Green Bay Packers: 5 Obvious Things the Packers Can Improve on for 2011

Green Bay Packers: Improvement at Five Obvious Spots for the Packers Going into 2011

The Green Bay Packers were Super Bowl champions a year ago, but that doesn't make them the perfect team. 

In fact, far from it. 

The Packers overcame several deficiencies on their way to winning Super Bowl XLV, but they may not be as fortunate in 2011. 

Here are five obvious things the Packers need to improve and how they can do it for 2011.

Kick and Punt Returning

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LEXINGTON, KY - NOVEMBER 13: Randall Cobb #18 of the Kentucky Wildcats runs with the ball during the game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Commonwealth Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky. Kentucky won 38-20. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Get

Could Improve

The Packers averaged just 20.8 yards per return on kicks and 7.9 on punts.

The group—which consisted of Jordy Nelson, Sam Shields, Pat Lee, James Starks and Tramon Williams—produced zero touchdowns and very few big plays.

How It Can Improve

By taking Kentucky receiver Randall Cobb in the second round, the Packers look to have a new kick and punt returner.

He scored twice in college off punts, and Cobb should be a marked improvement over anything the Packers threw out last season.

Don't expect him to be Devin Hester in the return game, but Cobb is going to help the Packers turn around their return units in a hurry. 

Rushing Offense

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GREEN BAY, WI - AUGUST 26: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers turns to hand off to Ryan Grant #25 against the Indianapolis Colts during a preseason game at Lambeau Field on August 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Colts 59

Could Improve

The Packers rushed for just 1,606 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2010, good for 24th and 18th in the NFL, respectively.

They failed to have a rusher go over 1,000 yards, and their rushing average of 3.8 was sixth-worst in the league. 

How It Can Improve

The rushing offense was dealt a blow in Week 1 when starter Ryan Grant was lost for the season due to an ankle injury. Brandon Jackson did his best to fill in as the No. 1, but his strengths as a running back lie on third downs.

Not until rookie James Starks filled in during the playoffs did the rushing game come alive. The promise of Starks, combined with the return of Grant, should get the Packers back on track running the football in 2011.

Catching the Football

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: James Jones #89 of the Green Bay Packers drops a pass in the third quarter against William Gay #22 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Street

Could Improve

James Jones had several huge drops during the course of the season that could have wrecked several games for the Packers.

Jordy Nelson, despite catching nine passes in the Super Bowl, was fighting his hands throughout that contest. And overall, each receiver had instances where catchable passes were dropped. 

How it Can Improve

There is absolutely zero reason why the Packers were so sloppy catching the football in 2010. No team has the collection of talent at both receiver and tight end that Green Bay possesses. 

But for that same reason, one could expect this group to rebound in 2011. Jones, the receiver most guilty of the drops, might also be playing elsewhere next season. 

With Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson and Jermichael Finley as your top four receivers, the Packers should have no excuses in 2011 for catchable passes hitting the turf.

Kick Coverage

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers returns a kick against Mason Crosby #2 of the Green Bay Packers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Could Improve

The Packers kick and punt coverage teams were on their heels for the majority of the season.

Two big returns for touchdowns—at Chicago in Week 3 and at Atlanta during the NFC Divisional round—were backbreakers at the time. 

How it Can Improve

Special teams coach Shawn Slocum takes most of the blame, but you can't discount how much the Packers injuries decimated their coverage units. 

Think about it—the guys usually covering kicks were in starters roles because of all the injuries. That kind of disarray in the special teams can be hard to overcome. As long as the Packers stay healthy in 2011, they should be better in this area.

Pass Protection

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ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 06: Chad Clifton #76 of the Green Bay Packers looks back at Aaron Rodgers #12 against the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Could Improve

Despite the improvements from 2009 (the Packers had nowhere to go but up), quarterback Aaron Rodgers still got hit too many times.

Other factors went into that—namely the lack of a running game—but there should be no more excuses at this point. 

How it Can Improve

It's not unreasonable to expect more improvements from the Packers pass protection in 2011.

The team has drafted tackles in the first round in back-to-back years, and they have Pro Bowl-caliber players in Chad Clifton and Josh Sitton still available.

Even if an injury happens to a spot on the line, the Packers now have the depth to cover it. And with concussion testing improved and Rodgers already two deep, protecting the franchise becomes even more imperative.