(Donald Lee = Keith Jackson) Keith Jackson became Favre's #1 red-zone threat, scoring 10 touchdowns on 40 receptions in 96. Donald Lee is becoming that player, and more importantly, a reliable target for Favre with 39 receptions and 4 touchdowns in 11 games. (Jackson not to be confused with ESPN commentator, Keith Jackson)
(Bubba Franks = Mark Chmura) This is another unfair comparison. Mark Chmura was one of Favre' best buds on the team. But with Jackson emerging, he rarely utilized Chewy's ability. Franks was a very good tight end a few years ago. But last year he had many fans arguing that he shouldn't be on the team for dropping critical passes in the end zone. This year in his first 6 games, he has been more effective snatching 2 touchdowns on 14 catches. Since then he has been injured and the Pack has been 5-0. Franks' injury may be a blessing had he played like last year in any one of those 5 games.DE:
(Aaron Kampman = Reggie White)
Kampman is very underrated; he leads the league in sacks. He continues to be the best defensive end since Reggie White. Nobody can match the play of Reggie White. He has his number retired by the team and he is the all-time sack leader of both the Packers and the Eagles. White was the best end the Packers had ever seen and possibly the best they will ever see.
(Cullen Jenkins = Sean Jones) Cullen Jenkins played so well in pre-season that he took the starting job from Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. KGB still comes in to play in fact he's fourth in the league in sacks. But Jenkins is coming in to his own and is great against both the run and the pass. Sean Jones is just another member of the 96 Packers intimidating defensive line, notching 5 sacks and 37 tackles that year.DT:
(Corey Williams = Santana Dotson)
Santana Dotson was great on the inside of the line and put up 5.5 sacks in 96. Corey Williams is playing just as well as that, if not better. Which is surprising, because Dotson was really good. Williams has 7 sacks in 11 games so far. In his free time, Corey Williams likes to design weddings.
(Ryan Pickett = Gilbert Brown) Pickett weighs in at a whopping 322 pounds. Which is impressive, until you see Gilbert Brown. In his prime, Brown weighed 345 pounds. Brown became famous in Green Bay for stopping the run and eating at Burger King. Pickett is the run-stopping guy of 07. Nobody wants to run his way and get crushed.LB:
(Brady Poppinga = George Koonce)
OK, so George Koonce was our best linebacker, and Brady Poppinga is kind of the weakest. But when Koonce made a play, the stadium erupted in "KOOOOOOOONCE." And I find it hard to believe there aren't too many Packers fans now that don't like saying "Poppinga." I mean, who doesn't?
(Nick Barnett = Brian Williams) This would be Nick Barnett and Brian Cox, had the aforementioned Koonce not made the switch to MLB one week before the season. Barnett is the teams best linebacker, with a certain someone rapidly approaching. Williams played so well in pre-season, he prompted the benching of Brian Cox. And it's not hard to see why; Williams was second on the team in tackles, behind Koonce. Make sure to catch Brian Williams on NBC Nightly News!
(AJ Hawk = Wayne Simmons)AJ Hawk is very scary. Taken with the 5th pick of the 2005 draft, Hawk is on the fast road to becoming the Packers best linebacker. Imagine how the defense would look if it had another top LB paired with Barnett and Hawk. It would be like 1996 all over! Actually, I think the only difference between these two is skin color and jersey number.
Next time: Cornerbacks, Safeties, Kickers and Coaches
Plus: Week 13 Power Rankings
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