2003 Season Review

It was a tale of two seasons for the 2003 Green Bay Packers.  The first half of the season resembled a misaligned Packers team with holes on defense and a inconsistent offense.  The second half of the season showed an improved defense and a top notch offense.  The whole season provided much excitement even though the season ended abruptly as the Packers lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Divisional playoffs.

The Packers offense broke several long standing team records this season.   The Packers were led all season long by record breaker Ahman Green.  Green broke several rushing records.  At midseason, he broke Dorsey Levens' single-game mark of 190 yards by rushing for 192 against Philadelphia. Green broke two records in one game during the Packers final regular season game against the Broncos when he broke Andy Uram's club record for longest run from scrimmage (97 yards) with a 98 yard scoring scamper.   That 98 yard run gave him 210 for the day which  broke his own team record for most yards in a game which he set earlier against the Eagles.  Green also broke Hall-of-Famer Jim Taylor's  record for yards in a season.  Green's 1,883 yards blew away Taylor's 1,474 set back in 1962.  There was a knack for Green to put the ball on the ground but he didn't fumble after week 9 which is also the last week he wore those scuba pads on his elbows.  

Brett Favre continued his consecutive games streak despite playing the second half of the season with a broken thumb  and also endured the painful loss of his own father with a Monday Night for the ages when he threw for 4 TD's in the first half against the Raiders.  

The Packers offense will return all of their starters for the 2004 season if they are able to resign T Chad Clifton.  This is a good indication for next season as the Packers should still be able to dominate when they have the ball.  Look for and improved wide receiver corp. with the continued improvement of Javon Walker and Robert Ferguson.  I wouldn't be surprised if the Packers added a veteran receiver thru free agency.

The Packers were plagued by an inconsistent defense all season long which led to the firing of Defensive Coordinator Ed Donatell.  I thought the Packers had to let Donatell go for several reasons.  There were several games during the 2003 season in which the defense were unable to close out games including the games against the Chiefs, Eagles, and the playoff games against the Seahawks and the final 4th and 26 game against the Eagles.  The defense has definitely been a sore spot for the Packers all season long.

I have read reports about KGB and his lack of performance this season.  I think he had a tremendous season considering the Packers defensive line was nothing to brag about.  KGB was still able to pick up 10 sacks which was tied for sixth in the NFC.  The Packers need to add someone to the defensive line that can play, which will take the pressure off of KGB and make the defense much better.  I think the Packers are only a few players away from becoming a dominant defense.  The Packers obviously need another safety.  Darren Sharper is a great player but he needs someone beside him of equal caliber, preferably someone that can apply a few licks on opposing receivers.  

Ryan Longwell became the Packers all time leading scorer this season and also became the Packers all time field goal leader when he passed Chris Jacke in the 49ers game.  Longwell is as reliable as they come.  Josh Bidwell will probably be looking for a new job come next season.

The next Packers Pit commentary will be updated around the draft 

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