Green Bay Packers: 10 Reasons They'll Repeat As Super Bowl Champs Next Season
Well, that was a great NFL season. I need more. Let's look ahead to the next season (whenever it starts).
The Packers are in great shape to propel themselves from a one-hit wonder to back-to-back champions. That is where real legacies start.
While everyone involved in-and-with the Packers will remember this run forever, to become a truly memorable squad this Packers team is going to have to repeat.
In the free agency era, this is almost an impossible task, but this Packers team has a legitimate shot.
So, for all you already-euphoric Packers fans, hang onto your seats. Here are 10 more reasons to throw onto your celebration bonfire.
No. 10: Continuity
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One of the biggest obstacles Super Bowl teams face is keeping the roster intact. Their success as a team drives up the value of the individuals on the team. Any free agents are staring at a raise and most of them find it with other squads.
Only three of the Packers starters on offense and defense have expiring contracts. It is worth mentioning that the lack of a CBA makes who will be a free agent versus a restricted free agent a guessing game, but the following guys have enough years of service that they won't have to worry about it.
Defensive end Cullen Jenkins, guard Daryn Coledge and wide receiver Donald Driver are all without a contract. Should these guys leave, not one of them is irreplaceable.
No. 9: Time Is on Their Side
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The Packers are a young team. At the scheduled start date for next season, the Packers only have three starting players on their current roster that will be over the age of 31.
One of the players is Donald Driver, who we discussed as having an expiring contract. The other two are Charles Woodson and Chad Clifton.
Clifton will be 35 and Woodson 34. For everyone else on the Packers, another year passing is a positive thing. The average age of the Packers is 26 and the average age of their starters is 27.
No. 8: They're Back
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Running back Ryan Grant only got eight carries into his 2010 season before having it ended with an injury. Tight end Jermichael Finely faired a little better, as he lasted five games before watching his season come to an end due to an injury.
Both are expected to return at full strength next season, adding some serious firepower to an already dangerous offense.
Injuries are part of the NFL, but the Packers had more than their share. Grant and Finley were joined by 13 other Packers who were placed on injured reserve in 2010.
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No. 7: Fresh Meat
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The Packers have eight draft picks, and possibly one more as compensation for Aaron Kampman, in the 2011 NFL Draft.
This will provide them the luxury to trade up or just try to bolster their roster with depth. The fresh faces will fill holes, create competition and help fight complacency.
No. 6: Defense Wins Championships
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The Packers have a high-powered offense, but it was the emergence of their defense that carried them on their run to and through the playoffs.
As we already discussed, most of their defensive players are young and under contract. B.J. Raji is turning into an absolute force at nose tackle and Clay Matthews is already the league's premier pass rusher.
The Packers will be free to draft or sign another pass rusher to put along side Matthews, allowing him to wreak even more havoc on opposing offenses next year.
No. 5: Coaching
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Along with other teams pillaging the players from the rosters of Super Bowl champs, they also take away their coaches.
The Packers are likely to lose one or two of their defensive assistants to the Eagles and/or Raiders defensive coordinator positions, but the head defensive guru, Dom Capers, isn't going anywhere.
The offense is head coach Mike McCarthy's baby, and he isn't going anywhere either.
The Packers will be running the same system next year and they will have the same people calling the plays.
No. 4: The Arc of The Season
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The Packers barely made the postseason. After Week 15, they were 8-6. At that point, it was do or die for the Packers—they couldn't afford another loss.
And do they did—they haven't lost since. This is a young team that seemed to find itself as the season went on. With the majority of their team returning, they should be able to keep that momentum building next year.
No. 3: Aaron Rodgers
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Aaron Rodgers is ready to take over the mantle as the league's best quarterback. He is 27 and hitting his prime.
He has all the tools. You could see his confidence and ability to read a defense increase with every game.
Rodgers is one of the few quarterbacks that makes everyone around him look like a pro bowler. As long as Rodgers is healthy, the Packers will have a chance.
No. 2: Teddy Bear
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Ted Thompson had a rough start, in the court of public opinion, to his Packers' career, but there is no denying that the man is on a roll. He has the Midas touch.
He has made the team better while making them younger. And that is the holy daily double for any GM.
With few of his own players' contracts expiring, few of his players aging and eight draft picks, Thompson has plenty of room to further improve his team.
No. 1: Bully On The Block
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The Packers are the champs. The road to the title now goes through them. If another team wants to wear the belt, they are going to have to take it from the Packers.
Just the thought of this makes Jay Cutler's knee hurt.
While taking the belt is what usually happens, this Packer team looks to be as poised as any team to hold onto it.
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