A Viking's Take on the Packers
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by The Beast
Well, here is Railbird Central's first real sports related interview, with Complete Sports Blogger and Minnesota Vikings fan Jon Reed. No that isn't him in the picture.
1. Toward the end of the season, the Packers' offense greatly improved. Now, offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski has left to become the Head Coach at Boston College. How much will his departure hurt the Packers' offensive developement?
Well I think the fact that they promoted within with Joe Philbin should help. They have a lot of young pieces on offense (especially on the Line) and the ability to maintain some sense of continuity should help. So I think there is always a learning curve when a new coordinator comes in (which has been painfully obvious to me as a Vikings fan), but the fact that they kept it in house should help.
2. Should Brett Favre have retired? He's only 37, but some believe that his time has passed. What's your take?
In all honesty, I thought the should have retired before last season. Let me just put it this way... at his age, he is still capable of winning some games by himself. But I think it has become increasingly clear that he is also capable of losing games by himself. Some of this can be attributed to a lack of really good skill players offensively, but it seems to me that Favre's time has passed. He still has a strong arm, but it's not as strong as it used to be. But it sometimes seems like he doesn't know that, because he forces a lot of balls into tight spots. I've just seen a lot and lot of baffling decisions from him over the past couple of years. The Packers might be better off for this year with Favre at QB, but I think long-term, it would have been better for them if he had retired. Let me just put it this way... as a Vikings fan, Favre has tormented me for years. He is my NFL nemesis. But from an opposing fans standpoint he just doesn't scare me anymore.
3. Where the Packers too passive this offseason? Should they have traded up in the draft? Should they have traded for Randy Moss?
Well again this is tough to answer, simply because it's hard to see if the Packers are trying to win now or building for the future. On the one sense, they seem set on building for the future, and that's not such a bad thing with a lot of young guys. On the other hand, Favre is almost forcing their hand, because he can't really afford to look long-term at his age. So they might have been too passive this offseason, but I don't think that will have too big of an effect long-term.
4. The Packers had ultiple draft picks, Justin Herrell, Brandon Jackson, David Clowney, James Jones, etc. Which draft pick can make the biggest impact this year?
You certainly have to like Harrell's potential, but I really like Brandon Jackson. The departure of Ahman Green opens up the spot, and he should see a lot of time. Morency is a nice back, but I like Jackson better long-term. He's pretty quick, and a nice pass-catcher out of the backfield. So I think he'll really have a positive impact in year one.
5. Of course I've got to ask. Who will end up with a better record in 2007, the Green Bay Packers or the Minnesota Vikings?
As a Vikings fan, it's sacreligious for me not to say Minnesota. In all seriousness, I see things with purple-colored glasses here, but I'm really optimistic. The Vikings defense is very good, the O-Line should be a lot better, and the RB duo is one of the best in the NFL. There are lots of questions about the QB and WR, but again (seeing things through purple-colored glasses) I am a really big Tarvaris fan. But the Packers certainly should be improved. If the offense doesn't succeed, I'm not sure Favre would have anyone to blame this year... I absolutely love Greg Jennings' game. He looks like he's going to be a really good one. So I do think both teams will be improved and close to .500. But as a Vikings fan, I have to pick them, don't I?
