Projections (9/02/03)

Passing Stats

Rush Stats

Receiving Stats

Fantasy

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Quarterbacks
Starter - Brett Favre
Backups - Craig Nall, Doug Pederson

Starting Quarterback: The 'Iron Man' of the NFL continues to roll on. He has played in every football game for an amazing ten seasons in a row. That is tremendous durability out of a quarterback and he shows little sign of slowing down. Many think he is due to have a major injury but it is impossible to ignore his durability over his career. Everyone knows Brett Favre's skills on the field. He is accurate, throws for a lot of yards and throws a bunch of touchdown passes. He is a consistent top ten producer and will remain a steady, starting fantasy quarterback.

Backup Quarterback(s): Because of Favre's durability over the years, little is known of Packer backup quarterbacks, Craig Nall and Doug Pederson. Almost no value coming from the backup position, and I can't see anybody spending a pick on either of these players in a draft.

Update - 8/28: Favre is obviously the top guy here. Pederson is #2. The Akili Smith era has ended in Green Bay.

Running Backs
Starter - Ahman Green
Backups - Najeh Davenport, Lamar Smith
Fullback - William Henderson

Starting Running Back: Green was fantastic running the ball last year considering he missed two official games with injury, and parts of others as well. Green will be healthy entering this year, and at twenty-six, should have a few more big years ahead of him. Green is 6-0, 217, and his receiving ability makes him a good fit for the Packers. Green's a strong inside runner, but has the explosiveness and speed to make him an every down back. The Packers have leaned heavily on Green in year's past, but they may give him a breather now and then to try and keep him injury-free. As much as any back out there, Green's a lock for double digit TDs and over 100 total yards per game. Green's receiving numbers took a hit last year, a trend that may continue with the emergence of the talented young wideouts for the Packers.

Backup Running Back(s): Davenport's a big back (6-1, 247) that twice replaced Ahman Green in the middle of games (against Detroit both times), after Green was injured. The former Hurricane showed good ability, but won't have any value this year unless Green goes down with an injury. Will Davenport have enough carries to hurt Green's value? Not likely. The same goes for Lamar Smith, who at thirty-two is well past his prime, and is just added insurance for Green Bay. Smith may not make final roster cuts, as the Packers also have talented youngster Tony Fisher.

Fullback(s): William Henderson enters his ninth season with the Packers, and fits well with the West Coast Offense. He's a good receiver out of the backfield, but won't hurt the fantasy value of any of the other Packers.

Update - 8/28: Green is entrenched as the starter and is a starter in any league. Look for Davenport to spell him at times. At FB, Henderson is easily the starter of Nick Luchey. Note that the Packers have had success in the preseason using Davenport and Luchey near the goal line.

Wide Receivers
Starters - Donald Driver, Robert Ferguson
Backups - Javon Walker, Karsten Bailey, Devin Lewis, Carl Ford

Starting Receiver(s): Donald Driver returns as the team's top receiver after a breakthrough 2002 season (70 receptions for 1,064 yards and 9 touchdowns) that saw him emerge from a crowded group of contenders to become Favre's most reliable target. Driver made a ton of big plays last year, but also dropped too many balls for a receiver of his caliber (8 drops in 83 chances). We expect Driver to be a solid fantasy contributor, an every week starter in most leagues.

On the other side of the line, 3rd year receiver Robert Ferguson is penciled in as the starter entering training camp, but that is as much out of respect for his seniority to Javon Walker (a 2nd year player) than anything he's done on the field. Ferguson has largely fallen short of expectations his first two seasons, having caught just 22 receptions for 293 yards and 3 scores last season. It should be noted that Brett Favre, previously critical of Ferguson's lack of commitment to offseason preparation, has praised his maturity during this spring's mini camps.

Backup Receiver(s): Javon Walker will battle Ferguson for the starting job during training camp. In any event, he'll be counted on to play a major role in the passing game this year with the departure of Terry Glenn. Walker is a physically gifted receiver who needs to improve his route running and ability to make adjustments to the ball in traffic. Like Ferguson, Favre has praised Walker; and the coaches believe he could assert himself this year. Karsten Bailey is solidly entrenched as the fourth receiver, and he'll see limited action when GB goes utilizes 4 WR sets. Rookie Carl Ford is expected to battle Devin Lewis, a 2002 practice squad player, for the 5th receiver slot.

Update - 8/28: Robert Ferguson has officially been name the starter opposite Donald Driver. Despite missing a good portion of training camp with a tailbone injury, Ferguson has done enough since his return to earn HC Mike Sherman's approval. Second year receiver Javon Walker will play the slot; but clearly hasn't played consistently well enough to earn a major role to open the season. "He's been OK," HC Mike Sherman said. "He hasn't had many opportunities. Young players need the playing time and reps. He's going to be fine. He's still young. Not disappointed in him at all." In the battle for the 4th receiver slot, rookie Carl Ford has pulled even with incumbent Karsten Bailey.

Tight Ends
Starter - Bubba Franks
Backup(s) - David Martin, Tyrone Davis
Bubba Franks has increased his catch total each year in the league. Brett Favre has got Franks more involved in the offense between the 20's, while keeping him as his favorite red zone target. Franks won't dazzle anyone with his athleticism, but he seems to be settling into his role with Packers well. In 2002 Franks owners were probably a bit nervous early on. He caught only 1 pass in three of the first five games. However, he became more consistent as the season wore on ending up as the #4 tight end in fantasy scoring.

Update - 8/28: Wesley Walls has joined the Packers and looks to be a contributor. Bubba Franks will still be the starter in Green Bay, but this development will cut into Franks numbers a bit this season. Tyrone Davis has been cut from the team.

Place Kicker
Ryan Longwell, Owen Pochman: Pochman has never made a field goal in the NFL and was brought in to possibly be a kickoff specialist. Longwell's job is safe with regard to the place kicking duties. Longwell won't hit tons of longer field goals, but the consistent Packer offense has given him plenty of opportunities to remain a top ten fantasy kicker.

Update - 8/28: Pochman has been waived.

Offensive Line
C-Mike Flanagan; G-Mike Wahle; G-Marco Rivera; T-Chad Clifton; T-Mark Tauscher
This group has been together for some time now and it shows on the field. They play together as a unit and compliment one another nicely. The Packers added veteran guard Grey Ruegamer from the Patriots and he'll be welcome depth to the squad. Chad Clifton is becoming the force he was expected to when drafted in the 2000 draft. He is a big, strong kid who gets the job done. Marco Rivera made the Pro Bowl last year and has developed into a tremendous talent at guard. The backups have experience and some talent which will help this unit if injuries crop up.