The Packer Pundit: Keys to Packer Success in '06

« Home | Optimism for Packer Fans, part I by Dennis Gaskill... »

Keys to Packer Success in '06

KEYS TO PACKER
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):

First is Favre returning to form has to top the list, but in my mind, there isn't much doubt of that, being that frustration over injuries robbing him of talent around him was probably responsible for his bad play last season. While he lacks a superstar receiver--other than possibly Driver, he has a good assortment of competent wideouts. I particularly like Boerigter, who could also be effective as a deep threat tight end in some situations.

Second would be the Offensive Line adapting to the new zone blocking scheme and development of what I consider young talented players like Wells, Whittaker, and Coston, possibly along with this year's draft picks.

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.

I also did not put a big pass rush on the list. I'm expecting Kampman and Montgomery to start at Defensive End, with KGB as a third down specialist, but even if the rush is no better than last season, the defense in general should be top notch--much improved from the already a good defense last season.

I also left out linebacking, as I don't even consider great play there to be a variable. With Hawk and to a lesser extent, Taylor, it should be a sure thing. The only thing (other than injuries, of course) that could hurt would be stupidly switching Barnett out of the middle. I'm fairly sure, however, the coaching staff isn't even remotely considering that. It's just a figment of ignorant imaginations.

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