Zero2Cool
16 years ago

The Green Bay Packers are riding a two-game winning streak and tied for first place in the NFC North as they head into the second half of their season. A rugged November schedule will sorely test the Packers status as contenders. But there are several reasons why they could show significant improvement after the bye week:

-- Running back Ryan Grant is capable of breaking out after a sluggish start.

Grants production is down considerably from last season. Most alarming is his drop in average from 5.1 yards per carry in 2007 to 3.4 this year. He also has caught only four passes for 8 yards this season after grabbing 30 for 145 yards last year. Theories abound for the slide, but the biggest factor was his absence from training camp due to a holdout and hamstring injury.

Hysterical claims that Grant simply isnt that good and will never live up to his new contract are premature.

-- The return of James Jones should give the receiving corps a big boost.

The more weapons Aaron Rodgers has at his disposal, the better the offense will be. When at his best, Jones can make an impact. As the No. 3 receiver, he will take pressure off Greg Jennings and Donald Driver and give Mike McCarthy more play-calling options.

Jones has been bothered by a lingering knee injury and has just five catches for 38 yards this season after a 676-yard rookie campaign. Imagine the possibilities if hes healthy.

-- The Packers secondary goes from being decent to very good with the return of cornerback Al Harris and safety Atari Bigby.

Harris hasnt played since mid-September due to a spleen injury, and Tramon Williams has filled in capably in his place. Harris is expected back soon, meaning Williams will shift to the nickel-back role and give the Packers a dynamic cornerback trio that includes Charles Woodson, who is playing at a Pro Bowl level.

If Bigby returns near 100 percent from a monthlong hamstring injury, he will add a physical presence to the secondary and provide solid depth alongside starter Nick Collins and playmaker Aaron Rouse.

-- Expecting an upgrade along the defensive line remains an iffy proposition, but the potential exists.

Since being drafted in the first round in April 2007 Justin Harrell has proven two things: hes unavailable and unreliable. If ever the Packers could use a shot in the arm at defensive tackle, its now. That position is sorely lacking in depth, so a capable Harrell coming off the shelf would be a huge boost.

At defensive end, many have written off Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila as old, slow and ineffective. Could his slow start be primarily the result of a sore knee, and could his recovery revive the Packers pass rush? For the sake of the defense, the Packers hope so.


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DarkaneRules
16 years ago
Bye weeks are for getting healthy so this article makes a lot of sense. Pretty much our whole team has been playing hurt, so obviously, a bye week helps us there.

As for the running game, better blocking would help.
Circular Arguments: They are a heck of an annoyance
joym13
16 years ago
As far as our running game goes, I think the success Aaron Rodgers has had will help too. I think the beginning of the season, teams figured they'd concentrate on the run and make Aaron beat them. Well for 4 games he did - so now teams need to worry about both. That will only help the running game.
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gbpfan
16 years ago
i like what the article said and i agree bye week will help bringing guys who have been out our o-line with jones back then you have jordy and of course d.d jennings d-line they need harell to step up and i hope he can come this week they will need to stop the run game that is what tiatins will do run a lot knowing d-line is weak in that area
yooperfan
16 years ago
I'm hoping Harrell will be able to step in against the Titans to help shore up our run defense but my expectations are low.
Hopefully he will be able to stay healthy for the rest of this year and get a whole training camp in next year and fulfill the expectations of a 1st rounder.
My "Magic 8 Ball" says, "don't count on it".
zombieslayer
16 years ago

The Packers secondary goes from being decent to very good with the return of cornerback Al Harris and safety Atari Bigby.



Decent? Surely he jests.

Our secondary is much better than decent.
My man Donald Driver
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Packnic
16 years ago

The Packers secondary goes from being decent to very good with the return of cornerback Al Harris and safety Atari Bigby.

"zombieslayer" wrote:



Decent? Surely he jests.

Our secondary is much better than decent.




seriously... we just came off a game where we made Peyton freakin Manning look like Ryan Leaf and thats decent? I would hate to see a very good defense.
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zombieslayer
16 years ago



seriously... we just came off a game where we made Peyton freakin Manning look like Ryan Leaf and thats decent? I would hate to see a very good defense.

"Packnic" wrote:



True dat. And if I'm not mistaken, aren't we 1st in INTs, and also have 2 of the INT leaders?
My man Donald Driver
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2010 will be seen as the beginning of the new Packers dynasty. 🇹🇹 🇲🇲 🇦🇷
bozz_2006
16 years ago



seriously... we just came off a game where we made Peyton freakin Manning look like Ryan Leaf and thats decent? I would hate to see a very good defense.

"zombieslayer" wrote:



True dat. And if I'm not mistaken, aren't we 1st in INTs, and also have 2 of the INT leaders?

"Packnic" wrote:



but... so are the Titans!
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Zero2Cool
16 years ago



seriously... we just came off a game where we made Peyton freakin Manning look like Ryan Leaf and thats decent? I would hate to see a very good defense.

"bozz_2006" wrote:



True dat. And if I'm not mistaken, aren't we 1st in INTs, and also have 2 of the INT leaders?

"zombieslayer" wrote:



but... so are the Titans!
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"Packnic" wrote:



Until after tonight, the Titans haven't faced a quality QB with quality WR's like we have.
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beast (1h) : In other news, the Green Bay Packers have signed Zero2Cool to update their website 😋 jk
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Martha Careful (23h) : any interest in Marshon Lattimore?
Zero2Cool (4-Nov) : What does NFL do if they're over cap?
Mucky Tundra (4-Nov) : They've been able to constantly push it out through extensions, void years etc but they're in the hole by 72 million next year I believe
hardrocker950 (4-Nov) : Seems the Saints are always in cap hell
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Mucky Tundra (4-Nov) : Dennis Allen has now been fired twice mid-season with Derek Carr as his starting QB
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beast (4-Nov) : I wonder if the Packers would have any interest in Z. Smith, probably not
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Zero2Cool (4-Nov) : Packers are more likely to have 1,000 yard rusher than 4,000 yard passer
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Zero2Cool (3-Nov) : Packers inactives vs. Lions: CB Jaire Alexander S Evan Williams C Josh Myers Non-injury inactives: WR Malik Heath OL Travis Glover DE Bren
packerfanoutwest (3-Nov) : Malik Willis: My focus is helping the Packers win, not proving I can start elsewhere. But he could
Zero2Cool (1-Nov) : I had Texans, but the loss of another WR flipped me
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