I know you both will talk about the Bears game, but now we are out of the playoffs, many of us look to the future, and wonder how we can best improve.
Our biggest problem, Tackles, and their position coaches.
I think this is the biggest change we need to make in 2009. Offense or Defense you ask......Both !
On offense, Tauscher is already toast (I am referring to his run blocking this year, not his ACL injury). Clifton could go down any time, he is so close to not playing every week, that if he plays next year, it must be his last.
On the D, Jolly and Pickett have been pathetic, just pathetic. Both of them came in to camp out of shape, and that failure has impacted on their whole season. Harrell was out of shape too, then injured (probably because he was out of shape). They also appear completely un-motivated. Goodbye DT coach Nunn. NFL stands for "Not For Long" if you don't show results. O line coach Campen can follow him out the door too (I liked him as a player but he seems unable to coach well).
If we were to get one good FA OT and plug him in at either Tackle (Jordan Gross), I would not be disappointed with also going OT in the first round of the draft, and DT in the second, and DT/DE again later. Imagine having (say) FA Jordan Gross and first round draft pick Eugene Monroe (or maybe Jason Smith if Monroe is gone) as our new offensive Tackles, with DT Ziggy Hood (round two) and later on George Hypolite, another DT quick enough to begin life as a 295 pound relief DE (making another injury to Cullen Jenkins less critical, than it was in 2008). We could get a DE with the Jets pick in round 2 or 3, and the rest is gravy (oh, a punter, late on, is a good bet).
Full Version: For podcast 110
Dave - I'm in complete agreement with your thoughts of adding quality free agents when available. Checking to see if you all could comment about something. With the youngest team in the league for three years now my question is... Who is developing these young players when there are no veterans? Coaches are a part of the development equation, but veterans mentoring their younger counterparts is paramount to continued success. Though Favre was not a ton of help to Rodgers, he still was there to learn from. You can also see the impact of our young secondary (Collins) when there is veteran leadership (Woodson and Harris). Looking at the Defensive line and Line backer unit - there are no on the field teachers there... The Pat's are a perfect example of developing the right mix of players. Thompson needs to look at that formula and find a way to get a quality veteran in needed spots. What the point of being the 4th best under the cap (i think that is right) if no money will be spent to get some of these players. Tony Gonzales was a perfect example, but hompson was too stingy to give up the pick - Maybe he forgot that the Jets owe us one and hopefully that will be a number 2 if the Jets can get to the playoffs.
QUOTE (OneTwoSixFive @ Dec 20 2008, 04:20 PM) 
I know you both will talk about the Bears game, but now we are out of the playoffs, many of us look to the future, and wonder how we can best improve.
Our biggest problem, Tackles, and their position coaches.
I think this is the biggest change we need to make in 2009. Offense or Defense you ask......Both !
On offense, Tauscher is already toast (I am referring to his run blocking this year, not his ACL injury). Clifton could go down any time, he is so close to not playing every week, that if he plays next year, it must be his last.
On the D, Jolly and Pickett have been pathetic, just pathetic. Both of them came in to camp out of shape, and that failure has impacted on their whole season. Harrell was out of shape too, then injured (probably because he was out of shape). They also appear completely un-motivated. Goodbye DT coach Nunn. NFL stands for "Not For Long" if you don't show results. O line coach Campen can follow him out the door too (I liked him as a player but he seems unable to coach well).
If we were to get one good FA OT and plug him in at either Tackle (Jordan Gross), I would not be disappointed with also going OT in the first round of the draft, and DT in the second, and DT/DE again later. Imagine having (say) FA Jordan Gross and first round draft pick Eugene Monroe (or maybe Jason Smith if Monroe is gone) as our new offensive Tackles, with DT Ziggy Hood (round two) and later on George Hypolite, another DT quick enough to begin life as a 295 pound relief DE (making another injury to Cullen Jenkins less critical, than it was in 2008). We could get a DE with the Jets pick in round 2 or 3, and the rest is gravy (oh, a punter, late on, is a good bet).
Our biggest problem, Tackles, and their position coaches.
I think this is the biggest change we need to make in 2009. Offense or Defense you ask......Both !
On offense, Tauscher is already toast (I am referring to his run blocking this year, not his ACL injury). Clifton could go down any time, he is so close to not playing every week, that if he plays next year, it must be his last.
On the D, Jolly and Pickett have been pathetic, just pathetic. Both of them came in to camp out of shape, and that failure has impacted on their whole season. Harrell was out of shape too, then injured (probably because he was out of shape). They also appear completely un-motivated. Goodbye DT coach Nunn. NFL stands for "Not For Long" if you don't show results. O line coach Campen can follow him out the door too (I liked him as a player but he seems unable to coach well).
If we were to get one good FA OT and plug him in at either Tackle (Jordan Gross), I would not be disappointed with also going OT in the first round of the draft, and DT in the second, and DT/DE again later. Imagine having (say) FA Jordan Gross and first round draft pick Eugene Monroe (or maybe Jason Smith if Monroe is gone) as our new offensive Tackles, with DT Ziggy Hood (round two) and later on George Hypolite, another DT quick enough to begin life as a 295 pound relief DE (making another injury to Cullen Jenkins less critical, than it was in 2008). We could get a DE with the Jets pick in round 2 or 3, and the rest is gravy (oh, a punter, late on, is a good bet).
Also Driver - Jennings . Kampman may be there in a couple of years, but not yet
QUOTE (rileykahle @ Dec 22 2008, 07:22 PM)
Dave - I'm in complete agreement with your thoughts of adding quality free agents when available. Checking to see if you all could comment about something. With the youngest team in the league for three years now my question is... Who is developing these young players when there are no veterans? Coaches are a part of the development equation, but veterans mentoring their younger counterparts is paramount to continued success. Though Favre was not a ton of help to Rodgers, he still was there to learn from. You can also see the impact of our young secondary (Collins) when there is veteran leadership (Woodson and Harris). Looking at the Defensive line and Line backer unit - there are no on the field teachers there... The Pat's are a perfect example of developing the right mix of players. Thompson needs to look at that formula and find a way to get a quality veteran in needed spots. What the point of being the 4th best under the cap (i think that is right) if no money will be spent to get some of these players. Tony Gonzales was a perfect example, but hompson was too stingy to give up the pick - Maybe he forgot that the Jets owe us one and hopefully that will be a number 2 if the Jets can get to the playoffs.
I'm going to go ahead and call it.. this is the first chance that Rodgers has at leading a team to a win with a tie or loss.. and he does. 3:11 left and that should give the Packers enough time to drive and the defense not enough time to lose it... we shall see
QUOTE (rileykahle @ Dec 22 2008, 07:49 PM)
Also Driver - Jennings . Kampman may be there in a couple of years, but not yet
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.