Rockmaninoff wrote:GrendonJennings wrote:Last year entering the year there were what, 5-10 huge question marks? Would the Favre media-frenzy affect us? was Rodgers ready? backup QB? Grant's health? Jones, etc. etc.
This year we seem to have a lot less aside from one massive one in the 3-4. I think Grant will be better for sure, we have improved our depth at WR as Jennings is entering his prime, Driver still has another year or two of high-octane ball in his tank, Jones looks to be healthy again, and Nelson has a year under his belt.
It could all change with one snap of the ball but I am getting excited just thinking about how, barring injury, we had a solid offense last year and basically everyone is young and improving or returning to health.
You are forgetting the offensive line. That will again be the Achilles heel.
Other questions include...
- Raji - He is supposed to be a major part of the 3-4. Will he show up out of shape and injury prone?
- Harris/Woodson - How much longer are they assets rather than liabilities? Will they succeed in a zone scheme?
- Linebackers - This group is completely unsettled, much like the offensive line.
- Special Teams - To me this is another area of major concern. Great punters, kickers, and coverage teams are invaluable. Right now they are staring at mediocrity. Crosby is above average, but that's about it.
Hey, it's great to hear that Jones is back on the win track. And there is a lot of young talent and potential to be excited about. But there are just as many mysteries to be solved. We'll see what happens.
I could not disagree with you more about the o-line. They only allowed 20 sacks last year compared to a team like Chicago that allowed 50. The two weakest links on the line are either gone or probably will not start (Tauscher and Wells) and there are some very promising young guys doing a nice job right now (Lang, Giacomini, Barbre).
Clifton was hurt most of last year and underperformed but reports out of camp are that he has showed up in phenomenal shape and looks to have regained his form from a couple of years ago.
Also taking Wells out of the center position and inserting Spitz will make us alot more stout up the middle. And putting Lang in Spitz's guard spot will also be beneficial to the run game. Gio and Barbre can fight over the RT spot and either will be an improvement over an injured Tauscher.
I think Lang is the real wildcard this year. He's been solid in every postion they've tried him at in camp. He reminds me alot of Mark Tauscher when he first came into the league.
Addressing other points.
Raji- While I am a little worried about him being in shape he will have plenty of time in the preseason to work himself into shape.
Harris/Woodson- There have already been a few articles about how Woodson has been stellar in the new system in camp. Harris on the other hand does worry me but I think that if need be Williams is a starting caliber player and could step in for him without the defense missing a beat. depth is the biggest problem at CB. Lee and Blackmon need to step up.
Linebackers- Again refering to articles written about the LB corp. Hawk looks ho-hum and Barnett is obviously still injured. The good news is Chillar and Bishop seem to be taking very well to the new system. The coaches seem happy with Matthews and other than the 5 times a game Kampman has to drop into coverage he will be fine.
Special Teams- Lets start with Matthews who was the Special Teams player of the year for USC last year. Quinn Johnson also brings a hard hitting mentality to the unit. Additionally the switch to a 3-4 defense usually makes the the special teams unit much better because you have more LB's on the roster as opposed to having to keep more linemen for the 4-3.
I think this is a 10-11 win team.
