Zero2Cool
15 years ago
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When Packers fans look back on the 2008 season five years from now, they will see it as a success, despite their 6-10 record.

They will wonder how the decision to choose Aaron Rodgers over a declining Brett Favre was ever a decision at all, like Brady vs. Bledsoe or Aikman vs. Walsh.

They will look back and see the start of something special -- maybe not as special as the Favre era (certainly less hero worship) -- but a rare successful transfer of power from one elite quarterback to the next.

Make no mistake: 2008 Green Bay Packers were not your average 6-10 football team.

They outscored their opponents by 29 points, had a +7 turnover differential, and finished fifth in the league in scoring. In short, they were unlucky.

You can believe that Aaron Rodgers doesn't possess some bogus trait that makes quarterbacks solely responsible for winning close game in the ultimate team sport, or you can see Green Bay's seven losses in 2008 by five points or less for what it was: a fluke.

This power ranking is not based on Green Bay's boffo preseason.

G.M. Ted Thompson built his offense up the right way, with homegrown talent all over the offensive line, and at the skill positions. Some of the picks weren't popular at the time (Rodgers, Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson), but they have given Green Bay enviable depth at every position except tackle. Even tight end is deep, with emerging receiver Jermichael Finley a sleeper to score a half dozen times.

This is an an offense that should be in the top ten in scoring for a long time, so they just need their defense to be average in order to contend for the division title.

The Packers hired defensive coordinator Dom Capers to install a flexible 3-4 defense. Capers is a big upgrade in terms of coaching talent and the move should pay off in the long run, but it requires the majority of the defenders to undertake new responsibilities.

Green Bay has the linebackers necessary to pull off the move, and their defensive line has potential if first-round pick B.J. Raji emerges alongside Cullen Jenkins, one of the most underrated players in football. The secondary is hoping Al Harris and Charles Woodson don't get old all at once.

If defense coalesces, it's hard to find a weakness in this roster. The NFC North looks better than it has in memory, but there is nothing stopping the Packers from winning it.

We trust their head coach and quarterback a lot more than their rivals in Minnesota. Brett Favre said previously that he wanted to join the Vikings in 2008 out of revenge, but perhaps Rodgers and Thompson will be the ones exacting revenge for all the drama Favre has put them through the last four years.

Key Player: Rodgers. He doesn't need to get better necessarily, but he does need to stay healthy despite a shaky situation at tackle.

Rookie to watch: Raji. He could split time between end and tackle, but he'll be a key to the run defense at either spot.

Best veteran acquisition: None. Just not Ted Thompson's style.

Key game: Week Eight, vs. Vikings. Do we really need to explain this one?


UserPostedImage
nyrpack
15 years ago
let them say what they want, a couple of nice victorys and they will be in the top 4-5 real quick !!
jimmy b.
Greg C.
15 years ago
Thanks for the article. I'm even more fired up for the season now.
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TheEngineer
15 years ago
That's a heck of a spiel.
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wamj2008
15 years ago
All of the FOX guys picked the Pack to be in the NFC Championship. 2 of them picked them to face NE in the Superbowl. Not that it means anything, but people are starting to take notice.
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beast (5h) : But the Return from IR designations had to be applied by the 53 man cutdown.
beast (5h) : It's a new rule, so it's not clear, but my understanding was that they could be IR'd at any time
Mucky Tundra (10h) : *had to be IRed at 53
Mucky Tundra (10h) : beast, I thought the designate return from IR players had to be IR at cutdowns to 53, not before
beast (11h) : It's a brand new rule, either last season or this season, prior, all pre-season IRs were done for the season
beast (11h) : But the Packers would have to use one for their return from IR spots on him, when they cut down to 53.
beast (11h) : I think the NFL recently changed the IR rules, so maybe the season might not be over for OL Glover.
Zero2Cool (11h) : Packers star Howton, first NFLPA prez, dies at 95 😔
dfosterf (15h) : Apparently it is too complicated for several to follow your simple instructions, but I digress
dfosterf (15h) : Zero- Did you see what I posted about Voice of Reason and his wife? She posted over at fleaflicker that they are both "In"
Zero2Cool (7-Aug) : Well, not crazy, it makes sense. Crazy I didn't notice/find it earlier
Zero2Cool (7-Aug) : it's crazy how one stored procedure to get data bogged everything down for speed here
dfosterf (7-Aug) : to herd cats or goldfish without a bowl. They reminded me of the annual assembly of our fantasy league
dfosterf (7-Aug) : out on a field trip, outfitting them with little yellow smocks. Most of the little folk were well behaved, but several were like trying
dfosterf (7-Aug) : Yesterday my wife and I spent the afternoon on the waterfront here in Alexandria, Va. A daycare company took about 15 three/four year olds
wpr (7-Aug) : seems faster. yay
dfosterf (7-Aug) : Wife of reason posted on the in/out thread on fleaflicker that both she and vor are in
Zero2Cool (7-Aug) : This page was generated in 0.135 seconds.
Mucky Tundra (7-Aug) : Tbh, I can never tell the difference in speed unless it's completely shitting the bed
Zero2Cool (7-Aug) : Sure does feel like site is more snappy
Zero2Cool (6-Aug) : I thought that was the Lions OL
Mucky Tundra (6-Aug) : Travis Glover placed on IR; seasons over for him
Zero2Cool (6-Aug) : found bad sql in database, maybe site faster now?
dfosterf (5-Aug) : I'm going to call that a good move.
Zero2Cool (4-Aug) : Packers sign CB Corey Ballentine
Zero2Cool (4-Aug) : I'm not sure how to kill the draft order just yet so it's not so confusing.
Mucky Tundra (4-Aug) : *to be able
Mucky Tundra (4-Aug) : and because it's not a dynasty league (which makes a lot more sense to be ability to trade picks)
Mucky Tundra (4-Aug) : Oh I know; I was just exploring and it blew my mind that you could trade picks because of the whole reordering thing
Mucky Tundra (4-Aug) : Zero, I think I preferred my offer: your 1st for my 15th rounder
Zero2Cool (4-Aug) : Keep in mind, we do a draft reorder once all members locked in
Zero2Cool (4-Aug) : You can have my 12th Rd for your 2nd round
Mucky Tundra (4-Aug) : Hey i didn't know we could trade picks in fantasy
Mucky Tundra (3-Aug) : Update: Rock has tried a cheese curd, promises it's not his last
Zero2Cool (3-Aug) : watch it!! lol
Mucky Tundra (3-Aug) : you're right, we never did leave, the site just went down :P
Mucky Tundra (3-Aug) : Rock claims to have never eaten a cheese curd
Zero2Cool (3-Aug) : We did not leave.
Mucky Tundra (3-Aug) : Family Night! WE ARE SO BACK!
Mucky Tundra (2-Aug) : To this day, I'm still miffed about his 4 TD game against Dallas on Thanksgiving going to waste
Martha Careful (2-Aug) : Congratulations Sterling Sharpe. He was terrific and I loved watching him play.
beast (2-Aug) : I believe it's technically against the CBA rules, but Jerry just calls it a simple unofficial chat... and somehow gets away with it.
beast (2-Aug) : Jerry Jones is infamous for ̶n̶e̶g̶o̶t̶i̶a̶t̶i̶n̶g̶ chatting with players one on one... and going around the agent.
Mucky Tundra (1-Aug) : Oo just saw a blurb saying that Dallas negotiated directly with Parsons and not through his agent
Mucky Tundra (1-Aug) : I assumed that both guys will get paid, just a matter of when or how we get there
Zero2Cool (1-Aug) : McLaurin nor Micah going anywhere. They will get money
Mucky Tundra (1-Aug) : the Synder years or do they take care of one of their own?
Mucky Tundra (1-Aug) : Do the Commanders risk losing a top WR with an emerging QB just because he's turning 30 and potentially risk damaging the rebuild from
Mucky Tundra (1-Aug) : Turns 30 this September, plays at a high level and Washington has some cap space I believe
Mucky Tundra (1-Aug) : More interesting is Washington with Terry McLaurin
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