Green Bay Packers 2017-18 Preview
By:Darrell Owens
So the big question is this…What can we expect from 2017-18 Green Bay Packers??? Aaron Rodgers is coming off a 40 TD season with help from his top 2 WR Jordy Nelson & Devonte Adams, who combine for 26 TD between them. Randall Cobb is also still a huge piece of this Packers offense. He only had 60 receptions 610 yards & 4 TDs last year. Cobb has struggled since signing his big 4yr $40million contract a few years ago and has to find a way to get back to pre-big contract form. Another huge piece of the Packers offense late last season was Jared Cook, who shine in the last few games of the regular season & had a great Postseason which included one of the biggest catches in Packers Playoff History, that help send the Packers to there 2nd NFC Championship game in 3 years. Now that Cook is a Oakland Raider, the Packers sign Former New England Patriot & Super Bowl 51 winning Tight End, Martellus Bennett, a pretty nice upgrade from Cook.
Packers also Lost pro bowler OG TJ Lang to Lions but sign former pro bowler Jahri Evans…The Packers offensive line shouldn’t miss a beat. The biggest question on the offense is what will they do at running back. Three of the guys that were in the backfield for the Packers last year are no longer there… Eddie Lacy, James Starks and Christine Michael, nevertheless, the Packers do bring back their top 2 rushers WR Ty Montgomery and QB Aaron Rodgers who combine for 862yds and 7 TD. Hopefully, the Pack won’t have to relay on Aaron to carry the load. Maybe the Packers will be able to fine a Diamond in the ruff with one of the 3 RBs Drafted Jamaal Williams BYU, Aaron Jones UTEP and Devonte Mays Utah State.
Switching over to defense…The Packers have struggled the last few years on D…mainly in the passing game…Last Year the Pack ranked 31st against the pass.With injuries to Sam Shields, Quinton Rollins and DaMarius Randall the Pack just couldn’t keep up with some of the best WR in the league. After drafting 6’3 200ibs Washington Star CB Kevin King and Safety Josh Jones, The Pack are hoping for them to step in and pay off huge dividends for the Pack.
But all is not bad for the Packers defense they have two of the best young Safeties in the NFL in HaHa Clinton-Dix (Who made the Pro Bowl last year) and Morgan Burnett. Veteran Pass Rushers Clay Matthews and Nick Perry will have to be huge factors coming in to this season. Matthews has only accumulated 11.5 sacks the last 2 years but Perry had his best season to date last year with 11 sack which earned him a 5yr 60mil deal!
Young inside linebackers Jake Ryan and Blake Martinez both had solid seasons last year and the Packers defensive line was one of the best in the NFL finishing 8th and at one point was #1 rush defense in the league lead by Mike Daniels. Only time will tell if the losses of Julius Peppers, Micah Hyde and Datone Jones will effected the defense.
This year is a crucial year for The Packers, Aaron Rodgers is turning 34 in December & has said himself that he is on the “Back 9” of his career. Ted Thompson seems to be preparing for retirement in the next few years, so only time will tell if the Pack can make the trip to Super Bowl 52 in Minnesota and how sweet would that be be for Packers fans!
