| Last season Green Bay went 8-8 and failed to
make the playoffs for the first time since 1993. This year the Packers return much of last
year’s squad, with a few role players added and a few role players dropped.
Handcuffed by salary-cap restrictions, the Packers couldn’t be big players in the
free agent market, their biggest signing was veteran DL Russell Maryland. The upcoming
season figures to be an important one in Green Bay for all involved. After a very
successful run in the ’90s, this year may be the one that determines the
franchise’s future direction. The 49ers and Cowboys were recently at this crossroads
— salary-cap troubles, free-agent losses and aging players — and both slid.
What direction the Packers will travel remains to be seen. But even with a healthy
Brett Favre, the lack of a supporting cast leads me to believe that Green Bay’s
fortunes are less than promising.
Despite the offseason improvement of other squads, most notably Tampa Bay, Green Bay GM
Ron Wolf has publicly stated that his team can reign supreme in the NFC Central once
again. The logic Wolf used was that Green Bay has three-time NFL MVP Favre to lead its
offense, while the other four teams in the division are led by a decidedly more
inexperienced crew of Cade McNown, Daunte Culpepper, Charlie Batch (who is injured again)
and Shaun King.
Wolf is right on the money. Even though Favre threw more interceptions than touchdowns
last season (23 picks, 22 TDs), he remains one of the best team leaders in any sport,
and he has the ability to carry a team on his back. Favre, only 30, is one of the rare
athletes in sports whom instantly turns any team he joins into a playoff contender.
That said, we need to look at the rest of this team to make a judgment on its playoff
chances. Like Michael Jordan in his earlier years, Favre has placed his team’s
fortunes squarely on his shoulders. But in the process, he may have taken on too much.
Favre’s and Green Bay’s problems were seemingly born early last season when,
after sustaining a thumb injury that would hamper him for the rest of the year, Favre led
the team to comeback wins in three of the first four games. From that point on, a routine
was established — the hole was dug, and Favre was expected to carry everyone out.
But those expectations put too much pressure on Favre, who tried to force plays that
ended up in turnovers. After a spectacular comeback victory over Tampa Bay in Week Five,
the Packers went 5-7, including a shocking three defeats at the once impenetrable Lambeau
Field.
Favre’s job returning the Pack to the top isn’t any easier when you look at
the troops surrounding him. In the backfield, RB Dorsey Levens has to fight through a rib
injury suffered last season to become a bigger force in the Green Bay offense. WR Antonio
Freeman broke 1,000 yards last season, but many have questioned his desire after signing a
big contract last season. The other wideouts, Bill Schroeder and Corey Bradford, had
impressive seasons last year but must display consistency. And while Favre will have a big
target in Bubba Franks, the rookie tight end is exactly that — a rookie.
Most of Green Bay’s worries on offense seem of little consequence when looking at
the other side of the ball where no one jumps out as a Pro Bowl candidate. In their
consecutive runs to the Super Bowl, Green Bay had one of the better defenses in the
league. Now, with no dominant pass rushers and a secondary that is average at best, Green
Bay may compete for the title of weakest defense in a division known for hard knocks.
Inexperience could end up hurting the Packers in the end as well. With dozens of
players on the roster with less than three years of NFL experience, Green Bay could suffer
from growing pains. Save Favre, Maryland and C Frank Winters, the Packers don’t have
many veteran leaders in the fold.
It’s going to be an uphill battle for Favre and the Packers this year. Favre needs
to get help in carrying this so-so bunch to the top of the mountain. It’s a long trek
and heavy load for any man — even the incomparable Brett Favre. |
