What is one thing that could happen that would make you optimistic about this year?

[texaspackerbacker]

1. King starting
2. Clark starting and playing good run D and some pass rush
3. Randall regaining form
4. Heathy OLBs, Fackrell and Elliot stepping up
4. Rollins regaining form

A lot of great words in this thread. This post and Patler's in particular.

One thing I'd really get fired up about, although I really don't expect it to happen would be Jeff Janis finally getting major reps at WR and playing up to his potential.

[vince]

Top 20 pass defense will result in top 15 scoring defense while Monty and his rookie RB posse go all-out beast mode .

While the McCarthy-era Packers have always been among the best at getting leads and finishing wins, the upgrades at TE and what looks like the most complete and diverse backfield since Ahman Green, show promise to be even more effective moving chains and finishing games than ever.

[Smidgeon]

Top 20 pass defense will result in top 15 scoring defense while Monty and his rookie RB posse go all-out beast mode .

While the McCarthy-era Packers have always been among the best at getting leads and finishing wins, the upgrades at TE and what looks like the most complete and diverse backfield since Ahman Green, show promise to be even more effective moving chains and finishing games than ever.

I would argue that Lacy's first or second year had a more complete backfield with Starks. This year we have Montgomery (who appears to be legit) and a bunch of unknowns. I want to see them play before anointing them.

[Upnorth]

2. The big need was CB, and they have opportunities galore to be better: Randall and Rollins to bounce back; King and House to make a difference; Gunther, Hawkins or Waters to progress; one of the presently unknowns to be the next Shields and come out of no where. They don't need all of those thing to happen. They don't need any to happen in a big way. They just need two to happen in a modest way and they will be better. It won't take a lot to be better. They will be better, in part because they have so many opportunities to be better and in part because they can hardly be worse.

Does anyone else feel like finding secondary talent is one of TT's strenghts? The only thing he maybe better at drafting is the Oline.

[pbmax]

Does anyone else feel like finding secondary talent is one of TT's strenghts? The only thing he maybe better at drafting is the Oline.

I agree about the secondary and O line.

Which is kinda funny. First, because the first six years, Thompson was derided over his efforts to shore up the O line after Wahle and Rivera signed elsewhere. Even Spitz and Colledge didn't cool that talk down, it took Bulaga to wipe that claim away.

Same with safety position both before and after Collins.

Ted's competencies seem to run in a cycle of public opinion. Funny how that works.

[Patler]

He's not too shabby at finding WRs, either.

[bobblehead]

If Prince Obi picked up NFL speed immediately and turned into another Thompson late round gem making us forget Lang. I love me a dominant OL, and I already miss the running game that Sitton and Lang helped provide. I want our OL to play so well everyone praises Thompson on find 3 great RB's at the end of the draft along with monte rushing for 1000 yards.

[vince]

I would argue that Lacy's first or second year had a more complete backfield with Starks. This year we have Montgomery (who appears to be legit) and a bunch of unknowns. I want to see them play before anointing them.

Agreed on seeing them play... I think the potential is there, and this happening "would make me optimistic about the year."

I personally wouldn't consider Lacy/Starks to have been much of a dual-threat with any consistency. Lacy's only year with any receiving success was 2014 (42 for 427 - 26.7 ypg). Since then he's been pretty much invisible in the passing game. Starks did OK in 2015 (392 yds receiving) but did virtually nothing before or since.

My hope (cause for optimism if it happens) is that the upgraded TE group can also impact the RB's both running and receiving...

[RashanGary]

I'm feeling good about this.....

http://m.packers.com/news/article/spring-snaps-making-a-difference-for-kenny-clark-8a3533d0-cac3-49ab-9c47-2ec2fe098ee8

[Joemailman]

I'm feeling good about this.....

http://m.packers.com/news/article/sp...7-2ec2fe098ee8

Yeah, it will be interesting to see what his upside is. He was barely 20 years old when the Packers drafted him. Even though he's in his 2nd year, only 2 players on the roster are as young as he is.

[MadScientist]

I'm feeling good about this.....

http://m.packers.com/news/article/sp...7-2ec2fe098ee8

Considering the source, it's not too surprising that the piece reads like he'll be the next superstar. However there were a comments from Clark that are very encouraging. First when his playing time started dropping, he responded by working harder in practice, and second he worked hard in the off season to improve strength and explosiveness, and the results are showing.

[wist43]

Considering the source, it's not too surprising that the piece reads like he'll be the next superstar. However there were a comments from Clark that are very encouraging. First when his playing time started dropping, he responded by working harder in practice, and second he worked hard in the off season to improve strength and explosiveness, and the results are showing.

He simply didn't show much all season. Think he was way overdrafted, and has a limited ceiling.

I'm more hopeful for Lowry.

[Zool]

He simply didn't show much all season. Think he was way overdrafted, and has a limited ceiling.

I'm more hopeful for Lowry.

He's 20 so projecting his ceiling is pretty tough IMO. He did underwhelm last year so probably was over drafted, but the big fatties get better at 25.

[Smidgeon]

He's 20 so projecting his ceiling is pretty tough IMO. He did underwhelm last year so probably was over drafted, but the big fatties get better at 25.

His playoff performance was above average. That's saying something for a rookie d-lineman.

[Joemailman]

His playoff performance was above average. That's saying something for a rookie d-lineman.

Yep. The rookie year is all about getting better. Not that many rookies are great from Week 1. Especially Defensive tackles, who have a huge adjustment to make.