[pasmith13]

Am I the only one out there who thinks that the difference between the Packers and a "Real" playoff contender (ie one that can actually win a playoff game) is a pass rush?

In fact, until the Pack gets someone to complement Kampman, I don't see the Pack as a true Super Bowl contender.

Am I just over reacting?

[marklawrence]

This is the time of year when the real teams emerge - the ones that can run the ball, stop the run, rush the passer.

We're about 1/2 for 3. We almost have a running game.

Next year Aaron will be making better, quicker decisions. The DL will be improved. And the OL will continue to be up and down.

[Pugger]

In the first half of last night's game I was pretty happy with the way Grant was running the ball and AR had pretty decent protection, even with Tauscher on the bench. There weren't a lot of penalties on the O line either. However, because our D was so awful and couldn't stop them we had to abandon the run and then all hell broke lose. Until we can stop the run and rush the passer consistently we're going to have problems winning consistently.

[Lare]

Lack of a consistent pass rush and poor play by the O-Line were problem areas last year and they are still problem areas this year. My guess is that the same players with the same coaches running the same schemes will have similar results next year.

[Packfan_Euro_Trash]

Next year Aaron will be making better, quicker decisions. The DL will be improved. And the OL will continue to be up and down.

I believe you are right about the first part. It is the OL and DL, am less sure about. Sure GB will have a decent draft position and some extra picks. I fully expect there will be 5 selections made this year along the lines. Still what can we expect from rookies? Guys like Tauscher, Clifton, and Pikckett are getting worse rapidly. I do not see a ton of people that are out there in free agency that can significantly help, and would have doubts about GB signing them anyways.

I am actually pretty optimistic about the team as a whole, but the the lines just do not seem like things that can be improved greatly in one offseason. I want to think they can so would like to hear anything you have about how they could.

[rpiotr01]

It's been 22 years since the Packers gave up 50 points in a game. This will not stand with the powers that be.

Just my opinion, but I think no matter what happens the rest of the way, Sanders is done. Winston Moss will be asked to take the D-coordinator job, and whatever happens from there is anyone's guess. But I think this is the last straw. Your D, no matter how good it looks at times, can't get embarassed by good teams year after year. The Bears, NE and Jets in 2006. The Giants in 2007. Atlanta, Minnesota and now this in 2008. It just hasn't been a reliable D in big situations.

Of course there is the issue of talent as well, and that will need to be addressed. We'll never know how much losing Jenkins for the year hurt. That line needs work, and it will be worked on.

But I think the Sanders/ Bates D has run it's course. They'll play out the rest of the year, and after the playoffs start, when there is plenty of time for self-scouting in GB, Mike will have a long talk with Ted, and Bob will be let go.

[R man]

It's been 22 years since the Packers gave up 50 points in a game. This will not stand with the powers that be.

Are you talking Mark Murphy?

[rpiotr01]

Are you talking Mark Murphy?

I think I'm talking more Ted and Mike than Murphy. I think Murphy is worried more about the financial status of the Packers than personnel moves.

Sanders isn't a McCarthy guy. Technically he's not a Thompson guy either. Ted hired Bates, and Bob was part of that team. I don't think either are attached to him. Neither are the types to do something mid-season, but I think after the year it's a done deal. They're not going to stake their reputations on a guy that maybe neither is 100% comfortable with.

[The King]

Am I the only one out there who thinks that the difference between the Packers and a "Real" playoff contender (ie one that can actually win a playoff game) is a pass rush?

In fact, until the Pack gets someone to complement Kampman, I don't see the Pack as a true Super Bowl contender.

Am I just over reacting?

I don't think you are over reacting. I think they need a huge upgrade in the defensive line. Not only the pass rush but they can't stop the run. I don't know if the O-line is much better but if I had to fix one problem I think you hit it.

[Big Dave]

No you are not overreacting pasmith.

I just really think that TT and MM had the pieces in place to have a successful rush, but it just hasn't calculated the way they planned this year. KGB significantly regressed, Cullen Jenkins landed on IR, Harrell missed a healthy portion of the season which in turn left the DTs gassed.

Lucky us in '09, the pieces are in place. We just need someone to whip us into shape.