Keys to Packer Success in '06

SUCCESS IN '06
By texaspackerbacker
Packer Pundit Guest Blogger
Unlike some, who wreak of negativity to the extent it almost seems like they WANT to see a bad season for the Packers in '06, I'm on record since long before free agency and the draft as stating that the Packers are literally set up for success this year.
Nothing is a sure thing, of course, but with the returnees from the injury ruined season a year ago, the easy schedule that comes with last place in the division, the abundance of cap room going into free agency, and the high draft position, it seemed, and still seems like a pretty damn solid prediction to me for the Packers to be well above .500 and go deep into the playoffs.
So what are the key variables?
In order (in my opinion):


Third would be an unknown like Marquand Manuel doing the job at Safety, where Mark Roman was without a doubt the Packers' biggest defensive weakness last season.
Fourth, it looks like Charles Woodson is going to be handed Ahmad Carrol's job, a mistake IMO. For the pass defense not to be worse than the high level of last season, either Woodson has to play like he did a few years ago--a worrisome prospect--or the coaches need to switch back to Ahmad Carrol--quickly if Woodson isn't cutting it.
Fifth, either Cundiff or one of the two young kickers needs to come through at least as well as Longwell last season on placekicking and better on kickoffs. Thompson did exactly like I hoped, NOT spending big money for a free agent kicker. I think there is a very strong chance for one of these three doing the job.
Not on my list of keys to success are:
Solid play at Running Back--I don't see Gado and Davenport doing a great job as even variables--a lot closer to givens. As for Ahman Green, he is a question mark coming off the injury, but I'm expecting the runing game to be great even if Green is nothing like in his prime--and if he is like he was a couple of years ago, that's frosting on the cake.


So there it is. The sky's the limit. You can quote me on that.

Published by PackerPundit On Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at 3:18 PM.


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