Green Bay Packers 2009 Season Preview

For the first year in many, Brett Favre is no longer in any kind of discussion when it comes to the Packers. After having a solid start to last season, Green Bay began to tail off and eventually finished third in the NFC North with a 6-10 overall record. Coach Mike McCarthy hopes to have his team ready this season to make a run at the division title.

After very solid play last season, Aaron Rodgers will once again be the man behind center. Rodgers had 28 touchdowns last season and over 4,000 yards passing. Expect his numbers to be right around the same or maybe even a little better this season. He will have his two favorite targets in Greg Jennings and Donald Driver returning to the team which should provide for a pretty dangerous passing attack. RB Ryan Grant will also be back and once again should have another solid season and will be backed up by rookie Quinn Johnson. The Packers hope they also improved their offensive line with the additions of rookies T.J. Lang and Jamon Meredith.

On the defensive side of the ball, Mike McCarthy hired Dom Capers to be the new defensive coordinator and he has decided to switch to a 3-4 defense. Green Bay used their first pick of the draft to select defensive lineman B.J. Raji out of Boston College. Raji should help improve the defense in stopping the run, as the Packers struggled with that last season. The secondary showed signs of aging last season but still boast several Pro Bowl players in Charles Woodson, Al Harris, and Nick Collins. Expect them to have a better season playing under Capers. The linebacking core has the talent, and the Packers just hope they can keep A.J. Hawk and Nick Barnett healthy. Aaron Kampman has also made the move from defensive end to outside linebacker under the new defensive scheme.

The Packers due have a shot at the NFC North title, but expect them to possible be slow coming out of the gates as they will be adjusting to a 3-4 defense and have several rookies in key roles. Green Bay's offense should be just fine and if the defense can adjust easily and stay healthy, this team has a good chance of making the playoffs. I see the Packers having somewhat of a slow start but finishing strong. They do have a pretty favorable schedule so expect them to be in the divisional race at the end of the season.

2009 Season Prediction: 10-6, 2nd NFC North

Source: http://walterfootball.com/offseason2009gb.php