Since 2010 the Green Bay Packers have won the NFC North division
5 times. They have been a model of
consistency and a team that has been able to persevere through tough times. They
don’t spend a bunch of money in free agency, they draft very well, and they
have one of the best quarterbacks in the league. The Green Bay Packers are in
the same position they’ve been in since 2010, a contending position.
Aaron Rodgers is a special player. He is the reason that
Green Bay is able to remain consistently good despite the turnover. Rodgers has
been through a slew of wide receivers. The best running back he has played with
was Eddie Lacey. How many quarterbacks could be as successful as Rodgers has
been, with Eddie Lacey as their best running back? Short answer maybe two Drew Brees
and Tom Brady. Rodgers has been able to hide the Packers deficiencies. He is
able to account for the lack of a productive run game, and the turnover that he
has experienced at the wide receiver position. As long as the Packers have
Rodgers they have a chance to contend for a super bowl title.
We all know how much better Rodgers makes this team. I’m
not sure the Packers did enough this offense to improve the overall talent on
the team. The offensive line has struggled at times adjusting to Rodgers playing
style. His ability to extend plays puts pressure on those offensive linemen to
hold their blocks longer. David Bakhtian and Bryan Bulaga may be the best tackle
tandem in the league. They really allow Rodgers the room to do the things he
does in the pocket. The packers lost guard TJ Lang to free agency. The center
and guard spots are still concerns for this unit. The Packers offensive line is
much better at pass blocking than run blocking. Bringing in guard Jahri Evans
should help them at one of those guard spot. This offense is built around Aaron
Rodgers and he will make this group better with his play. Rodgers skill positions
are still a cause for concerns.
The Packers have been experimenting with the running back
position since Lacey began eating his way out the league. Now that Lacey is gone,
I’m guessing they now have full range to put whoever they want at running back.
Last season they got some solid production from Ty Montgomery, a converted slot
wide receiver, in the run game. Having Montgomery in the backfield makes it
possible for Rodgers to speed up the tempo because he is great at catching the
ball in space. Montgomery has good field vision, is fast, quick, but lacks the
size to endure the pounding of playing running back. Having him listed at
running back and lining up in the backfield creates mismatches with linebackers
and safeties. Montgomery is supposed to move to running back full time, but he
will give them a legit option in their passing game. The Packers resigned
Christine Michael and drafted a few other running backs in an attempt to find a
quality starting running back. Montgomery is the projected starter; Michael
will probably do the bulk of the carrying inside the tackles. With Montgomery’s
ability to catch out the backfield he will probably the starting job.
The Packers remain the same at the wide receiver
position. Jordy Nelson is coming off a league leading 14 touchdown receptions
and 1200 yards receiving. Devonta Adams is a solid #2 receiver and was two
touchdowns behind Nelson for the league leads. Randall Cobb has been a disappointment
since that amazing 2014 season. Cobb has struggled with getting open and
catching passes. Having Montgomery on the field in passing situations will help
take some of the pressure off Cobb in the slot. The Packers did bring in a pair
of tight ends that should boost this passing attack, as if Rodgers needs more
help.
The Packers added Lance Kendricks and Martellous Bennett
via free agency. The Packers haven’t been able to address the tight end position
since Jermichael Finely suffered his career ending injury. Bennett stepped up
huge for the Patriots in Gronk’s absence last season. He will be playing with a
quarterback of Brady’s caliber in Rodgers so he should be effective with the Packers.
Kendrick’s hasn’t been the most productive tight end in the league but he
should give them depth at the position. Kendricks and Bennett should give the
Packers the ability two run some two tight end sets, and provide Rodgers with
two legit receiver options. These two tight ends, Montgomery, along with the receivers
give the Packers another top 10 offensive unit. They still have some work to do
on the defensive side of the ball.
Last season the
Packers ranked 21st in points allowed per game and 22nd
in yards allowed per game. That defense was riddle with injuries all over last
season. They had to start 4th and 5th string cornerbacks.
Safeties played corner at times. This defense lost one of their better defensive
backs in Micah Hyde, Sam Shields, and Julius Peppers. A defense that was
already terriblem, lost three starters, doesn’t look good for the Packers. They
did draft cornerback Kevin King, safety Josh Jones, defensive tackle Montavious
Adams, and Vince Biegal with their first four picks. This organization understands
that they must improve on the defensive side of the ball. King will give them a potential shutdown
cornerback on the outside. He has the size and speed to matchup well with most
wide receivers in the league. Josh Jones will give them an athletic “box safety”,
almost like another linebacker. Adams ran a 4.87 forty-yard dash at 305lbs, he
brings some athleticism to their front line. Biegal should come in and compete
for time at outside linebacker with Peppers and Datone Jones gone. They hope he
can help them get to the passer. The Packers must get better performance from
this secondary and the pass rush.
HaHa Clinton Dix is developing into a good safety and he
will be counted on the makes plays for this defense. Morgan Burnett is an
excellent complement safety to Dix and plays well in the box. They brought back
Davon House to play opposite Kevin King at the corner back position. Nick Perry
and Clay Mathews will be the two best players on this defense and hopefully
Mathews is moved back to the outside linebacker position. They will need his
ability to get to the passer in order to cover up for the rest of the players
on this side of the ball.
The Packers are one of the organizations that are able to
find gems in the draft and via free agency. This defense is slightly improve
only because they can’t be any worst. I think the turnover they experience this
offseason will have an affect on how good this defensive unit can be. Julius
Pepper isn’t the same player he was in 2013 but he was effective against the
run and was a threat off the edge to get to the passer. Losing two starting
cornerbacks and a starting outside linebacker will negatively affect this unit’s
performance.
On the bright side the Packers play in the NFC North, a
very weak division. Their biggest threat is the Vikings. The Lions could be
better this season and could look to steal this division also. They have Aaron
Rodgers and are considered the best team in the division. Putting everything into
perspective the Packers are in the same situation as the Falcons and Cowboys.
All three teams will be relying on rookies to help boost the play of their
defenses. All three teams will make the playoffs and once you get in the
playoffs you need special play from your special players. It doesn’t get any
more special than Aaron Rodgers, just ask the Dallas Cowboys.
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