Green Bay Packers Predictions
June 18, 2008
The Green Bay Packers return 20 starters from a team that was one score away from advancing to Super Bowl XLII. The only problem with that is the fact that Brett Favre is one of those starters that is gone. Without his leadership, ability and charisma, the Packers will be missing something they have had for 16 years now. Players looked up to Favre and now they will have to try and look up to the young Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. Info Plays gives you our 2008 Green Bay Packers predictions and tell you how we think they will deal with Favre’s loss this season.
Offense:
Rodgers was only eight years old when Favre made his first start for the Packers. It’s yet to see how Favre’s guidance for this young QB out of Cal will help Rodgers deal with the stress that comes with being an everyday quarterback in the NFL. Packers fans like what they saw in Rodgers when he nearly led Green Bay to a huge victory in
Dallas last season. But that was only a small sample and fans know he is injury prone so there are definite concerns in Packer Country coming in. Rookie Brian Brohm put up big numbers in Louisville, and some wonder if his selection portrays a lack of confidence in Rodgers.
The Packers’ backfield came out of nowhere last year to be one of the most dominant forces in all of the league. Brandon Jackson, Vernand Morency, DeShawn Wynn and Noah Herron failed to start the year, but over the final 10 games of the season, Ryan Grant rushed for 929 yards, second in the NFL only behind LaDainian Tomlinson. His slashing style fit’s the Packers’ zone-blocking scheme to perfection. Fullback Korey Hall is a punishing blocker and returns to pave the way for Grant and his backups.
Donald Driver was the main target in Green Bay last season and he’ll be Rodgers go-to guy again this year. But Driver is past his prime after catching just two touchdown passes last season. Greg Jennings is a game-breaker on the other side as he caught 12 TD passes in only 15 games. Second-round pick Jordy Nelson and second-year wideout James Jones add depth to this position. One thing is certain, if Rodgers isn’t successful it won’t be due to a lack of weapons at receiver.
The Packers still aren’t set on their offensive guard positions after losing Mike Wahle and Marco Rivera exactly three years ago. The Packers have finished just 23rd and 21st in rushing n Mike McCarthy’s two season in Green Bay after he installed the zone-blocking scheme for their running game. There’s still a nice mix of veterans and young talent on the offensive line that could make this team one of the best running squads in the league. Center Scott Wells and tackles Mark Tauscher and Chad Clifton give the Packers a core that is well above average, especially in pass protection. Young guards Josn Spitz, Daryn Colledge, Allen Barbre, Junius Coston and Tony Moll are the big question marks on the line heading into the 2008 season on offense.
Defense:
Aaron Kampman is the leader of this defensive line after providing 12 stacks and a franchise-record 31 QB pressures last season. Pass-rushing specialist Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila combines with Kampman to give the Packers one of the best pass-rushing units in the league. Run stopper Ryan Pickett is a nice mix with these two at tackle. End Cullen Jenkins battled injuries last year but he returns healthy this season. Johnny Jolly and last year’s first-round pick, Justin Harell, fight for the departed Corey Williams’ spot at tackle.
Nick Barnett is the key to the Packers defense with a team-high 131 tackles last year at linebacker. A.J. Hawk makes all the plays he’s supposed to make but needs to create more havoc in his second year in the league. Hawk did notch 105 tackles, but recording just one sack and one interception in an entire season shows his inability to make the big play. Brady Poppinga and newly acquired Brandon Chillar will compete for the other linebacker spot. Poppinga is better against the run while Chillar was arguably the Packers’ best pickup in the offseason, as he possesses the all-around tools to earn the strong-side linebacker job.
Charles Woodson was the Packers’ leader in the secondary despite suffering through toe and knee injuries. Al Harris made the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career, but he’s penalty-prone and no longer able to bump and run the league’s best receiver. Woodson has shown no signs of aging, while the same can’t be said for Harris. Safety Atari Bigby was a pleasant surprise in the secondary with 5 interceptions and 14 pass breakups. The Packers thought he was just a run stopper, but found out in a hurry that he can handle pass coverage as well. The free safety spot is wide open this season between Nick Collins and Aaron Rouse.
Info Plays 2008 Green Bay Packers Predictions:
With 20 starters returning, it’s hard to see the Packers not winning the NFC North Division. But we feel that Brett Favre’s retirement will take some time for this team to overcome. Meanwhile, the
Minnesota Vikings are loaded with new and old talent to take down this division this season. Aaron Rodgers will struggle early before coming on late. By that time, the Packers won’t be able to make up enough ground on the Vikings to take down this division. Green Bay finishes 2nd in the NFC North in 2008.
