2007 Rankings
Rushing: 21st (99.8)
Passing: 2nd (270.9)
Total Offense: 2nd (370.7)
Run Defense: 14th (102.9)
Pass Defense: 12th (210.4)
Total Defense: 11th (313.3)
What was the Packers’ best move during the offseason?
The Green Bay Packers chose to not be very active in the free-agent market at all, continuing with their recent philosophy of building through the draft. So there are no blockbuster deals to report. Perhaps the biggest addition to the team was that of linebacker Brandon Chillar, who adds some depth and a little pass-rushing potential from the linebacker position. But most likely he won’t even start. Brady Poppinga will probably start at strongside linebacker, but Chillar should get some playing time in passing situations.
The Packers really didn’t do much in the draft either to help themselves this year. Their first pick, No. 36 overall, was used on Kansas State wide receiver Jordy Nelson, who’s likely to be buried on the depth chart behind Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, James Jones, and maybe even Ruvell Martin. Their second pick was used on Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm, who they hope doesn’t see significant playing time in 2008. And their third pick, Auburn cornerback Patrick Lee, is a project and isn’t going to break into the starting lineup anytime soon.
What needs to go right for the Packers to succeed this season?
If ever there was a player who was under pressure to perform, it’s new starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is replacing legend Brett Favre after 16 seasons of uninterrupted service. In handing Rodgers the starting job, head coach Mike McCarthy has placed a lot of faith in the young QB, but he's also put a lot on his shoulders. The team could have had Favre back for another season, but chose to stick with the youngster, which means his performances will constantly be compared to Favre’s. And if he’s anything short of solid this season, there are going to be a lot of unhappy Favre backers in Green Bay this year.
And Rodgers doesn’t only need to play competently. He needs to stay healthy as well because there is absolutely no experience behind him. Brohm and Matt Flynn are both rookies, and neither is even close to being ready to start in the NFL. If Rodgers were to go down, the team might be forced to look at signing a veteran off the scrap heap.
With Rodgers having no starting experience himself, it’s surprising general manager Ted Thompson didn’t bring in a veteran backup as insurance rather than drafting two players as understudies. Packers fans have been spoiled with Favre not missing a start in 16 years. Chances are, Rodgers won’t be as durable and we may see one of the first-year signal callers pressed into service at some point this season.
Where will the Packers finish the 2008 NFL season?
Despite questions at the quarterback position, the Packers are still a very solid young team. They have a lot of weapons in the passing game, along with a solid ground game that emerged over the second half of the 2007 season behind the surprising effectiveness of Ryan Grant. Defensively, they should be among the better teams in the league again this year. Those things should keep Green Bay in the division hunt as long as Rodgers avoids a meltdown.
I would expect some ups and downs for the youngster, but if he should happen to thrive in this offense, the Packers will be serious Super Bowl contenders. If he fails miserably, however, the Packers may look back at this season as a wasted opportunity, and the second guessing over the Favre situation will explode.
Prediction: 10-6 and first in the NFC North.