Philtration said:
Since the Packers look like they have a real good chance at finishing last in the division and he did very little to improve on last years mess.... I give him an A+.
I am really happy with what he has done from the draft to the new coach to the lack of impact free agents to the Javon Walker thing to the way he handled the whole Favre soap opera.
GB will probably finish 2nd or 3rd. I think 3rd in the division. Though last year most outside of Bear country thought the Bears would bring up the caboose in the NFC North so you of all people should know not to underestimate the underdog.
You don't know much about the Pack if your going to base it off of what your neighbor who is a Packer fan or other Packer fans said on boards. A lot of Packer fans hate Ted Thompson and will say anything to make him look bad even if it means bashing the organization altogether.
GB improved their team drastically this off season in every department except the offensive line. Instead they got younger and changed the scheme. Personnel wise I don't think they're much better.
DB's... Manuel and Woodson are big upgrades. Woodson over Carroll is a huge upgrade. Injuries or not they're is no denying Charles Woodson on the field. He is a great player. Manuel will help out in the run a lot. People forget he’s a SS, not a FS. He’ll help with the run and on passing downs, Roman should be on the field.
LB's AJ Hawk, Ben Taylor, and Abdul Hodge are huge upgrades over Paris Lenon, Nail Diggs, and Robert Thomas. Nick Barnett and Hawk are the lock too start. Taylor should start who had over 100 tackles in Cleveland. He won't be relied on to be the best LB on the field in Green Bay with Barnett. He should thrive like Hunter Hilliemeyer did in Chicago playing next to Briggs and Urlacher.
DL Locking up Kampman was huge for this team. Great work ethnic and just all around solid player. Picket is an upgrade over Grady Jackson. Pickett lead the NFL in tackles among defensive lineman. For a run stuffing DT that is very important stat. That is the most important stat.
WR's Last year we had Antonio Chatman, Robert Ferguson, and Donald Driver. We added Gardner for 2 games. So 3 WR's for most of the year. This year GB has Driver, Jennings, Boerigter, Ferguson, Gardner, and Rogers. Lucas as well. They have WR's on the roster this year all who are healthy. That's what matters. Anyone who thinks DD isn't a #1 in this league is very mistaken. He's been to the Pro Bowl as a #1 WR already. He's coming off his best year and he's probably the most reliable WR in the division. Jennings will prove to be this teams future #2 WR mid way through the year. Find some film on him. Watch his routes, hands, speed. He’s a great player. His pre draft workouts were great. His mini camps have been solid. I look forward too seeing him in pads.
QB we bring Favre back. He should be able to play better this year. He's the wild card of the division. If he plays better, GB will be much better. If he plays the same, maybe a game better. As a Bear fan you must hate Favre, but I'm sure you respect him. I respected Walter Payton and I respect Urlacher. Don't mean I like them but I wouldn't doubt them on the field. If you doubt one of the greatest QB’s ever then, it’s out of despise and hatred.
RB Could be a concern but it's the same as last year and they should be better off because they're healthy now. Green and Davenport are expect before the season start. Gado is getting the reps now.
As for coaching, I wanted Bates or Kirk Ferientz. MM was the last guy I saw. Frankly people look at what he did last year and think bogus hire. What they don't know is McCarthy for 4 years in a row with Aaron Brooks as his QB, produced a top 10 offense in the NFL. GB fans don't dislike McCarthy. They were just mad that Bates wasn't the Head Coach.
As for the Draft. Chicago didn't fill any of their weaknesses on offense. They added to their Defense. They're big signing is Brian Griese. Will Chicago be better than GB? Probably.. Will GB be better this year? Yes they will be. 7 to 9 wins is what I think they can do. Beat the easy teams like Lions, Jets, Niners, Saints, etc.. They should be able to win at least 7 this year. I have them at 8. That’s not asking much for a young rebuilding organization that should be able to add more key free agents next year because the money was spent wisely.