“They don’t have a receiver,” Driver said on the “Waddle & Silvy” show on ESPN 1000. “They don’t have any true receivers that step up and play and take their team to where they want to go.

“I love Devin [Hester], and Devin knows that, but Devin plays [defensive back]. I don’t think he’s just a solid receiver right now. He may become one as years go on, but it doesn’t happen overnight.”

I’m not sure there’s anyone that can deny this, even Bears fans.  Let’s look at the wide receivers on the Bears roster currently: Hester, Brandon Rideau, Eric Peterman, Johnny Knox, Derek Kinder, Juaquin Iglesias, Rashied Davis, John Broussard, Earl Bennett, and Devin Aromashodu.  Peterman, Knox, Kinder, and Iglesias are all rookies.  I’ve never heard of Rideau.  Bennett and Aromashodu have yet to show anything on the NFL level.  Davis has had flashes of brilliance, but his career season was 2008, when he had 35 receptions for 445 yards and two touchdowns.  Hester had 52 receptions for 665 yards and three touchdowns.

Granted, with Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman as your quarterbacks, it’s hard to produce.  With Jay Cutler in town, the wide receivers will see some improvement, but you have to have some toys for your quarterback to play with.  Cutler is a great quarterback, but I doubt he will be able to turn these guys into Pro Bowlers within one or two seasons.  The Bears weakest point on their offense is their receiving corps.  Hester has his moments, but it feels like most of the time he is used as a diversion or as a gimmick.

If Chicago wants to contend, they need a Brandon Marshall or an Anquan Boldin, a big target that can make any quarterback look good.  However, with the king’s ransom they payed for Cutler, it doesn’t look like they have anything to give up for them.  The Cutler acquisition of Cutler gives Chicago the franchise quarterback it needs, but he doesn’t have any receivers, meaning a tough time getting adjusted for Jay.

Donald Driver states the obvious folks.  Seriously, before you read this, could you name a Bears wide receiver besides Hester?

The other thing that I found interesting about this is that Driver is usually pretty silent when it comes to the media.  He doesn’t toot his own horn that much or make too much noise on the airwaves.  That being said, I like it.  It gives the Packers a bit of an edge for 2009.  Driver also answered questions about future Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre:

“A lot of guys just kind of put it out of their mind, and said that whatever Brett does he’s going to do it on his own, and we can’t worry about it in Green Bay,” Driver said. “If he signs with Minnesota, he does, and if he doesn’t he doesn’t.

“If he signs with them, then we prepare for him when that week comes around, but right now we’re not focused on that. We’re just focused on winning games trying to get to where we want to go, and that’s the world championship.”

Good words from Driver.  Less than two weeks until Favre’s decision.  My guess?  He’ll be back.

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Is Justin Harrell a bust?  Ask any Packers fan and they’ll most likely say yes.  The third-year pro and 2007 first-round pick has been hounded by injuries for the later part of his college career and first two years of his pro career.  Was he worth that first-round pick?  So far, no.  Harrell went off the board with Pro Bowl players such as Michael Griffin of the Tennessee Titans and Jon Beason of the Carolina Panthers, and solid pros Aaron Ross of the New York Giants and Dwayne Bowe of the Kansas City Chiefs still available.  This season is crunch time for Harrell to make good on his first-round pick billing.

With Ryan Pickett and B.J. Raji in competition for the starting nose tackle job, Harrell figures into Dom Capers‘ 3-4 defense as a defensive end.  At 6′4″, 320 pounds, he has enough size to take up two blockers on the line.  However, having those capabilities and actually being able to do that are two totally different things.  Harrell’s history of back injuries is a major red flag, as the back is one of the most important parts of the body.  You need that to be able to do anything athletic.  If he keeps having back problems, that renders him nearly useless.

Packers fans mostly want to see Harrell justify his status.  We’ve been watching this guy sit on the sidelines for two years, when he was supposed to be an anchor of the Packers defensive line.  The defensive line in 2009 will need all the help it can get, as most of the depth is unproven.  If Harrell can get it together and make the transition to the 3-4 smoothly, it would do wonders for the team, on both offense and defense.

Justin Harrell, step it up in 2009.

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Favre talked to the Associated Press about how he felt his arm and shoulder were:

“There’s two weeks left and I’m doing everything I can. I was down here Sunday morning working out. I’m trying to get everything to where I feel 100 percent when I go in. I can’t go in any less. When you’re 39 years old, it’s hard enough. But it’s getting there.”

According to reports, his shoulder surgery was indeed successful and he has been rehabbing it ever since.  The only hurdle appears to be getting his shoulder rehabbed to coincide with camp opening for the Vikings.  Favre does not want to play at less than 100%, as that is what mainly hindered his performance with the Jets.

“I don’t think Minnesota would even consider it if I didn’t have it. Second of all, I wouldn’t even think about it if I didn’t have it. Now, having it here and having in on the field on Sundays is two different things, I know that for a fact. I know what it takes to play on Sunday and I still believe I have that.”

The one thing all of this does for this Favre saga is put a timetable on it, something it has lacked the whole summer.  We can all wait for this to end July 30, retired or unretired.

While it is nice to show that you’re a fan of the Packers or to get Packers updates whenever they become available, it seems to me that neither of these tools will provide any new insight into the inner workings of the Packers.  As of right now, both sites are basically newsfeeds for new stories going up on Packers.com.  Don’t get me wrong, the stories they post are great looks into the lives of the players and their goals, but for groundbreaking news, I’d recommend using Journal-Sentinel columnist Greg A. Bedard’s Twitter account (@Greg_A_Bedard) as your main source for breaking Packers news.  And of course, Lombardi Ave is on Twitter as well (@LombardiAve).

However, it is nice to see the Packers, one of the oldest franchises in the NFL, getting up to date technologically and joining the social networking boom.

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In 2008, Donald Driver finally ceded the title of Packers No. 1 receiver to the young and up-and-coming Greg Jennings. Some said that Driver’s age was finally catching up with him. Others said that it was because Aaron Rodgers favored Jennings, while Driver was Brett Favre’s favorite receiver. All of this being said, Driver still produced in 2008, with 74 receptions for 1,012 yards and five touchdowns. He only crested the 100-yard mark in two games during the season.

Although the Packers have stabled some quality receivers with youth, none of those receivers seem as if they are ready to take over the reigns right now. James Jones disappeared for the second half of 2007 and most of 2008. Ruvell Martin has been inconsistent while his size (6′4″) makes him very intriguing. Jordy Nelson has size and speed, but still needs work before he can step into a legitimate No. 2 spot.

Any of these receivers (or any of the others on Green Bay’s roster) could step up and make me eat my words, but as of right now, the Packers need Driver to bridge the gap from now to when one of the younger receivers can step up and replace him.

Driver provides an experienced security blanket for Rodgers. On third down plays, Driver seems to be the go-to guy, always at the marker. Driver provides the perfect complement for Jennings. While Jennings goes deep, Driver can slip into the middle and move the offense slowly but surely. Countless times during the season, he sits in the middle of a zone, catching ball after ball, helping the offense.

If Driver doesn’t play up to his talent and his age starts to show, the offense is in trouble. Jennings is an outstanding receiver, but he can’t do it all on his own. He’s going to start seeing the No. 1 corner from the opposing defense and more frequent double teams. Rodgers and the offense need Driver to be on his game to relieve this pressure. Sure, Martin, Jones, and Nelson have the potential to help, but right now, it’s on Driver. If he can do whatever it takes to help the offense I’m sure there will still be the great production there was in 2007 and 2008. If age catches up, the offense could be in trouble.

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Going into 2008, Nick Collins was under the radar.  Most only new him as that safety from Bethune-Cookman that Ted Thompson drafted after drafting Aaron Rodgers.  Well, like Rodgers, Collins had his breakout year in 2008.

Collins’ accomplishments from 2008 are a laundry list: Pro Bowl starter, Second Team All-Pro (AP), seven interceptions (tops in NFC, second in NFL), three interception returns for touchdowns, second on team with 99 tackles (77 solo).

In 2009, things look different for Collins.  In the offseason, Collins had the tragic family issues keep him away from OTAs and the team, with a contract dispute compounding his absence.  He’s one of the many Packers going into a contract year, and he wants a new deal.  With first priority Greg Jennings locked into an extension, the Packers free agents are all looking for deals.

However, the defensive situation makes what will happen to the free agents on defense pretty hazy.  As Dom Capers installs his 3-4 defense, no one knows how the players the Packers have already will respond to it.  Are they good fits?   Can they learn the system?

All of these questions are valid points for not giving Collins the big contract he wants.  Thompson, Capers, and Mike McCarthy want to see how he will respond to learning a system he is unfamiliar with.  His skill set might not even fit with the 3-4 defense.  Why would the Thompson dedicate so much money to someone who doesn’t fit the system?

Anyways, back to why Collins is No. 8 on my list of the ten most important players for the Packers 2009 season.  The Packers need a leader in the secondary.  Al Harris and Charles Woodson are both great players, but their positions make it hard for them to contribute to the leadership of the defense other than by example.  Collins, in the middle of it all, can join Nick Barnett in leading the defense and getting them fired up.  Collins follows in the footsteps of Leroy Butler and Darren Sharper with leadership roles in the secondary.

The Packers also need Collins to play defense exactly how he did in 2008: by making plays.  They need Collins to be the ballhawking safety the defense depends on.  Considering how the offense played last year, they won’t need the touchdowns as much as the interceptions.  The team will want Collins to force turnovers, making the transition to the 3-4 easier.

Collins is also important because of his attitude.  If he is the aforementioned leader of the secondary, the team will be fine.  If he whines about his contract and create a distraction, then that could be a problem.  Most Packers are hardened to distractions after 2008’s Brett Favre saga, but any distraction is a bad distraction for a team trying to rebound.

Collins is vital for the Packers defense, present and future.

Tomorrow: No. 7.

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Yesterday, I covered the punting battle between Jeremy Kapinos and Durant Brooks and how it affects the team in 2009.  Today, we’re going to be looking at something that you’d expect me to talk about: the defense.

When Cullen Jenkins went down with a torn pectoral muscle in an emotional Week 4 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2008, it dealt a huge blow to the Packers defensive line.  Jenkins is a rare player with the size, strength, quickness, and speed to play both inside and outside on the defensive line.  Throughout his career, he has played both defensive tackle and defensive end.

In 2009, Jenkins will have to both adjust and rebound.  His presence was sorely missed down the stretch in 2008 as opposing offenses just rolled over the Packers.  His biggest adjustment will be the switch to a 3-4 defense, where as a 3-4 end, he will have to stop the run and rush the passer.  The team feels that he has the versatility to make a huge impact rushing from the inside, as the team loved playing him at defensive tackle on passing downs when he was healthy.

Another reason that Jenkins is so important is what is behind him on the defensive line.  Aaron Kampman is now a linebacker.  Johnny Jolly is facing possible jail time.  Outside of Jenkins, Kampman, and Jolly, none of the other defensive ends on the roster have seen substantial playing time on an NFL field.  Possible uber-bust Justin Harrell has been working at defensive end, but based on his injury history and inability to get on the field, I doubt he will see that much time.  That being said, I’d love to see him work hard and reach that potential he had when Ted Thompson drafted him with a first round pick.  Another defensive end possibility is rookie B.J. Raji, who the Packers were working at some defensive end during mini-camps so they theoretically could put Raji and fellow nose tackle Ryan Pickett on the field at the same time in a definite running situation.  But that remains to be seen.

Jenkins is an important cog to the wheel that is the Packers.  He is the most versatile lineman on the roster with his rare physical package.  He just needs to stay on the field.  If he has a great season, it would be to the benefit of the entire defense and the team total.

Jenkins is No. 9 on my list of Top 10 Important Players for 2009.

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The punter.

It seems innocuous enough.  They come out a few times a game and kick the pigskin down the field.  It seems simple enough.

However, the Packers need punting if they want to go far in 2009.  During their run in the 2007 season, Jon Ryan had the job for the whole year and did a serviceable job up until Week 16 against the Chicago Bears, where he had two punts blocked and shanked many others in a 35-7 shellacking.  While I called Ryan’s punting “serviceable,” that doesn’t mean he didn’t have his share of shortcomings.  Too many times he was unable to get off a good punt, essentially losing the field position game singlehandedly and putting the defense up against the wall.  His spotty punting was seen in that NFC Championship Game.  If he’d been able to pin the New York Giants 3-5 yards further back, who knows how it would have ended.

In 2008, the Packers punters struggled even more.  Ryan was cut the week before the season started and the Pack brought in Derrick Frost, who had previously punted for the Washington Redskins and Cleveland Browns.  Frost lasted through 12 games averaging 42.1 yards/punt (many shanks were in there) before Jeremy Kapinos was brought in for the last four games of the season.  He averaged 39.2 yards/punt, which is not good at all.  However, none of the coaches had a bad word to say about the Penn State product, so he’s stayed on and is competing for the job.  For the record, Frost and Kapinos combined to average 41.4 yards/punt in 2008, while opponents averaged 44.3.  Ryan averaged 44.4 in 2007.

Enter Durant Brooks.  Brooks was a sixth-round draft choice of the Redskins in 2008 and punted in six games for them before being cut and signed to the Packers practice squad.  Management decided to keep him on to compete with Kapinos for the starting job in 2009.  In college, Brooks won the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s top punter at Georgia Tech and set an ACC record with a 45.4 yards/punt average.  However, he only averaged 39.2 yards/punt in his first pro season and had problems with a hip flexor.  He seems like he can contend with Kapinos for the job if he remains injury free and adjusts to the game.

But why is the tenth most important player for the Packers in 2009 the punter?  Isn’t there a defense that has to prove itself?  Don’t some of those guys on offense need to validate their contracts?

Think about it this way: does the defense have an easier job to do if the opposing offense is inside their own five or at their 20?  A good punter can be the difference between a momentum shattering punt downed deep in the oppositions territory, or just another 20-yard-line possession.  Especially with the new defensive scheme coming into place, the Packers will need their punter, whether it be Kapinos or Brooks, to produce.  The punters can help the defense immensely, and in 2009, the defense will need all the assistance it can get.

In the race for the punting job, I’m predicting Brooks will come out with it.  I feel that if he is 100%, he can punt at the level that he was at in college, a tremendous plus for the Packers.

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The Packers No. 13 ranking was a drop from 2008’s No. 4 rankings.  Of course, last year’s ranking came on the heels of a 13-3 season and an NFC Championship Game appearance.  A 6-10 season will do that to you:

Lambeau is a juggernaut. The Pack’s home has been the top NFL venue each year of the Standings, and this year it landed in the top overall spot for the fourth time. Attribute that to the G-Force campaign, a team-sponsored directive launched in 2007 to rally fans. At kickoff, Lambeau’s TundraVision salutes the 79,928 G-Forcers on-screen while giveaway towels are waved from the stands and a Packers anthem (”G-Force Roar”) blares over the speakers. Not all the fun is reserved for game time, though. The Tundra Tailgate Zone, a climate-controlled area in the parking lot, opens four hours before game time, and fans can mingle with former Pack players (”Dude, is that Elijah Pitts?”), catch the action on the plasma-screen TVs and consume vast quantities of vitamin B (burgers, brats, beer). “Nothing is quite like being inside Lambeau,” a team rep says of the TTZ, “but it’s almost as good.” Not so good, though? Ownership and Coaching ranks dropped 27 and 37 places, respectively. That’s what 6 W’s and a 1–5 finish will get you. “If you’re okay following up an NFC title game appearance with a losing season,” one Packers faithful chided on packerchatters.com, “be a Bears fan.” G, that’s harsh.

Lambeau Field is nearly impossible to match as an NFL venue, so it makes sense that it was been the top NFL venue in the standings.  Even outside of the NFL, it’s hard to find something that can compare to Lambeau.  Without Lambeau, the Packers would probably be lower on these standings as well.  If the Packers rebound in 2009, they could definitely rise into the top 10 of these standings.

Despite the drop, the Packers are only the second ranked NFL team, trailing the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers.  The Steelers were basically  give for the top NFL team after their performance in 2008.  The Packers also narrowly edge out the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans, Nos. 14 and 15 respectively.

No other NFC North comes close to touching the Packers.  The Chicago Bears are ranked No. 69 overall and No. 18 for NFL teams, while the Minnesota Vikings are No. 23 for the NFL and No. 89 overall.  Everyone’s favorite losers, the Detroit Lions, bottom out the NFL teams, finishing 119 out of 122 overall teams.  Of course, most of these teams can rise, as they all have young hot shot quarterbacks (or in Minny’s case, an old hotshot) waiting to take the reigns.

Dr. James Andrews Talks About QB Brett Favre (Acme Packing Company)

Tight ends should split duties (Railbird Central)

Flynn and Brohm to Again Wage a Battle for the Backup QB Job (Packers Gab)

Out of Here in 2010 (Packers Lounge)

Five Keys to the Packers Returning to the Playoffs (The Frozen Tundra)

Green Bay Packers: 5 Reasons For Excitement (Total Packers)

And some other links from the FanSided.com family:

Scouting Reports (That Ball’s Outta Here)

A Trip To Steve McNair’s Gridiron9 (TitanSized)

More Details Surrounding Steve McNair’s Death Revealed By Police (Toro Times)

Air McNair Dead at 36 (Ebony Bird)

Ice Age Athletes: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (Fan Addict)

Antoine Winfield is Losing His Patience (The Viking Age)

Cubs Have a Blast at Brewers’ Expense (Cubbies Crib)

What The Chuck? Iverson, Colangelo, & Dumars (Sir Charles In Charge)

Ron Artest Is A Serious Rapper (Nugg Love)

Check back later today for more Packers news and updates.

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