Can't Depend On Them Being Incompetent Anymore

The Packers haven't been as good as their record since the last several years of the Mike Sherman era. We were the worst 12-4 team during the 2002 season and when we played Michael Vick and the Falcons at Lambeau in the playoffs I knew (deep in my heart) that Sherman would break our winning streak at Lambeau in the playoffs. I ended up not being able to finish the game (I have it on tape and still have't watched it) and left before halftime to go to a strip club and sooth my savaged breast (so to speak).

In 2004 we were again the worst 10-6 team and proved it against the Vikings (here they go again and more about the hated Vikes later) in the playoffs. Heck, 2005 were were the worst 4-12 team and that takes some doing. So, thankfully, goodbye Sherman and hello, Mike McCarthy.

Fast forward to 2009 after the debacle of 2008 (not Aaron Rodgers fault, but the fault of defense that hadn't been good for several years, but got even worse last year) and the false promise of 2007. Before I get to this year's chances one last thing about 2007.

Randy Moss was there for the taking (at a reasonable price) and Brett Favre was making his last hurrah, but Ted Thompson wouldn't pull the trigger to get Moss and that is why Eli Manning and the Giants won the Super Bowl and we didn't. Moss would have made the difference, but (and this is my opinion without personal knowledge) is that Thompson (for some odd reason) wanted to get rid of Brett and not getting Moss was the beginning of what turned out to be and still is a very ugly situation.

Now back to today. Thompson's 2009 draft might be his best, but I am afraid it won't be enough considering the moves being made by all three of our division foes. We can't depend on the Bears falling by the wayside after they got Jay Cutler to solve a quarterbacking problem they've endured since Sid Luckman. That has been solved by a GM with moxy (something we don't and won't have in my opinion). Cutler alone makes the Bears a very serious threat.

The Detroit Lions have been a patsy for many years and while they might not challenge anyone this year they have made several moves that will guarantee them a spot at the table next year. Just a new quarterback alone without the losing baggage gives them a chance to make strides.

The Minnesota Vikings are only one quarterback away from being a very good team and the Brett Favre situation could (and I only say could because I'm thinking Favre could be through physically) solve that. Hopefully, he stays retired this time, but my gut says he will try one more time to stick it to Thompson, the Packers and the Packers fans. If he does he will have two good games (of course, the Packer games) and do well enough to settle their main problem.

The Green Bay Packers of 2009 should be better since (and I hope this is true) they can't get any worse than last year. The defense should be better with a pass rush and after the ball hawking defensive backfield came together last year hopefully will continue to improve with the new 3-4 defensive scheme.

The running game should be improved with a healthy Ryan Grant and a settled offensive line (if the right tackle situation is settled, of course, and I would like Mark Tauscher to return for one more season. But Thompson is screwing up that situation, too.).

Aaron Rodgers was not the problem last year. While they lost all the close games it was a defense you could count on to blow it in game-winning situations and, of course, the 3rd and long situation, or the last series of the first half. Considering a serious throwing shoulder injury for most of the season Rodgers did a great job and should be better this year.

The prospects for this season if all the other pieces fall into place are Chicago Bears first, Minnesota Vikings second, Green Bay Packers third and the Detroit Lions fourth. We could move up and make the playoffs, but it would take a complete turnaround for the defense to do so. I hope Dom Capers does that and we beat Favre twice and Cutler twice, but....that is why they play the season. It should be interesting.