Sunday, February 12, 2012

Packers Offseason Preview



This is a preview of the Packers offseason.
QB- Aaron Rodgers had a year for the ages. 45 tds and 6 ints with a 122 passer rating is just ridiculous. However he would tell you he was disappointed in his year mainly because he went one and done in the playoffs. In week 17 with everything locked up they decided to rest Aaron Rodgers and other key starters and start Matt Flynn. Matt Flynn played a tremendous game and broke multiple passing records. Now lots of teams are interested in Flynn to be their own franchise quarterback. He is a free agent and the Packers would love to franchise him and then trade him, but with Jermichael Finley a free agent he is more important to keep then Flynn.
RB- Inconsistent and disappointing is the best way to describe the Packers running game. Ryan Grant is not a top back and he may not even be a starter next year especially with James Starks hoping to take the next step. Ryan Grant is a free agent and he is not expected to be back. Look for the Packers to look for a 3rd down running back in the mid rounds.
WR- Might be the most deep and best receiving core in the NFL highlighted by Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson. With also James Jones and Donald Driver as their 3rd and 4th receiver. An interesting question is what to make of Randall Cobb because potential he can pass Driver and become the 4th receiver.
TE- Jermichael Finley for the last two years has been proclaimed as an elite tight end without having the production. He must improve his consistency to take the next step. Finley is a free agent and will be given the franchise tag. However they don't really have a second tight end and they would look mid to the late rounds for them.
OL- Ever since the 2009 unit that couldn't pass protected to save their lives. Chad Clifton when healthy has been one of better o-tackles in the NFL. The only real problem was their depth and because of that when they lost to the Cheifs and Giants it was because of that. A free agent no one is talking about that is vital is their center Scott Wells. They should be able to resign him and keep Aaron Rodgers up right. Their only need is at the guard position and they will look in the mid rounds to fill that need.
DL- Compared to the rest of the defense the d-line didn't take as big a fall. B.J. Raji went from an all pro season last year to an average year this year. They will look for a 3-4 defensive end in the mid to early rounds to provide an interior pass rush.
LB- The biggest fall on this unit was the pass rush. Clay Matthews wasn't as dominant as last year and nobody stepped up outside of him. However both A.J. Hawk and Desmond Bishop had very good years. They will need to find an outside pass rush outside of Clay Matthews. Expect early in the draft for them to draft an outside linebacker who can rush the passer.
DB- The Packers gave up the most passing yards in NFL history. When you have that record you have a lot to improve. One of the main reason why they were ranked like that is because they take more chances on the ball then most teams and that is why they were one of the leaders in interceptions. Charles Woodson is slowing down and might become a liability playing the cornerback position and eventually he will have to move to safety. So they will look to target a corner in the mid rounds to eventually replace him.

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