BRETT FAVRE!

Ok, that's the only mention of #4, as there is plenty to talk about without mentioning the attention loving QB.  The 2008 Packers were a really tough team to figure out.  There were weeks where they looked very good (Colts, Bears, and Titans, even though they lost), and the rest of the time they played to their opponent's level, and lost most of those games.  They were 0-7 in games decided by 4 or less points, which is really frustrating to a team.  All of this led to a 6-10 record, and the 9th pick in the draft.

The Packers have 9 total picks in this year's draft, as they picked up the 3rd Rounder from the Jets for that famous QB (would have been a 2nd or 1st had the Jets not choked down the stretch), and they got the Saints 6th rounder, after they traded the Saints a 7th rounder last year.  Nine picks is second most in the draft, only behind the Eagles.

I've combined rankings for the Packers based on game stats, and from Football Outsiders.  Here's how the Packers stacked up this season:

Straight numbers wise, the Packers offense was in the Top 25% of the league.  They scored a lot of points, led by first year starter Aaron Rodgers.  He played extremely well, despite the circumstances.  Most Packers fans feel as though it was the right decision, as you can see from this poll (via Acme Packing Company):

It was painfully obvious, especially to Packer fans, that the defense was the downfall of this year's edition of the Packers.  They rode their defense all the way to the NFC Title game in 2007, but struggled mightily in '08.  They lost Cullen Jenkins in Week 4 for the season, which was a big blow to the Packers.  They also lost Al Harris for 4 games, and Atari Bigby for 9.  They were all key players in '07. They especially struggled stopping the run, ranking 29th in Rush Defense DVOA, ranking only above the Texans, Rams, and Lions.  I'm guessing they will be spending 2 or 3 picks at least suring up that run defense.

With a 6-10 record comes changes, and their was a big change in Green Bay.  Out is former Defensive Coordinator Bob Sanders (no, not that Bob Sanders), and in is former Panthers and Texans Head Coach Dom Capers.  What Capers brings with him is an entirely different scheme, the 3-4.  I asked Brandon, head writer over at Acme Packing Company, how prepared he thought the Packers were personnel wise to make this switch:

The defense should be fine for the switch at linebacker and secondary, but they are going to have to do something on the defensive line. The only 3-4 NT on the roster if Ryan Pickett, and he had a forgetable 2008. Former Pro Bowl DE Aaron Kampman is 260 lbs. and too light for a 3-4 DE. He could become the next Terrell Suggs, but Kampman has never played LB. I mentioned Jenkins above [would make a great 3-4 DE]. I don't know where DT Johnny Jolly or Justin Harrell would fit in the scheme. They might need an entirely new defensive line.

This means they'll do exactly what I thought, and grab a few run stoppers along the DL.  They'll also need a good deal of technique work, meaning mini-camp and training camp will be especially important to the Packers. 

I've never been a fan of new coaches coming in, and forcing the personnel into the new coach's scheme.  It just doesn't make much sense to me.  I understand Capers is a 3-4 guy, but why not wait a year or two, until you get the right guys in there, before making the switch?  It's not like the offense is in rebuilding mode.  Hell, they were one play away from the Super Bowl just a year ago.  Good coaches should be able to coach the players they have, not only be able to coach in their scheme.

I really don't think the Packers were that far off from being a very good team in 2008.  Each week they'd find some new way of losing a close game, and were handcuffed with many injuries.  I'm a big believer in the law of averages, and losing all 7 games decided by 4 points or less won't happen again.  Winning 4 of those 7 would have put them in the Playoffs.  Drastic changes weren't necessary, but that's the way they're going.  We're going to find out in 2009 how those changes worked out.