Roster: With impact players on both sides of the ball, the high-scoring Packers might actually have more stars on defense than offense in three years. This is especially true among their front seven, led by DT B.J. Raji and OLB Clay Matthews. The Packers' WR group is aging and the run game is inconsistent, but the Packers will continue to find quality weapons for QB Aaron Rodgers. -- Gary Horton

Quarterback: Right now, Rodgers plays the position about as well as we've seen it played. He's also only 28. That said, is Green Bay comfortable with the current backup situation of Graham Harrell and B.J. Coleman? Matt Flynn's absence at least creates the question. -- Trent Dilfer

Draft: The Packers worked hard to fix the front seven in the 2012 draft. How well they are able to draft pass-rushers will define the next few years, but this is an exceptional scouting department in which finding great value is routine. -- Mel Kiper

Front office: GM Ted Thompson heads a very efficient scouting staff and believes in building a team through the draft rather than spending a lot of money in free agency. What's more, the Packers often re-sign that in-house talent, using the open market only to fill specific needs. It's a model that promotes enduring success. -- Horton

Coaching: This coaching staff has great experience and stability and combines a blue-collar work ethic with extreme attention to detail. Nobody in the NFL teaches basic fundamentals like this staff, headed by Mike McCarthy. The Packers are creative and innovative on both sides of the ball, work well together and respect one another. This is a family atmosphere that coaches embrace and do not want to leave. -- Horton

Trent Dilfer, Mel Kiper, Gary Horton, Matt Williamson  wrote:

This is a blue-collar group without a lot of big egos, and the stability of this organization is outstanding. It started a long time ago with Ron Wolf running the show as GM; his track record for success is well documented. The Packers made the seamless transition to GM Ted Thompson without missing a beat. Like Wolf, Thompson has a scout's mentality and is an executive who still visits colleges, watches film and believes in building primarily through the draft, yet he isn't hesitant to venture into free agency when he's targeting a specific need. Green Bay always has an eye on the future, isn't afraid to make tough decisions and doesn't succumb to outside pressure.

All you have to do is look at how they managed the Brett Favre situation to know how this organization operates. Coaches coach and scouts scout in Green Bay, but everybody has a voice and Thompson is a consensus builder in terms of decisions. My feeling from talking to people and knowing what I do about how that organization operates is that the staff shouldn't miss a beat with several departures, including Reggie McKenzie's move to Oakland.

Gary Horton wrote:

I don't think the transition to Ted was seamless. LOL. Mike Sherman didn't speak to Ted for a year. Favre imploded all over the franchise. But it was for the best.

I'll tell you one thing. I get down on Mike McCarthy for the inconsistency and "lulls" on offense, but Mike has built a great staff.

Look at the Bears. Every hear Lovey has to make a big free agent signing in order to cling desperately to his job. Julius Peppers. Jay Cutler. Brandon Marshall. They're mortgaging their future to spin their wheels. But they're not going anywhere.

Originally Posted by: nerdmann 

I know what you are saying about Da Bears but Cutler was a trade not a FA.

Originally Posted by: wpr 

True, but it was a desperation move. Last year they even tried to resurrect Mike Martz's career. LOL

Originally Posted by: nerdmann 

"WR group is aging"? WTF is that?

Okay, Driver, yes. But he's at most optimistic #3 now, and probably as low as #5.

But the rest it's only appropriate to say "aging" in the sense that everyone gets a year older every year.

Sheesh.

The writers are such pinheads they should run for elected office.

(Trent, you're better at what you do than this hack sports journalist crap!)

Originally Posted by: Wade