2006 NFL Preview

The Green Bay Packers

Quarterback- The Green Bay Packers faithful waited four months after the final game of the horrible 2005 NFL season to find out if Brett Favre would return. While fans debated whether they would even want Favre back at the helm for the 2006 NFL season, there is no question he is the leader of this team as long as he is active. Favre certainly didn’t lose any zip off of his arm in the 2005 NFL Season and will get some of his weapons back after an injury riddled 2005 NFL season. The 2006 NFL season may be Favre’s last, but the Packers are in good hands with backup Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers, who played in mop-up duty in the 2005 NFL season, will spend the 2006 NFL season on the bench learning from the future Hall of Famer. But a year deferred to Favre means another year Rodgers can get his bearings in the pro game, which has to make Packer fans happy.
2006 NFL Grade- B

Running/Full Back- In the 2005 NFL season, one of the Packers’ deepest positions (running back) was wiped out by injuries to Ahman Green, Najeh Davenport, and Tony Fisher. Green and Davenport are recovering from their season ending injuries this off-season and the Packers have them on a short leash with one year contracts in the 2006 NFL season to see how they do. One of the two will indeed step up and while Green has been a great running back since coming to Green Bay, I feel Davenport will distinguish himself the more prepared back in the 2006 NFL season. Samkon Gado, last year’s amazing story, will make for a solid change of pace back and will benefit from being around two solid (and healthy) running backs in 2006. Fullback William Henderson, wooed by the Minnesota Vikings, returns for his twelfth season with the Packers and should provide steady blocking and receiving performances for another year.
2006 NFL Grade- B-