As my series on the NFL offseason continues, I make my way through the NFC North and focus on the Green Bay Packers. Here are five questions the Packers need to answer and some first-round draft possibilities. Matt Bowen
As my series on the NFL offseason continues, I make my way through the NFC North and focus on the Green Bay Packers. Here are five questions the Packers need to answer and some first-round draft possibilities.
Click HERE to read about the Detroit Lions.
Click HERE to read about the Minnesota Vikings.
The Road to ’09: Green Bay Packers
1. What do we make of the Packers defensive line?
A new coordinator usually signifies plenty of changes when it comes to personnel. In Green Bay, Dom Capers brings his 3-4 defensive front to Lambeau Field — and the Packers are going to have to find some players to fit the new scheme.
Yes, there’s always a chance that through springs mini-camps and the early part of training camp that Capers will find what he’s looking for from the holdovers on the ’08 roster. But that doesn’t mean the Pack won’t look to the draft later this month to fill a spot or two in their front three.
I like defensive end Cullen Jenkins in any defensive front. The guy can play football, and he has the size (6-2, 305) to play DE in a 3-4 front. However, I would expect the Packers to at least consider defensive end with the No. 9 pick in the draft. Justin Harrell (6-4, 310), a former Packers first-round pick, has played 13 games in two NFL seasons can’t stay healthy, and Mike Montgomery (6-5, 273) is an undersized back-up who is better suited to come off the edge from a 4-3 front.
At the nose tackle position, Ryan Pickett (6-2, 330) has the size and quickness to play the position, but that doesn’t mean we’ll see immediate production from the former Ohio State star. The nose demands production, plus there’s a lot of responsibility that goes along with it. Can Pickett be that player for Green Bay? Maybe, and Boston College’s B.J. Raji would be a great pick for the Packers — but I doubt he’ll fall to No. 9.
You need size and quickness from any 3-4 front to be an effective defense. Should be interesting to see if the Packers add a starter or some depth in the draft to a unit that has to stay healthy in ’09. Green Bay gave up more than 131 yards a game on the ground last season — and that just isn’t good enough.
2. Do the Packers need offensive line help?
Green Bay gave up 34 sacks last season and may have an issue at the right tackle position. Tony Moll is the listed as the current starter on the depth chart (granted, it’s April), and Mark Tauscher will most likely not be back in a Packer uniform in ’09. They need to make a move here, folks. Going into the season with questions at the tackle position is never a good thing, but it might be the only option for Green Bay.
But do the Packers invest their first-round pick in a tackle -- possibly Alabama’s Andre Smith, who’s been sliding down draft boards since the NFL Combine in Indianapolis? Or do they stick with the holdovers from ’08 and move forward? Something to think about the next couple of weeks.
One position to keep an eye on in term of competition is center. Scott Wells will go into mini-camps with the first unit at starter, but former Buffalo Bill Duke Preston, who came via free agency, has the athleticism and strength to challenge Wells if he’s given the opportunity — which he should be since Green Bay went out and got him. Preston also has experience at the guard position, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he beats out Wells by opening day.
3. What do we make of the outside linebackers in GB?
With Capers’ 3-4 front soon to be installed, the Packers will look different at linebacker. The most obvious change is former Pro Bowl defensive end Aaron Kampman moving to outside linebacker.
Kampman, who was a linebacker at Iowa early in his college career, has the athletic ability to rush from the standing position, is a good tackler and will be able to play in space. One of the biggest misconceptions about playing outside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme is the theory that these guys will be dropping into coverage all day long. Yes, Kamp will drop from time to time, but he’s going to be asked to play the same style that has made Dallas’ DeMarcus Ware into a Pro Bowler. Plus, as GM Ted Thompson said at the Combine, Kampman will rush from the defensive end position in the majority of the Packers’ sub-packages (nickel, dime) when Green Bay uses a four-man front.
The question for me is the outside linebacker position opposite Kampman. I believe the Packers can upgrade over Brady Poppinga and look to draft a playmaking linebacker who can put pressure on the quarterback and match up with running backs out of the backfield. Everette Brown from Florida State comes to mind. He can play DE in a 4-3 front, but I like him as an OLB in Capers’ system — he will get to the quarterback, giving the Packers two rushers off the edge.
4. Is Aaron Rodgers ready to take the next step?
Now that Rodgers has a full season as a starter under his belt, it’s time for him to take that next step and become a big-game quarterback.
Yes, he was great for fantasy football in terms of numbers, but he needs to show up in the fourth quarter of games and needs to play better on the road. Twice last season in crucial fourth-quarter situations, he came up short — throwing game-ending interceptions against Jacksonville and Carolina. We can talk stats all we want when it comes to judging a quarterback’s season, but the only stat that counts is wins — and six isn’t going to get it done in Green Bay.
But if we have to talk stats, then we have to look at the comparison of Rodgers at Lambeau and his play on the road.
HOME AWAY
67.9 (comp. percentage) 59.5 (comp. percentage)
15 TDs 13 TDs
4 INTs 9 INTs
104.7 QB Rating 83.3 QB Rating
I think Rodgers has the tools to be the leader of this team for a long time, but before we start to anoint him as the next great Packers quarterback, let’s see how he progresses from ’08 to this year. I know there will be plenty of people who disagree with me on this one, but just as I’ll say about Jay Cutler when I talk about the Bears, young quarterbacks with losing records as starters are viewed on potential — whereas I view them on wins. How many wins can they bring to your franchise? How many big plays can they make in the fourth quarters? How dependable are they on the road? Can they bring a team from behind in the fourth quarter?
Sure, those are a lot of questions, but they’re fair questions when judging the most important and crucial position in the NFL. Rodgers is close, but he needs to produce wins in ’09 before I jump on his bandwagon.
5. Can a new coordinator make a difference in one year?
This might be the ultimate question surrounding the Packers’ defense as we look forward to ’09. To talk about installing a 3-4 defensive front as a cure-all for their defensive woes is talk — and talk doesn’t produce in the NFL.
However, I was part of changes like this during my own career, and I’m here to tell you that sometimes new leadership is more important than personnel. Yes, the Packers do need to address some positions along the defensive line — and possibly at linebacker — at some point in this month’s draft, but bringing in Capers might have been the biggest addition in the offseason for this franchise.
Remember, Green Bay and Thompson believe that you build teams through the draft without overspending and taking chances on free agents. Judging from readers’ comments this offseason, you might not be in favor of this, but it isn’t going to change any time soon in Green Bay. Instead of brining in over-hyped talent (like DE Chris Canty form Dallas), the Packers brought in Capers. I was in Washington when Joe Gibbs brought in Gregg Williams to lead our defense and things changed the minute he walked through the door. Obviously, the results might not be there on opening day, but you’ll see a defense that plays faster and attacks the football from every position.
The players still have to play on Sundays — and they’ll be on the bench if they don’t — but they’ll be a better unit than last year. I can’t tell you where they’ll rank, but if they want to compete with Minnesota and Chicago, they have to start with defense.
DRAFT POSSIBILITIES
1. Everette Brown, OLB, Florida State
2. Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
3. Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
Next: Chicago Bears
Well, I don't know about rabid. I thought most of it was right on. I do think, though, that it's unfair to put those losses on Rodgers. He always got the Pack a go-ahead score in the final two minutes or so, and then the defense would get slowly pushed down the field and they'd lose. It happened EVERY time. Now, it may sound good for a guy to write an article that says "well, winning's the bottom line for a QB," but those losses were just not Rodgers' fault.
Other than that, fine article.
GREAT article, Matt.
Matt - pretty good assessment. I do have some minor points to say - Spitz may be the starting center. He did perform better than Wells last season when he played IMHO. Preston may be guard, but in any way, I think Wells needs to go regardless. RT and possibly LT if Clifton gets injured or slips in production are huge needs. DE, no doubt about it. Everette Brown - a undersized pass rusher from Florida State, sorry, just sounds and looks like Jamaal Reynolds. Would be a mistake in my opinion. And finally "and they’ll be on the bench if they don’t" - not in Green Bay. not all players. Some have a free pass, rightfully so or not. AJ Hawk for example will always play no matter what production (or lack thereof), and csome will keep their roster spot no matter whether there is someone better in training camp (Justin Harrell comes to mind, Ted would wait til judgement day before waiving that guy). Love your assessment of Rodgers. Yes, shows promise, but let's wait and see. I mentioned that in another comment and got hammered as if #12 is the second coming. I liked what I saw for the most part, but you nailed it in your comments. Wins count, nothing else. Same for Capers - let's wait and see whether it pans out. Maybe he will turn it around, but at the same time, even the best coach can only do so much with the given talent. No matter whether Canty was overhyped or not, he is better than what they have at the one DE spot. And I thought free agency is for upgrading the team. Ted better hopes the Packers start winning. I know he'll get 2 more seasons at least, but if those are as mediocre as 3 of the 4 seasons since Ted has been GM, he has to go.
Finally, someone with the guts to realize that although Rodgers put up big numbers last season, they didn't translate to wins...
He is a start, but an unproven star
Peter,
You, like so many others are so quick to show Ted Thompson the door. I ask you: why? Do you think he has been such an utter failure, so much so that he must be fired and replaced? I disagree. With the make-up of the roster he inherited, in a short span he has made this team once again relevant.
It's almost like politics with you people. Rather than take the good with the bad, you focus only on the bad, because the man in charge has such a different opinion of things than you do.
Try seeing things in a new way, and soon you will see that not only has he done a good job in preparing this team for the long haul, he has also cemented his job in the process.
AJ Hawk is a very dependable player. That being said, he does not, nor has he ever had a very strong ability to shed blocks. His strongest ability is to fly to the ball, and make a sure tackle. In addition to have a nagging chst muscle tear last year (have you ever had one of those while trying to slip your way through a mind field filled with 300+ lb men, all looking to get into a shoving match with you?), he did not have the best Dline support. Within that, I mean that far too often teams were doubling Aaron Kampman (they no longer had to worry much about the other DE, as Cullen Jenkins was out with a shoulder tear), and allowing offensive lineman to get to the 2nd level and occupy Hawk. He is simply not the type of player that can free himself from blocks regualarly (see Ray Lewis, or Nick Barnett, for that matter). AJ needs bid nastys up front to keep him clean. When that is happening, he, Nick Barnett, and our entire defense will be clicking on all cylinders.
One thing is for sure - anyone who disagrees with the criticisms Matt presents here is an idiot because Matt's dead on for all of them. Unfortunately, the five-question format prevents him from getting to the other questions on this team because we've got at least three other big ones - DBs, can Harris, Bigby and Collins handle the new system? Running Game - can Grant get up to speed sometime when it matters? Special Teams - absolutely horrid last year with more holes than a single draft can address, where will improvements come from?
Also, on the o-line, I think GB has more issues there than Matt mentions. I'm not convinced that Clifton is going to be able to go the distance this year and his back-up is the starting LG. His performance was WAY off last year and that's never a good sign at his age. So we may actually need to address both Tackle positions
Looks pretty good Matt, I think DE is far and away our biggest need. Cullen Jenkins COULD start the season on the PUP list, Harrell is a ? mark, Jolly is going thtough his whole legal situation, and Antonio Malone(who Capers drafted) is unproven. The word out of Green Bay is that we are still in talks with Kevin Carter, and if that falls through we'll switch our focus to Vonnie Holliday. There's no doubt in my mind that we'll add either Carter or Holliday, either before the Draft or shortly after.
I would say our 2nd biggest need is OT, because as you mentioned, Clifton is regressing and Tauscher is on the mend. Clifton's contract up is after this season so this will almost certainly be his last season in Green Bay. Colledge will line up at LT in 2010 and he has the potential to be a stud there, like he was at Boise State.
Here's what I think we'll do to address the OT situation in the Draft:
*We will take either Max Unger or Eric Wood in the 2nd Round. If we take Unger, he'll line up at RT and if we take Wood, he'll line up at RG with Sitton sliding over to RT. If I had to take a guess of which one of the 2 we would take, it's Unger. Thompson loves versatile lineman and you don't get anymore versatile than Unger, who can play every position along the line.
So assuming we take Unger in the 2nd, here's the lineup I think Mccarthy would go with as his starting Offensive Line.
LT Chad Clifton
LG Daryn Colledge
C Jason Spitz
RG Josh Sitton
RT Max Unger
And in 2010:
LT Daryn Colledge
LG Max Unger
C Jason Spitz
RG Josh Sitton
RT Breno Giacomini
At OLB, I'm not convinced it's a need that needs to be addressed in the 1st Round, maybe not even the 2nd Round. Jeremy Thompson is a guy who I think will really reap the benefits of the scheme switch. He's much better suited rushing the passer standing up than he is with his hand in the dirt. A scout I talked to said he thinks he can be very good there but lacks the nastiness to be great. Hopefully Kevin Greene can inject some nasty into his game. We also have Brady Poppinga and Jason Hunter, who are better suited for the 3-4 than the 4-3 IMO.
As for Rodgers, there's no doubt in my mind that he's going to be a perennial Pro Bowler in Mccarthy's Offense. He got a little gun shy at the end of games but that's why I expect out of a QB with his lack of experience. He is going to just get better and better with experience, which is scary considering he had the best debut season, statistically, at QB in NFL History outside of Kurt Warner. The 6-10 season was in spite of Rodgers, not vice versa but I do understand what you're trying to say here. QBs are judged by wins and losses, fair or unfair, it's the truth. I mean Favre has the all-time record for wins, you don't hear any other position getting that kind of statistic associated with his name. The QBs get too much praise when they're doing great and too much scrunity when they mess up but I know i'm preaching to the choir on that one.
Here's a great statistic from last season, not only did we lose 7 games by 4 points or less last year, not only did we outscore our opponents at the end of the year despite only 6 wins but we had the lead in all but 3 games with 5 minutes to go in the 4th. That just goes to show you how bad we were at the end of games and if we held our lead in 4 of those 7 games, we're a 10-6 team.
That, paired with the fact that we can't get hit with the injury bug any worse than we did last year and I have no doubt that we'll be a much improved ball club this year. This is the same roster, minus Brett Favre and Corey Williams, as the 2007 team that was an OT away from the Super Bowl. This team has as much talent as any team in the Division and we FINALLY have a guy who we can actually depend on to coach our Defense. I don't think people realize just how bad Bob Sanders was, I remember a couple of plays last year that he called where I just sat there thinking he had no idea what he was doing, like dropping Mike Montgomery into coverage. Dom Capers is going to dramatically change this Defense around, and as long as we plug some holes here and there, there's no doubt in my mind that we will be the 2009 NFC North Champs.
Bob - Ted the GM is 31-33. Sherman last year was a 4-12, yes - but at the same time Sherman the GM went to the playoffs almost every year. Ted the GM has one winning season out of 4. Went to the playoffs 1 out of 4 seasons. What I said is that if the Packers don't start winning the next 2 years he should be shown the door. If they don't win the next two years, you would accept that he'd have been a GM for 6 years and have exactly one winning season. Granted it was a magical one, but it may have been a fluke. Is that the new standard? 1 winning season out of 6 is good? Even 1 winning season out of 4 is pretty bad. Ok, you can make a point of saying that the first two years he had to clean up what Sherman the GM left behind. Fine, although I don't really buy that (see Dolphins last year going from 1 win the season before to the playoffs with the right GM and coach...). When would you then pull the plug on a GM? But it is not just me. Woodson, Harris, Barnett, all have called for veteran help on defense or the whole team. you disagree with them? I don't.
As for Hawk, every year I hear from coaches that this will be his season, and it never is. He was drafted as a playmaker, 5 overall. Shedding blocks is a requirement for that... Last year, Desmond Bishop clearly outplayed him when he was allowed to play, but he just wasn't that often (that is why he voiced his disappointment, and made a statement that it really didn't matter how he played or practiced...).
So Rodgers isn't better than Favre was?
I guess not, but hey, we have Sage the Rage so it all evens out.
Pretty fair column Matt. I almost scared to read what you write abut the Bear, but I am sure it will be along the same lines...
Lots of holes to fill down here too. NFC North should be entertaining at least with all these teams facing question marks.
scott you beat me to it again.
i think the running the run game production will will go as our OL goes. last year the OL couldn't open up a hole to save their lives. although grant had over 1000 yds he had to carry the ball about 2000 times to do it. a more dependable line will lead to a more dependable runnning attack. which will make rodgers even better.which leads me to my next point.
rodgers is going to be pretty dang good. i don't wan't to hear about loses this and that. 2missed field goals, and multiple defensive collapses led to 6 of our 7 loses by 4 or less. so it is not fair to say "radgers hasn't proven that he can get the win". NOW BEFORE YOU FREAK OUT, it IS fair to say that rodgers did not put us in a GOOD ENOUGH position to win those close ones(like us being up by two scores so that a last second score by the other guys didn't kill us), but that is ALOT t expect from a first year starter. i fully expect rodgers to be even better this year. look for 30+ and 10-15.
i amnot worried about the LBs or DBs.
i AM concerned about our OL, and sure, yes, everyone knows we need a couple fatties on the DL. MM and TT needto look at our OL as if we need TWO startng OTs.
other than that we are fine...
kind of reminds me of two years ago. everyone said the team had a lot of holes, but really it was more had a lot of questions marks. boom, 13-3.
similar here. is cliffy gonna play better after getting his knees cleaned out? is moll/giacomini actually going to step up? those guys are nasty.
defense actually fit players' skills?
should be interesting.
i think they should draft D.heyward-bey. that'd be cool, and totally unexpected.
Championship!
MR. BOWEN
do you really think that everette brown is a wise choice @#9? can he step in and start?
JMO but if we can't get either raji or andre smith at #9 we should trade down. tyso jackson and robert ayers aren't worth the #9, and i want nothing to do with orakpo or maybin.
Excellent analysis of the Packers, Matt - Spot on in my view -
Jeremiah-
Here is my feeling on drafting Brown--whom I sure everyone will try and compare to Jamal Reynolds (who was a former teammate of mine). But, I don't see the comparison because Brown will play OLB and not DE in a 4-3 front.
I don't like Maybin to the Packers, Brown can flourish as an outside backer in a 3-4 system. You draft for your defense in my mind, and I think Brown can come in and start with production. He can get to the passer and I thin he can play in space. You need edge rushers in a 3-4 more than you need defensive ends at the 5 technique...
But, I like the idea of drafting a tackle as well... lots of options at No. 9.
MoT - You'll find that it's the younger fans that get all uppity about Rodgers. Favre actually sucked his first two years in GB and there was actually a move inside the organization to dump him. Those of us who were around for that realize that it's going to take a couple years before we really know what we have in Rodgers. Showed great potential last year, especially on the deep throws, but he's got a ways to go.
Matt - what's your take on Jolly, I just don't see what people see in this kid, especially with his off field issues. You don't mention him in your analysis but the team is currently projecting him to start at the other DE position. Do you see him doing anything or is this another guy who days are likely numbered?
I like the idea of going with defense at #9 even though we need help on the o-line...
Have to give Capers the players he needs to turn this unit around
Need an upgrade there Scott...
Can Justin Harrell stay healthy an offer anything to this defense? That is a bigger question in my mind over Jolly.
While I agree with most of what Matt says in this article, I don't think Rodgers gets a fair shake when it comes to wins and losses. I agree that the only stat that counts is wins and losses for a QB. But, in 2 games last year he brought us back at the end with a chance to win with a very makeable FG, which was missed.
thanx for the quick reponse matt,
it's alot more fun to read the articles of guys who will actually interact with you(cough cough, lombardi)...
Matt, any truth to the rumors that Jason Taylor visited GB on Monday?
brett(NJ)
is max unger not a center? why would the pack draft a center to play tackle?
To All Those Who Don't Think Rodgers Gets a Fair Shake On Wins vs Losses:
I understand where you all are coming from but you all need to factor something else into the equation that never gets mentioned - no QB in the modern era was ever provided a more ideal situation for his first starting season than Rodgers.
For starters, he was given three years to sit back and learn the offense, and the offense never significantly changed during that period.
Second, because of Brett's age, Rodgers was the starter in the off-season. In OTAs and mini-camps, Rodgers ran the first team offense because Brett didn't take part in those.
Third, how about those receivers? Brett Favre's first WR corps in GB was Sterling Sharpe plus five rookies to offer some comparison.
Yes, he showed a lot of potential last year and no, it really isn't fair to blame the losses on him. And yes, he had phenomenal outside pressures weighing on him but please, spare us the Poor Aaron routine. All anyone is saying is that one season doesn't make him a great QB - he needs to improve on it and raise his game. Derek Anderson had a great year too once.
Matt - one other question, how do you think Barnett and Hawk fit with the scheme change and their situations? Does the switch play to their strengths or are they going to find themselves in a situation similar to Poppinga? I wouldn't be shocked if Poppinga isn't on the roster when the season starts to be honest.
I agree with Matt on most of his assessments. However, regarding Rodgers, he only looks at wins and losses and fails to look at the position the QB put the team in. Remember, this is a team game, not reliant on just one person. It would be correct if Rodgers couldn't come back in the 4th quarter in any of the games. Remember, Rodgers brought the Pack back to lead (or a position to win) late in the 4th quarter of several of those losses. However, though a collapse of the D and a missed FG (one that should have been easily made), it either gave Rodgers the L or put him in a position to have to win the game AGAIN. Not many QBs (including Montana, Elway, Favre or Staubach) could repeatedly come back twice at the end of a game (I recall Favre choking many games with an INT). Given the same scenarios, many any of these HOFers would have similar results as Rodgers. Anyone who thinks otherwise cannot remember the numerous games these "stars" failed to come back and win the game. Rodgers did fail to produce in a few of those losses, but some placed him in that unwinnable or highly unlikely situation (i.e. a defensive collapse at the very end of the game or missed FG). Remember, team effort. The D is there to protect a lead, not repeatedly lose it and force ANOTHER come from behind score. Having to go 80 yards in less than one minute is not statistically a good situation to place your team in.
Now, for TT, he did inherit a team that was on the fall. You can always pick out one scenario where someone beats the odds (ie. Miami last year), but statistically speaking, you would expect one or two years of subpar performance as you rebuild and retool. How many corporations come back from a slide, only to turn it around into a banner year? Very, very few. Most have a slow and steady rise to success and prominence.
Last year we got bit by the injury bug. It resulted in a subpar year (same with many teams over the year who crashed and burned after getting hit with major injuries). So, looking pragmatically at the four years of TT's tenure, how would I rate him? 1st was his mulligan, 2nd year is partially his fault (but improvement was seen), 3rd year was the winner, with the 4th year being a situation that most GMs and coaches would fail to produce a solid (if even playoff) team. He needs two more years and that will determine his success,
I think Thompson is seriously moving back if Raji or a big 3 tackles isn't there, if he really wanted to go bold he'd ring Moreno's number up from up there but most GM avoid high skill back selections for cap considerations.
He might be a bit too far back to get Sean Smith at this time, adding him would leverage Woodson and Harris as well and keep you a step ahead in the DB category for a while with his versatile background.
Teams can look at moving back and still getting Tyson Jackson, Gilbert is later first for 3-4 end/tackle rotation as well.
There's a lot of size into the second day at nose tackle. The need could match waiting on the BPA chart as well there.
Ted is looking hard at Bell too, the 6'7" T has reach and can develop with taking reps as the Packers older tackle begins to share downs. Tedley is looking to make steals in drafts a lot of the time.
He needs a home run with a big pick but moving Pack picks back lessens the odds it will happen. He has to really scout those 3-4 competitors. Like my comments about Walsh as other teams looked at WCO, he started losing players on draft boards to teams wanting to use the same system.
If he's going to move back and go for the steals from his perspective he better know who has them in mind, mostly teams in the other conference.
I think with the depth at tackle and interior line he can make quantitative moves back but you don't pass up on a premiere player in BPA. There are a lot of players that I think the value tag could take a flyer on, and Ted sees things Ted's way, so he can surprise there.
Barwin would be a need pick that could come later as well but guys like Kruger show the same range of play at a cheaper price.
Unless you see a player has an arsenal of pass rush moves I think Capers can groom a speed/size type from later rounds with as much upside. He needs to really get the coach involved with that evaluation. EVERY coach will say they like a player and bring him in just to have more ammo, but Capers is more likely to have you aimed at targets for need across the board and still get pretty good results.
That is a conflict. Mike notes teams with poor draft records of late do a lot of coaching input to their selection(Cincy comes to mind). Having them help ends up going needs based instead of BPA and if it doesn't work you missed out and dug the hole deeper.
Matt's being pretty critical of Rodgers. Good numbers are not enough. Valid point to make. Blaming the D when you don't engineer a time consuming drive or take caree of the ball, for instance....
It's surprising the Andre Smith mention did not get a shoot down from the Packers fans here. Beggars can't be choosers and the draft is a begga's banquet for need picks. He can handle anyone with hands on play, maybe they've come around to his game.
Jeremiah:
Unger started 27 games at LT in his time at Oregon, 2 games this past year and 25 straight games over the span of his Freshman and Sophomore Years. Like I said in my other post, he can really play any position along the line.
Murder - Personally I wouldn't take Smith but the kid has some upside and it isn't as though Wisconsin hasn't encountered the occasional moron when it comes to off-field and business management issues.
I also don't think the Packers will take Andre Smith. He seems like to much of a risk.
I think Michael Oher will be their pick, if Raji and Everette Brown are gone.
FIRE BRET BIELEMA!!!
A question for everyone......is Rey Maualuga a reach for the Packers at #9?
watch the responses for this almost approach 60+....packer fans are everywhere
" . . . I’m here to tell you that sometimes new leadership is more important than personnel."
Matt--I would agree one hundred percent, and that is precisely why the Packers will not be successful until the current leadership is ousted, starting with that Machiavellian despot Ted Thompson.
Matt, and everyone else for that matter... What do you think of Darryn Colledge? Is he going to stay at LG? LT in the future? RT? He has and can play each of those positions. It has been speculated since he was drafted that he would eventually be the left tackle, his college position. Does it depend on whom we draft this season?
We all know Andre Smith can play. We have seen it on a very large stage at Alabama. At one point he was destined to be the #1 overall. His workouts have been disappointing. And because of this his intelligence and desire have been questioned. But his on the field play is worthy of the pick. He wouldn't be my first choice, but I wouldn't be upset if that was the selection. I can imagine a scenario in which we cannot make a trade down and that Andre is hands down the BPA.
I'm hoping Sanchez is still on the board when the Packers are on the clock; maybe they can move down a few spots (Denver at #12?) and possibly pick up an extra 3rd, and still get the player they want. If they stay at #9 I think they'll take Orakpo, Brown or Oher. But if I know Ted Thompson, he'll cross us up and take someone nobody was expecting. It should be interesting, can't wait for April 25.
Crazee, Mauluga is definitely a reach at #9, because there's some concern with scouts that he's only a 2-down player (per Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press Gazette).
Dave - this draft will largely end up determining Colledge's long-term position in GB. If they don't take a "Future LT", then they're planning on him being that from what I've heard.
Their first will likely be a lineman, it's just a matter of whether or not it's going to be offense or defense.
Matt is a Bears fan at heart, so his writing on the Packers should be taken with a grain of salt.
See- write up on Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers didn't lose all those game Matt. Your forgetting that he put them in position in Chicago & Minnesota for Crosby to finish it, but what happened.
The money must have been the only incentive for you to play in Green Bay huh Matt?
That being said I agree with most of what you posted...
Can't wait to see what you say about your new toy Jay Cutler.
scott-
i wouldn't necessarily put myself into the "poor aaron" category. and while there are a few thing i can think of that i would like to see him improve next year, i think it is quite fair to bring up the points about the defense collapsing and it only being his first year as a starter.
let us hope that rodgers is no derek anderson.
I was at the Carolina game. Late in the 4th, Rodgers drove the team down inside the Panther 10. McCarthy got conservative, ran the ball, and settled for the field goal and the lead. On the ensuing kick, Pack kick coverage team allows a return to the 50. On the first Carolina play, Delhomme chucks one up to Smith down to the half yard line. After Rodgers' drive, the special teams and defense give up 99.5 yards in two plays. Panthers score the touchdown, take the lead.
With seconds left and 80 yards to go, Rodgers throws a pick. Big deal. McCarthy took the ball out of Rodgers' hands deep in Panther territory and the special teams and defense surrended the lead in a heartbeat.
This is Rodgers' fault how?
Matt,
Well done assessment. I think the biggest failure to date has been in drafting not in acquiring FA'S. Each time TT has ventured into the market he has done reasonably well. His drafting has left a lot to be desired. Arod is a big plus but Justin Harrell, A.J.Hawk and his o-line drafts have been to say the least, a disappointment. This year is very pivotal for the draft, otherwise the Packers will edge closer to the Lions.
I'm tired of people saying Hawk is a disappointment. He's playing fine. Just because a guy's picked high in the draft doesn't mean he's got to be Lawrence Taylor. Hawk does what's asked of him, works hard, plays through injuries. I mean, hasn't he led the team in tackles 2 out of his 3 years?
Great Article! I wouldn't be surprised to see Ted make trades the eve of and or the morning of the draft. Trading a safety, like Collins or Bigby...maybe a linebacker like Barnett or Poppinga or even some lower round draft picks to aquire 1-2 first rounders. The Packers have plenty of cap room and money in the bank to have multiple first round picks.
Here's what I would try to accomplish in round one...
9th overall pick...NT BJ Raji
(Trade S Nick Collins/Scott Wells and or DE Mike Montgomery to Philadelphia for pick (21))
21st overall...DE Jarron Gilbert
Trade up into first round, maybe with the Steelers/Cardinals or Titans and select... OLB Clint Sintim.
I know many feel BJ Raji could be gone, but reports says he WILL be on the list for a positive drug test from the combine, the Packers still have Pickett to start in case Raji would be suspended and has time to redeem himself before being asked to start full time. I think Raji will drop because of the red flag.
Current Pro Bowl S Packer Nick Collins is in final year of his contract and now is the time to deal him if we want something of value for him, the Eagles lost S Brian Dawkins to the Broncos so the Eagles may be interested. And if Wells may lose out to Preston and Montgomery doesn't fit the scheme why not deal this guys now! Jarron Gilbert can play DE or DT so versatility is valuable. Then, with three first rounders, The Pack unloads some lower round pick to come up and grab OLB Clint Sintim from Virginia. Virginia is one of the few colleges that play a natural 3-4 defense. It'll be a smooth transition to the pros for Sintim. (Wes Bunting has Sintim going to the Packers at pick 73 anyway) Those are my thoughts, feel free to voice yours!
Mancave, you don't make a Superbowl run by trading Pro Bowlers, contract year or not. Especially as you say, there's money to spend.
And as for Ted trading up...
Matt,
Please explain what folks are talking about when they say a given defensive line player is a "3 technique", "5 Technique", etc.
Thanks, Jeff
The reason I am so high on Rodgers is that he surpassed any reasonable expectations anyone had of him, with all the pressure of the Favre-mess, and he did that all with a hurt shoulder. If he puts up numbers just like last year, I too would be disappointed, but I think he will do much better this year.
uhhhhhhhh, yeah. mancave. NO thanx.
Jeff:
I'll answer your question for ya...
3-technique is the Ur or under-tackle, in the 4-3 and he lines up between the offensive guard and tackle. Their main job is to penetrate in the backfield and disrupt the play anyway they can, it's what Corey Williams played for us.
5-technique is a Defensive End in the 3-4 and he plays lined up with the OT. Guys like Richard Seymour, Ty Warren, Igor Olshansky, and Chris Canty in Dallas played the 5-technique position. Their man job is really to stop the run, which is why they rarely have high sack totals.
Here's a good picture showing what i'm trying to explain here...scroll down
http://www.geocities.com/epark/raiders/football-101-3-4-defense.html
| powered by TheSeats.com |
How Brees won the MVP, plus more...
How the Saints and Colts can hoist...
Age, hard hits not kind to RB...
Giants defensive end says he'll...
Breaking down Brees to Meachem...
Apr 08, 2009
11:58 AM
Matt, I await the hundreds of rabid Packer fans responses to your always interesting article, from New Jersey Brett and beyond.