Pack93z, that impact player in the front 7 is really essential, maybe two or three of them. We were that bad at stopping the run - allowing historical yardage, all-time. Coming off a season being the worst ranked D, I thought that was very disappointing. Granted, the Perry injury really, really hurt us. Worthy, I expected more from him as a rookie DT, but he played fairly well until his injury. Now, we may have him lost for all of 2013. I like Daniels and his play, a lot, but I do think he is limited in effectiveness simply by size. Walden was a major disappointment to me, as he seems like he should be so much more effective. He flashes, but all too inconsistently. CJ Wilson, kind of unremarkable. I appreciated Jones' tenure on the inside last season, and thought he played better than he ever had. Hawk too. But both of those guys have their limitations. We need players who are top performers, anywhere in the front 7, but especially on the line. Adding two top performers to our front 7 would be a huge plus.
All this talk about Harrell and Coleman, wow, talk about small samplings... How can we really say how good or bad they would be if given the reigns after a potential loss of Rodgers? Based on what? There, the point seems moot. Totally.
Offensively, I'm with you on Newhouse. He may show some big improvement in year 3. Then again, he may not, and so drafting a pure LT would not be a bad move. That, or adding a proven vet there. C, yeah, we need one, but not to start, not right away. I think EDS could be our starting C for years. That is one tough dude, and the rest of the players on that line know him well. I do think Andrew Datko has the potential to surprise us this season at OT. Barclay seems pretty decent. OL may not be as great a need. Now, OL coach? Playcalling? Both need significant improvements. We've shown ourselves to be way, WAY too predictable.
I do think we need a total wrecking crew of a RB - someone who is going to punish an opposing D. I mean, really hurt em. I can only hope to God that McCarthy has seen the light and will emphasize the run more. Given that, I'd like for us to ditch Finley, and get a more well rounded TE in there to help block. That's part of the beauty of the position, as a D has to account for a TE busting into the flat or taking off downfield after a chip. I think Finley being in there is such a liability, as his blocking really does stink. He's more of a glorified WR, one who is trending downward with regards to production, while his pay climbs into the top paid in the NFL at TE. I'd cut our losses with him and draft another. We won a SB with Quarless, and he should be back this season ready to go. Take Finley's cash and throw it at Goldson for a top veteran S addition.
http://jerseyal.com/GBP/2012/10/17/packing-the-stats-the-rise-and-fall-of-jermichael-finley/ https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/02/22/jermichael-finley-tight-end-or-wide-receiver/ http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/packers-seem-to-be-finished-with-finley-v081e07-183664521.html So, I'd have to say I am really hopeful for the future of this team, especially knowing we will have some money to put into some areas of our team that really need help. This is going to be an interesting month.