Green Bay Packers' Next Goal: The Offseason That Arrived Too Early

The signs were there early in the year for the Green Bay Packers.  Opposing QB after opposing QB were piling up the yards through the air on the Packers defense. 

First, it was Drew Brees.  Fans were quick to shrug that off, as Brees is a top-flight QB with a high-powered offense.  Then it was rookie Cam Newton.  Then it was Kyle Orton.  Then it was another rookie, Christian Ponder.  And so on. 

Despite that, the team kept winning after a remarkable season by the likely-to-be-named MVP this week, Aaron Rodgers. 

Unfortunately, the Packers' Achilles' heel finally caught up to them to deflate first their undefeated season in Kansas City and then, most importantly, their quest for back-to-back Super Bowl runs against the New York Giants. 

Granted, other issues contributed to this.  A lack of a consistent running game, dropped passes and injuries to S Nick Collins and the offensive line took their tolls throughout the year. 

Packers head coach Mike McCarthy stressed his "goals" throughout the year, which included winning the NFC North, locking up a playoff spot and striving for home-field advantage in the playoffs. 

All missions were accomplished by Week 16 of the regular season. However, their ultimate goal of winning Super Bowl XLVI can no longer be attained.  Now, GM Ted Thompson and the Packers front office must step in and find ways to make sure these issues don't cripple the club again next season.

Most importantly, in my opinion, is the shoring-up of the Packers' pass defense.  A lack of a pass-rush (outside of OLB Clay Matthews) and poor coverage and communication in the defensive backfield hamstrung the team throughout the season. 

CBs Sam Shields and Tramon Williams appear to have stalled in their growth this year (in part due to injury and the lack of an offseason in 2011). However, I believe the team should focus more on shoring-up their pass-rush in the offseason. 

Almost any CB this side of Revis Island is going to be exposed by NFL receivers if the QB is given all day to throw from the pocket.

Assuming Ted Thompson stays the course of not pursuing big names in free agency, Packers fans should be looking toward April's draft as the place to fill those needs.  It appears that there are two 3-4 OLBs that should be catching Thompson's eye to play opposite of Matthews: Courtney Upshaw of Alabama and Whitney Mercilus of Illinios. 

Although he is a 4-3 DE in college, Quiton Coples of North Carolina might also be on the radar, if the coaches believe he can make the conversion to a 3-4 DE. 

Out of those three, only Mercilus might be available when the Packers select at No. 28 overall.  However, if the team can somehow franchise tag free-agent commodity QB Matt Flynn, a team in the top 10 such as Washington or Miami could be enticed to swing a big trade for the Packers' current backup. 

Of course, this logic could easily be blown up if: A) Peyton Manning is healthy and is also released by the Colts in free agency, or B) the Packers are forced to use the franchise tag on TE Jermichael Finley and let Flynn go in free agency without compensation. 

Regardless, the Packers must upgrade the pass-rush and make that their offseason priority. 

This past season, too many teams were able to double-team Matthews and essentially take him out of the QB's face.  Unfortunately, the other side of the pass-rush didn't take advantage of their one-on-one opportunities and exploit the scheme.  Matthews had another strong year regardless of what the numbers say, but no one else helped to fill the void from his 2010 sack total. 

If the Packers can get the pass-rush back to what it was with Matthews and Cullen Jenkins wreaking havoc in 2010, there is no reason Green Bay shouldn't be poised to get back into the big game next season. 

What say you?  Who else should be on the radar?  What other needs does Green Bay have?