1998 Packer Playoffs

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With the loss of Gabe Wilkins, possible retirement of Reggie White, and questionable status of Gilbert Brown Green Bay has reason to worry on the defensive line. Even if Reggie comes back for another year, can the Packers expect him to play all downs? No, Someone will have to step up and play. You could say the answer lies in Darius Holland or Keith Mckenzie but Holland doesn't have experience on the line and McKenzie, at 255lbs doesn't have the size to be an every down lineman. Could Green Bay switch to a 3-4 defense? With the signing of Antonio London and wealth of linebackers that GB has this could be a solution. But... Ron Wolf and the Packers have said that they do not intend to switch to a 3-4 and plan to keep their 4-3 defense. The middle of the line is better than the ends, but will Gilbert Brown lose some weight this offseason? Or will he keep his size, and lose all his stamina and quickness like in the Superbowl. Santana Dotson will again have to have a solid year, he being the only non-question on the line. Green Bay will have to address their line problems in the draft by looking for a big, fast lineman like Wilkins that can put pressure on the QB. Hopefully Holland is ready to step up and help Reggie out.

Offensive Line:

The Packers line was solid last year, but this year it could be a different story. Aaron Taylor and Adam Timmerman could both be gone, the latter not hurting the Pack too much. Taylor could be lured away by another overpaying team that will dish out huge dollars for a good, but not great lineman. The line will still have Winters, Verba, and Dotson as long as he doesn't get arrested for multiple false-starts. Those three are solid, but the Pack will have to find someone in the draft to replace Taylor and Timmerman. Oh yeah! and Let's not forget John Michels! He should have another solid year on the inactive list, unless Holmgren uses his head and gets rid of him. What about Wilkerson and Dellenbach? Well they are quality backups at their old age but they definitly aren't starting material. Green Bay needs to pick up a good, fast, quick, lineman that plays from start to finish like Verba. He proved to be a great pick as he took away Favre's blind side the last half of the year. If we can land another solid lineman like Verba, this draft will definitly be a success.

With the possibility of going to a 3-4 next year, the Packers can never have too many linebackers. Sure we still have Williams, Koonce, Hollinquest, possibly Seth Joyner and Antonio London but depth at linebacker is needed. Let's see who Wolf can find for Shurmur this year.

People say that the loss of Doug Evans didn't hurt the Packers. Wrong. Doug Evans was a solid corner that we could count on every down to stop the enemies big play guy. But... We do have Craig Newsome coming back along with the resuregence of Tyrone Williams and Darren Sharper who could play a bigger role in the secondary next year. Still depth at Safety and corner is needed. Rod Mullen can't do the job for the Pack.

Green Bay probably has the best trio of wide receivers in the game but past that who do they have? Terry Mickens? Special teams stud, but nothing more. Bill Schroeder? Maybe if he got out of Holmgren's doghouse and stopped fumbling he could perform. GB needs to find a solid receiver in the draft just in case one of the big three goes down. Another big, physical receiver with speed is needed.

In the backfield, like the other positions, depth is a factor. Our starters are solid and both of them should resign. Who will step up in the backfield? Aaron Hayden or Jervey could possibly make a difference. Losing Bennett lost us a great, versatile back but you can't keep them all.

With Ron Wolf at the helm, I know that Green Bay will answer these position needs in the upcoming draft. Wolf has said that he will stick with his philosophy of drafting the best player still available in the draft and not draft for need. Last year when the Packers had a need at Wide Receiver and on the Defensive line they drafted Ross Verba, who had a great year on the line for the Pack. Hopefully Green Bay can get some depth through this draft and start the process of going back to the Super Bowl.