Am I overly optimistic?

[Dblbogey]

I see a well above average starting OL with a bit of depth, quality running backs, Davante and several talented young wide receivers, Tonyan, plus Aaron Rodgers. On defense La'Darius, Kenny Clark are studs. They have some very good talent in the secondary. Why can't this team go 10-6 or 11-5 and make a playoff run? I'm always optimistic every season, even in the 70's and 80's, but the overall talent level seems to have been seriously upgraded.

 

[906Fan]

It's pessimistic rather than optimistic to want to see a rookie start at an OL position. Im gonna be optimistic that he will fill the role when he will be called to it though

 

[Pkrjones]

I think it's reasonable to assume that there will be OL shuffling happening in '19, just like pretty much every year with an injury or 2 occurring.

- Turner is being worked at RT in the case that Bulaga goes down, as he's the 2nd best option to man that position.
- If he shifts out to OT there will be a need for a quality RG in which case Jenkins may be "next man up" if he plays well in the next few games.
- I think there's decent inside OL competition in camp, but I'm a bit fearful of the OT depth as per usual. Hopeful that young guys De Beer and Nijman can develop but that might be a big ask.

 

[HardRightEdge]

Taylor's a respectable player. He shocked his own teammates with how well he played in relief of Bakhtiari in 2017. He's not immune to upgrade, but you can't discount the value of years of chemistry with his linemates.

It should not come as a surprise if the starting OGs are Taylor and Turner.

It is conceivable Jenkins will be the first guy off the bench if any of the starters go down:

• Possible first backup at both OG positions and C
• Turner backs up Bulaga with Jenkins at RG
• Taylor backs up Bakhtiari with Jenkins at LG

Jenkins may not cover for all these eventualities but probably most of them.

Assuming he doesn't beat out Taylor, at some point some starter is going to miss a game or games and Jenkins will get a start.

 

[gbgary]

too early to tell. let's let the preseason play out...but if he's beats-out a starter than they've improved...right?

 

[RepStar15]

I see a well above average starting OL with a bit of depth, quality running backs, Davante and several talented young wide receivers, Tonyan, plus Aaron Rodgers. On defense La'Darius, Kenny Clark are studs. They have some very good talent in the secondary. Why can't this team go 10-6 or 11-5 and make a playoff run? I'm always optimistic every season, even in the 70's and 80's, but the overall talent level seems to have been seriously upgraded.

I fully agree that the team has been seriously upgraded from a roster perspective. That being said, this is a very young football with an entirely new offense and a defense that have really never seen the field together. I am optimistic, they will be a playoff caliber team come December, unfortunately the NFC North is stacked. If they have the slow start to the season I expect them to have, it will be a large order to get back into the playoff hunt when they start to jive. Barring any injury to Aaron Rodgers, I do see this team winning the North next year and potentially having the best season the franchise has had in recent years.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I fully agree that the team has been seriously upgraded from a roster perspective. That being said, this is a very young football with an entirely new offense and a defense that have really never seen the field together. I am optimistic, they will be a playoff caliber team come December, unfortunately the NFC North is stacked. If they have the slow start to the season I expect them to have, it will be a large order to get back into the playoff hunt when they start to jive. Barring any injury to Aaron Rodgers, I do see this team winning the North next year and potentially having the best season the franchise has had in recent years.

Pretty reasonable outlook. On paper they are better, yet it takes time to gel as a team, and that comes from real games. I hope to be surprised, just keeping expectations in check.

 

[OldSchool101]

I fully agree that the team has been seriously upgraded from a roster perspective. That being said, this is a very young football with an entirely new offense and a defense that have really never seen the field together. I am optimistic, they will be a playoff caliber team come December, unfortunately the NFC North is stacked.

I agree that it “might” take GB until mid season to get into 3rd gear offensively. I also think you’re right about improving into 2020.
IMO we’re all a bit gun shy after back to back losing seasons and that’s understandable.

The best player in the NFC North and NFC East is Aaron Rodgers. He, by far, impacts the game outcome more than any other player. Those teams account for 10 of our 16 game season.
If the GB Defense improves into just the top 50% of league and #12 doesn’t miss more than 1-2 games. GB will win another Division title (or be a 10-6 Wildcard).

Chicago will still have a top Defense this season (as will MN and don’t underestimate Kirk Cousins, he’s the best QB the Vikes have had in awhile to pair with a still potent D. Both will slip back into that top #5-#10 range Defensively.
Meanwhile the GB Defensive unit should finish top #10-#15 area. This is huge, as the Aaron Rodgers led Packers have only fielded 2 Defenses that broke the top #15 in the last 9 seasons.

The O should conceivable improve some. We’ve added a nice RB who should develop into a #2 and a nice TE who should do likewise. We’ve also beefed up our OL which is probably the most underrated moves of improvement.

 

[GreenBaySlacker]

It could go either way.... Injuries to key players with low grade depth behind them.... That's the wild card...

I'm typically optimistic . And I believe we had the cap room and draft Capital ,to put together a complete team. But managment has made some big moves without fixing our lines. Basicly doubled down on the capers/McCarthy/thompson scheme , with different people leading the way.... We got elephant olb. We got Clark island. We have tackles who go down and take the oline with them (no depth)... Tons of wrs and rbs. And #12 legs keeping us alive.

The good....
The secondary is young, talented, and deep. The olbs are the same. Good variety of ilbs. The era and the have proven talent and great depth talent. Jimmy Graham still excites my strategy. #12 should be healthy...

 

[TDF]

I see a well above average starting OL with a bit of depth, quality running backs, Davante and several talented young wide receivers, Tonyan, plus Aaron Rodgers. On defense La'Darius, Kenny Clark are studs. They have some very good talent in the secondary. Why can't this team go 10-6 or 11-5 and make a playoff run? I'm always optimistic every season, even in the 70's and 80's, but the overall talent level seems to have been seriously upgraded.

Just look at the Bears turnaround last year, that is reason enough for me to be optimistic

 

[OldSchool101]

We should conceivably take another step forward on D. Having a healthy Aaron Rodgers has been the common denominator of success. If he stays upright we’re in good shape.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Basicly doubled down on the capers/McCarthy/thompson scheme , with different people leading the way....

If you truly believe the current Packers front office approach is close to what Thompson did you haven't been paying attention.

 

[weeds]

I've never been optimistic or negative in camp or pre-season. Too many seasons under my belt.

We'll know soon enough - but, I do have to say that any fan that bubbles over toi much is in for a major letdown. New unproven HC; staff; offense predicated on a zone blocking scheme...and foremost an entirely new offense.

Perhaps God's finger can reach down and touch the Pack this year if the defense is SHUT DOWN because the offense will have problems well into the season. This is not a red zone dominant offense.

 

[OldSchool101]

Ok. I understand the reluctance to set our expectations high in 2019. Especially after 2 miserable seasons. But failing to set expectations is like like failing to allow yourself to enjoy yourself on a date. You give me a million reasons she’s gonna let me down and I’ll give you 2 million reasons why happiness doesn’t rely on my external circumstances.

Guys and Gals, were talking a multiple MVP, SB winning QB who’s arguably the best in the business. Add to that #12 is one of the most intellectually intelligent players in the league. Any deficiencies we have in a learning curve will be erased by the pure smarts of Rodgers. #12 will be back to exploiting teams a few games in at worst.
I’ll take the players learning curve of a new system over the mastering of an O system that was stale, predictable and leaning conservative. It reminds me of the 80’s.. run run pass punt, run run pass punt, run run pass punt, run run.. hmmm. I wonder what’s next??

Once Rodgers goes on to show he’s in a steep decline I’ll be on board with being overly cautious. Until then, if I’m MLF, I’m going to 100% trust my QB and put the throttle down on my opponent so much... that their heads are spinning by half time, game 1.

We’ve wasted too much time. We don’t have one more minute to be timid.

 

[GreenBaySlacker]

Ok. I understand the reluctance to set our expectations high in 2019. Especially after 2 miserable seasons. But failing to set expectations is like like failing to allow yourself to enjoy yourself on a date. You give me a million reasons she’s gonna let me down and I’ll give you 2 million reasons why happiness doesn’t rely on my external circumstances.

Guys and Gals, were talking a multiple MVP, SB winning QB who’s arguably the best in the business. Add to that #12 is one of the most intellectually intelligent players in the league. Any deficiencies we have in a learning curve will be erased by the pure smarts of Rodgers. #12 will be back to exploiting teams a few games in at worst.
I’ll take the players learning curve of a new system over the mastering of an O system that was stale, predictable and leaning conservative. It reminds me of the 80’s.. run run pass punt, run run pass punt, run run pass punt, run run.. hmmm. I wonder what’s next??

Once Rodgers goes on to show he’s in a steep decline I’ll be on board with being overly cautious. Until then, if I’m MLF, I’m going to 100% trust my QB and put the throttle down on my opponent so much... that their heads are spinning by half time, game 1.

We’ve wasted too much time. We don’t have one more minute to be timid.

Alright..... I'm done *****ing..... It's go time!!!

 

[OldSchool101]

Alright..... I'm done *****ing..... It's go time!!!

You got that right. Sorry, I just felt the spirit of Vince Lombardi turning in his grave for a minute there