NFC North Unit Rankings

LUKE23 · Post #1 » by **LUKE23** » Fri Aug 8, 2008 2:20 pm

Thought this might be an interesting topic. Scout.com ranked all the units for a team (QB, RB, WR, TE, OL, DL, LB, DB, ST) for all the teams in the NFL. It's espn insider, but I'll post just our division here to see what we are up against.

QB:

1. Packers (21st)
2. Lions (23rd)
3. Vikings (28th)
4. Bears (30th)

RB:

1. Vikings (2nd)
2. Packers (14th)
3. Lions (31st)
4. Bears (32nd)

WR:

1. Packers (4th)
2. Lions (7th)
3. Vikings (28th)
4. Bears (31st)

TE:

1. Bears (9th)
2. Packers (10th)
3. Lions (22nd)
4. Vikings (29th)

OL:

1. Vikings (3rd)
2. Packers (8th)
3. Bears (27th)
4. Lions (30th)

DL:

1. Vikings (1st)
2. Packers (9th)
3. Bears (18th)
4. Lions (28th)

LB:

1. Bears (4th)
2. Packers (10th)
3. Vikings (21st)
4. Lions (30th)

DB:

1. Packers (10th)
2. Bears (15th)
3. Vikings (17th)
4. Lions (20th)

Special Teams:

1. Bears (1st)
2. Packers (12th)
3. Vikings (13th)
4. Lions (29th)

Few observations:

The Vikings have great lines and running game but are below average in every other area.

The Bears offense is predictably ranked horribly across the board.

Packers are 1st or 2nd in every category across the division, and if Rodgers is an above average QB, they are ranked better than league average across the board.

The Lions are still horrendous.

Not that these rankings are the end-all, just thought people would like to look at it. Thompson has really created a very balanced roster, now the key is to start pushing some of the solid units into the elite area.

trwi7 · Post #2 » by **trwi7** » Fri Aug 8, 2008 2:29 pm

Just adding those rankings together and dividing them to make an average offensive and defensive ranking I come out with this.

Offenses:

1. Packers 11.4
2. Vikings 18.0
3. Lions 22.6
4. Bears 25.8

Defenses:

1. Packers 9.3
2. Bears 12.3
3. Vikings 13.0
4. Lions 26.0

Special Teams:

1. Bears 1
2. Packers 12
3. Vikings 13
4. Lions 29

LUKE23 · Post #3 » by **LUKE23** » Fri Aug 8, 2008 2:31 pm

Thanks twirl.

I will say up front that the lines are the most important spots in football, so the Vikings have that going for them, but I still don't think they have enough talent at QB, WR and secondary to really become a SB contender. I think that their OL/DL/RB situation is that good where they make the playoffs though.

Bears are a trainwreck. I can't think of a worse offense on paper in quite a long time. They had 3 points at halftime against a very young and rebuilding Chiefs team last night, without Dorsey even playing.

Lions, another trainwreck. How Millen is still employed is well beyond my comprehension. They are strong at WR and that's really the only spot where I say, "damn, they have some nice talent there".

I'm glad we're in the NFC North.

Post #4 » by **ReasonablySober** » Fri Aug 8, 2008 3:11 pm

The Vikings entire front seven could be the best in the league. As much as I hate Minnesota, I think their linebacking corps is one of the most underrated in the league.

Last year I'd say

Henderson > Barnett
Greenway > Hawk
Leber > Poppinga

LUKE23 · Post #5 » by **LUKE23** » Fri Aug 8, 2008 3:15 pm

DrugBust wrote:The Vikings entire front seven could be the best in the league. As much as I hate Minnesota, I think their linebacking corps is one of the most underrated in the league.

Last year I'd say

Henderson > Barnett
Greenway > Hawk
Leber > Poppinga

I completely disagree on the first two. I'd rank Leber and Poppinga as pretty close.

Also have to keep in mind, they were playing behind the best blocker occupying DT duo in football, by a wide margin. Packers DT's are good, but they aren't Pat Williams/Kevin Williams.

But I'll take the Packers LB's over Minny's especially with Chillar for depth.

Post #6 » by **ReasonablySober** » Fri Aug 8, 2008 3:32 pm

I'm not saying that's who I would take going forward, I'm just saying that's how they played last season. I watched most of Minnesota's games and I thought Henderson should have garnered DPOY consideration and Greenway looked like a future pro-bowler.

Post #7 » by **ReasonablySober** » Fri Aug 8, 2008 3:49 pm

LUKE23 wrote:Packers are 1st or 2nd in every category across the division, and if Rodgers is an above average QB, they are ranked better than league average across the board.

That really is remarkable. Not that these rankings are the be-all, end-all, but the fact that subjectively you could make that determination says something.

A couple things, I find it funny that despite having zero QBs on the roster with starting experience, they have us as the top rated QB corps in the division. Not only that, but would you guys trade Brohm for any other QB in the North? I know I wouldn't.

How ridiculous is it that the Packers have the 4th ranked WR group in the NFL, and tops in the division, when you consider that there isn't a first rounder among them? That they're ranked ahead of a group that contains Calvin Johnson (#2 overall) and Roy Williams (7th Overall) and Mike Furrey (lead the NFC in receptions two years ago).

They seem to think highly of the oft maligned (at least around here) offensive line unit.

I think the group of RBs will be higher ranked by the end of the year.

mnstinks · Post #8 » by **mnstinks** » Fri Aug 8, 2008 4:05 pm

It's hard to break them down without game film, since you don't see all players in pass coverage, etc...
And, EJ gets a lot of help from having a better DL.

But how would you rank the LB's overall?

1. Henderson
2. Barnett
3. Hawk
4. Greenway

Then it gets fuzzy...

5. Leber
6. Poppinga
7. Chillar
8. Heath Farwell (or Viking top back up)

So it's pretty even, imo.

LUKE23 · Post #9 » by **LUKE23** » Fri Aug 8, 2008 4:08 pm

It's one of the reasons that the TT haters really baffle me. This team was an absolute abomination in 2005. Look at what he's turned it into in only two full seasons. Deep, talented, young, cheap.

Now you have people absolutely raving about Sitton, a guy we got in I believe the 4th round. Thompson knows how to draft, and drafting is what it's all about when it comes to building a team.

The best thing about this roster is that it is built to be competitive for a while. They didn't go the Jets route and blow all of their cap money on veterans for a 2-3 year window.

Kerb Hohl · Post #10 » by **Kerb Hohl** » Fri Aug 8, 2008 5:33 pm

Remember when Scouts Inc. said on espn.com that we had I think the 29th best receiving corps last year? (somewhat of a guess because I don't have insider to look at the old article)

Yeah. That was funny.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insider/ ... ateChanged

eagle13 · Post #11 » by **eagle13** » Fri Aug 8, 2008 5:47 pm

DrugBust wrote:They seem to think highly of the oft maligned (at least around here) offensive line unit.

I never read any one malign our OL. OL past moves have been questioned but this year and last only starting LG and backup LT has been discussed as needing help but not maligned. Plus Sitton has arrived and as I suggested Spitz moves to LG and Sitton is starter at RG. I also feel pretty good about Barbre as LT candidate - whenever coaches get around to move him there. Don't know about others but IF injuries are minimal our OL should be pretty darn good at all 5 spots for first time under TT - finally

Post #12 » by **ReasonablySober** » Fri Aug 8, 2008 5:50 pm

CharlosVllnueva wrote:Remember when Scouts Inc. said on espn.com that we had I think the 29th best receiving corps last year? (somewhat of a guess because I don't have insider to look at the old article)

Yeah. That was funny.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insider/ ... ateChanged

28. Green Bay Packers
You gotta love Donald Driver. He is just rock solid. Driver would not be the star at a combine, but he makes play after play every week. Unfortunately, he is the only player on this roster who Brett Favre can completely rely on. Greg Jennings burst onto the scene as a rookie, but quickly fizzled out and struggled with injuries as the grind of the NFL season took its toll. Robert Ferguson has tools to work with, but has not developed as hoped. The Packers selected James Jones in this year's draft. Jones will be counted on to push for the No. 3 receiver spot. Outside of Driver, who is getting up in age, the Packers lack real weapons at wide receiver.

Post #13 » by **ReasonablySober** » Fri Aug 8, 2008 5:52 pm

eagle13 wrote:
DrugBust wrote:They seem to think highly of the oft maligned (at least around here) offensive line unit.

I never read any one malign our OL. OL past moves have been questioned but this year and last only starting LG and backup LT has been discussed as needing help but not maligned. Plus Sitton has arrived and as I suggested Spitz moves to LG and Sitton is starter at RG. I also feel pretty good about Barbre as LT candidate - whenever coaches get around to move him there. Don't know about others but IF injuries are minimal our OL should be pretty darn good at all 5 spots for first time under TT - finally

I suppose having high expectations isn't a bad thing. But if only one of our OL spots was average to below average last season, that's not a bad thing. In fact it's pretty good.

LUKE23 · Post #14 » by **LUKE23** » Fri Aug 8, 2008 6:12 pm

Our guard depth right now is very good, IMO. Barbre/Spitz/Sitton/Colledge. I'm a big Barbre guy and it sounds like Sitton is owning people.

Tackle depth could use some work, but thankfully it's also our most talented and question-free spot on the line. It also sounds like they are going to try Colledge at tackle and see how he fits there as well.

It looks like Spitz at one guard and then Barbre/Sitton battling for the other spot.

Balls2TheWalls · Post #15 » by **Balls2TheWalls** » Fri Aug 8, 2008 6:49 pm

28. Green Bay Packers
You gotta love Donald Driver. He is just rock solid. Driver would not be the star at a combine, but he makes play after play every week. Unfortunately, he is the only player on this roster who Brett Favre can completely rely on. Greg Jennings burst onto the scene as a rookie, but quickly fizzled out and struggled with injuries as the grind of the NFL season took its toll. Robert Ferguson has tools to work with, but has not developed as hoped. The Packers selected James Jones in this year's draft. Jones will be counted on to push for the No. 3 receiver spot. Outside of Driver, who is getting up in age, the Packers lack real weapons at wide receiver.

Haha, apparently our #1 target outside of Driver was a guy that we cut. Excellent scouting work by ESPN. Aren't we like #4 on their ratings this year?