Well, the season from hell is over. Having suffered through it with all of you, I would like to say, "thanks" for the lively banter and exchange of ideas.

That said, I would like to offer some observations as they relate to the next season, and will avoid the obvious call for Sanders and Stock to be replaced...which is something I do agree with.

Attitude - Regardless of whom we bring in via the draft or FA, there is one attribute that I will not tolerate the absence of...toughness with a hint of a mean streak. The Packers are borderline finesse at this point....far from the "Pittsburgh Tough" we were sold. We need an attitude injection.

Josh Sitton - Has the aforementioned nasty streak, is tough, and from everything said, would have been a starter if not for injury earlier in the year. Bring in more guys like Sitton, please!

Scott Wells - Great guy, tough, but undersized. In a division where bulk up front is necessary to compete, he will probably be the odd man out in the center spot.

Mark Tauscher - Great player, great Packer...but probably will not be back here or anywhere. Mark, from everything I have read, has big plans post football working in education. Here is a guy that, while he loves the game, does not seem defined by it. Bring the same excellence and enthusiasm to the classroom that you brough to our locker room and you are guaranteed success, Mark! How cool would homeroom with Mr. Tauscher be??!?

ZBS - A big part of our "finesse" problem is the ZBS. Yeah, we sometimes take the opponent's big guys to the ground, but we need to wear them out with a 60 minute ass beating so that they are not as active and/or fresh late in the game....and come to fear the next meeting.

FA- DL first, OL second. If "Fat Albert" is deemed someone who would stay motivated once paid big, break the bank on him. Look for mid-level help along the OL at the tackle spot.

DBs - Wodson is still a stud, and should provide several more good years, with Al going one or two more as well....with some depth already developed in Williams and potential in Lee. Collins, while having occassional lapses, lived up to his billing as a playmaker. However, Bigby may be a one year wonder, and Rouse is always nicked and too inconsistent.....find help for Collins in the draft.

Desmond Bishop - Future starter? I have a feeling about this kid, and, he has that "attitude" I so desire more of for this team. Push Barnett in camp, and who knows what Nick's trade value might be.

DeShawn Wynn - Said it before, and will say it again....if the kid gets his head straight and is able to overcome injuries, he may be the best back on the roster. Big off-season ahead for DW.

AR - Rocked the house big time!! Brett who?

So much more, but I wanted to leave some room for tyour thoughts on the important off-season issues that lie ahead.

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Nice post.

I am extremely hesitant to get rid of any linebackers we have on the team after this year, especially the group leader (Barnett). Going into the season, I considered the group one of the strengths of the defense, and it ended up being a liability. I have to believe that something was wrong and it wasn't the personnel on the field. Whether it be the play of the D-line in front of them, or how they were coached, or what, I don't know.

I like Wynn, and would like to keep him on the team. I would love even more to see Brandon Jackson get more carries next year. For whatever reason, Grant had a real letdown year. His vision wasn't where it was last year, nor was his ability to elude tacklers in the 2nd level.

What's the weight difference between Wells and Flanagan when he was our center on that quality O-line? Wells is another guy I'm hesitant to lose, because a) he's the brains on the line and b) Rock said a year or so ago he was the most powerful player on the team.

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Grant hits the turf when his arm gets grabbed with one hand...he seems soft to me.

Barnett seems to have lost his edge....his "play with reckless abandon attitude"...since hitting paydirt.

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Great post. I don't think I disagree with anything really, with possibly Wells and trading Barnett.

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I miss "club-hand" Barnett. That guy kicked ass!

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I think Barnett has a home on this defense and could absolutely dominate outside on this team... we never did allow Bishop to play enough inside late in the season to give us more of an insight whether he is the man in the middle or not..

Personal opinion.. I think he has the makings of a very good run first middle linebacker and rotate him off the field on passing downs.

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Agreed...Barnett could be hell on wheels outside, but is he willing to make the move without being disruptive? That is the big question.......if he is willing then yes, make the move. If not, move him and get your best players in their best positions.

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Barnett has a role he is suppose to play at MLB. He is under 240 and needs to be free. With the Dline this year that didn't happen.

Just look back at Urlacher, Zach Thomas, even Ray Lewis, many were saying they were washed up. Once the Dline in front of them started playing well again, then they started to look like their old selves again. If the Dline is not doing their job, the LBers suffer.

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I liked what little we got to see out of Desmond Bishop, he made some mistakes but looked like he had some fire for a young player. Hopefully he has a good offseason and gets a shot to start next year.

Also I hope Lumpkin has a good offseason again because I was excited to see what he had this year till he got hurt early 😞

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I think Bishop should definitely get some more playing time. We should try out Barnett at the OLB, and then we could release Chillar if Barnett works out. Have Hawk at weak, Bishop in the middle, and Barnett on the strong side. Although, I think Chillar is our best TE coverer. We could keep him for passing downs, maybe. When could we get Poppinga some playing time, if we kept Chillar, though?

Also, I really like Jermichael Finley. The kids' god some talent. Great hands, pretty fast, very athletic. I know he has some attitude problems, but I don't blame him after this past year. He'll mature as he is in the NFL longer.

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