This year was not a total loss, despite a horrible ending. The Packers made the playoffs and finished with a 13-5 record, not bad! Mike Sherman has the Pack on the right track, but this off-season will tell us a lot. The Packers need to improvement at wide receiver, special teams, run blocking, and play calling! I know what you are thinking, it seems like they need lots of help, but maybe not? Antonio Freeman will be asked to take a pay cut, Schroeder and Bradford may not be resigned. A lot will depend on Freeman’s pay cut on where they go for improvement. I would make signing a free agent receiver top priority for Mike Sherman. I would seriously consider Donald Hayes and Germaine Crowell. Hayes has size and is a deep threat, while Crowell is a steady receiver who has played his career in a dome. Either one would be a big plus for the Pack! I would not go to great lengths to sign Schroeder myself, too many mistakes, gives up on routes, never makes a big catch in traffic, he can be replaced! I know Sherman is counting on big things from Robert Ferguson, but I would expect him to be a # 3 at best next year. If he comes through that will be a huge plus for the Packers.

    The most important signing for the Packers will be William Henderson. Signing Henderson is a must for the Packer running game. I do think it’s time to make some improvements with the run blocking schemes. Even though Ahman Green had a great year rushing, many of his yards were do to big gains instead of 4 or 5 yards on a consistent basis. As far as special teams are concerned, they need to get better at kick coverage and get more depth on kick offs! If Longwell can’t do it, find someone who can in the off-season. I strongly believe that Mike Sherman has got to get some imagination to this offense. The play calling was conservative all year, which caused Favre to complain on too many occasions. If you look at the Rams game, the offense has no clue to do with a cover two defense. This is the type of defense played by the Bucs and now the Rams, and we all know the Packer offense has problems every game against the Bucs. This type of defense is designed to take away deep routes and force the offense to dink and dunk underneath. The result was 6 interceptions against the Rams and Ahman Green getting pounded by 5 yard dump offs. If this is the best that Sherman and Rossley can come up with next year, the Rams will crush them again! They have to get more roll outs for Favre and get the tight ends more involved in the passing game. I think if these things can be corrected, it should be a very good year for the Pack! Until next time, stay safe!