2005 Record: 4-12
CJ'S Team Rank: 23
THE CHARLES JAY LINE
To win Super Bowl:75-1
To win NFC North: 8-1
Total Wins: Over 5.5 -175, Under 5.5 +165
A lot of people have earmarked the Green Bay Packers for the cellar in the NFC North. And the team's detractors will certainly point to the off-season mystery surrounding Brett Favre's decision as to whether to continue playing or not as something that didn't help.
The questions about Favre have obviously been answered. And new head coach Mike McCarthy comes on board hoping to bring more answers.
There are some definite positives to point to in Green Bay. The team discovered a pleasant surprise late in the season, as Samkon Gado, an unheralded rookie from Liberty University, gained 4.1 yards a carry en route to 582 yards total. He had three 100-yard games, including a 171-yard effort against the Lions. Along with Ahman Green and Najeh Davenport, as well as solid fullback William Henderson, the Packers have the makings of a very effective running back-by-committee, assuming everyone stays healthy, which is not an assumption to be made so easily.
Green Bay's pass defense ranked first in the NFL, and the stop unit was rated 7th overall. Favre threw for 3881 yards in 2005 but tossed 29 interceptions - 12 more than any other QB - and may make it a point of personal pride to come back with a strong season to compensate. One thing he wanted to be sure of was that the team would make some moves to improve itself, and the Pack did just that.
Former Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson has been added to the secondary, and if Woodson is 100%, he has the potential to shut off one side of the field to opposition passing attacks. Safety Marquand Manuel comes from Seattle, where he started for the NFC champs. Defensive tackle Ryan Pickett, a former #1 draft choice, is a free agent pickup from St. Louis. Linebacker A.J. Hawk, a monster athlete from Ohio State, was this year's first-round pick.
Favre has tight ends to throw to in Bubba Franks and Donald Lee, but replacing wide receiver Javon Walker, who went to the Broncos, is not going to be so easy. There are several possibilities, including Marc Boerigter, who played with the Chiefs last yar, but he's more of a possession receiver.
There is some upside here. With their running backs and tight end formations, the Packers might be able to play some smashmouth football. That can only help Favre, who absolutely has to cut down on his mistakes for this team to make advances.
Home
