Green Bay Packers Fantasy Preview:
Are any other fantasy football owners as sick of Brett Favre as I am? I mean, I loved watching the guys play as much as anyone, but come on! He's been holding this franchise hostage for years now. This has gotten real old real fast. Just release the guy already and let's move on!
(ok. My Favre rant is over. Please, Mr. Goddell, make the Pack trade this guy! Back to the preview)
This team was extremely young last year at many of the skill positions, and somehow it all came together. So much so, that this team was disappointed it missed the Super Bowl game (now that's coming together!). So many things went right for this team last year. Start with a bounce back season from the afore mentioned Brett Favre (who I'd just as soon stop mentioning in relation to this team!), add surprising performances from both WR Greg Jennings (920 yards, 12tds) and RB Ryan Grant (1100+ total yards, 8 tds), and top it off with a stellar defensive showing, and you had the making of a Super Bowl contender.
Then the Brett Favre Show started again. Will he or won't he? Again. Yawn.
Now, (I just can't see any way Favre is under center for this team this year or ever again) Aaron Rodgers is the man. He still has some great offensive weapons in Jennings and WR James Jones, as well as the sure-handed but aging WR Donald Driver. Grant returns to build off his amazing season last year, and this offense is once again primed to be a good one. The major question mark will be how well will Rodgers fill the enormous shoes of Brett Favre? This team will only go as far as Rodgers takes them, and it could be a true boom or bust season for Rodgers in his first chance to lead this team. Expect Rodgers to be hot and cold this season and probably best suited to be a #2 QB as opposed to your #1.
This defensive unit was pretty stout last season, and seems to be coming on as one of the better units in the league, having given up only 18.2 points per game last year. They have a strong secondary with CB Charles Woodson and CB Al Harris returning, and they have DE Aaron Kampman putting pressure on the quarterback up front along with LBs AJ Hawk and Nick Barnett. This defense should again be worthy of a draft pick and starting position in a 12 team or larger league.
Green Bay drafted WR Jordy Nelson and QB Brian Brohm in the second round. Neither should see extended playing time this season. Neither will 3rd round pick TE Jeremichael Finley. Don't look for any standout rookies from the Pack this year.
Fantasy Surprise for 2008: Ryan Grant, RB
I can see this team throwing the ball a little less and running a little more to give Rodgers a chance to get comfortable being the new team leader. That directly benefits Ryan Grant, who should easily top 1000 yards this year and could come close to double digit touchdowns. He's being drafted pretty highly so far this year, but he's one of the few RBs left out there that isn't in a RBBC. If Grant is your #1 RB, you'll probably be in good shape. If he's your #2 (and he stays healthy), you're probably in great shape to make the playoffs.
Fantasy Disappointment for 2008: Greg Jennings, WR
Jennings scored 12 tds last season with Brett Favre throwing him the football. He really came on the scene with a bang, but I just can't see him getting the same amount of production with Aaron Rodgers at the helm. I see the ceiling for Jennings this year at around 1000 yards and 7 tds, which would still be a pretty good season for a WR, but not what owners who saw him last year will expect. Temper your expectations when drafting Jennings this year. . . he's bound to have a drop-off.
Best Fantasy Draft Value for 2008: Brett Favre, QB ?
I know. I'm being a hypocrite. I want the saga over and I wish they'd release him already. However, how can you bet against Favre coming back with another team (Minnesota, maybe?) for one last hurrah? Favre will be a draft afterthought, and if you can snag him late in your draft, it might pay huge dividends. That is, if he actually gets his release. Just about everyone else on the team should be drafted just about where they belong, but Favre has the chance to really outshine whatever draft position he is currently getting. If you can snag him late and stash him, it is highly advised.
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