Super Bowl 2011: 10 Offseason Moves for the Green Bay Packers

After the Green Bay Packers are done celebrating their Super Bowl title, it will be the job of the upper management to start making moves for next season.

The target will be on the back of the Packers next season so Green Bay needs to make the moves to put their team in a good position to win.

The game showed the potential for the Packers in the future but it also showed some of the potential weaknesses that the team will have to address.

Donald Driver

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Donald Driver #80 of the Green Bay Packers speaks to the press after the Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31 to 25 during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Ma

Donald Driver has been one of the most consistent receivers in the league over the last few years and he has been a security blanket for Aaron Rodgers.

At 36 years old, Driver doesn’t have anything left to prove in the NFL.  His age may make him look at his career and consider retiring.

With a championship ring on his finger now, he may choose to walk away and retire on top.  If that happens, than Green Bay will be on the market for another wide receiver.

Offensive Line Help

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: The Green Bay Packers line up against the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Although Aaron Rodgers won the MVP of the Super Bowl, the MVP for me stood in front of Rodgers the whole game.

The Green Bay Packers offensive line was amazing, stooping the unbelievable pass rush of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Rodgers was secure in the pocket and was able to step into throws because of right tackle Bryan Bulaga, right guard Josh Sitton, center Scott Wells, and left guard Daryn Colledge and their ability to slow down the best defense in the NFL.

Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson

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GREEN BAY, WI - AUGUST 26: Ryan Grant #25 of the Green Bay Packers talks with teammate Donald Driver #80 on the sidelines during a preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lambeau Field on August 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defea

The Green Bay Packers have some big questions at running back next season. 

I assume Brandon Jackson will leave as an unrestricted free agent but the question still remains for Ryan Grant.

With the emergence of James Starks, the Packers may view Grant as injury prone and use him as trade bait to fill in gaps that need to be filled.

Grant has over 1200 yards each of the last two seasons he played (2010 he spent on the I.R.) and added 15 total touchdowns.

Mason Crosby

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Mason Crosby #2 of the Green Bay Packers kicks a field goal during the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Mason Crosby has been a Green Bay Packer since he was drafted and he doesn’t appear to be going anywhere.

Crosby will be an unrestricted free agent but the Packer will do whatever it takes to lock him up long-term.

The Packers kicker has only missed one extra point in his four full seasons and has maintained a solid 78% field goal accuracy percentage. 

At only 26 years old, there is still plenty of time in Crosby’s career to be a Super Bowl Champion again with the Packers.

Cullen Jenkins and The Defensive Line

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Linebacker Clay Matthews #52 and Cullen Jenkins #77 of the Green Bay Packers sack quarterback Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears in the first half of the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Ill

With Cullen Jenkins becoming an unrestricted free agent this offseason, the Green Bay Packers will be forced to take a hard look at the defensive line.

Jenkins missed time during the playoff push and the packers really seemed to pick up his slack. 

The rise of B.J. Raji will see him as the nose guard in Dom Caper’s 3-4 defensive schemes. 

If the Green Bay Packers bring someone in to help on the defensive line, it will probably be a defensive end to create a nice containment edge or get a hand on the ball carrier.

Jordy Nelson and James Jones

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Jordy Nelson #87 of the Green Bay Packers tries to stay in bounds on a 38 yard reception in the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Ph

Drops, drops, drops and more drops!

If the Packers lost the 2011 Super Bowl, all we would be talking about is the drops from Jordy Nelson and James Jones.

Aaron Rodgers threw for 304 yards and 3 TDs but he could have thrown for 400 and 5 TDs if it wasn’t for the Packers’ receivers dropping at least five passes.

With the possible retirement of Donald Driver and the fear of the ball by Jordy Nelson and James Jones, the receiving group has to be the biggest question mark.

Strong Safety

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GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 27: Atari Bigby #20 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates one of his two interceptions against the Seattle Seahawks at Lambeau Field on December 27, 2009 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Seahawks 48-10. (Photo by Jo

Strong safeties Charlie Peprah and Atari Bigby will be unrestricted free agents and the Packers will probably sign one and not the other. 

Green Bay could always fill in the backup role with a good draft selection.

Coach Mike McCarthy will probably keep Charlie Peprah because he has remained relatively healthy, knows the system and is younger than fellow safety Atari Bigby.

Peprah also may be out the door if the Packers decide to address the strong safety position during the free agency period.

Jermichael Finley

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CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 27: Jermichael Finley #88 of the Green Bay Packers makes a reception against Lance Briggs #55 of the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 27, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears won 20-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Imag

Jermichael Finley could be Aaron Rodgers biggest threat in the playoffs if he can come back from this injury and stay healthy.

Donald Lee is a solid tight end but he is nothing compared to what Jermichael Finley has to offer.

Finley could be Rodgers’ escape valve that he would dump the ball off to in tough situations and with the recent rash of drops, Finley’s sure handedness will be welcomed back with open arms.

James Starks

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: James Starks #44 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after they defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31 to 25 during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

James Starks emerged this postseason as the Packers lead running back in the absence of Ryan Grant.

The Packers didn’t use the run game that much against the Steelers but then again, no one can.

It will need to be seen whether or not the coaching staff saw enough in Starks to make a move at running back. 

The Packers would be smart to decide between Grant and Starks and move one while their trade value is as high as it can be.

Charles Woodson

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Charles Woodson #21 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates in the locker room with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl XLV 31-25 against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington,

Charles Woodson is the unquestioned leader of the defense and one of the main leaders of the team.

The Green Bay Packers need to do whatever it takes to keep Woodson on the field for them to repeat next season.

Not only can Woodson train the cornerbacks to pick up the slack when he does retire, but he is one of the biggest pieces in Dom Caper’s defensive plans for Green Bay.