The offseason is the time of year for making plans. Recipes for success aren’t done the night before a game. They’re done now. Otherwise, too many questions are left unanswered.
Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense is a scoring machine. But certain parts are lost over the years. It’s up to Head Coach Mike McCarthy to find ways to keep this well oiled machine running.
- Who will snap the ball?
Besides quarterbacks, the center position calls the shots. He’s the one person who touches the ball just as much as the face of the franchise. The fact that A-Rod’s shield is a big question mark is unsettling. After losing Evan Dietrich-Smith in free agency, there aren’t many choices.
J.C. Tretter, Garth Gerhart, Rookie Corey Linsley, all are very limited in terms of experience. I think the best bet is veteran T.J. Lang. Lang has come to the rescue before at nearly every spot on the offensive line. Whoever snaps the ball must be versatile enough to protect A-Rod and make room for Eddie Lacy. T.J. Lang fits the bill. This would indicate a move from right guard but the center position is worth it.
The Packers added talent on defense this offseason. It’s now up to Dom Capers to put that talent in a position to dominate.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix shows off his ball skills at Packers practice.2. What can Ha Ha Clinton-Dix do to help?
First round pick and highest rated safety out of the Alabama, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix will most likely be an instant starting safety in Green Bay. He can patrol the secondary, attack the ball in the air, fly in the box to hit everything that moves. Most importantly, simply having a new face back there will shake things up for the better. Last year’s 21st ranked defense didn’t record any interception by a safety. So what Ha Ha can do to help the safety position is at the very least, catch a ball, at the very most, become the enforcer over the middle and not allow anyone behind him.
3. Where will the returns come from?
Micah Hyde runs back 93 yards returning a punt for a touchdown in Minnesota on Sunday Night Football.Once upon a time, the return game in Green Bay was as good as calling a fair catch. Randall Cobb brought life to the special teams ever since he was drafted. Now that Cobb is a go to receiver for Rodgers, it’s risky for him to play ‘kill the man with the ball’. Someone else needs to step up. Micah Hyde brought back a punt for a touchdown in primetime last year. He could be a good full time option. Maybe, one of the rookie receivers (Davante Adams, Jared Abbrederis, Jeff Janis) can open some eyes in training camp.