Comings and Goings

[bobblehead]

I thought it might be nice to start a thread comparing this roster to last years. We had more "real" turnover than I can recall since TT took over the team. Are we better or worse? I'll start it off with the position that has me excited:

Tight ends. Anyone who sifts through my drivel knows I abhor a TE that is one dimensional. Its pointless. You are telegraphing to the D what your intention is.

This position is basically pure upgrade with no trade off. We lost a one dimensional TE who can't run block and is often injured and replaced him with one of the games true dual threats in Bennett and an up and coming dual threat in Kendricks. DickRod who is no threat at anything is a solid 3rd TE to have. With Monty in the backfield I pray MM and Arod audible often to create mismatches and march on scrambling defenses that can't decide which personnel to use and get caught with 12 men on the field when they try to figure it out.

Other turnover positions for discussion would be CB and OL I would think.

[Joemailman]

Cornerback:

Adds: King and House. Randall and Rollins both healthy

Losses: Hyde

Gunter was Packers top CB much of last year. This year it would appear he barely made the team. This is a much better situation, both in terms of health and talent.

[Zool]

Agreed on Bennett but in his 7th season I'm not sure Kendricks can still be considered up and coming.

[KYPack]

Agreed on Bennett but in his 7th season I'm not sure Kendricks can still be considered up and coming.

He knows the job and is aggressive, but us often bothered by those pesky appendages known as the arms and hands.

[Zool]

He knows the job and is aggressive, but us often bothered by those pesky appendages known as the arms and hands.

I always have a soft spot for Badgers, but he's just okay at NFL level football.

[Fritz]

He knows the job and is aggressive, but us often bothered by those pesky appendages known as the arms and hands.

So he should be in the Dean Lowry Army?

[KYPack]

One addition I like is a subtle change in team personality. I've felt the whole "Packer People" deal went a mite too far. A good pro team needs a variety of personalities for the guys to play off one another. We've lost some of our enforcers and some of the new guys replace that element. M Bennet keeps everybody loose while being a skilled player. Brooks is a certifiable scary, moody type guy.

For awhile there, we were more like a boy scout troop than a pro football team.

[mraynrand]

Last couple of years, Packers were playing around with Sitton, Lang, Bulaga, and Lindsley being injured all the time. Now they can play around with Evans and Lindsley being hurt all the time. That's at least a two-fold reduction in total injury time. Unless someone else steps it up (I'm not counting Barclay)

Loss of Tretter is a problem, but McCray will develop into an effective backup at least at guard - because he is so fat, it just takes pass rushers longer to get around him.

O-line overall is better, APRH.

[Patler]

Cornerback:

Adds: King and House. Randall and Rollins both healthy

Losses: Hyde

Gunter was Packers top CB much of last year. This year it would appear he barely made the team. This is a much better situation, both in terms of health and talent.

I consider Shields as a CB loss this season, too. While he didn't play much last year, they expected to have him, he was in the prime of his career, and planning for replacing him is happening this year, just like the loss of a free agent.

[mraynrand]

Yoko is gone. That alone should improve the band.

No Carnival of Light bs either way please.

[Joemailman]

I consider Shields as a CB loss this season, too. While he didn't play much last year, they expected to have him, he was in the prime of his career, and planning for replacing him is happening this year, just like the loss of a free agent.

The premise of the thread was comparing this year to last year. For all practical purposes, they did not have Shields last year.

[mraynrand]

I consider Shields as a CB loss this season, too. While he didn't play much last year, they expected to have him, he was in the prime of his career, and planning for replacing him is happening this year, just like the loss of a free agent.

He lasted about three plays! But your point is solid. They drafted Randall and Rollins to replace House and Williams. Got House back, but don't know where he's at. King is Shield's replacement and he doesn't look ready. Either Randall or Rollins will have to replace Hyde. Right now it looks like a wash or less than the start of last year, even APRH.

[mraynrand]

The premise of the thread was comparing this year to last year. For all practical purposes, they did not have Shields last year.

Sure they did. He was one starting CB. His loss really couldn't be addressed the 'Packer way' until the offseason.

[pbmax]

He lasted about three plays! But your point is solid. They drafted Randall and Rollins to replace House and Williams. Got House back, but don't know where he's at. King is Shield's replacement and he doesn't look ready. Either Randall or Rollins will have to replace Hyde. Right now it looks like a wash or less than the start of last year, even APRH.

Hyde was the 2nd slot CB at times, part time safety and Rover. His job is probably taken by the combo Burnett/Jones in that order. Dix plays back more than Hyde ever did.

[bobblehead]

Agreed on Bennett but in his 7th season I'm not sure Kendricks can still be considered up and coming.

Playing with bad QB's and changing offensive systems for all those seasons to the model of stability and ARod tells me the best is yet to come. 50 catches last year. I could see 40 this year as the 2nd TE.

And the part I like best. He is an excellent blocker who had 50 catches.