While we wonder whether there will be a 2011 season, this is the first in a series of 32 entries looking back at the 2010 season, with the benefit of film analysis.
Offense
Aaron Rodgers played the quarterback position as masterfully as anyone in the last five years. Hes one of a very select handful of players who get pinpoint accuracy out of a rocket arm, but what really set him apart in 2010 were his shrewd presnap reads.
The Packers didnt have a great rushing attack but committed to the run just enough to keep defenses honest. You hear about keeping defenses honest all the time, but rarely do teams that cant run actually do it successfully. It helped that guards Daryn Colledge and Josh Sitton each had career years. Sittons power in pass protection and natural mobility at the second level should have earned him a Pro Bowl nod.
The Packers aerial assault was electrifying enough to bring home a Lombardi Trophy (thank you, four-receiver spreads). Frighteningly, that aerial assault was still minus its most dangerous weapon (TE Jermichael Finley) late in the year.
Defense
Clay Matthews deserved all his accolades, but you could make a strong argument that the veteran corner Charles Woodson was Green Bays most valuable defender. Woodson was the moveable chess piece in Dom Caperss brilliant scheme. Woodson was essentially a third safety, which was great because speedy corners Tramon Williams and Sam Shields proved capable of locking down receivers one-on-one outside (its amazing how potent a defensive play-caller can be when he has cornerbacks he trusts). B.J. Raji was quiet early but on track to become the N.F.C.s version of Haloti Ngata. Rajis fellow defensive linemen continued to hold down the trenches well against the run, which is why fluid but not ragingly athletic inside linebackers like Desmond Bishop and A.J. Hawk were able to be effective.
Myth Buster
WR James Jones is a liability
Dont confuse mistakes for shortcomings. Yes, Jones dropped plenty of balls in 2010 (fumbles included) and he ran an improper route or two. But overall, Jones, a matchup nightmare in the slot because of his quickness and subtle length, was Green Bays second-most productive receiver. His catch-and-run prowess fit perfectly in what was basically a spread version of the West Coast offense.
Something Positive
Desmond Bishop picked up the game remarkably well after struggling to diagnose plays early in the season. Bishop was not an individually destructive force, but by seasons end, his fluidity and fundamental tackling made him the teams most reliable run-defending inside linebacker.
NYTimes wrote: