http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...e-nfl-teams-still-tone-deaf-to-domestic-abuse
#5 on this list makes me smile.
#5 on this list makes me smile.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...e-nfl-teams-still-tone-deaf-to-domestic-abuse
#5 on this list makes me smile.
Aaron Rodgers has always been ultra-competitive, plays with a chip (real or imagined) on his shoulder. He was embarrassed last year, and I look for him to come back with an edge to him that will make perhaps the best he's ever been.
At least I h0pe so
Through the first 6 games, Rodgers was playing the best football he ever had. I couldn't even believe a lot of what he was doing, like the KC game where he was scanning the Chiefs sideline for subs and going no huddle to keep certain guys on or off the field.
Long story short, anyone that thinks Rodgers declined last year is sorely mistaken.
Rodgers played extremely well during the first six games of last season but not on par with his performance in 2011.
After the Chargers game his production dropped off significantly though and he's partly to blame for it as well.
Offense looks like it will return to it's typical, high-octane self and the D seems to be ready to transition from pretty good to difference maker.
I don't expect the defense to turn into a difference maker but as long as the offense bounces back from a subpar performance in 2015 the Packers don't need them to to win another Super Bowl.
If you mean difference maker as in top 5 I would tend to agree but I do love the direction this defense is heading. They aren't a bottom half of the league D anymore, especially in pass D. They could get gashed for 5 ypc again though which has plagued them over the past few years.
I like the direction the defense is headed as well although there are still question marks at nose tackle and inside linebacker entering this season. I expect the unit to end up close to the top 10 in points allowed.
Top 10 most pts or least pts?
Least points allowed.
The Top 3rd in the league in PA makes them 'difference maker' quality in my eyes. Obviously the term itself is very subjective so there really isn't a perfect answer to this. I expect this team to once again be ranked highly in total sacks especially when you consider 52 is moving back to more of a full-time edge rusher. MLB LOOKS to be more solidified this upcoming season and while maybe not great should be better. The secondary is where I have high expectations. If they can start getting their hands on more balls and turn those touches into oskies I see no reason the defensive unit can't make the full transition to difference maker. The run D is going to be the deciding factor on where this unit ends up. If they can slow down the chunk plays and make things harder on RB's then look out! If they continue to struggle with giving up big runs the chances of them taking that 'next step' are nominal.I like the direction the defense is headed as well although there are still question marks at nose tackle and inside linebacker entering this season. I expect the unit to end up close to the top 10 in points allowed.
MLB LOOKS to be more solidified this upcoming season and while maybe not great should be better. The run D is going to be the deciding factor on where this unit ends up. If they can slow down the chunk plays and make things harder on RB's then look out! If they continue to struggle with giving up big runs the chances of them taking that 'next step' are nominal.
Opponents playing catch-up tend to abandon the run so I don't envision too many teams hanging 5 ypc on the Packers in '16. With the offense dialed in and scoring the D just needs to NOT completely suck, which I'm confident they can do.They could get gashed for 5 ypc again though which has plagued them over the past few years.
I think that most people, including TT, surmise that the upgrade comes from drafting another ILB in addition to the return of Barrington and the maturation of Ryan. I'm sure that we all remember how terrible it felt to think that we were starting Nate Palmer and rookie Jake Ryan against Seattle in Week 2 last year. Most Packers fans would agree that Jake Ryan proved that while fallible he's also capable. Barrington should be fully recovered and could allow Ryan to blossom. While neither is a great coverage linebacker, we are in a much better position at the moment than at the beginning of last season. The addition of another true ILB in Martinez adds needed depth.
Are you saying that I said they are much better at ILB or are you incorporating other people's comments into your response to my post?
They are better is all that I said and believe.
I see that you've completely discounted any optimism about Barrington's return to bolster the ILB position. I suspect that's really because you don't like Barrington, otherwise I should find posts in other topics that you share little optimism for the 2016 seasons of Jordy Nelson, TJ Lang, Corey Linsley, and Ty Montgomery - all of whom, like Barrington, were not allowed/able to practice this off-season.
I was clearly comparing Week 2 of 2015 (Palmer and rookie starting) to the beginning of 2016 where we have two returning starters and a promising rookie backing up. You were talking about the end of 2015 to now, since you mentioned the only offseason move was to draft a 4th round player. I think that you can tell the difference.