Don Banks likes Green Bay in the NFC. Again.

Post #1 » by **ReasonablySober** » Thu Aug 5, 2010 5:54 am

LUKE23 · Post #2 » by **LUKE23** » Thu Aug 5, 2010 12:12 pm

Can't really argue with any of his analysis. My only real concerns on the roster as of right now are OLB depth, secondary health/consistency (someone stepping up between Lee and Underwood is needed), and to a lesser extent special teams. I think we're going to just manhandle the run game again defensively, and I don't see very many teams stopping our offense with Finley emerging even more and DD getting back to 100% (along with more consistent line play). One thing I am interested to watch is how much pressure we can generate against good QB's/good OL's this year. We were 11th in sacks last year, so not terrible, but we struggled getting heat in the big games. Pass rush is the key in today's NFL.

Post #3 » by **MickeyDavis** » Thu Aug 5, 2010 2:36 pm

I'm as optimistic as anyone but that scares me. It's a long season with so many variables. And once youj do make the playoffs it's one and done. Nothing will surprise me.

Newz · Post #4 » by **Newz** » Thu Aug 5, 2010 2:40 pm

The NFL is a crazy league. Preseason predictions are wrong just about every single year.

I think the Packers have as talented of a team as anyone, but there are so many variables.

My biggest concerns with us are:

1. The offensive line. It got better on paper, but it actually needs to get better on the field. If they cannot keep Rodgers healthy then the season will be lost.
2. Pass rush. Will we be able to get to the passer and slow down some of the more elite QBs in the league?
3. Health. I think every team has this concern, so it isn't just for the Packers. If you don't stay healthy, you cannot win.
4. Our corners. Williams and Woodson are good... But we saw how bad some of our other guys were last year. We really need Lee, Blackmon, etc. to step up.

Mags FTW · Post #5 » by **Mags FTW** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 6:26 pm

Add Peter King to the list:

Rich Eisenn recently predicted a Pack/Ravens SB on the SImmons' podcast as well. Homer said PFW picked the Pack too.

Post #6 » by **MickeyDavis** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 6:32 pm

Pack is the sexy pick this year. Barring an AR injury we are definitely a playoff team. But then it's one and done.

LUKE23 · Post #7 » by **LUKE23** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 6:38 pm

MickeyDavis wrote:Pack is the sexy pick this year. Barring an AR injury we are definitely a playoff team. But then it's one and done.

I think a lot of factors go into this that are yet to play out. We have enough talent to win a Super Bowl right now. Actually getting there is going to require some things evolving and a little luck. To me, it's about what kind of pass rush we can bring. If we're average or better there, our offense can cover up anything else.

dedned · Post #8 » by **dedned** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 6:42 pm

Newz wrote:The NFL is a crazy league. Preseason predictions are wrong just about every single year.

weren't wrong this year:

i think we're due.

Newz · Post #9 » by **Newz** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 7:01 pm

Don Banks likes Green Bay in the NFC. Again.

Stun.

Reddeye · Post #10 » by **Reddeye** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 8:20 pm

SI jinx. Who believes in it?

Kerb Hohl · Post #11 » by **Kerb Hohl** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 8:22 pm

MickeyDavis wrote:Pack is the sexy pick this year. Barring an AR injury we are definitely a playoff team. But then it's one and done.

EDIT: WOW, now I get what you mean. Single elimination provides variability.

Ayt · Post #12 » by **Ayt** » Tue Aug 31, 2010 8:56 pm

It all comes down to the pass rush provided we have decent health. Since we play so much 2DT nickel, a lot of that comes down to Jenks, Raji, and Neal (Jolly was mainly the 2nd guy last year, but he's not much of a pass rusher). Beyond that, of course, you have the OLB position, and the willingness of Capers to bring heat in a variety of ways, including his safeties.

Mags FTW · Post #13 » by **Mags FTW** » Wed Sep 1, 2010 4:26 am

dedned wrote:
Newz wrote:The NFL is a crazy league. Preseason predictions are wrong just about every single year.

weren't wrong this year:

i think we're due.

That cover was from midseason.

This was the preseason issue. It was a foldout and the Chiefs were on the other half.

Siefer · Post #14 » by **Siefer** » Wed Sep 1, 2010 6:51 am

I think the Packers are on the short list of contenders, but it's by no means a given. As has been stated before, a lot is going to ride on our pass defense being at minimum average.

BuckFan25226 · Post #15 » by **BuckFan25226** » Wed Sep 1, 2010 1:43 pm

Newz wrote:The NFL is a crazy league. Preseason predictions are wrong just about every single year.

I think the Packers have as talented of a team as anyone, but there are so many variables.

My biggest concerns with us are:

1. The offensive line. It got better on paper, but it actually needs to get better on the field. If they cannot keep Rodgers healthy then the season will be lost.
2. Pass rush. Will we be able to get to the passer and slow down some of the more elite QBs in the league?
3. Health. I think every team has this concern, so it isn't just for the Packers. If you don't stay healthy, you cannot win.
4. Our corners. Williams and Woodson are good... But we saw how bad some of our other guys were last year. We really need Lee, Blackmon, etc. to step up.

I disagree on the offensive line, I think we'll be fine, assuming we stay relatively healthy. My number 1 concern is pass rush and overall defense by far. Our offense will be a beast assuming Rodgers stays healthy, but the defense is my main concern.

LUKE23 · Post #16 » by **LUKE23** » Wed Sep 1, 2010 1:48 pm

Pass rush is my only glaring concern right now. Secondary depth as well, but a good pass rush can cover that up. I think the OL will play well, and is covered with better depth for injury this year. But am I massively concerned about consistently getting to the QB? Yes.

Ayt · Post #17 » by **Ayt** » Wed Sep 1, 2010 1:51 pm

I agree completely, Luke. Even with Tramon struggling a bit, Burnett being a rookie, and our nickel being whoever, if we can stop the run like we did last year and put teams in passing situations, we will be in a ton of nickel and will need to create pressure.

All I'm worried about is the pressure we can create in nickel (and perhaps dime, though I don't see us playing much of that) and I do think we upgraded our nickel package with Raji being healthy and with the addition of Neal.

All we need to be is the NO defense of last year, or near to it. Pressure, pressure, pressure. Our offense provides pressure because we are so **** dominate (every team we face has to know we can drop 30-40 on them), but our D needs to follow suit and put pressure above the occasional big play given up. Hopefully Dom realizes he has a ton of room to work with considering how good our offense is. There is no reason for us not to bring the heat no matter who we are facing.

Plus, bringing pressure will help not only our corners, but our safeties as well. In Collins and Burnett we appear to have two ballhawks back there with a ton of range. I'd hope Capers realizes that and is willing to play cover 1 with various blitzes with the front players.

BuckFan25226 · Post #18 » by **BuckFan25226** » Wed Sep 1, 2010 2:25 pm

LUKE23 wrote:Pass rush is my only glaring concern right now. Secondary depth as well, but a good pass rush can cover that up. I think the OL will play well, and is covered with better depth for injury this year. But am I massively concerned about consistently getting to the QB? Yes.

While I agree, I see absolutely no way we can get a consistently effective pass rush without bringing 5+ blitz packages, even then.... :confused: