Last year vs. This year

[HarveyWallbangers]

I feel a lot better about the team this year compared to last year.

QB - Last year, Rodgers was getting bad reports from training camp. This year, he's getting better reports.
RB - Last year, we had Ahman coming back from a major injury, so his status was iffy. We hadn't acquired Morency yet. This year, the group is still a big question mark.
WR - Last year, we had Driver, a rookie that we knew nothing about in Jennings, and little else. Martin, Holliday, and Bodiford were bigger question marks last year. This year, they've shown more and are more experienced, Jennings has since proven himself (when he's healthy), and we've added James Jones (who is getting good reports).
TE - I felt better about this group at this time last year, but it proved to be mostly false hope.
OT - Last year, we had two rookies and a first year starter. This year, the young guys should be better and I feel pretty good about the group heading into the year.
DE - Last year, Kampman looked solid and Jenkins hadn't shown his full capability. This year, Kampman is a Pro Bowler, Jenkins looks solid, and KGB is back to the role he should have had.
DT - Last year, the DTs were considered average. This year, they look like the best group on the team.
LB - Last year, Poppinga was coming off a major injury and we were getting mostly unfavorable reports on Hawk. This year, the starters look like a strength.
CB - Last year, Woodson was considered injury prone and none of the young corners were showing anything. This year, Woodson and Harris form one of the best CB duos in the league and the young guys are flashing some potential.
S - I felt better about this group at this time last year, but it proved to be false hope.
ST - Last year, we had a rookie punter and a first year kicker. This year, I feel okay about Ryan and either Rayner or Crosby.

[Spaulding]

Geez, when you put it in that light (and I agree with your statements) it almost looks like we might not be too bad. I was thinking on roster last year and the fact we had a new scheme on offense as well as a new head coach and managed to go 8-8 in a watered down NFC, it's suddenly possible even with a tougher schedule to maybe go 9-7 or 10-6.

Hey Kool-Aid man....

[RashanGary]

I have three keys to the season

1. The Running game
2. The Special Teams
3. The Defenses ability to prevent the big play


I think we are better than last year but if these things all come together, I think we can be a legit contender in the NFC. I fully expect some improvement but I'm hopefull for huge improvements.

[The Leaper]

I sort of touched on the same thing in one of the threads reviewing the scrimmage. I can remember how BAD this team looked early in camp last year. With so many kids, a new coaching staff, a new blocking scheme...it was a pathetic looking mess out there. It really didn't improve much by the end of camp...and only started to signs of coming together very late in the season.

All around, the team should be vastly better off from a comfort standpoint. Instead of constantly thinking about WHAT to do, they can now start to actually make plays naturally in the system. Collins seems to be a different player this year. Many young kids are stepping up and making names for themselves. I'm sure the OL across the board will be improved, including Tauscher and Clifton...who were brand new to the ZBS last year too.

This team looked pretty good in the scrimmage. There clearly are still some gaping holes...but we have enough to be competitive against any team this year. As last year showed, there were several teams that we couldn't even hold a candle to.

[BF4MVP]

I don't know..Everyone always says how bad Aaron Rodgers was last training camp and preseason..But IIRC, last year everyone was talking about how hard he worked in the offseason and how much better he looked..And I don't think he did badly in the preseason..I remember him being 9-for-11 one game..It certainly wasn't God-awful like everyone seems to think..

That being said, he seems to have improved a lot this year based on reports..

[HarveyWallbangers]

Yeah, he wasn't as bad as most seem to think, but he didn't get these kinds of reports. Last year, the reports were: Green Bay doesn't know if Rodgers is the long-term answer. Now, the reports are more like: Rodgers looks like he's ready to take over, but when will he get his shot.

[BF4MVP]

That's true.

[Joemailman]

Geez, when you put it in that light (and I agree with your statements) it almost looks like we might not be too bad. I was thinking on roster last year and the fact we had a new scheme on offense as well as a new head coach and managed to go 8-8 in a watered down NFC, it's suddenly possible even with a tougher schedule to maybe go 9-7 or 10-6.

Hey Kool-Aid man....

[Kiwon]

Well, at least one can have more confidence about the OL this year versus last year. Hopefully we can get through the year without any major injuries.

I don't know so I'm axing. How much depth does the Pack have on the OL if a starter goes down?

[MJZiggy]

Geez, when you put it in that light (and I agree with your statements) it almost looks like we might not be too bad. I was thinking on roster last year and the fact we had a new scheme on offense as well as a new head coach and managed to go 8-8 in a watered down NFC, it's suddenly possible even with a tougher schedule to maybe go 9-7 or 10-6.

Hey Kool-Aid man....

I"ve been trying to tell you guys that for 6 months now...and from what I've read the OL has plenty of depth because not only do they have the depth players, they can back each other up.

[RashanGary]

I would say the have the depth to cover one injury with Tony Moll. Two injuries and I think it would get dicey but I think if you had two injuries on most NFL Olines, they would be hurting a little.

[MJZiggy]

No, I can't remember how they do it, but if you look at the depth chart, you can kind of see what I read about. I wish I could find that article. It's in here somewhere.

[GrnBay007]

Geez, when you put it in that light (and I agree with your statements) it almost looks like we might not be too bad. I was thinking on roster last year and the fact we had a new scheme on offense as well as a new head coach and managed to go 8-8 in a watered down NFC, it's suddenly possible even with a tougher schedule to maybe go 9-7 or 10-6.

Hey Kool-Aid man....

I"ve been trying to tell you guys that for 6 months now...

Job consulting with TT ?

[MJZiggy]

I gotta take whatever I can get...could explain a lot, though, huh?

[Packnut]

Year 3

Um, this team should be better than last season's was. Now it's time for results on the field.