 had that massive running attack (see above).

[Terry]

Whoops, double post, sorry

[Joemailman]

Looks to me like we're carrying 4 WRs this year. So you're saying TT = Sherman = stupid?

I'm not so sure yet. This roster will change more and soon. Probably this week. Leach or Humphrey will be gone as soon as Hendu is healthy.

I wonder if they are thinking that Blackmon could be #5 if injuries occur. Blackmon was actually quite good when B.C. switched him to WR last year.

[MJZiggy]

Hey, Terry!
Nice analysis man. Good research.

[ahaha]

Looks to me like we're carrying 4 WRs this year. So you're saying TT = Sherman = stupid?

I'm not so sure yet. This roster will change more and soon. Probably this week. Leach or Humphrey will be gone as soon as Hendu is healthy.

I wonder if they are thinking that Blackmon could be #5 if injuries occur. Blackmon was actually quite good when B.C. switched him to WR last year.

They also have Woodson to play receiver in a pinch. I still think they'll add a WR. There is still the possibility of a trade, especially with all the DT's.

[MuttnJeff]

I think when you compare to last year, you have to compare today's roster to the roster on opening day 2005, not the roster at end of last season.

There are injuries every year, this year will be no exception, so you have to include quality of depth in your analysis.

Where will this team be with Junius Coston as a starter?

Last year's team was competitive in almost every game. This year's offense will be highly sensitive to injuries. It is not a stretch to imagine that this year's squad could be less competitive. Harvey's analysis could hold true, but it assumes unlikely luck on injury front.

[Terry]

Hey, Terry!
Nice analysis man. Good research.

Thanks, Ziggy! Very nice of you. Too generous too, probably. pro-football-reference.com does all the work.