It may seem odd to begin a series by including the reigning Super Bowl Champions, but the Green Bay Packers have to complete one of the most difficult tasks asked of any franchise, to repeat as champions. Eight times the champion has repeated in NFL history and only once in the past ten years (New England in 2004, 2005).
In 2010 Green Bay road incredible momentum and the wild card through the NFC playoffs en route to beating the Pittsburgh Steelers and bringing the Lombardi Trophy back to Title Town for the first time since No. 4 led the way in 1997. Now in 2011, the Packers go from the list of favorite breakout teams to the team with a bullseye on their backs. Below are some key story lines to follow as the Packers work toward Lucas Oil Stadium and a return trip to the Super Bowl.
1. Running Back Health
'Running Back By Committee' does not begin to describe how the Packers approached the position in 2010. Short of Matt Flynn lining up as the single back, the Packers used just about everyone else available to take a try at running back. While the Packers were able to rely heavily on rookie James Starks and a myriad of others in 2010, the team saw a serious drop in production with Ryan Grant hitting IR early in the year. As Grant suits up for what should be a full and healthy 2011, expect Green Bay's offense to find some balance.
2. Aaron Rodgers Handling the Pressure
In 2010 Aaron Rodgers was the sexy pick as the next big quarterback. Now, Rodgers firmly has that distinction and the pressure associated with every team gameplanning for him all season. With the NFC North and the rest of the NFL gunning for Rodgers each week, it will be important for him to handle the pressure of playing against some great defenses, but also playing with the pressure of being "The Man" in Title Town. During his first seasons at the helm, Rodgers was able to live in the shadow of being not Brett Favre and instead now will begin carving out his own legacy. With the NFL Lockout still looming large, the Packers have been one of the least active teams in coordinating group workouts, something that could hurt a team recovering from a multitude of injuries. Rodgers is the key again for the Packers this season - making a repeat trip to the Super Bowl is made much easier if Rodgers maintains his playoff form of a year ago.
3. Veteran Experience vs. Veteran Age
While the star of the Super Bowl run was Aaron Rodgers and his championship belt, the veteran experience on the team made the deep playoff run possible. Charles Woodson and Donald Driver had the most to gain and most to lose a year ago. For Woodson and Driver, 2010 was their best shot at winning a championship for their career, and they were able to cash in. The Packers enter the 2011 season with some exciting young talent on defense with BJ Raji, Clay Matthews and A.J. Hawk, but in a pass-first league, a shutdown corner like Woodson is essential in locking up the opposition's No. 1 wide receiver. While Greg Jennings gets a lot of hype for being the go-to receiver in Green Bay, it is Donald Driver and his flawless route running that provides so many critical third down conversions. In 2010, Woodson and Driver were leaders on defense and offense and provided the veteran support the team needed; now the Packers need to hope their age doesn't begin to make them a liability as they enter the twilight of their careers.
4. Jermichael Finley
Entering 2010, many sports fans, and almost all Fantasy Football enthusiasts, were labeling Finley as the next Antonio Gates or Tony Gonzalez. Before Finley got the chance, he also found his way to injured reserve. While Andrew Quarless and Donald Lee were serviceable at the Tight End position, adding Finley to the offense will be needed in Green Bay. To get out of the NFC, the need to go through New Orleans, Philadelphia and Atlanta are likely again this season, and to do so Green Bay will need every offensive weapon available. A torn meniscus is relatively minor in the world of knee injuries, but following a long battle with infection, Finley's recovery time has lengthened and he needs training camp to get back up to football speed.
Recommended Reading: Detroit Lions Offseason Confidential
In 2010 Green Bay road incredible momentum and the wild card through the NFC playoffs en route to beating the Pittsburgh Steelers and bringing the Lombardi Trophy back to Title Town for the first time since No. 4 led the way in 1997. Now in 2011, the Packers go from the list of favorite breakout teams to the team with a bullseye on their backs. Below are some key story lines to follow as the Packers work toward Lucas Oil Stadium and a return trip to the Super Bowl.
1. Running Back Health
'Running Back By Committee' does not begin to describe how the Packers approached the position in 2010. Short of Matt Flynn lining up as the single back, the Packers used just about everyone else available to take a try at running back. While the Packers were able to rely heavily on rookie James Starks and a myriad of others in 2010, the team saw a serious drop in production with Ryan Grant hitting IR early in the year. As Grant suits up for what should be a full and healthy 2011, expect Green Bay's offense to find some balance.
2. Aaron Rodgers Handling the Pressure
In 2010 Aaron Rodgers was the sexy pick as the next big quarterback. Now, Rodgers firmly has that distinction and the pressure associated with every team gameplanning for him all season. With the NFC North and the rest of the NFL gunning for Rodgers each week, it will be important for him to handle the pressure of playing against some great defenses, but also playing with the pressure of being "The Man" in Title Town. During his first seasons at the helm, Rodgers was able to live in the shadow of being not Brett Favre and instead now will begin carving out his own legacy. With the NFL Lockout still looming large, the Packers have been one of the least active teams in coordinating group workouts, something that could hurt a team recovering from a multitude of injuries. Rodgers is the key again for the Packers this season - making a repeat trip to the Super Bowl is made much easier if Rodgers maintains his playoff form of a year ago.
3. Veteran Experience vs. Veteran Age
While the star of the Super Bowl run was Aaron Rodgers and his championship belt, the veteran experience on the team made the deep playoff run possible. Charles Woodson and Donald Driver had the most to gain and most to lose a year ago. For Woodson and Driver, 2010 was their best shot at winning a championship for their career, and they were able to cash in. The Packers enter the 2011 season with some exciting young talent on defense with BJ Raji, Clay Matthews and A.J. Hawk, but in a pass-first league, a shutdown corner like Woodson is essential in locking up the opposition's No. 1 wide receiver. While Greg Jennings gets a lot of hype for being the go-to receiver in Green Bay, it is Donald Driver and his flawless route running that provides so many critical third down conversions. In 2010, Woodson and Driver were leaders on defense and offense and provided the veteran support the team needed; now the Packers need to hope their age doesn't begin to make them a liability as they enter the twilight of their careers.
4. Jermichael Finley
Entering 2010, many sports fans, and almost all Fantasy Football enthusiasts, were labeling Finley as the next Antonio Gates or Tony Gonzalez. Before Finley got the chance, he also found his way to injured reserve. While Andrew Quarless and Donald Lee were serviceable at the Tight End position, adding Finley to the offense will be needed in Green Bay. To get out of the NFC, the need to go through New Orleans, Philadelphia and Atlanta are likely again this season, and to do so Green Bay will need every offensive weapon available. A torn meniscus is relatively minor in the world of knee injuries, but following a long battle with infection, Finley's recovery time has lengthened and he needs training camp to get back up to football speed.
Recommended Reading: Detroit Lions Offseason Confidential
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