When Doug Melvin signed Big Ben to a contract extension back in 2005, he would have never guessed that his new #1 horse would have so many freak injuries. Not just one or two, but it’s gotten to the point where you are just waiting for Sheets to go down with an unprecendented leg, arm, or leg injury. Sheets is no doubt one of the top pitchers in baseball when healthy, but how long can a small-market team like Milwaukee afford to pay their $10 million player for half a season of production? Well GM Doug Melvin and Owner Mark Attanasio will let fans know soon enough, Sheets is under contract for one more season following 2007, and then will most likely test the FA market, looking to reel in the final lucrative contract of his career. Whether or not the Brewers would pay $15 million plus for their plagued ace is yet to be seen. If Sheets was willing to take a hometown discount, I’d say go for it. But seeing that is not going to be the case, chew on this scenario. The New York Yankees’ rotation is not getting any younger, and would welcome Big Ben to the Bronx. One player that intrigues me on the Bombers is reliever Joba Chamberlain. If I was Melvin, and Sheets didn’t want to return to the Brew Can, maximize his value and deal him for your future closer. The addition of Chamberlain would allow the Brewers to let Francisco Cordero walk, freeing up a substantial chunk of dough, and along with Geoff Jenkins’ dump, the Brewers would have an extra 10 or so million to pursue a big name pitcher. It may sound crazy, but Johan Santana anyone? He will be asking for top dollar, $25 million plus, but with the young nucleus of talent the Crew has, Santana may feel obligated to take a chance, and become the Brewers bonafide ace. If this pipe dream were to somehow come true, the Brewers rotation would look someone like: Santana, Gallardo, Suppan, Villanueva, Bush/Cappy. Not only that, but your bullpen would be set for the future with Chamberlain, and you’d be also be able to lock up Linebrink for an extra couple years. Crazy? Maybe. Make sense? I think so.

Before the Packers kick off the season, let’s breakdown the Packers position by position. The depth this year is as good as it’s ever been, and that can all be accredited to Ted Thompson. He has cleared the Sherman scrap out, instilled his own guys, and has made the 53rd man as important to the team as Brett Favre.

Quarterbacks (2): Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers

This made sense, because Thompson didn’t want to waste a spot on Paul Thompson when he could use it to shore up another position. If somehow both Favre and Rodgers were hurt, Carlyle Holiday could fill-in, as he had some experience behind center, or the Packers could recall Thompson from the practice squad.

Runningbacks (6): Vernand Morency, Brandon Jackson, Ryan Grant, DeShawn Wynn, Korey Hall, John Kuhn

Coming into the season, running back is without question the biggest question mark. Morency, Jackson, and Wynn have all battled injury thusfar, and Grant and Kuhn, both acquired this week, are new to system. I don’t think Morency can carry the full load, which is why Mike McCarthy will probably go with a running back by commitee this season.

Wide Receivers (5): Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, James Jones, Ruvell Martin, Carlyle Holiday

Driver is absolutely critical to the team, not only because of his skills and production, but because how comfortable Brett is with him. The other four are a solid bunch, but if Driver goes down it turns a solid unit into a shaky one. James Jones has shown what he can do, and could turn into this year’s Greg Jennings.

Tight Ends (6): Donald Lee, Bubba Franks

This is a unit that has to produce. The last time the Pack had a productive TE group was in 96′, with Mark Chumura and Keith Jackson. Bubba Franks’ job was in jeopardy until he showed promise in the preseason, after losing weight in the offseason. Productive TE’s will take alot of pressure off Driver to produce every week.

Offensive Line (10): Chad Clifton, Junius Coston, Daryn Colledge, Allen Barbre, Scott Wells, Jason Spitz, Tony Palmer, Mark Tauscher, Tony Moll

Clifton and Tauscher are studs at the tackles, and Colledge, Wells, and Spitz should make fans forget about Rivera, Flanagan, and Wahle, as they continue to improve. This is a solid unit now that Moll, Coston, and Barbre have all shown promise. Favre should have plenty of time to sling the pigskin.

Defensive Line (11): Aaron Kampman, Michael Montgomery, Ryan Pickett, Corey Williams, Justin Harrell, Johnny Jolly, Colin Cole, Daniel Muir, Cullen Jenkins, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, Jason Hunter.

This is without a doubt the deepest unit on the team. Kampman and Jenkins should play well enough to be Pro-Bowlers, and Pickett, Williams, Harrell, Jolly, and Cole form an above average middle. Gbaja-Biamila knows his role as a 3rd down specialist, and should produce like he did in 2005.

Linebackers (5): Brady Poppinga, Tracy White, Nick Barnett, Desmond Bishop, AJ Hawk

This is a solid group. Depth is not as good as many would like it to be, but Abdul Hodge has chronic knee tendinitis issues and was placed on I.R. Poppinga, Barnett, and Hawk are as good a trio as anyone in football, and Bishop and White are formidable backups.

Secondary (10): Charles Woodson, Will Blackmon, Tramon Williams, Al Harris, Jarrett Bush, Frank Walker, Atari Bigby, Charlie Peprah, Nick Collins, Aaron Rouse

This is going to be a fun group to watch. Woodson and Harris are shutdown corners, and I think Bigby can be the next Darren Sharper. Blackmon, Bush, and Walker should fight for time at nickel, and Peprah and Rouse should make this unit a well-rounded one.

Special Teams (3): Mason Crosby, Jon Ryan, Rob Davis

Crosby beat out Rayner because of his monster leg. Ryan is no BJ Sander and should continue to average 45+ yards per boot. This unit should be alot better as a whole because of the plethora of quality depth.
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Record Prediction: 9-7, Playoffs

Wins: vs Philly, @ Giants, @ Vikings, vs Bears, vs Redskins, @ Chiefs, vs Vikings, vs Raiders, vs Lions

Losses: vs San Diego, @ Denver, vs Carolina, @ Detroit, @ Dallas, @ St. Louis, @ Chicago