Packers needs: D repairman Capers faces big job

In one year, the Green Bay Packers went from second in their conference to third in their division, and if you're looking for an explanation please don't start with Brett Favre.

Some Cheeseheads insist that not having Favre cooked the Packers, but don't believe it. Their 6-10 record in 2008 had less to do with the absence of the future Hall of Famer than it did the absence of a bona fide defense.

The Packers hope a new scheme gets more out of 'backers A.J. Hawk and Nick Barnett. (US Presswire)

The Packers allowed 89 more points than they did the year before, when they had Favre. Three times they surrendered 30 or more points. Once they hemorrhaged 51. Bottom line: They were barely adequate on that side of the ball, with predictable results. They limped to the finish, losing seven of their last nine starts and dropping seven games by four or fewer points each.

Afterward, the Packers promised to make changes, and they have. First, they hired Dom Capers to run their defense. Second, Capers announced the Packers would go to a 3-4 instead of the usual 4-3 setup. That should allow them to take more advantage of the play-making skills of linebackers like Nick Barnett and A.J. Hawk and move pass-rusher extraordinaire Aaron Kampman from defensive end to outside linebacker.

Those moves are intended to make the Packers better at rushing the quarterback, and the club could use some help in that department. A year ago Green Bay ranked 25th in sacks. That must improve, and to make sure it does Capers hired former NFL pass rusher Kevin Greene as an assistant.

If Caper and Greene are successful, the Packers can be, too. There is nothing wrong with Favre's replacement, Aaron Rodgers, or the league's eighth-ranked passing game. So don't blame this on Rodgers or the ghost of Favre Past. What happens with Green Bay is contingent on what happens with its defense.

QB: Rodgers goes 6-10 in his first year as Favre's replacement, yet he's considered a keeper? Remember what we said up front: Rodgers wasn't the problem; a porous defense was. Only three quarterbacks threw more touchdown passes (he had 28), while only five had better passer ratings. Basically, Rodgers demonstrated he can be the quarterback of the future. Now he must prove he can win. Matt Flynn and Brian Brohm are the backups, but good luck getting on the field without a Rodgers injury.

RB: I'm not sure what to make of Ryan Grant. He looked like a dominant back the second half of 2007, then was ordinary more times than not one year later. Grant's numbers were down almost everywhere, most notably in touchdowns and yards per carry. He only had four runs over 20 yards, too. The Packers need more of the Ryan Grant, circa 2007, and less of Ryan Grant, 2008. Brandon Jackson is a solid backup, averaging 5.5 yards per carry and catching 12 more passes than Grant, but he needs to push Grant. Keep your eyes on DeShawn Wynn, too. He produced 106 yards in the season finale.

WR: Greg Jennings and Donald Driver each had more than 1,000 yards in catches, so, no, there's no absence of available targets. Jennings is the deep threat, averaging 16.2 yards per reception, while Driver is the more experienced, intermediate receiver. Both are dangerous, though Jennings struggled with drops late last season. Jordy Nelson was a nice addition, with 33 catches in his rookie season, but James Jones was a disappointment. Not only was he bothered by injuries, he didn't produce all that much when he did play. The Packers need him or Nelson to contribute more as a No. 3 receiver.

TE: Donald Lee was the team's third-best receiver and tied Driver for second in touchdowns receiving. So what's not to like? Well, his numbers were down from the year before when he was a reliable option for Favre. He had fewer catches, fewer yards and fewer scores than he did in 2007. Jermichael Finley could press for more time if he continues to evolve as he did last season. Tory Humphrey is also a possibility.

OL: Part of the reason the running game didn't work so well was that the offensive line didn't work so well. Veteran tackle Mark Tauscher suffered a serious knee injury late last season and was not re-signed. He won't be ready for the start of this year, but stay tuned. Left tackle Chad Clifton seems to be winding down, too, which means the Packers should be looking for help at either tackle spot. Daryn Colledge could move from guard to tackle, allowing Josh Sitton a shot at right guard. Jason Spitz, the starting right guard, seems more suited to center, which could make Scott Wells expendable. I think you get the idea: This is a position of uncertainty.

DL: With the Packers going to a 3-4 the most glaring need is a nose tackle, and maybe Ryan Pickett is the answer and maybe he's not. What I do know is that the Packers must find out if Justin Harrell can do anything but get hurt. He was a first-round draft pick who looks more and more like a first-round bust. Having defensive end Cullen Jenkins back will help an ineffective pass rush, but the question is: What can Green Bay gain from Mike Montgomery and Jeremy Thompson, both of whom showed flashes a year ago? The Packers must get better inside and out.

LB: With Kampman taking his 9.5 sacks to outside linebacker, the Packers look solid here. If there's a question, it's what is going on with Hawk. Though he led the team in tackles he wasn't the impact player the Packers envisioned when they made him a first-round draft pick. Maybe that happens now that he's in a different defense. The biggest change will be having Barnett back. The Packers lost him to a season-ending knee injury and were never the same. Barnett is a team leader and a productive player, and having him in the lineup should count for plenty.

Secondary: What I like about this group is that it's laden with playmakers. All of the Packers' 22 interceptions were by their defensive backs. What I don't like is the age of the cornerbacks. Al Harris turns 35 this season and Charles Woodson turns 33. Despite playing the season with a broken toe, Woodson was named to the Pro Bowl -- and he should have been. He led the team in pass breakups and returned two interceptions for touchdowns. Pro Bowl safety Nick Collins returned three for scores. Woodson could move to safety, where Atari Bigby was hurt and Aaron Rouse nothing special, but even if he doesn't the Packers could use a young cornerback to team with Tramon Williams.