Green Bay Packers 2006 Preview
Offense
It is obvious that the Packers hope that the naming of new head coach Mike McCarthy will light a spark under his former pupil Brett Favre and the entire offense. He seemed like a curious choice considering the job defensive coordinator Jim Bates did last year with a serious lack of talent. I was sure they would offer Bates the job. Instead they went with the offensive coordinator of the inept 49ers.
But Favre is back and that is a boost because no one was going to feel comfortable with Aaron Rodgers starting the season. Favre's receivers, though, are in question. Javon Walker was sent to Denver in a trade when he voiced his displeasure. He was Favre's only dangerous vertical threat. Favre will have to live with the aging Donald Driver and the oft injured Robert Ferguson.
They made a mistake by not drafting Vernon Davis with the fifth-overall selection. Bubba Franks is fine, but Davis could get 1000 yards and 13 TDs as a rookie. He is a player that could have made Favre get excited about dropping back to pass.
Ahman Green returns from injury but that had better not diminish the role of Samkon Gado, who was a great rags-to-riches story last year. The line was not good last year. The loss of two starting guards probably hurt more than anyone could have imagined. Rookie starter Will Whittaker was not the answer last year and he isn't this year either.
Defense
How this was a top ten defense last year is beyond me.
Jim Bates did an incredible job with schemes that would fit best, but he is gone now. First-round pick A.J. Hawk will be a very solid addition to Nick Barnett and the linebacking corps, but he cannot be expected to improve the defense in all aspects.
The line lost interior force Grady Jackson and have no replacement in sight. End Aaron Kampman is an overachieving force and their best defensive player. Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila needs to be a situational pass rusher. Without a player who can start on first and second down, they are really limiting his effectiveness. In this role he could get 16-18 sacks.
Charles Woodson was signed to play corner across from Al Harris. Woodson should be good, but they paid way to much for him. Have they given up on Ahmad Carroll's potential though?
Synopsis
The big news, the news that had to drag on and on and on, was Favre's return. He's back but his line is a work in progress and he has few weapons. Do not expect huge numbers. But he will summon a few wins that they should not win. I see a 6-10 record, 7-9 if the defense plays very well.
It is obvious that the Packers hope that the naming of new head coach Mike McCarthy will light a spark under his former pupil Brett Favre and the entire offense. He seemed like a curious choice considering the job defensive coordinator Jim Bates did last year with a serious lack of talent. I was sure they would offer Bates the job. Instead they went with the offensive coordinator of the inept 49ers.
But Favre is back and that is a boost because no one was going to feel comfortable with Aaron Rodgers starting the season. Favre's receivers, though, are in question. Javon Walker was sent to Denver in a trade when he voiced his displeasure. He was Favre's only dangerous vertical threat. Favre will have to live with the aging Donald Driver and the oft injured Robert Ferguson.
They made a mistake by not drafting Vernon Davis with the fifth-overall selection. Bubba Franks is fine, but Davis could get 1000 yards and 13 TDs as a rookie. He is a player that could have made Favre get excited about dropping back to pass.
Ahman Green returns from injury but that had better not diminish the role of Samkon Gado, who was a great rags-to-riches story last year. The line was not good last year. The loss of two starting guards probably hurt more than anyone could have imagined. Rookie starter Will Whittaker was not the answer last year and he isn't this year either.
Defense
How this was a top ten defense last year is beyond me.
Jim Bates did an incredible job with schemes that would fit best, but he is gone now. First-round pick A.J. Hawk will be a very solid addition to Nick Barnett and the linebacking corps, but he cannot be expected to improve the defense in all aspects.
The line lost interior force Grady Jackson and have no replacement in sight. End Aaron Kampman is an overachieving force and their best defensive player. Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila needs to be a situational pass rusher. Without a player who can start on first and second down, they are really limiting his effectiveness. In this role he could get 16-18 sacks.
Charles Woodson was signed to play corner across from Al Harris. Woodson should be good, but they paid way to much for him. Have they given up on Ahmad Carroll's potential though?
Synopsis
The big news, the news that had to drag on and on and on, was Favre's return. He's back but his line is a work in progress and he has few weapons. Do not expect huge numbers. But he will summon a few wins that they should not win. I see a 6-10 record, 7-9 if the defense plays very well.
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