{Numbers in braces are Approximate Value, other stats are labeled as appropriate.}
Dublin has to be pleased with their Year I performance, rebounding from a very difficult start to make it to the inaugural Whirled Bowl. The challenge for Year II is pretty simple: keep key players healthy (in Year I, injuries to Clay Matthews, Jr. and J.J. Watt hurt quite a bit) and see what a full year of Jim Taylor at RB does: Taylor’s appearance midway through the season was what turned things around for the Damhas, keeping defenses from focusing exclusively on Aaron Rodgers and the receiving combo of Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins.
Key Additions: OL Stefan Wisniewski {4} from AAA; RB Fred Jackson {3} from LOM.
Key Departures: OL Brandon Brooks {7}; OL Corey Linsley {5}.
#Year I Leaders
Passing: Aaron Rodgers: 4484 yards, 37 TDs.
Rushing: Jim Taylor: 679 yards, 8 TDs.
Receiving: Andre Johnson: 110 receptions, 1366 yards; DeAndre Hopkins, 14 TDs.
Blocking: Cal Hubbard: 27 big holes.
Pressuring: Dave Robinson: 6 sacks; Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila: 17 hurries.
Tackling: Brian Cushing: 104 tackles; J.J. Watt: 12 stuffs.
Defending: Cushing, LeRoy Butler, Casey Hayward: 4 interceptions; Johnathan Joseph: 13 deflections.
AV: A. Rodgers {19}, L. Butler {15}, J.J. Watt {13}, D. Robinson {13}, D. Hopkins {12}, B. Cushing {12}, C. Hubbard {12}, C. Hayward {11}, J. Joseph {11}, J. Sitton {10}.
#Year I Award Winners
All-League: LeRoy Butler.
All-Pro’s: Brian Cushing, Casey Hayward, DeAndre Hopkins, Cal Hubbard, Dave Robinson, Aaron Rodgers, J.J. Watt.
Defensive Player of the Week: Dave Robinson
Special Teams Player of the Week: Keshawn Martin
#QB
Rodgers was fantastic, and while he is unlikely to replicate his success running the ball (nearly 800 yards on scrambles), should lead the Dublin offense once again. If he falters or is injured, the backups of Arnie Herber and David Carr are untested, so that certainly could be a concern.
#RB / WR / TE
The season began with the now-departed Eddie Lacy {1}, who struggled to a 2.8 yards/carry average as he eventually lost his starting role, first to John Starks {1}, who was mediocre, then to Alfred Blue {2}, who was surprisingly good, and finally to Taylor {4}, who was absolutely fantastic. In Year II, look for Taylor and Blue to be supported by offseason pickup Fred Jackson.
Andre Johnson {7} caught 110 passes for 1366 yards, and was constantly criticized for not doing enough in Year I, with fans pointing to the impact of DeAndre Hopkins‘ 1329 yards and 14 TDs. Throw in Randall Cobb {6} (84 catches, 991 yards), and Dublin has a great receiving trio, with significant contributions expected from both Don Hutson {1} and Jordy Nelson {1} as well.
#OL
This represents some real risk on Dublin’s part: both Brandon Brooks and Corey Linsley were allowed to leave in the off season, and Cal Hubbard has moved to the defensive side of the line. Josh Sitton, Mike Michalske {5}, and Bryan Bulaga {1} form a strong core, but Michalske, Bulaga, and new starter Forrest Gregg {5} all struggled with injuries in Year I. Big things are expected from newcomer Stefan Wisniewski at C as well.
#DL
J.J. Watt and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila {7} were perhaps the best DE partnership in the league in Year I, combining for 10 sacks, 13 stuffs, 33 hurries, 14 deflections, and 5 forced fumbles. They are joined up front in Year II by Hubbard and Mike Daniels {4}, with the impressive Ryan Pickett {4}, late season surprise Lavvie Dilweg, and newcomer Aaron Kampman providing depth.
#LB
Dublin has switched to a 4-3, a move that, combined with his preference to play OLB this season, pushes All Pro Brian Cushing to the bench, with the now-healthy Clay Matthews, Jr. {1} and Dave Robinson flanking Ray Nitschke {2} as the starting LBs. Brooks Reed {4} and A.J. Hawk {3} are great as injury insurance.
#DB
This was a surprisingly strong group in Year I, and all four starters (CB’s Jonathan Joseph and Casey Hayward and S’s LeRoy Butler and Kendrick Lewis {6}) return, with Darren Sharper {2} and Tramon Williams {3} adding depth from the bench.
#ST
Both kickers return: Tim Masthay {2} as the P and Mason Crosby {1} on XPs and FGs. Keshawn Martin {1} is back as the return man as well.