OFFICIAL PACKER 2006 SEASON PREDICTIONS!

[Bretsky]

I was sippin a little magic koolaid after the draft last year. However, when I saw how bad the Oline was in the preseason I quickly backed off that. I was still planning on backing off this years koolaid if the Oline was awfull (which I didn't expect BTW). However, the Oline is holding up quite well in the pass game and should be able to do something similar in the run game once they start the cut blocking.

The OL run blocking has not been good this year; not as bad as last year but it still looks poor. I'm sure the mojo with cut blocking was the same last year as it was this year.

Most felt the run game was the key to this season; I'm surprised at all the kool aide with the run blocking being so up and down.

[Bretsky]

I was sippin a little magic koolaid after the draft last year. However, when I saw how bad the Oline was in the preseason I quickly backed off that. I was still planning on backing off this years koolaid if the Oline was awfull (which I didn't expect BTW). However, the Oline is holding up quite well in the pass game and should be able to do something similar in the run game once they start the cut blocking.

You should write a book on your cut blocking theory and go door to door thumping it.

We could also just admit that we were manhandled by the Jacksonville Jaguars defense lineman.

[retailguy]

I was sippin a little magic koolaid after the draft last year. However, when I saw how bad the Oline was in the preseason I quickly backed off that. I was still planning on backing off this years koolaid if the Oline was awfull (which I didn't expect BTW). However, the Oline is holding up quite well in the pass game and should be able to do something similar in the run game once they start the cut blocking.

Justin,

Respectfully, the pass blocking what not that horrible last year either, especially late in the year. Yes, they used max protect quite a bit, but Favre was not sacked very much and I don't recall his metrics on thrown away balls due to pressure to be that bad.

The problem, in my mind, has always been the run blocking. While your "theory" is plausible about not cut blocking in the preseason, the ONE thing they really need to work on is run blocking. I just don't see it happening the way you theorize. Someone else posted, either here or another thread that they might not cut block so much this year, but these guys are so undersized, I don't see how they can't. I just don't see these guys going toe to toe with a 300+ pound defensive tackles any other way.

I've seen no evidence that run blocking has improved. I've watched jackson in preseason, and I've also watched some Nebraska games and the highlight films circulating around the internet.

I don't see anything that indicates Jackson will be successful without good run blocking, and haven't seen anything to date that this line will dramatically improve on it's run blocking.

Old negative me actually has some hope that Colledge will continue to improve, but I think he'll be a better long term replacement for Clifton at tackle. I see nothing that indicates Spitz is likely to improve dramatically and nothing that indicates Wells will improve. While Wells graded out as our best lineman last season, I still think his upside is limited. He may be as good as he's going to get, but I give the guy props for maxing out his athletic ability with disciplined hard work. I doubt anyone tries harder.

If my theory is correct, Tauscher will be impacted by "covering" for Spitz. Cliffy claims to be "pain free" and that his chronic knee problems are over, and I hope so. If thats the case, I think the left side of the line could be fairly solid. I'm not so optimistic about the right side.

All theories... but we'll see.

[RashanGary]

You make sense RG. Maybe I'm assuming guys will improve just becuase they had good off seasons and are together for a second year. I think they've done a really good job in pass pro, much better than last year.

It's to the point where the preseason is useless. There is all this good stuff going on and the doubters saying it's just preseason. Then there is the bad run game and the optimists are saying it's just preseason. I'm starting to think it's just preseason and any hope that anything would be settled is dwindling for me. If they had looked like they did last year and the year before I would jump ship but I see more good things this year. All we can do is wait for Philly.

Hopefully I'm right and the cut blocking helps. If not, we could be in for some trouble. I just don't see that group staying the same though. I really don't picture a sinerio where they don't get quite a bit better.

[Partial]

7-9

I'm a tard. Ignore this.

[Zool]

7-9

I'm a tard. Ignore this.

Its nearly impossible to ignore the fact that you're a tard. I'll try though.