As much as I have enjoyed writing here at PackerNation, the time has come for me to move on. I have been offered a blogging position in the Fansided blogging network at LombardiAve. I have completely enjoyed blogging here, and I hope to carry over my readership. I will still post links to the blogs on the PackerNation group on FanNation. Thanks for reading here and I hope to see your comments over on LombardiAve.The tight end position has always been a stronger position for the Packers. When the position is associated with the Packers, names like Jackson, Chmura, and Franks come to mind. Now, Donald Lee appears ready to join them.
The Packers go into the draft with two tight ends currently on their roster: Donald Lee and Tory Humphrey. Lee will go into 2008 as the full-time starter, while Humphrey is looking to recover from a devastating leg injury that ended his season before it started in training camp last year. The Packers long time staple at tight end, Bubba Franks, is gone. On February 20, Franks was released and he signed with the New York Jets almost a month later, on March 16. Franks' durability was becoming questionable and his time with the Pack was done. Therefore, there is only one player analysis to do, as Humphrey did not appear in a game last season.
Donald Lee
Rec: 48
Yds: 575
TDs: 6
AVG: 12.0
Long: 60
Lee was one of Brett Favre's favorite targets of 2008, as tight ends usually are. Lee showed great hands and speed for a tight end, evidenced by his 60-yard scamper against Washington in Week 6. He continues his improvement daily and will get more playing time in 2008 with the departure of Franks.
Humphrey went in to training camp last season after very strong offseason camps and OTAs. On the first day of training camp, Humphrey broke his leg just above the ankle. He spent three months of doing no activity and six months to fully recover. At 6-2, 250, Humphrey has the size and speed to stretch the field and compliment Lee as a deep threat. Because the Packers have only two tight ends on their roster, Humphrey is the top candidate to get major playing time behind Franks in 2008. He hopes to follow the impacts that Atari Bigby, Tramon Williams, and Lee made this year.
2007 Grade: B
2008 Outlook
Next season looks like it will continue to be good for the Packers tight ends. Lee has a contract extension under his belt and has the starting job essentially locked up. Humphrey will provide a spark and will hopefully bond with Aaron Rodgers. The addition of any rookies could affect this drastically.
2008 Projected Outlook: B
Draft Needs
The Packers will take a tight end this draft. I can guarantee that. But which tight end will they take? I do not see the Packers taking a tight end in the first round, leaving a tight end to most likely be taken in the second and third rounds. Because of this, USC's Fred Davis will most likely be gone along with Dustin Keller of Purdue and possibly Martellus Bennett of Texas A&M. If Keller is available in the second-round, I see the Packers taking him. However, the two tight ends I think would fit the Packers the best are Martin Rucker of Missouri or Jermichael
Finley of Texas, as both are big and athletic and would provide Rodgers with a lot of help. After the draft, the Packers will most likely take a flyer on an undrafted free agent, as they take four tight ends into OTAs most seasons. Joey Haynos (Maryland), Joe Jon Finley (Oklahoma), and Tom Santi (Virginia) are my best bets for these.
The Packers have determined their four opponents for the preseason:
Week 1: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Week 2: @ San Francisco 49ers
Week 3: @ Denver Broncos
Week 4: vs. Tennessee Titians
The Week 1 game against the Bengals is the Monday Night Football preseason opener. The game is the 48th annual Bishop's Charities Game, a series started by Vince Lombardi in 1961 to raise money for the Diocese of Green Bay. The games have raised over $3.4 million. The last time the Bengals met the Packers in the preseason was in 2006, also on Monday night.
In Week 2, the Packers meet San Francisco in the preseason for the first time since 1975, before traveling to Denver in Week 3 for the first time in the preseason since 2001.
Finally, the Packers meet the Titans at home for the 59th annual Upper Midwest Shrine Game. The tradition has raised more than $3.1 million for the Midwest Shrine's burn centers and children's hospitals. Green Bay has won the last four and eight of the last nine in the series. This is the seventh consecutive year the two teams will meet to close out the preseason.
This preseason schedule gives the Packers defense to go up against some of the rising stars of the quarterback position. In Week 1, the defense will be tested by Carson Palmer and the Bengals offense, while the (hopefully younger) secondary will be tested by wide receivers Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh. For the San Francisco game, the defense will add their two cents in to the quarterback competition between Alex Smith and Shaun Hill. Aaron Rodgers and Smith are forever linked by the 2005 NFL Draft. Rodgers and the Packers offense will go up against the re-revamped 49ers defense, featuring new acquisition, defensive end/linebacker Justin Smith.
In Week 3, the Packers return to Denver, site of their overtime victory on Monday night last October. Jay Cutler and the Broncos are not hoping for the same result, while the Broncos will try to identify the consistent starter for their rushing attack. Finally, the Packers close out the preseason against the dynamic Vince Young. The Packers linebackers will need to be on their toes, and this game will help determine the third linebacker spot, where it has been said that Brady Poppinga's job is up in the air.
Overall, the Packers could win all four of these games of the preseason, but we must remember that the preseason record does not matter. What matters is that the young guys get playing time and grow and mature, and that all position battles are taken care of.
The Packers made three additions to their football team Monday, announcing the signings of linebacker Brandon Chillar, long snapper Thomas Gafford, and tackle Joe Toledo.
Chillar spent the first four years of his NFL career with the St. Louis Rams after being selected in the 4th round of the 2004 NFL Draft. In college at UCLA, Chillar was a three-year starter and earned All-Pac 10 honors his senior year. He started 40 of 63 career games with the Rams, recording 254 tackles (173 solo) and 4.5 sacks. Chillar is 6'3", 242 pounds and was most likely brought in to provide help and competition for linebacker Brady Poppinga.
Gafford spent 2006 training camp with the Packers and was signed to a reserve/future contract by Seattle in January, 2007, but spent the last season out of football. Gafford was a four-year letterman at Houston (2001-2004). Gafford replaces the retired Rob Davis.
In college at University of Washington, Toledo originally played tight end for three years, but transitioned to tackle after being drafted in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. Gafford can play both guard and tackle, and was signed to help beef up the interior offensive line.
Out of all these additions, Chillar seems as if he will make the biggest impact.
The Packers will open their 2008 season on Monday Night Football on September 8, 2008 against the rival Minnesota Vikings. Kickoff time is slated for 7 PM ET at Lambeau Field. This is the fourth time the Packers will open their season on a Monday Night. In their previous tries the team is 3-0. The Packers last Monday night opener was a 24-14 win over the Carolina Panthers in 2004. The last Monday night home game for the Packers came November 21, 2005, also against the Minnesota Vikings. There is speculation on whether or not the Packers will use this occasion to retire Brett Favre's #4.
This game will also be a pressure cooker for Aaron Rodgers, who will be making his first career NFL start. This will be the first time a quarterback other than Brett Favre was started a game for the Packers since September 1992.
In their previous five Monday night meetings with the Vikings, the Packers are 2-3, dating back to 1997. The most memorable meeting between these two teams was on November 6, 2000, when Antonio Freeman made a juggling/diving 43-yard touchdown catch to give the Packers a 26-20 victory.
My early prediction: Green Bay 27, Minnesota 20
Excuse the interruption please.
Wide receiver was probably the most successful position for the Packers in 2007. Donald Driver continued to show he is one of the best in the league, while Greg Jennings emerged as a star. Rookie James Jones started out hot but faded for a bit. He still played an intricate role in the offense. After coming back from suspension, Koren Robinson teamed with Ruvell Martin to round out the dangerous Big 5 offensive formation.
Donald Driver
Rec: 82
Yds: 1,048
TDs: 2
AVG: 12.8
Long: 47
Driver continued to lead a young Packers receiving corps in 2007. Driver's play was phenomenal down the stretch, especially in games such as the Thanksgiving matchup against the Detroit Lions where Driver recorded 10+ receptions and 100+ yards. Age is slowly catching up with Driver, but he remained Brett Favre's favorite target even though Jennings emerged as a more than viable option. I expect that next year Driver will take on the roll of the second receiver and be new quarterback Aaron Rodgers' veteran presence.
Greg Jennings
Rec: 53
Yds: 920
TDs: 12
AVG: 17.4
Long: 82t
The 2007 season was Jennings' breakout performance. He became Favre's big play target while establishing himself as one of the NFL's best WRs. He's young and fast and could be poised to take over the number one receiver spot from Driver. Jennings could definitely be a Pro Bowl receiver next year.
James Jones
Rec: 47
Yds: 676
TDs: 2
AVG: 14.4
Long: 79t
Jones came out of nowhere as a third-round pick from San Jose State and showed he could be a good wide receiver. He got off to a fast start, but after the Chicago game in which he fumbled on two consecutive possessions in the red zone, his looks diminished extremely. Favre compared him to former Packers wide receiver Sterling Sharpe and it is said that Jones has "hands of glue." Jones should get more chances next year as he grows, gets mature, and, hopefully, gets better.
Koren Robinson
Rec: 21
Yds: 241
TDs: 1
AVG: 11.5
Long: 43
I have read that Robinson will not be back next year, but I have yet to read into that claim. After he came off of suspension, Robinson gave the Packers their much needed fifth option to create mismatches. Robinson also boosted the kick return game. Robinson would be missed if he does not come back, but he would leave a void for Martin to fill.
Ruvell Martin
Rec: 16
Yds: 242
TDs: 4
AVG: 15.1
Long: 36
At 6'4", Martin is oozing with potential. He has shown just flashes of brilliance to the disappointment of many, but he became a great red zone target with his four touchdown receptions in 2007. If he continues to develop and build up a rapport with Rodgers, he could have a very bright future ahead of him.
2007 Grade: A-
2008 Outlook
Next season looks very bright for these young stars as they continue to develop. Driver is getting old, but the emergence of Jennings and Jones can help offset Driver's negative progression. There will be growing pains as many of these guys are young, and they will have to deal with a new quarterback in Rodgers. However, we can still expect these receivers to produce in 2008.
2008 Projected Grade: B+
Draft Needs
I suggested in a past entry that James Hardy be the solution for the Packers wide receivers, as he would join Martin as a big physical presence. He is slated as late first-round, early second-round pick, and the common consensus is the Packers will draft a cornerback with their first round pick, making it unlikely they will draft him. Other potential draft picks could be Andre Caldwell from Florida, Earl Bennett from Vanderbilt, Mario Manningham from Michigan, and Jordy Nelson from Kansas State. Those are the wide receivers I would see them taking in the second/third-round time period. Other wide receivers that could be available later in the draft are Louisville's Harry Douglas, Coastal Carolina's Jerome Simpson, Appalachian State's Dexter Jackson, Oklahoma State's Adarius Bowman, and Michigan's Adrian Arrington. I almost definitely see the Packers picking up a wide receiver at some point during the draft.
Korey HallAs evidenced by the stats of both Kuhn and Hall, the fullbacks in the Packers system are used more for blocking than for receiving or rushing. Hall saw the most action this season, playing in 14 games (10 starts), primarily as the blocking back for Ryan Grant. He suffered a few nagging injuries at the end of the season, but was back for the playoffs. Hall played linebacker at Boise State and made a great conversion over to the offensive side of the ball. The coaches raved about his ability to change over to the offensive side of the ball. Hall was still able to use his defensive prowess, however, as he ranked tied for third on the team in special teams tackles. Hall's role will proceed to grow next season, both on the offensive side of the ball and on special teams.
Kuhn was acquired shortly before the season start and found it hard to find game action. He appeared in all 16 games, starting one. Kuhn found a niche on special teams, finishing tied for sixth on the team in special teams tackles. I'm not sure if the Packers expect to bring him back next season to continue in his role backing up Hall.
2007 Grade: B-
2008 Outlook
Both fullbacks will get better with experience. Once Hall and running back Ryan Grant develop a rapport, the duo should take off. Hall is one of the brightest prospects on the Packers and has a great future ahead. For Kuhn, I am not really sure what 2008 brings. He is under contract, but I am not sure if he will make it through camp. The Packers do like to use two fullback sets, so he should have a pretty good chance to return.
2008 Projected Grade: B
Draft Needs
None.
With the retirement of Brett Favre, I have decided to re-evaluate the position of quarterback for the Packer Position Profiles series, as Aaron Rodgers is the new starter. I'm not going to re-do the whole blog, just a few sections.
2008 Outlook
With the aforementioned departure of Favre, Rodgers is now "the man." Rodgers will be counted on to replace some of Favre's production on the field. However, the emergence of Ryan Grant at running back significantly reduces the pressure on Rodgers. The key to Rodgers' performance will be the regression or progression of the offensive line. Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher are aging, while Scott Wells, Jason Spitz, Darryn Colledge, and Junius Coston were very inconsistent last year. The key for a young quarterback's success or failure in the NFL usually depends on offensive line play. That will be the key for Rodgers. The Packers only carried two quarterbacks on their roster last season, until Rodgers' hamstring injury, but I expect the Packers to carry three this season. Craig Nall could re-sign now that he has a chance to compete for the job or the Packers could make a deal for a veteran quarterback.
The Green Bay Press-Gazette is reporting that the Packers could go after veteran quarterback to provide more leadership and mentoring for Rodgers. Among the mentioned quarterbacks are Mark Brunell, Gus Frerotte, Trent Green, Kelly Holcomb, Jamie Martin, and Vinny Testaverde. Other younger quarterbacks mentioned are Byron Leftwich, Daunte Culpepper, and J.P. Losman. In my opinion, none of these options are particularly appealing. To me, the best option would be to bring Brunell in to mentor Rodgers and be the backup. Brunell, a former Packer, does not have anything left in the tank and would not be brought in to start, giving him opportunity to be a mentor, a job I think he could handle. Signing Leftwich or Culpepper would only be necessary in an emergency, as neither of these guys really wants to be a backup, and fact is, neither are that good of a quarterback either. If need be, they could probably hold down the fort for another year or two for Rodgers, but their addition would be totally unnecessary. All I have to say about Losman is that if the Packers traded for him, Ted Thompson would lose a lot of credibility.
2008 Projected Grade: B- (down from B+)
Draft Needs
In the initial edition of PPP: Quarterbacks, I said that the Packers could take a flyer and possibly select someone like Ricky Santos or Josh Johnson in the later rounds. Now I feel that the Packers almost definitely will. With Johnson's combine performance, I do not think he would be available in later rounds and his does not seem like it would be a good fit for the Packers. His 4.4 speed would be nice, but it is not what the Packers need. I could see the Packers taking a risk on Penn State's Anthony Morelli or San Diego State's Kevin O'Connell. Both are big (Morelli is 6'4" while O'Connell is 6'6") and have great arms. The Packer taking a quarterback above the third round would be a reach in my opinion. I will predict that a quarterback will be picked between the third and fifth rounds. Johnson, Santos, Morelli, or O'Connell are the top four I see the Packers choosing from, if they do choose a quarterback.
Your thoughts on the Packers quarterback situation?
So without further a due, Aaron Rodgers, starting quarterback of the Green Bay Packers.
At a Super Bowl press conference, coach Mike McCarthy said that Rodgers is "the man" after Favre's retirement. Well Mr. Rodgers, you are officially "the man." So let's learn a little about the man.
Aaron Charles Rodgers was born December 2, 1983 in Chico, California. Rodgers was a two-year starting quarterback at Pleasant Valley High School in Chico, where he set state records with 440 all-purpose yards and 6 touchdowns in one game and 2,466 total yards in a season. Rodgers gained 4,419 passing yards in his two years at quarterback. Lightly recruited out of college, Rodgers' only offer was to walk-on at Illinois, an offer which he declined. Rodgers attended Butte College, leading them to a 10-1 record, and decided to transfer to a Division I school after his sophomore year.
California coach Jeff Tedford discovered Rodgers while recruiting another player, and offered him a scholarship. Rodgers arrived on campus in 2003 and started in the fifth game of the season against Illinois. Rodgers started the rest of the year leading Cal to an 8-6 record, including a victory over USC in his second start. Rodgers also started the Insight Bowl against Virginia Tech, a game which the Golden Bears won. He tied the school record for 300-yard games with five and had only 1.43% of his passes intercepted, a school record.
In his junior campaign, Rodgers helped Cal acquire a No. 4 ranking in the regular season. The Golden Bears lost only one game that year, a 23-17 overtime heartbreaker to USC, a game in which he completed 23 consecutive passes. Rodgers also set a school record for completion percentage in that game, completing 85.3% of his passes. Rodgers shared Cal's Offensive MVP award in 2004 while being named First Team All-Pac 10 and Honorable Mention All-American. After a 45-31 Holiday Bowl loss to Texas Tech, Rodgers decided to enter the 2005 NFL Draft.
Going into the draft, the San Francisco 49ers were thought to pick either Utah quarterback Alex Smith or Rodgers with the first pick in the draft. This decision was a hot news story in the days leading up to the draft, creating much debate on who should be picked first. San Francisco opted to choose Smith, who has had a below-mediocre career, over Rodgers. Thus began Rodgers' freefall to the Packers at the 24th pick. Rodgers was at the draft, which created one of the worst P.R. nightmares in draft history, as he was ushered off into a side-room during the draft.
He signed to a rookie contract worth $7.7 million with $5.4 million guaranteed over five years. The contract could be worth up to $24.5 million if all incentives were met. Rodgers spent the Packers 4-12 season as backup to Favre, and saw limited game action against the New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens. In his second year, Rodgers relieved Favre after an injury in a 35-0 loss against New England and broke his foot, ending his 2006 campaign. In 2007, Rodgers was again relegated to backup duty, but got his first taste of the spotlight. Against Dallas on November 29, 2007, Favre suffered an arm injury and Rodgers rallied the Packers from a 17-point deficit to within three points, before the Packers succumbed 37-27. Rodgers oozed potential in this game, completing 18 of 26 passes for 201 yards and his first career touchdown. The next week in practice, Rodgers pulled his hamstring and did not see action for the rest of the season.
If Rodgers wants to be "the man" in Green Bay, he will have to overcome many different obstacles. First off, he has an unreasonably large pair of shoes to fill. Second, he has plenty of doubters. Scouts criticized his size before the draft, saying that, at 6'2", he was too small to play quarterback in the NFL. There are also questions about his pedigree, as many speculate he is just a Tedford product. In his career as a college coach at Fresno State, Oregon, and Cal, Tedford has had six quarterbacks picked in the first round, including Rodgers, Trent Dilfer, Akili Smith, Joey Harrington, and Kyle Boller. Quite the list there, eh?
However, Rodgers is not that green. He has sat for three years behind one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time. Although Favre was initially reluctant to help Rodgers learn the ropes, he came around and provided some leadership to the young quarterback. Rodgers has a multiple offensive weapons at his disposal as well. Ryan Grant will take a huge amount of pressure of Rodgers, giving the Packers a reliable running game and easing reliance on the pass. Rodgers has one of the best young corps of receivers to rely on as well, with Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, and James Jones. However, if the Packers want Rodgers to be able to do anything, they will need to shore up a mercurial offensive line. The key to Rodgers' performance will be the aging Mark Tauscher and Chad Clifton along with the young guys up front. If they are not able to mesh, Rodgers will be taking a seat. Often.
Brett Favre is gone. We must accept that, as hard as it is. I myself may be taking this a little hard, as I am in a four-day mourning period where I am wearing my Favre jersey non-stop, before putting it away until the first Packers game of next year.
As Packer fans and PackerNation, we must give Aaron Rodgers our full support.
And yes, ladies, he is single.
Due to the fact that I am still in school and should be studying for a Spanish test, I will post more later updating the developments of this news story that has yet to sink in. Please stay with PackerNation for more developments in this turn events. 
Thanks.
Many people inside and outside the Packers organization feel that Favre will return, including new team president Mark Murphy who told the Associated Press that he is confident about Favre's return. Others, including head coach Mike McCarthy do feel that Favre will return, but that he needs his space and to take his time in the decision.
On Sunday, NFL.com's Adam Schefter reported that Favre would not return if the Packers did not acquire or at least try to acquire New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss in free agency. I feel that the Packers do need a big Moss-like wide receiver in their corps, although Ruvell Martin could eventually fill that bill. Someone like Indiana wide receiver James Hardy, whom I have already mentioned, would be a great addition. I feel that Favre's decision should not totally hinge on the addition of Moss, but it would definitely help the team to add him.
This week's poll is "Was trading Corey Williams to the Cleveland Browns a good move?" The poll will stay up for approximately one week, until March 10, 2008. Vote, and make your opinion heard on the matters of the Packers.
The Browns signed Williams to a six-year contract worth $38 million with $16.3 million guaranteed. The Browns look to have one of the top defensive lines in 2008, also acquiring Shaun Rogers from the Lions in exchange for Leigh Bodden and a third-round pick.
Ryan Grant
Brandon Jackson
DeShawn Wynn
Rushes: 50
Yards: 203
AVG: 4.1
TDs: 4
Long: 44
Rec: 9
Yards: 73
TDs: 0
AVG: 8.1
Long: 18
Best Game: Week 5 vs. Chicago
Rushes: 13
Yards: 78
AVG: 6.0
TDs: 1
Long: 44
Rec: 1
Yards: 13
TDs: 0
AVG: 13.0
Long: 13
Wynn seized the starting job in Week 4 after seeing limited action in the first three games of the season. Wynn was successful, but was injured on his first carry in Week 8 at Denver. If he had not been injured, he most likely would continued to be the feature back in McCarthy's system, and we would have never heard of Ryan Grant. I would expect Wynn to be the second string running back at camp next year unless Jackson makes significant strides.
Vernand Morency, the primary third-down running back last year, is expected to leave in free agency, along with Noah Herron, was put on IR after a knee injury in training camp.
2007 Grade: B
2008 Outlook
The outlook for 2008 is much clearer than it was for 2007. In 2007, no one knew who the starting running back would be week-in and week-out. After Week 8, however, Grant emerged and helped carry the team into the playoffs. I do not think Grant will be able to repeat his 2007 performance. People now know who he is and they will be sure to put someone on him and start to gameplan around him. Grant will not be able to take the league by storm as he did in 2007. Also, Grant needs to develop some consistency and gets his yards per carry average up and not rely on really long runs for most of his yards.
2008 Projected Grade: B
Draft Needs
None at the moment. I could see the Packers making a minor veteran pickup in free agency or drafting one the guys ranked outside the top 15 on NFL Draft Watch in the late rounds.
In 2007, the Green Bay Packers quarterback play exceeded all expectations. Coming into the season, Brett Favre was thought to be on the downside of his career, but proved the pundits wrong, while Aaron Rodgers showed that he could play. Ingle Martin's dismal preseason doomed his hopes of making the roster while Craig Nall came back on board due to Rodgers' injury.
Let's take a look at each quarterback's stats:
Brett FavreBest game (tough decision): Week 3 vs. San Diego
Comp: 28
Att: 45
Yds: 369
TDs: 3
INT: 0
Comp%: 62.2
Rating: 110.3
Favre had a remarkable year in 2007. No one expected him to have this type of year at the age he had it at. He owns most of the passing record books now and helped the Packers to their first NFC Championship Game appearance since the 1997 season. Favre missed most of the Dallas game with shoulder and elbow injuries but returned the next week, keeping his starts streak intact. The Packers finished 13-3.
Aaron RodgersBest game (easy decision): Week 13 @ Dallas
Comp: 16
Att: 26
Yds: 201
TDs: 1
INT: 0
Comp%: 69.2
Rating: 104.8
Rodgers finally got his first taste of big game action Week 13 at Dallas in front of a national, DirecTV-subscribing audience. Rodgers relieved Favre early in the game and did his best to keep the Packers in the game, pulling them to within three before the Cowboys pulled away. Rodgers, as Favre's heir apparent, has seen much scrutiny in his short career. He showed he could play against Dallas, however, but there are questions about his health, as he pulled his hamstring the next week in practice, causing him to miss most of the rest of the season, and he broke his foot in 2006, ending his campaign early. Rodgers is the future of the Packers.
Craig Nall
Comp: 7
Att: 15
Yds: 88
Comp%: 46.7
TD: 1
INT: 0
Long: 32t
Sack: 1
Rating: 87.6
Best game (easy decision): Week 17 vs. Detroit
Comp: 7
Att: 15
Yds: 88
TDs: 1
INT: 0
Comp%: 46.7
Rating: 87.6
Nall was re-signed by the Packers after Rodgers' hamstring injury. Nall was a Packers backup from 2002-2005. He is not expected to return next season, as he continues his search for a starting job.
2007 Grade: A
2008 Outlook
The outlook for 2008 looks very good for the Packers quarterbacks. Favre is still solid and adjusted well to be being a game manager with Ryan Grant's emergence. His willingness to tutor Rodgers will continue to be a help. Some regression can be expected with Favre's age, while Rodgers showed in 2007 that he could play. I would expect to see more of Rodgers in the second and third quarters of games, and earlier in garbage time. Favre has to retire eventually (I think), but he will be able to produce solidly in 2008. He will not be able to perform at the 2007 level, but I would say somewhere in the neighborhood of 3500 yards and 20 TDs. And Rodgers is waiting in the wings for him, if needed.
2008 Projected Grade: B+
Draft Needs
I personally do not think there are any. I have enough faith in Rodgers that the Packers do not need to draft him. However, I have seen mock drafts with the Packers picking Kentucky quarterback Andre Woodson in the second round. Personally, I think that is too early for the Packers to pick a quarterback. I can see the Packers taking a risk on a small-school quarterback such as Josh Johnson from San Diego or Ricky Santos from New Hampshire, much like they did with Ingle Martin out of Furman a few years back. But if the need is not there, why address it?
The Packers offered Williams a one-year contract tender worth $6.363 million, the average of the league's top five defensive tackles in 2007. Williams is still allowed to talk to other teams, but the Packers reserve the right to match that offer or they receive compensation in draft picks from the other team.
Williams had a career year in 2007, totaling 51 tackles, 32 solo, and tied a career-high with seven sacks. The Packers already have plenty of depth at the defensive tackle position with Ryan Pickett, Justin Harrell, Colin Cole, and Johnny Jolly. Re-signing Williams gives the Packers one of the best interior defensive lines in the NFL.
An era ended Thursday with the departure of Bubba Franks. Franks, a first-round draft choice out of Miami in 2000, spent eight years with the organization. He started 94 of 114 career games, catching 256 catches for 2,300 yards and 32 touchdowns. The 32 touchdowns rank tenth all-time on the team's list.
Franks' performance had declined in recent years and saw his playing time decrese significantly with the emergence of Donald Lee. In 2007, Franks started one of eight games he played in and recorded only 18 catches for 132 yards and three touchdowns. Franks' third year in the league, 2002, was arguably his most successful. He caught a career-high 54 passes for a career-high 442 yards and seven touchdowns, second-most of his career.
Many people see the Packers drafting another tight end in the upcoming draft, but more on that in the tight ends edition of Packer Position Profiles.
We learned that Al Harris cannot cover Plaxico Burress. We learned that the Packers need a big physical corner that could keep up with the likes of Burress.
So why would the Packers draft a wide receiver with their first-round pick?
Last year, around this time, Brett Favre was campaigning general manager Ted Thompson to bring in then-Oakland Raiders wide receiver Randy Moss. Rumor has it the Packers could have acquired Moss for as little as a fifth-round pick. The Patriots acquired Moss for a fourth-rounder. Favre was not a happy camper.
But it still worked out for them. Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, and James Jones provided a trio of receivers that ranged from good-to-great skill wise. Jennings had a career year, albeit his second year in the league, while Jones started off fast, but saw a dip in playing time after his two-fumble performance in Week 5 at Chicago. And then Driver was as good as always. Koren Robinson came off suspension later in the year and teamed with Ruvell Martin to round out the "Big 5" wide receiver set, a matchup nightmare for defenses.
However, these five talented wide receivers all have a drawback: size. They range from 5'11" to 6'4", with Jennings being 5'11" and Martin being 6'4". A big wide receiver like Moss, who is listed at 6'5" or 6'6" would have provided a big help against the Giants in the NFC Championship Game. The Packers wide receivers were not made for cold weather. They were made for warm weather where they can move freely and make their cuts easier. A big wide receiver would provide the size needed and jumping ability to destroy defenses, a la Plaxico.
That is why the Packers should draft James Hardy.
Hardy is 6'7" and 220 pounds. That's some serious size right there. As a junior at Indiana last year, he caught 79 passes for 1,125 yards and 16 touchdowns. The 16 touchdowns ranked second in the nation. And he did this all against Big Ten competition, which is regarded as one of the best defensive conferences out there. For his career, Hardy owns the Indiana record books, with 191 receptions, 2,740 yards, and 36 touchdowns. He helped Indiana to a 7-6 record and their first bowl appearance in 14 years in 2007.
In games against some of the best competition in the nation in 2007, Hardy showcased his abilities. In a 38-20 win against Iowa, Hardy caught four passes for 113 yards, including a 48-yarder, and one touchdown. He followed this up three weeks later against Penn State by catching 14 passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns in a losing effort. Later, in an important Big Ten against Northwestern, a 31-28 loss for Indiana, Hardy caught seven passes for 107 yards, and two touchdowns, giving him five multi-touchdown games on the year. He was only kept out of the endzone twice this year, against Wisconsin and Oklahoma State in the Insight Bowl, both losses for Indiana.
Hardy does not come without character issues however. After the 2005 season, Hardy was arrested for domestic battery in Fort Wayne. The charges were dismissed after Hardy went through a diversion program. Hardy's coach at the time, the late Terry Hoeppner, suspended him for two games in the 2006 season because of this. Hardy still seems committed to excellence through all this, as he told the Associated Press, "No matter what I accomplish, I'm never satisfied now. I will continue to work hard no matter what comes my way."
Many sources rate Hardy as a top five receiver in the upcoming draft, including NFL Draft Watch, which has him as the third-best wide receiver, and rising, behind Malcolm Kelly from Oklahoma and DeSean Jackson from California.
So why do the Packers need Hardy?
Well he would provide a large presence in the secondary for the Packers. He would be Favre or Aaron Rodgers' go-to guy in the red zone, providing size and jumping ability. He would also be able to create mismatches across the middle with linebackers and safeties. This might be a huge risk, but it yields high reward.
If you want to see what Hardy could do, Packers fans, watch a replay of Plaxico Burress in the NFC Championship Game against the Packers. The Pack could have a guy like that. The Pack need a guy like that.
Grant was a virtual unknown after being acquired on September 1 from the New York Giants for an undisclosed draft pick. Grant entered a Packers backfield that was crowded with rookies Brandon Jackson and DeShawn Wynn and veteran Vernand Morency. No one expected Grant to really get an opportunity. However, he seized the starting job after the aforementioned Week 8 game against the Broncos and did not let go of it. Grant proceeded to break the 100-yard marks in Weeks 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16. During the regular season, Grant had a career long touchdown run of 66 yards in Week 16, a 35-7 loss to the Chicago Bears. Grant also set a career high in Week 14 during a 38-7 victory over the Oakland Raiders. Grant rushed for 156 yards and one touchdown on 29 carries.
In Week 10, Grant won FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week after rushing for 119 yards on 19 carries and his first career touchdown, which came on a 30-yard run. He also won the award again during Week 14 against Oakland. Grant carries a streak of six consecutive games with a touchdown into 2008. It is the second longest streak in Packers history behind Paul Hornung's streak of seven games in 1960.
Grant showed up to play in the playoffs as well. In the Divisional round playoff game against Seattle, Grant fumbled twice to put the Packers in a 14-0 hole. However, Packers coach Mike McCarthy stuck with the running game and Grant racked up a Packers playoff record 201 yards on 27 carries and three touchdowns. Grant also had a long run of 43 yards in the winter wonder land. In the NFC Championship Game, Grant was stifled by his former team, gaining only 29 yards on 13 carries.
But is Grant the long-term answer to the Packers running game? In my opinion, only time will tell. Grant was somewhat inconsistent, never rushing for over 100 yards in consecutive games. Also, outside of a few big runs, Grant was ineffective. Against Chicago in Week 16, Grant rushed for 100 yards on 14 carries. However, 90 of those yards came on two carries of 66 and 24, leaving him gaining just 10 yards on 12 carries. If Grant wants to be a number one back, he will have to improve on that. He is doing a good job of taking the pressure off of Brett Favre and the passing game.
The Packers drafted Crosby in the sixth-round of the 2007 NFL Draft out of Colorado, where he was one of the best kickers in the country. Crosby set the record for longest field goal at sea level without a tee with a 58-yarder against Miami in 2005. He was highly-touted prospect because of his big leg, but there were some questions about his accuracy which caused his stock to drop. The Packers took a risk on him and brought him in to compete with the incumbent Dave Rayner. Crosby then proceeded to kick a 42-yard game winner in his season debut against Philadelphia. That earned him the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. Crosby also won NFC Special Teams Player of the Month for November. In a game against St. Louis in Week 15, Crosby made four field goal attempts, three PATs, and kicked two touchbacks, earning him Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Week honors.
Crosby won the NFL scoring title, scoring 141 points, and edging second place Randy Moss, who scored 138 points for the Patriots. Crosby also finished third in the NFC and sixth in the NFL with fourteen touchbacks.
Crosby became the seventh rookie, and first since Kevin Butler in 1985, to lead the NFL in scoring. He surpassed Longwell's Packers record for points in a season by ten. Crosby also placed third on the Packers all-time, single-season scoring list, behind Paul Hornung, who scored 176 points in 1960 and 146 in 1961. Crosby established the franchise record for single-season points by a rookie. Crosby also joined Packers kickers Chester Marcol, Chris Jacke, and Longwell as the only rookie kickers to score 100 points in Packers history.
We're trying to sign all of our free agents, and I'm hopeful to have Corey back. I thought Corey had a heck of a year. I thought he handled his situation very well. I thought he was professional. And I'm hopeful we can get that worked out for Corey. It'd be great to have him back.
Williams had a great year for the Packers in 2007, finishing ninth on the team in tackles with 51. Thirty-two of them were solo and 19 were assists. Williams also registered seven sacks, third on the team while forcing three fumbles and defending one pass.
Bringing back Williams would be a great move in my opinion. He was the necessary disruptive force up the middle on a successful defense. However, the Packers should not be drawn into a bidding war for him. There is plenty of depth behind him, with Ryan Pickett, Colin Cole, Johnny Jolly, and Justin Harrell. Having Williams back would not hurt the defense, but the Packers should be wary of overpaying for him.When asked about the future of long snapper Rob Davis, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said:
Talked to Rob a little bit yesterday. I will meet with him after the Pro Bowl. But we're definitely open to having Rob back another year.
Davis is the Green & Gold's longest tenured player, after the immortal Brett Favre. Davis has played the third-most games at Lambeau Field in Packers history (84) and needs to play in just ten more home games to surpass William Henderson for second all-time on that list. Davis has also played in 167 straight games in a Packers uniform, third on that all-time list as well. He is tied for seventh on the all-time games played (167) list with Ed West.
The 39-year old Davis just completed his 12th NFL season out of Shippensburg and was signed through free agency in 1997.
Bringing Davis back would be a great move, although it is unclear whether or not age has caught up to him at all. I say he can make it through one more season.
The Green Bay Packers signed 13 players to future contracts. General manager Ted Thompson announced the signings Thursday.
Quarterback Jerry Babb, quarterback Dalton Bell, punter Ryan Dougherty, wide receiver Chris Francies, linebacker Spencer Havner, guard Ryan Keenan, defensive tackle Alfred Malone, tackle Chris Patrick, defensive back Joe Porter, wide receiver Johnny Quinn, guard Cameron Stephenson, tackle Cliff Washburn and running back Corey White were all signed to reserve or future contracts.
Francies, Havner, Keenan, Malone, Porter, Stephenson, Washburn and White were all on the practice squad at the end of last season, while Patrick was on the practice squad injury list. Babb, Dougherty, and Bell were all on the Packers roster or practice squad at some point this season, while Quinn was with the Buffalo Bills practice squad last season.
Green Bay Packers defensive quality control coach Eric Lewis has left the Packers to join the University of Louisville coaching staff as secondary coach.
The Packers defense was ranked fifth in total defense in 2007 with 288.5 yards per game. The Packers run defense was ranked fourth, allowing 81.0 yards per game, while the pass defense was just as stingy, allowing 207.5 yards per game, also ranking fourth.
Lewis joins a defense at Louisville which allowed more than 30 points in seven out of 12 games last year and ultimately spelled the preseason Big East favorite's demise.
The Green Bay Packers offense in 2007 was one of the best in the NFL. The offense finished No. 2 in the league for the first time since 1983. Head coach Mike McCarthy has led the Packers to two top-ten offensive finishes in his two years as head coach, and their eleventh top-ten finish in the last sixteen years.
The offense put up 435 points, the third highest total in Packers history and the fourth highest in the NFL last year. The 5,931 net yards the Packers gained in 2007 were also the third-most in the Packers illustrious history. Quarterbacks Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, and Craig Nall combined for 4,334 passing yards, 383 completions, and a 66.3 completion percentage. The 4,334 passing yards is third in team history, the 383 completions tie for first in team history, and the 66.3 completion percentage is highest in team history.
The Green Bay Packers have signed head coach Mike McCarthy to a five-year contract that runs through 2012. McCarthy still had one year remaining on his original three-year deal. The new contract is worth approximately $4 million per season.
As the fourteenth head coach in Packers history, McCarthy led the Pack to a franchise record-tying 13 wins this year. The Packers secured a first-round bye in the playoffs after a 13-3 season before losing to the Giants in the NFC Championship Game. McCarthy did not seek additional power regarding player personnel moves.
McCarthy has won 18 of his last 22 games after starting 4-8 in the 2006 season.
General manager Ted Thompson told the Associated Press, "Mike brings tremendous passion, work ethic and structure to his position. These are the traits we saw in him when he was hired, and we're very happy for the success we have had under his guidance."
I am very impressed with this deal. Although I have disagreed with some of McCarthy's playcalling this year, I will not deny he has done a great job. Hopefully he can bring the Lombardi back to its rightful home in Green Bay.
Go Pack, go!
Packers coach Mike McCarthy was voted Motorola NFL Coach of the Year in an NFL.com poll that received over 501,000 votes. McCarthy beat out Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots, Jack Del Rio of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Joe Gibbs of the Washington Redskins, and Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In two years, McCarthy has turned the Packers from a 4-12 team the year before his arrival, to an 8-8 team barely missing the playoffs, to a 13-3 No. 2 seed in the NFC. McCarthy led an offense that finished second in the NFL in total yards per game (370.7) and total passing yards per game (270.9) while finishing fourth in total points scored (450). On the other side of the ball, the Packers defense finished tied for sixth in points allowed, allowing only 291 points, while intercepting 19 passes, also tied for sixth. McCarthy led the Packers to their first NFC Championship game since 1998 while tying the Packers franchise record for wins in a season.
McCarthy was Motorola NFL Coach of the Week twice in 2007, in Week 2 and Week 10.
On Wednesday FedEx and the NFL announced that Brett Favre had been voted FedEx Air Player of the Year. The announcement was made at a press conference in Arizona, where Fred Taylor was also named FedEx Ground Player of the Year. The winners were selected through a vote on NFL.com. FedEx is donating $25,000 to Children's Hospital of Wisconsin in honor of Favre's great play.
In what was speculated to be his final season, Favre led the youngest team in the NFL to a No. 2 seed in the NFC with a 13-3 record. Favre completed 356 of 535 passes for a 66.5 completion percentage, while finishing fourth in the league with 4,155 yards. Favre broke John Elway's record for most wins by a quarterback (148), Dan Marino's for most career touchdown passes (420), and Marino's record for most career passing yards (61,361). Favre was nominated for six FedEx Air NFL Player of the Week Awards, winning five times.
Favre beat out Tom Brady of the New England Patriots and Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys to win the award.
As I was riding home from my haircut last night, discussing the Packers with my mother, I had an epiphany:
I would fully accept Brett Favre's retirement.
Now, I'm not stating what he should or should not do; I don't make the decisions for him. I am just stating how I would feel about his retirement and his legacy.
When I was younger, the thought of Favre retiring was a sad thought. I had a feeling that the day he retired would be a day of mourning for me and that I would shed many tears. After all, Brett Favre is the only quarterback I have known with the Packers. I cried after the infamous 4th & 26 in Philadelphia. I cried after the Monday Night Massacre in Baltimore (hey, I was there). And I cried Sunday after Tynes' field goal split the uprights.
But now I've re-evaluated my thoughts on this matter. I don't want any confusion, I want him to come back. I feel he can take the Packers all the way next year, despite a tough schedule. I feel he is the one to take them back to the Promised Land.
But he really does not need to come back, just to make me happy.
The man has it all. He has a ring. He has the touchdowns record. He was the wins record. He has the yards record. He has just about every record for quarterbacks. Oh yeah, he has the interceptions record too, which I actually think is a pretty cool record to have. It really showcased how he played the game. People say that his legacy will be defined negatively if the interception he threw to Corey Webster is the last pass of his NFL career. I, however, do not necessarily think that would be a negative thing. The interception showed how he played the game. He wasn't afraid to take risks. People say that that was the wrong way to play the game, but it was exciting.
There we have it. I don't want Favre to retire, but I would fully accept it.
What are your thoughts?
Packers left tackle Chad Clifton was added to the NFC Pro Bowl roster Tuesday, replacing Seattle Seahawks tackle Walter Jones.
Clifton earned his first trip to Honolulu in eight seasons in the NFL after starting all sixteen games this past season. Clifton has only missed one game since returning from the pelvic injury that ended his 2002 season against Tampa Bay. Clifton, a 6-foot, 320-pound tackles, was a Pro Bowl alternate in 2004 and 2005.
Clifton joins Brett Favre, Donald Driver, Aaron Kampman, and Al Harris, also a first-time Pro Bowler in Hawaii.
PackerNation, it was great.
We weren't supposed to be there.
Our quarterback was too old. He was supposed to only be there for individual glory. He wasn't supposed to make something out of nothing on third down and flip the ball while stumbling for a first down. He wasn't supposed to help. But he came through. He went above and beyond everything.
Our running backs were too young. Hell, we didn't have a running back. But still. They came through for us. They weren't supposed to do anything. Two rookies, a first-year player, and a journeyman? Please, nothing was supposed to happen. But it did happen. We had the horse and we rode him in.
Our wide receivers were supposed to be young and inexperienced. Not this year, but maybe next year. But no. THIS year. They pulled through. They made the records. They were clutch.
Our tight ends were supposed to be too old and nonexistent. But they weren't. One came through for us, even though they said he was too old. The other broke out and came out of nowhere and became a top tight end.
Our line was supposed to be too young and inexperienced. They had their moments. They weren't the line from 2003, but it worked. They cleared the path for the running game second half of the season while giving the quarterback plenty of time to throw.
The defense was supposed to be mediocre. Instead, they were great. Another dreadlocked star emerged out of the secondary while the other dreadlocked star held down the fort.
Our kicker was supposed to be too young. But he was in the led in the NFL in points. He was successful.
Fact is, we weren't even supposed to be close. But we were so close. Take pride in that fact PackerNation.
Thanks for the memories.
The following is an excerpt from Action-Reaction: January 20, 2008 on Ramblings From The Suburbs.
The air is electric today. I don't think I have been this pumped up for a game in a long, long time. Why? Well, in case you live under a rock, my Packers are in the NFC Championship Game. I'm not going to go too in-depth into the game because of superstition, but yeah, I'll just talk. I have been waiting a long time for this. I was merely four years old when the Packers won Super Bowl XXXI. My family was living in a one-floor rancher, a half-hour from everywhere in Southern Maryland. My grandparents were visiting from Oregon, and we were having a great family time watching the Super Bowl. Now, I had developed a love-affair with the Packers earlier that year. I was an impressionable young child. Something about watching that Favor dude in the #4 jersey just captivated me. There was something about those green jerseys and yellow helmets and the cheeseheads and the frozen tundra and the name Lambeau just had me. I remember making fun of my aunt two weeks before the Super Bowl after the Packers had just finished off the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Championship Game because she had a Kerry Collins, Carolina Panthers travel bag. I mocked her endlessly, but she put up with me. I was just that kind of child. So the game rolled around and I was the only one in the household rooting for the Packers. I barely remember anything about the game except for Desmond Howard sprinting past Adam Viniateri into the endzone. That play still gets me to this day. The image that stays with me to this day is Favre running around on the field, helmet held high, after throwing the touchdown pass to Andre Rison in the first quarter. The Packers went on to win, and I was a Packers fan for life.
Now, the summer of 1997 was a summer of change for me. My family moved from Southern Maryland up to a little town (now a huge-a** area ripe with urban sprawl) because my dad had taken a job at a little Catholic high school. My sister went through there and now I am currently going through there. In the fall of 1997, I started kindergarten and became more aware of my surroundings. I started clipping box scores out of newspapers (WTF?) and saving them. I cut anything out of the paper that remotely had to do with the Pack Attack. I watched all their games. My mood was devastated if they lost. My life started to depend on them. I got my first Brett Favre jersey from my godfather (sadly, we gave it away later, not realizing the significance of it), and I just started to watch the Packers. Then Super Bowl XXXII came. I had watched the Packers defeat Steve Young and the 49ers the week before in that mud bowl. My sister, three years older than me, much to my horror, was becoming a Broncos fan. We fought many times over this. Anyway, I sat through Super Bowl XXXII. The game just didn't feel right to me. The Packers weren't in their reliable home jerseys (I used to abhor the white road jerseys, but they have grown on me as I now possess one) and the Broncos just looked too good. The game ended. I sat down in our dining room (I was watching it on a little ten-inch TV) and cried. It was painful. I felt like my world was ending.
The 1998 Packers season was another I would like to forget. I myself take full responsibility for their loss in the Wild-Card game to San Francisco, because my benevolent godfather had given me a Steve Young jersey for Christmas (it still remains one of my most prized possessions, because, hey, it's Steve Young). I cried again when Terrell Owens caught that pass in front of Darren Sharper after the blow fumble call on Jerry Rice. I still haven't forgiven you Mr. Rice. As for you Mr. Owens, well, ha, that's another blog for another time. I almost lost one of my good friends, Craig, because of that game. Craig was the first Packer fan I met at my new school and his dad is the biggest Packer fan I know. I'm going to their house tonight to watch the game. Whenever I went over to Craig's house to chill, his dad would pull out some Packers DVD or VHS and we'd just sit and watch it. Sadly, Craig has become a Titans fan. That's another story.
Anyway, 1999-2004 are dark years for me. My interest and obsession with the Packers waned, and I became, gulp, a Ravens fan. Got that out of my system thankfully. I still had my Packers moments. In fourth and fifth grade, when I won back-to-back Geography Bee titles, I was wearing my new Brett Favre jersey. Remarkably, I have had the same Brett Favre road jersey since fourth or fifth grade. It still fits thankfully. In sixth grade, again at a new school, I immediately solidified myself as the number one Packer fan. The summer before and the summer before that (I get years mixed up too much), I had gone to Green Bay and the Packers training camp. Great experiences for me. Anyway, people knew I was a Packers fan, and I liked that they knew. In seventh grade, the Packers started off 0-4, and sadly, I gave up on them. They rallied back to finish 8-8 or 9-7 or something like that. I forget whether or not that was the year that Irv Favre died (might have been my sixth grade year), but I still have a tape of the Raiders game. This summer they showed it on NFL Network when I was out at my grandparents (converted fans now) and I made my cousins sit down and watch it and explained the significance to them.
Now, 2005 is the worst year in recent memory for Packers fans. The 4-12 season. The injuries. Javon Walker, my new second favorite player getting hurt and demanding a trade. Black Monday in Baltimore. I was there, but that's ANOTHER blog for another time. The sad part was I was a diehard that year. That hurt so bad. (It's now 11:47 AM ET. I'm writing a lot.) But I didn't lost faith. I applauded the McCarthy hire and the A.J. Hawk and Greg Jennings selections in the draft. But in 2006, because of the new workload of high school mostly, I was indifferent to their 8-8 season. But then I discovered a little thing called FanNation, and that rekindled my fire. This year has been one of the best ever for me. This is the closest I have followed the Packers EVER and it has paid off. People don't get why I'm skipping a party tonight. They don't get that I am now mentally insane, thanks to #4 of the Green Bay Packers. So now I sit in my yellow room, staring at my Packers pennant, my Lambeau Field panoramic, my Packers sheets (crap, gotta make my bed), my Super Bowl XXXI poster, and my Brett Favre poster.
And I think to myself, "What a wonderful world."
McCarthy has spearheaded a Packer revival after taking over for the fired Mike Sherman after a 2005 season in which the Packers were 4-12. In his first season in 2006, McCarthy lead the Packers to an 8-8 record and four-straight wins to end the season, with much of the momentum carrying in to this season. The Packers started 4-0 on their way to a 13-3 finish.
Also getting votes were Wade Phillips, Jack Del Rio, Tony Dungy, and John Gruden.
Although McCarty did not walk away with the AP Coach of the Year Award, he still won the Coach of the Year Award, as voted on by NFL Alumni. McCarthy said of the Don Shula Coach of the Year Award, "I'm thrilled to be recognized by the NFL Alumni Association."
Can anyone see any irony here? McCarthy wins the award named after Don Shula while Belichick doesn't, despite leading the Patriots to an undefeated season. Hmm.
Green Bay Packers safety Atari Bigby has been named NFL Defensive Player of the Month for December. During the month of December, Bigby tallied a tied-for-league-leading four interceptions and nine tackles. Bigby came up big in the Packers Week 15 victory over the St. Louis Rams, where he had a career-high two interceptions. Bigby received Defensive Player of the Week honors for that effort.
Bigby is in his second season out of University of Central Florida and has started all 16 games for the Packers this year. He has recorded 86 tackles, five interceptions, nine passes defended, and three forced fumbles this season.
Bigby joins defensive end Aaron Kampman (October) as the Packers' second Defensive Player of the Month.
Jackson, a second-round pick out of Nebraska, was originally the starter when the season began, but quickly lost his job to DeShawn Wynn and Ryan Grant, while the return of Vernand Morency also took away some of his time.
Jackson beat out New York Jets linebacker David Harris, Carolina quarterback Matt Moore, Ravens quarterback Troy Smith, and linebacker Jyles Tucker of the San Diego Chargers.
Jackson joins wide receiver James Jones and kicker Mason Crosby as other Rookie of the Week recipients from the Packers.The NFL has released the Packers slate of opponents for 2008. The schedule is made under the following formula (copied from Packers.com):
-Home and away against its three division opponents (6 games).
-The four teams from another division within its conference on a rotating three-year cycle (4 games).
-The four teams from a division in the other conference on a rotating four-year cycle (4 games).
-Two intraconference games based on the prior year's standings (2 games). These games match a first-place team against the first-place teams in the two same-conference divisions the team is not scheduled to play that season. The second-place, third-place, and fourth-place teams in a conference are matched in the same way each year.
The official 2008 schedule, with playing dates and times, will be announced in the spring.
The Packers will play the following opponents at home:
The Packers will face the following opponents away from the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field:
Essentially, the Packers are facing the NFC North, NFC South, AFC South, and the first place teams from the NFC East and NFC West. The combined record of their opponents in 2007 is 114-87. The Packers only face one team that lost 10 or more games in Atlanta. The schedule also includes six playoff teams.
Here's more of a breakdown of the Packers 2008 schedule:
NFC North Opponents
The Packers held their own against divisional opponents this year, going 4-2 in the tough North. However, both of those losses were costly losses to the rival Bears. If the Packers want to continue their dominance, they must be able to at least 5-1 in the division in 2008 because of the toughness of the rest of the schedule. Not to mention these games, as rivalry games, have much higher stakes.
NFC South Opponents
The South is one of the more perplexing divisions in the NFC. All the teams have potential to be very good, but most of the time they amount to middle-of-the-road teams. The division champion Bucs finished the year 9-7. However, all of the teams in the division are dangerous. Tampa Bay, New Orleans, and Carolina can beat any team at any time. As for Atlanta, well, I don't really know what is going on with them so it is too early to tell whether or not they will be a threat.
AFC South Opponents
This is the toughest part of the schedule for 2008. No team in this division finished lower than .500. The once lowly Texans finished 8-8 and in last place. The Colts are a contender every year and the Jags have plenty of potential on the defensive side of the ball. The Titans have a young core of players built around Vince Young that continue to improve while the Texans are just improving with time. However, the Packers meet the Texans in Lambeau, and Houston, despite their 8-8 record, was 2-6 on the road.
Other Opponents
Filling out the rest of the schedule are the Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks. The Packers hope to avenge 2007's 37-27 loss to Dallas at Texas Stadium at Lambeau Field, while they face former coach Mike Holmgren in Seattle. Brett Favre has had much better success against the Cowboys at Lambeau, while it will be a test for the Packers to visit Seattle, one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL.
Must-See Games for 2008
Any game against a division opponent – Can't beat NFC North football.
Dallas @ Green Bay – The Packers look to take revenge on the John Madden-anointed "next Brett Favre" and the rest of the Cowboys. Could quite possibly be a rematch of the NFC Championship Game.
Indianapolis @ Green Bay – If Brett Favre returns, he will face the man who may very well take his records in Peyton Manning.
Green Bay @ Seattle – The Seahawks are still a bit stung from that Wild-Card game a few years back ("We're going to take the ball and we're gonna score") and the matchup against Holmgren is always a good one.
Green Bay @ Tampa Bay – Some good ol' fashioned NFC Central football.
More must-see games could emerge as the playoffs play out.
I'm not going to lie, the Packers drew a tough schedule, but they can very well be successful. It will also show if they will be contenders for years to come.
Worst-case scenario: Not going there.
Best-case scenario: 16-0.
Likely scenario: 11-5/12-4.
Go Packers!
