Green Bay Packers
2010 record: 10-6
Last playoff appearance: 2010 (4-0, 21-16 W at PHI, 48-21 W at ATL, 21-14 W at CHI, 31-25 W vs PIT)
General Manager: Ted Thompson (2005-present)
Head Coach: Mike McCarthy (2006-present, 48-32)
Offensive Coordinator: Joe Philbin (2007-present)
Defensive Coordinator: Dom Capers (2009-present)
Defensive Alignment: 3-4
2010 NFL Rankings
OFF: 24.2 PTS (10th), 358.1 YARDS (9th), 257.8 PASS (5th), 100.4 RUSH (24th)
DEF: 15.0 PTS (2nd), 309.1 YARDS (5th), 194.2 PASS (5th), 114.9 (18th)
Mike W’s Outlook: There’s a lot to love about the Packers this coming year. They are returning almost every significant piece from a team that rolled through the postseason last year. They have the best QB, a talented defense and a solid group of receivers. On top of it, they won despite having over a dozen players on injured reserve. With everybody healthy again, the Packers have the best chance of repeating of any champs since the Patriots in 2004.
There are, of course, obstacles. The Packers snuck up on some teams last year, no doubt thanks to a 10-6 record that was mostly due to injuries to Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews at various points in the year. This time they’ll have a target on their backs and will have to fight through the added pressure. They need to make sure that everybody stays hungry and on track—I don’t think that will be an issue with Rodgers and veterans like Charles Woodson, but if Drew Brees and the Saints could slack off, it can happen to anybody. Finally, they do need to stay healthy at key positions, none more so than Rodgers.
Prediction: I predict another stellar season from Green Bay. Given that they still have things to prove—after all, their 10-6 championship year isn’t as imposing as they’d like—I expect at least 12 wins, a division title, a one or two seed and an MVP-caliber year from Rodgers. And Rodgers will establish himself as the best in the league—his postseason was so incredible last year it just seems inevitable. And if all the cylinders click, don’t be surprised if the Packers hoist the trophy again. They are really that good.
Projected Starting Lineup
QB: Aaron Rodgers
RB: Ryan Grant
WR: Greg Jennings
WR: Donald Driver
TE: Jermichael Finley
LT: Chad Clifton
LG: Daryn Colledge
C: Scott Wells
RG: Josh Sitton
RT: Bryan Bulaga
LE: Ryan Pickett
NT: B.J. Raji
RE: Mike Neal
LOLB: Clay Matthews
LILB: A.J. Hawk
RILB: Desmond Bishop
ROLB: Frank Zombo
CB: Charles Woodson
SS: Charlie Peprah
FS: Nick Collins
CB: Tramon Williams
Fantasy Performers:
1. Aaron Rodgers, QB
2. Greg Jennings, WR
3. Jermichael Finley, TE
4. Mason Crosby, K
5. Packers Defense
2011 Schedule
1. Sep 8 vs Saints at 8:30pm
2. Sep 18 at Panthers at 1pm
3. Sep 25 at Bears at 4:15pm
4. Oct 2 vs Broncos at 4:15pm
5. Oct 9 at Falcons, 8:20pm
6. Oct 16 vs Rams at 1pm
7. Oct 23 at Vikings at 4:15pm
8. Bye
9. Nov 6 at Chargers at 4:15pm
10. Nov 14 vs Vikings at 8:30pm (MNF)
11. Nov 20 vs Buccaneers at 1pm
12. Nov 24 at Lions at 12:30pm (Thanksgiving)
13. Dec 4 at Giants at 4:15pm
14. Dec 11 vs Raiders at 1pm
15. Dec 18 at Chiefs at 1pm
16. Dec 25 vs Bears at 8:20pm
17. Jan 1 vs Lions at 1pm
Moves
Free Agent Acquisitions
No significant signings
Free Agent Losses
Brandon Jackson RB – signed with Browns
Donald Lee TE – signed with Eagles
Mark Tauscher OT
Jason Spitz OG/C – Signed by Jaguars
Daryn Colledge OT/OG – signed with Cardinals
Justin Harrell DE
Cullen Jenkins DE – Signed by Eagles
Brady Poppinga LB – signed with Rams
Brandon Chillar LB
Nick Barnett LB – signed by Bills
Al Harris CB – Signed by Rams
Derrick Martin DB
Re-signings
John Kuhn FB
James Jones WR
A.J. Hawk LB
Mason Crosby K
Trades
No major trades
Packers 2011 Draft Selections
Rd 1 Pick 32: Derek Sherrod, OL, Mississippi State- A team that relies on passing to succeed has to protect its QB, and Sherrod could be a starting tackle down the road.
Grade: B+
Rating: 8
Rd 2 Pick 64: Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky- With this selection, the Packers added a potentially dangerous weapon to an already powerful receiving corps. Good pick.
Grade: B
Rating: 7
Rd 3 Pick 96: Alex Green, RB, Hawaii- The Packers need a back now that they’ve released Brandon Jackson and can’t trust Ryan Grant to stay healthy. Good insurance pick.
Grade: B-
Rating: 7
Rd 4 Pick 131: Davon House, DB, New Mexico State- The Packers need to address their secondary with Charles Woodson sure to be slowing down someday. A big, physical corner is progress.
Grade: B-
Rating: 6.5
Rd 5 Pick 141: DJ Williams, TE, Arkansas- Williams is a good athlete, and with Aaron Rodgers throwing to him and several receivers to draw coverage, he could produce.
Grade: B-
Rating: 6.5
Rd 6 Pick 179: Caleb Schauderaff, OL, Utah- With another lineman ahead of him on this draft list, he’ll probably have to fight to make the team.
Grade: C
Rating: 5.5
Rd 6 Pick 186: DJ Smith, LB, Appalachian State- At 5’11, he’s probably too short to play in Green Bay’s bigger 3-4 defense.
Grade: D+
Rating: 5
Rd 6 Pick 197: Ricky Elmore, DL, Arizona- He has considerable athleticism and drive, but he doesn’t have the size to play as a 3-4 lineman and will struggle to break into a loaded linebacking corps.
Grade: D+
Rating: 5
Rd 7 Pick 218: Ryan Taylor, TE, UNC- He probably won’t make a team with too many tight ends as is.
Grade: D-
Rating: 4.5
Rd 7 Pick 233: Lawrence Guy, DT, Arizona State- Guy is big and strong, but will also most likely fight for a roster spot.
Grade: D-
Rating: 4.5
2010 Stat Leaders
QB: Aaron Rodgers- 312-475, 3922 yards, 65.7% 8.3avg, 28 Td, 11 int 101.2 rating
RB: Brandon Jackson- 190 att, 703 yards, 3.7avg, 3 Td
WR: Greg Jennings- 76 rec, 1265 yards, 16.6avg, 12 Td
Offseason Storylines:
-Can the Packers repeat? (No other storyline compares)
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