Green Bay Packers 100 Seasons!

The Green Bay Packers will be celebrating their 100th Birthday this 2019 Season. The history behind this organization is legendary, but has waned the last couple seasons. It seems many opponents no longer feel the Lambeau mistique. New Head Coach Matt LaFleur will be leading the Packers this season after the Packers have had back to back losing seasons, the first time since ’90-’91 and back to back playoff absences, first time since ’05-’06. With a healthy roster, the Packers should return to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. LaFleur recognizes the rich and legendary history of the Packers and Lambeau, but he wants his team to concentrate on making some history of their own.

The Packers have had some key personnel losses this off season, so it’ll be interesting to see how the final roster takes shape. Some familiar names will be missing along the Packers sideline. Names like Mathews, Cobb, Perry and a few lesser known will be with other teams this season. GM Brian Gutekunst made some key acquisitions through Free Agency this off season. Names we will now see roaming the Packers sideline include Amos, Z Smith and P Smith, all on the defense, along with Turner on the offense. There were key additions from the 2019 NFL draft, Gary, Savage, Jenkins, Sternberger, Keke, Hollman (who made quite an impression in mini-camp) and D. Williams should all see action their rookie season.

There are several motivating factors for this 2019 Packers team to out perform expectations. I agree with many, that Aaron Rodgers, after all the off season criticism, along with his talented WR/TE corps will totally dominate the opponents this season. One can’t over look the RB’s, Jones, Williams, Williams and Vitale, who should expected to spearhead a powerful rushing attack in LaFleur’s offense. It appears through FA and the draft that Gutekunst shored up the offensive line…..we shall see. For the offense the O-Line remains the biggest question mark.

Mike Pettine has to be grinning from ear to ear every day that he looks up and down his roster. The only question I see is who will rise to the occasion along side Martinez at MLB. Oren Burks is who everyone is counting on to make that step. Every other position on defense appears to have the talent to make another big leap this season under Pettine. He has had some surprises from OTA’s and Mini Camp as well, like Hollman and Keke, but several veteran’s and second year players should also shine.

I am staying with my prediction of 12-4, NFC North Champs and a good playoff run for the 2019 Season. There is so much riding on this season, the players realize it, and they don’t want to be labeled “in rebuilding mode.” The NFL realizes the improvements the Packers have made and that is why the first game is on Thursday Night Football, vs the rival Bears. This slot is usually reserved for the defending Super Bowl champs, but actually this game is bigger than anything the Patriots could deliver. I still believe the Packers fall short at Soldier Field, but they will rebound at Home quickly. Matt LaFleur see success in his first season as a Head Coach and leading the 2019 Green Bay Packers, who will write some history of their own.

As Always, Go Pack Go

PackerGreg