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.