Zero2Cool
14 years ago
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81968435/article/packers-firmly-believe-super-bowl-is-within-reach?module=HP_cp2 


GREEN BAY, Wis. -- With a mere two blocks separating their offseason homes in Orlando, Fla., Packers safety Nick Collins and cornerback Charles Woodson see a lot of each other when they aren't here for minicamp or OTAs.

Their conversations over lunch or dinner invariably deal with the Packers' fortunes. After the 2009 season -- which started slow and ended strong before a bitterly disappointing 51-45 shootout playoff loss to Arizona -- the talk centered on being within striking distance of the Super Bowl and having enough of the right ingredients to get there.
Proud of what they own

In a nutshell, Collins and Woodson concluded the following: "We've got the team; we've got the ability to be that team this year."

And that's the level of confidence the Packers carried into the start of training camp Friday. They aren't afraid to embrace the notion that they can be a strong contender, worrying that they might sound too brash and provide unnecessary bulletin-board material. You don't get much "take it one game at a time" dribble from this bunch.

In fact, their veteran leaders see it as their responsibility to make certain that everyone in the locker room is on board with the same optimism that Collins and Woodson routinely expressed to each other during their offseason chats.

"You've got to talk it to believe it, so we've been talking about it," Collins said. "And you've got to get other guys to believe in it."

It shouldn't be too much of a struggle.

The Packers have one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in Aaron Rodgers. They have one of the league's most talented groups of receivers, led by Greg Jennings and Donald Driver, and a rising star at tight end in Jermichael Finley.

Despite making the difficult transition from a 4-3 to a 3-4 scheme, their defense soared from 20th in the NFL in 2008 to second last year. Woodson's spectacular play earned him NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors. Linebacker Clay Matthews made the Pro Bowl and was in the running for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

In free agency, the Packers concentrated on keeping their own. Collins received a three-year extension that will reportedly pay him $14 million in the first year. Defensive lineman Ryan Pickett received a new deal worth a reported $25 million over four years, while offensive tackle Chad Clifton got a reported $7.5 million guaranteed to stick around for another season. In the draft, the Packers addressed a huge need in the first-round with former Iowa offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga, who signed in time for the start of camp.

Overall, a very encouraging picture... but not quite perfect.

"There are just some areas that we just need to work on and tighten up," Collins said.

One of the biggest is a defense that allowed far too many big plays. As impressive as the Packers' conversion to a new defensive scheme might have been, a clear shortcoming was the ease with which opponents moved the ball through the air. That was a particular source of frustration in the playoff loss to the Cardinals, with Kurt Warner passing for 379 yards and five touchdowns without an interception.

Many of the struggles resulted from not knowing all there was to know about playing the scheme that Dom Capers brought to Green Bay when he was hired as defensive coordinator last year.

"You know, it's a point of a game where you aren't sure, you really didn't understand what was going on, so that's how some of the big plays occurred," Collins said. "We're going to put that behind us and move forward."

Two key moves to help upgrade the Packers' defensive front were shifting 2009 first-rounder B.J. Raji from end to nose tackle -- his more natural position -- and Pickett from nose tackle to end.

"Much maligned" is how general manager Ted Thompson describes the offensive line, which was heavily criticized last season for giving up a league-high 51 sacks. But there is reason to believe that will change with the addition of Bulaga, Clifton still in the mix, and the continued development of younger players upfront. Thompson is satisfied that the Packers' line can build upon the better continuity it had through the latter part of 2009.

"It's a good group, and I think they'll be much improved over last season," Thompson said.

The same is being said about the rest of the NFC North. The Vikings, who swept their season series against Green Bay last season, look every bit as much of a Super Bowl contender as the Packers. Some would argue they look even better, especially if Brett Favre returns.

The Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions were two of the league's most aggressive teams in the free-agent market.

"I think this is probably going to be the best division in the NFC, because it's so competitive; everybody upgraded in some areas," Collins said. "Minnesota, they're waiting to see what's going to go on with No. 4. But at the end of the day, we feel like we're a great team as well.

"For people to look at us as a Super Bowl contender, it's exciting. I hope everybody comes in here with the attitude of trying to get better, trying to find ways to help this team win, and we can make this run."


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tonyagnese
14 years ago
With how quickly the defense adjusted to the 3-4 in one season, I cant wait to see what they look like this season. On offense you had one of the most explosive offenses in the league with a shaky offensive line. I can not wait to see what they look having a solid line from day one.

Personally I have been among the few that have criticized Ted for his lack of motivation in Free Agency, but his Draft picks quickly overshadowed that. I don't think Ted actually had to do anything to make Green Bay Super Bowl contenders, as they were already their with the roster they had. Ted has simply added even more talent.
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PackFanWithTwins
14 years ago
Just a matter of the pieces falling into the right spots.
The world needs ditch diggers too Danny!!!
agopackgo4
14 years ago

Just a matter of the pieces falling into the right spots.

"PackFanWithTwins" wrote:



And staying healthy! That includes Rodgers, J-Fin, any decent o lineman, and Charles Woodson!
14 years ago
If we do indeed, win the Superbowl, I think it would feel as glossy and as beautiful then any other achievement (I wasn't alive in 66, 67, maybe my opinion would be different)

My reasoning for this is our roster, and how much of it's quality comes from our drafting.

I do not think anybody could dampen the achievement. The patchwork teams come and go, to maintain talent consistently is difficult and only a few teams can say they have been genuinely able to say before the start of the season "We are contenders"

I am not against free agency, in fact some teams are fantastic with making good pickups (Patriots), however, with this current crop (Rodgers, Finley, Jennings, Driver, Matthews, Collins etc.) it would feel like much, much more of an achievement then say...

ahem


0 time Superbowl champeens, the Minnewanker Bidicks.
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Zero2Cool is my captain.
nyrpack
14 years ago
absolutely, aaron is only gonna get better

but grant will have to be that punishing runner again and woodson cant do it alone, guys gotta step up back there !!
jimmy b.
CDNRodgersfan
14 years ago
the last few years more then any other era it seems just make it to the playoffs and then it's anybody can win it. Even last year if the ball bounces the other way against the Cards there's no reason we couldn't of won the Big game.
Dexter_Sinister
14 years ago
If they just threw a freaking flag on the dang facemask!

I hate what ifs and whining about getting robbed, it makes us sound like Vikings fans. So I am not saying coulda shoulda woulda. I am talking about they were good enough to be that close.
I want to go out like my Grandpa did. Peacefully in his sleep.
Not screaming in terror like his passengers.
wamj2008
14 years ago
If they can shut down big-time QB's, and protect their big-time QB, there's no reason they shouldn't win it all.
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bozz_2006
14 years ago

If they can shut down big-time QB's, and protect their big-time QB, there's no reason they couldn't win it all.

"favrefourevre" wrote:



Fixed it for you.
UserPostedImage
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dfosterf (14h) : 2nd issue. Number 1 issue was no gameday childcare. 1 of 3 teams not providing it
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wpr (18h) : It's funny the PA complained about the locker room. It wasn't that long ago it was top shelf. Things change in a hurry.
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Zero2Cool (18h) : NFLPA report said Packers lockerroom needed upgrade. Whining bout where you change?
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beast (20h) : I feel like it's loading at the top of the next minute, or something like that.
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Zero2Cool (23-Jul) : Still working through SSL cert issues
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Mucky Tundra (22-Jul) : Same deal with the songs/videos thread, says you replied last but when I go there it's what I posted earlier is last
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Mucky Tundra (22-Jul) : But when I go it, Martha's is the last reply
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beast (22-Jul) : Packershome going to the Whiteout unis again
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dfosterf (19-Jul) : Eagles put an engraved Brazil flag on their super bowl rings
Zero2Cool (18-Jul) : Benton unsigned no more
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