http://www.jsonline.com/packer/news/jun05/333647.asp A nice overview of all of the problems and uncertainty facing Green Bay going into the 2005 season. This year has the potential to be really good or really, REALLY ugly.
Here's the text of the article in case the site requires registration... ************* <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>When the team returns for training camp the last week of July, there are several questions that remain unanswered. Here's a look at the 10 most pressing: 1. The Sherman watch Mike Sherman ended last season as Green Bay's head coach and general manager. He was stripped of the latter in January and the head-coaching position could be next. Sherman enters 2005 in the final year of his contract. New general manager Ted Thompson has said he wants to evaluate Sherman into the season before making a decision on his future. Even if Thompson decides Sherman's his guy, there's no guarantee Sherman - whose feelings were deeply hurt when he lost his GM title - would sign an extension. Regardless, the longer the drama plays out, the more of a soap opera it could become. Get ready for "Days Of Our Packers." 2. Bates and switch Green Bay's defense in 2004 was arguably the worst in franchise history, setting several marks for futility. Shockingly, the Packers did very little from a personnel standpoint this off-season. What they did do is hire Jim Bates as their new defensive coordinator. Now they'll ask him to turn water to wine. Bates was the defensive coordinator in Miami the past five seasons and the Dolphins ranked in the top 10 in total defense each year. While Bates had a roster packed with Pro Bowlers in Miami, Green Bay's is loaded with uncertainty. Bates is regarded as an outstanding teacher whose enthusiasm is contagious. The players already seem to have fewer issues with the scheme, which won't change in mid-stream as Bob Slowik's did a year ago. If Bates can somehow take a group that ranked 25th in total defense and get them in the top 10, he could be a hot head-coaching commodity after the season. 3. The incomparable Favre Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre was given a hall pass for the team's two off-season minicamps. And the Packers got a frightening look as to what the future holds without No. 4. Fortunately for Green Bay, it will have Favre around for at least one more season. But can he continue to play at such a remarkable level, even as he approaches his 36th birthday on Oct. 10? Earlier this month, "Pro Football Weekly" ranked Favre the seventh-best player in all of football. That was actually up from 31st this time last year. With Green Bay's talent base shrinking and the rest of the NFC North seemingly better, Favre will have to be as good as ever for this group to win the division a fourth consecutive time. 4. On guard Green Bay's magnificent offensive line took a major hit this off-season when it lost guards Marco Rivera and Mike Wahle. Rivera had played in three consecutive Pro Bowls. Most scouts believe Wahle is actually the better player today. Through two minicamps, their replacements remain a mystery. Adrian Klemm, whose career in New England never really got started due to a bevy of injuries, is the front-runner to fill Wahle's shoes at left guard. Veterans Grey Ruegamer and Matt O'Dwyer will vie to replace Rivera. If Kevin Barry has an impressive training camp, he could start at right tackle and the Packers could slide Mark Tauscher inside to guard. No matter who emerges, though, it's unlikely Green Bay's offensive line will be as good in 2005 as it was in '04. 5. Where's Walker? Green Bay hopes he's at training camp in six weeks. Walker, the Packers' Pro Bowl receiver has two years left on his current contract that will pay him $515,000 in 2005 and $650,000 in 2006. Walker and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, are bucking for a new deal. The Packers' policy has been to not tear up contracts with two years remaining. Walker didn't report to either minicamp. Whether he takes it a step further and holds out of training camp remains to be seen. 6. The hunt for Cletidus It's bad enough Cletidus Hunt has been invisible during stretches of games the past two seasons. Now, he's invisible for off-season minicamps, as well. Hunt didn't report for Green Bay's most recent camp, after sitting out the entire post-draft camp with a hamstring injury. His six-year Green Bay career has been one of potential, not production. Don't be surprised to see Green Bay make Hunt someone else's headache before the season begins. 7. Safety dance Mark Roman was a train wreck last season and Darren Sharper was nearly as bad. Green Bay will now look for answers among veteran newcomers Arturo Freeman and Earl Little, rookies Nick Collins and Marviel Underwood, and, oh yes, Roman. Freeman and Little saw most of the work with the No. 1 defense at the last minicamp. The rookies were paired with the second-string defense. But don't read too much into that. Little is on the downside of his career and Freeman's career in Miami was inconsistent, at best. Green Bay safeties coach Joe Baker said he believes Collins will start sometime this season. This position battle could be the most intense in training camp. 8. Joey or Ahmad? Packers second-year cornerbacks Joey Thomas and Ahmad Carroll figure to engage in a training camp battle to see who will start at left cornerback. Although Carroll was the starter a year, Thomas has had a better off-season and appears to have the lead. That could all change, though, based on how each player performs in training camp and exhibition games. 9. Bubba's back? Bubba Franks is currently the Packers' "transition" player and the Packers continue waiting for him to transition from his off-season home in Miami back to Green Bay. The Packers placed the "transition" tag on Franks in February, which will pay him $2.095 million this season. Franks wants a long-term deal, though, and has skipped Green Bay's off-season activities. Franks can negotiate with other teams until July 22, then the Packers would have seven days to match an offer sheet. At this late stage, though, it's highly unlikely Franks will get much interest. If that means he's back for the start of training camp, that will be a blessing for Green Bay, which watched its tight ends treat the football like a hand grenade at the last camp. 10. Special teams troubles After bombing a year ago, B.J. Sander traveled to NFL Europe this spring to find his stroke and prove he wasn't one of the worst third-round draft choices of all-time. Sander will get one more chance this exhibition season, but if he struggles again, the team could bring back Bryan Barker. Packers kicker Ryan Longwell raves about Barker's holding ability and has lobbied hard for his return. Considering how lousy Longwell kicked during the recent minicamp, it's easy to see why.</div>
Hmmmm Im gonna agree with you on that, We have the potential to be somethin great or completley fall off, but since we have Number 4 we always have a chance. They Say Terrence Murphy is showing some great potential and may be ready to throw into the fire almost immediatley, Carrol and Hunt seem to be the only problems on the D, I say Screw EM! If Hunt doesn't want to come out and practice cut his underacheiving behind! If Carrol doesn't wanna listen bench his bratty behind! Joey thomas Should work out fine but another FA corner would be a safe and smart pick up, heck even someone like Artrell Hawkins would do. Lots of young guys are showin some good stuff and I think we should be just fine.
