Biggest concerns going into camp
by SpaceGhost34 on Jul 20, 2010 12:22 PM CDT
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Starting spots up for grabs, who is going to stay healthy, who is going to step up?
With training camp starting in a little over a week, one concern going into camp is if Al Harris is going to be able to get back to being his old self and staying healthy, not just in camp but through out the season. I'm not second guessing if he will be able to come back effectivly but if he can stay healthy..? I'm just not ready to have Tramon Williams locking up with with the #2 on sundays yet. We dont know how effective our depth is at Corner and the thought of Jaret Bush on the field is scary.
I'm guessing that he is going to be at camp. But i mean he still hasnt signed his tender, he is a starter, i mean its still up in the air. If he is rehabing his ankle or holding out for money its still a question that is relevant. He has had injuries in the past and will he be healthy through the season? Fortunatly he have drafter someone at the position but that i believe will play a role in some coverage situations. However physical play is a must at strong safety and has been solid when he has been healthy.
The defensive line will have to step it up this year if we want to beat the Vikings, or win our divison, or win the NFC or SuperBowl or whatever. The point is it all starts at camp and Justin Harrell needs to be getting as many reps as he can get in to get in shape to stay healthy and contribute...If not i just dont see him staying on the team anymore. So i'm eager to see what happens, if he sucks and they cut him, Awesome. If he busts his ass and gets out there and stuffs the run and brings some pressure, Awesome. Something needs to happen with him and i would rather him make a case for us drafting him in the first round and help us really turn some heads defensivly this year.
Left Guard
Who is going to start there next year? For the love of god i hope they are not leaning towards Darren Colledge. Thats all i really have to say about that.
James Starks
We really need this guy to stay healthy if anything this year if you think about it. Ryan Grant hopfully will get 1400 with 9 TD's but at this point it seems like who knows when it comes to how he is going to do you know? Brandon Jackson i'm looking to really step up this year and play well on 3rd downs or whenever he spells RG. But if either of those guys get's hurt Starks will have to be ready. We dont need another Deshawn Wynn...What we do need is this guy to stay healthy and get used to the speed of the game again since he hasnt played in quite some time. Special Teams can alwase use help and maybe he could step up to be that guy? But we need this guy and everyone else to stay healthy at RB to keep some sort of balance on offense.
Defensive Line
It seems pretty solidified at this point as far as Jenkins, Pickett and Raji are concerned. But as everyone know's, those guys rotate and being a starter only goes so far. Like i already mentioned about Harrell its do or die time. I hope Mike Neal can get good push at DE and be a solid guy to rotate in there. Cj Wilson will have a chance to hold true to his guarantee that he is "Going to make plays"...I hope he does, and think he will, but the stage is set...Do it in camp.
LOLB
Will it be Jones? Will it be Poppinga? Who is going to win the battle there and will they get a pass rush this year?
I'm sure there are other legit concerns that i havent mentioned like if Nick Barnett and Aj Hawk will be able find work in coverage this year and so on and so on. What do you think?
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Al & the depth at CB are my concern. I think the Arizona game was just a bad timing type of thing where they ran into an unbelievable QB. But if Al isnt able to come back to his usual form, whether its in Week 1 or Week 15, we could be in trouble. I have no doubts about Tramon stepping up but after him it gets suspect. I like Blackmon and really hope for his sake he can stay healthy this season and show what he can do on the field for defense & possibly special teams. Underwood seems to have improved but then we have Bush & Bell I believe which can prove to be a weak spot in big situations
Favre 4 Ever
I Believe In Chris Drury
Pat Lee
Your forgetting Pat Lee! He and Underwood are fighting for the #3 CB w/ Harris out. Then it gets to Bell and Bush… RIght now its Woodson, Williams, Harris?, Underwood and Lee, with Bell or Bush next.
Isn’t it a coincidence that vs Pitts and AZ, the 2 teams w/ the most intimate knowledge of Capers and his schemes, we gave up by far the worst passing days of the year? I don’t understand why people don’t recognize that indisputable fact!!! Pitts still runs Capers D and Whisenhunt was the OC in Pitts before being HC in AZ… You would think those 2 teams would have a HUGE advantage in attacking Capers D!!!
They did, no doubt. But part of the problem was guys like Bush and Bell just simply not being able to man up guys like Holmes and Wallace.
by packallday555 on Jul 20, 2010 4:41 PM CDT up reply actions
CB- I’m not sure when Al is expected to make his return, but I won’t be surprised if he’s not ready in even the first month of the season. Don’t forget about Pat Lee and Brandon Underwood. Jarrett Bush wasn’t even supposed to be a CB, he was supposed to be a Safety. How fast some things can change with a few injuries.
Bigby- He’ll be in camp next week. I aint worried. I’m expecting a platoon with him and Burnett, but Bigby will remain as the starter.
Harrell- I’m optimistic this year, just as I was last year….and the year before that. Well, here’s for his last ditch effort. Cheers!
LG- battle between Darryn Colledge and Jason Spitz. Maybe even TJ Lang will get some reps in the future at LG, who knows. I think this really has a lot to do with the battle for C between Spitz and Wells, but I think the coaches feel Wells will win that out. Spitz in my opinion is better than both of them, so I’d be dissapointed if he didn’t start in either position.
James Starks- I would like to slowly get him involved, but keeping his participation down to a minimum. I want him ready to go when I know for sure when he is 100% healthy. He’ll be 3rd string for sure.
LOLB- At least Poppinga is playing in a position better suited for him. Him playing at ROLB last year was kind of weird. Then again, I’m thinking in terms of LOLB being the Strong Side OLB. Well, GB doesn’t go by that set up. I’m thinking Brad Jones is ahead on the depth chart, but I think Poppinga will do fine on obvious running downs out of the base 3-4 formation.
"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi
Lee
Jaret bush will be a corner and only a corner this year…before he was going back and forth between the two. I did forget to mention Lee but he has been injury prone the last 2 seasons. What else is there to say really? I thought he would fit in pretty well when we drafted him but…Like i said injured? I hope he gets a chance to show us something this season.
by SpaceGhost34 on Jul 20, 2010 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions
positions
Bigby is the starting safety and Burnett might get some reps in situational groups. Physical play at safety isn’t as important as it used to be w/ all the passing. Besides the Packers run D is excellent and they shouldn’t need a physical safety.
Colledge is the starter at LG… Spitz hasn’t even practiced this offseason yet! Besides that Colledge has FAR more experience at LG, Spitz has mostly been a RG and C. And its a contract year for Colledge!
IMO, Starks in the kick returner, Grants primary backup and the backup to Jackson as the 3rd down RB. Why limit his touches?
Hoping for the best for Harrell… If he can stay healthy we have alot better depth.
Is there even a question that Jones will be the LOLB? I mean really to even mention Poppinga as a challenger is ludicrous! Jones does have to start making some plays though… Personally, I have always thought Poppinga’s best position in the 34 D is the strong side ILB, where Hawk plays and Bishop backs up, but theres already a logjam there…
If Colledge starts god help us...
Darren Colledge might have more experience but he is terrible…He gets pushed around like a girl and gets called on too many holding calls…If Spitz needs some time to heal, fine but put someone else there…I would rather have Newhouse play if Spitz cant start the season.
Why is nobody talking about Bulaga for LG? The coaches have said they would like the 5 best players to play on the line. Bulaga is one of the 5 best. The best way for him to learn is on the job training. Would you rather have him sitting on the bench waiting for Cliffy to get hurt or have him out there getting used to “game speed”? Jonathan Ogden played LG his rookie year and he turned out alright.
"I agree but dont agree"
by juggernaut400 on Jul 20, 2010 4:12 PM CDT up reply actions
True....but
There is nothing more i would like than for that to be the case. I agree, they just resigned Clifton so he is going to be here for another 3 years i think…I see Tauscher having another good year but it doesnt look like if we put Bulaga exclusivly at Tackle he will see much time despite injuries obviously. But then there is this buzz about Breno that im hearing about so it seems like he could be the backup Tackle…Bulaga at Guard would be interesting and the best part about is it wouldnt be but for a year or two at most..
by SpaceGhost34 on Jul 20, 2010 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Two reasons
1. They want him to absorb LT and only LT. Bulaga is one of the major keys to the future, and if they can secure the LT spot with him for 10 years then Green Bay can rejoice. Why gamble screwing up his development when we have so many guards as it is?
2. NO MUSICAL CHAIRS. We tried this exact same experiment last year with Colledge (who was our best O-lineman going into the year) and it was a disaster. If Bulaga goes in at guard and then needs to move to tackle because of an injury then you are changing two positions instead of one. Eventually the chaos needs to stop and the order needs to be put in place.
by PackApologist on Jul 20, 2010 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Left Tackle
Thats what i was thinking also reguarding him moving around. I dont think that he will be exclusivly LT…If Tausch goes down (Which i hope he doesnt knock on wood) then there is no reason that we shouldnt get him in there. I agree that moving him around would be a little much for the continuity. But the idea of having Bulaga in there was exciting and i couldnt resist lol. With that being said, game speed is a big deal and Bulaga needs to be on the field on Field Goals and Punts whereever he can get some experience..That wouldnt effect his everyday training primarily at LT but i think we could see him going to the RT if Tausch has an injury and the #2 over there doesnt hold up…
by SpaceGhost34 on Jul 20, 2010 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed
Stop the musical chairs it’s drove me nuts moving 3 people around when one person gets injured.
musical chairs didnt work because the main chair being moved (Colledge) sucks at all positions.
"I agree but dont agree"
by juggernaut400 on Jul 20, 2010 11:36 PM CDT up reply actions
No, that's not it...at all
I know Colledge has his detractors, but really he’s not as bad as everyone says. During our deepest playoff run of the last few years he was our best o-lineman, and has the ability to be a very solid starter. He just needs someone behind him pushing him (that year it was Barbre ironically) and to stay in one spot. This year that should happen because Spitz will push and he will focus on just LG.
The other part of this, the musical chairs, matters a great deal because it throws off the cohesion of the line. An offensive line needs to gel and come together. This doesn’t happen if you are changing around who is playing what position. No, we need guys to commit to one position this year and maybe have one guy come in for injuries as needed.
by PackApologist on Jul 21, 2010 8:14 AM CDT up reply actions
Agreed
That’s my thing it seems all great lines have one thing in common and that being they played together a couplr years and you knew what the guy next to you was doing. I would gather to guess that 5 above average linmen playing together for a extended period will out perform 5 probowlers just thown together, I maybe wrong but you see what I’m saying. So my thing has been when one guy goes down they move 3 guys around to get there best 5 in there I’ve felt they just created a weaker line than just putting in the one designated guy who wasn’t as skilled. Sorry for rabling along but this has been a pet peeve of mine
IMO
They lacked the depth on the OL to just keep guys at one position. Before this year the OL had to move parts around just to keep decent players on the field. Colledge has never had a dependable backup, nor has Clifton till this year. Lang saved us at RT last year when Tausch got sidelined after his return.
ALso keep in mind that only 7 usually dress on game day, maybe 8 at most. After the starters the backups on game day must be versatile. Thats why Spitz will still be extremely important, he can backup 3 positions! Lang at RT and LT. If they go w/ 8 Bulaga dresses…
Bulaga
Bulaga is going to dress…You can be that much…I’m going to guess the lineup is something like this…
LT-Clifton, Bulaga
LG-Spitz, Colledge….Either or but i would prefer Spitz
C-Wells, Spitz
RG-Sitton
RT-Tausher
by SpaceGhost34 on Jul 22, 2010 6:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Lang would probly be in that mix too, but im just making an educated guess here..
by SpaceGhost34 on Jul 22, 2010 6:04 PM CDT up reply actions
Lang
Lang has to be on the game day roster, IMO… He has alot of versatility and can definitely backup LT and RT. I think he is active on game days over Bulaga and if Clifton goes down the next week they move Bulaga into the starting lineup. Lang just has too much versatility to sit. Keeping Bulaga active over Lang means that Bulaga MUST get practice reps at LT and RT. Something they are trying to avoid!
game days
look like this
LT Clifton, Lang
LG Colledge, Spitz
C Wells, Spitz
RG Sitton, Spitz
RT Tauscher, Lang
If they keep 8 active then yeah, Bulaga is active. But game day spots are valuable and they must all play a role on game days and you have to sit someone else. They won’t keep Bulaga active just cuz he’s a 1st rd pick…
best 5
Coaches haven’t said they want the best 5 since last year. Pretty sure they said they are keeping everyone in the spots thats best for them and the team. Bulaga is a LT, the coaches have never said they want him at LG. He needs to learn LT from Clifton, not LG from Colledge.
Newhouse? Your kidding right?!! I like Newhouse alot but he is likely 2 years from starting material. Needs to get ALOT stronger and lose some of the flab, he is just way to soft in the body right now! Not to mention he played in a spread offense and hasn’t blocked from anything but a 2 point stance since high school.
I’m not saying Colledge is anything to write home about, but he is far and away the best alternative at LG. Unless Giacomini shows he can play RT and that allows Lang to move to LG. Otherwise Colledge is the LG for the next year. You may not like him and thats your perogative, but if he hit the FA market he would draw alot of interest! You just can’t replace a 4 year starters experience that easily!
not kidding
Colledge is the weak link man…If anything i agree that he should be a back up…But i would rather you start at LG than him…Lang who ever just not that guy seriously he gets blown off the line by anyone lightly above average dude.
weak link
I agree Colledge is the weak link on the OL as a starter. But you can, and the Packers have won w/ him as the starting LG. And there are plenty of starting OL in the NFL that are worse than Colledge. You need some perspective… You just don’t notice bad OL on other teams cuz your too busy cheering for Raji or Jenkins when they make a play against them. So you ignore them and think the Packer made a play.
Cb- Woodson, Williams, Harris, and Lee/Underwood would be ideal. Just as long as Bush doesn’t crack the top 4 I think we should be ok.
Ss- I think Bigby will start but I there will be a rotation with he and Burnett. One brings a better presence against the run, and one brings a better presence against the pass. And if nothing else, Burnett being there should push Bigby to be at his best. Seems like a win-win situation there.
Lg- I’d say Spitz will be here, though I could just as easily see Colledge being there.
LOLB- This will be Jones, no doubt. He’s much better then Poppinga is, and also has the potential to improve a lot, which Poppinga really doesn’t have.
I really think Shields replaces Bush
The guy could be a great gunner for us, and really that’s all that’s been keeping Bush on the team so far. Let Shields do that and maybe field some kicks and suddenly a Bush replacement as been formed.
by PackApologist on Jul 20, 2010 4:55 PM CDT up reply actions
Special Teams
I think one of the easiest wasys to really make a drastic improvement on our team is special teams. Ours are horrible, some of the worst special team play in the NFL. So my point is if we can just get our ST’s to play respectable our team will be drastically improved. It’s easier to play defense when the other team is pinned well inside the 20 and your offenses efficiency is much improved with improved field position.
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