Green Bay Packers Who Need To Have a Big 2009

Remember the beginning of the free agency period? Every Green Bay Packers fan was full of optimism and hope that we would be seeing the likes of Chris Canty and Albert Haynesworth in a Packers uniform next season.

However, the free agent period has seemingly come and gone, and all we have to show for it is the signing of a backup safety that has shown more potential then actual ability. 

Packers fans have to come to this reality: General Manager Ted Thompson is content with his current roster and confident that he can add the right pieces via the draft. While there are arguments for and against that strategy, there's no argument that the most pivotal part of that system is the individual progression of players from year to year.

With that in mind, which Packers need to show that progression from 2008 to 2009? For Green Bay to get back into the playoffs, these players are the ones you should look for to make their respective progressions.

Atari Bigby

Bigby looked like he had a bright future after a promising 2007 campaign—five interceptions and three forced fumbles—but took a step back in 2008. However, it's safe to say that injuries put a huge damper on any progression that Bigby could have had last season.

Assuming Bigby is healthy next season, Green Bay should expect him to take the next step in 2009.

The switch to the 3-4 could benefit Bigby as well. The flowing dreads out Bigby's helmet may remind you of Pittsburgh's Troy Polamulu, but he also may play a similar role as the Steelers' All-Pro safety next season.

Bigby is best when he roams near the line of scrimmage, and in the 3-4, he should have more freedom to do just that. In addition, his physical presence in the defensive box could help the Packers' struggling run defense next season.

Don't expect Bigby to become a replica of Polamulu next season, but the Packers need him to revert to a more aggressive 2007 form to help shore up the Green Bay defense.

Ryan Grant

This one is a no-brainer. We all saw what Grant is capable of—near 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns in 10 games in 2007—but we didn't see that same runner in 2008. You can spread around the blame—offensive line woes, hamstring injury, etc.—but Grant also took a step back last season.

You could say that 1,203 yards is hardly a "step back," but when you look at touchdowns (four), and yards per carry (3.9), you see that Grant was wildly ineffective last season.

However, there are reasons for optimism. Grant held out last offseason in a contract dispute, and upon returning to practice, hurt his hamstring. It was obvious that Grant never really got over his injury, lacking the burst on cuts that made him so dangerous in 2007.

That shouldn't be an issue next season. Teams may start switching their focus to stop quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and with a healthy set of legs, Grant should get his yards per carry back around the 4.3-4.6 range.

Which means that if Grant logs the same amount of carries in 2009 as he did in 2008 (313), with a 4.5 average, Grant would finish with over 1,400 yards. I'll guarantee right now: if Grant finishes 2009 with over 1,400 yards, Green Bay is playoff bound.

A.J. Hawk

Maybe I'm in the minority on this assumption, but Hawk had a miserable 2008. Last season marked Hawk's first professional season finishing under 100 tackles (86), and he also failed to register an interception for the first time. To be fair, however, one could make the same injury argument for Hawk (groin) as with Grant and Bigby.

Many feel, including me, that the switch to the 3-4 will benefit Hawk immensely. Hawk appeared to play considerably better as an inside linebacker last season, so it's reasonable to expect Hawk to have a much better 2009 season playing that position full time.

One knock on Hawk is his lack of big defensive plays in his three years in Green Bay, and the numbers support that theory—three interceptions and 7.5 sacks. However, we've seen the flashes of blitzing ability, and I don't think it's out of Hawk's potential to get close to matching his career total next season.

With the attacking 3-4 defense in place with Dom Capers, I'd expect to see Hawk wrecking havoc in backfields in 2009. We'll see a different player—the type you'd expect from a No. 5 overall selection—as soon as next year.

With that said, possibly no other player on the Packers' defense excites me more than Hawk with the switch to the 3-4, but I'm probably in the minority with that assumption as well.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?