Green Bay Packers
Key additions: OT Bryan Bulaga, DE Mike Neal
Key Subtractions: DE Johnny Jolly, LB Aaron Kampman
The Packers have big expectations in 2010 after qualifying last season as a wild card team and losing in overtime to the Arizona Cardinals in the first round. The demise last season was the offensive line, which the Packers addressed in their first round selection of Bryan Bulaga. Bulaga joins an o-line that ranked last in the NFL last year giving up 51 sacks. The Packers lost the playoff game last year on a sack/interception of Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers is a Pro Bowl quarterback who uses his legs well and has escape ability, but no one can play the position while on their back. The line must do a better job early in the season and protect him better. Rodgers targets continue to play well. Donald Driver and Greg Jennings had good years, and the emergence of TE Jermichael Finley will benefit the Packers in the red zone. James Jones and Jordy Nelson are good depth receivers who have good chemistry with Rodgers so far. The Packers were 2nd in the NFL last year with 17 passing plays over 40 yards. Ryan Grant carried most of the load for the Packers last season and put up some nice numbers, topped by 4.4 yards per carry and 11 TDs. Behind Grant are unproven backs, so an injury to him could make the offense significantly one dimensional if one does not step up.
The Packers defense ranked 2nd in the NFL last season behind the New York Jets. That can be attributed to their top ranked rushing defense which gave up 3.6 yards per carry, 1,333 yards, and 83.3 yards per game. Up front, Ryan Picket led the way along with B.J. Raji and the now suspended Johnny Jolly. Neal should take over for Jolly. In the Packers new 3-4 system under defensive coordinator Dom Capers, the transition went well. Linebacker Nick Barnett lead the team in tackles last year, and A.J. Hawk and Clay Mathews lead that group along with Barnett to a strong defense that should continue to do well this year. However, the Packers failed in the playoffs to defend the pass. They are however very good at taking the ball away and making big players. Charles Woodson played like the premier corner he is, but Al Harris' injury hurt. They need him healthy this year in a secondary that has a few Pro Bowlers and a lot of potential.
Schedule:
1 Sun, Sep 12 at Philadelphia
2 Sun, Sep 19 Buffalo
3 Mon, Sep 27 at Chicago
4 Sun, Oct 3 Detroit
5 Sun, Oct 10 at Washington
6 Sun, Oct 17 Miami
7 Sun, Oct 24 Minnesota
8 Sun, Oct 31 at NY Jets
9 Sun, Nov 7 Dallas
10 BYE
11 Sun, Nov 21 at Minnesota
12 Sun, Nov 28 at Atlanta
13 Sun, Dec 5 San Francisco
14 Sun, Dec 12 at Detroit
15 Sun, Dec 19 at New England
16 Sun, Dec 26 NY Giants
17 Sun, Jan 2 Chicago
The Packers have the 22nd hardest schedule and opponents were 125-131 last season.
They catch the AFC East and NFC East this year, two divisions with at least 3 expected playoff contenders. Looking at the schedule right now, only 3 games look like slam dunks, the rest will be very interesting matchups for the Packers, who face a few high powered offenses. Look for them to be around when December rolls around.
Philadelphia Eagles
Key Additions: DE Brandon Graham, RB Mike Bell, S Marlin Jackson, LB Ernie Sims, LB Alex Hall, DE Darryl Tapp
Key Subtractions: QB Donovan McNabb, WR Reggie Brown, CB Sheldon Brown, WR Kevin Curtis, RB Brian Westbrook, Will Witherspoon
The Eagles enter the 2010 season with a fresh face at QB. Donovan McNabb was thought of so highly by the Eagles that they traded him to a team in their own division, someone they will see twice a year. Out goes McNabb, in comes Kevin Kolb, an inexperienced and unknown gunslinger who must lead a team that would have been prime to win a Super Bowl with his predecessor. Kolb is surrounded by plenty of weapons. Lesean McCoy had a decent rookie year and will see his carry load increase, and Mike Bell will provide a nice change of pace. The receivers for the Eagles include one of the best deep threats in the league, DeSean Jackson. Jackson was the focal point of the big play passing offense last year that had the Eagles leading the league with 21 passing plays of 40 or more yards. Jeremy Maclin, Jason Avant, and TE Brent Celek will make Kolbs transition a lot easier. But if Kolb does not pick up the offense quickly enough and causes turnovers, look for Andy Reid to feel the pressure to put in Michael Vick.
The Eagles highly emphasized the defense this offseason, drafting DE Brandon Graham in the first round to play opposite veteran Trent Cole. The Eagles were tied for third in the NFL last year in sacks. The Eagles acquired two linebackers in the offseason and drafted two more. They ranked ninth in the league against the run last year. They must be able to stop the run to force opponents into throwing the ball in uncomfortable down and distances in order to create turnovers, something they are very good at. They had 25 INT's last season, 4th in the league led by Assante Samuel who had 9. Overall the defense still appears weak against the run, especially with the unproven players at linebacker. With the explosive offenses in the NFC East, the Eagles might run into problems this year trying to stop them.
Schedule
1 Sun, Sep 12 Green Bay
2 Sun, Sep 19 at Detroit
3 Sun, Sep 26 at Jacksonville
4 Sun, Oct 3 Washington
5 Sun, Oct 10 at San Francisco
6 Sun, Oct 17 Atlanta
7 Sun, Oct 24 at Tennessee
8 BYE
9 Sun, Nov 7 Indianapolis
10 Mon, Nov 15 at Washington
11 Sun, Nov 21 NY Giants
12 Sun, Nov 28 at Chicago
13 Thu, Dec 2 Houston
14 Sun, Dec 12 at Dallas
15 Sun, Dec 19 at NY Giants
16 Sun, Dec 26 Minnesota
17 Sun, Jan 2 Dallas
The Eagles have the 9th hardest schedule in the league and opponents were 133-123 last season. They catch the NFC North and AFC South this season. The Eagles benefit from an easy schedule early, however after the BYE the schedule gets really tough. The whole month of December features three divisional games, two of which on the road, and games against the explosive Texans and the Favre led Vikings. Expect the Eagles to have a tough time staying in the race down the stretch this season.
No comments:
Post a Comment