2001 PACKERS
	Brett Favre threw only 20 TD passes last season.
	Head coach: Mike Sherman (2nd year). 2000 record: 9-7. AFC East finish: 3rd. 2001 preseason: 2-1. Season opener: Sept. 9 vs. Lions. Schedule | Depth chart

It seems odd that a playoff non-qualifier would want to undergo such little change the following offseason. But that was the case with the Packers, who believe they can pick up where they left off last season, when they finished with four straight wins over division rivals.

The Packers signed nary a big-name free agent, preferring to upgrade themselves through the draft. They hope their No. 1 pick, Florida State defensive end Jamal Reynolds, will improve the one glaring weakness, their pass rush. The team also hopes second-round pick Robert Ferguson will upgrade what's become a questionable WR corps.

But aside from the rookies, the 2001 Packers will look very similar to the 2000 team that went 9-7 and barely missed the playoffs. Still, head coach/general manager Mike Sherman sees improvement.

"I think we're a better team today than we were at the end of last season," Sherman said. "You can be a better team sometimes, and your record doesn't indicate that. I think we're a better team than 9-7."

Sherman, entering his second season in Green Bay, can point to his players' increased familiarity with his ways, as well as an increased talent pool that was strengthened by the return of some veteran mainstays. RB Dorsey Levens, S LeRoy Butler, OT Earl Dotson and C Frank Winters all took paycuts to return. And S Darren Sharper, RB Ahman Green and PK Ryan Longwell were re-signed to big-time deals.

But if the Packers are to end their two-year playoff drought, they'll need a better start than last season, when they began 0-2. They'll need more production from a defensive line that struggled to not only pressure quarterbacks, but also to stay healthy. And they'll need QB Brett Favre to continue his reign of terror on defenses, now spanning an NFL-record 141 regular-season games.

Offense
Quarterbacks: By his immensely high standards, Favre has not been the Favre of old. After throwing for more than 30 TD passes in five straight seasons, Favre has thrown 20 and 22 in the last two seasons. But numbers don't drive Favre - winning does. He remains one of the most indispensable players in the game because of his leadership, toughness and play-making ability. His elbow problems from the summer of 2000 are gone, and his arm and accuracy are sound. But at 31, Favre has begun to feel the wear and tear a little more. Remember, he hasn't missed a game since 1992. Backing up Favre is Doug Pederson, who is familiar with the West Coast offense and has surprising mobility for a 33-year-old. But he has a career passer rating of 62.1 and has started only 17 games in eight NFL seasons.
Grade: A-minus.

Running backs: With a new five-year contract in his pocket, Green takes over for Levens as the Packers' featured back. Green finished last season on a tear, gaining 1,063 total yards and scoring 10 touchdowns in the final eight games. Many people were familiar with Green's blazing speed, but they didn't know he could run so hard and improve so much at blocking and receiving. Levens continued his injury-plagued ways, suffering a broken hand on his first preseason carry. He hopes to be ready for opening day. Levens will not be forgotten in the Packers' attack. He remains a very adept receiver and is outstanding in blitz pickup. William Henderson has carried the ball only nine times the last two seasons, but he remains a durable fullback who can be a strong blocker.
Grade: B-plus.

Receivers: In the eyes of many scouts, flanker Antonio Freeman has dropped from the perch of true No. 1 receivers. Since signing a lucrative contract before the '99 season, Freeman has fallen on hard times both on and off the field. He isn't as dynamic as he once was after the catch, and he struggles to separate from top cornerbacks. He appeared to hit rock bottom after being suspended by Sherman for the Packers' season finale. Now it's up to him to get his act together. Bill Schroeder will start opposite Freeman at split end. Schroeder has tremendous speed and has improved his pass catching and route running, but he is much better down the sideline than over the middle. Some scouts believe both Freeman and Schroeder have put up such lofty numbers the last two seasons only because of Favre's brilliance and his ability to buy time for them to get open. The No. 3 wide receiver spot remained open late into the preseason. Corey Bradford, Ferguson, Donald Driver and Charles Lee all are in the running. At tight end, Bubba Franks, the Packers' top pick in the 2000 draft, had an impressive camp, with Sherman noticing his improvements in the red zone. Sixth-round pick of 2001, converted wide receiver David Martin, also had a strong camp and should be the No. 2 tight end. His blocking was much better than anticipated.
Grade: C-plus.

		The Packers have worked in the offseason on improving their secondary and stopping people on defense. And in the NFC Central, there is a premium on being able to defend the pass. But offensively, Brett Favre can't do it alone. While Ahman Green has developed into a legitimate running threat, we keep hearing about the potential of receiver Corey Bradford and tight end Bubba Franks, now in his second season. Favre needs help from his receivers for the team to excel. Antonio Freeman has to play 16 games. I don't know if the other receivers can perform at a high level, but how can Favre be expected to win unless his supporting cast improves? One thing I do know: If I had to win one game, Favre would be the quarterback.

Offensive linemen: Last season, the team's two rookie tackles, Mark Tauscher on the right and Chad Clifton on the left, more than held their own. In fact, Clifton led the line in fewest sacks allowed (one) and fewest "bad" runs (4 1/2) - runs for one yard or less, but not in short-yardage or goal-line situations. Tauscher committed the fewest penalties on the line (three). Clifton has exceptional size and very good feet, while Tauscher displays great smarts and balance. At center, Winters is replaced by Mike Flanagan, who is 10 years Winters' junior and more athletic. The line's best starter a year ago was ORG Marco Rivera, who turned his pass blocking from a weakness into a strength. He was rewarded with a four-year, $10 million contract extension. Mike Wahle starts at left guard in place of free-agent defector Ross Verba. Wahle flopped at left tackle last season before being replaced by Clifton.
Grade: B-minus.

Defense
Defensive linemen: This unit was beset by injuries last season, and it carried into training camp. Currently, Vonnie Holliday and John Thierry top the depth chart at end, and Russell Maryland and Cletidus Hunt are first at tackle. However, Hunt will miss the first four games of the regular season for violating the league's substance-abuse policy, and the other three have missed too much practice time in camp with injuries. Hunt finished last season very strong, but the praise he received appears to have gone to his head. Maryland is a hustler and locker-room leader, but at 32, he's nearing the end of his run. The Packers also have Gilbert Brown, Santana Dotson, Steve Warren and Jim Flanigan at tackle, but Brown and Dotson have missed a great deal of practice and Warren isn't expected back until October. The most positive development up front has been the play of second-year defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, who outperformed Reynolds in the first month of camp. Reynolds has had a hard time defending the run, and he needs to increase his repertoire as a pass rusher. At one point in camp, he was consistently beaten by Clifton in individual drills. Holliday is athletic but not fast or explosive coming off the edge. Thierry plays hard, but his recent rash of injuries is a concern.
Grade: C.

Linebackers: Injuries hit this unit in camp as well, with starting outside linebackers Nate Wayne and Na'il Diggs missing a lot of practice time. Wayne has a nose for the ball and fine speed. Once he convinced the coaching staff he could play, Wayne made everyone forget about former Packer Brian Williams. Diggs made his mark last season covering tight ends and knowing his playbook. Middle linebacker Bernardo Harris, who had a fine camp, could be on the verge of a breakout season. Third-round pick Torrance Marshall is listed behind Harris, but the rookie had a sluggish camp, and his instincts are in question.
Grade: C-plus.

Defensive backs: Sharper has become the featured player in the Packers' secondary, replacing Butler at strong safety. Sharper turned his career around last season, leading the league with nine interceptions and becoming much more of a sure-tackler. Butler isn't out of a job, though. The franchise's fourth-longest-tenured player (172 games) now plays free safety, where he can still take advantage of his ballhawking ability. Antuan Edwards is Butler's heir apparent. Left cornerback Mike McKenzie shook off some early leg trouble and played well in the team' first three preseason games. A sophomore slump dropped his stock, but if he matures, he could become a very good corner. Right cornerback Tyrone Williams was limited by injury in camp, but he grades out well because of his cover ability, though he is not much a factor against the run and struggles with the deep ball. Third-round pick Bhawoh Jue could overtake Tod McBride for the nickel-back job. McBride has been trying to do too much, and his tendency to lunge toward plays resulted in a $5,000 fine for a late hit in the preseason.
Grade: B.

Special teams
Punter Josh Bidwell is looking better, but he'll need to improve on his 29th-ranked gross average of a year ago (38.5 yards). Placekicker Ryan Longwell owns the NFL record for field-goal percentage (84.7) and is just as reliable from afar as he is from in close. Cornerback Allen Rossum is a better kickoff returner than punt returner. In overall special teams, the Packers improved last season from 25th to 12th under first-year coach Frank Novak.
Grade: B.

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