Weakest / Strongest positions in your opinion?

[all about da packers]

In your opinion, what is currently the weakest and strongest position on the team (taking into account both starting talent AND depth)?

Strongest: Linebacker
- We have a great starting trio, and on top of that we have a young and up-coming backup in Hodge. To paraphrase Bruce's line, Ted was a LB during his playing days, so it shouldn't be a surprise that he has paid so much attention to that position. We have a solid pro in Barnett, a potential superstar in Hawk, and a young and improving guy in Poppinga. All 3 don't carry big egos, and just want to win.


Weakest: Fullback
- Miree has an injury history, and having no clear cut number two FB on the roster worries me. If something should happen to Miree, there isn't even a somewhat established name ready to take over. Pinning our hopes on a LB that is learning the FB position in the NFL isn't the best position to be in. I'd offer NFLE WR Carlton Brewster as trade bait for a FB that has NFL experience, and is near the end of his career just to serve as a security blanket for Miree.


* Note, let's not try and blame Ted for the weakest position, instead list why you think it's weak and what you would do / want done to improve the position. I think we've all had our fill of the TT debate.

 

[RainX]

I think the obvious choices for weakest position are RB, TE, and Safety. I'd personally go with RB because the jury is still out if our young RB committee can be effective behind a young and developing OLine entering the second year of a new run-blocking scheme.

FB would probably be next behind those three positions. They obviously like what they have in Brandon Miree when you cut ties with William Henderson, who admittedly wasn't all that spectacular the past couple of seasons. Wynn and Hall are probably going to end up duking it out for the reserve FB roll.

I'd agree that LB is arguably the strongest on the team. Hawk, Barnett, and Poppinga are a solid and developing trio. Hodge is a solid backup, although the reserve rolls on the strong and weakside are still a bit questionable. Tracy White seems to be a special teams workhorse, but I don't know if I'd trust him to be a full time starter. I'd like to see the team re-sign Ben Taylor becuase he provides a solid backup with experience behind Brady. Desmond Bishop is a question mark at this point. He's primarily a MLB with experience on the weakside, so he'll probably have to try and unseat White as AJ Hawks backup to make the final roster. Then you also have young UDFA group in guys like Goodell, Havner, Simpson, and a couple others who may seem like camp fodder at first, but could step up and suprise someone in making the team.

 

[Green_Bay_Packers]

i would say our strongest is Qb or DE.
our weakest would be WR

 

[RainX]

I'd say DT is stronger than DE at this point. You've got 5 guys in that rotation who can step up and play when needed and you won't have to worry about to much of a drop in production as you go down the depth chart.

DE is pretty good, but there are some questions marks there.

Kampman has developed into a legitimate threat at DE.

We invested a lot of money into Cullen Jenkins this off-season because he brings the run stopping ability that KGB never had on top of decent pass rushing skills with the other end position on the defensive line. The thing is though that this will be his first full season manning one position instead of the tweener role he's been normally accustomed to in the past. I think he's more than up to it, but can the success he had in the final month in '06 continue on for a full season in '07?

KGB is a good pass-rushing specialist and little else as was made all to clear in the years he started at DE. He gets beat to often at the point of attack and teams were able to exploit his inability to stop the run on the outside. As a reserve though, he'll be a valuable (albeit expensive) backup that can come in on pass rushing downs, which is what he is best suited for to begin with.

Then you have your youngsters in Montgomery and Hunter. Both have been good enough to make the final roster in the past couple of seasons as reserves, but they're both by no means locks to make the team this season.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

DT has to be the strongest position right now. Plenty of talent, a good amount of proven experience and lots of depth. In a pinch we can still rotate Jenkins or Kampman into DT spots since both have good experience there.

The weakest is RB. The "experienced" #1, Morency, has always been used as a change of pace guy, not the #1. The backups include 1 with limited experience in Herron, then several guys with none or very little NFL experience. No proven talent and none that would be evaluated as 1st round talent in a draft.

In general our weak spots at safety, WR, CB depth, TE and DE depth are not as big a concern as the weaknesses at RB and FB. We have some good, young talent at safety to push Manuel to the bench. We have several solid WRs and a great one in DD. At CB we have some good, yet inexperienced backups. At TE we have a lot of guys who can step it up, and need to. At DE we have 4 solid players: Kampman, Jenkins, KGB and Montgomery. Compared to RB and FB, where we don't have any proven starters, the other positions look in great shape.

 

[Heatherthepackgirl]

I would say our weakest would be Safety.

 

[dhpackr]

strongest = QB
weakest = go-to-player on offence i.e. red zone threat. so WR and RB are the two weakest positions.

 

[warhawk]

In general our weak spots at safety, WR, CB depth, TE and DE depth are not as big a concern as the weaknesses at RB and FB. We have some good, young talent at safety to push Manuel to the bench. We have several solid WRs and a great one in DD. At CB we have some good, yet inexperienced backups. At TE we have a lot of guys who can step it up, and need to. At DE we have 4 solid players: Kampman, Jenkins, KGB and Montgomery. Compared to RB and FB, where we don't have any proven starters, the other positions look in great shape.[/

quote]

This is right on the money. I like the assessment of WR where I think we have the talent pool there to be just fine contrary to manys thoughts.

If the "0" line advances as it should so to will the running game ala Denver and Atlanta who did fine with RB's that fit the system. I think the offensive line play is the MOST CRITICAL aspect of our season. If we can run it and open up the WCO passing lanes we will be fine.

Having playmakers is great and hitting a homerun now and then provides a big lift but being consistant throughout the season is what wins games and makes playoffs. That and DEFENSE. I love our defense.

If we come out with a half way understanding of the coverage vs. being lost out there like early last year we are going to be TOUGH to score on.

I would say the weakest area we have is a big bodied threat in the red zone. I would like KJ in here if for nothing else than to go in on red zone opportunities and help get the dang ball over the line.

The ZBS is not known to be most effective in the red zone so we have to manufacture a red zone offense including the right personnel and score more consistantly.

 

[CaliforniaCheez]

If Jackson and Favre go down with injury the season will not be pleasant.

I also am concerned that there may not be a backup Center of sufficient quality.

DT, OT, OG, and WR are the strengths.

 

[Pack93z]

If Jackson and Favre go down with injury the season will not be pleasant.

I also am concerned that there may not be a backup Center of sufficient quality.

DT, OT, OG, and WR are the strengths.

I would like your opinion on why the OT is a strength.. after Clifton and Tauscher we have nobody proven other than maybe Barry. Thanks.

 

[Timmons]

DT is our strongest position (due to depth).

One other position to consider is Kicker.

QB is NOT our strongest position. If Brett goes down, then we have a big fat ?

Our weakest position is fullback. Even our starter is a ?

Great topic.

 

[Since69]

No chance QB is our strongest position. I love Brett, but he's losing it, and we have no proven backup. If it weren't for safety, I'd list QB as one of our weakest positions.

Our strongest positions are linebacker and defensive line, especially with the drafting of Harrell.

 

[all about da packers]

I would like your opinion on why the OT is a strength.. after Clifton and Tauscher we have nobody proven other than maybe Barry. Thanks.

Moll was more than adequate as a rookie last year. He basically plugged in at G and T when we needed him, and did a solid job.

Coston was in competition with Colledge for the LG spot at the start of the season. He is a prototypical fit for the ZB scheme, and has some talents that can be utilized in the ZB scheme. He gives up some protection for our main man, Moll.

Barbre is the project in all this, but for a DII (or was it DIII) school, he had outstanding measurables. Solid heights, excellent speed, and good strength for someone out of a school that had to strength and conditioning program.

We have some depth, but not at C. Unless you wanna count Coston, who played C at college.

 

[digsthepack]

Strongest - DT: Great blend of proven performance and young potential...solid top to bottom. Close second, LBs.

Weakest - CB: Two proven starters, with a lot of youth to back it up.

 

[Pack93z]

Strongest area on the team.. front seven on Defense... good blend overall a little thin at proven depth at LB, but overall strong. Poppinga's coverage hopefully will improve or maybe Rouse can play some passing downs in the BOX.

Weakest by far is RB / FB tandem... no proven long term workhorse, VM only has played spot duty and health concerns. Jackson talent transition and health are a concern. The rest to me are unknowns, at FB is Miree and answer and can he stay healthy? Backups will be a rookie however you look at it.

 

[Packnic]

Strongest area on the team.. front seven on Defense... good blend overall a little thin at proven depth at LB, but overall strong. Poppinga's coverage hopefully will improve or maybe Rouse can play some passing downs in the BOX.

Weakest by far is RB / FB tandem... no proven long term workhorse, VM only has played spot duty and health concerns. Jackson talent transition and health are a concern. The rest to me are unknowns, at FB is Miree and answer and can he stay healthy? Backups will be a rookie however you look at it.

I definetly agree that we are the strongest on our front 7

and i definetly understand your fear of our running backs. however, im not worried about them. im more worried about the o-line on this team.
if the o-line performs to standard, then no matter if you got VM/Jackson, or corey dillon back there... the backs will produce. so im hoping that the o-line continues its improvment and gets us where we need to be this season.

i would say that the weakest spot we have now is Safety. no matter who you put back there that is currently on the roster... they all have something to prove. is collins a one year wonder? is Manuel really a bust? can rouse steal the job? i mean none are proven commodities, so if i wanted TT to bring any player in right now, it would be a solid hard hittin proven safety.

 

[Pack93z]

I agree in principle with the Oline first concept, however since no one in the backfield has proven that they can stay healthy, endure a seasons worth of carries, can pick up a blitz, or can catch the rock out of the backfield I have worries. Just to run and pick up yards... yep we can have any combination of backs in there. But what limitations to the playbook will having no experienced back at either position bring?

I have to agree that our safeties are a huge question mark, and that might be one area where a proven veteran might become available in training camp if we are struggling with what we are looking at on the roster.

This first mini-camp will give us alot of clues on where the coaching staff sees holes... they will be going out and pushing for more depth at that position.