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Green Bay Packers
Posted: Sun April 19, 1998 at 9:53 p.m.
* compensatory pick
QB - This isn't a position of major concern right now. Brett Favre is the best QB in the NFL, and backup Steve Bono fills a nice role as a #2. However, Favre has been fairly fortunate to have stayed healthy... especially the way he plays. He will duck his head and take on contact without blinking an eye. #3 QB Doug Pederson is a veteran backup type, and it couldn't hurt them to start grooming a young understudy to eventually take over for Favre. Don't be surprised to see them take a QB late if they find a guy on the board that they like.
RB - Dorsey Levens really came on last season, and has solidified himself as one of the upper echelon of RB's in the NFL. Levens is currently carrying the franchise tag while they try to work out a long-term deal. Levens is good, but probably not worth the $6M dollars per season he is seeking. They are in a tough spot though with the FA defection of Edgar Bennett to rival Chicago. The depth here is spotty at best. Aaron Hayden has shown flashes in the past, but was strictly a role player last season, while Chris Darkins has done little in his first 2 NFL seasons. It wouldn't hurt them to take an RB somewhere in the upcoming draft.
WR - A solid starting duo with Antonio Freeman and Robert Brooks. Brooks bounced back from his 1996 knee injury, and didn't even seem to lose a step. The Packers offered a long-term deal to Freeman who becomes an UFA at seasons end, but he declined and may test the open market. With no guarantee of them keeping Freeman, they need #3 WR Derrick Mayes to start developing. Mayes has looked good in the preseason, but vanishes during the regular season... he has fought numerous nagging injuries the past 2 seasons. The Packers will likely add another WR through the draft .
TE - One of the best units in the NFL top to bottom, led by Pro Bowl TE Mark Chmura. They have also re-signed FA TE Jeff Thomason. Thomason and #3 TE Tyrone Davis could start for some teams in the NFL. Thomason is a better blocker, and Davis is a fluid athlete. Don't expect them to address this position in the draft.
OL - The loss of FA LG Aaron Taylor may not hit them as hard as most experts think. Though a solid contributor, Taylor has had 2 major knee surgeries in his career. The departure of Taylor also allows them to try 1996 1st rd. pick John Michels at LG. Michels is a tough competitor, but lacks the great feet to be effective at LT. He should be a perfect fit for them. The loss of Taylor does hurt their depth though. They will likely add an OL in the upcoming draft.
DL - What was a dominating unit has been hit hard by age and FA. The inside tandem of DT's Gilbert Brown and Santana Dotson are solid, but they are in big trouble at DE. FA Gabe Wilkins is now in San Francisco, and Reggie White has lost it. White was a non-factor late in the season and in the Super Bowl loss to the Broncos. If White doesn't step down and retire, the team may have no choice but to release him because his high salary does not equal his production. If White is out of the picture, that leaves them with only Darrius Holland. Holland is very inconsistent, and may be shaky as a full time starter. The Packers could still sign DE Leslie O'Neal (W STL), or Chris Doleman if the 49ers release him. Regardless, look for them to add a young DE or two in the upcoming draft.
LB - They have kept this unit in tact by re-signing OLB's Seth Joyner and Brian Williams. Bernardo Harris and George Koonce will be in a battle for the MLB spot. Koonce was the starter before injuring his knee during the end of 1996... he didn't return to full strength until late in the season. Backups Lamont Holinquest and Keith McKenzie are very atletic, but both are better athletes than players. May look to add a guy through the draft.
DB - The loss of FA DC Doug Evans (Car) and FS Eugene Robinson (Atl) may not be felt on the frontline, but will hurt their versatility in the nickle and dime package. DC Tyrone Williams can fill the void left by Evans, and Darren Sharper is ready to become a starter at FS. The problem will be in their depth. They have always been exc. in the nickle and dime package, but the 2 guys that were the biggest contributors are now frontline starters. Look for them to add a DC and DS in the upcoming draft.
ST - Return game was shaky throughout the season with backup WR Jeff Schroeder... he made a lot of bonehead plays, and had a problem holding onto the football. They were much better late in the year with Robert Brooks and Antonio Freeman handling the return chores. Don't expect to see much of them in the return game next season unless it is a big game, as they can't afford any injuries at the WR position. They added PT Sean Landetta to replace Craig Hentrich who was signed as a FA by the Tennesse Oilers. Ryan Longwell and Brett Conway will compete for the PK duties. Longwell did an exc. job after replacing the struggling/injured Conway in the preseason.
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