Has the offseason really been boring?
Heard it stated a few times that this has been a boring offseason for the Packers, but has it really been boring and lacking of moves and interest? Lets take a couple of moments to reflect on 10 points on how this offseason should be looked at as anything but boring.
1. Yes is happened a little quickly in the schedule of the offseason, but other than replacing the Head Coach or GM, I can think of any move that would have more impact on a team than changing out the Defensive Coordinator upon a team. Especially when the hire is in the caliber of a Dom Capers and the wealth of knowledge and experience he brings to the table. [img_r]http://www.studyofsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/capers-300x195.jpg[/img_r]
2. In addition to making that move have been the additions on Capers staff that have as much bearing on the success going forward as Capers himself. Names like Trgovac, Greene and Perry should give a Packer fan much to research and learn about them as players and now the intensity and knowledge they bring to the staff.
3. The talk of running multiple fronts, pressure packages, and coverage packages over the backend of the defense is exciting as hell. Yeah, maybe this is too X and Oish for some, but a season after watching the Packers be either too stubborn or not capable of adjusting to the oppositions attacks.. I cannot express just how much excitement and depth this has brought to this offseason and the upcoming push to the Lombardi.
4. Some say they are disappointed that the Packers werent more active in the Free Agency market yet again. While it is true that we didnt add the blockbuster names some were clamoring for, even though I dont consider Canty or Burnett blockbusters, the Packers were clearly more publicly aggressive in the free agent market. Just the fact that they were rumored again to be very active in Free Agency tells me that there were a couple of key areas of focus that Packers zeroed in on. In other words, I think it is clear that the Packers player personnel believe they are getting close to having the depth they strive for and now they are focused on adding key impact players to push them over the top.
5. That leads directly into the NFL draft.. how can anyone be disappointed on how that draft broke for the Packers this season. Albeit I have some reservations on BJ Raji and the cost of adding Matthews (see #6), it cannot be questioned how talented these two players are. Throw in the likes of TJ Lang, Meredith and Johnson and you have the potential for a highly impactful class of players being added into a single draft. Oh, and do yourself a little favor and spend a little time digging into the 7th rounder Brad Jones.. this is a rangy backers with athleticism to spare. [img_r]http://blog.nj.com/realtimesports_impact/2009/04/large_bj425.jpg[/img_r]
6. The Trade. I will be perfectly clear that I still think it was a steep price to pay in order to obtain the rights to draft Clay Matthews, as a firm believer in that the draft chart is outdated and overrated tool for those that cover the draft, I look at where the picks fell and still have a belief that we overpaid to get into that slot. So on the surface, it may appear that I am less than thrilled with the move; one would be mistaken here. Matthews has proven that he has the drive and passion to improve his game, doesnt rely on what his Father did in the game or college, and wants to outwork anyone in the way of his goal. The other factor of this deal is that it proves to Packer nation that Thompson has the conviction and ability to pull the trigger on a player that the scouting staff is sold upon. It should quiet that type of talk, but until they see Matthews excel upon the field, it probably will not.
7. The health updates on the team overall. The reports coming out of OTAs and workouts are that the Packers are in pretty good shape with guys in the recovery cycle. A few will point to guys not working out and in the rehab process, folks this is routine for guys coming off major surgeries. Furthermore, all these major surgeries are months behind these guys and the reports are very positive on all accounts. Guys like Jenkins arent focused on the major areas of work, but more on the minor cleaning out of an ankle. That bodes well for the training camp. Harrell says he feels the best he has in year, Bigby says he is ready to roll, Barnett say his physical progress is well ahead of schedule and James Jones looks like an absolute beast physically. That is positive and exciting news my friends.
8. So the health news is good, but that isnt the only nuggets hitting the media these days. How about the gifted talent that is Finley showing signs of maturity at the young age of 24. Or the claims by Harrell that he hasnt earned any of his pay that the Packers have given him to date. When is the last time you heard such an honest self opinion of young professional player, I think that speaks well of his determination for the upcoming season.
Rodgers sounds and acts like all systems are normal after a highly productive first year as a starter. Yes he made a couple of blogs with a blonde in Vegas, or going on a date with a singer.. but other than that he has the sounds of a determined young player set on becoming even a better overall player. That right there is as exciting as things can get for a football team.
9. Locking up the future. So we werent overly successful in landing free agents, but all that money saved has already started to be put to use. Tramon Williams was given a bump in pay above what the CBA had him slotted for. Albeit that is an oversight in the CBA and an injustice for players earning their way into the league, the Packers and Williams found a fair middle ground to the issue and more than likely set the stage for a long term mutually beneficial contract for both parties if Williams finds success in the new defensive scheme.
That is a smart and highly ethical approach to dealing with the situation that speaks well to attracting more of these young determined players that fall through the cracks on the NFL draft. Note the number of undrafted players that chose the Packers over other teams. This will pay off in the future, if not this year. Keep your eyes peeled on Simmons from Greg Jennings School of development.
10. If one is truly bored after all that positive and exciting news, all you have to do is start studying some of the upcoming battles that will be waged for roster spots in the coming months. Beyond the QB and Kicker, there probably isnt a spot on the team where it is 100% locked down in terms of where guys will be positioned and who will make the final fifty three players.
At running back there are guys pushing for time and roster spots, all along the offensive line there are spot and starting positions that are there for the taking. Wide receiver, are you kidding me with the amount of talent that has been assembled for which the coaches can fit in players. The Finley verses Lee should be an interesting battle for playing time, maybe not whom shall start but the amount of snaps each gets is in the balance of this offseason.
On defense; it is completely insane to look at the amount of talent and opportunities that are there for guys to take advantage of. The battles along the defensive line and linebackers should be an absolute freaking treat to behold. Can Williams unseat Harris or Woodson in a starting role; will Bigby and Collins hold off the advancing Rouse and the newcomer in Smith? Who steps up and solidifies our punting game. Can Hall and Kuhn hold off Johnson for a roster spot... how do the roster counts work out this season.
I could go on and on with the number of roster battles and variations of how the final 53 could be put together, there are an endless amount of discussions that could take place on that area of topic alone.
So looking at just those 10 items, I can see how anyone can conclude that this has been a boring offseason and that we are lacking in things to discuss. If anything, this slow part of the NFL calendar is being magnified by the fact that we are all anxious to get to the meat of the preparation for the season that is training camp. [url=index.php?name=Pro_News&aid=104]Read More...[/url].
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"