The 2008 season for the Green Bay Packers was a major disappointment.  Seemingly everything that could go wrong, did, and a team that finished with a 13-3 record in 2007 ended the season as the only 6-10 team in the NFL. The unfulfilled expectations of the season left many serious questions about the coaching staff and the team's philosophy on roster building.  Injuries no doubt played a large role in the teams third losing season in the last four years.  The inconsistent and often inadequate play of both the offensive and defensive lines also played a large role.  This column will look at questions the Packers face heading towards the NFL draft and will speculate on how the team can find answers with their upcoming selections.

The hiring of Dom Capers as the defensive coordinator for the Packers is obviously the first major move of the off-season, but it might raise more questions than it answers.  The two most important would seem to be, do the Packers have the personnel to play the 3-4 defense?  And, can the team adequately transition from the 4-3 to the 3-4 in time to take advantage of a strong offense and a week NFC North division in 2009?  General Manager Ted Thompson and Coach Mike McCarthy clearly must believe that the answer to both questions is yes, because their jobs could very well be on the line this year.

On the line, also represents where the Packers must upgrade.  Both the offensive and defensive lines suffered from injuries and poor production.  The defensive line took a huge hit when Cullen Jenkins was lost for the majority of the season.  2007 first round pick Justin Harrell was unable to stay healthy or contribute anything positive in his second year.  Defensive end Aaron Kampman, who is now slated to move to outside rush linebacker, was solid but overall the unit failed to put consistent pressure on the quarterback.  This unit will have a completely new dynamic shifting to the 3-4 and I imagine the team will draft at least one or two players to fill out the line.

More surprising than the Packer's inability to apply pressure on their opponent's quarterback was their inability to protect their own.  Aaron Rodgers was sacked 34 times, which represents the most sacks the Packers have allowed since 2000, when Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher were starting 10 and 14 games respectively as rookies.  As a team the Packers dropped out of the top-5 NFL offenses in sacks allowed for the first time in five years.  Clifton, in his ninth season was responsible for allowing 7.5 sacks himself, and primary left guard Daryn Colledge (6 sacks) and center Scott Wells (3.5 sacks) also ranked near the bottom of the league for their positions.  Clifton, who was selected to his first Pro-Bowl in 2007, will be in the final year of his contract with the Packers in 2009.  At the other tackle position Mark Tauscher was called for more holding penalties in 2009 than in any other season and is now a free agent recovering from major knee surgery.  The team is high on Jason Spitz and Josh Sitton who might represent the future at the two guard positions for the Packers, although Spitz could move to center if Wells is unable to perform at a higher level.  Aside from those two the Packers line is in flux and must add depth and most importantly a young impact tackle that can play on either side of the line. 

This Draft happens to have 4 highly rated tackles that might fit the Packers to varying degrees.  With the number nine pick the Packers almost certainly won't have their pick from all four players, but it's possible the team could land a foundation blocker for their line.

Andre Smith is a massive road plowing early entrant from the University of Alabama.  He was infamously suspended by the team prior to their bowl game due to improper contact with an agent, but it seems more like a mistake (hard to be mad, when agents are almost certainly initiating 99% of these situations) than a character flaw.  Smith is nearly 6'5'' and weighs 340 pounds.  He dominates defensive lineman at the point of attack and creates large holes for running.  His feet are not the quickest and he might be better suited in the NFL to right tackle instead of left.  Also considering the Packers use of the zone blocking scheme, he might not be the best fit.

Eugene Monroe from the University of Virginia is 6'5' and 310 pounds.  He is widely considered the best pass protecting lineman in this draft.  Kansas City starting left tackle Branden Albert who had a fine rookie season played left guard in college because Monroe was the starting tackle ahead of him.  Monroe needs to get stronger to anchor an NFL line on rushing plays, but his agility and athleticism would be assets in the zone scheme.

Jason Smith might be most well rounded of the tackle prospects that will be selected in the first round.  He is a late riser in his college career because he started it as a tight end and played out of the national spotlight at Baylor University.  Smith is 6'4½'' and 300 pounds.  Smith is still growing into the position, but is strong and shows great effort.  He doesn't overpower all linemen and can have problems against bull rushers.  He covers a lot of ground in pass protection but doesn't slide his feet just right.  Smith should be a good fit in the zone scheme.

Michael Oher from the University of Mississippi is the fourth tackle prospect with a first round grade going into the draft.  He ranks fourth of the four on most experts lists, but he could have the most potential of all.  He is plenty big enough at 6'5", 330 pounds, and massive arms that uses well against defenders.  Michael is also very agile and has the ability to improve his sometime sloppy footwork.  There have been questions at times about his effort and focus, but to his credit Oher has started 34 straight games at Ole Miss.  He has all the tools to be a premier left tackle in the NFL, but there is concern he may not reach his full potential.

As I mentioned it is doubtful that all 4 of these players will be available when the Packers are slated to pick at number nine, but it is likely that one and maybe two will still be there.  In my next column I'll look at what experts are projecting and come up with my own mock draft for all of the Packers selections.  It is impossible to have all the answers for the Packers 2009 draft right now, with the combine approaching and NFL free-agency beginning shortly there-after many things will change before commissioner Goodell announces who will become the Lions newest loser, but I would expect and hope that the Packers will seriously address the future of their offensive line on the opening day of draft weekend.