Finish the sentence: Packers win the Super Bowl if...

[vince]

You have to include Neal and Hayward as losses. Both played a lot. Jones was their leading receiver in both yards and TDs. While he doesn't feel like much of a loss, he has to be included. For that matter, Kuhn should be included, too. GB does uses a FB often, and Ripkowski played only a handful of plays.

The only way Neal is a loss is if Perry goes down - which is obviously a possibility. Hayward contributed very little last year - nothing I'd say - that his replacement isn't almost a certainty to fulfill - at far lower cost.

I don't see how any of those guys mentioned are realistically losses at this point. In all of those cases, I'd say the odds are high that the guy who takes those snaps (APRH again) brings equal or greater value.

[Joemailman]

I pretty much agree with Vince. Not all departures are losses. I think TT does a pretty good job of figuring out who to keep and who to let go.

[Patler]

The only way Neal is a loss is if Perry goes down - which is obviously a possibility. Hayward contributed very little last year - nothing I'd say - that his replacement isn't almost a certainty to fulfill - at far lower cost.

I don't see how any of those guys mentioned are realistically losses at this point. In all of those cases, I'd say the odds are high that the guy who takes those snaps (APRH again) brings equal or greater value.

I misunderstood. I thought your lists were quantitative identifications of loses and gains, not a qualitative analysis.

Following your initial comment, if Lacy is listed as "hopefully" a gain, Neal and Hayward should be identified as "hopefully" not losses. Hayward was the nickel back, his replacement (Rollins?) is unproven. Didn't one of the advanced stats sites have Hayward among the league leaders in some metric, QB rating against, or something like that? About Neal I am undecided; however, he was the starter even in Perry's healthiest year so far. I liked how Perry played in the playoffs, but I'm not sure we can assume Neal won't be missed..

[ThunderDan]

Listening to national talk radio last week and they thought the teams most likely not to repeat as division champs were MN and Wash.

[Patler]

Listening to national talk radio last week and they thought the teams most likely not to repeat as division champs were MN and Wash.

Ya, I'm not ready to concede the division to MN. I think they will be a good team, but I'm not sure it will be more than "good". In 2015, their opponents out gained them in yardage, had more offensive plays, and while trailing in rushing yardage, their opponents averaged a solid 4.3/carry. There was and is a lot of hype about Stefon Diggs, but he remains unproven in my opinion. I think he sort of took people by surprise, with 25 of his 52 receptions for the year coming in the first four games that he played, and in those games he had 419 of his 720 yards. I'm not suggesting that he will bust by any means, but I'm not yet worried about playing against him. The same with Bridgewater. Bridgewater has been solid, but Peterson is what makes their offense go.

[pbmax]

The only way Neal is a loss is if Perry goes down - which is obviously a possibility. Hayward contributed very little last year - nothing I'd say - that his replacement isn't almost a certainty to fulfill - at far lower cost.

I don't see how any of those guys mentioned are realistically losses at this point. In all of those cases, I'd say the odds are high that the guy who takes those snaps (APRH again) brings equal or greater value.

APRH, Perry can definitely be better than Neal on the LOS. However, I would love to have Elliot develop into Neal lite, for backup and flexibility in coverage. Not to mention he has good hands in the pass rush.

[Patler]

APRH, Perry can definitely be better than Neal on the LOS. However, I would love to have Elliot develop into Neal lite, for backup and flexibility in coverage. Not to mention he has good hands in the pass rush.

The main thing Perry has to do is stay healthy. I think the rest for him will follow if he just stays healthy.

[Patler]

The Packers will win the Super Bowl if....................Brett takes over at QB.
Brett Hundley, that is!

JUST KIDDING!!!!

(Patler ducks for cover)

Seriously, I hope the QB formerly know as Aaron Rodgers, NFL MVP, returns to play for the Packers.
I didn't much like the imposter who played last year.

[Pugger]

Ya, I'm not ready to concede the division to MN. I think they will be a good team, but I'm not sure it will be more than "good". In 2015, their opponents out gained them in yardage, had more offensive plays, and while trailing in rushing yardage, their opponents averaged a solid 4.3/carry. There was and is a lot of hype about Stefon Diggs, but he remains unproven in my opinion. I think he sort of took people by surprise, with 25 of his 52 receptions for the year coming in the first four games that he played, and in those games he had 419 of his 720 yards. I'm not suggesting that he will bust by any means, but I'm not yet worried about playing against him. The same with Bridgewater. Bridgewater has been solid, but Peterson is what makes their offense go.

If you listen to some MN fans they think their defense is he second coming of the '85 Bears. They think we are in decline and they are a shoe-in for the NFCN. Last year it took a poor season by Rodgers and our offense for them to win the division and they had to win the last game of the year to do so. Bridgewater is jag and you have to wonder when Father Time will finally catch up with AP.

[Striker]

If the players who take major steps back in 2015 return to form (Rodgers, Lacy, Adams, etc).

Last season seemed like a regression, probably due to an almost SB hangover plus the coaching staff shakeups.

Yes, we dropped the 3 games at home to the division rivals, but we also won in their houses as well. And those teams could barely put the Packers away despite the Packers playing some of their worst football in years. The Panthers are likely to take a step back, as are the Cardinals (young weapons, old QB, shaky line, NFC West likely improving). The Vikings are likely the biggest challenger for the division, but they'll be putting a lot of their chips in on a 31 year old RB who wasn't quite the AP everyone remembered.

[HarveyWallbangers]

If you listen to some MN fans they think their defense is he second coming of the '85 Bears. They think we are in decline and they are a shoe-in for the NFCN. Last year it took a poor season by Rodgers and our offense for them to win the division and they had to win the last game of the year to do so. Bridgewater is jag and you have to wonder when Father Time will finally catch up with AP.

Their defense is good now, and had the potent to be very good. However, a good run game and defense with a weak passing offense wins the Super Bowl about once every 10 years nowadays. Minnesota has about an edge in overall talent (probably not as much as wist thinks), but I think it's close enough that Rodgers will be the great equalizer.

[Joemailman]

Hayward was the nickel back, his replacement (Rollins?) is unproven. Didn't one of the advanced stats sites have Hayward among the league leaders in some metric, QB rating against, or something like that?

McGinn actually gave Rollins a higher grade.

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packe...366332901.html

CASEY HAYWARD: Played 88.1% of the downs, providing a steadying influence for the rookies and usually being where he was supposed to be. The Packers normally would re-sign him, but with all the young prospects at cornerback they're probably not going to make a legitimate offer. After allowing eight plays of 20 yards or more from 2012-'14, he gave up too many (nine) this year. Hayward isn't physical in the bump zone and is susceptible outside on take-off routes. He tied for third in tackles with 88, but also led the team in misses with 14. He failed to intercept a pass, and with only nine passes broken up in 1,048 snaps he was last in PBUs with one every 116.4. His ability to find the ball might have waned due to numerous hamstring injuries and a stress fracture in his foot. Grade: C-minus.

QUINTEN ROLLINS: It took until mid-season before Rollins gained full health and was able to move past Hyde in the nickel defense. Later, when Sam Shields missed 4 1/2 games, he played extensively at right cornerback. In all, he played 30% and offered promise of an outstanding future. He's a hitter, a ball-hawk and a rugged, effective blitzer. Of the seven cornerbacks, his rate of passes defensed (one every 35.7 snaps) and his rate of tackles (one every 9.9 snaps) both ranked No. 1. He dropped four interceptions, too. Grade: C.

[red]

...... not a single player gets hurt

cause that seems to be the excuse used every year when we underperform

[pbmax]

I misunderstood. I thought your lists were quantitative identifications of loses and gains, not a qualitative analysis.

Following your initial comment, if Lacy is listed as "hopefully" a gain, Neal and Hayward should be identified as "hopefully" not losses. Hayward was the nickel back, his replacement (Rollins?) is unproven. Didn't one of the advanced stats sites have Hayward among the league leaders in some metric, QB rating against, or something like that? About Neal I am undecided; however, he was the starter even in Perry's healthiest year so far. I liked how Perry played in the playoffs, but I'm not sure we can assume Neal won't be missed..

I think that was PFF and it was a head scratcher. He allowed a number of completions as he chased crossing routes across the middle. Not entirely his fault as the defense is designed in such a way to make that an effective counter, but he wasn't doing much other than tackling well on those.

[Joemailman]

...... not a single player gets hurt

cause that seems to be the excuse used every year when we underperform

I guess you're one of those who think the Packers have underperformed every year they don't win the Super Bowl. At any rate, I don't know of anyone on here who thinks injuries are the only reason the Packers didn't win it all last year. People have pointed to the play of Rogers, coaching changes that didn't work, Lacy out of shape, ILB play, etc. as well as injuries particularly at the WR position.