Puzzling facts about the upcoming season

[TW]

According to the media, the Packers have impact players while the rest of the division members are lacking. No doubt about it, Rodgers is the best QB, we have the best combo of receivers, and Nelson is the best of them. On defense, we dominate, with three guys being top level competitors, and play makers. Nobody else boasts that much. Add to this, the Packers support cast, defensive secondary, and offensive line, are considered the best in the division.

That said, the Packers aren't the favorites according to some people, to win the division. The Vikings are favored to them, and the Packers are in a dog fight for second with both the Lions and Bears.

If the Packers are so talented, compared to other teams, and it appears they are, why are we not considered odds on favorites to win the whole thing?

The fact is, despite the talent, the coaching is suspect. It has to be. Why else would you consider the Packers beatable like so many people fee they are?

Things just don't add up if you ask me. We're seeing McCarthy wasting the Rodgers years just like Sherman wasted the second half of the Favre years.

[happypacker]

looks like Mike Neal is going to be gone, It seems that writers always favors the last div winner to repeat. as a favorite. they had a good draft, many feel better than the Pack. They lost no major players, so they figure they won last year this year same players plus rookie draft picks that they are still better than the second place team that it seems did not draft as well, and have lost key players ,that the draft must replace. plus the Pack seems to need rookies to play well in thee first year. anyway, This is going to be a great year to watch how things pan out. I mean, with Hundley as a back-up and no experience, can his spell Rodgers for just one or two games if that happens? will Lacy start running? can nelson return to form? will Clark play better than Raji? Can Cook be a better needed TE than Quarles? Can Janis and Abbs. make the next step? stay turned!!

[tnpackfan7]

Wouldn't change coaches with any of them. Minnesota the only one with what looks like a real up and coming coaching staff....but still green at this point.
But this is because to some they are not considered favorites to win the division?
Some people will see things differently.
I think injuries is why...we have seen them derail our seasons for a few years now. Rodgers calf, Jordy's knee, the Oline being beat up.
Vikings have a solid young team and really good defense.
Not sure how many see the Lions being in any dog fight. And some seem to be overrating Chicago off of their draft/offseason.

I think GB is still clearly the class of the division with Minnesota able to compete for the division again.

[happypacker]

I forgot to also say i like the rookie receiver Davis, he may be a little light but i have watched him and he has very. very good hands, and with that 423 speed, i like him a lot as a receiver and not just a kick return man.

[TW]

Are injuries just "one of those things," are a product of how the team is prepared for games? There seems to be a new approach coming into Packer camp this year, and I'd say it's probably for the better. It looks like players are being counseled on becoming stronger at a lower weight, and that's often the key to success. It's the reason Nelson has always been so effective. He has the strength of someone who would be much heavier. His injury was a fluke, not a problem related to his conditioning, or body mass, for that matter.

I just don't understand how some fans are willing to watch the entire Rodgers era disappear with just one championship when it should have already produced a minimum of three. When the difference isn't talent, and no matter what anyone says - the Packers are more talented than anyone else in the division, possibly the league - all that's left is coaching. I believe coaches need to have their feet held to the fire every year, not given passes because of one successful season. We're going to head back to the 70s and 80s situation if this lack of push by fans continues. I doubt very many of today's younger fans will pay the price of season tickets like I did back in the 70s and 80s, or donate hundreds of dollars to make the Packer Hall of Fame exist, like we did then. We have the media now to impact what they do. We didn't have it then. Support them, and demand excellence from the coaching staff, or replace them!

[happypacker]

like the other thread, the Packers are going bigger leaner and stronger with not losing any quickness .I agree that the Packers should have been able to win maybe one more SB ring with Rodgers and that Injury(health) cost the team that shot maybe. I really think that this season could be the best one to reach that goal. Lets hope we stay healthy when needed and that some of the rookies have a good year.
With a healthy offensive line a hopefully better Lacy and the TE Cook adding to the pass game along with the likes of Nelson, Cobb, Monty, Janis Davis Abbs and Adams that should be a very very powerful offense. then the defense has to get better with the same players with another year together, and the rookie group at the needed help areas i think this team is ready to GO all the WAY!

[TW]

Going bigger would be a product of the draft. Those there are getting leaner.

I've felt this team has been within striking distance of a Lombardi trophy almost every year, since Rodgers became our starter.

I think Cobb proved he'll never be more than a #2, and to be honest, he's kind of a Harvin type, and he never did make it long term in the league. That said, I believe Cobb's ability to create speed mismatches is a fantastic advantage for the Packers.

My concern is that we've grown to understand how important Nelson is to the lineup, and I hope the Packers brain trust uses their heads, and works a lot more into the system for others during the preseason, because you cannot premise your entire offense on one guy's ability to stay healthy.

It's going to be an interesting year, but I'm not convinced the defense took a step forward. I do believe the offense did, but needs to protect next year too, with the offensive line.

[happypacker]

i do not think they thought if they lost Nelson the offense would not perform actually they had said that Adams, Monty Cobb j jones would pick it all up, but they got a real look that the likes of Cobb, J Jones, Adams were not all that good, they all had a tough time getting of the line, and then keeping position on there routes, And, Adams was always taken away his route and when given a shot at reaching his ability that they thought he had, He DROPPRD the ball, Cobb is no speedster, he is a player that they had hoped could run the slant and out move and run the linebackers, but they found out he got little space.Plus we had no TE fast enough or big enough to run the slants to help the outside. This year, if they use the receivers liken to their ability, meaning Nelson outside and on the edge, he uses his size great body toughness and twisting in position and ability to get the yards after the catch, then have the big fast TE in the middle, and then have I hope either Janis with the speed and good hands to play opposite Nelson to get deep and Davis to also return kicks but to have the ability to take Cobbs slot position with real speed and toughness to beat the linebacker. then we still have Monty Abbs, and maybe Adams as a back up, add a hopeful solid run game and the healthy offensive line with good depth, this is going to be one tough offense i can see it be a number one offense, defense is yet to prove they can stop the run to allow the DBs we have shine, and our Safties are not that bad. I think Pennal and Clark are going to play a big part in making the Defense betterlook out for Fackrell, he may surprise and be the guy we need,