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Moving on
After tumultuous offseason, it’s kickoff time
By Ken Ryan
You surely do not need a UWM amateur journalist to rehash the controversial events that swirled around 1265 Lombardi Ave. due to a retired legendary quarterback-turned-high school drama queen-turned New York Jets signal caller.
In year one of the post-Brett Favre era, expectations for the Green Bay Packers have not been lowered but instead call for a deep postseason run as the league’s youngest team from a year ago. The Packers ran away with the NFC North title en route to a 13-3 record and appearance in the NFC Championship game.
There are plenty of reasons to think the Packers might sink below and not meet those expectations. After all, new quarterback Aaron Rodgers has never started an NFL game. Nor have his rookie backups, Matt Flynn and Brian Brohm. Plus, the interior of the offensive line has been in flux all preseason, as center Scott Wells has not gotten over a lower-back injury that has caused the team’s top guard, Jason Spitz, to take over the center position. Furthermore, the defensive line, one of last season’s strongest position groups, has been decimated by injuries to several players, though anchor tackle Ryan Pickett and others are making their return.
However, every team has their problem. Do the New England Patriots really feel good about their linebacking core and secondary? Indianapolis is waiting on pins and needles to see if the star quarterback Peyton Manning can be himself after offseason knee surgery. Minnesota thinks it has what it takes to win it all…behind Tarvaris Jackson at quarterback? Dallas is loaded with talent but that team might be one of the most emotionally fragile ball clubs put together in NFL history.
So Packer fans, things are not as bleak as they seem, even with a tough early start that might hand the Packers a few early setbacks.
Rodgers is talented, has a full-grasp of the offense, has the team fully-behind him and has a better chance of holding steady in a cold-weather game. Sure, he has pressure on him, but what quarterback doesn’t. Not having a preseason with the Packers won’t hurt Ryan Grant, seeing as he did all right despite missing camp last year. The flex positions are oozing with talent, where Jackson gives McCarthy an honest 1-2 punch in the backfield. James Jones and Ruvell Martin are very different but very talented receivers. And let’s not forget, many teams don’t have a good cornerback; the Packers have two. Adding Brandon Chillar to the linebacking core only bolsters a ridiculously talented set. Will Blackmon might be the second coming of Desmond Howard, and Mason Crosby is already one of the best kickers in the league.
The Packers have all the tools to not only hold off the Vikings, but make a deep run in the playoffs.
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