I told the home office I would be offering up some team previews as we are now drawing ever closer to the camps opening. So, in keeping that promise I am going with the Packers as my first team to take a look at. Those who know me from my years here at Pregame know they are my favorite team. So, makes sense I would kick off these previews with them. I also will add that I do not ever, as they know, let personal fan emotion factor into my actual handicapping and releases. I am 58 years old and have been a Packers fan literally since the Ice Bowl game against the Cowboys. Strange but I still remember watching that crazy game like it was just yesterday. After Bart Starr scored the winning touchdown following the blocks of Jerry Kramer and Ken Bowman I looked up at my dad and announced I was a Packers fan. He laughed and said we'll see how long that lasts bud. Well, here I am many, many years later and my devotion as a fan has never waned. I got on the season ticket waiting list for Lambeau many decades ago. That goal was finally reached five years ago when I went to my mailbox and got the good news. I was now a season ticket holder. I strongly suspect I am the only Green Bay season ticket holder residing here in Columbia. Yes, I enjoy traveling up to Green Bay for games. Love it. But it has also been very gratifying helping others scratch a trip to Lambeau off their bucket lists. It is not practical for me to travel and attend all the games so I use the other tickets to help others make that journey. Attending a game at Lambeau is something every NFL fan should do at least once. I have even given away tickets to folks here on the forum. Did not make a red cent off it. Was just being a nice guy. Lambeau is a special place to attend a game, hell, Green Bay on a game weekend is a special place. Nothing quite like it.
It seems every season I go into the new year with the same concerns of late. The defense. Year after year the Packers under Mike McCarthy have little trouble lighting up the scoreboard. Some seasons the Packers offense is more explosive than others but they consistently put a team on the field capable of lighting up the scoreboard. On the flip side each year I have concerns and downright issues with the defensive side of the ball. Unfortunately this season is no different. I still cringe when I reflect back on the NFC title game when Matt Ryan and the Falcons absolutely abused the Green Bay defense. It was painful to watch.
Hard to imagine but Aaron Rodgers has now been the man under center for the Packers since the 2008 season. One of the steals of the century in the draft. Not much I can say here that has not been said about Rodgers so I won't belabor the point. He continues to be one of the best QB's in the game today. The fact is since Rodgers has been the starting QB for the Packers only the Patriots have won more games. One thing the Packers have had issues with for some time despite the winning results for some time has been a reliable, consistent running game. I had high hope for Eddie Lacy filling that void and he showed flashes. But he was too inconsistent and yes, a little injury prone. I was not devastated that he went to Seattle. I wish him well and it is interesting they open up at Lambeau against the Seahawks. So here we are, Ty Montgomery is seemingly for now the man. Serviceable back that exceeded most folks (me included) expectations. I do like the draft picks Ted Thompson brought in. Three young backs headed up by Jamaal Williams from BYU. With Rodgers and the Packers offense lets be clear, the Packers want a functional backfield that can keep the defense honest. I don't see that changing. I do wish we had more of a legit game changer back there but as long as Montgomery can stay upright I think the Packers backfield will be better than many, not as good as some. But serviceable. I have little concerns with the passing attack or the weapons as Rodgers disposal. Of course as I type this up everyone is healthy and we all know how that can change. We have seen in the past what happens when a key receiver goes down, (Jordy Nelson), but with Randall Cobb and Davante Adams to compliment Nelson Rodgers has no shortage of top drawer wide outs to go to. And delivering the package is still no issue as arm strength is still very much there. Rodgers can still go deep and if you do not think that is key look at the Chiefs and Alex Smith. Notice who they drafted at QB. I also like the fact that Thompson went into the bank account to sign Bennett to the three year 21 million dollar deal. Clearly Thompson thinks very highly of Bennett because when it comes to free agent he has a history of tossing nickels around like man hole covers. Now, for all the dough tied up in Rodgers and his receiving corps Thompson can be a head scratcher when it comes to his offensive line. The man will let veteran producers walk, (Lang) and trust the younger guys to step in. They typically do a serviceable job. They are strong enough at tackle with Bulaga and Bakhtiari, no issues there. I see a line here that is playoff caliber. Beyond that. ???
I don't really want to talk much about the defense. But of course I have to. Or do I. Maybe just skip it and move on and hope the offense overcomes it. That seems to be what the front office does every year. No, I am kidding. But the frustration is hard to hide so I don't really try much. Dom Capers now has the longest running gig of any NFL DC in the business. That literally blows my mind considering how inept the Packers often appear on defense. McCarthy is certainly loyal to the guy. Loyalty is an admirable trait. Usually. My confidence is Capers and this defense is paper thin. Just being candid. I lot of people pointed at the secondary and laughed at them. In their defense it is hard to cover when their is such little pressure being laid on the QB. For all his blow and bluster Clay Matthews often appears to me to be more hat than cattle. The Packers likely play more nickel than any other team. As I look at the bodies on hand I have little optimism for things changing much with this pass rush. The secondary drafted some nice young talent on paper but without much help from the grunts up in the trenches I almost feel sorry for them as they will surely be taxed every game. Yes, I am skeptical about this defense. Does it show?
Let's move it along to the bottom line. I think the offense will be as good or probably a tick better than last season. I do like the addition of Bennett. I think the kicking game is sound and Mason Crosby will likely be the hero in more than one close game this fall. I pray the defense stays healthy and Capers can get creative enough to find ways to pressure the opposing QB's otherwise it will be a mirror image of past seasons. I do look for Green Bay to win the NFC North but that is not exactly a travel through the valley of doom. The Vikings will be their strongest competitors I suspect. Primarily due to Mr Rodgers (Again) I look for a playoff season and possible another tease of a super bowl appearance only to have the harsh reality of a poor defense once again getting exposed when up against a first class offense in playoff conditions. (Falcons last year), in the end it will once again just be too much for the Packers offense to overcome.
That is it for now. As time allows I will be offering up views on other teams as we close in on things getting under way in the camps. Once the season kicks off I will also be doing weekly college football reviews for my two strongest conferences, the SEC and Big 12. Many thanks for looking in and it will be here before you know it. Each season seems to roll around a little faster than the one before. That my friends will never change and I suspect some of you are starting to notice it more and more. The signs of aging, lol. Or look at it this way. Maturing naturally. Take care guys.