Green Bay Packers 2012 Epiloge

Well that was an ugly ending to the season.  Who ever heard of giving up 300 some odd yards rushing?  Everyone has their opinions on what went wrong, so I've decided to chime in.  Kinda' my view of what the Pack needs to do to get better.  Since I obviously know better what goes on with the organization .  Ha....

Seems like every year we hear about how the offensive line is built for pass protection, not the running game.  Only problem is that Rodgers is getting hit and sacked at an alarming rate.  Don't know if Sherord would help, think Bularga will--if he comes back from hip injury.

It is time to find a running back.  Not some old retread either.  These guys they come up with are cute, make a nice story.  Don't care.  They need some one who can haul the ball 20 some times a game and not get hurt.  Running game will improve with better run blocking as well.

Defense needs to tackle better.  A lot better.  Geez, some of these guys should be embarrassed.  Hopping on guys backs, bouncing off with shoulder tackles.  I know they are leery of fines, but once in a while you need to pop somebody.

Maybe it's time to get back to the basics a little bit.  Seems like the injuries just decimate the offensive and defensive lines.  Last nights game, Sitton goes out and the next guy in is Jeff Saturday?   But you have six receivers active?  Nobody carries 5 tight ends on the roster, except Green Bay.  I know every year we hear about how everyone wants our young skill guys and we have to keep them on the roster.  Maybe we should just let some of them go and build better depth elsewhere....boy if Rodgers ever goes down....

There was a time not that long ago when Dom Capers was considered the big defensive guru.  They were always afraid he was going to some other team.  Maybe it's time for a little reevaluation here.  I haven't been that impressed with the D for the last couple of years.  And on the offensive side, maybe they have too many receivers--they have guys running all over the place.  Sometimes it looks like McCarthy is coaching Arena league.....

I hate to say it, but this team is soft.  Who is the tough guy, the guy who won't take crap from anyone?  Matthews?  Nah, great player, but he is more of a finesse guy.  Woodson. too old now, too injured.  Raji?  Too nice.  Hawk?  Not good enough.  Rodgers?  Nope.....Sitton?  Probably toughest guy they have....They need a couple of guys willing to take on the entire other team, and back it up.  The kind of guy on other teams that we call "dirty".

So who goes?  Driver, gone.  Take the emotion out of it, should have not been on the team this year.  Woodson, gone.  Hall of Famer--- slowed down, $10.5 million next year, can't afford the luxury  Jeninngs, gone.  Will want one last huge salary.  Too many other weapons left.  Two tight ends.  Three is plenty.  Waldon--GONE.  Gee whiz, how many times you gonna' get sucked in on a fake?  You need to set the edge...I'm sure there will be other changes as well.  I just hope we don't keep eight or nine or ten first year guys again.  I know the money figures in, but sometimes you need to let guys play together for a while to make a better team.

Decisions need to be made on a number of free agents, and I know Ted Thompson doesn't dip too deep into the free agent pool.  He likes to develop and pay hid own guys.  Sometimes the problem with that is the same problem we all have.  We think our stuff is worth more than it really is, and we place too high a value on it.  I like Thompson, thinks he does a good job overall and know what he is doing.  I just don't think we need so many rookies and free agents.  Hey, maybe it's a good time to trade UP in the draft.

I'm pretty sure the Packers will have a decent team again next season.  They have good management, coaching, and a great quarterback.  But he is 30 years old now.  You only get so many shots at the Super Bowl, and I know it's tough.  But when you have as many weapons available to you as the Packers do, you need to take advantage.