2008 Outlook: Can the Packers be better than last year?

, Steve Young, Garcia, Garrard, and 2 or 3 others whose names escape me right now. When a QB gets to sit for a year or 2 it gives them an opportunity to sit back and digest the offense, learn from the starter, and make sure that when they are called upon, they're 100% ready as opposed to learning on the job like Alex Smith, Joey Harrington, and so many other QB's(who failed). Mccarthy holds his annual "QB School" every offseason, something which Favre never attended so Rodgers got the majority of the attention and was essentially the #1 QB. Here's a good quote a found on it from Mccarthy...

McCarthy has been conducting NFL quarterback schools since 1993 and has kept the records of all the quarterbacks' performances in the position-specific testing drills.

"Aaron's at the top of every list," McCarthy said, "so that tells you the kind of athletic ability he has. He's a lot more athletic than a lot of people realize. So, physically, there's a lot to work with. Maturity-wise, him not playing the first couple years has helped him, and going through the process of preparing, you can see each year how he's improved in the classroom and his complete understanding of how everything works around here and he can apply it. He's smart. You have no limitations in game-planning volume. He can do everything we ask of him. So, there's a lot to work with. What he doesn't have is the experience."

When you read that and look around at the weapons he's been given, you can't help but be optimistic and excited like I am. I know what kind of QB Rodgers is and I think he's going to be better than Favre(in the 2000's) and really control the offense.

He's not going to give you those jaw dropping darts in between 3 defenders but he's not going to give you those terrible interceptions that left you with nothing to do but scratch your head and wonder what he was looking at.

Here's my optimistic 2008 outlook for Rodgers...25 Touchdowns 2 Rushing Touchdowns, 10 Interceptions, 3600 Yards, QB Rating anywhere from 90-100 and a Comp % above 60. Pretty optimistic for a 1st year QB eh? You might say so, but I think he's more talented than Philip Rivers and has more weapons in a pass first offense. Rodgers is as ready as any QB has ever been to take over as a Franchise QB and he will show why early and often next year.

 

Running Back

It's very refreshing going into this season without the uncertainty at the RB position, sure there is some unknowingness but for the most part I feel very confident about our RB's going into next season.

While Ryan Grant is sitting out because of his contract situation, Brandon Jackson has caught the eye of everyone and looks to be much stronger, physically and mentally, than last year. He's been in Green Bay working his butt off all the entire offseason and has added 10-15 lbs of "good weight" or muscle and you can just tell by looking at him he looks stronger. Our strength and conditioning coach said Jackson was one of the 5 most physically improved Packers this offseason, that's high praise from a guy who is considered the best in the business by his peers.

It seemed like the game was going too fast for B-Jack during the beginning of the season and he really seemed uncomfortable out there. He really turned it on at the midpoint of the season and from Week 9 up to the NFC Championship he had 45 carries for 208 yards and showed that potential he possessed coming out of Nebraska. I have really high hopes for B-Jack and if Grant falters, get's injured or is forced to sit out time for whatever reason I have faith that Jackson can be our starting RB.

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