DL help

Maybe I'm living in fantasyland, but maybe Neal figures out how to deal with his injuries and sleeping problems this off-season and does come back healthy next year and able to contribute more than this year. I doubt he's ever going to be a great player, but he does have the physical ability to be pretty good if he stays healthy. Will he ever be as good as Cullen Jenkins? Highly doubtful, but at this point, I'd just settle for an upgrade over what we saw from him, Wynn, Green, and Wilson this year.

Lawrence Guy is an interesting prospect. I don't totally rule him out as having a chance to beat out one of those guys listed above if he works hard this off-season. At the very least, there needs to be at least 1 guy drafted in the first 3 rounds that challenges all of the listed guys above, and maybe 2 guys drafted.

It would not surprise me at all if Guy earns a spot, and if Neal improves considerably. I hope TT still looks for a guy or two to throw in the mix there (via draft), but ROLB is the spot I'd like to see him get very aggressive with in the draft, move up if he sees a difference maker. I wouldn't blame him for signing a FA safety if Collins is done. I believe Alex Green could be a very good RB, and wouldn't throw too much at that position. Davon House is another guy from last year's draft that figures to step up, so I would expect our dime package to improve, especially with the addition of a stud at ROLB to generate more heat on the QB. Any other position I think we are going to go status quo, maybe a prospect here and there to battle it out for depth.

Why do people say the Packers need a RB? We still have Grant who is not as old as his playing says due to sitting out his rookie year and last year due to injuries. He ran well the last part of the season. We still have Starks, Saine and the unknown Alex green. RB is the least of the Packers worries.

quote:

Originally posted by ammo:
Why do people say the Packers need a RB? We still have Grant

I haven't checked, but for some reason I thought Grant was a free agent and no longer under contract. I could be wrong on that, but I think most were assuming he was not going to be coming back due to age and that the Pack would not be able to afford him. Who knows, if he's willing to come back at a discounted rate, maybe he's back, but I get the feeling it's more likely he isn't back.

Anybody know Neals contract status?

Based on how the D line performed this year. You have to have a better plan than go into 2012 hoping Neal, Guy, or (random 2011 D-lineman) has a breakout year.

Have to draft someone or grab a FA. This team is too close another Lombardi to risk finding our the guy's currently on the roster simply can't get it done.

quote:

Originally posted by ChilliJon:
Based on how the D line performed this year. You have to have a better plan than go into 2012 hoping Neal, Guy, or (random 2011 D-lineman) has a breakout year.

Have to draft someone or grab a FA. This team is too close another Lombardi to risk finding our the guy's currently on the roster simply can't get it done.

]

Amen and true dat

quote:

Originally posted by ammo:
Why do people say the Packers need a RB? We still have Grant who is not as old as his playing says due to sitting out his rookie year and last year due to injuries. He ran well the last part of the season. We still have Starks, Saine and the unknown Alex green. RB is the least of the Packers worries.

Maybe not so much NEED one...I would just like to see GB get a Walter Payton..AP type running back...Someone who could be a real threat and compliment AR and the receiving corps....

quote:

Originally posted by tsr86free:
Any other position I think we are going to go status quo....

Hawk is just a guy and I wouldn't be surprised if a change is made there.

DL, OLB, S and even corner are areas that need to be addressed. A complete retooling of the defense is required after the miserable performance of last season.

Lawrence Guy is a really intriguing prospect. He's 6'5" and probably 300-310. Could play DT or DE in this scheme. Athletically, he's in the Raji category. Very quick feet and explosive. However, he's also pretty raw in terms of experience (coming out early) and he didn't exactly live up to expectations at Arizona State.

You'd like to think that between he and Neal at least one of them could get into the rotation. If so, then maybe we could end the Cullen Jenkins talk.

And, who knows how much longer Pickett has in him at 32. D-line upgrade is a must.

well the silver lining is that the defense cant get much worse. 32nd in the league means you can only go up.

Read McGinn's analysis and Hawk needs to go. FA, DJ Smith or a draft pick as replacement.

Making the D better for next year starts with tackling http://www.packers.com/news-an...86-bab3-44eed165d74d

The defense needs upgrades at all levels but make sure the guys can tackle.

After watching Heyward from the Steelers, it was too bad he was selected right before the Packers picked. He was in the games I saw Pitt play this past year. Guys like Wilson and Wynn are a dime a dozen. Jenkins with one hand was 3 times the player either of them were.

Brooks Reed Would've been also a solid pick too after watching Houston this past season opposite Matthews.

DJ Smith is one of the better tacklers on the team and is an upgrade over Hawk.

Given TT's track record with DL, I am leery of the Packers relying exclusively on the draft.

Even if the guy isn't super good, I would sure like the Packers to dig into trade (Flynn?) and/or FA to get a known commodity.

quote:

Originally posted by ammo:
Why do people say the Packers need a RB? We still have Grant who is not as old as his playing says due to sitting out his rookie year and last year due to injuries. He ran well the last part of the season. We still have Starks, Saine and the unknown Alex green. RB is the least of the Packers worries.

Because they do. None of the RB on the roster are viewed as a threat by an opposing team. We don't need Marshal Faulk, but we need a threat who can run explosively and catch the ball out of the backfield like many of the backs today do, Foster, Forte, etc. It would make the Packer offense that much better, especially with teams blitzing Rodgers.

Agree with derps; however, obtaining another pass rusher remains first concern to address - JMO.

Derp, have you seen Rodger's numbers against the blitz? Eye popping. We don't NEED a new RB. Would I take a top class RB? Hell yeah, but this offense scored the 2nd most points in NFL history. We NEED help on defense.

The order in which the Packers need help which also means depth.

1. DL
2. Safety
3. OLB
4. CB
5. QB (if Flynn leaves/traded)
6. TE
7. OL
8. WR
9. RB
10. K

The only issue at RB is Starks' ability to stay on the field. Otherwise, the Packers are in pretty good shape there.

The Pack needs a RB and so do the Patriots. Too bad the Packers had one last year.

Not so sure I'd be ready to dump Hawk just yet. He was unspectacular, but by all accounts according to the coaches, a good signal-caller and steady performer on defense. DJ Smith might be an upgrade, but he's still young and didn't play much this year. Is he Hawk's replacement? Probably, but he still has a ways to go or he would have been on the field a lot more. Given our defensive problems, I believe our coaches would have switched personnel if they thought that was the only problem.

I'm more concerned about our DL's lack of presence and inconsistent performance, as well as our safety play. It seems our cornerbacks and safeties were never on the same page and always had "communication problems."

I think our D has several holes to plug, in this order: DL, ROLB, S, CBs. If the DL and ROLB are upgraded enough to get good pressure, they can hide the S and CB problems until we can get help there as well.

RB? WEll, I'd like to see someone who could escape the D. Our RBs are okay, but they can't run over or juke guys consistently. Like to see what Green can do as he's supposed to be okay, and I like Saine on the screen. Other than that, to me Grant and Starks are just C+ guys.

2 x DE

ROLB

Safety

Those are absolutely needed, likely have to dip into FA for at least one of 'em, preferably DE. Wilson/Wynn just don't cut it, can't count on Neal or Guy at this time. Walden goes, So'oto needs much more grooming and Jones is just a guy. Doubt Collins comes back and Peprah proved he is no more than a backup.