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SI's Preseason Rankings - Pack #5
Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 6:27 pm
by MickeyDavis
Don Banks has the Jets #1, which I strongly disagree with, but it's preseason so none of this means anything anyway. Here is our division...
#5 Packers
I like the Packers and I like them a lot, even though I strangely don't hear a ton of optimism coming from the Cheesehead fans I live amongst these days in Madison. True, there's not enough pass rush on hand and the age and health of Green Bay's cornerbacks is worrisome. But if the Pack can protect Aaron Rodgers, this team is going to score enough to overcome a lot of its issues. As the Saints proved last season, a high-scoring offense and opportunistic defense can earn you a parade.
#7 Vikings
Brad Childress's team has improved by two wins in each of the past three seasons, but that's an impressive trend that's about to end. The Vikings with Brett Favre back under center will again be capable of beating anyone. But I detect the balance of power in the NFC North shifting east toward Green Bay.
#26 Bears
So many things have to come together for the Bears to legitimately push the Packers and Vikings in the NFC North, and a fast start is almost mandatory given the pressures that rest on almost everyone in Chicago's organization this year. But at Dallas, home against Green Bay and at the Giants in Weeks 2-4 adds a degree of difficulty to the season's first month.
#27 Lions
There are quality building blocks coming together on defense -- safety Louis Delmas, linebacker DeAndre Levy, and now defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh -- and that's the kind of strength up the middle that can fuel a resurgence in Detroit. But the Lions' work won't be done overnight.
Re: SI's Preseason Rankings - Pack #5
Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 6:51 pm
by LUKE23
I agree with Banks analysis. I think we have POTENTIAL pass rush and secondary depth/age issues on the roster (that may or may not be fully resolved), but if the OL plays well, there isn't a defense in the league that can stop our offense. If the defense can just stuff the run (which I expect them to) and be good but not great against the pass, I think we're a SB contender. The pass rush is a bigger concern for me though, I think that gets exposed more in the playoffs than most defensive issues. Thankfully, it appears the NFC might not be as strong with veteran QB's in terms of who we face in the playoffs. Warner retired, Favre isn't a sure thing to come back, and I don't think it's even a lock McNabb makes the playoffs. That is 3 vets right there that I fear. Obviously, Brees is still a major obstacle. I'd also add Romo if I didn't think he was weak in the clutch, as Dallas has a ton of offensive weapons this year.
Re: SI's Preseason Rankings - Pack #5
Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 7:10 pm
by Wade-A-Holic
The Jets hype is getting really obnoxious and they haven't done anything other than get hot at the right time and make some splashes in free agency (which works 2% of the time) to warrant it.
Re: SI's Preseason Rankings - Pack #5
Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 7:50 pm
by rilamann
Wade-A-Holic wrote:The Jets hype is getting really obnoxious and they haven't done anything other than get hot at the right time and make some splashes in free agency (which works 2% of the time) to warrant it.
I think the Jets have a pretty solid team but I agree with you 100%.
To me they are easily the most overrated team going into this season.
People seem to have forgotten that if the Colts play to win late in the Season last year the Jets don't even make the playoffs.
As for the Pack my opinion going into this season is that if we can get turnovers consistently on defense and stay consistent overall and maybe get hot at the right time we have a great shot to win it all.
I agree that no one will stop our offense and I think that in 2010 no one will stop us at Lambeau,we gotta get home field this year.
Re: SI's Preseason Rankings - Pack #5
Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 8:00 pm
by El Duderino
How good the Jets will end up being rides almost entirely on how good Sanchez plays because i think their defense will be outstanding.
Re: SI's Preseason Rankings - Pack #5
Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 12:14 am
by Siefer
El Duderino wrote:How good the Jets will end up being rides almost entirely on how good Sanchez plays because i think their defense will be outstanding.
This. If Sanchez takes another step and shows that he's a legit NFL QB, the Jets are going to be excellent.
I think Banks is on the money with the Packers and Vikings both being top 7 in the league. If you count Favre as a given for MN, I could see it going either way between them. I expect the division race to come down to the wire.
Re: SI's Preseason Rankings - Pack #5
Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 4:01 pm
by Newz
I understand it is a prediction type thing with these preseason rankings...
As much as I like the Packers team and think we have a legit shot to go to the Super Bowl, I wouldn't put us ahead of Minnesota until we actually prove it.
Re: SI's Preseason Rankings - Pack #5
Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 4:04 pm
by eagle13
Newz wrote:As much as I like the Packers team and think we have a legit shot to go to the Super Bowl, I wouldn't put us ahead of Minnesota until we actually prove it.
Yep
Re: SI's Preseason Rankings - Pack #5
Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 4:13 pm
by ReasonablySober
Newz wrote:I understand it is a prediction type thing with these preseason rankings...
As much as I like the Packers team and think we have a legit shot to go to the Super Bowl, I wouldn't put us ahead of Minnesota until we actually prove it.
Agreed.
Re: SI's Preseason Rankings - Pack #5
Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 4:36 pm
by LUKE23
I probably wouldn't either, but man, I'd be stun if Favre had a year as good as last season. That was arguably the best of his career.
Re: SI's Preseason Rankings - Pack #5
Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 5:19 pm
by Reddeye
Newz wrote:As much as I like the Packers team and think we have a legit shot to go to the Super Bowl, I wouldn't put us ahead of Minnesota until we actually prove it.
I agree. MN clearly outplayed GB in both games last season. I know the Pack made comebacks to make the scores respectable, but I never thought they were going to win those games.
Re: SI's Preseason Rankings - Pack #5
Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 7:19 pm
by rilamann
LUKE23 wrote:I probably wouldn't either, but man, I'd be stun if Favre had a year as good as last season. That was arguably the best of his career.
I still get nervous betting against Favre but I agree with you 100%.
I think Favre at the age of 40 put everything he had left into last season and I'd be shocked if he had another season like last year.
I think he could still be solid and still better than what the Vikes have at QB outside of him but no way he has an MVP type year this season if he decides to play.
Plus even with as great as the Vikes and Favre played last year they got incredibly lucky in a few games like that 49ers game.
Which made it even harder to tolerate the Favre jockers,it sucked having to listen to the Favre jockers tell us how great Favre was because the Ravens FG kicker couldn't make a 40 yarder in a dome.
Re: SI's Preseason Rankings - Pack #5
Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 8:55 pm
by El Duderino
Reddeye wrote:Newz wrote:As much as I like the Packers team and think we have a legit shot to go to the Super Bowl, I wouldn't put us ahead of Minnesota until we actually prove it.
I agree. MN clearly outplayed GB in both games last season. I know the Pack made comebacks to make the scores respectable, but I never thought they were going to win those games.
True, but keep in mind that for the game in Minnesota our starting tackles were Daryn i'm barely a decent guard much less a LT Colledge and Allen the human turnstile Babre. Bigby was also out for that game and with the safety depth being so atrocious, Capers turned to playing a LB in Chillar at safety. Babre was still starting for the second game vs the Vikings and i forget if Colledge was still playing LT, but i do know that Jared Allen had an insane 7.5 sacks in those two games and Ray Edwards had two on top of multiple other pressures. Obviously though Favre ate our defense alive.
Re: SI's Preseason Rankings - Pack #5
Posted: Sun Aug 1, 2010 4:52 am
by Rockmaninoff
I think the Packers are on the verge of a potential dynasty.
Re: SI's Preseason Rankings - Pack #5
Posted: Mon Aug 2, 2010 6:52 am
by TheMadMongoose
If this O line is in good shape, and I really feel good about it for the first time in years, I think we are a strong favorite for the NFC. This team is young and loaded in a lot of areas, especially offense. The window is really going to open this year, we just have to make sure the results on the field match what we have on paper. I think we can, and will.
As for Favre... I can't wait for those games. It would be a very good thing for all of the Packers nation, and Rodgers to have us score a win over him. I also can't see him being as good as he was last year. I can see him being a little more desperate this year, and resorting back to some of his old tendencies.