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NFL Mock Draft 2009 Draft of 2009 Lacks Star Power NFL Draft 2009: Getting Started Super Bowl Well Worth Tuning In For
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Prospects On Center Stage NBA Preview 2008/09: Final Call
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Brett Favre's Final Stand By Ron Jumper The Green Bay Packers seem to have been written off for the upcoming season. There doesn’t seem to be any speculation that the Packers can make one last playoff run with quarterback Brett Favre under the helm. The draft went well and they just signed Charles Woodson, how could you not feel a little optimistic? They got rid of the sour apple Javon Walker for additional draft picks and should be a lot more focused as a team under new coach Mike McCarthy. The news of Brett Favre’s return to the team should be reason enough for optimism. However, I figured football followers would need more convincing so here goes nothing. The Packers struggles last year were not only Brett Favre’s fault, consider Ahman Green and Bubba Franks being injured for significant lengths of time. Any quarterback will tell you that those positions can be a quarterback’s best friend. The Packers were able to be mildly competitive regardless, losing 5 games by 3 points or less and 8 games by 7 points or less. The Packers are still in the NFC North Division which, in case you have forgotten, is one of most pitiful divisions in the NFL. There doesn’t have to be a miracle for the Packers to have a good record against their division foes, not to mention that the San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills, and New York Jets are on the schedule. That is nine games that the Packers can win right there so don’t tell me I’m crazy to say the Packers can make the playoffs. The Packers draft was very successful in addressing needs. The linebacker position was significantly improved by the drafting of A.J. Hawk of Ohio State and Abdul Hodge of Iowa. Hawk is as close as it gets to a sure thing in the NFL, as far as developing into a good NFL player. Hodge has the makings of a Mr. Reliable, someone who won’t be flashy or flamboyant but will play smart, which your MLB has to do in order to be a cohesive defense. The idea was thrown out there that maybe the Packers should try to add weapons for Favre to throw to, which I feel was done by possibly adding three wide receivers(Greg Jennings, Will Blackmon, and Cory Rodgers) via the draft. Blackmon can also play cornerback and has the potential to be dangerous on special teams in the return game. Another area that could make Favre’s life a lot easier is the offensive line and the Packers used two picks on quality offensive lineman. Both Daryn Colledge and Jason Spitz grade out well and should provide help somewhere along the depth chart. The Packers made improvements on the defensive side of the ball via free agency as well. Their linebacking corps should be complete with the signing of Ben Taylor, who quietly had 110 tackles last year and will be counted on even more heavily with this young group of linebackers. On the defensive line, they added two quality(not sensational) defensive tackles in Ryan Pickett and Kenderick Allen. Those two will hopefully be able to plug up holes so the young linebackers can fly around and make plays. The most significant addition, in my eyes, is Charles Woodson. If nothing else, he brings amazing athleticism and experience to the secondary. Woodson has been hurt and has only two interceptions in the last two years; however, something tells me he is ready to return to his former self in his new surroundings. Overall, the Packers have added enough talent to improve an offense that was ranked 18th and a defense that was ranked 7th. It is not out of the question to believe this team is poised for a good season. In fact, you are going to hear it here first that the Packers will win their division and make the playoffs! How is that for a very early bold prediction? May 2, 2006 |
| NCAA Football | |
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Be Careful What You Wish For
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| NCAA Basketball | |
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Jumpology: My Bracket Jumpology: Scouting The Heavyweights Jumpology: Reviewing The Bracket
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