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| | Tuesday, August 15 Packers: Sherman takes control | |||||||||||||||
| By Tom Oates Special to ESPN.com The Packers brought in Ray Rhodes to keep their ship on the course set by departed coach Mike Holmgren, but Rhodes proved to be the wrong man at the wrong time for the wrong job. The team discipline instilled by Holmgren deteriorated and the Packers finished 8-8 and out of the playoffs for the first time since 1992. Rhodes was quickly gassed, replaced by unknown Mike Sherman, a Holmgren disciple who also stresses teaching, organization and attention to detail. The Packers hope that's enough to return them to their winning ways.
Quarterback Brett Favre, bothered all season by a sore thumb and an unchecked tendency to try to do too much, threw more interceptions (23) than touchdown passes (22) for the first time since 1993. Favre's performance also suffered because wide receiver Robert Brooks retired, tight end Mark Chmura went down with a neck injury in the second game and wide receiver Antonio Freeman had a down year. Sherman wants Favre to play within the confines of the offense once again and, despite the release of Chmura, hopes to surround him with better weapons. Key position battle Antuan Edwards will start in the secondary, we just don't know where yet. Last year's first-round draft pick, Edwards is a natural cornerback but has been moved to safety, where he will push LeRoy Butler, who is coming off a subpar year, and Darren Sharper, whose many missed tackles turned fans against him. No one knows where Edwards will end up, but somebody has to go and Sharper is the likely candidate. Biggest adjustment Without Reggie White holding down one end, the conservative defense fell to 19th in the NFL last season. New coordinator Ed Donatell, who came from Denver, will make the defense smaller, quicker and more unpredictable. Most of the change will come in the front seven, where veteran linemen Russell Maryland and John Thierry will start and add quickness. The linebacking will be suspect. One outside linebacker, aging George Koonce, was let go and the other, playmaker Brian Williams, is coming off a serious knee injury. Rookie report The Packers are counting on first-round pick Bubba Franks to replace Chmura at tight end. Franks is lanky and has great hands, but learning the offense isn't easy and Chmura's blocking will be missed. Fourth-round pick Na'il Diggs is one of several candidates to replace Koonce in the starting lineup, but he's playing a new position and hasn't been impressive. The Packers had 13 draft picks, an influx of youth they hope will improve their special teams.
| ALSO SEE Bears: Windy City changes Lions: Ready to move on Vikings: Daunte is in the fire Buccaneers: Getting offensive AUDIO/VIDEO   Antonio Freeman had some sound advice for an ailing Brett Favre.wav: 122 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 The rash of recent injuries will be a test for coach Mike Sherman and his staff.wav: 102 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Antonio Freeman comments on the loss of Dorsey Levens and its effect on the offense.wav: 101 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Brett Favre answers questions about his sore elbow.wav: 161 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Brett Favre knows he has to try complete every play this season.wav: 264 k RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 | |||||||||||||||
