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2008 Packers Predictions
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| Our Expert |
Keys for 2008 |
Who Could Break Out? |
Prediction |
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Lance Allan
Pregame Analyst, Packers Gameday
Sports Anchor/Reporter, Today's TMJ4
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Offense: The line. If Rodgers doesn't get decent blocking, the Niners preseason game happens all over again.
Defense: The line. Hope that Ryan Pickett stays healthy, Johnny Jolly does the same, and off-field issues don't distract him. |
Greg Jennings. Already on the map for catching most of Brett Favre's marquee TD's last year, and fighting injuries, had 53 catches, 920 yards, but an eye popping 12 TD's. I think if healthy, he catches 80 balls, for 1,200 yards, and 15 TD's. I think his rapport with Aaron Rodgers is that strong. |
9-7. On paper, it's a tougher schedule. That could change with injuries, but a 2-2 September could be considered a success. And yes, I do think the Packers make the postseason. |
Jeff Falconio
In-Game Anchor, Packers Gameday
Co-Host, Wisconsin Sports Weekend
Contributor, Sportsbubbler
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Offense: Putting Aaron Rodgers in the best situation possible, and that means a formidable running game and solid pass protection.
Defense: The secondary broke down toward the end of the year. That's can't happen again, especially with a thin defensive line.
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Brandon Jackson. With a decreased role for Grant, it's time for Jackson to become a more complete player.
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9-7. Division champions, but a wild card loss. The schedule is daunting in spots. |
Jim Ganzer
Editor, Sportsbubbler |
Offense: The line. Brett Favre had such a quick release, and Rodgers likes to hold the ball and move.
Defense: The line. Smaller, quicker LBs need run stoppers in the middle to keep the offense honest. |
Aaron Rouse. With inconsistent play from the safeties, Rouse will get his share of playing time, and could break through. |
7-9. The team overachieved last year, lost their leader and promising young defensive tackle, and added no one. It's a big step backward. |
Greg Matzek
Co-Host, Wisconsin Sports Weekend
Contributor, Sportsbubbler
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Offense: Aaron Rodgers needs to spend more time standing in the pocket than removing turf from his helmet.
Defense: Justin Harrell won't see the field this season, Corey Williams is in Cleveland, KGB and Ryan Pickett are dinged up...just not a lot of reserve lineman in the tank.
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Brandon Jackson. Seeing as Ryan Grant hasn't received a hit all preseason, Jackson is going to receive plenty of opportunities to shine early on. He showed some burst and toughness late last season. Now that Vernand Morency and Noah Herron are gone, there will be more practice reps and more in-game opportunities for Jackson to show off.
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9-7. My feeling is that the Packers and Vikings will tie for the division title and a tie breaker will determine the playoff team. I think it's a three-team fight for the final wild card spot between the Vikings, Packers and Giants. The Vikings win the division and the Packers squeak by the Giants for the final wild card slot. Sadly, the Packers lose in the first round of the playoffs to the Dallas Cowboys. |
Dan O'Donnell
News Anchor/Reporter, 620WTMJ
Co-Host, Wisconsin Sports Weekend |
Offense: Hmm, let me think. Maybe the first new guy to start at quarterback since 1992? He probably needs to play well.
Defense: Al Harris and Charles Woodson. Do a pair of aging cornerbacks have one more great year in them? |
Aaron Rodgers. If he doesn't, fans may actually burn Ted Thompson at the stake. |
9-7. An NFC wildcard berth, and they'll reach the 2nd round of the playoffs. |
Jay Sorgi
Postgame Anchor, Packers Gameday
News and Sports Anchor/Reporter, 620WTMJ
Contributor, Sportsbubbler
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Offense: Every offensive lineman not named Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher. The rest of you had better reach their level for a rather green QB.
Defense: The Packers' doctors and Johnny Jolly's attorney. They have to keep the defensive line healthy and out of prison to help Barnett, Hawk, Harris and Woodson perform.
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Aaron Rodgers. Yes, he's green, but that can turn golden quickly when surrounded by the awesome arsenal around him: the deepest receiving corps in football, a tight end who's getting better and better, a running back that could get 2,000 all-purpose yards. If he just listens to himself and his coaches, plays smart, and lets the best yards-after-catch receiving corps in the NFL do the work, watch out.
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10-6. In an NFC North with totally unproven quarterbacks on every team, Rodgers is the best of them, and that's enough to win the division. With a decimated Giants team without Strahan, Umenyiora and Shockey, a Cowboys squad that hasn't won a playoff game in 12 years, a Buccaneers squad led by ancient Jeff Garcia and no one legitimate left in the NFC West, the Packers - and this is more an indictment against the weak NFC - could get to Tampa in February. |
Todd "The Llama" Welter
Producer, Sports Central
Reporter, 620wtmj.com
Contributor, Sportsbubbler
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Offense: The line. The holes will have to be there for the run game to move the ball, so McCarthy doesn't have to rely so much on Rodgers' arm.
Defense: Pass rush. We saw in the NFC Final how the inability to harrass the quarterback can kill a team. |
Brandon Jackson. He finished strong last season and looked good in the 2008 preseason. |
10-6. It will be a wild card exit. Rodgers should be able to play within himself to make sure the Pack don't miss a beat. He has yet to prove to be special enough to win some of the big games the Pack will play this season. With a weak division, the overall talent, and some 50-50 games on the schedule the Pack still should compete for the playoffs. |
