So without regard for the upcoming draft, OTAs, Training Camp, players signed, players cut, injuries, trades, weather or anything else that could impact the games, here’s the guaranteed earliest 2012 season prediction for the Packers.

Week 1-No way the Packers start the season with a loss (1-0)

Week 2-The Bears suck. Nuf said (2-0)

Week 3-Sorry Matt, your former teammates are not going to let you win this one (3-0)

Week 4-Best way to beat a bully is punch them in the mouth. Figuratively of course. (4-0)

Week 5-Sorry Andrew or RG III, but you’ll be playing for one of the worst teams in the NFL and facing one of the best. (5-0)

Week 6-This hurts, but I think this is where the Packers lose their first. (5-1)

Week 7-This one will be tough, but Packers get back on the winning program (6-1)

Week 8-It’s Jacksonville. Do I need to go on? (7-1)

Week 9-If this game was in Arizona, I’d pick the Cardinals. Since it’s in Lambeau, I’ll say the Packers head into the bye with a win (8-1)

Week 10-Time for a nap (bye week, 8-1)

Week 11-Another tough game on the road. I’ll say a win, but its going to be tough (9-1)

Week 12-I hate the Giants. This game doesn’t help me hate them any less (9-2)

Week 13-Vikings will not be as easy of an opponent this year, but the Packers will win handily (10-2)

Week 14-Lions become kitties at Lambeau in December (11-2)

Week 15-I can’t pinpoint why I think the Packers will lose in Chicago, but I think it could happen. Which pisses me off. (11-3)

Week 16-Packers finish their home schedule with a win. (12-3)

Week 17-Heading strong into the playoffs (13-3)

I’m not going to predict the playoffs, since that’s impossible at this point. But a return trip to the Super Bowl is definitely achievable in 2012.

Wouldn’t winning 2 out of 3 Super Bowls be fabulous?

GO PACK GO!

To begin, I would like to hear a rational reason as to why the Packers shouldn’t be the favorites this year? The similarities to the 1996 season are certainly there, and factoring in last years performance coupled with another year of experience, there is no reason this team shouldn’t be on the top of the odds pile. In fact, minus a clear cut Reggie White on the line, the cards look pretty much the same. A downgrade here and an upgrade there I suppose, but the pieces are most certainly in place.

As a blogger I am happy as hell. I remember the off season after 4-16 and there is no need to remind everyone exactly how not cool that was. What’s the true harm in predicting success? You can make the argument that we are setting ourselves up for a portentously colossal let down, but as Packer fans that is nothing we are not used to. It gives the team some swagger, some confidence and electrifies the fan base. Three keys to a season’s success that no one can argue with.

But, according to Al:

“Nothing good ever comes of this type of wanton behavior.”

Although you are much wiser, certainly much older, and used a lot of big words today, I respectfully disagree. There is nothing wrong with being excited for your team, having a team that’s excited for itself and having a fan base that is semi-united for the first time in God knows how long.

You only get so many chances as a fan to have this kind of hope and energy going into a season. I say hype it up while you can. You never know what tomorrow brings.

Late addition: In a rare coincidence, Aaron Nagler agrees with me. Jot that down.

The Packers are like the proverbial bouncing ball.

When Mike McCarthy took over in 2006, they were coming off an abysmal 4-12 season which saw the dismissal of Mike Sherman as Ted Thompson’s first procedural move as General Manager. The hiring of Mike McCarthy was seen as a surprise move at first, and was not partially justified when the ’06 team got off to a 1-4 start. After going 7-4 the rest of the way to finish 8-8, optimism was high heading into 2007, and beyond.

The problem is that consistency in the win loss column has been tough to achieve for the Packers since 2006. An 8-8 record and a tie breaker into the playoffs from a team that was not supposed to be anything special was a stroke of genius. The lack firm footing in the NFC North for the last 3 seasons has been the cause of much shock, surprise, and more gray hair.

2007-13-3, NFC North Champions, Lost in NFC Championship
2008-6-10, 3rd in NFC North, missed playoffs
2009-11-5, 2nd in NFC North, lost in Wild Card Round of playoffs

Like I said, up and down.

This is the season for the Packers to make their mark in the NFC. Franchise quarterback, check. High caliber running back, check. Solidified offensive line, got it. Number two defense in the NFL last season and a year into the 3-4 scheme, got that too. Special teams remain the white elephant, so they will go unmentioned, at least for now

All of the tools are in place for an extended run in the playoffs this season. The roster is built for success in 2010 and beyond. It’s time for Mike McCarthy to steer that train he likes to head right into Dallas and bring the Lombardi Trophy back home. If he doesn’t, the ball will just keep bouncing.

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Hello Lounge, this is Mr. Bacon. I would like to reflect on our Packers‘ pre-season.

This season promises to give us the fix we need, as winter rolls into our country during a harsh economic climate in which people are losing their jobs. It’s a great way to forget about our troubles for three hours.

The NFL itself is going through a crisis, as the collective bargaining agreement looks to fall in 2010. Not to mention there is a real possibility that the ghosts of Lambeau will not be reawakened in 2011. To top that off, our brothers in Minnesota, whom we tolerate with their childish antics but not their stupid air horn, might leave the state, although it is just a rumor right now.

That is in the future, and this is now.

On Sunday, the first game of the Aaron Rodgers era begins. I say this because we all know that Rodgers and the team never got a chance to be Packers last year. I am not saying this because of our bad defense, but because the media and fans still connected with Favre as the issue was fresh. Now that we have gotten a full year over the drama, Favre is no longer associated with the present day Packers squad. Instead, he is now a beloved figure who will be always remembered best for marching into the Superdome in Jan of 1997 and helping our team win the Lombardi Trophy.

Now let’s get to the team.

Grant looks to become the #1 RB that Thompson shelled out the money for. Finley looks to become a potential pro-bowl TE as he slowly waits to explode in his second year. Jennings enters this season no longer some no-name kid from WMU connected with Favre’s milestone records, but a growing a WR who is entering the prime of what looks to be a potential Hall of Fame career with first ballot potential. Driver’s days of #1 WR are over, and he takes it with pride. Why should he not, he is surrounded by a solid core, and while Driver is #2, he plays against a #2 CB, which is a mismatch for Driver and his ability to play like a #1. Driver has a very decent chance at making it to Canton himself; he would rather have something else, a ring. Aaron Rodgers is entering his 2^nd full time season, and his story is well known. As the quarterback to study under Favre, he is the first person to arrive and last one to leave. Because of that, he is the heart of the team.

The defense has two aging corners, Harris and Woodson, who even in the twilight of their careers, are still going to be Harris and Woodson. They too look for a ring before it’s time to call it quits. Kampman has gone through the roughest offseason, as his position not only changed but his former high school coach’s life was suddenly taken away. Hawk looks to improve his play, while his bash brother Barnett comes back from ACL Surgery. It might take Barnett a full year to be “Barnett the Terrible” again, but with his teammates around him, he will benefit from not having to do all the work. Barnett would never admit this because he strives to be the best even though he is injured. That’s what a team captain is.

Some coaches are back, as McCarthy is slowly becoming Wisconsin’s best McCarthy, ever. Bob Sanders has been canned, and we get Dom “MacGyver” Capers. He is somehow able to combine a bad defense, a Gatorade cooler, a tub of OxyClean, and turn it into a top 5 defense. Finally, we have Kevin Greene, who ironically, looks like a Viking. In fact, he probably is the only Viking in the Norris.

Then there is Ted Thompson.

When you look at Ted Thompson, you think he looks like Ted “Danson In The Dark” Danson. When you hear Ted Thompson, it sounds like he is drunk, slurring his words. When you hear of the decisions Ted Thompson makes, you lose your Armchair GM IQ.

However, I want you readers to do something for me.

Look at the starting lineup, stop for a moment and think.

I want you to think of this one question.

Which one of the starting eleven on offense or defense are a legit starter anywhere in this league, and not a backup? I am not talking about Pro Bowl or Hall of Fame caliber, but rather taking one of our starters, and placing him on a different team. You can see Ryan Grant starting for the Patriots, Bigby for the Cardinals, and Kampman for the Giants.

That is what Ted has done for us. He has done something every GM wishes to do.

Be able to retrofit a franchise for the future.

We have become big dogs in the NFC. Franchises are taking people away from our practice squad or waivers and putting them on their team. It could not have come at a better time because in every football generation there is a power shift from one conference to the other.

The NFC is starting to become the power. Brady no longer has the desire he did for Championships, and Manning is slowly creeping away as the Colts and Patriots are fading with them. Within the next five years, the NFC will have the teams that are awe-inspiring, and the cycle will continue.

Anyone who says don’t be excited about the Packers this year, isn’t a Packer fan. They are football analysts. It’s not because of pessimism either, it’s because when you’re a true Packer fan, you can feel this team has something special about it.

It’s the same feeling a farmer gets when he knows a storm is coming. Somehow he knows how severe it will be and if he needs to go into the Tornado Shelter.

Now an injury might derail the season, like Cullen Jenkins last year.

However, if we stay healthy…

This is the year when Driver and Woodson can walk off in to the sunset with a ring.

This is the year when Aaron Rodgers becomes elite, makes the pro bowl, and rids himself of Favre.

This is the year that when the world news is filled with bad stories; there is a team in Wisconsin who can provide one good one. It’s a team who retains the All-American values that they preach. Traits like good character, not complaining about being paid less than a higher draft pick, the “me-me” image, steroids, and being humble.

This is the year when the spirits of Reggie White, Ray Nitschke, Don Hutson, Vince Lombardi, and Curly Lambeau will look from above Miami and smile.

This is the year where we add a few pounds to the mantle while telling Pittsburgh that even though you have six Super Bowls, we have 13 Overall Championships.

This is the year the Lombardi Trophy is grasped in the hands of the team, and in the hearts of the faithful. In the hands of folks who share their love of the team with their family through the good times and the bad from generation to generation.

We are the fans with the:

So called “awful” color scheme

With the weird foam cheese wedges on our heads

Site of the “leap”

Crown jewel stadium of the league

Team that you’re realistically never going to get season tickets to before you die

Organization that all 31 teams wish they could be

They are the 2009-2010 Green Bay Packers

And like DeNiro said in Casino.

“…and that’s that…”

Everyone has an opinion, everyone thinks they are right. As we head into the first live action of the season, I leave on the record my predictions for 2009.

Special Teams

With the joke that was Mike Stock no longer taking up space, the special teams will show a slight improvement.

Our kickoff return team will be average. Without the wedge, big kick returns will be few and far between. Will Blackmon, Tramon Williams, and Jordy Nelson will be solid, recording two TD’s in the return game.

The kick coverage team will again finish near the bottom of the league. The gamble on Jarrett Bush does not pay off. Still searching for answers after the Tracy White debacle, and with injuries mounting to the rookie draft class, the kick coverage unit finds itself fair to middling at best, again.

What the Packers lose on kickoff return they will gain back on punt returns. Will Blackmon, finally healthy for an entire season, electrifies Packer fans all year long. Blackmon finds himself with three touchdowns and a spot on the Pro Bowl roster.

Finally, expect a slight improvement in the punting unit. Jeremy Kapinos, having solidified the starting role in week three, has a consistent, albeit bland season. Limiting his mistakes in cold weather Kapinos stays neck in neck with most second tier punters in the league.

Defense

The Secondary

Once thought to be the strength of the team, the secondary becomes a question mark early. Unable to make the transition to zone, Al Harris begins to hear rumblings favoring Tramon Williams in a starter’s role. The entire organization knows that Harris will not take kindly to the demotion and continue to start him. Patrick Lee never fully recovers from his back injuries leaving Dom Capers slightly thin. Aaron Rouse turns out to be a disappointment again this season, leaving Capers (who prefers to use a safety in his dime packages) starting Anthony Smith in those situations.

The Linebackers

Injuries take their toll on the line backing crew right out of the gate. First round pick Clay Matthews is hindered by a hamstring injury for the entire season. Lack of field time, and practice time force Matthews into a situational role when he is healthy. Much like A.J. Hawk in 2008, Matthews is ineffective. Taking Matthews place is Brady Poppinga who once again earned the spot during training camp. Avoiding the injuries suffered by Matthews and projected starter Jeremy Thompson, Poppinga does a pedestrian type job for the first eight weeks. Thompson, although healthy, never exhibits the flash the Packers had hoped for. Aaron Kampman proves to be serviceable. Nasty off the edge, Kampman delivers double digit sacks. Although impressive, Kampman remains average in coverage.

The jam at linebacker becomes apparent in week 6 when Nick Barnett is deemed fully recovered from injury. Barnett takes his spot back full time from a very impressive Desmond Bishop. Bishop’s success, along with the success of Brandon Chillar, starts forcing a heavy dose of rotations both inside and out. In week nine, Chillar finds himself with the starting role outside, as Bishop fills in the gaps for Hawk and Barnett.

The Defensive Line

After Justin Harrell is placed on IR in week two, the Packers look for rookie B.J. Raji to make some noise. Raji is impressive for a rookie, finding playing time at both end and tackle. Ryan Pickett keeps his starting job in the middle and performs at a high level. Pickett’s success is due in part to the play of Cullen Jenkins who returns to form after last season’s injury. It is Jenkins and not Kampman that teams plan around, leaving plenty of opportunity for the big men in the middle. Johnny Jolly and Michael Montgomery prove to be consistent backups. Jolly, although upset about his loss of time to B.J. Raji, keeps fairly quiet about the issues on the heels of his court case and certain free agency.

The Offense

Quarterbacks

Aaron Rodgers finally dispels of the label injury prone this season. He does miss the fourth quarter of one game, while Matt Flynn continues to display the reasons he will never be a true number two quarterback. There are a few days of Favre to replace Rodgers discussions, but Aaron’s injury does not cause any further lost game time. Rodgers finishes the year second in passing and third in touchdowns. Aaron also finds himself at the bottom of another list with a paltry 9 interceptions. This lands Aaron as the second quarterback on the season’s Pro Bowl team in the NFC.

Running Backs

The Packers find themselves once again with inconsistencies at the running back position. Ryan Grant remains the starter, although he finds himself pushed by a finally healthy DeShawn Wynn. Grant, breaks a few big plays, but continues to struggle with a 3.75 yard per carry effort. There is public outcry about starting the emerging Wynn, but the organization decides to let Grant start for unknown reasons. Brandon Jackson never really gets an opportunity, and his future as Green Bay Packer is uncertain.

Offensive Line

Surprisingly, the Packers offensive line has remained cohesive. The emergence of Breno “Guacamole” Giacomini allowed the Packers to move Josh Sitton to guard and Jason Spitz to center. This along with a healthy Chad Clifton and improving Daryn Colledge has led to the first consistent line in nearly half a decade. Aaron Rodgers has had plenty of time to find his targets, and the running game deficiencies can be blamed more on Grant’s lack of vision than poor play up front.

Wide Receivers

Fantasy owners across the country are elated with either of four Green Bay Packer receivers. Greg Jennings has more than lived up to his contract, posting a personal best 15 touchdowns and nearly 1250 receiving yards. This effort has earned him a position on the Pro-Bowl roster along with his young QB.

Donald Driver continues to age gracefully. Although not the every down threat he was, Donald continues to make key plays at crucial times. His six touchdowns are a little below his average, but the non-stop double teaming of Jennings has left Driver with plenty of opportunities between the twenties.

Jordy Nelson and James Jones have finally started to give the Packers a little credibility over the middle. Nelson continues to make progress, while Jones returns to his 2007 form. Jones sees the majority of the reps at number 3, but the lack of a running game forces the Packers into more 4 wideout sets on third and long. Nelson finds himself with plenty of opportunities in those long yardage situations.

Tight Ends

Much of Donald Drivers lack of production in the red zone can be attributed to Jermichael Finley’s monster 2009 performance. Dominating the seam between the twenties and owning the corner of the end zone, Finley has produced 7 touchdowns where it matters the most. Although many people have expressed interest in Finley assuming the starting role from Donald Lee, Lee’s proficiency in the blocking aspect of the position have kept him as the starter all season.

Record

The Packers win the NFC North in the final week of the season with via tie-breaker over the 9-7 Chicago Bears. The Packers are unable to keep pace with the New Orleans Saints in the playoffs. Drew Brees overcomes an unusually mild day in Lambeau to torch the Packers secondary for over 400 yards.

Although it is disappointing, the Packers late season run has rejuvenated a previously divided and uncertain fan base. Both Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy hold on to their jobs riding a late wave of success. Ted Thompson immediately picks up a seventh rounder from the Bengals.

The Minnesota Vikings, as always, continue to suck.