The Future Is Looking Merry And Bright For Green Bay » Brats & Beer

Posted on December 20, 2007

With two games left in the regular season and a playoff schedule looming after that, is it too early to start thinking about next year for the Packers? Coach Mike McCarthy might think so, but that hasn’t stopped the patrons over at The Wisconsin Sports Bar from ruminating on the future of the Green & Gold.

I think one of the best things to come out of this season — in addition to the playoff run, of course — is the sense that maybe Green Bay is back on the road of longterm success. They have a roster stocked with young, talented players who still have room to improve (scary!) and most of the veterans are already locked into contract extensions. Most importantly, we seem to have a general manager and a head coach who are on the same page as to how to run a football team. (Note to incoming CEO Mark Murphy: Get those new contracts done soon and keep those guys around.)

I know, Ted Thompson takes some heat now and again (Justin Harrell, until he shows us something) and no one knew last year what to expect from MM, but really the proof is in the pudding. This system seems to be working and should provide a stable environment for continued success. Barring a raft of injuries like 2005, next year should be another successful one for the Green Bay Packers.

The big question mark, of course, is Brett Favre and how long he’ll continue to play. I’m pretty sure he will decide to come back next season regardless of how far they go in the post-season, but beyond that can the Packers continue to win without Number Four? I think so.

I think so because MM has shown he is the type of coach who can gameplan for the roster that he has. The guy came into Green Bay last year saying he wants to run the ball, but without a dominant run game early in the season he adapted and went to a spread offense. If Favre decides to retire, MM will switch to a different strategy that plays to whatever strengths the team has. (If Aaron Rodgers aka Mr. Glass has to start next year, doubling the size of the medical staff might be a good idea.)

This doesn’t mean there aren’t areas of the roster that need attention. The offensive line could stand some improvement with new talent, and perhaps a young, new tight end in case Bubba Franks doesn’t bounce back from his latest bout with injury. The biggest issue, though, is the secondary where TT needs to start thinking about replacements for Al Harris and Charles Woodson. I’m sure they both have a couple years left to play, but that day is coming and so far few (none?) of the young corners on the roster have shown that they can really step up as starters.

This might be the Green & Gold Kool Aid talking again, but I’m feeling pretty confident that the window of opportunity for championship seasons will be open for a few more years down the road.

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