Open Mic: All-Time Packers Offense and Special Teams

It's time to examine who should represent the only non-profit professional franchise in the world on the offensive side of the ball, as well as special-teams positions.

As with the last edition (defense), there will be the standard starters and one backup. I also put a premium on number of games played with the franchise and how they fared in their era, versus how impressive their entire careers were or their raw abilities, such as speed, agility, size and strength. Modern day players might be bigger and stronger and faster, but that will not be held against players of the past.

However, I also am mostly restricting my picks to players in the television era, so that I can personally analyze the player by seeing them in person or watching them on tape. The only exception to this rule is the above-pictured Don Hutson.

QB: Brett Favre is the obvious first choice here, no matter what you think of his prima donna approach to the team in this offseason. He is first in almost every historical category at his position in league history and could be counted on to play every game so one never has to use a backup.

Moreover, his TD:INT ratio is far superior to anyone else with double-digit TDs in team history, despite the perception that he throws so many picks, and despite not having the talent to work with of the other player on the list.

QB: Bart Starr was a consummate champion and one of the greatest managers of the game. He won five championships in seven years, a feat that will likely never be repeated, and was a Super Bowl MVP.

RB: Paul Hornung may have had problems off the field (drinking, womanizing, and gambling that cost him a year of his career), but Lombardi put up with it because the Golden Boy played his best in the biggest games. He was also a quintuple threat, capable of receiving, passing, blocking, and even kicking, as well as running, for scores.

RB: Ahman Green is reluctantly on this list for me, because I found his fumbling completely correctable since it usually happened because he refused to carry the ball in his right arm. (I had often asked for a chance to coach, because I would have broken that left arm and told him "now if you wanna play, you'll use your right!") He also was only with the team five years, and the last was unremarkable.

However, he was the best at his position in all the phases. As a receiver, he and Faulk were in a class by themselves. He was as good as anyone blocking in pass protection. And he ran for speed (among the five fastest) and power, making the Packers literally unstoppable on third or 4th-and-1 for almost two full seasons.

FB: Jim Taylor was a beast, preferring to run over someone than around them. He actually ran for more yards than Hornung in their time together with the team, and could block and catch as well.

FB: William Henderson was a devastating blocker who ranked among the top fullbacks in the league in catching the ball, even being capable of the acrobatic catch. The only reason he did not run for many yards was the offense simply did not make the fullback part of the rushing, but he did well when called upon.

OT: Vince Lombardi called Forrest Gregg, "The greatest player I ever coached." He was a dominating blocker against the run and pass and was quite intimidating, even in his 60s.

OT: Ken Ruettgers had to be talked out of retirement by Mike Holmgren because he was so good at protecting Favre's blindside. He could neutralize the best blitzing linebackers or defensive ends and carve openings for a running game, even if few of his linemates could.

OT: Bob Skoronski was the other tackle that carved openings for the greatest running game of the modern era under Vince Lombardi, and he was a tremendous pass blocker as well. On any other team (out of Gregg's shadow), he would have been a perennial Pro Bowler.

OG: Jerry Kramer, besides being a good writer (read Instant Replay), Kramer carved out the hole for the most famous play in the most famous game in league history: the QB sneak that sealed the Packers' victory in "the Ice Bowl." He was a steady pass blocker and phenomenal run blocker, especially in the open field.

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