Green Bay Packers 2008 Season Preview

The Green Bay Packers will look to recapture the success of the 2007 season without future Hall of Fame QB Brett Favre.

Green Bay Packers Preview: Overview

The Green Bay Packers ended the 2007 NFL season with a stellar 13-3 record which earned the Green Bay Packers a bye in the first round of the playoffs. After defeating the Seattle Seahawks in the divisional round game, the Green Bay Packers went on to lose a tightly contested NFC Championship game to the future Super Bowl Champion New York Giants. It was Brett Favre’s last season as quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, as he announced his retirement on March 4, 2008.

Green Bay Packers Preview: Moves

The glaring imperfection in the Green Bay Packers roster after the loss of Brett Favre is at the quarterback position. Facing the daunting task of trying to find a suitable replacement for Brett Favre, the Green Bay Packers began to wheel and deal in an effort to get better draft picks. A result of this effort is a solid draft class that included hard-working Louisville QB Brian Brohm. Brian Brohm was considered the most NFL-ready QB in the 2008 NFL Draft. The Green Bay Packers hope that Brian Brohm’s football IQ will speed up his maturation process. If Brian Brohm can improve his lower body strength and learn to rely on his quickness, he will be a solid backup for QB Aaron Rodgers. Perhaps the Green Bay Packers should have attempted to sign a quarterback who has at least seen some snaps in an NFL game but Coach Mike McCarthy is very confident in his young quarterbacks.

Green Bay Packers Preview: Offense

The Green Bay Packers boast an enviable depth chart and they hope that it will be enough to ease young QB Aaron Rodgers into his new role as the leader of the offense. Aaron Rodgers is inheriting an offense that averaged 270.9 passing yards per game and scored over 27 points per game last season. Aaron Rodgers has only played in two games in his short career but the Green Bay Packers are counting on an athletic offensive line to protect Aaron Rodgers both in the pocket and when he decides to run.

The Green Bay Packers wide receiver corps is anchored by veteran WR Donald Driver. However it is likely that Greg Jennings will emerge as the Green Bay Packers go-to wide receiver. WR Greg Jennings is returning after an exceptional breakout sophomore season in which he averaged over 17 yards per catch. A stacked group of wide receivers and a solid offensive line will help the Green Bay Packers open up the ground game for RB Ryan Grant who is expected to sign a long-term deal before the start of the season.

Green Bay Packers Preview: Defense

If there was one imperfection in the Green Bay Packers 2007 season, it was the inconsistency of their pass defense. Coach Mike McCarthy has reported that he and his staff are working with their players this offseason in efforts to change that. Fans and opposing teams should expect a more aggressive pass defense of the same mold as the New York Giants’ scheme. Entering the 2008 season, the Green Bay Packers can count on a strong defense, beginning with their extremely deep defensive line and strong group of cornerbacks led by Charles Woodson and Al Harris.

The Green Bay Packers are able to stop the run, effectively defend the pass with linebackers Nick Barnett and A.J. Hawk supported by the strength of the cornerbacks, force teams into turnovers and reach opposing quarterbacks with DE Aaron Kampman. With no gaping holes in their defense, the Green Bay Packers will hold their own with opponents in the NFC North.

Green Bay Packers: Special Teams

The special teams play added to the balanced attack of the Green Bay Packers in 2007. K Mason Crosby was a shining star in his rookie season and is expected to continue on that same pace in 2008 if the offense can perform on a high level. Punter Jon Ryan did a good job placing punts inside of the 20-yard line and giving the Green Bay Packers defense strong chances to keep opponents out of the end zone. The Green Bay Packers special teams also gave great contributions with strong returns from kick returner Tramon Williams and punt returner Charles Woodson.

Green Bay Packers Preview: Outlook

The Green Bay Packers will enter the 2008 season with a roster that is solid at every spot, except quarterback. Aaron Rodgers’ lack of experience may prove to be an issue for the Green Bay Packers offense, but even more worrisome is his injury history. With the only backups at quarterback being two rookies, only time will tell how the young Green Bay Packers will settle into their offense. The offensive line will play an integral part in giving Aaron Rodgers the time to find one of his extremely talented wide receivers. With a roster full of young talent, the Green Bay Packers will storm Lambeau Field in 2008, ready to take on the best in the NFL.