Green Bay PACKERS   2002 Record: 12-4 Head Coach: Mike Sherman 33-15-0 overall, 1-2 postseason TEAM LEADERS   Passing Brett Favre 341-551, 3,658, 27 TDs, 16 INTs   Rushing Ahman Green 286 carries, 1,240 yards, 7 TDs   Receiving Donald Driver 70 catches, 1,064 yards, 9 TDs   Kicking Ryan Longwell 28-34 FG, 44-44 PAT, 128 points Schedule | Roster | Statistics | Stadium

By B. Duane Cross, SI.com

How hollow was last year's 12-win season. Let's just say Pooh curled up in the hole and hibernated for the winter.

Give head coach Mike Sherman credit for milking a dozen wins out of a team that very well could have packed its bags before December after being decimated with injures across both lines. This offseason the Packers' focus was on improving the O-line depth, adding C/G David Brandt, C Grey Ruegamer, T Reggie Coleman and T Marcus Spriggs. Defensively, the Packers retained core free agents DT Cletidus Hunt, LB Na'il Diggs and DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila.

As is the case with modern-day capology, the Packers were faced with several decisions and allowed a few key pieces to depart via free agency, including DE Vonnie Holliday, LB Nate Wayne and DBs Tyrone Williams and Tod McBride.

But the draft allowed Green Bay to stockpile its No. 12-ranked defense with LB Nick Barnett, DE Kenny Peterson, DT James Lee and LB Hunter Hillenmeyer with its first four picks. Toss in 6-foot-9, 318-pound T Brennan Curtin, and you'd think Ron Wolf was pulling the strings in Titletown's war room.

Still, everything will revolve around QB Brett Favre, who may or may not be playing his final season. Offensively, the 10th-ranked Packers' arsenal includes WR Donald Driver, RB Ahman Green and TE Bubba Franks, with WRs Jevon Walker and Robert Ferguson eager to get more into the mix along with TE David Martin.

>> Impact Signing

DE Chukie Nwokorie -- Adding depth along the defensive front was an offseason priority for the Pack, considering Vonnie Holliday's defection to K.C. and Joe Johnson returning from injury. Green Bay did re-sign DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, but adding Nwokorie (pronounced wah-KOR-ee) bolsters the front four and gives defensive coordinator Ed Donatell more flexibility.

Entering his fifth season after four years in Indianapolis, Nwokorie missed the Colts' first eight games last year while on the reserve/physically unable to perform list. In 2001, he had 71 tackles and five sacks in 16 games.

Nwokorie, penciled in a backup on the left side to Johnson, can play both ends also may be used as an inside rusher.

>> Impact Loss

DE Vonnie Holliday (by a whisker over LB Nate Wayne) -- Understanding there's only so much money to be spent, the Packers used their salary cap space to retain in-house talent. Hence, Holliday's five-year tenure in Titletown ended. After bursting on the scene with eight sacks as a rookie, Holliday never topped that total, and only twice played a full 16-game schedule. While his departure will be felt, Green Bay is well prepared, having to play almost all of last season without him.

>> Fantasy Stud

RB Ahman Green -- Injuries did cause him to miss a few games last year, but he's among the best dual threats in a loaded running back class. Despite missing two games, he rushed for 1,240 yards and seven TDs while catching 57 passes for 393 yards and two more scores. He may not be among the top five running backs, but he's still worthy of a first-round pick.

>> Fantasy Sleeper

WR Javon Walker -- Many wide receivers don't develop into stars until their second year, so this could be a good time to draft low on Walker, the Packers' top pick last year. After a nice NFL debut (four catches, 56 yards and a TD against the Falcons), he didn't score again and never had more than three catches in a game. But in a rematch with Atlanta, he caught five passes (all for first downs) for 107 yards, which could set the stage for his becoming a more integral part of the offense. With Terry Glenn out of the way, it could be time for Walker to shine.

>> Packers will not make the playoffs because ...

That offensive line will not hold together long enough to open holes or provide adequate protection on passing plays. However, Green Bay bulked up its O-line with three veterans.