As far as personnel though, I’ve had some questions about Bulaga as a run blocker (seems run game may have improved at least a bit with Barclay coming on). I’ve also had questions about Newhouse as LT. I think he’s serviceable – though you’re right he played Aldon Smith pretty well on Saturday. I don’t think Sitton was special this year – especially with run blocking. But we know he’s pretty good overall. EDS is OK. He wasn’t terrible but he’ll have to develop quickly to stick as the starter. While the idea of Sherrod coming back gives me some hope, I can’t help but think he’s just not going to be what we once thought he was.

While I do believe that sticking with the same personnel can help them gel and develop as a unit (like the Giants of several years ago), when the unit allows so many sacks and they can’t run block well, something needs to change. I can see drafting and turning to free agency for depth and shuffling the line to something like this: Bulaga RT, Sitton RG, EDS center, Lang LG and maybe trying Barclay at LT.

disagree re O-Line. While the line had its moments this year and it was nice for Barclay and EDS to get some experience, I just don’t think the line is good. I agree with Dave in Tucson here. Not just the sacks of Rodgers, but the fact that our RBs have to work so hard for their yards. I’m not sure if it’s a personnel thing or a coaching thing frankly, but this group really needs to improve.

Glad Chicago didn’t hire Clements.

We also need an o-line that can run block. If the Packers have a running game, defenses can’t focus so much on pass protection. It just opens up the offense to a whole nother level.

It’s hard to have a top tier 3-4 defense when you only have one above average LB. Now, if Perry and Bishop didn’t end up on IR then maybe they would have been more effective at the end of the season. Perry’s production is the big unknown for next year for that group. .

I thought the O-line had a outstanding game. Marshall Newhouse was a stud playing against one of the best in the game. Barclay is a keeper. With Bulaga and Sherrod back next year I have high hopes for this line going forward. EDS gives them time to develop a center. It seems to me they have the horses in the barn to protect Rodgers going forward.

If I were Chicago I would hire Clements as the head coach and sign Greg Jennings. If I were Ted Thompson, I would slap the franchise tag on Jennings as soon as Chicago hired Clements. Then I would work out a trade for him to a AFC team. I really like Jennings but with Jordy, Jones, Cobb you probably have to save that $10m per year for Rodgers/Matthews/Raji going forward.

With the empty b/f, the opposing defense does not need to account for a run, or a screen. Just the pass. This makes their task too simple.

The muffed punt is on MM … No reason to have an untested rookie in that situation.

I thought the O-line was adequate but it is certainly not a strength, which is absurd when you consider that the Pack has, by acclimation, the best QB in the game. Its a waste to not allow him to do his thing.

There is still a very solid base, and at no time this year did this feel like a SB- caliber team so last night was not exactly a surprise.