GREEN BAY PACKERS
2009 RECORD: 11-5-0
(2nd in NFC North)
HEAD COACH: Mike McCarthy
Key Additions: OT Bryan Bulaga (draft/Iowa)
Key Losses: DE Aaron Kampman (FA/Jacksonville), RB Ahman Green (FA), S Matt Giordano (FA/Atlanta), RB DeShawn Wynn (FA)
Offense: The Packers are loaded on this side of the ball and it all starts with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who had a breakout season in 2009 with 4,434 yards passing, including 30 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. Rodgers is also a good running QB, scrambling for 316 yards and scoring five touchdowns.
Wow!
Wide receivers Donald Driver (70 catches, 1,061 yards and six TD) and Greg Jennings (68 catches, 1,116 yards and four TD) are stellar. James Jones (32 catches in '09) and Jordy Nelson, who made 22 catches, are solid backups. The Tight End is Jermichael Finley, who made 55 grabs good for 676 yards and five touchdowns.
The running game is in good hands with Ryan Grant, who continued his steady ways with 1,253 yards on the ground , including a 4.4 average and 11 touchdowns. Brandon Jackson is a reliable backup for Grant and the fullback is John Kuhn.
Scott Wells is the center on the offensive line and the tackles include Mark Tauscher and Chad Clifton. The guards are Josh Sitton and Jason Spitz.
This a solid run-blocking unit, however the one knock on these guys is they allow too many sacks. Rodgers was dropped 51 times last season and that number has to come down.
Defense: The Green Bay Packers can play defense.
After ranking number-one against the run a year ago (83 yards per game allowed), the Packers are solid up front with Ryan Pickett (Nose Tackle), Cullen Jenkins and B.J. Raji, who will see more time now that Johnny Jolly is out. Rookie DT Mike Neal (Purdue) should help out as well.
The linebackers in the Packers' 3-4 defense are among the best in the NFL.
Outside backers Brad Jones and Clay Matthews (10 QB sacks in his rookie season) are outstanding and inside is A.J. Hawk, who gets better each season and Nick Barnett, a perennial All-Pro at his position.
The secondary had a great season in 2009 with cornerback Charles Woodson leading the way with nine interceptions, which tied for the NFL lead along with three others.
Tramon Williams is the other corner and Al Harris is also on hand. The safeties are Atari Bigby and Nick Collins.
Green Bay's defense ranked second in the entire NFL a year ago and led the league with 30 interceptions and also tallied 37 sacks. Their plus 24 on takeaways was by far the best in the NFL.
OUTLOOK: Brett Favre!
Packers fans may bristle these days at the sound of his name, but the veteran quarterback is the one factor it seems that may keep the Packers from winning the NFC North division in 2010.
Until they prove otherwise, Green Bay has been unable to beat Favre and the Minnesota Vikings and if Favre decides he is ready and healthy to go this year, there is a question in the collective heads of the Pack.
Make no mistake, this team is solid and will definitely make a playoff run this year, barring any serious injuries to key players of course.
The offense and defense is solid and the special teams do need shoring up, where the Packers brought in a new punter, Chris Bryan. Kicker Mason Crosby needs to convert more consistently on long field goals as well.
Coach Mike McCarthy would like to see his team soar this season and playing in the NFC North, it is possible to win the division and make a serious Super Bowl run.
The call is 11-5 and a certain playoff spot for the Packers. How far they go from there will depend on Rodgers and the offensive front.
TEAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1- at Philadelphia
Week 2- vs. Buffalo
Week 3- at Chicago
Week 4- vs. Detroit
Week 5- at Washington
Week 6- vs. Miami
Week 7- vs. Minnesota
Week 8- at NY Jets
Week 9- vs. Dallas
Week 10- Bye Week
Week 11- at Minnesota
Week 12- at Atlanta
Week 13- vs. San Francisco
Week 14- at Detroit
Week 15- at New England
Week 16- vs. NY Giants
Week 17- vs. Chicago
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