2009 Record: 11-5, Second in Division
2009 Playoff Record: 0-1
Key Losses: Ahman Green, Aaron Kampman, Johnny Jolly
Key Additions: Bryan Bulaga, Mike Neal, Morgan Burnett
All the buzz in the NFL has been around the Green Bay Packers since they exited the playoffs early last year despite scoring 45 points in their only game. I tend to be a person who downplays hype, and considering the team I would typically be expected to downplay it even more. The Packers are good this year, I am forced to admit it. As usual, though, the hype still exceeds actual potential and I am all too happy to act as a wet blanket to the media spark surrounding the Packers' season.
Despite all this hype and despite Green Bay having excellent success in previous offseason acquisitions, their draft was somewhat weak. Green Bay knew their line was a weak spot and addressed the tackle position first, but they still have some problems on defense that need addressing. Their corners, specifically, are getting up there in years and though they're set at the position, the logical move would be to draft their eventual replacements now instead of waiting until they're gone. Green Bay might be realizing that now, as starting strong safety Atari Bigby is out 4-8 weeks and starting corner Al Harris 6 weeks, both with injury. Part of the success of Green Bay's defense last season was their league-high 30 picks, with two starters gone they could fall behind early.
Another big loss for Green Bay is that of their nose tackle from last season, Johnny Jolly. They were expected to move Jolly to end and start 2009 draft pick B.J. Raji at nose tackle, which also could be a make or break move for the Pack, but now that he's out for all of 2010 on suspension they're going to have to make due without him at either position. They did draft two ends in 2010, and they're going to have to make due with those and their remaining veterans to pick up the slack.
The best news for Green Bay on defense is in their linebacking corps. Nick Barnett, A.J. Hawk, and Clay Matthews make up one of the best corps in the league, and they fit in perfectly with Dom Capers' high octane blitz schemes. The Packers combined for 36 sacks as a team last year, enough to make most quarterbacks cringe. They were also dominant in overall pass and rush defense, ranking fifth and first, respectively. If Green Bay can mimic their success from last season they should have a good shot at taking the division.
Offense has its high and low points. Among the low points is their offensive line, which gave up a league-high 51 sacks. News on the running side is slightly better, with the team gaining 1,800 yards and a 4.3 average. They did draft a tackle in the first round and a guard in the fifth, but other than that the line looks similar to last year's. If the rookies cannot produce immediately then the unit could be in for a long year, especially in a division now containing Julius Peppers, Kyle Vanden Bosch, and Ray Edwards.
The good news is that those 51 sacks didn't seem to slow Rodgers down too much last season. If they don't begin to compromise his health then he should be able to play through them just fine. He does have an aging receiving corps, though Jermicheal Finley adds some youth at tight end. On the running side of things, Ryan Grant quietly put up 1,200 yards last season, though they'd probably like to see better production from Brandon Jackson. The offense is very solid on the whole, though, and they possess the potential to go deep into the post-season.
The hype surrounding this team can be muted, but not by that much. They do, unquestionably, look good and should be a lock to make the post-season, if not take the division. They have a rough schedule, but they should be the favored team going into most of their matchups, though they could stumble early with key secondary players missing. Injuries, uncertainty, and young players stepping in should make them less of a lock than most are predicting, but a lock nonetheless. Still, no 16-0 season in the making here, expect certain teams to play them hard, especially within the division. They may end up division champs, but they're still going to have to fight for it.
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