Green Bay Packers: Reviewing the Offense

Aaron Rodgers celebrates a touchdown pass by doing the Lambeau leap; during the 2012 family night scrimmage at Lambeau Field. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports photograph

With the Family Night Practice in the rearview mirror and the first Preseason game on the horizon it is safe to say Green Bay Packer football is back. So from our view from the couch, let’s take a look at the Green Bay Packers’ offense.

After a deflating and frustrating loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the 2014 NFC Championship game that prematurely concluded Green Bay’s season there is a confident air about the 2015 team. And rightly so, Aaron Rodgers is healthy and all of the key pieces from the 2014 offensive squad are back in the fold with depth to boot.

Jan 18, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Green Bay Packers tackle Bryan Bulaga (75) defends against Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril (56) in the NFC Championship at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks defeated the Packers 28-22 in overtime. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports photograph

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in the offseason the Packers’ offensive line has the makings to be the best unit assembled during Coach Mike McCarthy’s tenure. Stout protection is not something Aaron Rodgers has always been provided, but this corps of big bodies and the depth from Don Barclay and J.C. Tretter give Rodgers some semblance of assurance. And lets be honest, as far as Rodgers goes, so goes the Green Bay Packers.

Just as the offensive line has high expectations the same can be said at the skill positions.

With Eddie Lacy now established as a star on the rise in the backfield the Packers bank on, at the very least, a 1,000 yard rushing season from the bowling ball of butcher knives running back. This a luxury not always afforded from Mike McCarthy’s teams.

Jan 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams (17) runs past Dallas Cowboys free safety J.J. Wilcox (27) for a touchdown in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

But where the rubber really meets the road for the Packers’ offense is at the wide receiver position. Jordy Nelson anchors the unit, the return of the explosive slot receiver Randall Cobb and the expected emergence of Davante Adams gives the Packers a trio of play-makers that could make Jay Cutler look good, no less the reigning MVP. The backup receivers still need to be sorted out, but there appears to be a stable of more than serviceable and hungry young players fighting for an opportunity.

The tight end position may worry some. But I have a hunch Richard Rodgers is going to make the proverbial year two jump and be a more than reliable member of the offense. And despite the turbulent and heartbreaking off-season had by Andrew Quarless I would anticipate he would again be a strong contributor.

May 28, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (52) warms up with defensive tackle B.J. Raji (90) during Rookie Orientation Camp and Organized Team Activities at the Don Hutson Center in Green Bay. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

By the end of the 2014 season the Packers defense began to demonstrate that they had what it takes to support a championship caliber offense. But often the Packers offense was indeed their best defense. The risk to his scenario is that when the offense is off, it makes for games in which Packers’ fans want to pull down the blinds and run for cover.

Unlike the offense, in which there is a sense of dependability up and down the lineup the defense provides a list of question marks. Not to say that these questions may not reveal good answers, but there are very few areas of guarantee.

With that said, I’ll discuss the defense in the next addition of View From the Couch and get down to the nitty gritty concerning the defense and detail just how they might fight it out. Because the Pack is back and I am every bit as excited as all of you!

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