Packers' Trade Deadline Grades
Here is a look at how the Green Bay Packers performed throughout the first six weeks of the season.
OFFENSE
Quarterback: A-
The Breakdown: Aaron Rodgers has been phenomenal. He has showed excellent poise and knowledge for a first-year starter and has basically done no wrong, except for one crucial interception against Atlanta. He has also demonstrated his extreme toughness while playing brilliantly through a shoulder sprain.
Running Back: D
The Breakdown: Ryan Grant has 359 yards and zero touchdowns. Furthermore, the back that scored eight touchdowns in 10 games last year is averaging only 3.4 yards per carry. Brandon Jackson has scored the Packers' lone rushing touchdown by a running back, but has fewer rushing yards than Rodgers. While the running game has shown improvement, it is far from where it should be.
Tight End: B
The Breakdown: Donald Lee has the third-most receptions on the team and has scored once. While he hasn’t been spectacular, his quickness and above average receiving ability has made him a valuable asset for the Packers. New addition Tory Humphrey has also been a major contributor at tight end so far, especially against Atlanta, where he totaled 67 yards on the day.
- B/R Ticket Guide
Wide Receiver: A
The Breakdown: Donald Driver has two touchdowns, one more than his season total last year. Greg Jennings continues to shine, as he leads the league in receiving yards and has totaled four touchdowns. Rookie Jordy Nelson has been impressive so far, and Rodgers is clearly becoming more and more confident throwing to the rookie.
Offensive Line: B-
The Breakdown: Mark Tauscher and Chad Clifton have been solid as usual, despite Clifton battling injuries. Scott Wells has not played as well as he typically does, but he too, has been injured. Daryn Colledge and Jason Spitz have been mediocre at guard, and substitute Tony Moll has been subpar.
DEFENSE
Linebacker: C+
The Breakdown: A.J. Hawk continues to emerge and veteran Nick Barnett has been decent, but the unit as a whole has failed to stop the run throughout the season. Brandon Chillar has been a valuable addition to platoon with Brady Poppinga. Look for the Packers to use their young linebackers more aggressively in order to improve their run defense.
Defensive Line: C-
The Breakdown: This grade would be lower if not for Aaron Kampman’s six sacks. Overall, the unit has failed to stop the run and has been extremely vulnerable with Cullen Jenkins out for the season.
Secondary: B+
The Breakdown: Despite key losses at strong safety—Atari Bigby's still out—and at corner—Al Harris is still missing significant time—the Packers have managed to put together a functioning secondary that leads the NFL in interceptions and defensive touchdowns. Charles Woodson has been the most prominent with an NFL-best four interceptions, and fill-ins Tramon Williams and Aaron Rouse have been solid all year as well.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicking/Punting: A-
The Breakdown: Mason Crosby has been efficient as usual, and is among the top of the NFL in average kickoff length, touchbacks, and field goals. Green Bay almost allowed Crosby to kick a 60-yarder against Seattle. Derrick Frost has been better than he was in Washington and is among the top punters in net average.
Kick/Punt Returning: B
The Breakdown: Will Blackmon continues to improve. While he is not among the NFL’s best kick returners, he ranks eighth in average punt return yards and had a 76-yard return for a score earlier this year.
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about 1 month ago
Good ad-ins Tyler, I was hoping you were going to talk about Tory Humphrey. I think the punting has been suspect, but I agree with most of your grades. I have a feeling the D-Line will go up in your next grading article.
about 1 month ago
Great stuff.
For me personally, I can't give the O-line better than a C. They have continually allowed pressure, and have been abysmal blocking for the run.
And I know you gave the Secondary a B+, but I can't give them anything less than an A. Even with all of the injuries, they have been outstanding. Nick Collins has been an absolute beast this year.
from about 1 month ago
Oh, and I absolutely love the picture. That was so awesome to see last week.
from about 1 month ago
Aren I totally agree! Very original celebration, I hope it sticks. And I also hope I see a lot more of it.
about 1 month ago
Yeah, I agree with your comments about the secondary for the most part, but they did get burned badly by Dallas and wasn't great until the last six minutes of the Detroit game but other than that they've been great. And the line gets a B- because Rodgers hasn't been sacked that much even though that's mostly due to his mobility not their performance.
about 1 month ago
Right on Tyler,
The grades seem almost exactly the way I see them, maybe with the exception of a bit lower grades for Kicking/Punting and the O-line (Chad Clifton, usually the stalwart, has tallied way too many penalties).
I think this Sunday's game against Indy will be a true test for the Packers to see where they stand for the remainder of the season. Tough AFC games (Tennessee and Jacksonville) and the Bears twice still loom large in the near future.
about 1 month ago
I disagree with kicking/punting solely because Frost's numbers don't tell the whole story of his inconsistant play and failures during crucial situations. Also, the 0-line has been a big part of the problems with the running game, which i believe should lower their score.
about 1 month ago
Great analysis; here are my comments by position:
QB: Rodgers has been great, but his pick against Atlanta pales in comparison to the one in Tampa that WAS his fault (another was only a little bit, a third not at all). Your grade is right on, though.
RB: Anything other than an F is wrong. This unit has done little in the passing game, and nothing running.
TE: I would like to get more TDs from this optimal red zone position, but at worst I would give them a B-.
WR: How much better would we be if we had James Jones?
OL: Rodgers has been under constant pressure, and there have been too many penalties. I'd give this unit a D+.
LB: We have seen nothing from this unit; at best, they are a C-.
DL: Can't stop the run + can't get consistent pressure = D. You're right about Kampman saving the unit, but he saves it from an F.
DB: Since I would grade based on the actual play and not factor in injuries, your grade is right. But if one considers the difficulty of playing back-ups, this unit is an A+.
P/K: Punting has not been as good as the stats, so I can't go over a B.
return games: great grade and comments, but you should have "covered" coverage, but then, maybe you couldn't find that since I didn't immediately see special teams stuff on NFL.com.
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