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What do you see as the biggest problems on the Packers for the 2015 Season?
No doubt this is a top five team in the NFL by most people's account and expectations should be Super Bowl or bust. That said there are still some question marks on both sides of the ball as we are nearing September.
Offense:
LTWith the uncertain health of Bakhtari, the Packers need to look at the #1 backup spot at LT/RT. Protecting Aaron's blind side is imperative. Barclay has been worse then awful - not only in preseason games, but in practices. Some people have said undrafted rookie Josh Walker hasn't really embarrassed himself there, but to take on the best OLBs and DE's in the regular season seems like a super tall order.
I think they MUST look at vets that are available: Anthony Collins - Tampa Bay (released) had a rough 2014, but was good 2013. Jake Long - a 4 Time Pro Bowler - when he can go he is good, but he has dealt with constant knee injuries. The other thing to do is just wait for final cuts and pick the best out there.
TE- The Packers really have not been able to find a real good TE since Finley was in his prime. With the loss of Nelson this weakness could show itself more. I think Rodgers and Quarless have a ceiling which puts them a little below average among starting TEs in the NFL. You would definitely like to see the Packers improve the position, but it looks like they will have to rely more on the RBs catching the ball out of the backfield = more screen passes.
WR- Even though the Packers had the best depth in the NFL at WR- losing your #1 brings cause for concern. I might have more faith in the #3 and #4 WRs (before the Nelson injury) then most fans. I really think Adams and Montgomery will step up and along with Cobb will form a dynamic trio. I look for Adams to surpass the 1k yard mark along with Cobb and Montgomery to be top 5 in yards for rookie WRs. Janis and White are interesting prospects and will round out the top 5.
Defense:
ILB- They have to do much better against the run - I think Barrington and Ryan (Palmer/Bradford are 23 year olds who have showed flashes) are going to be an improvement over what they had last year.
OLB/Pass rush- If Ryan can step up and be just decent enough to plug the whole at ILB - then Mathews should remain at OLB because they really need his pass rush opposite Peppers. I don't think he will ever be the player he once was, but if he can be about 85%+ then that could be enough. I have been impressed with what I have seen from Elliott.
(NT)I have to admit to not following the latest on Raji, Guion, Pennel, etc - I don't think we have a better then average player that will stand out, but in this defense if they can just cause some disruption and plug the whole it should be fine.
(DE)In Daniels you have one side figured out. Jones needs to stay healthy and play like the player the Packers thought he could be when they drafted him in the first round. Boyd and Gaston are OK. You don't need Reggie White or Bruce Smith in this defense, but you need some improvement opposite Daniels.
Overall the interior of the D-LIne has to do a better job against the run.
(**)D-Backfield- It looks like they have turned a weakness into a possible strength. I stress the word "possible" because we have yet to see Rollins, Randall, and Gunter in a regular season game. All three of these players have showed something in practice and the preseason games. It's very early, but I am extremely enthusiastic and bullish on these three.
No doubt this is a top five team in the NFL by most people's account and expectations should be Super Bowl or bust. That said there are still some question marks on both sides of the ball as we are nearing September.
Offense:
LTWith the uncertain health of Bakhtari, the Packers need to look at the #1 backup spot at LT/RT. Protecting Aaron's blind side is imperative. Barclay has been worse then awful - not only in preseason games, but in practices. Some people have said undrafted rookie Josh Walker hasn't really embarrassed himself there, but to take on the best OLBs and DE's in the regular season seems like a super tall order.
I think they MUST look at vets that are available: Anthony Collins - Tampa Bay (released) had a rough 2014, but was good 2013. Jake Long - a 4 Time Pro Bowler - when he can go he is good, but he has dealt with constant knee injuries. The other thing to do is just wait for final cuts and pick the best out there.
TE- The Packers really have not been able to find a real good TE since Finley was in his prime. With the loss of Nelson this weakness could show itself more. I think Rodgers and Quarless have a ceiling which puts them a little below average among starting TEs in the NFL. You would definitely like to see the Packers improve the position, but it looks like they will have to rely more on the RBs catching the ball out of the backfield = more screen passes.
WR- Even though the Packers had the best depth in the NFL at WR- losing your #1 brings cause for concern. I might have more faith in the #3 and #4 WRs (before the Nelson injury) then most fans. I really think Adams and Montgomery will step up and along with Cobb will form a dynamic trio. I look for Adams to surpass the 1k yard mark along with Cobb and Montgomery to be top 5 in yards for rookie WRs. Janis and White are interesting prospects and will round out the top 5.
Defense:
ILB- They have to do much better against the run - I think Barrington and Ryan (Palmer/Bradford are 23 year olds who have showed flashes) are going to be an improvement over what they had last year.
OLB/Pass rush- If Ryan can step up and be just decent enough to plug the whole at ILB - then Mathews should remain at OLB because they really need his pass rush opposite Peppers. I don't think he will ever be the player he once was, but if he can be about 85%+ then that could be enough. I have been impressed with what I have seen from Elliott.
(NT)I have to admit to not following the latest on Raji, Guion, Pennel, etc - I don't think we have a better then average player that will stand out, but in this defense if they can just cause some disruption and plug the whole it should be fine.
(DE)In Daniels you have one side figured out. Jones needs to stay healthy and play like the player the Packers thought he could be when they drafted him in the first round. Boyd and Gaston are OK. You don't need Reggie White or Bruce Smith in this defense, but you need some improvement opposite Daniels.
Overall the interior of the D-LIne has to do a better job against the run.
(**)D-Backfield- It looks like they have turned a weakness into a possible strength. I stress the word "possible" because we have yet to see Rollins, Randall, and Gunter in a regular season game. All three of these players have showed something in practice and the preseason games. It's very early, but I am extremely enthusiastic and bullish on these three.
