Greetings, G-Force.
I've been on a football writing hiatus since April. There's a lot to catch up on.
Many fans believe that Super Bowls are won in March. Free Agency dominates the landscape and in the minds of many football followers, pretenders become contenders. I disagree.
Recent history shows that the Champions are those teams who draft, develop and add onto the contracts of their own. Look at the '05 & '08 Steelers. The '06 Colts. The '07 & '11 NYG. The '10 Packers. Even the '12 Ravens. Most of the stars on each of these teams played - in large part - for only one franchise.
I remain firm. It's a draft. Develop. Sign your stars kind of league.
I didn't like that GJ85 ended up in Purple, but I understood the decision. I was more baffled that Desmond Bishop got away. I was fired up to watch heightened physicality from the defense with CM3, Datone Jones, Bishop, Nick Perry and an energized BJ Raji all in the front 7.
I couldn't believe how much money the Colts paid Erik Walden.
Tom Crabtree was fun to have in Green Bay. It was sad to see him go.
The real news out of Green Bay this offseason: Aaron Rodgers & Clay Matthews are locked up!!! Well played, Ted Thompson!
I also liked the deal that Morgan Burnett got. He's young and his best football is in front of him. Plus, it was a friendly deal for the Packers cap.
Due to the make-up of the salary cap and the high salaries associated with Superstars, the depth is generally found in low-cost young talent. Youth has to rise to the occasion. Thankfully, once again, Ted Thompson was aggressive in his accumulation of draft picks.
If you follow me on twitter, you know that post the Draft, I broke down each of the draft picks performances in the All-Star game that they played. That is, if they played in one. I also highlighted some undrafted Free Agent performances. As always, I never comment on a player until I've actually watched him play. Here are some notes:
Round 1.) Datone Jones, DL, UCLA. Yes, I'm always stoked when I nail a pick pre-draft. I wanted Jones. I got what I wanted!
NFL Network Analyst, Charley Casserley, ranked the Jets as having one of the elite drafts this past April. He cited Oday Aboushi as one of their impact selections. Clearly, he didn't watch the Senior Bowl. Jones absolutely worked Aboushi in the Senior Bowl. Pure domination. He won the leverage battle. He got in the backfield. He forced EJ Manuel to step up in the pocket. Consistently, he got a push. He was quick off the ball. He used his hands well.
Jones also blew by Terron Armstead, the Saints 3rd Round pick, with a swim move. Jones played on both the right and left side. He held the edge well and forced runs back to the inside. Against Armstead, he did a good job of extending his arms.
When TE, Vance McDonald, the 49ers 2nd Round pick tried to block Jones, McDonald failed miserably.
Jones, who had 19.5 tackles for loss as a Senior, repeatedly blew by Aboushi. He was tireless in his pursuit. He finished plays. He was a difference maker. Great speed-power combination. He was disruptive throughout. He even slid inside to play Left DT. His versatility was apparent. I'm thrilled he's in Titletown!
Round 2.) Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama. I didn't want Lacy in Round 1 due to his injuries. But, late in Rd 2? He was a steal. He can do it all. If healthy, he'll be a dynamite addition to the offense. He's a 3-down back who'll be rested because of a suddenly deep RB position. He's deceptively fast with an epic spin move. He possesses first-class power. If healthy, he has the ability to dominate. He could have been a top 15 pick. But, admittedly, his durability concerns me.
Round 4.) David Bakhtiari, OL, CO. Though I live in CO and attended 2 games of his, I can't say I saw anything that jumped out at me. But, I wasn't necessarily looking for him either.
Round 4.) JC Tretter, OL, Cornell. Tretter was supposed to play in the Senior Bowl, but he was injured prior to the practices. So, I've never seen him play.
Round 4.) Johnathan Franklin, RB, UCLA. I respect my brother Chad's football opinion as much as anyone. When I showed him the Senior Bowl film of Franklin, he said, "Brandon Jackson with a burst." While I believe he will be better than B-Jack - and so does Chad - I see why he made the comment. Not to temper enthusiasm, but they have similar running styles and both are solid 3rd down blocking/receiving options.
During the Senior Bowl, my notes were the following: My first assessment is that Franklin has quickness that we are not used to in Green Bay (DuJuan Harris has the same). He's shifty. In pass protection, he stood out. At one point, he stopped Cornelius Washington, the Bears 6th Rd pick dead in his tracks.
As a runner, Franklin showed patience. He trusted his blockers. He had the turbo to get to the corner. One one play, he picked up 12 yards due to an exciting cut. He rounds the corner and can get upfield.
He can run to the right. He can run to the left. He doesn't fear contact. He displayed vision.
He displayed vision, speed and shake on a 20-yard TD run in which he outpaced Robert Lester.
Throughout, Franklin was a blocking beast. I believe he will be the 3rd down back.
Round 5.) Micah Hyde, CB, Iowa. While some see him as a safety, I see him as a CB. If you followed my pre-draft guide, you know that I associated and targeted him as the type of CB that Ted Thompson would draft. He's made for the slot. Quicker than fast. In the East-West Shrine Game, he was rarely tested. But, he pursues tacklers with aggression. He's physical. He'll add solid depth to an already full CB position. With that said, in today's NFL, there's no such thing as too many DB's.
Round 5.) Josh Boyd, DL, Mississippi St. I watched Boyd in both the Senior Bowl and the East West Shrine Game. In the Shrine Game, there were times in which Boyd showed pass rushing ability. My Senior Bowl assessment was that he wasn't ready to make an immediate impact in the NFL. I liked the width of his body. He showed good hustle. On occasion, he displayed glimpses of being able to separate from blockers. He made plays at the line of scrimmage. He chased down ball carriers from behind. However, Kyle Long, the Bears 1st Rd pick, consistently swallowed Boyd. David Quessenberry, the Texans 6th Rd pick, also got the best of Boyd. Boyd did show some versatility as he played both DT positions. In all, I view him as a solid developmental prospect.
Round 6.) Nate Palmer, OLB, Illinois State. Palmer played in the NFLPA Bowl. He rotated between RDE & LDE in a 4-3. He showed decent timing off the snap. Not robustly quick off the ball though. But, he had a small buzz to him. He looks the part. However, when going against UDFA's, Ronald Mattes, Elliot Mealer, and James Nelson, Palmer made zero impact. He lacked physicality. I worry that he's soft. Frankly, I'm trusting Ted Thompson on this one. I don't see it.
Round 7.) Charles Johnson, WR, Grand Valley St. Intrigued by what I read. Never seen him play.
Round 7.) Kevin Dorsey, WR, Maryland. Like Palmer, he looks the part in uniform. Great build. Willing blocker, but he wasn't always able to sustain the block. He played in the Raycom All-Star Classic. Has a good stature. Lean. Good length.
He reminded me a little of Ruvell Martin. Didn't get off the snap quickly. Shorter stride than you'd expect from his size. Not cut for the slot, I don't think. Likely meant for the outside.
Round 7.) Sam Barringyon, LB, South Florida. I can't recall him from when I watched South Florida play.
Undrafted: Andy Mulumba, OLB, Eastern Michigan. I always love when Thompson goes after a MI product. It forced me to learn about Mulumba. And interact with him on Twitter. His YouTube video showed him stepping behind Taylor Lewan at the Big House in Ann Arbor to make a play. He showed great hustle. As I interacted with Mulumba on Twitter, I found out that when he went against Eric Fisher, the 1st overall pick in the Draft, Mulumba had 11 tackles. 5 of which were solo. During the game, he was mostly man v man against Fisher. I'm craving more info on this man!
Myles White, WR, Louisiana Tech. In the NFLPA Bowl, I liked his swagger. Good aggressiveness. Played on the outside with a feel that he could step into the slot. A willing blocker. Displayed an ability to get down to make the catch. Decent length. I projected him as a prime practice squad candidate and a more exciting prospect than Dorsey based on the limited action I witnessed.
Jake Stoneburner, TE, Ohio State. Didn't play in an All-Star game, but I know his game. If he can develop as a blocker, he has a shot to stick. A solid red zone target. Finds the hole in the zone of the defense. Good hands. Special teams and blocking will determine his fate.
Gilbert Pena, DL, Mississippi. He, too, played in the Raycom All-Star Classic. In more than just his name, there was a resemblance to the Grave Digger, Gilbert Brown. Pena is massive.
Pena displayed good discipline. Solid hustle. He's more than stout. A big boy. He forced a fumble as he slapped Robert Marve's wrist from behind. Pena was double teamed throughout the game. He wraps up well, but if you cut him, he can't move well.
If you try to man up against him, Pena sheds the block well and eats the ball carrier. Pens often gets his hands up in passing lanes. He's disruptive.
Pena takes choppy steps and consistently comes with a bull rush. He's a great training camp body. With an aging Ryan Pickett, who knows. I like that Pena will be in camp. He was an absolute man in the Raycom All-Star Game. Arguably the most impressive player on the field.
Angelo Pease, RB, Kansas State. I watched a lot of K-State football last year. Angelo Pease never caught my eye.
10 Training Camp Predictions:
1.) Last year, I went on record. Before the Draft. I wanted BJ Coleman. I believe that he will become the Mr. August. He will outshine Graham Harrell. He will be the lone back-up QB.
2.) Don Barclay will run away with the starting RT position. Clearly, the Packers are focused on improving the ground game. It was a heavy emphasis in the Draft. When Barclay became a starter, the Packers became a much better running team.
3.) I still haven't forgiven Jeremy Ross for his dropped punt in SF. And, I still believe that the Packers might have won the game if Ross had caught the ball. (Yes, I'm over-the-top with my Packers goggles, but as I always say: I'm an optimistic realist). Regardless of Ross' past, I feel he runs away with the kick return job. And, thus, he gobbles a crucial WR spot. The Packers keep 6 WR: Cobb, Nelson, Jones, Johnson, Boykin, Ross. Fun to predict this position battle!
4.) Mason Crosby was absolutely awful last year. He rebounds with a strong camp.
5.) Barring injury, neither Alex Green nor James Starks makes the roster. Harris is legit. Franklin & Lacy are the prized rookies. There's only so many roster spots. Thanks for the XLV playoff run, Starks. I wish you could have stayed healthy. You have brute potential. Green gets a lot of reps early in camp in an effort to put him on display as trade bait.
6.) Mike Neal has no shot of succeeding as an OLB. Prior to him, the Packers have tried moving DE's, Aaron Kampman & Cullen Jenkins, to OLB. It didn't work. The same will apply with Neal. He can't play in space. He can't cover a TE or a RB. Those are duties of an OLB in a 3-4.
7.) Brad Jones proves he's a much more physical and instinctive ILB than AJ Hawk. Someone emerges as a threat to Hawk's playing time. While conventional thought would predict that Terrell Manning would be the guy, my prediction is that Jamari Lattimore is the surprise ILB in camp. It wouldn't surprise me if Robert Francois skips Manning on the depth chart.
8.) The depth at OLB remains disappointing. While Perry, Dezman Moses, Nate Palmer, Mike Neal, Donte Savage & Jarvis Reed are all prospects to play opposite CM3; I only see Perry & Moses as immediate options. And Moses has significant limitations due to limited speed and coverage skills. Further, he's still learning the role and lacks awareness. He gives great effort and therefore, he earns playing time. It wouldn't stun me if one or two of the UDFA's outperform Palmer. Likely Mulumba. My fear is that Palmer is this years Ricky Elmore. I hope I'm not bring too harsh. Palmer was hand selected by Kevin Greene. I trust Greene. I'm concerned about what I saw about Palmer. I'll be curious to see if Jarvis Reed can surprise in camp.
9.) Bryan Bulaga & Josh Sitton work wonders on the left side of the line. Lang & Barclay lock up the right side. But, pressure can come at Aaron Rodgers right up the middle. I don't believe in EDS as a 16- game starter. He's a patchwork, versatile 6th OL who can play both Guard & Center in a pinch. I don't see him as a starter. His lack of strength gets exposed early in the preseason.
10.) BJ Raji returns to form. Finally, in Datone Jones, the Packers have replaced Cullen Jenkins. Raji avoids constant double-and-triple teams. He's motivated. He's beastly. He wants a new contract. Early in camp, he shows the 2010 Raji form.
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Thursday, April 25, 2013
My Take -> MOCK DRAFT
Greetings, G-Force.
Welcome to the 2013 NFL Season. Glorious words. In the salary cap era, it's challenging to build a consistent, sustained franchise. Managing the cap is a difficult task. For Ted Thompson, the model begins with the NFL Draft. He likes an influx of youth and then to develop that in-house. With the recent signing of the Claymaker and with an enormous contract around the bend for Aaron Rodgers, Thompson's salary cap could end up tighter than any financial situation that he has had to deal with as the GM of the Green Bay Packers. Thus, Ted Thompson must have a successful weekend or else the Packers could face significant concern with respect to the depth of talent on the roster.
Last year, Thompson was wise to be aggressive in his approach towards the Draft. The defense needed a youthful newness. It needed athletes. I enjoyed the trades that allowed him to grab Worthy, Hayward and Manning. This year, Thompson would be wise to trade down. This years draft offers power in numbers. With that said, I imagine it'll be tough to find a trading partner. If I were Ted Thompson, here'd be my approach:
(As a side note, I use the CBS DRAFT SCOUT website as the barometer as to what round someone will be selected. Further, I only comment on players that I've previously watched. Finally, let's hope the Packers draft defenders from Georgia, South Carolina and Stanford. All three had fast, physical, aggressive defenses.)
Round 1: I've struggled with this pick. Mightily. If you've followed my blog or my twitter account, you know I've wanted Sheldon Richardson, DL, Mizzou since Week 2 of the college season. But, I don't envision him being around when the Packers are on the clock. If Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia were to fall to #26, he has to be the pick. Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas is an interesting prospect as he can play in the slot or over the top. He's feisty. Plays with attitude. Jonathan Cyprien, S, FIU had an impressive Senior Bowl week. It's also worth noting the Packers have had great luck with drafting small school Safeties recently in Darren Sharper and Nick Collins. Cyprien looks the part. He has good range. He's active in the box and a fearless tackler. Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford has the pass receiving skills that the Packers seek. He's great in traffic. He wins jump balls. He has to be considered. Though I wish he was 7-10 pounds heavier, Datone Jones, DE, UCLA, fits the Packers scheme. You can move him around. He uses his hands well to shed off blockers. He's active in his pursuit of the QB. At 6-4, he has length. He plays with great speed and gets off the ball with conviction. The more you watch him, the more you will like him. Jones would be great in Green & Gold. I view Sylvester Williams, DL, UNC as a great fit, but he will not last until #26. I love Alec Olgetree, ILB, Georgia, but the Packers aren't picking ILB in the first round. Two guys that interest me: Kawann Short, DL, Purdue and Margus Hunt, DL, SMU. Every time I've seen Hunt, he's been a baller. He goes for the football. He attacks the QB. He's long. Last year, my good friend, Stack, introduced Short to me. I've followed intently ever since. Short is similar to Cullen Jenkins. He fights with his hands. Though inconsistent, at times, he shows great determination when he's motivated. He plays the run and the pass. Pins his ears back and he's slippery. The Packers need help along the DL. Short is an answer. After extensive internal debate, I am going with Datone Jones. I like his versatility the most. Further, he would bring a size & speed dimension that is not currently on the roster. But, to reiterate, it'd be great to grab a 2 and a 3 in a trade down.
Round 2: Brian Schwenke, C, Cal. It isn't often that I'm all over an OL. But, with Schwenke, I can't help myself. He moves well. He's versatile. He's a commander. He pay s though he's a leader. He'd start from Day 1. Backup choices: John Jenkins, DL, Georgia; Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor.
Round 3: Stedman Bailey, WR, Dub-V. He can play the slot or the outside. Rodgers to Bailey on the back shoulder would be fantastic from Day 1. Bailey is a master of the back shoulder fade. He'd be a TD machine. Back-up choices: JJ Wilcox, S, Georgia Southern; Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB, UCONN.
Round 4: Jordan Hill, DL, Penn State. He'd instantly jump in as a rotational beast. Solid 3-down potential. Back-up choices: AJ Klein, ILB, Iowa State; Josh Evans, S, Florida; Chase Thomas, OLB, Stanford.
Round 5: Earl Wolff, S, NC State. Plays the ball well. Good turn and face ability. Can cover the crossing route. Back-up: Kenny Stills, WR, OK; Tony Jefferson, S, OK.
Round 5: Michael Buchanon, OLB, IL. Packers need additional size, speed and pay making ability. Like Buchanon's ability and think he could progress with a dose of Kevin Greene.
Round 6: Zach Line, RB, SMU. The Kuhn days are limited. Line brings versatility and could be an eventual replacement. Back-up: Zeke Motta, S, ND; Zac Stacy, RB, Vandy; Corey Fuller, WR, VA Tech.
Round 7: Mychal Rivera, TE, TN. The bet of his football career is ahead of him. Appears to be able to be molded into something special. Back-up: Byron Jerideau, DL, South Carolina; Brandon Jenkins, OLB, FSU; Robert Lester, S, AL; Ray Ray Armstrong, S, []_[]; Knile Davis, RB, Arkansas.
Here's a quick position-by-position breakdown. In parenthesis, you'll find a projected round in which the player will get drafted:
QB: With Rodgers, Harrell and Coleman, there isn't an immediate need. Especially because I believe in BJ Coleman. It is a good year to not require a QB as I do not see many starting QB's in this years draft. Nonetheless, here are some players that could step in and compete for a backup role.
Tyler Wilson (3) - Had a rough go of it in his final year of college due to a coaching change. Throws a good ball. Only average on the move, but he's a solid pocket passing prospect.
Matt Scott (4) - He's a gritty competitor. Great mobility. Like his arm. Still a somewhat raw prospect after sitting behind Nick Foles. A gamer. Loved his Bowl game comeback. For someone, he will be a fun draft pick who could evolve into a reliable back-up.
Zac Dysert (5) - Enjoyed his game vs Ohio State, which had me keep my eye on him. But, after that, he never overwhelmed. Still, he has enough to warrant consideration.
Jordan Rodgers (7) - Due to the name, how could I not mention him? Has a lot of intangibles, but his decision making was lackluster. Inconsistent. He's highly athletic. A tough minded prospect.
RB: I'm not as worried about the RB position as most I talk to. Between Harris, Starks, and Green, I believe there's enough talent to prevent us from investing an early pick on a back.
Eddie Lacy (2) - If Lacy is our first round pick, I'll be disappointed. He has battled injury throughout his college career. With that said, when he's played, he's been a beast. Physical. A pounding runner with great vision. Without the injury history, I'd consider him a 1st round talent.
Johnathan Franklin (2) - A deceptively powerful back who pounds away at chunks of yardage after contact. He shows patience at the line and should transition into an every down back.
Montee Ball (2) - Thanks for the memories, Montee. Love his vision. Admire his durability. Great character. But, no way I'd draft him in the first 3 rounds.
Le'Veon Bell (3) - He has a lot of carries on his legs, but man, I like his game. He catches the ball well. Soft hands. Powers through contact. He is a solid short yardage back. A warrior. My favorite back in the draft.
Christine Michael (3) - If I had the time and the access, I'd watch every carry of his college career. He has a nose for the end zone. Good vision. He will put the ball on the ground in careless fashion, but he'll also burst through defenders an pick up additional yardage. He has a stellar attitude. A consummate pro. Would be great in Green & Gold.
Stepfan Taylor (4) - A leader. The kind of guy that everyone roots for. Says the right things. Does the right things. Seems flawless. He's a great mid-round value pick.
Kenyon Barner (5) - Every year, I dream about the Packers drafting an undersized, lightning bolt back who is a threat to take it to the house. This year, Barner is that guy.
Cierre Wood (6) - I'm higher on him than most. A grinder. In the right system, I think he can be a good situational back. Knows the game. Has toughness. A solid role player who can catch the ball out of the backfield.
Zac Stacy (6) - I can envision Stacy in a Packers uniform. Undersized, shifty back who plays with fury. Runs with conviction. Tough to bring down. Not an every down player, but a legit prospect who has a future in the league.
Knile Davis (7) - Terrific size and speed combo. Always hurt. Occasionally, a fumbler. But, dude is a freakish athlete. The type of back that the Packers might take a shot on. The sky is the limit for Davis although I wonder if he'll ever be healthy enough to maximize his potential.
FB: I am a John Kuhn fan. I don't like his salary figure. So, it's worth exploring the FB position.
Kyle Juszczyk (4) - The Ivy League back has great hands, football wit and the ability to roam along the line. He's a solid blocker who can move up to the line of scrimmage. Fearless in his approach, he impressed me at the Senior Bowl.
Zach Line (6) - He may need to add weight to be a FB in the NFL, but. Zach Line is what Ted Thompson would deem a "football player." He runs hard. Good cutting ability. Plays with confidence and within himself. He catches the ball well out of the backfield. In many ways, he is a mini-Kuhn.
WR: With the departure of Jennings and Driver's retirement, the Packers must look to add depth at WR. Thankfully, this draft is loaded with possibilities. Here are some options to consider:
Keenan Allen (1) - Legit Cal product who can stretch the field. Goes up and gets the ball in traffic. Good extension. Could be an immediate difference maker.
DeAndre Hopkins (1) - Really like his game and skills after the catch, but he wasn't the best player on his team at WR. Wonder if some of his best football isn't ahead of him.
Terrance Williams (2) - My favorite WR in the draft. Great size, speed, hands. Dominant. Über productive. Seemed like he was unable to be covered. Nose for the end zone.
Quinton Patton (2) - Often compared to Greg Jennings, Patton excels in route running. Really came on the week of the Senior Bowl. Plays with a carefree approach and appears to be a festive, team oriented player.
Markus Wheaton (2) - Have to like his run after the catch ability. Does good work along the sidelines. Like his physique and pay making ability. Gets deep.
Justin Hunter (2) - In uniform, I'm not sure anyone loos better. Ultra talented. Question his motivation.
Stedman Bailey (3) - I'm biased, but I love Bailey. Under appreciated at the college level. Plays bigger than he measures. A gamer. Motivated to be big time. Needs to be a Packer!
Chris Harper (4) - Great size. Football player. Put him on the field and you'll get consistent production. Don't love his speed. But, he's a feisty competitor who'll play solid ball for the next 7-10 years.
Kenny Stills (5) - Family ties to the Packers. Between the lines, he's a 1st round pick. Attitude is a concern. So are off field issues. Pro Bowl potential. Possible mid-round gem.
Corey Fuller (6) - Lots of intangibles. Has enough size, speed, ability to make it in league. Plays with heart. Like his desire to fight for the football. Solid mid-to-late round pick.
Marquiss Wilson (7) - Man, early in the year, I considered him to be a 1st or 2nd round pick. But, he's lazy. Drops easy passes. When he's on, he's lethal. But, he fails to consistently show up. If a WR coach can reach him, he'll be a difference maker.
TE: It is hard for me to imagine the Packers skipping on a TE. At some point, I believe Thompson will grab one. Finley is a loose cannon and a FA after this year. DJ Williams hasn't met expectations. Quarless didn't play last year. We're drafting a TE. I really like the TE class in the mid-to- late rounds.
Tyler Eifert (1) - I'd love him. He won't be around. But, he's ideal.
Zach Ertz (1) - In season, at times, he amazed. Stretches the field. Wins the jump ball. Makes plays. Consistent. Worthwhile to question his blocking ability.
Travis Kelce (2) - Big target. Deceptive speed. Solid blocker. Good hands. A leader. And a knack for converting on 3rd down.
Vance McDonald (3) - Good athlete. Used to double TE sets. But, seemed slow off the ball and, on occasion, he looked like an unwilling blocker.
Gavin Escobar (3) - Have to admit, I saw him the least amount, but what I saw of him was not superstar quality. He fought hard after th catch. Showed decent hands. But, had trouble getting open and finding the opening in the zone . Granted, he did not play on an overwhelmingly gifted offense.
Dion Sims (4) - Extremely productive and a go-to target in college. Would be surprised if he ended up in Green Bay. Not fleet of foot. But, seems to find the open space in the defense.
Levine Toilolo (5) - Under shadowed and under utilized because of Ertz, Toilolo has great versatility. Can shift into the backfield or h can line up along the Tackle. A fighter. Does the dirty work.
Mychal Rivera (7) - Really like him. Played on a talented team with a number of offensive weapons even though they struggled to win. He impressed every time he touched the ball. Good run after the catch ability. Solid hands. Not an overwhelming blocker, but a willing one. Would fit nicely.
Joseph Fauria (7) - Beastly in stature. Presents a huge target. Occasionally, he disappeared. But, has ability to get down the seam and make plays.
Luke Wilson (7) - Played 2-TE set at Rice. Reminds me of Kevin Boss. Smart. Hard working. Soft hands. Will consistently stumble forward for yards. Red zone threat.
Justice Cunningham (7) - Possibly an underrated player. Good blocker. Decent receiver who displayed good awareness. Wasn't flooded with opportunities, but showed up when given the chance.
C: Please, Ted. Draft a Center.
Brian Schwenke (2) - I'm fully on board. GRAB HIM!
Barrett Jones (3) - Leader. Battler. Mauler.
Joe Madsen (7) - A grinder who'll take command at the line of scrimmage. Great effort guy.
DL: The Packers should draft multiple players along the DL.
Sheldon Richardson (1) - Plainly stated, my favorite player in the draft.
Sylvester Williams (1) - Tough for me to envision him around at #26, but he'd offer bulk and muscle that'd be a welcomed addition.
Datone Jones - Huge versatility. Monster. Madman in a helmet. Ideal addition.
Kawann Short (1) - I'm higher on him than most. He's beastly. At times, he's absolutely dominant. Forceful at the line.
Margus Hunt (1) - A tremendous athlete. Physical specimen. Ability to add weight. Makes impact on defense and special teams. A Green Bay kind of guy.
Jesse Williams (2) - Others are a lot higher on him than I am. Decent run plugger. Doesn't amaze.
John Jenkins (2) - A perfect replacement for Ryan Pickett.
William Gholston (3) - If the Packers truly want length on the DL, Gholston should be considered.
Jordan Hill (4) - Terrific ability. Ideal 3-4 DE. Slippery. Can get to QB. Solid run stopper.
Kwame Geathers (7) - A giant of man whose best football might be ahead of him.
Abry Jones (7) - Got lost in a crowded defensive line. Limited ability, but holds the point.
Byron Jerideau (7) - An ideal late round pick or undrafted FA. Really impressed. A never say die kind of guy. Slips into the backfield with good quickness. Really tough. Great muscle.
ILB: With Jones &Hawk financial investments, I wonder what is in store at ILB.
AJ Klein (4) - Great production. Kept Iowa State in a number of games with sheer willpower. Not a great blitzer, but a sure tackler in space. Might have inflated numbers due to tackles 4-6 yards downfield. Good in coverage.
Vince Williams (7) -Punishing tackler. Good instincts. Finds the football.
OLB: In a 3-4, the OLB role can be discussed as power in numbers. Right now, the Packers are light. We need to add one or two.
Jarvis Jones (1) - If he slips...it is a no brainer.
Sio Moore (3) - Not sure he's a 3-4 OLB, but he's a football player. Find a spot. He will perform. At peak levels.
Chase Thomas (4) - A Ted Thompson "football player" who has all the know-how and leadership skills. A talented player who might be too slow to be an elite NFL OLB. But, he's got the will and the fight to be a steady player for the next 7-10 years.
Cornelius Washington (4) - A workout warrior. His skills on the field don't match his workout numbers. Still, an intriguing prospect.
Michael Buchanon (5) - Early in the year, I viewed him a a 1st round pick. But, man, he tapered off. Against lesser talent, it was pure bliss to watch him. He was fierce. Athletic. Aware. An ideal 3-4 OLB. But, in the Big 10, he was often swallowed up and he looked slow. Regardless, a great value pick in the middle rounds.
Brandon Jenkins (7) - Had he not been injured, he might have been a 1st round pick. Would love him in Green Bay. Ideal 3-4 size.
Wes Horton (7) - Next in a long line of USC pass rushers. Like his hands. Gets arms in air while in pursuit. Gets pushed around wen he's not extended and plays too upright.
Meshack Williams (7) - A go getter. Not overly strong nor fast, but he plays with intensity. Leaves it all on the field. A winner. Shows up weekly.
Alex Debniak (7) - Great hustle player. Smooth athlete. Plays with speed. Great burst off the edge. Never gives up. Pursues with passion. Punches for the ball.
CB: The Packers have many needs. If Shields signs, CB is not one of them. Still, there are a couple of prospects that intrigue me:
Blidi Wreh-Wright (3) - If you've followed my blog long enough, you remember me writing about Richard Sherman before he was drafted. I compared him to Al Harris. I'll put Wreh-Wright in that same category. It would be epic if he were in Green & Gold. All about this kid. Swagger vibes are all around him.
Jordan Poyer (4) - Dude turns, runs, finds the football. Makes plays on the ball. Tells you about it. A CB mentality. Big time potential.
Micah Hyde (6) - Never hear anyone talk about him. But has good size. Sure tackler. Physical player who'd be a welcomed addition.
S: Other than the DL, the biggest need is at safety.
Kenny Vaccarro (1) - Plays the slot with a vengeance. Possibly overrated due to those before him. But, plays with attitude and as though he's on a mission.
Eric Reid (1) - Not as high on him as others are. Shoulders scare me. He also misses tackles. But, he flies to the football and forces turnovers.
Jonathan Cyprien (1) - Fits the bill. Would immediately improve the tackling in the secondary. Full of confidence. Finds the ball. Plays with great speed.
Matt Elam (1) - Do not want him in Round 1. A punisher, but undersized. A total gamer. Better 2nd round prospect.
Philip Thomas (2) - Finds the football. Makes plays on ball. Can run. But, man, he struggles with open field tackling. Rocks dreads. Does this mean we're picking him?
DJ Swearinger (2) - Boat loads of confidence. Gets sideline to sideline. An intimidator. Sometimes plays the man and not the ball. Robust hitter.
JJ Wilcox (3) - Confident team player. William to give for the team. A winner. All around football player that caters to Ted Thompson's eye. Knows and understands the game. Only going to get better.
Bacardi Rambo (3) - I always though he'd blossom into an absolute stud. Never did it. He's a gamer. Decent tackler, but no the dominant player I envisioned him becoming.
Josh Evans (4) - YES. YES. YES. I like his game. Overshadowed at the college level. Littered with ability. Big play potential is all around him.
Tony Jefferson (5) -Undersized, but an absolute leader. Great tackler. Tough minded.
Shawn Williams (4) - A vocal leader who looks for physicality amongst himself and his teammates.
Earl Wolff (5) - I'm way higher on him than most. Smart. Reads routes well. Didn't get a lot of recognition, but plays the ball well. Chance to be a great role player for a long time. And could develop into something special.
Zeke Motta (6) - Dude is a fierce hitter. Not overly fleet of foot and does ge exposed in space. But put him in the box and he's lethal. Intense. Can cover the TE.
Robert Lester (7) - Dropped post season after being viewed as a 3rd round prospect throughout the year. Finds ball, but a bit stiff. Reminds me a little of Aaron Rouse.
Ray Ray Armstrong (7) - While living in Miami, I loved his game. Was called the next Sean Taylor. Wore #26. Has first class ability. But, massive off-field issues. Could Thompson take the same chance on Armstrong that he did on Mike Hawkins in '05?
Orhian Johnson (7) - Not great in coverage, but a steady tackler. Great build, but lacks flexibility. Stiff. Still, I like his game and enjoy his physical presence.
Jahleel Addae (7) - He will likely go undrafted but I had to list his name. Complete fighter. Love his guts. Dreaded. And plays the ball with decent ability. Terrific special teams prospect.
In closing, I hope Thompson can finish with a minimum of 10 picks. Hopefully, he can get 4 of the top 100. This daft can be won in picks 35-90. A good mix of talent. Ideally, I would like for Thompson the get 2 OLB, 2 DL, 1 TE, 1 WR, 1 C, 1 RB, 1 G/T 1 ILB in this draft. And, if we got 2 WR's, I would like to see the weapons added to the arsenal. For live thoughts during the draft, especially on days 2 & 3, follow me on twitter.
Go Pack Go!
In Ted I Trust,
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
Welcome to the 2013 NFL Season. Glorious words. In the salary cap era, it's challenging to build a consistent, sustained franchise. Managing the cap is a difficult task. For Ted Thompson, the model begins with the NFL Draft. He likes an influx of youth and then to develop that in-house. With the recent signing of the Claymaker and with an enormous contract around the bend for Aaron Rodgers, Thompson's salary cap could end up tighter than any financial situation that he has had to deal with as the GM of the Green Bay Packers. Thus, Ted Thompson must have a successful weekend or else the Packers could face significant concern with respect to the depth of talent on the roster.
Last year, Thompson was wise to be aggressive in his approach towards the Draft. The defense needed a youthful newness. It needed athletes. I enjoyed the trades that allowed him to grab Worthy, Hayward and Manning. This year, Thompson would be wise to trade down. This years draft offers power in numbers. With that said, I imagine it'll be tough to find a trading partner. If I were Ted Thompson, here'd be my approach:
(As a side note, I use the CBS DRAFT SCOUT website as the barometer as to what round someone will be selected. Further, I only comment on players that I've previously watched. Finally, let's hope the Packers draft defenders from Georgia, South Carolina and Stanford. All three had fast, physical, aggressive defenses.)
Round 1: I've struggled with this pick. Mightily. If you've followed my blog or my twitter account, you know I've wanted Sheldon Richardson, DL, Mizzou since Week 2 of the college season. But, I don't envision him being around when the Packers are on the clock. If Jarvis Jones, OLB, Georgia were to fall to #26, he has to be the pick. Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas is an interesting prospect as he can play in the slot or over the top. He's feisty. Plays with attitude. Jonathan Cyprien, S, FIU had an impressive Senior Bowl week. It's also worth noting the Packers have had great luck with drafting small school Safeties recently in Darren Sharper and Nick Collins. Cyprien looks the part. He has good range. He's active in the box and a fearless tackler. Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford has the pass receiving skills that the Packers seek. He's great in traffic. He wins jump balls. He has to be considered. Though I wish he was 7-10 pounds heavier, Datone Jones, DE, UCLA, fits the Packers scheme. You can move him around. He uses his hands well to shed off blockers. He's active in his pursuit of the QB. At 6-4, he has length. He plays with great speed and gets off the ball with conviction. The more you watch him, the more you will like him. Jones would be great in Green & Gold. I view Sylvester Williams, DL, UNC as a great fit, but he will not last until #26. I love Alec Olgetree, ILB, Georgia, but the Packers aren't picking ILB in the first round. Two guys that interest me: Kawann Short, DL, Purdue and Margus Hunt, DL, SMU. Every time I've seen Hunt, he's been a baller. He goes for the football. He attacks the QB. He's long. Last year, my good friend, Stack, introduced Short to me. I've followed intently ever since. Short is similar to Cullen Jenkins. He fights with his hands. Though inconsistent, at times, he shows great determination when he's motivated. He plays the run and the pass. Pins his ears back and he's slippery. The Packers need help along the DL. Short is an answer. After extensive internal debate, I am going with Datone Jones. I like his versatility the most. Further, he would bring a size & speed dimension that is not currently on the roster. But, to reiterate, it'd be great to grab a 2 and a 3 in a trade down.
Round 2: Brian Schwenke, C, Cal. It isn't often that I'm all over an OL. But, with Schwenke, I can't help myself. He moves well. He's versatile. He's a commander. He pay s though he's a leader. He'd start from Day 1. Backup choices: John Jenkins, DL, Georgia; Terrance Williams, WR, Baylor.
Round 3: Stedman Bailey, WR, Dub-V. He can play the slot or the outside. Rodgers to Bailey on the back shoulder would be fantastic from Day 1. Bailey is a master of the back shoulder fade. He'd be a TD machine. Back-up choices: JJ Wilcox, S, Georgia Southern; Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB, UCONN.
Round 4: Jordan Hill, DL, Penn State. He'd instantly jump in as a rotational beast. Solid 3-down potential. Back-up choices: AJ Klein, ILB, Iowa State; Josh Evans, S, Florida; Chase Thomas, OLB, Stanford.
Round 5: Earl Wolff, S, NC State. Plays the ball well. Good turn and face ability. Can cover the crossing route. Back-up: Kenny Stills, WR, OK; Tony Jefferson, S, OK.
Round 5: Michael Buchanon, OLB, IL. Packers need additional size, speed and pay making ability. Like Buchanon's ability and think he could progress with a dose of Kevin Greene.
Round 6: Zach Line, RB, SMU. The Kuhn days are limited. Line brings versatility and could be an eventual replacement. Back-up: Zeke Motta, S, ND; Zac Stacy, RB, Vandy; Corey Fuller, WR, VA Tech.
Round 7: Mychal Rivera, TE, TN. The bet of his football career is ahead of him. Appears to be able to be molded into something special. Back-up: Byron Jerideau, DL, South Carolina; Brandon Jenkins, OLB, FSU; Robert Lester, S, AL; Ray Ray Armstrong, S, []_[]; Knile Davis, RB, Arkansas.
Here's a quick position-by-position breakdown. In parenthesis, you'll find a projected round in which the player will get drafted:
QB: With Rodgers, Harrell and Coleman, there isn't an immediate need. Especially because I believe in BJ Coleman. It is a good year to not require a QB as I do not see many starting QB's in this years draft. Nonetheless, here are some players that could step in and compete for a backup role.
Tyler Wilson (3) - Had a rough go of it in his final year of college due to a coaching change. Throws a good ball. Only average on the move, but he's a solid pocket passing prospect.
Matt Scott (4) - He's a gritty competitor. Great mobility. Like his arm. Still a somewhat raw prospect after sitting behind Nick Foles. A gamer. Loved his Bowl game comeback. For someone, he will be a fun draft pick who could evolve into a reliable back-up.
Zac Dysert (5) - Enjoyed his game vs Ohio State, which had me keep my eye on him. But, after that, he never overwhelmed. Still, he has enough to warrant consideration.
Jordan Rodgers (7) - Due to the name, how could I not mention him? Has a lot of intangibles, but his decision making was lackluster. Inconsistent. He's highly athletic. A tough minded prospect.
RB: I'm not as worried about the RB position as most I talk to. Between Harris, Starks, and Green, I believe there's enough talent to prevent us from investing an early pick on a back.
Eddie Lacy (2) - If Lacy is our first round pick, I'll be disappointed. He has battled injury throughout his college career. With that said, when he's played, he's been a beast. Physical. A pounding runner with great vision. Without the injury history, I'd consider him a 1st round talent.
Johnathan Franklin (2) - A deceptively powerful back who pounds away at chunks of yardage after contact. He shows patience at the line and should transition into an every down back.
Montee Ball (2) - Thanks for the memories, Montee. Love his vision. Admire his durability. Great character. But, no way I'd draft him in the first 3 rounds.
Le'Veon Bell (3) - He has a lot of carries on his legs, but man, I like his game. He catches the ball well. Soft hands. Powers through contact. He is a solid short yardage back. A warrior. My favorite back in the draft.
Christine Michael (3) - If I had the time and the access, I'd watch every carry of his college career. He has a nose for the end zone. Good vision. He will put the ball on the ground in careless fashion, but he'll also burst through defenders an pick up additional yardage. He has a stellar attitude. A consummate pro. Would be great in Green & Gold.
Stepfan Taylor (4) - A leader. The kind of guy that everyone roots for. Says the right things. Does the right things. Seems flawless. He's a great mid-round value pick.
Kenyon Barner (5) - Every year, I dream about the Packers drafting an undersized, lightning bolt back who is a threat to take it to the house. This year, Barner is that guy.
Cierre Wood (6) - I'm higher on him than most. A grinder. In the right system, I think he can be a good situational back. Knows the game. Has toughness. A solid role player who can catch the ball out of the backfield.
Zac Stacy (6) - I can envision Stacy in a Packers uniform. Undersized, shifty back who plays with fury. Runs with conviction. Tough to bring down. Not an every down player, but a legit prospect who has a future in the league.
Knile Davis (7) - Terrific size and speed combo. Always hurt. Occasionally, a fumbler. But, dude is a freakish athlete. The type of back that the Packers might take a shot on. The sky is the limit for Davis although I wonder if he'll ever be healthy enough to maximize his potential.
FB: I am a John Kuhn fan. I don't like his salary figure. So, it's worth exploring the FB position.
Kyle Juszczyk (4) - The Ivy League back has great hands, football wit and the ability to roam along the line. He's a solid blocker who can move up to the line of scrimmage. Fearless in his approach, he impressed me at the Senior Bowl.
Zach Line (6) - He may need to add weight to be a FB in the NFL, but. Zach Line is what Ted Thompson would deem a "football player." He runs hard. Good cutting ability. Plays with confidence and within himself. He catches the ball well out of the backfield. In many ways, he is a mini-Kuhn.
WR: With the departure of Jennings and Driver's retirement, the Packers must look to add depth at WR. Thankfully, this draft is loaded with possibilities. Here are some options to consider:
Keenan Allen (1) - Legit Cal product who can stretch the field. Goes up and gets the ball in traffic. Good extension. Could be an immediate difference maker.
DeAndre Hopkins (1) - Really like his game and skills after the catch, but he wasn't the best player on his team at WR. Wonder if some of his best football isn't ahead of him.
Terrance Williams (2) - My favorite WR in the draft. Great size, speed, hands. Dominant. Über productive. Seemed like he was unable to be covered. Nose for the end zone.
Quinton Patton (2) - Often compared to Greg Jennings, Patton excels in route running. Really came on the week of the Senior Bowl. Plays with a carefree approach and appears to be a festive, team oriented player.
Markus Wheaton (2) - Have to like his run after the catch ability. Does good work along the sidelines. Like his physique and pay making ability. Gets deep.
Justin Hunter (2) - In uniform, I'm not sure anyone loos better. Ultra talented. Question his motivation.
Stedman Bailey (3) - I'm biased, but I love Bailey. Under appreciated at the college level. Plays bigger than he measures. A gamer. Motivated to be big time. Needs to be a Packer!
Chris Harper (4) - Great size. Football player. Put him on the field and you'll get consistent production. Don't love his speed. But, he's a feisty competitor who'll play solid ball for the next 7-10 years.
Kenny Stills (5) - Family ties to the Packers. Between the lines, he's a 1st round pick. Attitude is a concern. So are off field issues. Pro Bowl potential. Possible mid-round gem.
Corey Fuller (6) - Lots of intangibles. Has enough size, speed, ability to make it in league. Plays with heart. Like his desire to fight for the football. Solid mid-to-late round pick.
Marquiss Wilson (7) - Man, early in the year, I considered him to be a 1st or 2nd round pick. But, he's lazy. Drops easy passes. When he's on, he's lethal. But, he fails to consistently show up. If a WR coach can reach him, he'll be a difference maker.
TE: It is hard for me to imagine the Packers skipping on a TE. At some point, I believe Thompson will grab one. Finley is a loose cannon and a FA after this year. DJ Williams hasn't met expectations. Quarless didn't play last year. We're drafting a TE. I really like the TE class in the mid-to- late rounds.
Tyler Eifert (1) - I'd love him. He won't be around. But, he's ideal.
Zach Ertz (1) - In season, at times, he amazed. Stretches the field. Wins the jump ball. Makes plays. Consistent. Worthwhile to question his blocking ability.
Travis Kelce (2) - Big target. Deceptive speed. Solid blocker. Good hands. A leader. And a knack for converting on 3rd down.
Vance McDonald (3) - Good athlete. Used to double TE sets. But, seemed slow off the ball and, on occasion, he looked like an unwilling blocker.
Gavin Escobar (3) - Have to admit, I saw him the least amount, but what I saw of him was not superstar quality. He fought hard after th catch. Showed decent hands. But, had trouble getting open and finding the opening in the zone . Granted, he did not play on an overwhelmingly gifted offense.
Dion Sims (4) - Extremely productive and a go-to target in college. Would be surprised if he ended up in Green Bay. Not fleet of foot. But, seems to find the open space in the defense.
Levine Toilolo (5) - Under shadowed and under utilized because of Ertz, Toilolo has great versatility. Can shift into the backfield or h can line up along the Tackle. A fighter. Does the dirty work.
Mychal Rivera (7) - Really like him. Played on a talented team with a number of offensive weapons even though they struggled to win. He impressed every time he touched the ball. Good run after the catch ability. Solid hands. Not an overwhelming blocker, but a willing one. Would fit nicely.
Joseph Fauria (7) - Beastly in stature. Presents a huge target. Occasionally, he disappeared. But, has ability to get down the seam and make plays.
Luke Wilson (7) - Played 2-TE set at Rice. Reminds me of Kevin Boss. Smart. Hard working. Soft hands. Will consistently stumble forward for yards. Red zone threat.
Justice Cunningham (7) - Possibly an underrated player. Good blocker. Decent receiver who displayed good awareness. Wasn't flooded with opportunities, but showed up when given the chance.
C: Please, Ted. Draft a Center.
Brian Schwenke (2) - I'm fully on board. GRAB HIM!
Barrett Jones (3) - Leader. Battler. Mauler.
Joe Madsen (7) - A grinder who'll take command at the line of scrimmage. Great effort guy.
DL: The Packers should draft multiple players along the DL.
Sheldon Richardson (1) - Plainly stated, my favorite player in the draft.
Sylvester Williams (1) - Tough for me to envision him around at #26, but he'd offer bulk and muscle that'd be a welcomed addition.
Datone Jones - Huge versatility. Monster. Madman in a helmet. Ideal addition.
Kawann Short (1) - I'm higher on him than most. He's beastly. At times, he's absolutely dominant. Forceful at the line.
Margus Hunt (1) - A tremendous athlete. Physical specimen. Ability to add weight. Makes impact on defense and special teams. A Green Bay kind of guy.
Jesse Williams (2) - Others are a lot higher on him than I am. Decent run plugger. Doesn't amaze.
John Jenkins (2) - A perfect replacement for Ryan Pickett.
William Gholston (3) - If the Packers truly want length on the DL, Gholston should be considered.
Jordan Hill (4) - Terrific ability. Ideal 3-4 DE. Slippery. Can get to QB. Solid run stopper.
Kwame Geathers (7) - A giant of man whose best football might be ahead of him.
Abry Jones (7) - Got lost in a crowded defensive line. Limited ability, but holds the point.
Byron Jerideau (7) - An ideal late round pick or undrafted FA. Really impressed. A never say die kind of guy. Slips into the backfield with good quickness. Really tough. Great muscle.
ILB: With Jones &Hawk financial investments, I wonder what is in store at ILB.
AJ Klein (4) - Great production. Kept Iowa State in a number of games with sheer willpower. Not a great blitzer, but a sure tackler in space. Might have inflated numbers due to tackles 4-6 yards downfield. Good in coverage.
Vince Williams (7) -Punishing tackler. Good instincts. Finds the football.
OLB: In a 3-4, the OLB role can be discussed as power in numbers. Right now, the Packers are light. We need to add one or two.
Jarvis Jones (1) - If he slips...it is a no brainer.
Sio Moore (3) - Not sure he's a 3-4 OLB, but he's a football player. Find a spot. He will perform. At peak levels.
Chase Thomas (4) - A Ted Thompson "football player" who has all the know-how and leadership skills. A talented player who might be too slow to be an elite NFL OLB. But, he's got the will and the fight to be a steady player for the next 7-10 years.
Cornelius Washington (4) - A workout warrior. His skills on the field don't match his workout numbers. Still, an intriguing prospect.
Michael Buchanon (5) - Early in the year, I viewed him a a 1st round pick. But, man, he tapered off. Against lesser talent, it was pure bliss to watch him. He was fierce. Athletic. Aware. An ideal 3-4 OLB. But, in the Big 10, he was often swallowed up and he looked slow. Regardless, a great value pick in the middle rounds.
Brandon Jenkins (7) - Had he not been injured, he might have been a 1st round pick. Would love him in Green Bay. Ideal 3-4 size.
Wes Horton (7) - Next in a long line of USC pass rushers. Like his hands. Gets arms in air while in pursuit. Gets pushed around wen he's not extended and plays too upright.
Meshack Williams (7) - A go getter. Not overly strong nor fast, but he plays with intensity. Leaves it all on the field. A winner. Shows up weekly.
Alex Debniak (7) - Great hustle player. Smooth athlete. Plays with speed. Great burst off the edge. Never gives up. Pursues with passion. Punches for the ball.
CB: The Packers have many needs. If Shields signs, CB is not one of them. Still, there are a couple of prospects that intrigue me:
Blidi Wreh-Wright (3) - If you've followed my blog long enough, you remember me writing about Richard Sherman before he was drafted. I compared him to Al Harris. I'll put Wreh-Wright in that same category. It would be epic if he were in Green & Gold. All about this kid. Swagger vibes are all around him.
Jordan Poyer (4) - Dude turns, runs, finds the football. Makes plays on the ball. Tells you about it. A CB mentality. Big time potential.
Micah Hyde (6) - Never hear anyone talk about him. But has good size. Sure tackler. Physical player who'd be a welcomed addition.
S: Other than the DL, the biggest need is at safety.
Kenny Vaccarro (1) - Plays the slot with a vengeance. Possibly overrated due to those before him. But, plays with attitude and as though he's on a mission.
Eric Reid (1) - Not as high on him as others are. Shoulders scare me. He also misses tackles. But, he flies to the football and forces turnovers.
Jonathan Cyprien (1) - Fits the bill. Would immediately improve the tackling in the secondary. Full of confidence. Finds the ball. Plays with great speed.
Matt Elam (1) - Do not want him in Round 1. A punisher, but undersized. A total gamer. Better 2nd round prospect.
Philip Thomas (2) - Finds the football. Makes plays on ball. Can run. But, man, he struggles with open field tackling. Rocks dreads. Does this mean we're picking him?
DJ Swearinger (2) - Boat loads of confidence. Gets sideline to sideline. An intimidator. Sometimes plays the man and not the ball. Robust hitter.
JJ Wilcox (3) - Confident team player. William to give for the team. A winner. All around football player that caters to Ted Thompson's eye. Knows and understands the game. Only going to get better.
Bacardi Rambo (3) - I always though he'd blossom into an absolute stud. Never did it. He's a gamer. Decent tackler, but no the dominant player I envisioned him becoming.
Josh Evans (4) - YES. YES. YES. I like his game. Overshadowed at the college level. Littered with ability. Big play potential is all around him.
Tony Jefferson (5) -Undersized, but an absolute leader. Great tackler. Tough minded.
Shawn Williams (4) - A vocal leader who looks for physicality amongst himself and his teammates.
Earl Wolff (5) - I'm way higher on him than most. Smart. Reads routes well. Didn't get a lot of recognition, but plays the ball well. Chance to be a great role player for a long time. And could develop into something special.
Zeke Motta (6) - Dude is a fierce hitter. Not overly fleet of foot and does ge exposed in space. But put him in the box and he's lethal. Intense. Can cover the TE.
Robert Lester (7) - Dropped post season after being viewed as a 3rd round prospect throughout the year. Finds ball, but a bit stiff. Reminds me a little of Aaron Rouse.
Ray Ray Armstrong (7) - While living in Miami, I loved his game. Was called the next Sean Taylor. Wore #26. Has first class ability. But, massive off-field issues. Could Thompson take the same chance on Armstrong that he did on Mike Hawkins in '05?
Orhian Johnson (7) - Not great in coverage, but a steady tackler. Great build, but lacks flexibility. Stiff. Still, I like his game and enjoy his physical presence.
Jahleel Addae (7) - He will likely go undrafted but I had to list his name. Complete fighter. Love his guts. Dreaded. And plays the ball with decent ability. Terrific special teams prospect.
In closing, I hope Thompson can finish with a minimum of 10 picks. Hopefully, he can get 4 of the top 100. This daft can be won in picks 35-90. A good mix of talent. Ideally, I would like for Thompson the get 2 OLB, 2 DL, 1 TE, 1 WR, 1 C, 1 RB, 1 G/T 1 ILB in this draft. And, if we got 2 WR's, I would like to see the weapons added to the arsenal. For live thoughts during the draft, especially on days 2 & 3, follow me on twitter.
Go Pack Go!
In Ted I Trust,
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
Saturday, January 12, 2013
My Take -> Divisional Playoffs
Greetings, G-Force.
As you know, I write for the fans, from a fan's point of view. Right now, I'm stoked! In dominant fashion, the Packers ended the Minnesota Viqueens season. And, thus, another chapter in the rich rivalry between the Packers and the 49ers will be written this Saturday Night. A couple of vibes from the Wild Card Victory:
* Go for the throat, Irishman! I don't understand why McCarthy gets passive in a win-or-else scenario. At 24-3, it was unlikely that Minnesota was coming back. Sure, I agreed that running clock was vital. But, it shouldn't come at the expense of taking our offense out of it's rhythm. Short passes to WR's in space would work just fine.
* Loved the intensity of the fans at Lambeau. Felt the buzz through the TV screen. Goodness abound! BLESS!
* Welcome back, Sir Charles Woodson! Callme crazy, but one of the biggest plays in the game was 2nd & 5 from the Green Bay 13 on the Viqueens first drive of the game. In the 8-plus quarters that we had played the 'queens, we showed an inability to stop AP. Then, Sir Charles bursts through the double team and drops AP for a 2-yard loss. The defensive intensity and momentum shifted. Suddenly, we were dominating the line of scrimmage. Sir Charles, you are the Lion in this Kingdom!
* If Erik Walden & BJ Raji play as they did vs Minnesota, we're going to be really tough to beat. Well done, men! Beastly performance.
* Either AP or Peyton Manning will win the NFL's MVP, but Aaron Rodgers is the NFL's best player. IF we let him carry us, we'll be Super Bowl Champs. I firmly believe that.
* DuJuan Harris. Keep it up, mate. And if you do, you deserve a key to the City! He led the team with 5 catches. Moreover, he totaled 100 yards. He was a tremendous dump-off option. Patient, yet running with a vengeance.
* Be Great, Greg Jennings!
* Welcome back, Randall Cobb.
* Move sticks, J-Mike!
* KUUUHHHHHHHNNNNN! Remember how valuable he was in the XLV Run? If not, hopefully, that was a reminder. That said, please eliminate the FB dive.
* Jeremy Ross, once again, impressed in the return game.
* Love Jordy on the crossing route.
* T-Mon ups his intensity.
* The Claymaker is as valuable of a defensive player as there is in the NFL.
* Sammy Swagga playing at Pro Bowl levels!
* Brad Jones has his limitation, but his effort is great. Leaves his soul on the field on a weekly basis.
* Dom Capers deserves a Game Ball! Loved the way he adjusted. Kept the defensive energy at positive levels. Mixed up his looks. Loved how he intertwined Neal & Clay. Even though Neal has been relatively ineffective when he's standing up.
* I was satisfied with the entire OL unit. If they can play at that level for 12 more quarters, it'll be a SUPER offseason.
* It's great to have Aaron Rodgers as the Quarterback of the Green Bay Packers.
* Tom Clements, please don't leave. Same to you, John Dorsey. You're both valued and appreciated!
* Stay true, Mason Crosby.
* Kind vibes to you, Casey Hayward.
* Can someone please make a special teams tackle on kickoffs?
Green Bay at San Francisco. At the Stick. Saturday Night. Prime Time. If I am dreaming, Lord, please don't let me open my eyes. I'm confident. I believe the Packers are going to win. In convincing fashion. Seriously. I do. Eerily, I almost feel overconfident. Until I heard the potential weather conditions,I felt better playing in SF than I did playing MN last week. Generally speaking, I felt the Packers are better suited to play at the Stick in January than they are for playing at Lambeau. Even with the storied SF tradition and the rowdy SF fans. We're road tested. Battle tested. We've shown our mental mettle. We're fit to punch them in the mouth. For 60 minutes.
If the last two decades are any indication, this is going to be a game to remember. It's worth a trip down memory lane:
In the 1995 playoffs, the Packers were underdogs as they entered the Stick. Adam Walker fumbles after being popped by Wayne Simmons. Craig Newsome scoops it up. It was 21-3 at the Half. It finished 27-17. After this game, for the first time in my life, I believed the Packers could win a Super Bowl.
In the 1996 regular season, the Packers and Niners played a thriller on Monday Night. Down 17-6 at the half, the Packers stormed back in the second half. The beneficiary of a blown referee call, the Packers were in striking distance late. Chris Jacke was good from 31 yards with 8 seconds left to tie it. In OT, Jacke was perfect from 53 yards. Behind 11 catches for 220 yards from Don Beebe, the Packers were victorious, 23-20.
The '96 playoffs featured one of the most fun games I've ever attended. Desmond Howard was magic and put the Packers in position for 14 points with two electrifying TD's. The Packers marched to the NFC Championship with a 35-14 victory.
The Packers and Niners met at the Stick in the 1997 NFC Championship. The Packers dominated throughout and left with a 23-10 victory. The Niners did not score an offensive TD.
In the regular season in 1998, they met in Green Bay. Travis Jervey was a gem. He rushed for 95 yards and a game clinching 11 yard TD run. Antonio Freeman was a stallion as he caught 7 balls for 193 yards.
The '98 playoffs featured the Packers v SF at the Stick in the Wild Card. Rice fumbles. Packers recover. Game over. Or so we thought. The ref blows the call. Says Rice was down. Steve Young to TO. 49ers victory. Devastation.
In the 2001 playoffs, SF traveled to Lambeau. Mostly remembered for the unbelievable deflection by Mike McKenzie. It was 18-15 midway through the 4th Quarter. It appeared as though SF was moving in for a score. Jeff Garcia had TO running down the sideline. TO had a step on Mike McKenzie. At the last moment, McKenzie got his hand in the air and knocked the ball into the air. Drive-by Tyrone Williams came down with the interception. Favre went to work. Green Bay won 25-15.
In 2002, we saw TO bust out the pom poms at the Stick. The Packers defense was stellar. Green Bay won 20-14.
In 2010, we witnessed what was arguably the best individual effort in my lifetime. Donald Driver's 61-yard TD was a thing of beauty. Never to be forgotten. Green Bay rolled, 34-16.
Yes, there have been many moments. Fun games. Mostly Packers wins. And, then this year, the vibe changed. In the season opener, SF came to Lambeau and left victoriously. They dominated Green Bay. They more more physical. More athletic. Plainly stated, they were the better team.
In mid-December, it was hard for me to envision a scenario in which the Packers would beat the NYG, SF or Denver in a playoff battle. I couldn't picture the Packers OL protecting Rodgers enough to win. But, things have changed. Don Barclay has improved our run blocking. So has EDS. Harris has provided a legitimate running threat. Justin Smith is playing with one arm. And, at times, in late December, the SF defense has looked winded.
Offensively, while Colin Kaepernick gives SF more diversity and big play potential, he has not brought the same consistency that was present with Alex Smith. Although Kaepernick's legs present a significant threat, he's occasionally been an erratic passing QB. And, while he's shown glimpses of brilliance, he's also shown that you can confuse him. Get creative, Dom Capers.
Don't get me wrong, SF is a formidable foe. They punish you. They can dominate with physicality. They bring high intensity to every play. Jim Harbaugh, like him or not, is a master of creating mismatches. He puts his players in position to succeed. He'll have some tricks up his sleeve. Harbaugh will utilize Gore and Kaepernick in the run-draw option formation that MN used so successfully on its first possession. The Packers will have to be prepared.
Harbaugh will get LaMichael James into space. It'll be important for the Packers to stand him up because if James gets loose, he won't be caught.
Although Kaepernick hasn't been utilizing Vernon Davis as much, it'll happen this week. Be ready, Sir Charles. Woodson did a great job of not biting on the play fake last week. He was glued to Rudolph, which helped the defensive frnt to make big plays as Joe Webb was late to get off of his 1st read.
Whoever is playing against Michael Crabtree better get in his face. SF runs a variety of short routes to Crabtree. They rely on his run after the catch ability. They run the slant with great success. If there's help over the top, I'd like to see T-Mon look to jump one of those slants. But, there has to be help as I can see a pump-fake and Crabtree sprinting down the sideline.
With injuries to Mario Manningham & Kyle Williams, we'll see a bundle of our old nemesis, Randy Moss. Historically, Moss has burned the Packers. This time, I like the was Sammy Swagga & T-Mon match up with him. They'll test us deep. Beware.
Frank Gore is tough to bring down. He's a machine. A possible HOF rusher. If he's held to under 100 yards as AP was last week, it'll be tough for SF to win. With the run-draw option, look for Gore to run between the tackles. It'll be important for the DL to hold its ground. Stick to your gaps. Don't be confused.
Ahmad Brooks and Aldon Smith absolutely crushed the Packers OL in Week 1. The 49ers also sent Carlos Rogers and Perrish Cox on a variety of successful blitzes. The Packers will be better prepared this time.
In Week 1, Chris Culliver was an absolute stud. He manhandled all of our WR's in man-to-man coverage. Dashon Goldson and Donte Whitner were absolute monsters.
Navarro Bowman and Patrick Willis form the best LB tandem in the game.
If the Packers don't nut-up, it'll be frustrating.
Give the ball to Aaron Rodgers. Let him be a Superstar. Let Aaron Rodgers carry you, Mike McCarthy. Play with 3 wide. J-Mike up tight on the side of the field in which Aldon Smith is lined up. Chip Aldon Smith. Every play. Rodgers will need two dump off options. One being J-Mike. The other being the RB. At times, I look for it to be Harris. Other times, it'll be Kuhn. And, look for a bit of Cobb in the backfield as well. Don't be surprised if he's consistently used as a receiving option out of the backfield The Packers will have to mix it up.
Rodgers was great against MN. He was patient. He used the dump off. He got rid of the ball quickly. He was cerebral. He'll have to play this way again.
I expect to see a lot of John Kuhn as a blocking back. He'll also be a receiving option. Look for Kuhn, Harris and Cobb to combine for a minimum of 10 catches out of the backfield.
Glide on by, Greg Jennings. Glide on by. Make a big play. Change this game.
Joe Staley couldn't block the Claymaker in Week 1. I'd use Erik Walden, not Matthews, as the shadow for Kaepernick. Walden has done this before. In his best game as a Packer in Week 17 of the 2010 Season, Walden mostly shadowed Ray Nutler and came on delayed blitzes. I'd like to see him do the same this week. Don't hinder Clay as a pass rusher. Send CM3 directly after Kaepernick. One mission. Get the QB, Clay. Hopefully, Neal can get some pressure as well. But, importantly, have Walden shadow Kaepernick in an effort to prevent the big play with Kaepernick's legs.
I feel good. I think the Packers come out with a vengeance. And - one of the DB's makes a BIG play. I'm guessing T-Mon. In grand fashion. Possibly a Pick-6. Sir Charles has had great fortunes against young QB's. He, too, is a prime candidate for a monster, game-changing play.
I envision a big victory at the Stick. After all, if anyone in this world deserves to go out on top, it's Double-D. Does anyone have better karma coming to him than Quickie himself? Here's to you, Donald Driver! Go be a gunner and make a tackle, mate!
Don't let Ted Ginn beat us.
Green Bay 30. San Francisco 20.
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
As you know, I write for the fans, from a fan's point of view. Right now, I'm stoked! In dominant fashion, the Packers ended the Minnesota Viqueens season. And, thus, another chapter in the rich rivalry between the Packers and the 49ers will be written this Saturday Night. A couple of vibes from the Wild Card Victory:
* Go for the throat, Irishman! I don't understand why McCarthy gets passive in a win-or-else scenario. At 24-3, it was unlikely that Minnesota was coming back. Sure, I agreed that running clock was vital. But, it shouldn't come at the expense of taking our offense out of it's rhythm. Short passes to WR's in space would work just fine.
* Loved the intensity of the fans at Lambeau. Felt the buzz through the TV screen. Goodness abound! BLESS!
* Welcome back, Sir Charles Woodson! Callme crazy, but one of the biggest plays in the game was 2nd & 5 from the Green Bay 13 on the Viqueens first drive of the game. In the 8-plus quarters that we had played the 'queens, we showed an inability to stop AP. Then, Sir Charles bursts through the double team and drops AP for a 2-yard loss. The defensive intensity and momentum shifted. Suddenly, we were dominating the line of scrimmage. Sir Charles, you are the Lion in this Kingdom!
* If Erik Walden & BJ Raji play as they did vs Minnesota, we're going to be really tough to beat. Well done, men! Beastly performance.
* Either AP or Peyton Manning will win the NFL's MVP, but Aaron Rodgers is the NFL's best player. IF we let him carry us, we'll be Super Bowl Champs. I firmly believe that.
* DuJuan Harris. Keep it up, mate. And if you do, you deserve a key to the City! He led the team with 5 catches. Moreover, he totaled 100 yards. He was a tremendous dump-off option. Patient, yet running with a vengeance.
* Be Great, Greg Jennings!
* Welcome back, Randall Cobb.
* Move sticks, J-Mike!
* KUUUHHHHHHHNNNNN! Remember how valuable he was in the XLV Run? If not, hopefully, that was a reminder. That said, please eliminate the FB dive.
* Jeremy Ross, once again, impressed in the return game.
* Love Jordy on the crossing route.
* T-Mon ups his intensity.
* The Claymaker is as valuable of a defensive player as there is in the NFL.
* Sammy Swagga playing at Pro Bowl levels!
* Brad Jones has his limitation, but his effort is great. Leaves his soul on the field on a weekly basis.
* Dom Capers deserves a Game Ball! Loved the way he adjusted. Kept the defensive energy at positive levels. Mixed up his looks. Loved how he intertwined Neal & Clay. Even though Neal has been relatively ineffective when he's standing up.
* I was satisfied with the entire OL unit. If they can play at that level for 12 more quarters, it'll be a SUPER offseason.
* It's great to have Aaron Rodgers as the Quarterback of the Green Bay Packers.
* Tom Clements, please don't leave. Same to you, John Dorsey. You're both valued and appreciated!
* Stay true, Mason Crosby.
* Kind vibes to you, Casey Hayward.
* Can someone please make a special teams tackle on kickoffs?
Green Bay at San Francisco. At the Stick. Saturday Night. Prime Time. If I am dreaming, Lord, please don't let me open my eyes. I'm confident. I believe the Packers are going to win. In convincing fashion. Seriously. I do. Eerily, I almost feel overconfident. Until I heard the potential weather conditions,I felt better playing in SF than I did playing MN last week. Generally speaking, I felt the Packers are better suited to play at the Stick in January than they are for playing at Lambeau. Even with the storied SF tradition and the rowdy SF fans. We're road tested. Battle tested. We've shown our mental mettle. We're fit to punch them in the mouth. For 60 minutes.
If the last two decades are any indication, this is going to be a game to remember. It's worth a trip down memory lane:
In the 1995 playoffs, the Packers were underdogs as they entered the Stick. Adam Walker fumbles after being popped by Wayne Simmons. Craig Newsome scoops it up. It was 21-3 at the Half. It finished 27-17. After this game, for the first time in my life, I believed the Packers could win a Super Bowl.
In the 1996 regular season, the Packers and Niners played a thriller on Monday Night. Down 17-6 at the half, the Packers stormed back in the second half. The beneficiary of a blown referee call, the Packers were in striking distance late. Chris Jacke was good from 31 yards with 8 seconds left to tie it. In OT, Jacke was perfect from 53 yards. Behind 11 catches for 220 yards from Don Beebe, the Packers were victorious, 23-20.
The '96 playoffs featured one of the most fun games I've ever attended. Desmond Howard was magic and put the Packers in position for 14 points with two electrifying TD's. The Packers marched to the NFC Championship with a 35-14 victory.
The Packers and Niners met at the Stick in the 1997 NFC Championship. The Packers dominated throughout and left with a 23-10 victory. The Niners did not score an offensive TD.
In the regular season in 1998, they met in Green Bay. Travis Jervey was a gem. He rushed for 95 yards and a game clinching 11 yard TD run. Antonio Freeman was a stallion as he caught 7 balls for 193 yards.
The '98 playoffs featured the Packers v SF at the Stick in the Wild Card. Rice fumbles. Packers recover. Game over. Or so we thought. The ref blows the call. Says Rice was down. Steve Young to TO. 49ers victory. Devastation.
In the 2001 playoffs, SF traveled to Lambeau. Mostly remembered for the unbelievable deflection by Mike McKenzie. It was 18-15 midway through the 4th Quarter. It appeared as though SF was moving in for a score. Jeff Garcia had TO running down the sideline. TO had a step on Mike McKenzie. At the last moment, McKenzie got his hand in the air and knocked the ball into the air. Drive-by Tyrone Williams came down with the interception. Favre went to work. Green Bay won 25-15.
In 2002, we saw TO bust out the pom poms at the Stick. The Packers defense was stellar. Green Bay won 20-14.
In 2010, we witnessed what was arguably the best individual effort in my lifetime. Donald Driver's 61-yard TD was a thing of beauty. Never to be forgotten. Green Bay rolled, 34-16.
Yes, there have been many moments. Fun games. Mostly Packers wins. And, then this year, the vibe changed. In the season opener, SF came to Lambeau and left victoriously. They dominated Green Bay. They more more physical. More athletic. Plainly stated, they were the better team.
In mid-December, it was hard for me to envision a scenario in which the Packers would beat the NYG, SF or Denver in a playoff battle. I couldn't picture the Packers OL protecting Rodgers enough to win. But, things have changed. Don Barclay has improved our run blocking. So has EDS. Harris has provided a legitimate running threat. Justin Smith is playing with one arm. And, at times, in late December, the SF defense has looked winded.
Offensively, while Colin Kaepernick gives SF more diversity and big play potential, he has not brought the same consistency that was present with Alex Smith. Although Kaepernick's legs present a significant threat, he's occasionally been an erratic passing QB. And, while he's shown glimpses of brilliance, he's also shown that you can confuse him. Get creative, Dom Capers.
Don't get me wrong, SF is a formidable foe. They punish you. They can dominate with physicality. They bring high intensity to every play. Jim Harbaugh, like him or not, is a master of creating mismatches. He puts his players in position to succeed. He'll have some tricks up his sleeve. Harbaugh will utilize Gore and Kaepernick in the run-draw option formation that MN used so successfully on its first possession. The Packers will have to be prepared.
Harbaugh will get LaMichael James into space. It'll be important for the Packers to stand him up because if James gets loose, he won't be caught.
Although Kaepernick hasn't been utilizing Vernon Davis as much, it'll happen this week. Be ready, Sir Charles. Woodson did a great job of not biting on the play fake last week. He was glued to Rudolph, which helped the defensive frnt to make big plays as Joe Webb was late to get off of his 1st read.
Whoever is playing against Michael Crabtree better get in his face. SF runs a variety of short routes to Crabtree. They rely on his run after the catch ability. They run the slant with great success. If there's help over the top, I'd like to see T-Mon look to jump one of those slants. But, there has to be help as I can see a pump-fake and Crabtree sprinting down the sideline.
With injuries to Mario Manningham & Kyle Williams, we'll see a bundle of our old nemesis, Randy Moss. Historically, Moss has burned the Packers. This time, I like the was Sammy Swagga & T-Mon match up with him. They'll test us deep. Beware.
Frank Gore is tough to bring down. He's a machine. A possible HOF rusher. If he's held to under 100 yards as AP was last week, it'll be tough for SF to win. With the run-draw option, look for Gore to run between the tackles. It'll be important for the DL to hold its ground. Stick to your gaps. Don't be confused.
Ahmad Brooks and Aldon Smith absolutely crushed the Packers OL in Week 1. The 49ers also sent Carlos Rogers and Perrish Cox on a variety of successful blitzes. The Packers will be better prepared this time.
In Week 1, Chris Culliver was an absolute stud. He manhandled all of our WR's in man-to-man coverage. Dashon Goldson and Donte Whitner were absolute monsters.
Navarro Bowman and Patrick Willis form the best LB tandem in the game.
If the Packers don't nut-up, it'll be frustrating.
Give the ball to Aaron Rodgers. Let him be a Superstar. Let Aaron Rodgers carry you, Mike McCarthy. Play with 3 wide. J-Mike up tight on the side of the field in which Aldon Smith is lined up. Chip Aldon Smith. Every play. Rodgers will need two dump off options. One being J-Mike. The other being the RB. At times, I look for it to be Harris. Other times, it'll be Kuhn. And, look for a bit of Cobb in the backfield as well. Don't be surprised if he's consistently used as a receiving option out of the backfield The Packers will have to mix it up.
Rodgers was great against MN. He was patient. He used the dump off. He got rid of the ball quickly. He was cerebral. He'll have to play this way again.
I expect to see a lot of John Kuhn as a blocking back. He'll also be a receiving option. Look for Kuhn, Harris and Cobb to combine for a minimum of 10 catches out of the backfield.
Glide on by, Greg Jennings. Glide on by. Make a big play. Change this game.
Joe Staley couldn't block the Claymaker in Week 1. I'd use Erik Walden, not Matthews, as the shadow for Kaepernick. Walden has done this before. In his best game as a Packer in Week 17 of the 2010 Season, Walden mostly shadowed Ray Nutler and came on delayed blitzes. I'd like to see him do the same this week. Don't hinder Clay as a pass rusher. Send CM3 directly after Kaepernick. One mission. Get the QB, Clay. Hopefully, Neal can get some pressure as well. But, importantly, have Walden shadow Kaepernick in an effort to prevent the big play with Kaepernick's legs.
I feel good. I think the Packers come out with a vengeance. And - one of the DB's makes a BIG play. I'm guessing T-Mon. In grand fashion. Possibly a Pick-6. Sir Charles has had great fortunes against young QB's. He, too, is a prime candidate for a monster, game-changing play.
I envision a big victory at the Stick. After all, if anyone in this world deserves to go out on top, it's Double-D. Does anyone have better karma coming to him than Quickie himself? Here's to you, Donald Driver! Go be a gunner and make a tackle, mate!
Don't let Ted Ginn beat us.
Green Bay 30. San Francisco 20.
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
Friday, January 4, 2013
My Take -> Wild Card Weekend
Greetings, G-Force.
Sometimes you play good football and come up short. Such was the case on Sunday in Minnesota. AP was possessed. He was an absolute beast. And, in this case, I feel I have no choice, but to give credit where credit was due. Props to the 'queens. They beat us. I couldn't envision a situation in which Christian Ponder made big plays to beat us. But, he did. Twice. First on the deep ball to Jarius Wright over Sammy Swagga. And, then, on the crucial 3rd down when Casey Hayward lost track of his responsibility in zone coverage. Because of these occurrences, the Packers are forced to play on Wild Card weekend rather than resting on the couch with a bye.
In many ways, I'm happy we're playing this weekend. Offensively, we have looked Super in 7 of the last 8 quarters. I'm want to stay in rhythm. I don't want the chance to come out rusty. Let's keep the pedal to the medal. And, if we can't beat Minnesota at Lambeau Field in the playoffs, we don't deserve to be Champions. It's projected to be 22 degrees. With wind at single digit mph. Small flurries. That's Packer football.
And, when we win, I'd rather play SF in SF than in Green Bay. Yes, I said that. The track in SF is likely to be better suited for our offense. Not to get ahead of myself, but if we're to play SF and win, we're going to need to put points on the board. Thus, we'll need the passing game to be in full function. Based on the way SF play in poor weather conditions in NE in mid-December, I'm willing to take my chances in SF.
But, first things first, we need to take down the Viqueens. It's playoff football. In Prime Time. Under the Lights. At Lambeau Field. Sooner or later. Yes, sooner or later, it all gets real. On Saturday Night, it gets real. And, unlike the Bears, we're in the mix. The Bears still suck!
In 5 of the last 7 years, the Super Bowl winner has played on Wild Card weekend. With this years Packers team, nothing will surprise me. It would not surprise me if the Packers win the Super Bowl. It also wouldn't surprise me if AP runs wild and the Viqueens push us to the brink.
The Packers must emphasize tackling. Wrap AP up. 2nd man doesn't need to focus on bringing him to the ground as much as slapping at the football. It'll be nice to get Sir Charles back. He's the master at punching the ball loose. Look for him to jab it out of AP's hands at some point on Saturday night. He's going to come swinging.
Imagine how excited Sir Charles Woodson must be for this football game. He's been caged up for 9 weeks. There's talk that it's his last run with the Packers. He was just named captain. He's locked into his safety role. He doesn't have to be overly concerned with dropping into coverage rather he gets to get dirty in the box. Fight on, Sir Charles.
Further, Woodson has made a living off of reading young QB's. One time, Sir Charles. Just one time, mate. Please read the play. See the play action. Know it's going to Rudolph. Be ready, bro. Sir Charles, read the eyes. Bait him. Make the play.
AP will get his yards. We just have to make sure he doesn't get close to 200. Hold him to 120 and the Packers are going to win. But, if he's bursting loose again, we'll be in for a dogfight.
BJ Raji was a star last game. He needs help. And, he needs to play the same way as he did last week.
Clay Matthews has to do a better job shedding blocks.
Morgan Burnett has to come with vicious pursuit. Lowering the shoulder!
T-Mon - listen, man. I get it. He's a big man. But, hold him up. I'm not asking you to slam him to the ground. But, hold him up. Wait for your friends to come and help you. You know that they're running your way. Man up.
Love the way Sammy Swagga has fought. Even though he bit on the double move, I still like the way he's playing.
Defensively, we need to force a turnover. At least one. Hopefully two. Without it, it's going to be a battle.
Offensively, it comes down to blocking Allen and Griffen. Sure, Robison and Williams can play. But Allen and Griffen are total difference makers. Every down. We have to be prepared to block them.
One of the biggest keys to the game is the health of Antoine Winfield. When Winfield went out last Sunday, the Packers offense could not be stopped. The say he's going to play. If so, I'd run at him. Test his broken hand.
DuJuan Harris looked like he has big time potential once again. Could he be a difference maker?
Great to see Greg Jennings tearing up the 'queens defense. Jordy as well.
Excited to get Cobb back this week.
J-Mike was playing large. Need more of that.
Hopefully, James Jones will keep his nose for the end zone.
There will be points on the board for the Packers. If we spread 'em out and the weather allows, the 'queens defense cannot stop the reigning MVP. Let's attack!
One of the biggest surprises was the play of Minnesota's return man, Marcus Sherels. Sherels had quickness and elusiveness. He consistently put the 'queens in good field position. Someone has to bring him to the ground.
Jeremy Ross was a surprise for the Packers. He looked spectacular. Would like to see more of him.
It's important for the Packers to jump out to an early lead. We need to start out hot. The crowd has to be revved. Last week - Rodgers had to burn 3 timeouts due to crowd noise. It'd be nice if we could do the same to Ponder. Elevate, Lambeau!
The Packers jump out to an early lead. Rodgers to J-Mike for the TD. We get the stop. Crosby drills a FG. It's 10-0 early.
Minnesota slows down the clock. AP does what he does. Minnesota keeps it close.
But, in the second half, it's Harris who is the RB that makes the difference. Running patiently, he waits for the cut-back. Exploits the aggressive front 7 of the 'queens.
It's a tight 4th Quarter. But, it's a celebration at Lambeau. It's the playoffs, baby!
Green Bay 23. Minnesota 16.
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
Sometimes you play good football and come up short. Such was the case on Sunday in Minnesota. AP was possessed. He was an absolute beast. And, in this case, I feel I have no choice, but to give credit where credit was due. Props to the 'queens. They beat us. I couldn't envision a situation in which Christian Ponder made big plays to beat us. But, he did. Twice. First on the deep ball to Jarius Wright over Sammy Swagga. And, then, on the crucial 3rd down when Casey Hayward lost track of his responsibility in zone coverage. Because of these occurrences, the Packers are forced to play on Wild Card weekend rather than resting on the couch with a bye.
In many ways, I'm happy we're playing this weekend. Offensively, we have looked Super in 7 of the last 8 quarters. I'm want to stay in rhythm. I don't want the chance to come out rusty. Let's keep the pedal to the medal. And, if we can't beat Minnesota at Lambeau Field in the playoffs, we don't deserve to be Champions. It's projected to be 22 degrees. With wind at single digit mph. Small flurries. That's Packer football.
And, when we win, I'd rather play SF in SF than in Green Bay. Yes, I said that. The track in SF is likely to be better suited for our offense. Not to get ahead of myself, but if we're to play SF and win, we're going to need to put points on the board. Thus, we'll need the passing game to be in full function. Based on the way SF play in poor weather conditions in NE in mid-December, I'm willing to take my chances in SF.
But, first things first, we need to take down the Viqueens. It's playoff football. In Prime Time. Under the Lights. At Lambeau Field. Sooner or later. Yes, sooner or later, it all gets real. On Saturday Night, it gets real. And, unlike the Bears, we're in the mix. The Bears still suck!
In 5 of the last 7 years, the Super Bowl winner has played on Wild Card weekend. With this years Packers team, nothing will surprise me. It would not surprise me if the Packers win the Super Bowl. It also wouldn't surprise me if AP runs wild and the Viqueens push us to the brink.
The Packers must emphasize tackling. Wrap AP up. 2nd man doesn't need to focus on bringing him to the ground as much as slapping at the football. It'll be nice to get Sir Charles back. He's the master at punching the ball loose. Look for him to jab it out of AP's hands at some point on Saturday night. He's going to come swinging.
Imagine how excited Sir Charles Woodson must be for this football game. He's been caged up for 9 weeks. There's talk that it's his last run with the Packers. He was just named captain. He's locked into his safety role. He doesn't have to be overly concerned with dropping into coverage rather he gets to get dirty in the box. Fight on, Sir Charles.
Further, Woodson has made a living off of reading young QB's. One time, Sir Charles. Just one time, mate. Please read the play. See the play action. Know it's going to Rudolph. Be ready, bro. Sir Charles, read the eyes. Bait him. Make the play.
AP will get his yards. We just have to make sure he doesn't get close to 200. Hold him to 120 and the Packers are going to win. But, if he's bursting loose again, we'll be in for a dogfight.
BJ Raji was a star last game. He needs help. And, he needs to play the same way as he did last week.
Clay Matthews has to do a better job shedding blocks.
Morgan Burnett has to come with vicious pursuit. Lowering the shoulder!
T-Mon - listen, man. I get it. He's a big man. But, hold him up. I'm not asking you to slam him to the ground. But, hold him up. Wait for your friends to come and help you. You know that they're running your way. Man up.
Love the way Sammy Swagga has fought. Even though he bit on the double move, I still like the way he's playing.
Defensively, we need to force a turnover. At least one. Hopefully two. Without it, it's going to be a battle.
Offensively, it comes down to blocking Allen and Griffen. Sure, Robison and Williams can play. But Allen and Griffen are total difference makers. Every down. We have to be prepared to block them.
One of the biggest keys to the game is the health of Antoine Winfield. When Winfield went out last Sunday, the Packers offense could not be stopped. The say he's going to play. If so, I'd run at him. Test his broken hand.
DuJuan Harris looked like he has big time potential once again. Could he be a difference maker?
Great to see Greg Jennings tearing up the 'queens defense. Jordy as well.
Excited to get Cobb back this week.
J-Mike was playing large. Need more of that.
Hopefully, James Jones will keep his nose for the end zone.
There will be points on the board for the Packers. If we spread 'em out and the weather allows, the 'queens defense cannot stop the reigning MVP. Let's attack!
One of the biggest surprises was the play of Minnesota's return man, Marcus Sherels. Sherels had quickness and elusiveness. He consistently put the 'queens in good field position. Someone has to bring him to the ground.
Jeremy Ross was a surprise for the Packers. He looked spectacular. Would like to see more of him.
It's important for the Packers to jump out to an early lead. We need to start out hot. The crowd has to be revved. Last week - Rodgers had to burn 3 timeouts due to crowd noise. It'd be nice if we could do the same to Ponder. Elevate, Lambeau!
The Packers jump out to an early lead. Rodgers to J-Mike for the TD. We get the stop. Crosby drills a FG. It's 10-0 early.
Minnesota slows down the clock. AP does what he does. Minnesota keeps it close.
But, in the second half, it's Harris who is the RB that makes the difference. Running patiently, he waits for the cut-back. Exploits the aggressive front 7 of the 'queens.
It's a tight 4th Quarter. But, it's a celebration at Lambeau. It's the playoffs, baby!
Green Bay 23. Minnesota 16.
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
Saturday, December 29, 2012
College Football: Who Are You Watching Now?
Greetings, G-Force.
The NFL Draft is one of my strongest, innermost passions. I love to talk it. I enjoy the fantasy thought of it. So, here's a brief outline of who I'm going to be watching on Saturday - in anticipation of the upcoming NFL Draft. I expect to be actively watching 4 of the 5 games. If I'm not, I'll have it on DVR and I'll be sure to check it out prior to April's NFL Draft. As a side note, I won't be listing any of the OL.
Rice v Air Force
For Rice, I'll give a quick peak at three players: Jared Williams, DE/OLB; Luke Wilson, TE; Vance McDonald, TE; Sam McGuffie, WR. McGuffie is an interesting prospect. You may remember him from his Freshman year at Michigan. He played RB for Michigan and transferred to Rice. He also runs track for Rice. He recently switched from RB to WR and he also returns kicks.
For Air Force, Alex Means, LB, interests me.
West Virginia v Syracuse
West Virginia's WR's are of high interest for me. Tavon Austin is in the mold of Randall Cobb/Percy Harvin. He's smaller than both, but he's equally as lethal in the open field. He's littered with elusiveness. Great vision. Will be a dynamic KR/PR, slot WR option. Stedman Bailey is a sure handed WR who is great at winning jump balls and making plays in traffic. Geno Smith will be one of the top QB's drafted, but he won't be around when the Packers draft.
Syracuse's QB, Ryan Nassib, is a top notch QB who might pique the Packers interest in the mid-rounds. He can make all of the throws. Gamer. Can get out of the pocket and wing it. Shamarko Thomas, S, is a heavy hitter, but a lacks ideal height. WR's Alec Lemon & Marcus Sales are worth noting. I'll also be curious to see if Brandon Sharpe, DE/OLB, has the ability to disrupt the Dub-V passing attack.
Navy v Arizona State
Frankly, this will probably be one of the few Bowl games that I won't tune into for very long.
Texas v Oregon State
Texas has two highly touted players on defense in Alex Okafor DE/OLB and Kenny Vaccaro, S. Both are likely to be drafted in the first 2-3 rounds.
Oregon State has a great CB in Jordan Poyer. They have a number of Sr's on defense including Castro Masaniani who is a stout DL against the run. He's also had 2 sacks on the year. Andrew Seumalo has been a consistent DL as well for the Beavers. Anthony Watkins, S, might be a prospect in someone's camp as well. Markus Wheaton, WR, has been a great target and has exceeded 1200 yards. TE, Colby Prince has NFL size. It should be noted that Oregon State's best player, Scott Crichton, OLB/DE, is only a Sophomore.
TCU v Michigan State
I'm uber excited for this game. It'll be one of the more interesting Bowl games. It's not going to be filled with an abundance of offensive prowess, but the teams match up well. And I've seen each team play on a couple of occasions this year, so I have good familiarity.
TCU has a young team. Matthew Tucker, RB, is probably the best NFL Draft prospect at the skill positions for them.
Michigan State will potentially have a number of prospects in the first couple of rounds of the Draft - depending on who all declares. Le'Veon Bell, RB; Dion Sims, TE; William Gholston, OLB/DE, and Max Bullough, ILB, would all be drafted in the top 3 rounds. Bullough is one of my favorite players in all of college football. Tough nosed defender. A leader. A 3-down player. Plays the run, drops in coverage and is a stellar blitzing LB. I'd love him in Green Bay. I was excited to see Anthony Rashad White, DL, play this year. White and Jerel Worthy formed a great tandem last year. But, this year, White has seemed winded. He's been less dominant than I expected. He's lacked the energy that I saw last year. Still, I like his game. Excited to see him vs TCU. CB Johnny Adams is a physical defender, despite his size.
Enjoy Bowl Week. It's College Football Heaven.
Go Pack Go!
Cheers,
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/buzzboy3
The NFL Draft is one of my strongest, innermost passions. I love to talk it. I enjoy the fantasy thought of it. So, here's a brief outline of who I'm going to be watching on Saturday - in anticipation of the upcoming NFL Draft. I expect to be actively watching 4 of the 5 games. If I'm not, I'll have it on DVR and I'll be sure to check it out prior to April's NFL Draft. As a side note, I won't be listing any of the OL.
Rice v Air Force
For Rice, I'll give a quick peak at three players: Jared Williams, DE/OLB; Luke Wilson, TE; Vance McDonald, TE; Sam McGuffie, WR. McGuffie is an interesting prospect. You may remember him from his Freshman year at Michigan. He played RB for Michigan and transferred to Rice. He also runs track for Rice. He recently switched from RB to WR and he also returns kicks.
For Air Force, Alex Means, LB, interests me.
West Virginia v Syracuse
West Virginia's WR's are of high interest for me. Tavon Austin is in the mold of Randall Cobb/Percy Harvin. He's smaller than both, but he's equally as lethal in the open field. He's littered with elusiveness. Great vision. Will be a dynamic KR/PR, slot WR option. Stedman Bailey is a sure handed WR who is great at winning jump balls and making plays in traffic. Geno Smith will be one of the top QB's drafted, but he won't be around when the Packers draft.
Syracuse's QB, Ryan Nassib, is a top notch QB who might pique the Packers interest in the mid-rounds. He can make all of the throws. Gamer. Can get out of the pocket and wing it. Shamarko Thomas, S, is a heavy hitter, but a lacks ideal height. WR's Alec Lemon & Marcus Sales are worth noting. I'll also be curious to see if Brandon Sharpe, DE/OLB, has the ability to disrupt the Dub-V passing attack.
Navy v Arizona State
Frankly, this will probably be one of the few Bowl games that I won't tune into for very long.
Texas v Oregon State
Texas has two highly touted players on defense in Alex Okafor DE/OLB and Kenny Vaccaro, S. Both are likely to be drafted in the first 2-3 rounds.
Oregon State has a great CB in Jordan Poyer. They have a number of Sr's on defense including Castro Masaniani who is a stout DL against the run. He's also had 2 sacks on the year. Andrew Seumalo has been a consistent DL as well for the Beavers. Anthony Watkins, S, might be a prospect in someone's camp as well. Markus Wheaton, WR, has been a great target and has exceeded 1200 yards. TE, Colby Prince has NFL size. It should be noted that Oregon State's best player, Scott Crichton, OLB/DE, is only a Sophomore.
TCU v Michigan State
I'm uber excited for this game. It'll be one of the more interesting Bowl games. It's not going to be filled with an abundance of offensive prowess, but the teams match up well. And I've seen each team play on a couple of occasions this year, so I have good familiarity.
TCU has a young team. Matthew Tucker, RB, is probably the best NFL Draft prospect at the skill positions for them.
Michigan State will potentially have a number of prospects in the first couple of rounds of the Draft - depending on who all declares. Le'Veon Bell, RB; Dion Sims, TE; William Gholston, OLB/DE, and Max Bullough, ILB, would all be drafted in the top 3 rounds. Bullough is one of my favorite players in all of college football. Tough nosed defender. A leader. A 3-down player. Plays the run, drops in coverage and is a stellar blitzing LB. I'd love him in Green Bay. I was excited to see Anthony Rashad White, DL, play this year. White and Jerel Worthy formed a great tandem last year. But, this year, White has seemed winded. He's been less dominant than I expected. He's lacked the energy that I saw last year. Still, I like his game. Excited to see him vs TCU. CB Johnny Adams is a physical defender, despite his size.
Enjoy Bowl Week. It's College Football Heaven.
Go Pack Go!
Cheers,
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/buzzboy3
Friday, December 28, 2012
My Take -> Week 17
Greetings, G-Force.
In the holiday spirit, the Packers dropped double-nickle on dem Titans! Mek We Dweet! Gon' straight up Pop Tarts on the Tennessee franchise. Beauty! Yes, 55 points! 55!
Here's some vibes from the game:
* Dom Capers mixing it up was a thing of beauty. The disguise was elite. Let's make that defense the defense that defines the Green Bay Packers. Stay away from the vanilla. Let's pursue the QB!
* Interesting to see Clay Matthews shadowing Jake Locker. Not the first time that we've seen Clay shadowing a QB, but it provided a glimpse of what we'd see if the Packers played the 49ers in a playoff game.
* The Claymaker was an absolute beast last Sunday. In all facets of the game. His intensity is unmatched.
* For only the 2nd time in his career, AJ Hawk had two sacks in a game. Might have been Hawk's best game as a Packer.
* Sammy Swagga is just as he did at the end of the XLV Season.
* Mike Neal. Yes, Mike Neal. He's been a difference maker and has been a key point in allowing Capers to mix things up.
* T-Mon continuing to play at a TRAMONDOUS level.
* Brad Jones has been steady. And improving weekly.
* Mike Daniels showing good ability against the run.
* BJ Raji was an complete stud against the Titans. Bullying folk. Against the run and the pass. He even batted down a pass! Get your hands up, BJ!
* Saw a lot of true 3-4 defense. With Pickett, Raji, Neal, CM3, Moses, Jones and Hawk. Liked what I saw. Might we see the same thing this week?
* Keep plugging holes, Ryan Pickett.
* The Walden/Moses rotation seemed to produce more consistent effort and fresher legs.
* I like the Moses, Neal, CM3, Daniels/Raji pass rush combination. A LOT!
* Casey Hayward showing slot blitzing skills. Kid is a playmaker.
* Sammy Swagga and Morgan Burnett - do a lil' dance, baby. Enjoy yourselves!
* The secondary is playing well right now. Having a pass rush helps. There's a lot of big play potential. Two interceptions last week and extremely close to an abundance of other turnovers. Big plays are coming from the defensive side of the ball.
* Aaron Rodgers won't win the MVP award this year, but when he's playing his best football, he's the best player in the NFL.
* Greg Jennings and Aaron Rodgers were inches away from 3 BIG plays. If they find there rhythm, this team could find that Super feeling.
* James Jones has really developed a nose for the end zone.
* Really wanted Double-D to haul in that last pass. Wanted him to get the standing ovation. So did McCarthy. Would have sealed the 55-0 shutout and Driver - who was playing his last regular season game at Lambeau Field - would have reveled in the applause.
* Hard to watch Cobb get injured. That said - he has to be our kick/punt returner. For this year any way. He's a weapon and a threat every time he touches the ball. When he went down, I immediately thought that I had to alter my mock draft for next year. It's my belief that the Packers will draft someone in the Cobb/Harvin mold who can return kicks and continue to add to that phase of the team. Tavon Austin in Green Bay next year?
* Great return, Jeremy Ross. Even with my previous comment regarding a draft pick, Ross will get a shot to be the return man next year.
* Ryan Grant in the end zone. Beauty! Grant ran hard. Looked like his '07 self.
* DuJuan Harris is fun. Great patience. Yet hits the hole with conviction. Plows forward. Great bounce to his step.
* Imagine this offense if Jordy Nelson and Rodgers can find their rhythm? A plethora of options.
* J-Mike is playing solid football right now. He's become the go-to guy for Rodgers in the 2-minute drill. Like what I'm seeing out of him.
* 8 players had receptions.
* Keep doing your thing, Don Barclay. On Harris' TD run, it was great stuff to watch Barclay clear out the lane. Sitton blowing his man up and getting to the second level. EDS showing the athleticism to slide and help. Harris showed the patience required for the hole to open up. Perfection.
* The Green Bay Packers have a running game. One that is good enough to feel Super about.
* Really like Robert Francois on special teams.
* Contrary to last year, the Green Bay Packers seem to be playing their best football at the right team of the year. Oh, and we're getting healthy.
This week - it's the Viqueens. In the dome. Prior to the 49ers loss to the Seahawks, a piece of me thought that I'd find schadenfreude in the thought of the Packers losing, which would prevent the Bears from making the playoffs. But, with the 49ers loss, the Packers are staring the #2 seed and a 1st round bye in the face. And, with parity in the NFC at an all-time high, a 1st round bye is extremely advantageous. Additionally, it'd give another week for Cobb and Woodson to heal and another week for Nelson and Jennings to seek cohesion with Rodgers.
AP should be this years NFL MVP. Without him, the 'queens would have little-to-no offense. Sure, Kyle Rudolph is a solid player. But, Michael Jenkins and Jerome Simpson aren't scaring anyone. Neither is Christian Ponder. With AP, the whole dynamics of the offense are changed. On any given play, there is a touchdown waiting to happen. He is THAT good.
The 'queens defense is rock solid. Jared Allen always gives the Packers issues. Kevin Williams is legit. Brian Robison is a fighter. But, the guy who is really coming on as of late is Everson Griffen. Griffen was USC's replacement for the Claymaker. He had a quiet start to his career, but he's been playing at an elite level over the last couple of weeks. The Packers are going to have to establish a running game in order to slow down the 'queens pass rush. And, when the Packers do throw, it'll be up to Rodgers to get rid of the ball quickly. If not, this could be a long day for the Packers offense.
Minnesota is quietly building some other really nice pieces to their defense. Harrison Smith looks like a future All-Pro at Safety. He's a sure tackler who is smart, aware and plays the ball well in the air. Chad Greenway is consistent. Antoine Winfield still has gas in the tank. Jasper Brinkley and Erin Henderson are serviceable.
Add it all up and add in the fact that the 'queens have a playoff berth on the line and Minnesota is a dangerous opponent. Plus, it's in the dome.
Since divisional play began in 1967, there's never been an NFL team to have back-to-back undefeated seasons within their division. With a win, the Packers would be the first to accomplish this feat. McCarthy has always been adamant about taking care of divisional opponents. It'd be a monumental feat if the Packers could beat the Viqueens on Sunday.
In order for Minnesota to win, they'll have to play mistake free football. AP will need to break the NFL's rushing record. Christian Ponder will have to consistently convert 3rd downs. Kyle Rudolph will have to be a consistent threat on the play-action roll-out passes. And, defensively, the 'queens will have to be able to apply significant pressure with just 4 rushers. It's possible. But, I don't see it happening.
This Packers team is headed in the right direction. Their best football is in front of them. While the Viqueens have been a cute story this year, I can't envision Minnesota stopping this Packers offense for 60 minutes. And, when push-comes-to-shove, I don't foresee Christian Ponder stepping up in the pocket, avoiding the rush and making the big 3rd-down throw. If Ponder doesn't turn the ball over on Sunday, Minnesota has a chance to milk the clock and keep it close down the stretch. But again, I don't see that happening. Expect the Packers defense to force a couple of turnovers.
Harris, Grant, and Rodgers combine for more than 100 yards. Rodgers throws 3 more TD's. We haven't seen many long TD's from our passing game this year, but Jennings gets deep for a big one. Minnesota hangs tough for 45 minutes, but the Packers pull away late.
Green Bay 27. Minnesota 16.
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/buzzboy3
In the holiday spirit, the Packers dropped double-nickle on dem Titans! Mek We Dweet! Gon' straight up Pop Tarts on the Tennessee franchise. Beauty! Yes, 55 points! 55!
Here's some vibes from the game:
* Dom Capers mixing it up was a thing of beauty. The disguise was elite. Let's make that defense the defense that defines the Green Bay Packers. Stay away from the vanilla. Let's pursue the QB!
* Interesting to see Clay Matthews shadowing Jake Locker. Not the first time that we've seen Clay shadowing a QB, but it provided a glimpse of what we'd see if the Packers played the 49ers in a playoff game.
* The Claymaker was an absolute beast last Sunday. In all facets of the game. His intensity is unmatched.
* For only the 2nd time in his career, AJ Hawk had two sacks in a game. Might have been Hawk's best game as a Packer.
* Sammy Swagga is just as he did at the end of the XLV Season.
* Mike Neal. Yes, Mike Neal. He's been a difference maker and has been a key point in allowing Capers to mix things up.
* T-Mon continuing to play at a TRAMONDOUS level.
* Brad Jones has been steady. And improving weekly.
* Mike Daniels showing good ability against the run.
* BJ Raji was an complete stud against the Titans. Bullying folk. Against the run and the pass. He even batted down a pass! Get your hands up, BJ!
* Saw a lot of true 3-4 defense. With Pickett, Raji, Neal, CM3, Moses, Jones and Hawk. Liked what I saw. Might we see the same thing this week?
* Keep plugging holes, Ryan Pickett.
* The Walden/Moses rotation seemed to produce more consistent effort and fresher legs.
* I like the Moses, Neal, CM3, Daniels/Raji pass rush combination. A LOT!
* Casey Hayward showing slot blitzing skills. Kid is a playmaker.
* Sammy Swagga and Morgan Burnett - do a lil' dance, baby. Enjoy yourselves!
* The secondary is playing well right now. Having a pass rush helps. There's a lot of big play potential. Two interceptions last week and extremely close to an abundance of other turnovers. Big plays are coming from the defensive side of the ball.
* Aaron Rodgers won't win the MVP award this year, but when he's playing his best football, he's the best player in the NFL.
* Greg Jennings and Aaron Rodgers were inches away from 3 BIG plays. If they find there rhythm, this team could find that Super feeling.
* James Jones has really developed a nose for the end zone.
* Really wanted Double-D to haul in that last pass. Wanted him to get the standing ovation. So did McCarthy. Would have sealed the 55-0 shutout and Driver - who was playing his last regular season game at Lambeau Field - would have reveled in the applause.
* Hard to watch Cobb get injured. That said - he has to be our kick/punt returner. For this year any way. He's a weapon and a threat every time he touches the ball. When he went down, I immediately thought that I had to alter my mock draft for next year. It's my belief that the Packers will draft someone in the Cobb/Harvin mold who can return kicks and continue to add to that phase of the team. Tavon Austin in Green Bay next year?
* Great return, Jeremy Ross. Even with my previous comment regarding a draft pick, Ross will get a shot to be the return man next year.
* Ryan Grant in the end zone. Beauty! Grant ran hard. Looked like his '07 self.
* DuJuan Harris is fun. Great patience. Yet hits the hole with conviction. Plows forward. Great bounce to his step.
* Imagine this offense if Jordy Nelson and Rodgers can find their rhythm? A plethora of options.
* J-Mike is playing solid football right now. He's become the go-to guy for Rodgers in the 2-minute drill. Like what I'm seeing out of him.
* 8 players had receptions.
* Keep doing your thing, Don Barclay. On Harris' TD run, it was great stuff to watch Barclay clear out the lane. Sitton blowing his man up and getting to the second level. EDS showing the athleticism to slide and help. Harris showed the patience required for the hole to open up. Perfection.
* The Green Bay Packers have a running game. One that is good enough to feel Super about.
* Really like Robert Francois on special teams.
* Contrary to last year, the Green Bay Packers seem to be playing their best football at the right team of the year. Oh, and we're getting healthy.
This week - it's the Viqueens. In the dome. Prior to the 49ers loss to the Seahawks, a piece of me thought that I'd find schadenfreude in the thought of the Packers losing, which would prevent the Bears from making the playoffs. But, with the 49ers loss, the Packers are staring the #2 seed and a 1st round bye in the face. And, with parity in the NFC at an all-time high, a 1st round bye is extremely advantageous. Additionally, it'd give another week for Cobb and Woodson to heal and another week for Nelson and Jennings to seek cohesion with Rodgers.
AP should be this years NFL MVP. Without him, the 'queens would have little-to-no offense. Sure, Kyle Rudolph is a solid player. But, Michael Jenkins and Jerome Simpson aren't scaring anyone. Neither is Christian Ponder. With AP, the whole dynamics of the offense are changed. On any given play, there is a touchdown waiting to happen. He is THAT good.
The 'queens defense is rock solid. Jared Allen always gives the Packers issues. Kevin Williams is legit. Brian Robison is a fighter. But, the guy who is really coming on as of late is Everson Griffen. Griffen was USC's replacement for the Claymaker. He had a quiet start to his career, but he's been playing at an elite level over the last couple of weeks. The Packers are going to have to establish a running game in order to slow down the 'queens pass rush. And, when the Packers do throw, it'll be up to Rodgers to get rid of the ball quickly. If not, this could be a long day for the Packers offense.
Minnesota is quietly building some other really nice pieces to their defense. Harrison Smith looks like a future All-Pro at Safety. He's a sure tackler who is smart, aware and plays the ball well in the air. Chad Greenway is consistent. Antoine Winfield still has gas in the tank. Jasper Brinkley and Erin Henderson are serviceable.
Add it all up and add in the fact that the 'queens have a playoff berth on the line and Minnesota is a dangerous opponent. Plus, it's in the dome.
Since divisional play began in 1967, there's never been an NFL team to have back-to-back undefeated seasons within their division. With a win, the Packers would be the first to accomplish this feat. McCarthy has always been adamant about taking care of divisional opponents. It'd be a monumental feat if the Packers could beat the Viqueens on Sunday.
In order for Minnesota to win, they'll have to play mistake free football. AP will need to break the NFL's rushing record. Christian Ponder will have to consistently convert 3rd downs. Kyle Rudolph will have to be a consistent threat on the play-action roll-out passes. And, defensively, the 'queens will have to be able to apply significant pressure with just 4 rushers. It's possible. But, I don't see it happening.
This Packers team is headed in the right direction. Their best football is in front of them. While the Viqueens have been a cute story this year, I can't envision Minnesota stopping this Packers offense for 60 minutes. And, when push-comes-to-shove, I don't foresee Christian Ponder stepping up in the pocket, avoiding the rush and making the big 3rd-down throw. If Ponder doesn't turn the ball over on Sunday, Minnesota has a chance to milk the clock and keep it close down the stretch. But again, I don't see that happening. Expect the Packers defense to force a couple of turnovers.
Harris, Grant, and Rodgers combine for more than 100 yards. Rodgers throws 3 more TD's. We haven't seen many long TD's from our passing game this year, but Jennings gets deep for a big one. Minnesota hangs tough for 45 minutes, but the Packers pull away late.
Green Bay 27. Minnesota 16.
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/buzzboy3
Friday, December 21, 2012
My Take -> Week 16
Greetings, G-Force.
I offer you my best Bill Murray voice with this one: We came. We saw. We kicked it's ass!
A tie game. Hotly contested. Bears with the ball. A minute before halftime. The NFC North Title lingering in the balance. Ray Nutler under center. And, in vintage Nutler fashion, he hits Casey Hayward right between the numbers! Yes, trump card was on display again. On the road. Soldier Field, once again, hoisted the trophy. In the Visitors Locker Room. And, again, Bears fans were in a rage over Ray Nutler. My good buddy, Grammy, texted me in the 3rd Quarter: "Stopped watching game. May not watch another game until they get rid of Cutler. I'm done supporting that fuck. I'm playing Madden instead. Just traded Cutler for a 3rd round pick." Meanwhile, my good buddy, Tommy Datullo, was texting me prior to the Bears final possession, "Don't worry. This fking loser will throw a pick."
Trump card refreshed. The Green Bay Packers own Soldier Field. And, damn it feels good to be a Packers fan! The NFC North title is ours. And, it tastes sweet. Yes, oh, so sweet.
The Packers have overcame an abundance of hurdles so far in 2012. We had a victory stolen from us by the refs. We have battled immense injuries. We have persevered. We are Division Champs.
No, I'm not on a high horse. We aren't playing at an elite level, but we're getting closer.
* Didn't like the way McCarthy called the game. Got away from the run in the 1st half. Really disappointed that it took a vintage Nutler play to generate points in the 2-minute offense. When the Packers got the ball with 2:11 to play in the first half, I expected points. Instead, we got a 3-and-out.
* Ray Nutler hit Casey Hayward right in the chest. Then, he pouted on the sidelines. Like the cry baby that he is. Yoda would calmly say to Ray: Ray Nutler, Cry Baby, you are.
* Getting points before the half was crucial as it positioned the Packers to take a 2-score lead when they got the ball to start the 2nd Half. Thank you, Ray Nutler!
* Huge play of the game: Down 7-0. Bears with all of the momentum. 3rd & 6 from the Green Bay 34. Rodgers to Cobb for 31 yards. Brilliance!
* Rodgers won't be the MVP. McCarthy won't win Coach of the Year. But, the Packers have dealt with as much adversity and injuries as anyone and we are 10-4. Division Champs, baby! And, this is mostly due to Rodgers & McCarthy.
* I love holding Trump Card!
* Welcome back, Claymaker! 5 tackles. 1 assist. 2 sacks. 1 pass defensed. All-around football player. He did a remarkable job against the run.
* Randall Cobb had 6 catches. 3 of them were on 3rd down. 1 was on 4th down. All were first downs. Budding superstar!
* Speaking of Cobb, he's likely to be the 1st player in the history of the NFL to have 1,000 kickoff return yards & 1,000 receiving yards in a season.
* Aaron Rodgers makes plays that Ray Nutler dreams of.
* Well played, Don Barclay! Be a savior, young man!
* BJ Raji. Looking like he's arrived.
* Tough to tell if it was the Bears OL or not, but the 4-man rush of Moses, Matthews, Neal and the Daniels/Raji rotation applied some significant pressure. Dare I say, Championship type pressure.
* Odd to say maybe, but Mike Neal is a key to the long term success of the Packers. Playing thru pain, Neal was relentless in his pursuit of Ray Nutler.
* Jerel Worthy has 2.5 sacks on the year. 1.5 of them have come against Nutler. I'll take it.
* If our defensive front can apply that type of pressure for the rest of the year, we will be tough to beat. Our secondary will make big plays and make the most of opportunities.
* T-Mon is playing his best football since the XLV title game.
* Sammy Swagga playing at Pro Bowl levels over the last 2 weeks.
* Mike Daniels brings energy.
* Ray Nutler for President!
* J-Mike = Ballin'!
* Rest up, Jordy! We're going to need you.
* Be Great, Greg Jennings. Get your form back.
* James Jones with the HAT TRICK!
* Good game, Ryan Pickett. You, too, Brad Jones. The goal line stand was enormous.
* Mason Crosby, that was pathetic. Almost as bad as the fake punt. What were you thinking, Mike McCarthy? The game was over!
* Up 14. Division on the line. With the ball. 5:14 to play in the 3rd. A 3-score game Would have been a dagger. A classic "Championship Drive" was waiting in the wings. Rodgers to Cobb for 27 yards on 3rd & 10. Ryan Grant bursts thru the hole for 14 yards. And, then, inexplicably, he fumbles! Unbelievable.
* Sometimes the defense needs to provide the dagger. And, in Soldier Field, that man was Sammy Swagga.
* In 2 games against the Packers, Brandon Marshall totaled 7 catches, 80 yards, 1 TD, 1 tear infested press conference. Well done, Dom Capers.
* Liked the force that DaJuan Harris & Alex Green ran with. Both were fighting for yards.
* This team is starting to show signs that we are ready to make a Super Bowl run. There are glimpses that show we are ready. Then, we follow it up with a fumble, an awful pass interference and an idiotic fake on a punt with the game in hand. We've put one complete game together all year and that was against the Texans. I don't have conviction that we have an XLVII run in us, but I see positive things happening, which offers hope that our best football is still in front of us.
After the game, Ray Nutler proclaimed, "It's not a rivalry anymore. It's a domination." Yes, the Bears still suck!
This week, it's the Titans. At Lambeau Field. I've always felt that one of the more glorious moments in sports is when my Dad pipes in John Lennon's "Happy Christmas" and he belts out "And, so this is Christmas..." Snow in the air. Lambeau smiles all around. Victory in the air. That's sport. That's football. That's picturesque beauty! Bring it G-Force!
The Titans are better than their record suggests. They have a fast, hard hitting defense. For those that have followed the blog, you know that I enjoy Colin McCarthy & Akeem Ayers. I thought both would look good in Green & Gold. They'll be tough to run on. Derrick Morgan provides another stiff test for Don Barclay. Though the Titans depth is limited in the secondary, they do have a solid core with Jordan Babineaux, Altereaun Verner, Jason McCourty & Michael Griffin. Prior to getting drafted, I really enjoyed Verner's game at UCLA.
The Titans offense is not lethal, but they're fairly healthy. Jake Locker can frustrate you with his toughness and mobility. He's fearless. And, he has a knack for Knowing where the chains are. Chris Johnson is a big play waiting to happen. So are Kenny Britt, Nate Washington and Kendall Wright. The Titans are not a push over.
Look for the Packers to pack the box. Give help covering Britt over the top. Expect Raji to have a good game. Neal as well. The Titans will be pesky. They'll annoy you. Frustrate you. Keep it close. Make you believe they can win. Plus, nothing comes easy for this Packers team. Let's make Lambeau a tough place to play. With a slippery track, we can make it a tough world for Chris Johnson. Jake Locker will be in an environment that he's unaccustomed to.
It'll be tight for a half, but Tennessee cannot run with us for 60 minutes. Harris pounds forward. Keeps the clock running. The yardage marker as well. I enjoy this run game. The Faithful elevate in rowdy fashion.
Green Bay 28. Tennessee 16.
The college football regular season has ended. With that, here's a mock draft for you to follow during Bowl Season. I'm not advanced with respect to OL knowledge, so once again, I will refrain from drafting OL. I'm working off of the assumption that thePackers have the 32nd pick of the draft. Additionally, I'm giving the Packers a conditional pick in both the 5th & 6th rounds. Finally, as always, I only comment if I've watched him play previously.
Round 1: I would love to get Sheldon Richardson, DL, Mizzou. The DL needs help as well and I love Richardson's versatility. He can drop in zone coverage. He can move to an end in the 3-4. He can hold the point with only 2-down linemen. He's aggressive in pursuit. He dominates SEC games. I want him. Even if he has attitude concerns. With that said, it is unlikely that Richardson lasts until #32, so my pick is Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford. Ertz has Ted Thompson written all over him. A gifted TE that Thompson would call a "football player." You can spread him wide. He is fearless when the ball is in the air. A match-up nightmare. Plus, Thompson loves his TE's.
Round 2: Chase Thomas, OLB, Stanford. Wish I wasn't picking two players from the same school, but I'm enamored with the maturity level of a number of players on this Stanford team. Thomas is an ideal 3-4 OLB. He can drop in coverage. He's a high effort guy. He attacks Tackles with a vicious approach. An all-around football player. Other: Philip Thomas, S, Fresno State. Ballhawk. Finds the ball in the air. Only saw him play once. Against a pathetic Colorado team. Thomas finds the ball. He reads plays well and takes good angles when the ball is in flight.
Round 3: Max Bullough, ILB, Michigan State. If Bullough declares, I want him. He'd bring attitude and intensity to our defense. A 3-down ILB. He stops the run. He can blitz. He can cover. He gets sideline-to-sideline. He's a leader.
Round 4: Stedman Bailey, WR, Dub-V. I love me some Mountaineer football. Bailey is a great at winning jump balls. He's a gamer. Catches the ball in traffic. He's sure handed. He has a pension for making big plays.
Round 5: Chris Jones, DL, Bowling Green. A bit undersized, but he's a fearless pass rusher. Provides a strong push with maximum effort
Round 5: Josh Evans, S, Florida. While Matt Elam gets most of the praise, Evans steadily goes about his business. He will knock you backwards, he has a knack for making a play on the ball. He takes good angles when going in to make a tackle. He has a shot to be a legit NFL player.
Round 6: Abry Jones, DL, Georgia. Battled injuries. When healthy, he plugs holes and balls with the best of the SEC. Good rotational player with a football mind. Gets a solid push. True play disruptor. Anthony Rashad White, DL, Michigan State. He's been inconsistent. Hasn't had the year that I thought he would, but he has the potential, if motivated, o be a solid rotational DL.
Round 6: Knile Davis, RB, Arkansas. A classic pick. Super talented. Cannot stay healthy. When he is on the field, he is a baller. Definitely one to watch. Other: Marquess Wilson, WR, Washington State. 1st round talent. Poor attitude. Not a team player. Likely to be a Cowboy. All of the talent in the world. Struggles to be focused. Enjoy his talents. Not sure of the mental make-up.
Round 7: Ryan Radcliff, QB, Central Michigan. His arm passes the eye test, but I believe in BJ Coleman. Call me foolish, but Coleman will be our back-up QB next year. Nonetheless, it is tough for me to imagine Graham Harrell being back with the Packers. Need to invest in another QB. Radcliff wen to Iowa and came away victorious. He was cool, calm and confident. Caught my eye.I like Harry Peoples, WR, UL-Lafayette. He's in the Randall Cobb mold. Just get him the ball and let him work.
More to come after the Bowl season.
Go Packk Go!
Merry Christmas to all!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mc.blogspot.com
I offer you my best Bill Murray voice with this one: We came. We saw. We kicked it's ass!
A tie game. Hotly contested. Bears with the ball. A minute before halftime. The NFC North Title lingering in the balance. Ray Nutler under center. And, in vintage Nutler fashion, he hits Casey Hayward right between the numbers! Yes, trump card was on display again. On the road. Soldier Field, once again, hoisted the trophy. In the Visitors Locker Room. And, again, Bears fans were in a rage over Ray Nutler. My good buddy, Grammy, texted me in the 3rd Quarter: "Stopped watching game. May not watch another game until they get rid of Cutler. I'm done supporting that fuck. I'm playing Madden instead. Just traded Cutler for a 3rd round pick." Meanwhile, my good buddy, Tommy Datullo, was texting me prior to the Bears final possession, "Don't worry. This fking loser will throw a pick."
Trump card refreshed. The Green Bay Packers own Soldier Field. And, damn it feels good to be a Packers fan! The NFC North title is ours. And, it tastes sweet. Yes, oh, so sweet.
The Packers have overcame an abundance of hurdles so far in 2012. We had a victory stolen from us by the refs. We have battled immense injuries. We have persevered. We are Division Champs.
No, I'm not on a high horse. We aren't playing at an elite level, but we're getting closer.
* Didn't like the way McCarthy called the game. Got away from the run in the 1st half. Really disappointed that it took a vintage Nutler play to generate points in the 2-minute offense. When the Packers got the ball with 2:11 to play in the first half, I expected points. Instead, we got a 3-and-out.
* Ray Nutler hit Casey Hayward right in the chest. Then, he pouted on the sidelines. Like the cry baby that he is. Yoda would calmly say to Ray: Ray Nutler, Cry Baby, you are.
* Getting points before the half was crucial as it positioned the Packers to take a 2-score lead when they got the ball to start the 2nd Half. Thank you, Ray Nutler!
* Huge play of the game: Down 7-0. Bears with all of the momentum. 3rd & 6 from the Green Bay 34. Rodgers to Cobb for 31 yards. Brilliance!
* Rodgers won't be the MVP. McCarthy won't win Coach of the Year. But, the Packers have dealt with as much adversity and injuries as anyone and we are 10-4. Division Champs, baby! And, this is mostly due to Rodgers & McCarthy.
* I love holding Trump Card!
* Welcome back, Claymaker! 5 tackles. 1 assist. 2 sacks. 1 pass defensed. All-around football player. He did a remarkable job against the run.
* Randall Cobb had 6 catches. 3 of them were on 3rd down. 1 was on 4th down. All were first downs. Budding superstar!
* Speaking of Cobb, he's likely to be the 1st player in the history of the NFL to have 1,000 kickoff return yards & 1,000 receiving yards in a season.
* Aaron Rodgers makes plays that Ray Nutler dreams of.
* Well played, Don Barclay! Be a savior, young man!
* BJ Raji. Looking like he's arrived.
* Tough to tell if it was the Bears OL or not, but the 4-man rush of Moses, Matthews, Neal and the Daniels/Raji rotation applied some significant pressure. Dare I say, Championship type pressure.
* Odd to say maybe, but Mike Neal is a key to the long term success of the Packers. Playing thru pain, Neal was relentless in his pursuit of Ray Nutler.
* Jerel Worthy has 2.5 sacks on the year. 1.5 of them have come against Nutler. I'll take it.
* If our defensive front can apply that type of pressure for the rest of the year, we will be tough to beat. Our secondary will make big plays and make the most of opportunities.
* T-Mon is playing his best football since the XLV title game.
* Sammy Swagga playing at Pro Bowl levels over the last 2 weeks.
* Mike Daniels brings energy.
* Ray Nutler for President!
* J-Mike = Ballin'!
* Rest up, Jordy! We're going to need you.
* Be Great, Greg Jennings. Get your form back.
* James Jones with the HAT TRICK!
* Good game, Ryan Pickett. You, too, Brad Jones. The goal line stand was enormous.
* Mason Crosby, that was pathetic. Almost as bad as the fake punt. What were you thinking, Mike McCarthy? The game was over!
* Up 14. Division on the line. With the ball. 5:14 to play in the 3rd. A 3-score game Would have been a dagger. A classic "Championship Drive" was waiting in the wings. Rodgers to Cobb for 27 yards on 3rd & 10. Ryan Grant bursts thru the hole for 14 yards. And, then, inexplicably, he fumbles! Unbelievable.
* Sometimes the defense needs to provide the dagger. And, in Soldier Field, that man was Sammy Swagga.
* In 2 games against the Packers, Brandon Marshall totaled 7 catches, 80 yards, 1 TD, 1 tear infested press conference. Well done, Dom Capers.
* Liked the force that DaJuan Harris & Alex Green ran with. Both were fighting for yards.
* This team is starting to show signs that we are ready to make a Super Bowl run. There are glimpses that show we are ready. Then, we follow it up with a fumble, an awful pass interference and an idiotic fake on a punt with the game in hand. We've put one complete game together all year and that was against the Texans. I don't have conviction that we have an XLVII run in us, but I see positive things happening, which offers hope that our best football is still in front of us.
After the game, Ray Nutler proclaimed, "It's not a rivalry anymore. It's a domination." Yes, the Bears still suck!
This week, it's the Titans. At Lambeau Field. I've always felt that one of the more glorious moments in sports is when my Dad pipes in John Lennon's "Happy Christmas" and he belts out "And, so this is Christmas..." Snow in the air. Lambeau smiles all around. Victory in the air. That's sport. That's football. That's picturesque beauty! Bring it G-Force!
The Titans are better than their record suggests. They have a fast, hard hitting defense. For those that have followed the blog, you know that I enjoy Colin McCarthy & Akeem Ayers. I thought both would look good in Green & Gold. They'll be tough to run on. Derrick Morgan provides another stiff test for Don Barclay. Though the Titans depth is limited in the secondary, they do have a solid core with Jordan Babineaux, Altereaun Verner, Jason McCourty & Michael Griffin. Prior to getting drafted, I really enjoyed Verner's game at UCLA.
The Titans offense is not lethal, but they're fairly healthy. Jake Locker can frustrate you with his toughness and mobility. He's fearless. And, he has a knack for Knowing where the chains are. Chris Johnson is a big play waiting to happen. So are Kenny Britt, Nate Washington and Kendall Wright. The Titans are not a push over.
Look for the Packers to pack the box. Give help covering Britt over the top. Expect Raji to have a good game. Neal as well. The Titans will be pesky. They'll annoy you. Frustrate you. Keep it close. Make you believe they can win. Plus, nothing comes easy for this Packers team. Let's make Lambeau a tough place to play. With a slippery track, we can make it a tough world for Chris Johnson. Jake Locker will be in an environment that he's unaccustomed to.
It'll be tight for a half, but Tennessee cannot run with us for 60 minutes. Harris pounds forward. Keeps the clock running. The yardage marker as well. I enjoy this run game. The Faithful elevate in rowdy fashion.
Green Bay 28. Tennessee 16.
The college football regular season has ended. With that, here's a mock draft for you to follow during Bowl Season. I'm not advanced with respect to OL knowledge, so once again, I will refrain from drafting OL. I'm working off of the assumption that thePackers have the 32nd pick of the draft. Additionally, I'm giving the Packers a conditional pick in both the 5th & 6th rounds. Finally, as always, I only comment if I've watched him play previously.
Round 1: I would love to get Sheldon Richardson, DL, Mizzou. The DL needs help as well and I love Richardson's versatility. He can drop in zone coverage. He can move to an end in the 3-4. He can hold the point with only 2-down linemen. He's aggressive in pursuit. He dominates SEC games. I want him. Even if he has attitude concerns. With that said, it is unlikely that Richardson lasts until #32, so my pick is Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford. Ertz has Ted Thompson written all over him. A gifted TE that Thompson would call a "football player." You can spread him wide. He is fearless when the ball is in the air. A match-up nightmare. Plus, Thompson loves his TE's.
Round 2: Chase Thomas, OLB, Stanford. Wish I wasn't picking two players from the same school, but I'm enamored with the maturity level of a number of players on this Stanford team. Thomas is an ideal 3-4 OLB. He can drop in coverage. He's a high effort guy. He attacks Tackles with a vicious approach. An all-around football player. Other: Philip Thomas, S, Fresno State. Ballhawk. Finds the ball in the air. Only saw him play once. Against a pathetic Colorado team. Thomas finds the ball. He reads plays well and takes good angles when the ball is in flight.
Round 3: Max Bullough, ILB, Michigan State. If Bullough declares, I want him. He'd bring attitude and intensity to our defense. A 3-down ILB. He stops the run. He can blitz. He can cover. He gets sideline-to-sideline. He's a leader.
Round 4: Stedman Bailey, WR, Dub-V. I love me some Mountaineer football. Bailey is a great at winning jump balls. He's a gamer. Catches the ball in traffic. He's sure handed. He has a pension for making big plays.
Round 5: Chris Jones, DL, Bowling Green. A bit undersized, but he's a fearless pass rusher. Provides a strong push with maximum effort
Round 5: Josh Evans, S, Florida. While Matt Elam gets most of the praise, Evans steadily goes about his business. He will knock you backwards, he has a knack for making a play on the ball. He takes good angles when going in to make a tackle. He has a shot to be a legit NFL player.
Round 6: Abry Jones, DL, Georgia. Battled injuries. When healthy, he plugs holes and balls with the best of the SEC. Good rotational player with a football mind. Gets a solid push. True play disruptor. Anthony Rashad White, DL, Michigan State. He's been inconsistent. Hasn't had the year that I thought he would, but he has the potential, if motivated, o be a solid rotational DL.
Round 6: Knile Davis, RB, Arkansas. A classic pick. Super talented. Cannot stay healthy. When he is on the field, he is a baller. Definitely one to watch. Other: Marquess Wilson, WR, Washington State. 1st round talent. Poor attitude. Not a team player. Likely to be a Cowboy. All of the talent in the world. Struggles to be focused. Enjoy his talents. Not sure of the mental make-up.
Round 7: Ryan Radcliff, QB, Central Michigan. His arm passes the eye test, but I believe in BJ Coleman. Call me foolish, but Coleman will be our back-up QB next year. Nonetheless, it is tough for me to imagine Graham Harrell being back with the Packers. Need to invest in another QB. Radcliff wen to Iowa and came away victorious. He was cool, calm and confident. Caught my eye.I like Harry Peoples, WR, UL-Lafayette. He's in the Randall Cobb mold. Just get him the ball and let him work.
More to come after the Bowl season.
Go Packk Go!
Merry Christmas to all!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mc.blogspot.com
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