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Message: <blockquote data-quote="calicheesehead" data-source="post: 129688" data-attributes="member: 235"><a href="http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070102/PKR07/701020458/1959" target="_blank">Packer News</a>         Chris Havel column: Packers have lots of needs for 2007 The mood in the Green Bay Packers' locker room on Monday was as even-keeled as the team's 8-8 record.  There was no shame in finishing on a four-game winning streak, or in securing a respectable 5-1 record within a woefully weak NFC North Division.  Then again, there was no reason to celebrate a .500 season that exceeded low expectations but little else.  To coach Mike McCarthy's credit, the Packers exited the 2006 season in much better shape than they entered it.  The penalties, defensive lapses and special teams gaffes were down. The optimism, team mentality and attention to detail were up.  It was important for McCarthy to win games, but not as important as it was for him to win the players' respect.  McCarthy's greatest accomplishment wasn't proving he could coach. It was getting his players to believe he could coach. McCarthy didn't pretend to have all the answers, and at times it appeared he wasn't entirely sure of the questions. But through it all, McCarthy trusted his instincts, his assistants and his players. "All the players love playing for him," defensive tackle Ryan Pickett said. "He's young, he knows his stuff and the players can relate to him. It's the most fun I've ever had in my (six-year) career. The coaching staff, the environment, the atmosphere in the locker room, the way we finished — it was all positive." Everyone from high-priced free-agent acquisitions such as Pickett and cornerback Charles Woodson to rookies such as Tony Moll and Jason Spitz rang in the New Year with positive vibes. That was the first step. The next step is realizing that the Packers, at 8-8, are as close to being on the bottom as they are to being on top. Their needs are many. They need a defensive backs coach who can teach the secondary to play as one. They need free safety Nick Collins to make Sunday's brilliant performance the rule rather than the exception. They need to replace strong safety Marquand Manuel with the guy GM Ted Thompson thought he was getting in free agency. They need a No. 3 cornerback who's better than Patrick Dendy, who then can become a pretty good dime defensive back. They need to acquire an impact defensive lineman in free agency, which is almost as great a challenge as winning the lottery. They need a kick-return specialist who is special. They need a running back, a tight end and a receiver — and at least one has to be a legitimate big-play weapon — and they need all three even if Ahman Green returns, Bubba Franks returns to form and Koren Robinson stays clean. They need a 2007 draft class that's as strong as the 2006 class. They need A.J. Hawk, Greg Jennings and Daryn Colledge to be even better in their second year. They need Donald Driver, Aaron Kampman, Nick Barnett and Al Harris to continue playing at a high level. iUltimately, they need Brett Favre to come back for one final hurrah. It's a lot to ask, but it's the reality of the Packers' situation. Anything less isn't going to be good enough. He's pretty much on the money. How about Butler to come in as DB's coach and boot Shottyhammer?</blockquote>

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