Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

After a disappointing 6-10 season in 2008 the Green Bay Packers definitely wanted to show improvement in 2009 and they definitely did. Not only did they improve their record to 11-5 they also earned a Wild Card playoff birth in the NFC. Unfortunately they lost their playoff game to the Arizona Cardinals, but it wasn’t just the best game of the Wild Card round, it may have been the best game of the entire playoff season as the Cardinals squeaked by the Packers 51-45 in overtime.

Last season proved to be a very positive season for Green Bay. Not only did they get themselves back into the playoffs, they were an extremely productive offensive team. In his second season as the Packers starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers had his second straight 4,000 yard passing season when he passed for 4,434 yards with 30 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. Ryan Grant rushed for more than 1,200 yards with 11 touchdowns, while both Greg Jennings and Donald Driver each had more than 1,000 yards receiving. Don’t be fooled and think this is a one dimensional football team, led by Charles Woodson and a solid linebacking corps they also possess one of the better defenses in the NFL. Entering 2010 the Green Bay Packers once again look poised to make a run at a NFC North title and another playoff birth.

KEY ADDITIONS

At this point in time the Packers have not made any significant off-season additions via free agency, but they did make a significant signing when they resigned offensive tackle Chad Clifton to a three-year deal. He is a 10-year veteran and despite some injury issues he is a very good tackle and someone the team needed to resign in order to help protect their Pro-Bowl quarterback who was sacked more than 50 times last season. Clifton will also be an excellent mentor for rookie offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga whom Green Bay drafted in the first round of April’s NFL Draft.

KEY DEPARTURES

Aaron Kampman (DT) – The biggest loss suffered by Green Bay during the off-season was Aaron Kampman signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He played in nine games for the Packers in 2009 and recorded 42 total tackles with 3.5 sacks and one forced fumble. Along with his production the Packers will miss his veteran leadership. Kampman played eight seasons for the Packers as the leader of the defensive line and he recorded more than 450 total tackles with 54 sacks during his tenure with the team. He signed with the Jaguars and will likely play right defensive end in head coach Jack Del Rio’s defense.

ROOKIE TO WATCH

Bryan Bulaga (OT) – The Packers were injury riddled at the offensive line position in 2009 and the team gave up more than 50 sacks during the season as injuries forced them to use a different line combination most weeks. In order to help improve the health of the line Green Bay decided they needed to get younger at the position and they spent their first round draft pick, No. 23 overall, on the 2009 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year. Bryan Bulaga played three years for the University of Iowa and he was a starter for the Hawkeyes by midseason of his true freshman season. Bulaga is currently listed second on the Packers depth chart at left tackle, but he will be giving a chance to compete with both Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher for one of the starting tackle spots during training camp this summer. Either way Bulaga adds some much needed youth and depth to the team’s offensive line.

Need help organizing your fantasy draft? We’ve got you covered….

NFC WEST:  ARI  |  STL  |  SF  |  SEA

NFC SOUTH:  ATL  |  CAR  |  NO  |  TB

NFC NORTH:  CHI  |  DET  |  GB  |  MIN

————————

GET YOUR COMMISH KIT DRAFT BOARD NOW

The Bruno Boys have once again teamed up with Commish Kit to sell fantasy football draft boards. The 2010 draft boards are available for purchase and you can pick one up here… DRAFT BOARDS

————————

Also, don’t forget to head over to our Fantasy Football Message Board and sign-up for a FORUM account. By doing so you will be able to talk fantasy football all season long.