After a whirlwind offseason that saw an All-Pro get shipped for a first and second round pick as well as a stellar draft class, there are still questions left for the Packers to answer.
The Green Bay Packers build teams over time, through the draft. The team rarely goes out to spend money on free agent talent, but this doesn’t mean they never do. The 2021 offseason was a busy one for the Packers, and many analysts question where the team stands now. The Packers have done a fantastic job at appropriately adding talent this year while staying under the radar with most of their moves. As preseason comes to a close, there’s still plenty of questions left for the Packers. Let’s take a look at the most important questions that remain for the Packers heading into the 2022 season.
The Elephant in the Room: Davante Adams
An outlook into the 2022 Packers cannot be done without mentioning the 29-year old receiver, Davante Adams. Adams has been a mainstay for the Packers over the last 8 years. He averaged 12.1 yards per reception and as well as 8.2 yards per target. The last two years in particular Adams has boasted 7.9 receptions and 97.6 receiving yards per game. Davante Adams gets open, and there’s no doubt about it.
Clearly his production will be missed, but his absence raises two questions in particular. First, how will the Packers replace such amazing production? Second, if the Packers traded Davante, there must be some sort of plan right?
The Next Chapter
To answer both questions at once, Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs. It may seem silly to most to have two players attempt to replicate the production of one but the player we are talking about is one of a kind. There won’t be another Davante Adams, and going on a witch hunt to find another is pointless. Instead, the Packers focused on the facts. The team needs production at wide receiver and to help build for the future drafting receivers allows the Packers to have minimum 5 years of team control. There are not many other players in the 2021 draft that have the ability to do what Watson and Doubs must do, but they are definitely the best suited.
Watson is a big bodied, 6’5 receiver who makes physical plays. He’s an explosive playmaker who is the definition of “Double me”. Doubs, on the other hand, is a two time Biletnikoff Award finalist and multiple thousand yard season receiver. He knows how to get open, and when he does there’s no way he’s getting caught.
The production won’t be fully filled, but Aaron Rodgers knows how to transform average receivers into great players.
Potential Signing of the Year
The best move of the offseason by the Packers is the hiring of Rich Bisaccia. The special teams coordinator who served time as the interim coach for the Raiders last season is by far the best move due to his value. Not only is Bisaccia a top special teams coach, but he is also loved by the players. Bisaccia was a fan and team favorite out in Las Vegas.
By far his most well known action was writing hand written letters to every Raiders player upon the 2021 seasons conclusion. He is a man of integrity and respect, and he has displayed that throughout his career. But, he is also meticulous and focuses on perfecting every part of the game. Bisaccia will hold his players accountable and surely reduce the amount of transitional special teams penalties.
The most beneficial part of Rich Bisaccia is the energy that he brings to the team. It can be rather difficult to stay positive or ensure that everyone around the team stays positive. The Packers and Aaron Rodgers tend to garner attention and linger in the news. At times, it can be difficult as a player to focus. Bisaccia has experienced this, since he took Gruden’s place as head coach. Even during the worst of years with Gruden and Ruggs, the Raiders still make the playoffs.
Bisaccia made sure his team stayed focus. Along with that, he also limited the amount of stupid mistakes and penalties. If the same intensity can be replicated, will it help discipline the Packers?
In Due Time
The Packers were penalized 69 times for 678 yards last year. Both of these totals were the least in the NFL. The issue was mental mistakes and forgetting the proper formations. These errors are easy to correct with time and effort. There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that the team has the ability to execute, but the question is if they will.
The addition of Bisaccia can certainly help discipline the team, especially since he is respected by Lafleur. Lafleur is on the same page as Bisaccia and both have the same coaching styles. Given enough time, the discipline will be enstilled and the Packers will look much sharper.
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