Quick Turnaround: Pack Will Be Back in 2009

Heading into the 2008 season, a lot of assumptions were made about the Green Bay Packers. The defense, which ranked 11th in yards per game with 313.3 in 2007 appeared ready to crack the top 10.

The offense, sans Brett Favre, looked stacked at the skilled positions and quarterback Aaron Rodgers was ready to take over the reigns. The schedule looked tough but fair, and realistic fans expected another National Football Conference North Division title and a trip to the playoffs. 

Little did people know that injuries, a very inconsistent defense and a paltry running attack awaited the Green and Gold in 2008, leading to a 6-10 record. 

When looking at 2009, the question to answer is: Will things get worse before they get better?

Offensively, the answer is an emphatic '"No." Rodgers will only get better after a year of seasoning under center, and when looking at his statistics as a first-year starter—28 TDs, 13 INTs, 4,038 yds—the idea of him only becoming more confident and relaxed with the offense is a daunting one for NFC North opponents. 

Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones and Jordy Nelson are as good a set of wide receivers as one will find in the NFL. Jennings led the club in catches (80), yards (1,292) and touchdowns (nine), while all four wideouts average better than 11 yards after the catch, showing how deadly they are in the open field.

The tight end position is improving as Donald Lee, Jermichael Finley and Tory Humphrey continue to get better, turning a position of weakness into one of above average play. 

However, the running game is the biggest offensive question mark. After an incredible season in 2007, Ryan Grant stumbled out of the gate in 08, in large part due to a hamstring injury. He still managed to rush for 1,203 yards, but his yards per attempt were low at 3.9.

Brandon Jackson improved and looked to fill the role as a third-down back, while DeShawn Wynn only played in the last two games, but proved to be effective rushing for 110 yards. If Grant can start off the season on the right track, the running game should perform better than last season. 

But much of Grant's success relies on the offensive line, which is blurred at the moment due to the unknown. Right tackle Mark Tauscher is out with a knee injury, and most likely won't return to the NFL in a Packer uniform.

Chad Clifton is slotted at left tackle, but how much longer he too can play is up in the air. Scott Wells performed admirably when healthy last season at center, and should hold onto his spot. At guard, Jason Sptiz, Daryn Colledge, Allen Barbre, Josh Sitton, and Tony Moll all return to battle for two spots, but 2009 draft pick T.J. Lang may push for a starting role. 

On defense, the answer is hazy, filled with indecision and uncertainty. 

Will the Packers rebound after a tough 2008 in which the team fell to 20th in total yards per game with 334.3? With the changing of the guard at defensive coordinator from Bob Sanders to Dom Capers, no one is sure how things will work out. 

Switching from a base 4-3 defense to a 3-4, something that has become the latest fad in the league, the Packers are suited for either formations at most positions. 

With the first round drafting of defensive tackle B.J. Raji, Green Bay has strengthened its d-line. Cullen Jenkins will return after a season-ending pectoral injury, a welcomed sight for all the Packer faithful. Ryan Pickett, Johnny Jolly, Jenkins, and Raji make for a formidable front line, no matter which three start.

The most interesting position on defense is at linebacker, where All-Pro defensive end Aaron Kampman will now play on the outside.

Most likely, Kampman will still rush a majority of the time, and Green Bay won't be in the 3-4 on every play, but at some point Kampman may be called upon to cover an eligible receiver, and everyone is interested in the results.

Nick Barnett returns after a season-ending injury himself, while A.J. Hawk will occupy the other middle linebacker position. Opposite Kampman will be rookie Clay Matthews, Brandon Chillar, and Brady Poppinga, who will all battle throughout Training Camp for playing time.

Matthews, a first round pick in 2009, will be the fan favorite, as both Chillar and Poppinga have struggled in pass coverage and run support. New outside linebacking coach Kevin Greene, the former Steeler great, will attempt to rub off on the "young" group. 

In the secondary, age and experience reign supreme. Al Harris and Charles Woodson are one of the best, and oldest, cornerback pairs in the league, while Nick Collins broke out last year at free safety. Collins and Woodson each recorded seven interceptions in '08, while up-and-coming corner Tramon Williams had five.

Look for Williams to get more playing time to prepare him for the future while giving Harris and Woodson a much needed break here-and-there. At strong safety, it remains to be seen if Atari Bigby is the answer.

Bigby literally tackled himself into the starting lineup in 2007, laying out punishment to any member of the opposition that crossed his path. But injuries again crept up in 08, as he only played in seven games. 

On special teams, new coordinator Shawn Slocum will try to breathe some life into an area that ranked last in average kick return at 20.1 yards. Will Blackmon is a great return man, but can't do it alone.

Mason Crosby has a great leg at kicker, and will undoubtedly rebound after a 79.4 percent conversion rate last season. At punter, Derrick Frost and Jeremy Kapinos took turns punting, but neither appeared to be the answer. Currently, Kapinos, Durant Brooks and Adam Graessle are on the roster.

The schedule again looks tough, with the Packers playing three of their last four on the road, two of which are against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals, last year's Super Bowl teams. Playing against the NFC West and AFC North, Green Bay will undoubtedly fair better at home than on the road. 

So what does all this mean? To some, not much. Until the games are played and the season is over, no one can truly know how good a team will be. But the ingredients are there for another solid season in Green Bay.