My Take -> Preseason Week 4

Greetings, G-Force.

It was an exciting 3rd preseason game. Seattle marched their starters into the 3rd Quarter. The Packers, on the other hand, had a mixture of 2nd & 3rd string players who were competing with them.  Defensively, the Packers appear to have great depth. On offense, there appears to be room for improvement. Here are some kind vibes from the game:

* Aaron Rodgers hasn't had a drive result in a TD, but he's in rhythm. He's in stride with J-Mike. 
* While J-Mike had problems hauling in two passes, he does appear to be fully focused and more confident.
* Another solid performance from David Bakhtiari & Don Barclay. I didn't agree with the holding call on Bakhtiari.
* C.M.3! The Claymaker!
* The Packers need to find a spot for Micah Hyde. He's been one of the best players on the team this preseason. In Week 1, he'd be my spy on Kaepernick.
* Terrell Manning with his best performance as a Packer.
* Robert Francois can play. He has limitations, but he's a solid #3 ILB.
* Brad Jones was playing with vicious intent. Hope he's healthy.
* Need Hayward to stay healthy. When he plays, he finds the ball. And, in some instances, the ball finds him.
* CJ Wilson plugging run holes!
* Wag the finger, BJ Raji!
*  Johnny Jolly making plays in the run game.
* Josh Boyd with a heart beat.
* Ryan Pickett holding force and pushing back.
* Nate Palmer showing aggression and a nose for the QB.
* Chris Banjo. Dude might not make the team, but someone should give him a shot. He tackles everything. He's smart. Understands the game. I like him better than MD Jennings. Yes, I wrote that. He brings a physical presence to the field.
*  Vince Young beat out Graham Harrell with his feet. Should Young be required to cover more than a 4-game stretch, the Packers would be in trouble, but if Young had to bail the Packers out of a game, I believe he'd offer a legitimate chance to pull off a victory.
* BJ Coleman played well. Not ideal, but he showed some positive aspects. Those around him didn't offer much support.
* Bostick is showing signs of being worthy of a roster spot.
* It was nice to see Jerron McMillan come up with the pick.
* Nick Perry getting his hands on passes is an exciting thing. Is the Jolly swatting passes piece an infectious thing?

The not-so-kind vibes:

* DuJuan Harris, we will miss you. A Speedy recovery to you.
* EDS has been what I feared he would be. Far from assignment sure. He gets almost no push. Lacks strength. Packers need better or teams will flood the middle of the line with both stunts and brute strength.
* Had a gut feeling that Lane Taylor might make the squad, but Harris' injury might have been the dagger. Also, due to injury and player availability, the Packers might be forced to keep 6 WR's.
* Need more out of our UCLA duo. Jones got zero push. Franklin hasn't looked the part.
* Need to keep Mike Neal as an inside rusher.
* ¿Donde esta, Dez Moses?
* Please be healthy, Morgan Burnett!
* Really wanted Charles Johnson to come down with that diving grab. 
* Van Roten was absolutely punished off the ball.
* For the first time, Sam Barrington didn't win me over.

Entering the final preseason game, I feel as though the Packers roster has more question marks than recent years. A lot of positional battles don't have a clear cut winner. Injury questions are also going to impact he number of WR's, RB's, and Safeties. It appears as though Jordy & Cobb are healthy. But, are the Packers absolutely certain that both will be ready Week 1? Is Morgan Burnett going to be fully recovered and, if not, do the Packers have to keep an additional safety since J-Bush has also struggled to stay healthy? At RB, the Harris injury has given a lifeline to both Green & Starks. Both have injury histories. Both have also outperformed Franklin this preseason. Do the Packers keep both players? 

The Chiefs game is a big one for the likes of Charles Johnson, Jetemy Ross, Tyrone Walker, Brandon Bostick, DJ Williams, Ryan Taylor, Chris Banjo, Josh Boyd, Dez Moses, Andy Mulumba, Nate Palmer, Sam Barrington, Vince Young & BJ Coleman.

The Packers win the game. There depth on the defensive side of the ball disrupt the Chiefs OL. I expect the Packers to force turnovers. On the contrary, it'll be interesting to see if Young & Coleman will be able to protect the football.

Maybe it's wishful thinking, but Johnson shows his worth. Ross gets loose in the return game. Palmer & Mulumba apply pressure. Banjo continues to wrap up. Alex Green finds the open field. Mason Crosby is on point.

For the Chiefs, watch our old friend, Frank Zombo. Zombo, an XLV Champion, has looked good thus far in the preseason. Much like he did in 2010.

Packers 23. Chiefs 13.

With the onslaught of the College Football Season this weekend, here's an initial mock draft for the 2014 Season. I have given an additional 5th & 6th round pick for the losses of Jennings & Walden. I've used the CBS Draft site as my list for round projections.

Rd 1 - Eric Ebron, TE, UNC. The Packers need another receiving option at TE. Ebron is athletic with good body control. Adjusts well when the ball is in the air.
Rd 2 - Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo. There's no one that I'm more excited to watch this weekend than Khalil Mack. Playing Ohio State. He dominates the lower level competition. Mack has dynamite closing speed. A sure tackler. Plays with great length. He can drop into space. Great speed/power combo. An ideal 3-4 OLB.
Rd 3 - Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia. If neither Young nor Coleman is the answer, the Packers will need to invest in a potential solution. Murray has the arm strength, the pocket presence and the size to play at the next level.
Rd 4 - Devin Street, WR, Pittsburgh. Street gets deep. He's dangerous after the catch. He plays the ball in the air and has a knack for the big play.
Rd 5 - Max Bullough, ILB, Michigan State. I'm baffled that he's listed as a 5th rounder. I view him as a 2nd round pick. He's a leader. A gamer. Great on the blitz. He'd immediately start in Green Bay.
Rd 5 - Kenny Vadler, S, Vanderbilt. Over the last two years, I wanted to watch Jordan Rodgers. Because of it, I initially learned about Hayward & Sean Richardson. Last year, I admired the play of Vadler. He's a ballhawk. Gets sideline-to-sideline. A tremendous athlete.
Rd 6 - Isaiah Crowell, RB, Alabama St. Had Crowell stayed out of the trouble, he'd be running at Georgia and he'd be a Heisman contender.
Rd 6 - Beau Allen, DL, WI. Allen would be a great plug in the middle of the Packers defense. A solid pass rusher for his size, he carries his weight well. Moves fluidly for a big guy. Solid against the run as well. 
Rd 7 - Torin Harris, CB, USC. If Harris stays healthy, he has all of the talents to play in the NFL. He can run. He uses his hands well. He's not afraid of contact. He has the height to play and the frame to add weight.

Go Pack Go!

Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com

My Take -> Preseason Week 3

Greetings, G-Force.

A win is a fun feeling. Regardless of circumstance, it's nice to win. And when the win is accompanied with GO PACK GO chant in a visitors stadium, it feels even better. Here are some kind vibes from the win over the Rams:

* Aaron Rodgers looks to be in full stride. That alone will make the Packers tough to beat.
* EDDIE LACY! BOOM!
* There's been a heavy emphasis on getting the OL to the 2nd tier of the defense. TJ Lang has clearly bought into this philosophy. Lang was consistently finding his way downfield.
* In the run game, Don Barclay seals the edge on the right side of the line.
* J-Mike reaping rewards from the play fake and then taking full advantage of his opportunities.
* It eased many fears when I watched Micah Hyde coming on the blitz. He's a natural at rushing out of the slot. It should come as no surprise that Hyde hasn't excelled on the outside. That isn't his game. Hyde is a slot CB who - much to my surprise - has displayed a lot of tools normally associated with a Safety.
* Jarrett Boykin in lock-step with Rodgers carries lots o' positive buzzes with it.
* Speaking of positive buzzes, Johnny Jolly. Man, in 2009, Jolly had 10 PD. since then, the Packers DL has struggled to get their hands on footballs. Instantly, Jolly has made an impact. Though he'll never be an elite pass rusher, this trait is nearly as valuable of an art as rushing the QB. Jolly should be a lock to make the roster.
* Andy Mulumba displayed some of the skills that I projected as possibilities as soon as the Packers signed him. He pays the run well. He also showed pass rushing skills.
* It was good to see Nate Palmer putting some energy into the pass rush.
* Nick Perry's closing speed impresses me. Wish Kevin Green could teach him a spin move though.
* Liked that Mike Neal was given an opportunity to rush the passer from the inside. While, I like his power on the outside, he can't drop into coverage.
* Led by BJ Raji, I liked the presence of the run defense.
* Chris Banjo plays with energy.
* Robert Francois should see playing time in the regular season. He's always seeking ball carriers with vicious pursuit.
* I like Sam Barrington. I'm pulling for him.
* Thought Terrell Manning had a decent game. Nearly blocked two punts. Showed hunger rushing the QB.
* Once again, David Bakhtiari didn't disappoint.
* CJ Wilson did well plugging holes.
* Lane Taylor brings nastiness. He's a bruiser. A fighter. I like his game. Pulling for him. He might have a future in the League.
* Micah Hyde showed great comfort on his punt return.
* Well done, BJ Coleman.
* Vince Young is still not comfortable, which shouldn't surprise. But, time is running out. I prefer him to Graham Harrell. If time allows.
* If Eddie Lacy keeps running that way, defenses will have to respect the run. And Aaron Rodgers will like what he sees.
* Yes, he had a poor performance against Arizona. But, I like Ras-House.
* In limited action, Morgan Burnett has been impressive covering crossing routes.
* Brandon Bostick is quietly making his move.

Things to improve upon:

* On both of Lacy's first two runs, EDS was beaten and there was a hand on Lacy prior to him getting to the line of scrimmage.
* Dezman Moses concerns me. Might not be worthy of a roster spot.
* Jamari Lattimore hasn't taken the leap that I thought he'd take. Still, he has great special teams talents and should make the team.
* MD Jennings and Jerron McMillan leave something to be desired.
* A week after offering hope on inside blitzes, AJ Hawk & Brad Jones left me yawning. I like how Francois pursues with unfiltered passion and intent.
* While Jeremy Ross hasn't flourished as a WR, he is the Packers best overall returner. He's decisive. He runs with conviction. He's a much better option than Franklin. I fear that if Ross isn't the returner, the special teams units might return to pre-Randall Cobb status.
* I've been on the Tyrone Walker bandwagon. I was disappointed that he couldn't hang onto two balls that hit him in the hands. Might be deal breakers.
* James Starks with a poor performance hurt his chances in a crowded backfield.
* I'm beginning to wonder if DJ Williams is playing himself off the team. Unbelievably disappointing.
* While the Packers didn't give up many points, they did give up big plays throughout. Need this to stop.

Here's my first attempt at unlocking the top 53. Until last week, I was feeling like the Packers might try to tuck Charles Johnson & Kevin Dorsey on the IR for the season. But, with their recent arrival at practice, those two are the most uncertain players on the roster. The next two weeks will be telling. Here goes:

QB: (2) Rodgers & Coleman. I wanted the back-up to be Young. He's yet to prove it. Neither has Coleman, but he's the better long term prospect. Harrell is not the answer.

RB: (4) Lacy, Harris, Franklin & Kuhn. Lacy & Harris could be a tandem we haven't seen in Green Bay since '03. Franklin hasn't lived up to expectations - thus far - but, he's a lock for the roster. Kuhn is a great utility player. Tough to cut Starks. I'll forever cherish him for his performances in the XLV run. Green never materialized. In part, due to injury. Pease is a logical practice squad candidate.

WR: (5) A lot of depth. No one has elevated to a spot worthy of demanding a roster spot. Jones, Cobb, Nelson, Boykin, Ross. Ross is the best returner on the roster. Have to keep him. Walker's two drops might have been the difference. Walker, White, Gillett & Hines are all practice squad candidates.

TE: (4) J-Mike, Mulligan, Williams, Taylor. For now, Taylor & Williams make it as Quarless hasn't been seen and Bostick could likely be stashed on the Practice Squad for another year. If Williams has another poor showing, Bostick could be reignited.

OL: (8) Bakhtiari, Sitton, EDS, Lang, Barclay, Newhouse, Taylor, Van Roten. All but Taylor are assumed to be locks. Taylor has brought a level of intensity worthy of a roster spot. When I watch the 4th Quarter of these preseason games, I watch and wonder if anyone belongs. Taylor makes me believe that he has a home. He shows promise and the ability to be a future starter in the NFL.

Specialists: (3) Goode, Masthay, Crosby.

DL: (8) Pickett, Raji, Wilson, Neal, Jones, Jolly, Boyd, Daniels. A lot of DL for a 3-4, but there's great versatility and a lot of contracts to get figured out after the year. Boyd isn't necessarily deserving, but his status as a 5th Round pick grants him a year of development. Pena and Miller are practice squad candidates.

OLB: (4) Matthews, Perry, Mulumba, Palmer. The hardest cut is Moses who played admirably in '12. But, Mulumba has outperformed him and Palmer is a coveted draft pick.

ILB: (6) Hawk, Jones, Francois, Lattimore, Manning, Barrington. Barrington has been too good to release or hide on the practice squad. Dude can play. ILB will play a prominent role on special teams.

DB: (9) T-Mon, Shields, Hayward, Ras-House, Hyde, Bush, Jennings, McMillan, Burnett. Hyde gives versatility. I never envisioned him as a safety. I see it now. Banjo is an ideal practice squad candidate.

This week - the Packers take on the Seahawks, which has developed into a really nice rivalry over the last 15 years since Holmgren departed. The Seahawks are loaded with depth and it's been put on display during the preseason as their play has been convincing. Both teams will approach the contest with high octane intensity. It's the tune-up game for the Regular Season.

The Packers match up well with Seattle. With DuJuan Harris returning, look for the Packers to give the Seahawks a heavy dose of Lacy & Harris. With Rodgers out of shotgun, I anticipate Rodgers making a bundle of adjustments at the snap. After the snap, he will have options to either hand it off or to throw it. It allows for enhanced flexibility for Rodgers. And, it could lead to big plays by the TE's based on Rodgers' reactions to the movements of the ILB. Look for the Packers to attack the middle of the field.

Matching up with Richard Sherman & Brandon Browner, the depth of the Packers WR units will be tested as they'll be playing without Jordy & possibly Cobb. Shine on, Boykin & Ross. It's definitely a chance for someone to elevate and earn a roster spot as the #5 WR. It is also an opportunity for DJ Williams to reestablish himself as a viable pass catching option. I feel it'd be wise for McCarthy to put Williams in position to make a play early in the game, just as he did J-Mike last week. Williams needs a confidence builder. In the past, McCarthy has attempted to put players in position to succeed after underwhelming performances. Being the players coach that I view him as, I wouldn't be surprised to see Williams as the target of an early Rodgers pass.

Largely, expect the Packers to pound the ball at the interior of the Seahawks defense. John Schneider did a nice job of digging for valuable depth in the '13 Draft by selecting Jordan Hill in Round 3 and Jesse Williams in Round 5. They'll be put to the test this weekend. Other than Brandon Mebane, I'm not fond of the interior of the Seattle DL. They can be punished. It'll be up to Hill & Williams to perform as rookies. I'm aware that Hill has an injured bicep, but I don't know the severity of it.

If Russell Wilson continues to develop, there's reason to believe that Seattle is the favorite to win the NFC. Even with Breno Giacomini as the starting RT. And JR Sweezy at RG. Regardless, look for the Packers to attack the left side of the Seahawks OL. They should pair Hyde's blitzes with Clay's relentless pursuit. I fancy good results will come. BJ Raji will be tested in us match-up with Max Unger.

At the skill positions, the Seahawks will provide a real test for the Packers defense. Marshawn Lynch, Christine Michael, Golden Tate, Sidney Rice, Doug Baldwin, and Zach Miller all bring a healthy presence to the offense. Jermaine Kearse and Luke Wilson further the depth. They'll bring energy for 4 Quarters. The Packers couldn't ask for a better 3rd preseason game opponent.

The 1st half is a tug of war. Matching FG's until Lacy pounds one in from 7 yards following a Rodgers bullet to J-Mike across the middle. The Packers hold a 13-9 lead at the half.

Trailing 19-13 late, BJ Coleman takes over. He hits Myles White over the middle. He finds Bostick on a roll-out. Alex Green pounds forward. It's Coleman to Bostick for the winner!

Packers 20. Seahawks 19.

Lambeau, be loud. Treat this one like it is real.

Go Pack Go!

Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-Mac.blogspot.com

My Take -> Preseason Week 2

Greetings, G-Force.

17-0. Shutout. At home. But, I’m not worried. In fact, I felt like I saw some positive things happen during the disgusting start to the preseason. Here’s some kind vibes to keep you fresh:

• Aaron Rodgers was nearly spot. The deep ball to James Jones was midseason form. The timing was off on the 2nd down pass, which surprised me, but overall, it was a really nice showing by the 1st team offense.
• James Jones separating was a thing of beauty.
• David Bakhtiari showed great promise in making his first appearance as the starting RT.
• Nick Perry displayed great closing speed as he quickly closed on Larry Fitzgerald.
• Micah Hyde! I reiterate that before the Draft I listed three CB’s that I felt were fit for the Packers defense. Hyde was one of them. He played with fight. Sure, he didn’t get his head turned around on the TD, but that’ll get coached up.
• Andy Mulumba looked solid against the run. He’s raw. But, I liked his pizzazz. Showed enough to keep me excited.
• I really liked watching Robert Francois in pursuit. Didn’t close the deal on the inside blitz, but he did get home for a sack on one occasion.
• Sam Barrington can punish people. Great instincts. He should be on the team.
• Liked seeing Mike Daniels closing in one the QB.
• Tyrone Walker! At this stage, I’ll be shocked if this guy doesn’t make the team. He showed wiggle after the catch. As of today, I see him as our 4th best WR. Wish Charles Johnson would get healthy to push Boykin for a spot.
• Mulligan showed good muscle as a blocker.
• Greg Van Roten has proved that he can be a versatile OL at either G or C.
• Ted Thompson would find Chris Banjo. Of course. Thompson loves his TX kids. Banjo can hit. He was a really pleasant surprise. Tackled with a vengeance. Excited to see more of him.
• Vince Young offered hope. Played with a lil’ spark. Nothing overwhelming, but enough to believe that he can make a push towards being the #2 QB. I think he’ll win the job. But, I don’t believe in Graham Harrell.
• Johnny Jolly showed that he still has football left in the tank.

Bummers:

• The preseason is about the back-up QB. Harrell had two turnovers that directly led to 14 points. Granted, Newhouse was beaten badly on the sack/fumble, but Harrell should feel the pressure.
• I couldn’t believe my eyes. All off-season the Packers have stressed the importance of becoming a power football team. Of becoming an offense that can run the football. Then, on 2nd and goal from inside the 2, the Packers line up in shotgun formation. On 3rd and goal, once again, they go to shotgun. This time in an empty set. Come on, McCarthy. Practice what you preach!
• Jeremy Ross gets bumped off his route too easily. He’s – by far – the best KR/PR player on the team outside of Cobb. And, thus, he’ll likely make the roster, but he leaves much to be desired as a WR.
• Ras House did not have his best showing. I believe it’s merely a bump in the road.
• At OLB, the Packers don’t seem to have depth with respect to anyone being able to get to the QB. Nate Palmer doesn’t look cut out for this league.
• Terrell Manning has been a disappointment. It’s possible that Manning could be traded to a team in a 4-3. He’s not big enough to play the 3-4. He gets exposed and often finds himself lost in the shuffle of the play.
• Really wish DJ Williams would elevate to the player I envisioned he’d become.
• I’m extremely concerned about the starting Safety spot across from Morgan Burnett.
• BJ Coleman. Kind of a buzzkill. Really believed in him. Still want to. Appears as though the Packers are trying to tuck him on the practice squad again.

This week – it’s the Rams. In St. Louis. It’ll be a solid test for the Packers. On the turf, the Rams are fast. They have playmakers. Tavon Austin & Stedman Bailey are Dub-V stallions. Both play with riveting excitement. Chris Givens is frustrating to cover. Lance Kendricks is a tough match-up. Daryl Richardson is primed for a big year. And – defensively, the Rams are littered with playmakers.

I hope that Eddie Lacy & DuJuan Harris are used in limited fashion. I’d like to see the Packers put James Starks and Alex Green on display. Possible trade bait for either a promising OLB or an up-and-coming Safety.

Give Rodgers the 1st Quarter. He’ll move the football. Put points on the board. He’ll be in connection with Jones & J-Mike. Since Cobb will also be resting, I’d like to see Walker playing against a 1st team defense. Let’s see what the kid can do.

I want to see Micah Hyde covering Tavon Austin in the slot. Play on, Micah.

Get busy in the return game, Jeremy Ross. I’m pulling for you.

Keep gas in the tank, Johnny Jolly.

We see Mike Daniels get to the QB.

Mulumba continues to play the run well and he shows a small glimpse of being able to pressure the QB. Mulumba makes the 53-man roster.

The ILB brings further goodness from a depth perspective. Lattimore plays the ball well in coverage. Francois brings heart. Barrington continues to pursue like a beast.

Look for Banjo to continue to hit everything that is in sight. And, if we see him make a play on the ball, he could make a push for the Final 53. The Packers have stressed physicality. Banjo brings aggression and a possessed energy.

Angelo Pease & BJ Coleman see light, if any playing time, as they’re being hidden as practice squad targets.

Look for Vince Young to make his move this week. Feeling minutely comfortable with the offense, Young uses his feet and his athleticism to move the chains. He also finds Bostick over the middle as a safety valve. He finds Franklin on a dump-off to move the chains. Extending the play, he rolls right. He connects with Boykin to keep the chains moving. Alex Green punches it in from 3 yards out.

Packers 23. Rams 20.

Let’s get a WIN!

Go Pack Go!

Talkin’ S-Mac.
Talkins-mac.blogspot.com

My Take -> Preseason Week 1

Greetings, G-Force.

Football at Lambeau. Yes, John Bell, Life Is Grand! 

In life, my nature is to be an optimistic realist. I live this way. I breathe this way. And, when it comes to the Green Bay Packers, I both write and think this way. With that said, I'm kicking the blog off with the sublime vibes that we saw on Family Night.

* Aaron Rodgers was in sink with Jones & Cobb. And both Jones & Cobb were terrific after the catch.

* Eddie Lacy! Moving piles. Great feet. Lowering his shoulder. A solid burst. Tremendous vision. Hit the hole with a vengeance. Reason for optimism.

* David Bakhtiari. The Buff! An anchor. Moved his feet well. Good hand positioning. Almost seemed too good to be true.

* Datone Jones. For the first time since Cullen Jenkins left, it feels like BJ Raji has a full fledged running mate.

* Speaking of Raji, he showed great burst. Wiggling his way thru the line.

* The first team OL showed positivity.

* Alex Green, James Starks, Angelo Pease and Johnathan Franklin all showed glimpses of goodness.

* The depth at WR was apparent. The same could be said at CB. Enjoyed those battles! And, what really impressed was that the Packers were playing without Hayward, T-Mon, Dorsey & Johnson.

* The prospects of this draft class is thrilling. Really liked Barrington. Attacks with purpose. When he wasn't tackling Lacy, he was taking bodies to the turf.

* Liked McMillan's aggressiveness.

* The inside blitzes by Brad Jones and AJ Hawk were encouraging.

* I liked what I saw out of Ras House and Sammy Swagga!

* Brandon Bostick looks good in uniform.

Here are the top 10 things that concern me:
1.) Bulaga's injury. Thought the OL was poised for a big year. With solid depth. I believe Barclay should be the starting RT. Let Bakhtiari be the LT, if he earns it. Newhouse is the back-up.
2.) Mason Crosby was brutal.
3.) BJ Coleman.  I expected some inconsistencies, but those interceptions were awful. I still like him as a prospect, but the Packers need improvement out of him.
4.) Please get healthy by the opener, Jordy Nelson.
5.) Nate Palmer, that was pathetic. Terrible angle. Seemed like poor effort.
6.) Liked the pursuit of Robert Francois and the recognition, but finish the play, mate.
7.) Terrell Manning, I need to see more.
8.) None of the UDFA OLB showed anything to offer hope. 
9.) The injuries on the OL are becoming severe. The depth is depleted. Using Barclay as the utility back-up OL has hindered his ability to compete at RT. JC Tretter's injury is costly right now. The interior of the OL needs to improve from a depth perspective.
10.) Didn't like seeing J-Mike dropping the ball. Mulligan wasn't overly impressive as a pass receiver. I know he is a blocking specialist, but he looked uncomfortable running routes. With Ryan Taylor's injury, the door is open for Brandon Bostick.

The Vince Young signing intrigues. Yes, his career has been a disappointment, but remember that in November of 2011, he was beating the NYG. He had 36 pass attempts. He threw 2 TD's, 3 interceptions, but he managed the game to victory and picked up crucial 3rd downs. I don't have confidence in Graham Harrell. I want to like BJ Coleman, but he hasn't proved he's ready. If Young can pick up the offense, which won't be easy, he has a legitimate chance to make the roster.

This week - it is the Arizona Cardinals who arrive with a new coach, a new QB and a new RB. They will want to find their rhythm early.  They'll be a fun first preseason opponent. 

The Packers are loaded at the playmaking positions, which should offer excitement throughout. With Eddie Lacy & Randall Cobb likely to be held out, the likes of Franklin, Starks, Green (if healthy), Pease, Myles White, Omarius Hines, Tyrone Walker,Jarrett Boykin, Alex Gillett and Jeremy Ross will be on display. If Green is healthy, it wouldn't surprise me if he was showcased. I'll be curious if Pease gets significant snaps or if he's hidden to be stored on the practice squad.

At OLB, do we have anyone who can pressure the QB outside of Perry & CM3? I want to watch Mulumba, Reed, Moses, Palmer, and Savage. Come on, man. Someone must elevate!

I'm really anxious to see Jamari Lattimore. I believe he could end up as the dime ILB.

Over the last couple of years, the Packers have had a stellar punt coverage unit. It's helped Masthay. Who will be opposite J-Bush in '13? Micah Hyde? Jeremy Ross? It'll be interesting to see. In light of last year, don't put Ras House out there.

Look for Rodgers to have a productive first drive. Finding J-Mike for theTD. And a Lambeau Leap. With Starks getting the first carries.

Then we see the back-ups on offense. Harrell shows positive signs, good composure, healthy camaraderie. He moves the offense. Connecting with Boykin & Hines. Big targets that'll go up and get it in traffic.

Coleman comes in and displays his cannon. McCarthy gets him comfortable with a screen to Franklin. The young QB hooks up with Bostick. Franklin finds some running room. 
It's Coleman to Walker for the TD!

On defense, Micah Hyde shows good things in the slot. Brandon Smith continues to shine on the outside. Smith grabs a pick. At safety, depth remains a concern. 

Sam Barrington punishes.

Gilbert Pena stuffs the run. Josh Boyd shows activity. Mike Daniels dominates. 

Jeremy Ross shows he can be lethal in the return game.

Generally, the preseason is won by the better back-up QB. Though I do not love the Packers QB situation, they show promise on this day.  And the Packers depth at WR, RB, DL and CB are too much for Arizona.

Packers 27. Cardinals 20.

Lambeau, be loud. Be in charge.

Go Pack Go!

Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com

My Take -> Family Night

Greetings, G-Force.

Our first glimpse of the 2013 Green Bay Packers comes via Family Night. A fun tradition, which brings communion to the players and fans. It's a fun festival, of sorts. Throughout the years, on Family Night, we've seen a number of players who set the tone for their careers. Though it is only a glorified practice, it does offer a live look at the players in pads under the lights. Further, it marks the dawn of a new season. We can put the Jeremy Ross dropped punt behind us. We seek a brighter tomorrow. And the present seems to shine bright.

Here's a quick positional breakdown for what I will be looking for:

At QB, I am all-in with BJ Coleman. I want to see his cannon. I want accuracy on a quick slant. I want to see him roll out and unleash the deep ball. At this stage, I'm not overly concerned with his ability to read defenses as that will come, but I want to see him in command. Is he the leader in the huddle? Be the man, BJ. The back-up role is his to lose.

At RB, I am anxious for the toys to be put on display! Showcase Lacy & Franklin. Let Lacy show the faithful what he's made of. Let's see Franklin hopping on the Lambeau turf! While Starks is reportedly looking like the beast who helped carry us to an XLV title, I remain curious as to whether he can make it through the preseason on a healthy note. Alex Green's lifeline might depend on DuJuan Harris' availability. Suddenly, the running back situation in Green Bay is a topic for what is potentially a promising aspect of the roster. I wonder if Pease is hidden in an effort for the Packers to tuck him on the practice squad, much like they did with Coleman last year.

At WR, the Packers are going thru a nail biting evaluation. After the top 3, nothing is set. The injuries to Charles Johnson and Kevin Dorsey are extremely frustrating. They're missing crucial time for their development. And, thus, the door is wide open for the likes of Jeremy Ross, Jarrett Boykin, Myles White & Omarius Hines. Ross can steal a roster spot via special teams. Boykin needs to repeat his preseason from last year. White has all of the tools, but he's got to put them to use when the lights are on. A week ago, Hines was unsigned. Today, he's going to get a golden opportunity to make a push for a roster spot. With all of this said, I'm shining my spotlight on one man: Tyrone Walker. I absolutely love that he's sporting #83. For those that know me, you know that I idolized Mark Clayton growing up. There's something special about an undersized WR wearing #83. Walker stands 5'10. He's 191 lbs. The door is wide-open for him to make a run at the roster. Though I've never seen him in person, I'm calling my shot: Tyrone Walker is my sleeper to make the 2013 Packers roster. Excited to see him on Family Night.

At TE, I'm really interested in seeing 3 guys: Andrew Quarless, Matthew Mulligan and Brandon Bostick. If Quarless is healthy, he's going to make the team. Has he recovered? I was disappointed to hear that he was held out of practice. I'm curious as to whether he plays on Family Night.

Two years ago, the Packers selected DJ Williams. I thought Ted Thompson had drafted a 5th round steal. Williams has been an absolute disappointment. Can Bostick get down the seam and make the play in traffic? So far, Williams has failed to make an impact. At some point, Bostick will get his chance. Carpe diem, Brandon. Finally, when the Packers lost Tom Crabtree, they lost their best blocking TE. This is Matthew Mulligan's specialty. Thus far, Ryan Taylor has been just another guy. With the Packers newly found commitment to the run game, Mulligan is staring a roster spot in the face. I'm excited to see him playing a blocking H-Back role. Can he open up holes and sustain his block?

On the OL, I am curious about two things:

1.) Is Barclay able to play Center?
2.) How does David Bakhtiari hold up?

I'm pulling for the starting OL to be Bulaga, Sitton, Barclay, Lang, and Bakhtiari. It's our best opportunity for creating a bruising running game. Sitton has displayed continuity with Bulaga and Barclay in the past. Barclay has the strength, athleticism and wit to play the position, but can he learn the role in a short time frame? He's never played the position before. It seems like a tall task. I like Marshall Newhouse. He's full of class. He's a decent pass blocker, but he has never emerged as a run blocker. Bakhtiari has been a bright spot in camp. Go win the job, David!

On the DL, I cannot wait to see Datone Jones go beastly. Curious as to whether he lines up next to Perry or CM3. With Ryan Pickett nearing the end of his time in Green Bay (he's a FA after this year), the Packers must have a contingency plan. Gilbert Pena is in camp to compete for a roster spot - possibly on the practice squad. In the XLV run, Howard Green played a huge role. Pena carries a similar stature to Green. The Big Beefy lineup that included both Pickett & Green was an integral component to a defense that grew into a Champion. Can Pena earn a similar role in a crowded unit? 

Also, on the DL, the Packers have failed to generate any pressure over the last two years. The interior of the line has been stymied in crucial situations. BJ Raji needs help. And, while Jones is the answer, Raji is a FA after this year. The Packers need depth. Mike Daniels has flashed the ability to handle the role, but the Packers need more consistency out of him. His brute strength could be a difference maker. Also, Josh Boyd was drafted to be an interior presence. He has a bull rush that can move the line. Does it translate at the next level?

At OLB, I want to see Nick Perry drop into space. I want to see him be a bruiser on the outside. I want to see multiple moves outside of the bull rush. Has he learned the CM3 patented duck-under move? What has he added to his arsenal? 

For years, McCarthy has stressed availability. Suddenly, Nate Palmer and Dezman Moses are injured. Though Palmer has returned to the practice field, every snap is crucial for him. Every year, the Packers have an UDFA who elevates during the preseason and propels himself into a prominent role on the team. This year, it would appear that OLB is a prime position for that to happen. Prior to the first OTA, my money was on Andy Mulumba. He's going to get his chance. Immediately. So will Donte Savage and Jarvis Reed. All have ideal height-weight combinations. Can any of them hold the edge, pressure the QB and drop in coverage? I will be tuned in.

At ILB, I have been waiting 4 years for someone to supplant AJ Hawk. And, while it's not happening this year, I don't think it's far fetched to see someone steal snaps from him this year. I believe in Jamari Lattimore. He's a former OLB who could pressure the QB. I am excited to see him come on an inside blitz. It seems as though he should be a natural as an extra man on the blitz. I want to see his recognition. How does he drop in coverage? He showed glimpses of goodness in the preseason last year. He's battling illness. I hope he's on the field on Family Night. Last year, Terrell Manning often found himself sucked in and gobbled up by FB's and OL. I was thrilled with his selection last year. I'm hoping he plays with better awareness. Also, don't forget about Robert Francois who was a prominent special teams player and played admirably in his 2 games a ILB in '11. Finally, for the first time, I'll get a chance to see Sam Barrington. He's foreign to me.

At CB, I have to believe that T-Mon, Sammy Swagga, Show-Case, Ras House, Micah Hyde, and J-Bush are locks to make the team. But, the safety position, the Packers are looking awfully thin. After Burnett, Jennings and McMillan, we are left with a bunch of no-names. Sean Richardson is still injured. So we are left to find out:  Who are David Fulton, Chris Banjo, and Chaz Powell? I watch a lot of football. I know nothing about any of them. Yet it remains conceivable that one of them will be on the Week 1 roster. Kinda crazy. 

I'm stoked for my first look of the 2013 team. It's upon us, G-Force. Pump up the volume!

Go Pack Go!

Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com

My Take -> Offseason Review & Training Camp Preview

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

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