Football Diner 2008 Team Reviews / Previews
Green Bay Packers
by Mark Lyne-Austen
3/7/2008
 
Overview
 
The Green Bay Packers came oh so very close to the Super Bowl, collecting the NFC North title they last held at the end of the 2004 season. The 13-3 record was a surprise to most, notably to Brett Favre. The legendary Quarter Back taking a young team to unexpected heights and the Conference Championship game where they were eventually bested in overtime by eventual Super Bowl winners the New York Giants. This year, without Favre the Packers will have to turn to Aaron Rodgers to call the shots. Highly touted coach Mike McCarthy's side will be one to watch this season but so much will depend on how they rebound from the loss of one of the most inspirational players ever to step onto an NFL playing field.
 
Quarterbacks
 
QB is a pivotal position for any franchise and the Packers will be looking to their 2005 first round selection, Aaron Rodgers to make the transition from draft day humiliation to following on from one of the most charismatic and inspiring players ever to play the position. Rodgers fell to the Packers in 2005 at 24th overall having been touted as a possible number 1. Alex Smith went to San Francisco and Aaron Rodgers has been holding clipboards in Green Bay ever since.
Being a backup early on in a rookie career can be a huge blessing. Not having to learn how to play in the NFL while starting to play in the NFL shields a QB from the enormous criticism that rookies almost always suffer. There is precedent for backing up Brett Favre and going on to a quality career in the form of Matt Hasselbeck. The Seattle Seahawks passer took one of the easiest paychecks in the NFL for two years before moving west and building what has been a very productive career.
Inevitably, the first full season under Rodgers' stewardship is going to be a transition for the Packers. The last time a backup stepped out of the shadow of a legend and did it impeccably was Steve Young. Rodgers has not shown that potential yet but his performance against Dallas last season when Favre was knocked out of the lineup bode extremely well. Rodgers also has the benefit of not having to be the sole player to shoulder the team's burden. If things do not work out for Rodgers, Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn represent the next options down the line.
Grade: C
 
Running Backs
 
Going into 2007, Green Bay had nothing on the ground. The first few games were all about passing on offense. Then Ryan Grant emerged having spent two years doing nothing for the New York Giants. Grant's running style fits well with the Green Bay offense and the Green Bay weather. Still, this is another position of uncertainty with exclusive-rights free agent Grant yet to sign a contract having massively outperformed expectations last season. With the committee of Vernand Morency, DeShawn Wynn, and Brandon Jackson failing to impress at the start of the 2007season, the Packers need Grant to be fully on board. While signs are good with him turning up and participating where he can, if Grant is not signed the Packers will need to shore up the rock-toting position if they are going to have success again in 2008.
Grade: C+
 
Offensive Line
 
For Green Bay to do well, the offensive line needs to play excellently. NFC North rivals the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears both routinely boast impressive defensive linemen. At tackle, Mark Tauscher and Chad Clifton are one of the most underrated pairings in the league. The two have both overcome significant injury during their NFL career but Clifton's Pro Bowl season last time out was not a surprise to the Green Bay faithful. Elsewhere on the line, the players are even less heralded without a great deal of experience. With the Packers being built on youth, that philosophy is tested most greatly on the O-Line but the combination of veterans at Tackle, and youth inside worked well in 2007 and should do so again in 2008.
Grade B
 
Receivers
 
Green Bay does not have a standout No 1 receiver and that was something Favre found irksome before his last season with public calls to sign Randy Moss before Moss joined the New England Patriots. The Packers cut the long-troubled Koren Robinson and veteran red zone threat Bubba Franks but added All-American Jordy Nelson of Kansas State in the 2nd round of this year's draft. Nelson adds his name to a group of receivers led by veteran Donald Driver and third year player Greg Jennings. Nelson also adds a bit of height at 6'3” to what is not a particularly tall group of wideouts. It remains to be seen whether that group's production last year was down to the great man Favre or whether they will continue to be weapons with Aaron Rodgers under center.
Grade C
 
Defensive Line
 
The Packers Defensive Line were outstanding last season when faced with the threat of Adrian Peterson and the Minnesota Vikings, dominating the line of scrimmage against the run-first opposition. Against the pass, the line has become almost entirely dependent on Pro Bowler Aaron Kampman at Left End to get pressure. Kampman has 27.5 sacks to his name over the last two years and has been able to stand up acceptably against the run. The loss of Corey Williams is a blow to the Defensive Line – traded to the Cleveland Browns, Williams secured 51 tackles in 2007 and those will need to be picked up elsewhere. Inside, the team will now rely primarily on a mix of Ryan Pickett, Johnny Jolly, and the currently injured Justin Harrell. Moving Williams was probably positive for the team's spirit but does require someone to step up. The aging Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila will still be a threat in passing situations when he can make it onto the field but that will no longer be a regular event.
Grade C+
 
Linebackers
 
LB is a position of real strength for the Packers. Led by Nick Barnett in the middle and his 600+ career tackles in 4 years, the starters are young and highly talented. Former first round selection A.J. Hawk and the fast developing 2005 4th rounder Brady Poppinga are the kind of pacey backers who can cover and tackle in the NFL. Hawk was highly touted when he was selected out of Ohio State 5th overall in 2006 and entering his third year in the league should begin to meet some of that expectation. While the depth is not especially strong, the starting three are a credible threat to any offense.
Grade B+
 
Secondary
 
The Green Bay secondary is a massive weapon. Pro Bowler Al Harris and the even better Charles Woodson play a bump and run style seldom seen in the National Football League. Though the aggressive style means they can be beaten, it forces the timing routes of high powered offenses to adapt when they play the Packers. The Safety play behind the Corners has been criticised for lacking the coverage skills of elite players but the philosophy of being physical with receivers is well suited to the skill-set of Strong Safety Atari Bigby. Depth at DB is always a risk for any team given the abundance of injuries at the position and the Corner depth is solid for the Pack even if it will again be tested due to the physical nature of their play.
Grade A-
 
Special Teams
 
Green Bay appears to have hit gold with their place kicker, Mason Crosby who they selected in the 6th round of the 2007 draft. Crosby scored 141 points last year and was 31/39 for Field Goals. The Special Teams units of the Packers will be tested in their two games against the Chicago Bears and Devin Hester, and with Koren Robinson no longer with the team the designated returner is not a stand-out position.
Grade B
 
Coaching
 
Mike McCarthy will be entering his third season as Packers coach in 2008 having taken a losing team through am 8-8 season to a 13-3 record last year. Finishing second in coach of the year voting behind Bill Belichick, McCarthy has brought a freshness to the Packers and a youthful vigour that will lead the team post Favre. Whether he can continue to win without the Green Bay hero remains to be seen and will be another test of McCarthy's credentials.
Grade B-
 
Outlook
 
After Favre, the Packers outlook is unclear especially on offense. Aaron Rodgers will have a lot to live up to but the early signs are promising. The team desperately need Ryan Grant to sign his contract or to replace him with another option as the running game without him last year was terrible. The Packers defense should continue to be an area of strength though the loss of Corey Williams is a bigger blow than many are suggesting. If the Packers can improve their pass rush, the aggressive secondary play will be even more effective and they could cement their place as one of the top D's in the league. If the offense under Rodgers clicks then the Packers can again make a run to the post-season though without Favre it is hard to see them being contenders for the title just yet.