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Sorry, you can only pick one. The most important one is probably Rodgers but I'm gonna stick with Shields/Tramon stepping up and Woody bein' Woody. I just love that crew.

The defense overall and Aaron in the post-season, save today's game.

Least favorite has to be this team in close game and failure to kill off opponents.

Shields/Tramon. We knew Rodgers was good. Tramon filled in well last year for Harris but never went the full season as a starter. Couple that with Bush as our nickel back and our secondary looked shaky. Tra and Shields stepping up was huge. And Shields is still very raw.

I remember going to the very first Packer practice of the season. First two guys out there were the punter and Shields. Shields dropped the first 3-4 punts and my son and I were joking that we would never hear from him again.

GrendonJennings wrote:Sorry, you can only pick one. The most important one is probably Rodgers but I'm gonna stick with Shields/Tramon stepping up and Woody bein' Woody. I just love that crew.

This. Not close. Every word.

Lots of deserving names.

I'd say Starks has been huge in getting us through these playoffs. You can see how much easier the passing game has been the past few weeks with a legit running threat. A Rod is glad he has his play action back.

Overcoming injuries. Haven't been his biggest fan but great job by McCarthey this season.

No doubt that Shields is still raw. They seemed to try to pick on him a lot early and did get a few 15 yard pickups. He does get lost out there from time to time.

That said, that INT at the end of the first half...he looked like a 10 year NFL vet. Woodson was not only a great signing for on-field production, but Tramon and Shields keep saying that they try to soak in absolutely everything from him. Their coverage skills are unreal.

Really close for me between the DB's and overcoming the injuries. I had to go with the latter, though. Absolutely remarkable to be in the Bowl after all we've went through this season on both sides of the football. Especially on defense.

Went with the secondary because Shields being >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Bush is what has really put this D over the top, IMO. But I really wanted to pick the Freezer's New Order, the DL is **** awesome, I love everyone of those guys.

Close between overcoming the injuries and Rodgers vindication. Went with injuries because I always thought the criticism of Rodgers was completely unfair.

The DBs allow our D as a whole to do so much. They make everyone better...

And since Bush is no longer the nickel back his special teams play has picked up.

Voted for the secondary. They have been unreal this season.

Good thread. I voted for the DBs. Every time a QB throws I expect an incompletion or pick. Thats how good they are.

And ROFL @ when Shields learns how to play the position.

My favorite part:

Overcoming injuries for me, the emergence of Shields/Tramon is a very close second because of how much they open up the defensive playbook.

Shields could become a very good blitzer for Capers. Dude has unreal speed, kind of surprised they haven't had him do more of that this year.

Wish I could vote for all of them because all are big parts of this very memorable season. Ultimately I decided the emergence of the undrafted studs. They stepped up big time this year and really solidified the defensive secondary. It was one of our biggest strengths this year largely due to their contributions

For me it's that this team stayed strong and resilient through the staggering amount of injuries and many heartbreaking close losses which could easily have caused a lesser character team to fall apart. Look around the NFL over say the last 5-10 years, often when teams get ravaged by injuries and/or suffer multiple crushing losses, they fold up. Guys start pointing fingers or taking shots at the coaches in the media.

It's a credit to McCarthy, his coaching staff, the players, and Ted Thompson for staying mentally strong and still truly believing even though so many bad things happened which could have easily derailed the season. To then win 5 straight games, all against good teams, and including three straight on the road is a testament to perseverance and good character.

Besides that, next on my list is the very high level of play of young guys like Raji, Tramon, Clay, and Shields. That's a fabulous core for a great defense staying great.

PkrsBcksGphsMqt wrote:Shields could become a very good blitzer for Capers. Dude has unreal speed, kind of surprised they haven't had him do more of that this year.

Great point. He's so fast they can send him from a jam position on a split end. That's a weapon that is impossible to scheme for if the Packers are doing their 'have six guys walking around the line of scrimmage' move before the snap.