How diff would the season have been if we didn't lose Al Harris?

---

Not just Aaron, but I'm thinking of all the QBs who ended the season over 100+ rating. What are the chances of those many happening next year? Well, I'm hoping Aaron does again but won't count on it and definitely don't think we'll have 5 over 100 and 9 over 96.

(By comparison, only Rivers had a 100+ rating last year. The year before had 3, but only 5 past 96. The year before that had only P Manning with a 100+ rating.)

My guess is next year, defenses will find new ways to stop prolific passing.

The other problem is we simply can't expect both Cliffy and Tausher to be 100% next year and start all 16 games. I'd love it to happen, but won't bet on that either.

We need to beef up this OL.

---

You can't assume that a lower QB rating is going to mean downgrade in quality of play. In my view, Rodgers could have a better year, but have a rating of 95. Look at Favre as a perfect example. This was his highest rated year, but anyone who's watched him over the course of his career knows that his 95 and 96 seasons were easily his best seasons IMO.

---

Personally, I think anyone who thinks this team is a player or two away isn't giving this team enough credit.

Look at it this way: the Packers were 3 wins away from playing in the Superbowl. No one player is going to get you 2-3 wins in the NFL, considering our team. Our QB is elite, we have an outstanding playmaker CB in Woodson (who averaged something ridiculous like 1 turnover per game... outstanding). You've got great talent at the receiver positions, and a RB that is one of the better RBs in the league. You've also got a great Safety who produces turnovers. You've also got a great OLB in Clay Matthews, who can produce turnovers and pass rush.

My point is, you've got some great players on this team... but it's not as if there is one glaring need at a single position that was the result in us falling short to the Cards.

We need a better pass rush - and it has to come from the D-line as much as any new player would bring. Our O-line play at the end of the year was consistent, and they were doing a good enough job to keep our offense rolling against the Cards so it's hard to argue that our O-line was the cause of our loss against the Cards.

Our main problem is solidifying depth: we need quality depth at S and OT primarily. We've got the players on this team that are capable of playing at an extremely high level... but if they consistently played to that level then we are one pretty tough team.

What we do need in terms of player additions is a new Punter, and some more competition at KR/PR. I'm not as down on our return game as many people here, but it can improve so you bring in some competition to try to do that.

Other than that, I think we've got the core pieces here to contribute to a Superbowl run. Adding 1-2 players that are good players would certainly help that run, but I don't think they'd suddenly make us legit Superbowl contenders; I already see us as being one.

---

I agree - solidify the Oline first, make sure the Dline is solid (ie need this if running a 3-4), and make sure we have a good LOLB
Im happy enough with out ILBers even thou barnett and hawk I consider average.

Safety and corner ... need a solid 3rd safety incase one of em gos down again and we need a solid 4th corner - start cutting peeps if they cant cut it.
Hopefully harris comes back and is still the best db in the NFL ;)
woody harris tramon and who the fuck ever ...

ahh Frak forgot we need a solid kick/punt returner ... I never liked blackmon much ... lets get a solid guy in there - steal danny woodhead off the jets damn it ...

The only way to repeat success in the NFL, is to have the attitude that EVERYONE needs to improve upon what they did the previous season. Even if we had won the Super Bowl, you STILL need to look for ways to improve. That goes for every single person in the Packers organization.

I guess my point is, that it is not just as simple as looking to sign one or two players, or to improve a few areas of the team; but that EVERYONE needs to get better.

Jerry Rice has often said that he always tried to play the perfect game.

Vince Lombardi said it best with:

"Perfection is not attainable. But if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence."

It cracks me up to hear people talk like we are so far away from being a SB contender. Do you remember last year when it was announced we were moving to the 3-4? My God. The sky was falling.

We had no ROLB to rush the QB.
We had no NT. Pickett was not going to cut it.
Our CB's were NOT zone guys that could play that defense.
Yada, yada, yada.
Ted Thompson brought in Raji and Mathews (who by the way will be BETTER next year).
Our CB's can not only play it, Woodson is a BEAST at it. We will get Harris, Lee and Blackmon back to help with depth and improve the nickle.

We need to add a pass rusher on the left side if Kampman doesn't come back and get quality depth at safety. Is that too big of a step for a stepper? C'mon.

On offense Finley is coming on like a raging lion and they will keep the 0line personnel needed to function like they did the last half of the season and more than likely add high draft picks for added options to improve there as well.

How can anyone think Rodgers won't be better considering he spent the first half of the year on his back for crying out loud. What can the guy do if he just gets the protection he got the last half of the year for a whole season which I am sure will be the off-season emphasis?
Ted Thompson needs to work on bringing every core player back in here he can and then look at what else he can do financially to improve the team. I expect whoever the #1 pick is ( just looking at the board and the possibilities) to help the team get better. You don't pay guys $5mil plus to sit around these days.

I'm excited about next year. The "to do" list is smaller by far than last year. We know who can play and found out the hard way some that can't but going into next year? They will be ready.

---