The Packers open training camp Friday with many questions to answer if they hope to rebound from last year's 4-12 season. Here are my Top 10:
1. Is new coach Mike McCarthy the right guy at the right time for this franchise?
I'm all for giving somebody a chance. I admit to concerns about his lack of a winning background. Being a successful coach in the NFL is incredibly difficult. So much of it comes down players having confidence in you. Do they believe that you will put them in position to win close games down the stretch? It's not about sound bites, sideline displays of emotion or fiery speeches. It's about being smarter than the other coach and poised enough to make the right decisions with the game on the line. There's no way any of us can start to judge McCarthy until we see how he reacts in the final two minutes of a tie game in the regular season.
2. Can Brett Favre be successful without being reckless?
This is where McCarthy, new offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski and quarterbacks coach Tom Clements will earn their money. Favre thinks he's seen everything and is stubborn about doing things his way. He's not going to change, or even slightly modify his decision-making unless he sees positive results. He has to have faith and trust in the coaching staff. They have to earn it. If Favre throws more than 18 interceptions this season, it's hard for me to envision the Packers being a winning team.
3. Does Ahman Green have anything left?
Age and injury -- a lethal combination for a running back. The Packers did the right thing in bringing Green back because there's very little risk. If he can come back from his quadriceps injury, it would be a jolt of good news. Najeh Davenport never seems to stay healthy and it's a bit scary to have to count on Samkon Gado. Noah Herron got good reviews in the spring.
4. Can you be a playoff team with three new starters in the middle of your offensive line and two of them likely to be rookies?
This might be the most scary question of them all. Center Scott Wells is inexperienced but a "grizzled" veteran compared to rookie guards Daryn Colledge and Jason Spitz. The Packers have an elite set of tackles but, even with a zone blocking scheme, "up the gut" could be the offense's downfall.
5. Besides Donald Driver, do the Packers have any big playmakers at wide receiver?
Javon Walker was traded to Denver. It's got to be the last chance for Robert Ferguson. Rookie Greg Jennings seems like the most promising possibility. Marc Boerigter and Rod Gardner have had success before and you would think they could contribute as role players. Tight end Bubba Franks is likely to bounce back with a strong year.
6. Can new coordinator Bob Sanders help improve the defense?
Personally I think that Jim Bates was more of a media darling than defensive genius. It's amazing how much positive publicity you can get when you return reporters' calls and go on talk shows. I think Bates did a good job -- but it's not as if he turned the Packers into a defensive juggernaut. The defensive line rotation will be crucial. Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila needs to be better on the outside and Ryan Pickett will be counted on inside.
7. Will A.J. Hawk become the Packers most popular linebacker since Ray Nitschke?
Only if he produces on the field. Hawk is a little on the small side, but he has all of the intangibles. He has the potential to not only be star, but a folk hero in Green Bay. Nothing against her -- but I don't really care about his wife. I want to see tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
8. Can Charles Woodson stay healthy and be an impact player in the secondary?
The Packers have plenty of money invested in the hope that Woodson will play like he did when he was healthy with the Raiders. It was baffling that Woodson got his deal and then skipped the Organized Team Activities, but no one will care if he gets the job done during the season.
9. Will Al Harris' push for a sweetened contract turn sour?
Harris says he's going to report to camp on time and play this year. Gee, what a relief. He's only signed through 2009. It's great that he's willing to come in and actually live up to his contract. On the field, Harris has done a good job for the Packers. If his individual goals start to supersede the team's best interests, there will be problems.
10. Who will replace Ryan Longwell at kicker?
Joni Mitchell wrote, "You don't know what you got 'til it's gone." The Packers may feel the harshness of those words this season. Kicking well in Lambeau in the cold weather is a rare skill. A good kicker is not a luxury for a team trying to get back into the playoffs. If anything, a poor kicker will become magnified if the Packers are in a lot of close games. Billy Cundiff and Dave Rayner are the two current contenders.
1. Is new coach Mike McCarthy the right guy at the right time for this franchise?
I'm all for giving somebody a chance. I admit to concerns about his lack of a winning background. Being a successful coach in the NFL is incredibly difficult. So much of it comes down players having confidence in you. Do they believe that you will put them in position to win close games down the stretch? It's not about sound bites, sideline displays of emotion or fiery speeches. It's about being smarter than the other coach and poised enough to make the right decisions with the game on the line. There's no way any of us can start to judge McCarthy until we see how he reacts in the final two minutes of a tie game in the regular season.
2. Can Brett Favre be successful without being reckless?
This is where McCarthy, new offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski and quarterbacks coach Tom Clements will earn their money. Favre thinks he's seen everything and is stubborn about doing things his way. He's not going to change, or even slightly modify his decision-making unless he sees positive results. He has to have faith and trust in the coaching staff. They have to earn it. If Favre throws more than 18 interceptions this season, it's hard for me to envision the Packers being a winning team.
3. Does Ahman Green have anything left?
Age and injury -- a lethal combination for a running back. The Packers did the right thing in bringing Green back because there's very little risk. If he can come back from his quadriceps injury, it would be a jolt of good news. Najeh Davenport never seems to stay healthy and it's a bit scary to have to count on Samkon Gado. Noah Herron got good reviews in the spring.
4. Can you be a playoff team with three new starters in the middle of your offensive line and two of them likely to be rookies?
This might be the most scary question of them all. Center Scott Wells is inexperienced but a "grizzled" veteran compared to rookie guards Daryn Colledge and Jason Spitz. The Packers have an elite set of tackles but, even with a zone blocking scheme, "up the gut" could be the offense's downfall.
5. Besides Donald Driver, do the Packers have any big playmakers at wide receiver?
Javon Walker was traded to Denver. It's got to be the last chance for Robert Ferguson. Rookie Greg Jennings seems like the most promising possibility. Marc Boerigter and Rod Gardner have had success before and you would think they could contribute as role players. Tight end Bubba Franks is likely to bounce back with a strong year.
6. Can new coordinator Bob Sanders help improve the defense?
Personally I think that Jim Bates was more of a media darling than defensive genius. It's amazing how much positive publicity you can get when you return reporters' calls and go on talk shows. I think Bates did a good job -- but it's not as if he turned the Packers into a defensive juggernaut. The defensive line rotation will be crucial. Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila needs to be better on the outside and Ryan Pickett will be counted on inside.
7. Will A.J. Hawk become the Packers most popular linebacker since Ray Nitschke?
Only if he produces on the field. Hawk is a little on the small side, but he has all of the intangibles. He has the potential to not only be star, but a folk hero in Green Bay. Nothing against her -- but I don't really care about his wife. I want to see tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
8. Can Charles Woodson stay healthy and be an impact player in the secondary?
The Packers have plenty of money invested in the hope that Woodson will play like he did when he was healthy with the Raiders. It was baffling that Woodson got his deal and then skipped the Organized Team Activities, but no one will care if he gets the job done during the season.
9. Will Al Harris' push for a sweetened contract turn sour?
Harris says he's going to report to camp on time and play this year. Gee, what a relief. He's only signed through 2009. It's great that he's willing to come in and actually live up to his contract. On the field, Harris has done a good job for the Packers. If his individual goals start to supersede the team's best interests, there will be problems.
10. Who will replace Ryan Longwell at kicker?
Joni Mitchell wrote, "You don't know what you got 'til it's gone." The Packers may feel the harshness of those words this season. Kicking well in Lambeau in the cold weather is a rare skill. A good kicker is not a luxury for a team trying to get back into the playoffs. If anything, a poor kicker will become magnified if the Packers are in a lot of close games. Billy Cundiff and Dave Rayner are the two current contenders.
Dennis Krause joined OnMilwaukee.com as a contributor on June 16, 2006. He is a two-time Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year and a regional Emmy-award winner. Dennis has been the color analyst on home games for the Milwaukee Bucks Radio Network for the last 10 years. He has also been involved with the Green Bay Packers Radio Network for 16 years and is currently the host of the "Packers Game Day" pre-game show.
Dennis started his broadcasting career as a radio air personality in the Fox Valley and Milwaukee.
He spent three years as a sportscaster at WMBD radio and television in Peoria, Illinois before joining WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee in 1987 as a weekend sports anchor. Dennis spent 16 years at Channel 4, serving as its Sports Director and 5 and 6 pm sports anchor from 1994-2003.
Dennis grew up in Hartford, Wisconsin and attended UW-Oshkosh. He lives in Thiensville with his wife and two children. He serves as the Community Resource Director for the Mequon-Thiensville School District.
