Greetings, G-Force.
After putting himself to win the first two rounds of the NFL Draft, Ted Thompson stayed aggressive on the defensive side of the ball. Mike Daniels, Jerron McMillan and Terrell Manning will all be expected to make an impact in 2012. To close the Draft, Thompson went with two solid developmental players in Andrew Datko and BJ Coleman.
Candidly, I can't say I know much about either Daniels or McMillan. Daniels is an undersized DL who has showed a pension for getting to the QB. Last year, he had 9 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss. The year before he had 11 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. From the minimal film that I've seen, it appears as though Daniels understands leverage and goes for the first punch prior to pushing the OL into the backfield. With Mike Neal out for the first 4 games and Anthony Hargrove out for the first 8 games, Daniels might be asked to make an immediate impact in the DL rotation.
I've never seen Jerron McMillan play football. Though I watched the Combine, I don't recall him even though he had a terrific performance as he ran the 40 in 4.36 and had a vertical of 39 inches. From what I read, he won't necessarily be the guy to replace the huge hole left by the release of Nintendo Nick Collins. While Nintendo Nick was a playmaking DB who roamed the center of the field, it appears McMillan is best suited to play at the line of scrimmage. He's been described as a fearless blitzer. He had 3.5 sacks last year. My initial thought is that he'll compete for the starting Safety spot across from Morgan Burnett. Burnett has shown the ability to be a ballhawk. With that, it's possible that McMillan could be an ideal compliment to Burnett.
When Thompson traded up for Terrell Manning, I was ultra surprised. Manning has an injury riddled history. Clearly, Thompson wanted him as he gave up a 6th and two 7th's to jump up and get him. Unlike Daniels and McMillan, I have great familiarity with Manning. Manning will get sideline-to-sideline. He moves well in space, but doesn't always take the best angle towards the ball. He plays fairly well in coverage. He sheds blocks decently even though he occasionally plays too high. He's dreaded! He plays with great intensity. I didn't have him on the Packers radar for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, I thought he'd be picked in the 3rd Round, which I figured was too early for the Packers to draft an ILB. Secondly, Manning is leaner than the other ILB's on the roster. In some ways, I wondered if Manning was best suited as a 4-3 ILB and this pick made me wonder if the Packers were going to play a little 4-3 in 2012. Either way, I see Manning as a player who will successfully perform on special teams this year.
In Andrew Datko, Ted Thompson rolled the dice. If Datko stays healthy, the Packers might end up with a steal in the 2012 NFL Draft. He's aggressive. He's athletic. He uses his hands extremely well. And when his shoulder is healthy, he's got the strength required to play LT in the NFL. Had he stayed healthy throughout his college career, he'd have had the talent to be worthy of a 1st Round pick. But, Datko has been littered with injuries. Love the pick at the end of the 7th Round. Great value. If Datko can stay healthy, the Packers might have a gem.
With his last pick of the 2012 NFL Draft, Thompson grabbed BJ Coleman. Let me put it this way: I'm not a draftnik, but man, when I watched the QB's in the 2012 NFL Draft and how their games, size, speed and arm strength translated to the NFL; I looked at it this way: Andrew Luck and RGIII are way above everyone. After them, I thought that you could bunch Ryan Tannehill, Kirk Cousins, BJ Coleman, Brandon Weeden and Russell Wilson together. I seriously believe that BJ Coleman has the talent to eventually be the 3rd best QB to come out of this draft. Granted, unless an injury occurs to the NFL's MVP, Coleman won't get the opportunities that Tannehill and Weeden will get, but he could be Mr. August in 2013 and 2014. He's athletic. He has a cannon of an arm. He can make all of the throws. He's precise. After the Draft, I watched the East West Shrine Game again. Coleman was rock solid. He grabbed control of the huddle. He was accurate. He threw the out pass. He threw the crossing route. He fit balls into tight spaces down the seam. He moved his feet well. For a 7th Round pick, there wasn't much to dislike. I will say that I have minute concerns about his attitude as I hear that he can occasionally get down on his WR's if they run the wrong route or drop passes. I understand that he'll get in your face and criticize. He's not always constructive. Regardless, he's a competitor. And, in the 7th Round, I love this pick. Hell, in my pre-Mock, I had the Packers drafting him in Round 5!
The Packers also signed a handful of undrafted FA's. If you've followed the blog for a while, you'll know that I watched a lot of Vanderbilt football last year. Two players consistently impressed me: Casey Hayward and Sean Richardson. Richardson is not a ball hawk. Instead, he's a sure tackling safety who will make a living in the box. He hits with a vengeance. He's a bit of a tweener as he might be too big for safety and too small for LB. Nonetheless, he's a football player who was a high impact player in the SEC. It'll be interesting to see where the Packers line him up.
Marc Tyler is a fun signing. Ted Thompson loves bloodlines. Tyler has them. Coming off a disappointing college career, Tyler will be animated to prove the critics wrong. He isn't going to run by anyone, but he's powerful, he's instinctive and he hits the hole with passion. Additionally, since he was in a thick rotation at USC, he doesn't have a lot of wear and tear on his legs. At one point during the college season, he was projected as a mid-round pick. I can't guarantee that he'll make the team, but he'll definitely be in the mix as training camp commences.
I'll be curious to follow Nic Cooper, Dale Moss, Dion Turner and Dezman Moses. Cooper has beast like statistics at the collegiate level and it's anticipated that the Packers will move him to FB. Moss was a basketball player and at 6-4, 215, he presents himself as a potential match-up problem. He'll likely try to find his way onto the practice squad. At 6-0, 195, Turner has the height and weight that the Packers target for the position. At 6-3, 248, Moses has the ideal physique for an OLB in the 3-4. Additionally, Moses had a productive college career with 9.5 sacks last year. Further, the deep roots between the Packers front office and the University of Iowa has been well documented. With that said, it's important to note that Moses began his college career in Iowa.
The first rookie camp is this week. I can't wait to see our new toys in uniform!
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/#!/buzzboy3
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
My Take -> Draft Review (Rounds 1-3)
Greetings, G-Force.
It's been said before and it'll be said again, but Ted Thompson is a master of the NFL Draft. If he were playing "Go Fish" - he'd be saying "I got what I wanted!" Prior to the draft, I thought Thompson's mission would be to bring intensity to the defense. In 2011, the Packers defense lacked attitude. In the 2012 NFL Draft, Thompson was aggressive in his approach to add the ferocious mindset that was glaringly absent in the 2011 defense. While the naysayers will write about question marks surrounding the Packers first 3 selections, you won't read that from me. With the additions of Nick Perry & Jerel Worthy, the Packers suddenly have an intimidating look to the Front 7. The Perry and Worthy selections also brought the intensity and added to match that of Kevin Greene & Mike Trgovac. Greene & Trgovac are guaranteed to be salivating over the notion of coaching Perry & Worthy.
It was October 29, 2011. I turned on the Stanford v USC game. Had to see more of David DeCastro, Andrew Luck, and Jonathan Martin. While I wasn't overly high on Martin, I thought DeCastro and Luck were two of the best players I had seen in college football. Stanford dropped 56 points on USC. Regardless, the player who impressed me the most was Nick Perry. Perry consistently pushed Martin backwards. He ran around Martin. He ran through him. After the game, I said to my wife, "*, what are we doing next Friday night?" She said, "nothing." I said, "we're going to the USC v Colorado game. I'm buying tickets. We're going into the Stadium an hour early. I have to watch Nick Perry workout. The Packers have to draft this guy."
The next day, I called my good friend, Stack, and told him that I wanted the Packers to draft Nick Perry. He was the solution to our pass rush woes.
A week later, we walked into Folsom Field just over an hour before the game. There was Perry. Ripped up. Mean as could be. Looking like a baller. I pulled out the camera. Flashed a couple of photos. Meanwhile, * fields a phone call. I paraphrase, but she says something along the lines of "I'm standing inside a football stadium watching Scottie take pictures of nothing. And we're on a college campus, so they don't sell beer. And he didn't sneak any liquor into the Stadium." Little did she know - I was taking pictures of the Packers future 1st Round pick.
Fast forward to last week. I didn't foresee Perry lasting until pick #28. He did. And with that selection, the Packers added an absolute beast. The naysayers will shout "boom or bust." They'll question his work ethic. They'll say he is a "square peg in a round hole" in Dom Capers' 3-4 defense. And - while some of this is potentially true - I see it completely different. To start - I don't believe Perry needs to be a 3-down player. He needs to be a 3rd down player, much like Aldon Smith was for the 49ers this year. He has to come in well-rested. Full of energy. Full of anger. Ready to attack the QB. I see him as a pass rusher who should bring a minimum of 7 sacks in 2012. He'll punish QB's. He'll attack with a variety of pass rush moves that will confuse OL. As far as his work ethic is concerned, there is no way that Kevin Greene will allow him to slack off.
Be excited, G-Force. Nick Perry, while wearing #53, will be attacking the likes of Ray Nutler and Matthew Stafford. And he is coming with a vengeance!
Jerel Worthy! Yes! Jerel Worthy! I would have been stoked to get Worthy in Round 1. I'm absolutely amazed that he fell as low as he did. Absolutely shocked. Thompson's aggressive stroke needs to be applauded at peak volume. Worthy is a stud. Admittedly, I've questioned Worthy before. I didn't like how he was calling out his teammates on the final drive of the Spartans victory over the Badgers in East Lansing last year - especially after he sat out portions of the 4th Quarter with cramps. I didn't like when I saw him on the bench on 3rd downs against the Badgers in the Big 10 championship and then again in the Outback Bowl against Georgia. It frustrated me. It confused me. He'd dominate 1st and 2nd down. Then, he'd be on the sideline on 3rd down. I still don't understand why this occurred. I wish I could find out.
Even though he often times played only 2 downs, Worthy still dominated games. He irritated OL's. He won the leverage battle. He's the kind of guy that you hate when he's on the opposition, but you love if he's on your team. He was physical. He walked with a possessed demeanor. A nasty temperament. He was beastly. And, today, he's a Green Bay Packer.
Again, the naysayers will say he is a "boom or bust" player. For me, I can't imagine Trgovac allowing Worthy to take plays off. Trgovac will be in Worthy's face if Jerel goes lazy. Further, the Packers figure to have the ability to form an interesting rotation of DL. Pickett and Raji will be fixtures in the rotation. While CJ Wilson isn't a world beater, he is a decent run stopper. Barring suspension, Anthony Hargrove will bring a nastiness that has been missing along the defensive front. Suddenly, Mike Neal has to perform or else his stay in Green Bay might be short lived. Daniel Muir is coming in to compete for a roster spot. Jarius Wynn, thanks for being the first Packer to sack Brett Favre, but I can't imagine him being on the roster next year. Don't forget about Lawrence Guy. I'll be surprised if Guy doesn't play at least a minimal role in the rotation this year. There is also Mike Daniels in the mix. But, I'm going to save Daniels for the next post. The point is this: Worthy will be fresh. To start, he'll be rotational. He'll be put in position to succeed. He'll be well rested. He'll be animated. He'll be challenged. He'll be ready to attack. Beware Ray Nutler: Worthy is on the prowl. And - as for the naysayers - well, they aren't "WORTHY!"
The brilliance of Ted Thompson continued as the NFL Draft neared the end of Round 2. Man, I love the game of Casey Hayward. Hayward picked off 6 passes in 2010. He picked off 7 passes in 2011. If you've been following along, you know that I've been a big Hayward fan for most of the last year. I had him mocked to the Packers. I see him as a great compliment to T-Mon. He'll get his hands on the ball. I initially started watching Vanderbilt due to Aaron Rodgers brother, Jordan. For those that don't know, Jordan Rodgers became the starting QB for Vanderbilt. The 1st game I tuned in to see Vanderbilt play was against South Carolina. Admittedly, I wanted to watch Alshon Jeffery - who became the Bears 2nd round pick. Instead, it was Hayward who grabbed my attention. Jeffery had two catches. So did Hayward. Instantly, I was attached. He's aggressive. He's a fighter. He jumps routes. Reads the QB well. At Vanderbilt, I watched him play 6 games. In those games, he had 5 interceptions. Consistently, he was around the ball. Additionally, I watched him in the Senior Bowl. He picked off a pass in the end zone in that game. Through the 7 games that I watched intently, Hayward ran with WR's. He covered the deep ball. He undercut crossing routes. He accurately jumped slants. Hayward played with intelligence. He was a gamer who sold his soul to make a play on the ball. He'll undoubtedly make an impact this year. And he'll do so with pizzazz.
Three players. All will make a difference in 2012. Suddenly, the Packers have a defense that intimidates. Ted Thompson knows that the window with the current roster make-up might be limited. Sir Charles is nearing the end. So is Double-D. Pro Bowlers Greg Jennings, Clay Matthews, Aaron Rodgers, and BJ Raji all need contractual extensions. Same with TJ Lang. It'll be tough to keep everyone. So, Thompson went aggressive this offseason. He re-upped J-Mike. He added Jeff Saturday. Then he revamped the Packers defense by trading up more than any other GM during the NFL Draft. Yes, once again, Ted Thompson was masterful on Draft weekend.
Go Pack Go.
Talkin S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/#!/buzzboy3
It's been said before and it'll be said again, but Ted Thompson is a master of the NFL Draft. If he were playing "Go Fish" - he'd be saying "I got what I wanted!" Prior to the draft, I thought Thompson's mission would be to bring intensity to the defense. In 2011, the Packers defense lacked attitude. In the 2012 NFL Draft, Thompson was aggressive in his approach to add the ferocious mindset that was glaringly absent in the 2011 defense. While the naysayers will write about question marks surrounding the Packers first 3 selections, you won't read that from me. With the additions of Nick Perry & Jerel Worthy, the Packers suddenly have an intimidating look to the Front 7. The Perry and Worthy selections also brought the intensity and added to match that of Kevin Greene & Mike Trgovac. Greene & Trgovac are guaranteed to be salivating over the notion of coaching Perry & Worthy.
It was October 29, 2011. I turned on the Stanford v USC game. Had to see more of David DeCastro, Andrew Luck, and Jonathan Martin. While I wasn't overly high on Martin, I thought DeCastro and Luck were two of the best players I had seen in college football. Stanford dropped 56 points on USC. Regardless, the player who impressed me the most was Nick Perry. Perry consistently pushed Martin backwards. He ran around Martin. He ran through him. After the game, I said to my wife, "*, what are we doing next Friday night?" She said, "nothing." I said, "we're going to the USC v Colorado game. I'm buying tickets. We're going into the Stadium an hour early. I have to watch Nick Perry workout. The Packers have to draft this guy."
The next day, I called my good friend, Stack, and told him that I wanted the Packers to draft Nick Perry. He was the solution to our pass rush woes.
A week later, we walked into Folsom Field just over an hour before the game. There was Perry. Ripped up. Mean as could be. Looking like a baller. I pulled out the camera. Flashed a couple of photos. Meanwhile, * fields a phone call. I paraphrase, but she says something along the lines of "I'm standing inside a football stadium watching Scottie take pictures of nothing. And we're on a college campus, so they don't sell beer. And he didn't sneak any liquor into the Stadium." Little did she know - I was taking pictures of the Packers future 1st Round pick.
Fast forward to last week. I didn't foresee Perry lasting until pick #28. He did. And with that selection, the Packers added an absolute beast. The naysayers will shout "boom or bust." They'll question his work ethic. They'll say he is a "square peg in a round hole" in Dom Capers' 3-4 defense. And - while some of this is potentially true - I see it completely different. To start - I don't believe Perry needs to be a 3-down player. He needs to be a 3rd down player, much like Aldon Smith was for the 49ers this year. He has to come in well-rested. Full of energy. Full of anger. Ready to attack the QB. I see him as a pass rusher who should bring a minimum of 7 sacks in 2012. He'll punish QB's. He'll attack with a variety of pass rush moves that will confuse OL. As far as his work ethic is concerned, there is no way that Kevin Greene will allow him to slack off.
Be excited, G-Force. Nick Perry, while wearing #53, will be attacking the likes of Ray Nutler and Matthew Stafford. And he is coming with a vengeance!
Jerel Worthy! Yes! Jerel Worthy! I would have been stoked to get Worthy in Round 1. I'm absolutely amazed that he fell as low as he did. Absolutely shocked. Thompson's aggressive stroke needs to be applauded at peak volume. Worthy is a stud. Admittedly, I've questioned Worthy before. I didn't like how he was calling out his teammates on the final drive of the Spartans victory over the Badgers in East Lansing last year - especially after he sat out portions of the 4th Quarter with cramps. I didn't like when I saw him on the bench on 3rd downs against the Badgers in the Big 10 championship and then again in the Outback Bowl against Georgia. It frustrated me. It confused me. He'd dominate 1st and 2nd down. Then, he'd be on the sideline on 3rd down. I still don't understand why this occurred. I wish I could find out.
Even though he often times played only 2 downs, Worthy still dominated games. He irritated OL's. He won the leverage battle. He's the kind of guy that you hate when he's on the opposition, but you love if he's on your team. He was physical. He walked with a possessed demeanor. A nasty temperament. He was beastly. And, today, he's a Green Bay Packer.
Again, the naysayers will say he is a "boom or bust" player. For me, I can't imagine Trgovac allowing Worthy to take plays off. Trgovac will be in Worthy's face if Jerel goes lazy. Further, the Packers figure to have the ability to form an interesting rotation of DL. Pickett and Raji will be fixtures in the rotation. While CJ Wilson isn't a world beater, he is a decent run stopper. Barring suspension, Anthony Hargrove will bring a nastiness that has been missing along the defensive front. Suddenly, Mike Neal has to perform or else his stay in Green Bay might be short lived. Daniel Muir is coming in to compete for a roster spot. Jarius Wynn, thanks for being the first Packer to sack Brett Favre, but I can't imagine him being on the roster next year. Don't forget about Lawrence Guy. I'll be surprised if Guy doesn't play at least a minimal role in the rotation this year. There is also Mike Daniels in the mix. But, I'm going to save Daniels for the next post. The point is this: Worthy will be fresh. To start, he'll be rotational. He'll be put in position to succeed. He'll be well rested. He'll be animated. He'll be challenged. He'll be ready to attack. Beware Ray Nutler: Worthy is on the prowl. And - as for the naysayers - well, they aren't "WORTHY!"
The brilliance of Ted Thompson continued as the NFL Draft neared the end of Round 2. Man, I love the game of Casey Hayward. Hayward picked off 6 passes in 2010. He picked off 7 passes in 2011. If you've been following along, you know that I've been a big Hayward fan for most of the last year. I had him mocked to the Packers. I see him as a great compliment to T-Mon. He'll get his hands on the ball. I initially started watching Vanderbilt due to Aaron Rodgers brother, Jordan. For those that don't know, Jordan Rodgers became the starting QB for Vanderbilt. The 1st game I tuned in to see Vanderbilt play was against South Carolina. Admittedly, I wanted to watch Alshon Jeffery - who became the Bears 2nd round pick. Instead, it was Hayward who grabbed my attention. Jeffery had two catches. So did Hayward. Instantly, I was attached. He's aggressive. He's a fighter. He jumps routes. Reads the QB well. At Vanderbilt, I watched him play 6 games. In those games, he had 5 interceptions. Consistently, he was around the ball. Additionally, I watched him in the Senior Bowl. He picked off a pass in the end zone in that game. Through the 7 games that I watched intently, Hayward ran with WR's. He covered the deep ball. He undercut crossing routes. He accurately jumped slants. Hayward played with intelligence. He was a gamer who sold his soul to make a play on the ball. He'll undoubtedly make an impact this year. And he'll do so with pizzazz.
Three players. All will make a difference in 2012. Suddenly, the Packers have a defense that intimidates. Ted Thompson knows that the window with the current roster make-up might be limited. Sir Charles is nearing the end. So is Double-D. Pro Bowlers Greg Jennings, Clay Matthews, Aaron Rodgers, and BJ Raji all need contractual extensions. Same with TJ Lang. It'll be tough to keep everyone. So, Thompson went aggressive this offseason. He re-upped J-Mike. He added Jeff Saturday. Then he revamped the Packers defense by trading up more than any other GM during the NFL Draft. Yes, once again, Ted Thompson was masterful on Draft weekend.
Go Pack Go.
Talkin S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/#!/buzzboy3
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
My Take -> Ultimate Packers Mock Draft
Greetings, G-Force.
I'm not a "draftnik." I just love the NFL, college football and the NFL Draft. And sometimes, yeah, sometimes the guys that I watched during the college year and into the offseason are the same guys that happened to peak the interest of the Green Bay Packers. So, if you've been reading along, you know that I have had a heavy interest in Vinny Curry, Cam Johnson, Derek Wolfe, Adrian Hamilton and Brandon Hardin. I've felt that they were all natural fits for the Packers defensive scheme. And - over the last couple of weeks- it's been widely reported that the Packers seem to have their eyes on each of these prospects.
It's that time of year. The time of year in which Ted Thompson rules the NFL. The time of year when Thompson will remake the Packers roster and fill it with depth. This year - I have full anticipation that Thompson intends to add a physical nature to the defense. Or as Jed Riopelle put it on Facebook: "I have to say that this Anthony Hargrove signing has me pumped. Not because he is a particularly great player, he's good not great, but because he brings something to this D that we have been sorely missing....ATTITUDE!!!!!! A nice pick up by Teddy to fill our (H)-Gap....that's heart baby!!!! Go Pack!!!!" To me, that's perfectly stated. Last year, Thompson went heavy on offense with 5 of the first 6 players he drafted coming on the offensive side of the ball. This year, look for Thompson to aggressively attack the defensive side of the ball.
Admittedly, I didn't get as much research done prior to this years draft as I'd have liked to tackle. Still, I'm equipped to provide a solid take on what I'd do on draft day. As a preface, I've used the CBS NFL Draft website along with the nfldraftcountdown.com and the walterfootball.com websites to gauge a rough estimate as to where players will be drafted. However, I'll only discussed players who I watched play. If I didn't see him play, I won't comment. Oh, and for the 1st time ever, I offer light insight on the OL position. With that, I bring to you, the Ultimate Packers Mock Draft.
Round 1: Let's start here: if I were Ted Thompson, I'd look to trade up. Normally, I'm the guy who says that the Packers should trade down and accumulate picks, but with 12 picks heading into the draft and an absolute need to acquire a playmaking defender in the Front 7, it makes sense for the Packers to try and jump up into the top 22. Whitney Mercilus is an ideal fit to play the 3-4 OLB opposite Clay Matthews. It'd take our 1st and our 3rd to move up into the top 22. It'd take a 1st and a 2nd to move into the top 18. I'd be fine with either. It could be argued that an impact defender on the DL is more important than getting a stallion OLB. If that's the case, it'd be nice to land Jerel Worthy or Devon Still in Round 1. It's possible both could be around when the Packers select at #28. Courtney Upshaw is a talented defender. Not an ideal 3-4 OLB and he doesn't have the size to play DE in the 4-3. I like Upshaw's effort. I like Upshaw's commitment to competition. But, I'm not convinced he's an ideal 3-4 OLB. Nick Perry was a high impact pass rusher. He can get to the QB. It's doubtful he lasts to #28. If he does, I'd consider him. If Nintendo Nick Collins is definitely going to retire, then Mark Barron, S, Alabama makes a lot of sense. He's the best safety in the draft. He has great range. Tremendous instincts. But, I don't see him as our 1st round pick. Dont'a Hightower is an absolute beast on the football field. Love his game. He'd add attitude to the middle of our defense. Pair him with Bishop and you'd have a pair of intimidating ILB's. But, then, what happens with AJ Hawk? For my liking, it's too early to draft Shea McClellin at #28. He'd be a nice 2nd round pick, but I'm not sold on him as a 1st round prospect. I like the way McClellin plays the run. I like the way he drops in coverage. He had success rushing the QB. He's extremely versatile. I'd be happy if the Packers traded up in Round 2 to grab him. He fits what we're looking for, but he doesn't seem to be the Best Player Available at #28. I don't want Chandler Jones at #28. Period. I'm not convinced that Andre Brown, Clemson, is going to be worth a 1st round pick. I like Brown. I don't love him. Even though, he has all of the tools to be a stud at 3-4 in the OLB and it would not shock me if Thompson selected Brown. If so, I'd be optimistic yet cautious. I don't want Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford if he falls to us in the draft even though most would consider him the best player available. I like Kendall Reyes, but not at #28. It's too early for him. I have zero interest in Harrison Smith. Bottom line: my top 4 of the 1st round are Mercilus, Worthy, Still, and Vinny Curry. Since it's doubtful that Mercilus, Worthy or Still are around at #28, I'm selecting Vinny Curry, OLB, Marshall. He's not a perfect fit for the traditional 3-4 OLB, but here me out. He's long. He gets to the edge. He's a high effort guy. And, in some ways, he reminds me of Terrell Suggs. I'm not saying Curry is going to be a HOF worthy player, like Suggs is, but I believe Curry will be a disruptive force. Also, call me crazy, but Clay Matthews has shown that he is talented as a coverage LB. Clay's the complete package. No, I'm not suggesting that Clay's role as a pass rusher should be limited, but if an OLB is required to drop in coverage, Clay is more than capable. With that, I see Curry as a guy with elite pass rushing skills. An ability to be an absolute difference maker. He gets his hands in the air. He uses his hands well. He gets off the ball. He plays faster than he timed at the Combine. Some might say this is a reach. I see him as a typical Ted Thompson "Football Player."
Round 2: Casey Hayward, CB, Vanderbilt. Might be a little early for Hayward, but I like his game. Hayward runs with WR's. When the ball is in the air, he turns and makes a play on the ball. Further, he has solid hands. In some ways, he reminds me of T-Mon.
The best 2nd round prospect on the DL is Brandon Thompson, Clemson. He gets a push. He reads the snap well. He's an aggressor. In my mind, he was the best player on the Clemson defense. At one time, I thought Billy Winn, Boise State, had the ability to be a 1st round pick. Now, I struggle to see him as a 2nd round selection. He's on the ground too often for my liking. I'd be more excited with Jared Crick, NE, even though Crick needs to put on more weight. Still, Crick has the heart to make it on Sundays. He's also a player that fits the Green Bay Way.
I really like the Packers RB situation, so I can't say that I'd aggressively attack the RB position in the draft. Regardless, the 2nd round is loaded with RB talent. Doug Martin, Boise State. Martin would be a classic Ted Thompson "football player" pick. He does it all. He can catch. He'll pound it at you. He'll outrun you. He'll pick up the blitz. He runs low the ground. He's physical. The only thing preventing Martin from being a lock for the Packers in a mock draft is that I can't imagine the Packers drafting a back this high. David Wilson, Virginia Tech. Reminds me of an Alex Green. Plays at his best when he gets in space. Great speed. Would operate well in the Packers system especially in a single-back set. But, again, too early for the Packers to grab. Lamar Miller, []_[]. I love Miller's game. To me, he's the 2nd best back in the draft. He's deceptively strong as a runner. His speed is lethal. If he's ahead of the pack, no one is going to catch him. Every time he touches the ball, he's a threat to score. Chris Polk, Washington, (2). Chris Polk will be a star in the NFL. He has all of the tools to be a 20-carry a game RB. He's possessed with the ball in his hands. He'll run through you. He'll run around you. He'll run by you. I'd take him in a heart beat. Isaiah Pead, Cincy. If you've watched Pead run at the college level, you liked him. He was a do-it-all back for the Bearcats. Caught the ball. Ran the ball. He pass protected. Really, in many ways, he was the Cincy offense last year. He'd put the Bearcats offense on his back. My fear is that he'll be similar to Javon Ringer. Great college career, but just not cut out to be a star at the next level.
Besides RB, I expect a run on OLB's in the 2nd Round. How can you not love Bobby Wagner? Most every team would cherish his versatility. He could play ILB as well as OLB. He can play in the 3-4 as well as the 4-3. Bruce Irvin, WVU, has elite speed, but man, he can't stop the run. He might be Jamal Reynolds. He has one move and that's to try and beat you around the corner. He does do a good job of getting his hands in the air. He's best suited for a dome team in which he can use his speed play-in and play-out. Ronnell Lewis, Oklahoma, might be an ideal selection for the Packers. He never produced at the level that was expected of him as a Sooner, but still he gives it his all on every play. He has the non-stop motor that you target. But, his production was not there at the college level and it's largely because he was often injured. If he can stay healthy, he has the tools to be a solid pass rusher at the NFL level. Lavonte David, Nebraska, is too small for the Packers system. Zach Brown, UNC, is an interesting prospect. He has the speed. He has the athleticism. And, he was a playmaker. If Brown lasts until the late 2nd round - which would surprise me - he'd be a tremendous value pick. And, really, it wouldn't shock me if Brown is selected in the 1st Round.
At ILB, I would not be excited if the Packers drafted Mychal Kendricks, Cal. He seems too small and not physical enough for the NFL. Has sideline-to-sideline skills, but I also think he's a prime target to attack on running plays up the gut.
Another CB who could peak the interest of the Packers is Jamell Fleming from Oklahoma. Fleming is a finds the ball in the air. He's got good hands. He plays with instinct. He's well coached. Most other 2nd round CB's seem too small to make it on Sundays include Jayron Hosley, Va Tech; Josh Robinson, UCF; Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama; Brandon Boykin, Georgia; and Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska. With that said, Boykin is absolutely electric. He finds the football and he's a special teams gem. Also, Dennard reminds me of Antoine Winfield. Aggressive. Solid open field tackler. Plays bigger than his height would indicate.
Kirk Cousins, Michigan State. While this would be early for the Packers to invest in a back-up QB, Cousins is worth noting. He had some success in big games leading his team down the stretch. He has the leadership qualities, the intelligence and the arm strength to develop into a solid back-up QB. He'd be a good fit, but it's likely too early for the Packers to draft a QB.
I didn't study the TE position throughout the college season as much as I normally do. I like Coby Fleener's game, but he'll be gone before the Packers would be interested. Dwayne Allen reminds me of Fred Davis, but he, too, will be gone before the Packers look at the TE position. Orson Charles would be a great addition for the Packers offense. He does it all, but I don't see the Packers selecting a TE in the top 100.
I can't say that I'd be overly enthused if the Packers selected George Iloka, S, Boise State in the 2nd Round. Seems like a reach to me. Possibly worth a 3rd round pick, but even then, I don't see him as a guy who is quick enough to man the middle of the field.
Round 3: Ben Jones, C, Georgia. Jones would be a great player to develop beneath Jeff Saturday on the depth chart. Jones has the Green Bay feel to him. Personable. Outgoing. The classic good guy who works hard. A blue collar kind of guy. Many consider him to be the 2nd best Center in the draft.
My second option is Cam Johnson, OLB, Virginia. At one time during the season, I wondered if Cam Johnson might be a 1st round selection. While Johnson doesn't possess the tireless motor that you'd like at OLB in a 3-4, he has shown a great presence rushing the passer. I picture a front 4 on 3rd down that includes Clay Matthews, BJ Raji, Cam Johnson and Vinny Curry. Move them around. Let them loose. We'd get to the QB.
At DE, I'm not interested in Trevor Guyton, Cal. Simply stated. Also, I'm not completely sold on Malik Jackson, Tennessee. I'd rather have Tyrone Crawford, DE, from Boise State. Every time I watched Boise State play, it wasn't McClellan nor Winn that caught my eye, it was Crawford. Consistently, he was disruptive.
Alameda Ta'amu, DL, Washington. Ta'amu would replace Howard Green in the Big Beefy package. He'd also be a good back-up to Ryan Pickett, who has battled injuries. Ta'amu has the size to man the middle in a 3-4. Additionally, at times, he plays way quicker than his weight would suggest. He moves well and carries himself well. I really like Josh Chapman, but his injuries concern me. Though he has beast like qualities, I don't see Marcus Forston, DL, []_[] as a fit for the Packers. Kheeston Randall, DL, Texas, is a physical specimen, but he gets pushed around and doesn't play with the leverage I'd like to see. The same goes for Jay Howard, Florida.
LaMichael James, Oregon. He'll be a 3rd down option for someone. I don't want him. Bernard Pierce, Temple. If the Packers want a younger version of Ryan Grant, Pierce is that option. Straight ahead, one-cut runner who doesn't overwhelm with speed nor power, yet he's a sound decision maker. Does not seem to do anything exceptionally well, but he doesn't have any glaring weaknesses either. He'd fit into the Packers team-first locker room and would be a solid rotational back in our system.
At OLB, Sean Spence, []_[], is a NICE player, but he's too small for the 3-4. Josh Kaddu, Oregon, is also a gifted player and if he put on 10 pounds, he'd make a terrific fit for the 3-4, but at his current weight, he'd be an investment for the future. He'd require a full year to make the impact that the Packers require immediately. Keenan Robinson, Texas, is a guy that you want to love. Plays with great intensity. Love his effort. Love his leadership. Fun to watch. Plays the crowd well, but he, too, is probably too light at this stage to play OLB in a 3-4. Additionally, he is not a dynamic pass rusher at this stage.
Markelle Martin, S, Oklahoma State, has ideal size to play. Looks the part in the uniform. Doesn't always stand out on the field. Still, he has a knack for being around the ball and making the big play.
Round 4: (3 selections) Brandon Hardin, S, Oregon State; Cyrus Gray, RB, Texas A&M, Derek Wolfe, DL, Cincy. If you have followed along, I've always admired Hardin's game. I like his versatility. I like his range. He moves well from sideline-to-sideline. And with the Packers dire need for a Safety, Hardin fits. Eventhough I am not convinced that the Packers have a need at RB, Gray might be too good to pass up. He catches the ball well. He sees the hole and hits it with a vengeance. He blocks well. He'd be a great fit as a rotational back. Wolfe is an ideal fit for the 3-4. He is tireless. He provides a solid push up the middle. In many ways, just as Worthy and Still were to the Big 10, he was the same to the Big East. He beat up OL's in the Big East. High impact player. Would fit in well as a DE in the 3-4. Antonio Allen, S, South Carolina is a guy to watch. Every time I watched Allen play, he was make game changing plays. He is solid in the box. He's a terrific blitzer. He has limitations in coverage, but he'd be able to run and jump with the new version of TE's in the NFL. He has the athleticism to transition. I've long thought he was a 3rd round pick, but it appears he's dropping late in the Draft evaluations. I don't understand it.
It almost bums me out that I didn't select Nigel Bradham, ILB, FSU. He's one of the most versatile LB's in the draft. Some view him as an OLB. I see him as an ideal 3-4 ILB. He gets sideline-to-sideline. He is great in coverage. I could make an argument that when it's all said and done, if Bradshaw plays ILB in a 3-4, he'll end up as the 2nd best ILB in the draft. Really, I should have the Packers selecting him here. I really should. And frankly, I will be shocked if he lasts this far. He's one of my favorite players in the draft. Tank Carder, ILB, TCU, will fight on every possession. He had a huge game against the Badgers in the Rose Bowl 2 years ago. He did not play up to expectations last year.
Philip Blake, C, Baylor. It's been discussed on the "Packer Report" and on "CheeseHeadTV" that the Packers have an interest in Philip Blake. Blake is a big, agile Center who moves well and can get to the 2nd line of defense.
Russell Wilson, WI. It'd be a fun storyline if the Packers draft Wilson. I don't see it happening. He has great mobility. He seems to garner respect in the huddle. He can throw on the run. But, his height is a serious concern. While it'd be exciting if he'd become a Packer and he'd undoubtedly become an instant fan favorite, it's highly unlikely that the Packers will select him. Ryan Lindley, San Diego State. He has the size. He has the athleticism. He has the arm strength to make it at the next level. He has the intangibles to play at the next level. I'd be stoked if the Packers grabbed him as a developmental QB.
Vick Ballard, Mississippi State. It's tough for me to imagine Ballard in the Packers offense. Not blessed with great speed. He also doesn't impress with his toughness as he tries to run through defenders. Plus, he comes from a gimmick offense. He could be a nice rotational back for someone, but I don't see him as much of an upgrade over Brandon Saine.
Al Toon, Wisconsin. Where most Packers fans will want Wilson to be the local selection, I'm pulling for Toon - if he's healthy. He had a great Pro Day. And he was a great player for the Badgers. He also has the bloodlines that you'd look for. He was raised the right way. He'd enjoy playing with the Packers. It's unlikely that he'll end up in Green Bay, but with three 4th round picks, it's possible...if Toon drops this far. Joe Adams, Arkansas and TY Hilton, FIU. Watching Hilton and Adams play is like watching a video game. Both will make you miss. Both are unbelievable fast on the field. Both are too small to play for the Green Bay Packers.
At OLB, Kyle Wilber, Wake Forest, is an interesting prospect. He's not overly consistent. When I watch him, I see Brad Jones. I see a versatile LB who makes the occasional play, but he's also occasionally pushed around. During his bowl game, he was run all over. Mississippi State had success running at him. In the East-West game, Wilber looked like he had an intimidating presence. He both looked and played the part. He was a hard hitter and impressed enough to display himself as a mid-round prospect. Emmanuel Ocho, Texas, has the bloodlines, but I don't see him as a high impact prospect for this year. He, too, would require time to develop.
At CB, for the most part, I like Chase Minnifield, Virginia; Ron Brooks, LSU; Leonard Johnson, Iowa State; and Omar Bolden, Arizona State, but all fall below the 5-11 mark. Therefore, it's unlikely the Packers will select any of them. Minnifield has the commitment to excellence and the bloodlines. Brooks had a solid college career - mostly as a 3rd CB. Johnson was Iowa State's best player. Bolden shows aggressiveness. Still, all are below 5-11.
Michael Egnew, Missouri. Plainly stated, if the Packers are going to draft a TE in the middle rounds, I want it to be Egnew.
Round 5: BJ Coleman, QB, UT Chattanooga. At some point, the Packers have to draft a QB this year. Coleman looks fit for the Packers system. He moves well. He has good size. He looks like a leader and a player who could develop well under McCarthy. Further, he seems to have the intelligence to grab command of the offense in short fashion.
I like Jake Bequette, OLB, Arkansas as an option. It was fun to watch him dominate 2nd team All Big 12 beast, Zach Hanson, in the Cotton Bowl. In my last mock, I had Jacquies Smith, OLB, Missouri as my pick, but he might need too much time to develop. And, I'd be just as happy with Adrian Hamilton two rounds later.
Tauren Poole, Tennessee. A lot of draftniks seem to have a sound appreciation for Poole's game. Admittedly, I've not seen a lot of Poole. But, from what I have seen, he's not someone that I am gaga for. Seems like just another guy to me. Terrance Ganaway. Ganaway is another guy who is tough to project. A statistical monster, he comes from the spread offense. Plays faster than he looks. He'll also not shy away from contact. Still, it's tough to envision him as a Packer. Dan Herron. I love Herron at this stage of the draft. Sure, he has character issues. There is no question about it, but you cannot deny his productivity either. Plays with good speed. Hits the hole with a vengeance and plays with more power than his height & weight might suggest.
Junior Hemmingway, Michigan. Hemmingway never really impressed me. Doesn't seem to run good routes. Doesn't run by you. Makes a decent play on the ball when it's in the air. But, I don't see him as a fit in Green & Gold. Marvin McNutt, Iowa. Like Hemmingway, I question McNutt's route running skills. Regardless, McNutt has the size that NFL GM's like. He's not going to amaze anyone athletically, but he simply finds a way to produce. He is a model of consistency. Week in and week out, McNutt made plays. I like McNutt as a mid-to-late round pick. Jarius Wright, Arkansas. Wright was exciting to watch in college. He has tools to work with. But, his similarities to Randall Cobb make him an unlikely selection. Jeff Fuller, Texas A&M. Fuller has all of the tools to be a solid NFL player, but he seems to lack focus. He's notorious for dropping easy passes. He disappears at times, but when he's in tune with the game, Fuller is a weapon. He has great size. Good speed. He has the intangibles and the upside, but he's also his own biggest limitation. Tommy Streeter, []_[]. I like Streeter. He's a solid deep threat. Runs really well. Makes plays in traffic. Plays the ball in the air. Great height. I'd be excited to see him running inside 1265 Lombardi, but he's likely too similar of a player to Tori Gurley. He's long. He's lanky. He's strides with grace.
Chase Ford, []_[]. Ford is next in the rich tradition of TE's to come out of Coral Gables. But, Ford is different than the others. He doesn't have great speed. And, if it weren't for an impressive offseason, Ford might not be drafted. But, he was great in the East-West game. He fought for the ball in traffic with elite success. Ford struggles as a blocker, but he has the size to be a mismatch as a receiver.
At CB, I would enjoy it if DeQuan Menzie, Alabama, was the selection. Playing across from Dre Kirkpatrick, Menzie was challenged often. Normally, he was up to the task. He's a fighter with bullying tactics. He's aggressive. He'll jam with intensity. He fits. Shaun Prater, Iowa, has all of the intangibles. Jumps routes. Well studied. Clearly, a film rat. But, he's only 5-10.
Duke Ihenacho, S, San Jose State is a hard hitting safety who lacks ideal ball skills. Reminds me a bit of Charlie Peprah. He'll make the occasional play on the ball. He won't always take great angles to the ball. But, when he hits you, you'll feel it.
Round 6: Josh Norman, CB, Coastal Carolina. Norman was the darling of the East-West Shrine Game. At 6-0, 197 lbs, Norman fits the Packers height and weight credentials. Additionally, he runs fairly well. Obviously, playing for a small school, you have to question the competition in which he competed at throughout his college career. Nonetheless, Norman - like Davon House last year - has the tools that Ted Thompson looks for at CB. He gets in your face. He plays with a physical approach and uses his hands well.
I was close to selecting Olivier Vernon, OLB, []_[], with this pick. While Vernon was an underachiever in college, I'm positive that Kevin Greene could do wonders with his game. He has an abundance of talent. It'll be up to him to recognize his potential. Frank Alexander, OLB/DE, Oklahoma is too much of a tweener for me. I'm not sold on Julian Miller, OLB, WVU as a 3-4 OLB in the NFL.
Nick Foles, Arizona. Good value pick for someone late in the draft. Reminds me of Big Ben. Tough to bring down. Huge frame. Extends plays. Surprisingly, he escapes pressure with his feet and moves better than you'd anticipate from looking at him. A gritty football player who had a disappointing end to his college career. Still, he definitely has the skills and physical capacity to be a solid back-up at the next level.
Eric Page, Toledo. Page won't be a Packer. He's a lot like Cobb, but Eric Page is a weapon. He's unique in structure. He demands the ball. He's elusive with the ball in his hands. Powerful for his size. Ultra instinctive. Born to play. And - every time Toledo played - he showed up.
The 6th Round might be the time when Ted Thompson gets hungry for a FB. If so, there are 3 solid options in Brad Smelley, AL, Bradie Ewing, WI, and Emil Igwenagu, Massachusetts. Smelley and Ewing are great blockers with soft hands. Igwenagu would be a vintage Thompson selection. Much like Ryan Taylor last year, he has great versatility. He could play special teams. He could slide out to TE, but he can also line up in the backfield and be a lead blocker.
At ILB, I am interested in some 6th round prospects. It might be a great time to take a shot on someone like Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State; Jerry Franklin, Arkansas; Chris Galippo, USC; or Chris Marve, Vanderbilt. Burfict has 1st round talent and an undraftable attitude, but if he found the right system, he could blossom. At one point, he was compared to Ray Lewis. By the end of his college career, he looked like Torrance Marshall. Still, at this time in the draft, he'd be worth a shot. Franklin is a go-getter. Always in pursuit. Not gifted with elite athleticism. He's plays smart. Takes good angles. Plays with conviction. Galippo is good in coverage. Not an every down LB, but at times, he reminded me of Brandon Chillar. Gets eaten up in the middle. Doesn't always read the hole well, but he drops better than most that I watched at the college level. Nobody will play harder than Marve, who will likely be drafted in the 7th round or go undrafted, but he's the classic work hard ILB, who might bloom in Green Bay. He'd be a try-hard player who'd likely play a special teams role.
At OLB, I view Brandon Lindsey as a non-factor. Don't see him as an upgrade to Brad Jones or Erik Walden. I'd be more excited with Travis Lewis, Oklahoma, who plays with much more speed and intensity. Additionally, he played in a Pro-style defense.
Donnie Fletcher, CB, Boston college was one of the biggest disappointments of the 2011 college football season for me. I really expected him to jump off the map. I thought he had 2nd round potential. He never materialized. He had a hard time staying on the field. Then, he was awful in the Senior Bowl. On the contrary, Robert Blanton, ND, has developed into a draftable CB. He has the physical nature that Thompson seeks. He's a little stiff, but he developed nicely throughout the season and showed that he might be capable of a nickel or a dime role in the NFL. Keith Tandy, WVU, has the heart, but not the height.
Round 7: (4 selections) Adrian Hamilton, OLB, Prarie View A&M; Matt Conrath, DL, Virginia; Najee Goode, ILB, WVU; Ryan Miller, OT, Colorado. I've mentioned it before and I'll say it again, when I went to see the Buffs twice this year, Ryan Miller was one of the only players that did anything of note for the Buffs. He has NFL size and moves his feet fairly well for a big guy. Like him as a developmental prospect.
It's interesting to me that the Packers brought Toney Clemons, WR, Colorado in for a visit. I imagine it was for a potential Undrafted FA visit, but nonetheless, I found it surprising. I saw Clemons play twice and frankly, outside of the opening drive against USC, he didn't do a whole lot to impress me. Granted, the talent around him was limited, but still he didn't appear as though he could be a difference maker at the next level. Chris Owusu, Stanford. Injury concerns make him a late round pick. He has the skills and ability to be picked earlier than this. He is able to be used in a variety of ways as he is a gifted special teams player as well. If he can stay healthy, he could be a steal of a late round selection. BJ Cunningham, Michigan State. I see Cunningham as just another guy. Not going to blow by you. He'll run good routes. Has good hands. He's hard working. He'll fight after the catch. He was a good 3rd down option for Cousins, but he doesn't do any extraordinary. LaVon Brazill, Ohio. Like Cunningham, Brazill has a lot that you like, but it's tough to find anything that you love. Might be a big fish in a small pond. Made big plays at the college level, but unlike Page (who played similar competition), Brazill didn't look to have the ability to offer unique skills at the next level. Additionally, I have questions about his attitude. Jordan White, Western Michigan. 2 ACL injuries are super scary. Ridiculous production offers hope. White will run through you. He'll outfight you when the ball is in the air. In essence, he was the Western Michigan offense and opposing defenses knew it. Regardless, White dominated. When I watched White, I thought he had the ability to play on Sundays however, the ACL injuries are enough to deter me from wanting the Packers to select White. Jermaine Kearse, Washington. Kearse has the size and speed to play in the NFL. But, Kearse is littered with inconsistencies. He disappears. He drops passes. He lacks focus. He struggles to be a weapon for 60 minutes, but when Kearse is in the groove, he makes big plays. If he were able to stay focused, Kearse would have mid-round potential.
I really like the athleticism of Jamie Blatnick, OLB, Oklahoma State, but he disappeared at times during the season. When he was playing at peak performance, he was dominant. If he had showed consistency throughout the year, he'd have been a 3rd to 5th round pick. Kourtniel Brown, OLB, Clemson is an interesting player. Overshadowed by Andre Brown, Kourtniel Brown did not get much attention. Normally, he was single teamed. Rarely did he make the impact you'd expect. Still, he has the size and speed that NFL teams desire at OLB in a 3-4. Broderick Binns, Iowa, was a standout performer early in his career. He was a force for the Hawkeyes, but he didn't develop as I had expected he would.
Kellen Moore, Boise State. How can you not cheer for Kellen Moore? He's a great interview. He's personable. He's a winner. He lacks big time ability in all of the measurables, but he excels with too things you can't measure: heart and win. He's loaded with mental mettle. He's a gamer. But, the reality is that it's tough to imagine him being a successful player at the next level. Athletically, he simply has too many deficiencies. Case Keenum, Houston. He's a mirror image of Graham Harrell. Slightly undersized. Came from a spread offense. Played out of shotgun for most of his career. Statistically, he was an absolute beast who reveled in the notion of whipping the deep ball. Stephen Garcia, South Carolina. It's doubtful that he'll get drafted. He's a mental headcase. But, man, when this guy was focused he had the grit that Ted Thompson would love. Have to appreciate Garcia's athleticism. His arm is legit. He's fearless. However, he's a poor decision maker both on and off of the field.
Davin Meggett. He never "wow'd" me. Whenever I saw Maryland play, I never felt that I saw and play and felt like he was a guy that I'd like to have in Green Bay. He has great bloodlines, but he's a drastically different runner than his Dad. Good power to his game, but I just don't see it. Brandon Bolden, Mississippi. Personally, I'd take Bolden in the 7th before I'd take Ballard or Poole in the 4th through 6th rounds. Bolden has some injury concerns, but he also has the nose for the end zone. He isn't going to blow you away with his speed or strength, but he simply produces. He has solid football instincts. Finds the marker. Gets to the sticks. Additionally, he has good hands out of the backfield.
One guy that I'd love to have on the Packers is Markus Zusevics, OT, Iowa. I think he'd be a great 7th round pick or an undrafted FA. Like his agility. Moves well. Injuries probably derailed his draft stock, but he has tremendous upside and I could see him playing in the NFL for the next 8-10 years. I believe he could blossom into an NFL starter. Rightfully so, he was always overshadowed by Riley Reiff. Keep an eye on his name towards the end of the draft. Someone will be really happy to have him. He's taller and a lighter than Tauscher, but he's a battler in a similar way to Tauscher.
At OLB, I'd be stoked with Sammy Brown, Houston. He can get to the QB. He's undersized and might be too similar to Lattimore to take a shot, but still Brown found the QB with consistency at the college level. Cameron Collins, Oregon State, was a total disappointment at WI. Has the height, but he's a little light.
The Packers will likely be players at the Safety position in either the 7th Round or as undrafted FA's. Sean Richardson, Vanderbilt, is the best of the prospects at this stage. Between Richardson & Hayward, Vanderbilt had a couple of legitimate DB prospects. Richardson plays with great energy and focus. Charles Mitchell, Mississippi State, often is lost in the secondary, but he possesses the leadership skills that are required. Lance Mitchell, Oregon State, has battled injury and is coming off of a disappointing Senior year. Winston Guy, Kentucky, is likely too stiff for the big leagues and doesn't always carry his weight well, but he's intimidating as a Safety and has a pension for the occasional big play. He's active, but he doesn't turn overly well, but he was a play maker in the SEC. He has limitations - no doubt - but, he's likely worth a late round draft pick. Tramain Thomas, Arkansas, is a solid 7th round pick. I think higher of him than most seem to. Playing against elite competition, Thomas was often one of the better players on the field and had a nose for forcing turnovers or breaking up passes on 3rd down. Jerrell Young, South Florida, has the size to play, but I don't see him as having the instincts or ball skills to play at the next level.
In all, expect the Packers to go heavy on the defensive side of the ball. Last year, Ted Thompson built special teams and offensive units that flourished. This year - he'll aim to do the same with the defensive side of the ball. Would you bet against him? I wouldn't it.
In Ted I Trust.
Go Pack Go!
Cheers,
Talkin' S-Mac.
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I'm not a "draftnik." I just love the NFL, college football and the NFL Draft. And sometimes, yeah, sometimes the guys that I watched during the college year and into the offseason are the same guys that happened to peak the interest of the Green Bay Packers. So, if you've been reading along, you know that I have had a heavy interest in Vinny Curry, Cam Johnson, Derek Wolfe, Adrian Hamilton and Brandon Hardin. I've felt that they were all natural fits for the Packers defensive scheme. And - over the last couple of weeks- it's been widely reported that the Packers seem to have their eyes on each of these prospects.
It's that time of year. The time of year in which Ted Thompson rules the NFL. The time of year when Thompson will remake the Packers roster and fill it with depth. This year - I have full anticipation that Thompson intends to add a physical nature to the defense. Or as Jed Riopelle put it on Facebook: "I have to say that this Anthony Hargrove signing has me pumped. Not because he is a particularly great player, he's good not great, but because he brings something to this D that we have been sorely missing....ATTITUDE!!!!!! A nice pick up by Teddy to fill our (H)-Gap....that's heart baby!!!! Go Pack!!!!" To me, that's perfectly stated. Last year, Thompson went heavy on offense with 5 of the first 6 players he drafted coming on the offensive side of the ball. This year, look for Thompson to aggressively attack the defensive side of the ball.
Admittedly, I didn't get as much research done prior to this years draft as I'd have liked to tackle. Still, I'm equipped to provide a solid take on what I'd do on draft day. As a preface, I've used the CBS NFL Draft website along with the nfldraftcountdown.com and the walterfootball.com websites to gauge a rough estimate as to where players will be drafted. However, I'll only discussed players who I watched play. If I didn't see him play, I won't comment. Oh, and for the 1st time ever, I offer light insight on the OL position. With that, I bring to you, the Ultimate Packers Mock Draft.
Round 1: Let's start here: if I were Ted Thompson, I'd look to trade up. Normally, I'm the guy who says that the Packers should trade down and accumulate picks, but with 12 picks heading into the draft and an absolute need to acquire a playmaking defender in the Front 7, it makes sense for the Packers to try and jump up into the top 22. Whitney Mercilus is an ideal fit to play the 3-4 OLB opposite Clay Matthews. It'd take our 1st and our 3rd to move up into the top 22. It'd take a 1st and a 2nd to move into the top 18. I'd be fine with either. It could be argued that an impact defender on the DL is more important than getting a stallion OLB. If that's the case, it'd be nice to land Jerel Worthy or Devon Still in Round 1. It's possible both could be around when the Packers select at #28. Courtney Upshaw is a talented defender. Not an ideal 3-4 OLB and he doesn't have the size to play DE in the 4-3. I like Upshaw's effort. I like Upshaw's commitment to competition. But, I'm not convinced he's an ideal 3-4 OLB. Nick Perry was a high impact pass rusher. He can get to the QB. It's doubtful he lasts to #28. If he does, I'd consider him. If Nintendo Nick Collins is definitely going to retire, then Mark Barron, S, Alabama makes a lot of sense. He's the best safety in the draft. He has great range. Tremendous instincts. But, I don't see him as our 1st round pick. Dont'a Hightower is an absolute beast on the football field. Love his game. He'd add attitude to the middle of our defense. Pair him with Bishop and you'd have a pair of intimidating ILB's. But, then, what happens with AJ Hawk? For my liking, it's too early to draft Shea McClellin at #28. He'd be a nice 2nd round pick, but I'm not sold on him as a 1st round prospect. I like the way McClellin plays the run. I like the way he drops in coverage. He had success rushing the QB. He's extremely versatile. I'd be happy if the Packers traded up in Round 2 to grab him. He fits what we're looking for, but he doesn't seem to be the Best Player Available at #28. I don't want Chandler Jones at #28. Period. I'm not convinced that Andre Brown, Clemson, is going to be worth a 1st round pick. I like Brown. I don't love him. Even though, he has all of the tools to be a stud at 3-4 in the OLB and it would not shock me if Thompson selected Brown. If so, I'd be optimistic yet cautious. I don't want Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford if he falls to us in the draft even though most would consider him the best player available. I like Kendall Reyes, but not at #28. It's too early for him. I have zero interest in Harrison Smith. Bottom line: my top 4 of the 1st round are Mercilus, Worthy, Still, and Vinny Curry. Since it's doubtful that Mercilus, Worthy or Still are around at #28, I'm selecting Vinny Curry, OLB, Marshall. He's not a perfect fit for the traditional 3-4 OLB, but here me out. He's long. He gets to the edge. He's a high effort guy. And, in some ways, he reminds me of Terrell Suggs. I'm not saying Curry is going to be a HOF worthy player, like Suggs is, but I believe Curry will be a disruptive force. Also, call me crazy, but Clay Matthews has shown that he is talented as a coverage LB. Clay's the complete package. No, I'm not suggesting that Clay's role as a pass rusher should be limited, but if an OLB is required to drop in coverage, Clay is more than capable. With that, I see Curry as a guy with elite pass rushing skills. An ability to be an absolute difference maker. He gets his hands in the air. He uses his hands well. He gets off the ball. He plays faster than he timed at the Combine. Some might say this is a reach. I see him as a typical Ted Thompson "Football Player."
Round 2: Casey Hayward, CB, Vanderbilt. Might be a little early for Hayward, but I like his game. Hayward runs with WR's. When the ball is in the air, he turns and makes a play on the ball. Further, he has solid hands. In some ways, he reminds me of T-Mon.
The best 2nd round prospect on the DL is Brandon Thompson, Clemson. He gets a push. He reads the snap well. He's an aggressor. In my mind, he was the best player on the Clemson defense. At one time, I thought Billy Winn, Boise State, had the ability to be a 1st round pick. Now, I struggle to see him as a 2nd round selection. He's on the ground too often for my liking. I'd be more excited with Jared Crick, NE, even though Crick needs to put on more weight. Still, Crick has the heart to make it on Sundays. He's also a player that fits the Green Bay Way.
I really like the Packers RB situation, so I can't say that I'd aggressively attack the RB position in the draft. Regardless, the 2nd round is loaded with RB talent. Doug Martin, Boise State. Martin would be a classic Ted Thompson "football player" pick. He does it all. He can catch. He'll pound it at you. He'll outrun you. He'll pick up the blitz. He runs low the ground. He's physical. The only thing preventing Martin from being a lock for the Packers in a mock draft is that I can't imagine the Packers drafting a back this high. David Wilson, Virginia Tech. Reminds me of an Alex Green. Plays at his best when he gets in space. Great speed. Would operate well in the Packers system especially in a single-back set. But, again, too early for the Packers to grab. Lamar Miller, []_[]. I love Miller's game. To me, he's the 2nd best back in the draft. He's deceptively strong as a runner. His speed is lethal. If he's ahead of the pack, no one is going to catch him. Every time he touches the ball, he's a threat to score. Chris Polk, Washington, (2). Chris Polk will be a star in the NFL. He has all of the tools to be a 20-carry a game RB. He's possessed with the ball in his hands. He'll run through you. He'll run around you. He'll run by you. I'd take him in a heart beat. Isaiah Pead, Cincy. If you've watched Pead run at the college level, you liked him. He was a do-it-all back for the Bearcats. Caught the ball. Ran the ball. He pass protected. Really, in many ways, he was the Cincy offense last year. He'd put the Bearcats offense on his back. My fear is that he'll be similar to Javon Ringer. Great college career, but just not cut out to be a star at the next level.
Besides RB, I expect a run on OLB's in the 2nd Round. How can you not love Bobby Wagner? Most every team would cherish his versatility. He could play ILB as well as OLB. He can play in the 3-4 as well as the 4-3. Bruce Irvin, WVU, has elite speed, but man, he can't stop the run. He might be Jamal Reynolds. He has one move and that's to try and beat you around the corner. He does do a good job of getting his hands in the air. He's best suited for a dome team in which he can use his speed play-in and play-out. Ronnell Lewis, Oklahoma, might be an ideal selection for the Packers. He never produced at the level that was expected of him as a Sooner, but still he gives it his all on every play. He has the non-stop motor that you target. But, his production was not there at the college level and it's largely because he was often injured. If he can stay healthy, he has the tools to be a solid pass rusher at the NFL level. Lavonte David, Nebraska, is too small for the Packers system. Zach Brown, UNC, is an interesting prospect. He has the speed. He has the athleticism. And, he was a playmaker. If Brown lasts until the late 2nd round - which would surprise me - he'd be a tremendous value pick. And, really, it wouldn't shock me if Brown is selected in the 1st Round.
At ILB, I would not be excited if the Packers drafted Mychal Kendricks, Cal. He seems too small and not physical enough for the NFL. Has sideline-to-sideline skills, but I also think he's a prime target to attack on running plays up the gut.
Another CB who could peak the interest of the Packers is Jamell Fleming from Oklahoma. Fleming is a finds the ball in the air. He's got good hands. He plays with instinct. He's well coached. Most other 2nd round CB's seem too small to make it on Sundays include Jayron Hosley, Va Tech; Josh Robinson, UCF; Janoris Jenkins, North Alabama; Brandon Boykin, Georgia; and Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska. With that said, Boykin is absolutely electric. He finds the football and he's a special teams gem. Also, Dennard reminds me of Antoine Winfield. Aggressive. Solid open field tackler. Plays bigger than his height would indicate.
Kirk Cousins, Michigan State. While this would be early for the Packers to invest in a back-up QB, Cousins is worth noting. He had some success in big games leading his team down the stretch. He has the leadership qualities, the intelligence and the arm strength to develop into a solid back-up QB. He'd be a good fit, but it's likely too early for the Packers to draft a QB.
I didn't study the TE position throughout the college season as much as I normally do. I like Coby Fleener's game, but he'll be gone before the Packers would be interested. Dwayne Allen reminds me of Fred Davis, but he, too, will be gone before the Packers look at the TE position. Orson Charles would be a great addition for the Packers offense. He does it all, but I don't see the Packers selecting a TE in the top 100.
I can't say that I'd be overly enthused if the Packers selected George Iloka, S, Boise State in the 2nd Round. Seems like a reach to me. Possibly worth a 3rd round pick, but even then, I don't see him as a guy who is quick enough to man the middle of the field.
Round 3: Ben Jones, C, Georgia. Jones would be a great player to develop beneath Jeff Saturday on the depth chart. Jones has the Green Bay feel to him. Personable. Outgoing. The classic good guy who works hard. A blue collar kind of guy. Many consider him to be the 2nd best Center in the draft.
My second option is Cam Johnson, OLB, Virginia. At one time during the season, I wondered if Cam Johnson might be a 1st round selection. While Johnson doesn't possess the tireless motor that you'd like at OLB in a 3-4, he has shown a great presence rushing the passer. I picture a front 4 on 3rd down that includes Clay Matthews, BJ Raji, Cam Johnson and Vinny Curry. Move them around. Let them loose. We'd get to the QB.
At DE, I'm not interested in Trevor Guyton, Cal. Simply stated. Also, I'm not completely sold on Malik Jackson, Tennessee. I'd rather have Tyrone Crawford, DE, from Boise State. Every time I watched Boise State play, it wasn't McClellan nor Winn that caught my eye, it was Crawford. Consistently, he was disruptive.
Alameda Ta'amu, DL, Washington. Ta'amu would replace Howard Green in the Big Beefy package. He'd also be a good back-up to Ryan Pickett, who has battled injuries. Ta'amu has the size to man the middle in a 3-4. Additionally, at times, he plays way quicker than his weight would suggest. He moves well and carries himself well. I really like Josh Chapman, but his injuries concern me. Though he has beast like qualities, I don't see Marcus Forston, DL, []_[] as a fit for the Packers. Kheeston Randall, DL, Texas, is a physical specimen, but he gets pushed around and doesn't play with the leverage I'd like to see. The same goes for Jay Howard, Florida.
LaMichael James, Oregon. He'll be a 3rd down option for someone. I don't want him. Bernard Pierce, Temple. If the Packers want a younger version of Ryan Grant, Pierce is that option. Straight ahead, one-cut runner who doesn't overwhelm with speed nor power, yet he's a sound decision maker. Does not seem to do anything exceptionally well, but he doesn't have any glaring weaknesses either. He'd fit into the Packers team-first locker room and would be a solid rotational back in our system.
At OLB, Sean Spence, []_[], is a NICE player, but he's too small for the 3-4. Josh Kaddu, Oregon, is also a gifted player and if he put on 10 pounds, he'd make a terrific fit for the 3-4, but at his current weight, he'd be an investment for the future. He'd require a full year to make the impact that the Packers require immediately. Keenan Robinson, Texas, is a guy that you want to love. Plays with great intensity. Love his effort. Love his leadership. Fun to watch. Plays the crowd well, but he, too, is probably too light at this stage to play OLB in a 3-4. Additionally, he is not a dynamic pass rusher at this stage.
Markelle Martin, S, Oklahoma State, has ideal size to play. Looks the part in the uniform. Doesn't always stand out on the field. Still, he has a knack for being around the ball and making the big play.
Round 4: (3 selections) Brandon Hardin, S, Oregon State; Cyrus Gray, RB, Texas A&M, Derek Wolfe, DL, Cincy. If you have followed along, I've always admired Hardin's game. I like his versatility. I like his range. He moves well from sideline-to-sideline. And with the Packers dire need for a Safety, Hardin fits. Eventhough I am not convinced that the Packers have a need at RB, Gray might be too good to pass up. He catches the ball well. He sees the hole and hits it with a vengeance. He blocks well. He'd be a great fit as a rotational back. Wolfe is an ideal fit for the 3-4. He is tireless. He provides a solid push up the middle. In many ways, just as Worthy and Still were to the Big 10, he was the same to the Big East. He beat up OL's in the Big East. High impact player. Would fit in well as a DE in the 3-4. Antonio Allen, S, South Carolina is a guy to watch. Every time I watched Allen play, he was make game changing plays. He is solid in the box. He's a terrific blitzer. He has limitations in coverage, but he'd be able to run and jump with the new version of TE's in the NFL. He has the athleticism to transition. I've long thought he was a 3rd round pick, but it appears he's dropping late in the Draft evaluations. I don't understand it.
It almost bums me out that I didn't select Nigel Bradham, ILB, FSU. He's one of the most versatile LB's in the draft. Some view him as an OLB. I see him as an ideal 3-4 ILB. He gets sideline-to-sideline. He is great in coverage. I could make an argument that when it's all said and done, if Bradshaw plays ILB in a 3-4, he'll end up as the 2nd best ILB in the draft. Really, I should have the Packers selecting him here. I really should. And frankly, I will be shocked if he lasts this far. He's one of my favorite players in the draft. Tank Carder, ILB, TCU, will fight on every possession. He had a huge game against the Badgers in the Rose Bowl 2 years ago. He did not play up to expectations last year.
Philip Blake, C, Baylor. It's been discussed on the "Packer Report" and on "CheeseHeadTV" that the Packers have an interest in Philip Blake. Blake is a big, agile Center who moves well and can get to the 2nd line of defense.
Russell Wilson, WI. It'd be a fun storyline if the Packers draft Wilson. I don't see it happening. He has great mobility. He seems to garner respect in the huddle. He can throw on the run. But, his height is a serious concern. While it'd be exciting if he'd become a Packer and he'd undoubtedly become an instant fan favorite, it's highly unlikely that the Packers will select him. Ryan Lindley, San Diego State. He has the size. He has the athleticism. He has the arm strength to make it at the next level. He has the intangibles to play at the next level. I'd be stoked if the Packers grabbed him as a developmental QB.
Vick Ballard, Mississippi State. It's tough for me to imagine Ballard in the Packers offense. Not blessed with great speed. He also doesn't impress with his toughness as he tries to run through defenders. Plus, he comes from a gimmick offense. He could be a nice rotational back for someone, but I don't see him as much of an upgrade over Brandon Saine.
Al Toon, Wisconsin. Where most Packers fans will want Wilson to be the local selection, I'm pulling for Toon - if he's healthy. He had a great Pro Day. And he was a great player for the Badgers. He also has the bloodlines that you'd look for. He was raised the right way. He'd enjoy playing with the Packers. It's unlikely that he'll end up in Green Bay, but with three 4th round picks, it's possible...if Toon drops this far. Joe Adams, Arkansas and TY Hilton, FIU. Watching Hilton and Adams play is like watching a video game. Both will make you miss. Both are unbelievable fast on the field. Both are too small to play for the Green Bay Packers.
At OLB, Kyle Wilber, Wake Forest, is an interesting prospect. He's not overly consistent. When I watch him, I see Brad Jones. I see a versatile LB who makes the occasional play, but he's also occasionally pushed around. During his bowl game, he was run all over. Mississippi State had success running at him. In the East-West game, Wilber looked like he had an intimidating presence. He both looked and played the part. He was a hard hitter and impressed enough to display himself as a mid-round prospect. Emmanuel Ocho, Texas, has the bloodlines, but I don't see him as a high impact prospect for this year. He, too, would require time to develop.
At CB, for the most part, I like Chase Minnifield, Virginia; Ron Brooks, LSU; Leonard Johnson, Iowa State; and Omar Bolden, Arizona State, but all fall below the 5-11 mark. Therefore, it's unlikely the Packers will select any of them. Minnifield has the commitment to excellence and the bloodlines. Brooks had a solid college career - mostly as a 3rd CB. Johnson was Iowa State's best player. Bolden shows aggressiveness. Still, all are below 5-11.
Michael Egnew, Missouri. Plainly stated, if the Packers are going to draft a TE in the middle rounds, I want it to be Egnew.
Round 5: BJ Coleman, QB, UT Chattanooga. At some point, the Packers have to draft a QB this year. Coleman looks fit for the Packers system. He moves well. He has good size. He looks like a leader and a player who could develop well under McCarthy. Further, he seems to have the intelligence to grab command of the offense in short fashion.
I like Jake Bequette, OLB, Arkansas as an option. It was fun to watch him dominate 2nd team All Big 12 beast, Zach Hanson, in the Cotton Bowl. In my last mock, I had Jacquies Smith, OLB, Missouri as my pick, but he might need too much time to develop. And, I'd be just as happy with Adrian Hamilton two rounds later.
Tauren Poole, Tennessee. A lot of draftniks seem to have a sound appreciation for Poole's game. Admittedly, I've not seen a lot of Poole. But, from what I have seen, he's not someone that I am gaga for. Seems like just another guy to me. Terrance Ganaway. Ganaway is another guy who is tough to project. A statistical monster, he comes from the spread offense. Plays faster than he looks. He'll also not shy away from contact. Still, it's tough to envision him as a Packer. Dan Herron. I love Herron at this stage of the draft. Sure, he has character issues. There is no question about it, but you cannot deny his productivity either. Plays with good speed. Hits the hole with a vengeance and plays with more power than his height & weight might suggest.
Junior Hemmingway, Michigan. Hemmingway never really impressed me. Doesn't seem to run good routes. Doesn't run by you. Makes a decent play on the ball when it's in the air. But, I don't see him as a fit in Green & Gold. Marvin McNutt, Iowa. Like Hemmingway, I question McNutt's route running skills. Regardless, McNutt has the size that NFL GM's like. He's not going to amaze anyone athletically, but he simply finds a way to produce. He is a model of consistency. Week in and week out, McNutt made plays. I like McNutt as a mid-to-late round pick. Jarius Wright, Arkansas. Wright was exciting to watch in college. He has tools to work with. But, his similarities to Randall Cobb make him an unlikely selection. Jeff Fuller, Texas A&M. Fuller has all of the tools to be a solid NFL player, but he seems to lack focus. He's notorious for dropping easy passes. He disappears at times, but when he's in tune with the game, Fuller is a weapon. He has great size. Good speed. He has the intangibles and the upside, but he's also his own biggest limitation. Tommy Streeter, []_[]. I like Streeter. He's a solid deep threat. Runs really well. Makes plays in traffic. Plays the ball in the air. Great height. I'd be excited to see him running inside 1265 Lombardi, but he's likely too similar of a player to Tori Gurley. He's long. He's lanky. He's strides with grace.
Chase Ford, []_[]. Ford is next in the rich tradition of TE's to come out of Coral Gables. But, Ford is different than the others. He doesn't have great speed. And, if it weren't for an impressive offseason, Ford might not be drafted. But, he was great in the East-West game. He fought for the ball in traffic with elite success. Ford struggles as a blocker, but he has the size to be a mismatch as a receiver.
At CB, I would enjoy it if DeQuan Menzie, Alabama, was the selection. Playing across from Dre Kirkpatrick, Menzie was challenged often. Normally, he was up to the task. He's a fighter with bullying tactics. He's aggressive. He'll jam with intensity. He fits. Shaun Prater, Iowa, has all of the intangibles. Jumps routes. Well studied. Clearly, a film rat. But, he's only 5-10.
Duke Ihenacho, S, San Jose State is a hard hitting safety who lacks ideal ball skills. Reminds me a bit of Charlie Peprah. He'll make the occasional play on the ball. He won't always take great angles to the ball. But, when he hits you, you'll feel it.
Round 6: Josh Norman, CB, Coastal Carolina. Norman was the darling of the East-West Shrine Game. At 6-0, 197 lbs, Norman fits the Packers height and weight credentials. Additionally, he runs fairly well. Obviously, playing for a small school, you have to question the competition in which he competed at throughout his college career. Nonetheless, Norman - like Davon House last year - has the tools that Ted Thompson looks for at CB. He gets in your face. He plays with a physical approach and uses his hands well.
I was close to selecting Olivier Vernon, OLB, []_[], with this pick. While Vernon was an underachiever in college, I'm positive that Kevin Greene could do wonders with his game. He has an abundance of talent. It'll be up to him to recognize his potential. Frank Alexander, OLB/DE, Oklahoma is too much of a tweener for me. I'm not sold on Julian Miller, OLB, WVU as a 3-4 OLB in the NFL.
Nick Foles, Arizona. Good value pick for someone late in the draft. Reminds me of Big Ben. Tough to bring down. Huge frame. Extends plays. Surprisingly, he escapes pressure with his feet and moves better than you'd anticipate from looking at him. A gritty football player who had a disappointing end to his college career. Still, he definitely has the skills and physical capacity to be a solid back-up at the next level.
Eric Page, Toledo. Page won't be a Packer. He's a lot like Cobb, but Eric Page is a weapon. He's unique in structure. He demands the ball. He's elusive with the ball in his hands. Powerful for his size. Ultra instinctive. Born to play. And - every time Toledo played - he showed up.
The 6th Round might be the time when Ted Thompson gets hungry for a FB. If so, there are 3 solid options in Brad Smelley, AL, Bradie Ewing, WI, and Emil Igwenagu, Massachusetts. Smelley and Ewing are great blockers with soft hands. Igwenagu would be a vintage Thompson selection. Much like Ryan Taylor last year, he has great versatility. He could play special teams. He could slide out to TE, but he can also line up in the backfield and be a lead blocker.
At ILB, I am interested in some 6th round prospects. It might be a great time to take a shot on someone like Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State; Jerry Franklin, Arkansas; Chris Galippo, USC; or Chris Marve, Vanderbilt. Burfict has 1st round talent and an undraftable attitude, but if he found the right system, he could blossom. At one point, he was compared to Ray Lewis. By the end of his college career, he looked like Torrance Marshall. Still, at this time in the draft, he'd be worth a shot. Franklin is a go-getter. Always in pursuit. Not gifted with elite athleticism. He's plays smart. Takes good angles. Plays with conviction. Galippo is good in coverage. Not an every down LB, but at times, he reminded me of Brandon Chillar. Gets eaten up in the middle. Doesn't always read the hole well, but he drops better than most that I watched at the college level. Nobody will play harder than Marve, who will likely be drafted in the 7th round or go undrafted, but he's the classic work hard ILB, who might bloom in Green Bay. He'd be a try-hard player who'd likely play a special teams role.
At OLB, I view Brandon Lindsey as a non-factor. Don't see him as an upgrade to Brad Jones or Erik Walden. I'd be more excited with Travis Lewis, Oklahoma, who plays with much more speed and intensity. Additionally, he played in a Pro-style defense.
Donnie Fletcher, CB, Boston college was one of the biggest disappointments of the 2011 college football season for me. I really expected him to jump off the map. I thought he had 2nd round potential. He never materialized. He had a hard time staying on the field. Then, he was awful in the Senior Bowl. On the contrary, Robert Blanton, ND, has developed into a draftable CB. He has the physical nature that Thompson seeks. He's a little stiff, but he developed nicely throughout the season and showed that he might be capable of a nickel or a dime role in the NFL. Keith Tandy, WVU, has the heart, but not the height.
Round 7: (4 selections) Adrian Hamilton, OLB, Prarie View A&M; Matt Conrath, DL, Virginia; Najee Goode, ILB, WVU; Ryan Miller, OT, Colorado. I've mentioned it before and I'll say it again, when I went to see the Buffs twice this year, Ryan Miller was one of the only players that did anything of note for the Buffs. He has NFL size and moves his feet fairly well for a big guy. Like him as a developmental prospect.
It's interesting to me that the Packers brought Toney Clemons, WR, Colorado in for a visit. I imagine it was for a potential Undrafted FA visit, but nonetheless, I found it surprising. I saw Clemons play twice and frankly, outside of the opening drive against USC, he didn't do a whole lot to impress me. Granted, the talent around him was limited, but still he didn't appear as though he could be a difference maker at the next level. Chris Owusu, Stanford. Injury concerns make him a late round pick. He has the skills and ability to be picked earlier than this. He is able to be used in a variety of ways as he is a gifted special teams player as well. If he can stay healthy, he could be a steal of a late round selection. BJ Cunningham, Michigan State. I see Cunningham as just another guy. Not going to blow by you. He'll run good routes. Has good hands. He's hard working. He'll fight after the catch. He was a good 3rd down option for Cousins, but he doesn't do any extraordinary. LaVon Brazill, Ohio. Like Cunningham, Brazill has a lot that you like, but it's tough to find anything that you love. Might be a big fish in a small pond. Made big plays at the college level, but unlike Page (who played similar competition), Brazill didn't look to have the ability to offer unique skills at the next level. Additionally, I have questions about his attitude. Jordan White, Western Michigan. 2 ACL injuries are super scary. Ridiculous production offers hope. White will run through you. He'll outfight you when the ball is in the air. In essence, he was the Western Michigan offense and opposing defenses knew it. Regardless, White dominated. When I watched White, I thought he had the ability to play on Sundays however, the ACL injuries are enough to deter me from wanting the Packers to select White. Jermaine Kearse, Washington. Kearse has the size and speed to play in the NFL. But, Kearse is littered with inconsistencies. He disappears. He drops passes. He lacks focus. He struggles to be a weapon for 60 minutes, but when Kearse is in the groove, he makes big plays. If he were able to stay focused, Kearse would have mid-round potential.
I really like the athleticism of Jamie Blatnick, OLB, Oklahoma State, but he disappeared at times during the season. When he was playing at peak performance, he was dominant. If he had showed consistency throughout the year, he'd have been a 3rd to 5th round pick. Kourtniel Brown, OLB, Clemson is an interesting player. Overshadowed by Andre Brown, Kourtniel Brown did not get much attention. Normally, he was single teamed. Rarely did he make the impact you'd expect. Still, he has the size and speed that NFL teams desire at OLB in a 3-4. Broderick Binns, Iowa, was a standout performer early in his career. He was a force for the Hawkeyes, but he didn't develop as I had expected he would.
Kellen Moore, Boise State. How can you not cheer for Kellen Moore? He's a great interview. He's personable. He's a winner. He lacks big time ability in all of the measurables, but he excels with too things you can't measure: heart and win. He's loaded with mental mettle. He's a gamer. But, the reality is that it's tough to imagine him being a successful player at the next level. Athletically, he simply has too many deficiencies. Case Keenum, Houston. He's a mirror image of Graham Harrell. Slightly undersized. Came from a spread offense. Played out of shotgun for most of his career. Statistically, he was an absolute beast who reveled in the notion of whipping the deep ball. Stephen Garcia, South Carolina. It's doubtful that he'll get drafted. He's a mental headcase. But, man, when this guy was focused he had the grit that Ted Thompson would love. Have to appreciate Garcia's athleticism. His arm is legit. He's fearless. However, he's a poor decision maker both on and off of the field.
Davin Meggett. He never "wow'd" me. Whenever I saw Maryland play, I never felt that I saw and play and felt like he was a guy that I'd like to have in Green Bay. He has great bloodlines, but he's a drastically different runner than his Dad. Good power to his game, but I just don't see it. Brandon Bolden, Mississippi. Personally, I'd take Bolden in the 7th before I'd take Ballard or Poole in the 4th through 6th rounds. Bolden has some injury concerns, but he also has the nose for the end zone. He isn't going to blow you away with his speed or strength, but he simply produces. He has solid football instincts. Finds the marker. Gets to the sticks. Additionally, he has good hands out of the backfield.
One guy that I'd love to have on the Packers is Markus Zusevics, OT, Iowa. I think he'd be a great 7th round pick or an undrafted FA. Like his agility. Moves well. Injuries probably derailed his draft stock, but he has tremendous upside and I could see him playing in the NFL for the next 8-10 years. I believe he could blossom into an NFL starter. Rightfully so, he was always overshadowed by Riley Reiff. Keep an eye on his name towards the end of the draft. Someone will be really happy to have him. He's taller and a lighter than Tauscher, but he's a battler in a similar way to Tauscher.
At OLB, I'd be stoked with Sammy Brown, Houston. He can get to the QB. He's undersized and might be too similar to Lattimore to take a shot, but still Brown found the QB with consistency at the college level. Cameron Collins, Oregon State, was a total disappointment at WI. Has the height, but he's a little light.
The Packers will likely be players at the Safety position in either the 7th Round or as undrafted FA's. Sean Richardson, Vanderbilt, is the best of the prospects at this stage. Between Richardson & Hayward, Vanderbilt had a couple of legitimate DB prospects. Richardson plays with great energy and focus. Charles Mitchell, Mississippi State, often is lost in the secondary, but he possesses the leadership skills that are required. Lance Mitchell, Oregon State, has battled injury and is coming off of a disappointing Senior year. Winston Guy, Kentucky, is likely too stiff for the big leagues and doesn't always carry his weight well, but he's intimidating as a Safety and has a pension for the occasional big play. He's active, but he doesn't turn overly well, but he was a play maker in the SEC. He has limitations - no doubt - but, he's likely worth a late round draft pick. Tramain Thomas, Arkansas, is a solid 7th round pick. I think higher of him than most seem to. Playing against elite competition, Thomas was often one of the better players on the field and had a nose for forcing turnovers or breaking up passes on 3rd down. Jerrell Young, South Florida, has the size to play, but I don't see him as having the instincts or ball skills to play at the next level.
In all, expect the Packers to go heavy on the defensive side of the ball. Last year, Ted Thompson built special teams and offensive units that flourished. This year - he'll aim to do the same with the defensive side of the ball. Would you bet against him? I wouldn't it.
In Ted I Trust.
Go Pack Go!
Cheers,
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/#!/buzzboy3
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
My Take -> In Ted I Trust
Greetings, G-Force.
A peaceful breath to the air. Stars slowly settling in. A beer. An old friend. It's a great night to talk Packers football. Such is life for me on this late March evening as I marinate with my good friend, Porter, and sip on a Southern Tier IPA. Porter - for those that don't know - is a dog. I've known him since the day he left the dog pound. 12 years later. He's still extra attentive and if you're not careful, his wagging tail will knock over your beer. Porter was best mates with my dog, Clayton. In fact, they grew up together. In many ways, they owned the St. Norbert College campus. As I relax, I football vibe overtook me. After all, it's the Ted Thompson Season
Yes, I wear Packers goggles. And, yes, there is no GM that I'd rather have than Ted Thompson. And, now, it's his time to shine. Over the last week, he's signed Jeff Saturday to replace Scott Wells. It was inevitable - Scott Wells was leaving. So, Thompson replaced him with Saturday and saved a couple million dollars on the cap. While Saturday is not the player that he was, he still has gas in the tank and he should be just as solid as Wells was last year. Saturday brings a presence. He's a leader. And - it's likely that he'll teach Rodgers a trick or two. I imagine great chemistry between our new starting Center and the NFL's MVP. Due to both players football IQ, it wouldn't surprise if that camaraderie will likely be immediate. They'll be dialed in with a common goal. Saturday came to Green Bay to get his 2nd ring. Rodgers wants the same. Word.
Don't overlook the Daniel Muir signing. Muir is not dominant, but he's an average run stopping DL who will compete for a roster spot and would give BJ Raji additional rest. It's all in an effort to create more pass rush on 3rd down. A well-rested Raji will add a boost.
Also, it's important to remember Lawrence Guy. Guy was a 7th round pick. Some had him projected as a potential 3rd rounder. But, he slipped. He's raw. He's young. Last year, he was on IR. But, you know he was building strength. Absorbing time in the meeting rooms. Getting better. Expect him to compete for a role on this defense this year. He'll be in the rotation this year.
The rumors of the Anthony Hargrove signing surprised me. The Favre bounty hunter was adamant on twitter that a deal was close. He talked about his first Lambeau Leap. He repeatedly claimed "Go Packers Go" and he busted out a handful of "Green and Yellow" comments. Further, he talked about his excitement of playing next to Pickett again. He also stated that he weighed 285 lbs, which is significantly higher than the 272 lbs that he was listed at last year. At 285, Hargrove might be big enough to hold the point as a DE in the 3-4. Hargrove would make a solid addition as a 3rd down pass rusher. Further, the reality is that the Packers don't need Hargrove to be a guy who gets 8-10 sacks. He'd simply be asked to get 5-6 sacks and to consistently collapse the pocket. Hargrove is an active pursuer. He's high energy. He's physical and in 2009, he was a legitimate force for the Saints defense.
In 2011, the Packers generated 4 passes defensed from the DL. 2 from Raji. 2 from Pickett. Continuously, the pass rush failed, but so did the DL's ability to get their hands in the air. Consider this: in 2009, Johnny Jolly had 10 passes defensed. If you can't get to the QB, get raise your hands and block the passing lane. The DL's failure to disrupt the QB's vision was a consistent issue throughout 2011.
So, what do these FA signings mean? To me, they signal something big on draft day. Thompson is building depth. Veteran talent at fair prices. He's loaded with draft picks. 12, to be exact. He hasn't made 12 selections in a draft since 2006. Look for Thompson to trade up in the 1st round. Per the draft pick value trade chart, it appears as the though Packers could trade a 1st and a 2nd to get all the way up to #17 in the Draft. At 17, the Packers could target Whitney Mercilus, OLB, Illinois. Physically, Mercilus appears to be the player most likely to transition to OLB in a 3-4 defense in this year's NFL Draft. He was dominant last year. Together, Mercilus and Matthews could form quite the tandem. Pair them with Raji and Hargrove on 3rd downs and the Packers would have legitimate options.
I'm expecting to have the Ultimate Packers Mock Draft Volume 1 for the 2012 NFL Season completed this weekend. Until then, In Ted I Trust!
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/#!/buzzboy3
A peaceful breath to the air. Stars slowly settling in. A beer. An old friend. It's a great night to talk Packers football. Such is life for me on this late March evening as I marinate with my good friend, Porter, and sip on a Southern Tier IPA. Porter - for those that don't know - is a dog. I've known him since the day he left the dog pound. 12 years later. He's still extra attentive and if you're not careful, his wagging tail will knock over your beer. Porter was best mates with my dog, Clayton. In fact, they grew up together. In many ways, they owned the St. Norbert College campus. As I relax, I football vibe overtook me. After all, it's the Ted Thompson Season
Yes, I wear Packers goggles. And, yes, there is no GM that I'd rather have than Ted Thompson. And, now, it's his time to shine. Over the last week, he's signed Jeff Saturday to replace Scott Wells. It was inevitable - Scott Wells was leaving. So, Thompson replaced him with Saturday and saved a couple million dollars on the cap. While Saturday is not the player that he was, he still has gas in the tank and he should be just as solid as Wells was last year. Saturday brings a presence. He's a leader. And - it's likely that he'll teach Rodgers a trick or two. I imagine great chemistry between our new starting Center and the NFL's MVP. Due to both players football IQ, it wouldn't surprise if that camaraderie will likely be immediate. They'll be dialed in with a common goal. Saturday came to Green Bay to get his 2nd ring. Rodgers wants the same. Word.
Don't overlook the Daniel Muir signing. Muir is not dominant, but he's an average run stopping DL who will compete for a roster spot and would give BJ Raji additional rest. It's all in an effort to create more pass rush on 3rd down. A well-rested Raji will add a boost.
Also, it's important to remember Lawrence Guy. Guy was a 7th round pick. Some had him projected as a potential 3rd rounder. But, he slipped. He's raw. He's young. Last year, he was on IR. But, you know he was building strength. Absorbing time in the meeting rooms. Getting better. Expect him to compete for a role on this defense this year. He'll be in the rotation this year.
The rumors of the Anthony Hargrove signing surprised me. The Favre bounty hunter was adamant on twitter that a deal was close. He talked about his first Lambeau Leap. He repeatedly claimed "Go Packers Go" and he busted out a handful of "Green and Yellow" comments. Further, he talked about his excitement of playing next to Pickett again. He also stated that he weighed 285 lbs, which is significantly higher than the 272 lbs that he was listed at last year. At 285, Hargrove might be big enough to hold the point as a DE in the 3-4. Hargrove would make a solid addition as a 3rd down pass rusher. Further, the reality is that the Packers don't need Hargrove to be a guy who gets 8-10 sacks. He'd simply be asked to get 5-6 sacks and to consistently collapse the pocket. Hargrove is an active pursuer. He's high energy. He's physical and in 2009, he was a legitimate force for the Saints defense.
In 2011, the Packers generated 4 passes defensed from the DL. 2 from Raji. 2 from Pickett. Continuously, the pass rush failed, but so did the DL's ability to get their hands in the air. Consider this: in 2009, Johnny Jolly had 10 passes defensed. If you can't get to the QB, get raise your hands and block the passing lane. The DL's failure to disrupt the QB's vision was a consistent issue throughout 2011.
So, what do these FA signings mean? To me, they signal something big on draft day. Thompson is building depth. Veteran talent at fair prices. He's loaded with draft picks. 12, to be exact. He hasn't made 12 selections in a draft since 2006. Look for Thompson to trade up in the 1st round. Per the draft pick value trade chart, it appears as the though Packers could trade a 1st and a 2nd to get all the way up to #17 in the Draft. At 17, the Packers could target Whitney Mercilus, OLB, Illinois. Physically, Mercilus appears to be the player most likely to transition to OLB in a 3-4 defense in this year's NFL Draft. He was dominant last year. Together, Mercilus and Matthews could form quite the tandem. Pair them with Raji and Hargrove on 3rd downs and the Packers would have legitimate options.
I'm expecting to have the Ultimate Packers Mock Draft Volume 1 for the 2012 NFL Season completed this weekend. Until then, In Ted I Trust!
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/#!/buzzboy3
Sunday, March 18, 2012
My Take ->Offseason Approach
Greetings, G-Force.
To start, I want to send out heart-felt "thank you" to those of you who have reached out to me over the last two months to see if I was going to continue to blog. I'm happy that you read. I'm happy that you enjoy. And, with that, I'm sorry I was distant. But, candidly, I'm still in shock as to how the 2011 Season ended. Defending Champions. 15-1. Coming off of a bye. Home Field throughout. 2 wins at Lambeau and we would have been playing for the Repeat. Yet, we failed to show up. It still hurts. The purpose of the blog is to write with a positive yet realistic approach on the outlook of the current state of the Packers. Mentally, I wasn't ready to keep that mindset when I tried to pen my thoughts. Additionally, my wife & I are expected our 1st child and for anyone who has gone through a 1st trimester, well, you know what I've been going through. Couple the exciting family news with a more demanding work schedule and free time is short. With that said, I'm back. Ready to write. Ready to get prepared for the upcoming 2012 NFL Draft. Stoked to see what happens in Free Agency over the next couple of weeks.
It's been interesting to read & hear Packers fans slowly pushing the panic button with regards to Ted Thompson's approach to Free Agency. Frankly, it's almost comical. G-Force, lest I remind you, at this stage the Packers are actually WINNING in Free Agency thus far. Yes, I said it. The Packers are WINNING in Free Agency. Remember that prior to Free Agency starting, the Packers resigned Josh Sitton, Jordy Nelson and J-Mike to friendly deals that won't tarnish the Packers salary cap situation for years to come. Sure, Buffalo has hit it big with Super Mario & Steve Johnson, but would you rather Johnson with his contract or Nelson with his? To me, it's a no-brainer.
It was sad to lose Scott Wells. Wells was a solid player for the Green & Gold. It would have been great to keep him, but Wells was intent on moving on. So, be it. Thompson will have a back-up plan. And, it might come in the form of Peter Konz as a 1st round pick. When healthy, the Center from WI has showed the athleticism and power to be able to immediately step in at the next level. Admittedly, I've never claimed to be an expert at scouting OL. But, I will say that this year I paid more attention to OL play at the college level than ever before. And - for the first time - I feel qualified to make a couple of OL predictions in the future. One of them is that I believe Ben Jones, C, Georgia will make a solid 2nd or 3rd round choice for some team, possibly the 13-time World Champions. More to come on some OL thoughts in the coming weeks...
As Mike McCarthy said post the 2007 NFC Championship, "we had our eyes on the target." In 2010, the Packers reached the target. In 2011, they fell short of that target. Now, the question begs: How can the Packers reach the target once again? Obviously, Ted will not go big in Free Agency. It's not his style. But, I do expect him to get involved in a couple of negotiations. But, before we become critical of Thompson's approach, we must remember that over the next 12 months, Thompson will have to take care of his own. Rodgers' contract needs to be upgraded. It wouldn't surprise me if Rodgers signs a deal that carries him through the rest of his career. Clay Matthews contract will be expiring. Greg Jennings will hit the Free Agent market. BJ Raji's contract will also expire and so will the contract for TJ Lang. Thompson's immediate priority will be to resign his guys. As it should be. Still, over the next couple of weeks, the Packers will target a Center. If Nick Collins cannot make a comeback, it wouldn't surprise me if the Packers make a play for LaRon Landry. Especially if the market for Landry continues to be fairly dry. Thompson may be able to sign Landry to a cap friendly, short term deal. If the price is right, I also anticipate that the Packers will be in play for Kamerion Wimbley.
Plainly stated, the Packers need cap space. And, from what I've read, they cannot free cap space by moving on from AJ Hawk. Therefore, I hate to say it, but it's time to move on from two future Packers Hall of Famers: Chad Clifton and Donald Driver. Unless, of course, they'll both return for near the veteran minimum contract. It's been well documented: if the Packers release Clifton and Driver, they'll free up nearly $10 million. With that $10 million, I'd lock up Lang to an extension. Presently, Thompson could likely get Lang at a decent price and it wouldn't shock me if Lang has a terrific year in 2012. I'd also initiate discussions with Rodgers, Matthews, Raji and Jennings, to see if hometown discounts are available. You'd have to imagine that Jennings is licking his chops after seeing the contracts that Steve Johnson, DeSean Jackson, Calvin Johnson, and Vincent Jackson have recently signed. But, I'm also hoping that Jennings realizes that he's currently in a really good situation that is hard to replicate elsewhere. He doesn't seem like a guy who would want to cripple the cap.
It'd be tough to release both Driver and Clifton. However, with the bonuses given to Gurley or Borel last year, it's hard to imagine that at least one of them isn't at least minimally in the plans for this year. At tackle, Bulaga had a strong year and Newhouse performed admirably. If Sherrod returns to full strength, the Packers would have options at tackle. It's also likely that Thompson will invest draft picks into a couple of developmental tackles this year.
Prior to last year, I would have never believed that I'd have said this, but I hope the Packers can afford to bring back J-Bush. He was terrific on special teams last year as a gunner. Truly, he was a weapon. It'll be interesting to see what his price comes in at. As for Ryan Grant, if he's not coming back at the minimum, I'm not biting. I like Grant. He's been a solid Packer, but the Packers are in decent shape at RB, assuming Alex Green makes it back healthy. Brandon Saine progressed well. When Starks was healthy, he did good things. And, you know that Thompson will add a back in either the Draft or as an undrafted FA.
In the non-breaking news category, Ted Thompson is smarter than me. I thought there would have been more of a demand for Matt Flynn. It doesn't appear as though Flynn will get the type of FA deal that most thought he might. With Peyton Manning and Alex Smith still on the market, the demand for Flynn has diminished. Further, teams are aware that if Manning signs with the Titans, Matt Hasselbach will likely become a Free Agent. Additionally, I'm not convinced that the Dolphins think Flynn is that much better than Matt Moore. Add in the current love affairs that teams are having with Ryan Tannenhill and Brandon Weeden and the market for Flynn is a lot softer than I expected.
The NFL Draft is rapidly approaching. Just over a month away. I'm behind where I'd normally be at. I still haven't watched the East-West Shrine Game. I have watched the Casino Del Sol Bowl game, the Senior Bowl, all of the Senior Bowl practices that were televised and the majority of the Combine. I have the rest of the Combine on tape and I expect to watch the East-West Shrine Game over the next two weeks. I have caught up on all of the games I DVR'd on the season with the exception of the North Carolina v Virginia Tech match. I'm hoping to watch that over the next two weeks as well. For now, here's my Mock Draft with limited captions. While it hasn't been announced yet, most project the Packers to receive two 4th round picks as compensation as well as two 7th round picks as compensations. It's also anticipated that the Jets will be sending a 7th round selection in the Caleb Schlauderaff selection from last year.
Round 1: Jerel Worthy, DL, Michigan State. The more I reflect on the 2011 NFL Season, the more I think that OLB is not the biggest weakness, rather it was the play of the DL. Throw in Mike Neal's 4-game suspension and the Packers must draft DL early and often this year. Worthy has tremendous upside. It does concern me that he was on the bench for some big plays vs WI (both times they played) and the same can be said for the Bowl game against Georgia. On big 3rd downs, Worthy was on the bench. Still, Worthy would immediately upgrade the Packers DL play. Others to consider are Peter Konz, C, WI; Vinny Curry, OLB/DE, Marshall; Brandon Thompson, DL, Clemson; Devon Still, DL, Penn State; Whitney Mercilus, OLB, Illinois. I'd expect Still and Mercilus to be off the board prior to the Packers selection, but if either one is around, they'd be excellent choices. If Wells is not replaced via Free Agency, the Packers will pick a Center in the first 3 rounds of the draft and Konz is the best of the bunch. Vinny Curry's game impresses me. I feel he was as dominant as anyone at the Senior Bowl. He was stellar almost every time I watched him at Marshall. He's a pure pass rusher. He's quick off the ball. He has a great motor. Not as fast as you'd ideally like a 3-4 OLB, but he's a football player that finds the QB. While the 1st round might be early for him, it's doubtful he's there when the Packers pick in the 2nd round.
Round 2: Cam Johnson, OLB, Virginia. In the 2011 NFL Draft, the Packers drafted heavily on the offensive side of the ball. In the 2012 NFL Draft, look for the Packers to do the same on the defensive side of the ball. Johnson started off in a 3-4 at Virginia, but they transitioned to a 4-3 early in his career. He puts his hand in the dirt. Gets after the QB. He was great as a closure against the []_[]. He'll get after you. I was disappointed in his Bowl game as I thought he winded early and had a limited motor. Others to consider: Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise State; Lamar Miller, RB, []_[]; Doug Martin, RB, Boise State; Jared Crick, DL, Nebraska; Josh Chapman, DL, Alabama; Ben Jones, C, Georgia; Bruce Irvin, OLB, WVU. McClellin has all of the tools that are required of an OLB at the pro level. He can get to the QB. He has an endless motor. He can drop and cover. He spent time at ILB in college. Played some ILB at the Senior Bowl as well. The crop at RB is strong in the 2nd & 3rd rounds. Not that RB is a necessity, but if Thompson is sticking to the best player available, if Martin or Miller fall this far, they'd likely be the "best player" on the board. If drafting for need, Chapman is a talented run stuffer. He'd play a solid rotational role and fill the spot that was vacated by the essentially absent Howard Green played in 2010. As I mentioned earlier, Ben Jones will make a solid starting Center for someone this year. Bruce Irvin is a talented pass rusher. He is not gifted as a run stopper, but he's a speed rusher who consistently displayed pressure over the past two years for WVU. Jared Crick is a classic Ted Thompson "football player." Crick is coming off a season ending torn pectoral muscle injury. Still, Crick is a player who gives it his all and fights on every play. He'd immediately upgrade the Packers DL and play in the rotational.
Round 3: Antonio Allen, S, South Carolina. If you've followed the blog long enough, you know that I've wanted him since before the season started. He can play in the box. He has the capacity to cover out of the slot. He attacks the QB on the blitz. He doesn't play the ball like Sir Charles, but he'd certainly get after the QB like Woodson does. Others: Nigel Bradham, ILB, FSU; Isaiah Pead, RB, Cincy; Chris Polk, RB, Washington; Tyrone Crawford, DE, Boise State; Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State; Alameda Ta'amu, DL, Washington; Nick Toon, WR, WI. Again, RB's can be found in the 2nd & 3rd Rounds. Pead and Polk are both legitimate NFL backs who made people miss in the open field. Polk will punish you. He'll also run away from you. Wouldn't surprise me if he lands in Round 2, but some have him as a 3rd Round pick. Pead is a gifted runner who would fit well in a one-cut system. McCarthy will be looking for a new toy at QB. Cousins could be that guy. Crawford is another guy who always caught my eye. I would turn on Boise to watch Billy Winn or McClellin, but Crawford would always jump out. Ta'amu disappointed against Baylor as the speed was too much for him, but he responded with a strong Senior Bowl. Toon - who was seemingly a lock for the 1st round - has dropped to a projected 3rd round selection due to concerns about a foot injury. If he's healthy, he's a steal at this point. Nigel Bradham would immediately make an impact for the Packers. He's projected as a 3rd-4th round selection. Every time I watch him, he's making plays. He covers better than Hawk. He'd be a great compliment to Desmond Bishop's game.
Round 4 (3 selections): Cyrus Gray, RB, Texas A&M; Derek Wolfe, DL, Cincy; Casey Hayward, CB, Vanderbilt. Mike Sherman compared Gray to Ahman Green. While Sherman wasn't the greatest scout of talent for the Packers, he did have an eye for RB's. He positioned RB's for success. Gray has great hands. He picks up the blitz. He was with purpose. He fits. As for Hayward, simply stated, I haven't seen anyone play the ball in the air better than Hayward. Grab him! Derek Wolfe is one of the most underrated prospects in this draft. Great effort on almost every down. From what I saw, he was probably the best DL in the Big East this year.
Round 5: Jacquies Smith, OLB, Missouri. No, he's not the next Aldon Smith, but Jacquies does have the size and agility to be a difference maker at the next level. He's a solid value pick in the mid-to-late rounds. When Smith hits you, he's looking to force the turnover as well. He's slapping wrists and grabbing at the ball.
Round 6: Ryan Miller, OG, Colorado. I went to two games that the Buffaloes played this year. The only guy that even remotely caught my eye on the Colorado squad is Miller. He's massive at 6-7. And he moves decent for his size as well.
Round 7 (4 selections): Adrian Hamilton, OLB, Prarie View A&M; Brandon Hardin, S, Oregon State; Case Keenum, QB, Houston; Marcus Zusevics, OT, Iowa. Hamilton would be a Ted Thompson special. Possible small school gem. Hamilton flat out got to the QB. He got to the QB in the Casino Del Sol bowl game. Worth a late round selection. I was disappointed when Brandon Hardin suffered his shoulder injury this year. I went to the Wisconsin v Oregon State game and he was someone I was hoping to see. Instead, I was forced to watch both Lance Mitchell and Cameron Collins. Neither was overly impressive, but both Mitchell and Collins have the physique to play at the next level and are late round options for the Packers. At some point, the Packers will draft a QB and Keenum is a solid 7th round option. He was overly productive in a spread offense and is similar to Graham Harrell, who the Packers appear to have high hopes for. When watching Iowa, Zusevics - obviously - was always overshadowed by Riley Reiff, but I like Zusevics athleticism and he moves his feet well. He'd provide depth at Tackle for the Packers as a developmental prospect.
Hope everyone had a Happy & Safe St. Patrick's Day.
Go Pack Go.
Cheers,
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/#!/buzzboy3
To start, I want to send out heart-felt "thank you" to those of you who have reached out to me over the last two months to see if I was going to continue to blog. I'm happy that you read. I'm happy that you enjoy. And, with that, I'm sorry I was distant. But, candidly, I'm still in shock as to how the 2011 Season ended. Defending Champions. 15-1. Coming off of a bye. Home Field throughout. 2 wins at Lambeau and we would have been playing for the Repeat. Yet, we failed to show up. It still hurts. The purpose of the blog is to write with a positive yet realistic approach on the outlook of the current state of the Packers. Mentally, I wasn't ready to keep that mindset when I tried to pen my thoughts. Additionally, my wife & I are expected our 1st child and for anyone who has gone through a 1st trimester, well, you know what I've been going through. Couple the exciting family news with a more demanding work schedule and free time is short. With that said, I'm back. Ready to write. Ready to get prepared for the upcoming 2012 NFL Draft. Stoked to see what happens in Free Agency over the next couple of weeks.
It's been interesting to read & hear Packers fans slowly pushing the panic button with regards to Ted Thompson's approach to Free Agency. Frankly, it's almost comical. G-Force, lest I remind you, at this stage the Packers are actually WINNING in Free Agency thus far. Yes, I said it. The Packers are WINNING in Free Agency. Remember that prior to Free Agency starting, the Packers resigned Josh Sitton, Jordy Nelson and J-Mike to friendly deals that won't tarnish the Packers salary cap situation for years to come. Sure, Buffalo has hit it big with Super Mario & Steve Johnson, but would you rather Johnson with his contract or Nelson with his? To me, it's a no-brainer.
It was sad to lose Scott Wells. Wells was a solid player for the Green & Gold. It would have been great to keep him, but Wells was intent on moving on. So, be it. Thompson will have a back-up plan. And, it might come in the form of Peter Konz as a 1st round pick. When healthy, the Center from WI has showed the athleticism and power to be able to immediately step in at the next level. Admittedly, I've never claimed to be an expert at scouting OL. But, I will say that this year I paid more attention to OL play at the college level than ever before. And - for the first time - I feel qualified to make a couple of OL predictions in the future. One of them is that I believe Ben Jones, C, Georgia will make a solid 2nd or 3rd round choice for some team, possibly the 13-time World Champions. More to come on some OL thoughts in the coming weeks...
As Mike McCarthy said post the 2007 NFC Championship, "we had our eyes on the target." In 2010, the Packers reached the target. In 2011, they fell short of that target. Now, the question begs: How can the Packers reach the target once again? Obviously, Ted will not go big in Free Agency. It's not his style. But, I do expect him to get involved in a couple of negotiations. But, before we become critical of Thompson's approach, we must remember that over the next 12 months, Thompson will have to take care of his own. Rodgers' contract needs to be upgraded. It wouldn't surprise me if Rodgers signs a deal that carries him through the rest of his career. Clay Matthews contract will be expiring. Greg Jennings will hit the Free Agent market. BJ Raji's contract will also expire and so will the contract for TJ Lang. Thompson's immediate priority will be to resign his guys. As it should be. Still, over the next couple of weeks, the Packers will target a Center. If Nick Collins cannot make a comeback, it wouldn't surprise me if the Packers make a play for LaRon Landry. Especially if the market for Landry continues to be fairly dry. Thompson may be able to sign Landry to a cap friendly, short term deal. If the price is right, I also anticipate that the Packers will be in play for Kamerion Wimbley.
Plainly stated, the Packers need cap space. And, from what I've read, they cannot free cap space by moving on from AJ Hawk. Therefore, I hate to say it, but it's time to move on from two future Packers Hall of Famers: Chad Clifton and Donald Driver. Unless, of course, they'll both return for near the veteran minimum contract. It's been well documented: if the Packers release Clifton and Driver, they'll free up nearly $10 million. With that $10 million, I'd lock up Lang to an extension. Presently, Thompson could likely get Lang at a decent price and it wouldn't shock me if Lang has a terrific year in 2012. I'd also initiate discussions with Rodgers, Matthews, Raji and Jennings, to see if hometown discounts are available. You'd have to imagine that Jennings is licking his chops after seeing the contracts that Steve Johnson, DeSean Jackson, Calvin Johnson, and Vincent Jackson have recently signed. But, I'm also hoping that Jennings realizes that he's currently in a really good situation that is hard to replicate elsewhere. He doesn't seem like a guy who would want to cripple the cap.
It'd be tough to release both Driver and Clifton. However, with the bonuses given to Gurley or Borel last year, it's hard to imagine that at least one of them isn't at least minimally in the plans for this year. At tackle, Bulaga had a strong year and Newhouse performed admirably. If Sherrod returns to full strength, the Packers would have options at tackle. It's also likely that Thompson will invest draft picks into a couple of developmental tackles this year.
Prior to last year, I would have never believed that I'd have said this, but I hope the Packers can afford to bring back J-Bush. He was terrific on special teams last year as a gunner. Truly, he was a weapon. It'll be interesting to see what his price comes in at. As for Ryan Grant, if he's not coming back at the minimum, I'm not biting. I like Grant. He's been a solid Packer, but the Packers are in decent shape at RB, assuming Alex Green makes it back healthy. Brandon Saine progressed well. When Starks was healthy, he did good things. And, you know that Thompson will add a back in either the Draft or as an undrafted FA.
In the non-breaking news category, Ted Thompson is smarter than me. I thought there would have been more of a demand for Matt Flynn. It doesn't appear as though Flynn will get the type of FA deal that most thought he might. With Peyton Manning and Alex Smith still on the market, the demand for Flynn has diminished. Further, teams are aware that if Manning signs with the Titans, Matt Hasselbach will likely become a Free Agent. Additionally, I'm not convinced that the Dolphins think Flynn is that much better than Matt Moore. Add in the current love affairs that teams are having with Ryan Tannenhill and Brandon Weeden and the market for Flynn is a lot softer than I expected.
The NFL Draft is rapidly approaching. Just over a month away. I'm behind where I'd normally be at. I still haven't watched the East-West Shrine Game. I have watched the Casino Del Sol Bowl game, the Senior Bowl, all of the Senior Bowl practices that were televised and the majority of the Combine. I have the rest of the Combine on tape and I expect to watch the East-West Shrine Game over the next two weeks. I have caught up on all of the games I DVR'd on the season with the exception of the North Carolina v Virginia Tech match. I'm hoping to watch that over the next two weeks as well. For now, here's my Mock Draft with limited captions. While it hasn't been announced yet, most project the Packers to receive two 4th round picks as compensation as well as two 7th round picks as compensations. It's also anticipated that the Jets will be sending a 7th round selection in the Caleb Schlauderaff selection from last year.
Round 1: Jerel Worthy, DL, Michigan State. The more I reflect on the 2011 NFL Season, the more I think that OLB is not the biggest weakness, rather it was the play of the DL. Throw in Mike Neal's 4-game suspension and the Packers must draft DL early and often this year. Worthy has tremendous upside. It does concern me that he was on the bench for some big plays vs WI (both times they played) and the same can be said for the Bowl game against Georgia. On big 3rd downs, Worthy was on the bench. Still, Worthy would immediately upgrade the Packers DL play. Others to consider are Peter Konz, C, WI; Vinny Curry, OLB/DE, Marshall; Brandon Thompson, DL, Clemson; Devon Still, DL, Penn State; Whitney Mercilus, OLB, Illinois. I'd expect Still and Mercilus to be off the board prior to the Packers selection, but if either one is around, they'd be excellent choices. If Wells is not replaced via Free Agency, the Packers will pick a Center in the first 3 rounds of the draft and Konz is the best of the bunch. Vinny Curry's game impresses me. I feel he was as dominant as anyone at the Senior Bowl. He was stellar almost every time I watched him at Marshall. He's a pure pass rusher. He's quick off the ball. He has a great motor. Not as fast as you'd ideally like a 3-4 OLB, but he's a football player that finds the QB. While the 1st round might be early for him, it's doubtful he's there when the Packers pick in the 2nd round.
Round 2: Cam Johnson, OLB, Virginia. In the 2011 NFL Draft, the Packers drafted heavily on the offensive side of the ball. In the 2012 NFL Draft, look for the Packers to do the same on the defensive side of the ball. Johnson started off in a 3-4 at Virginia, but they transitioned to a 4-3 early in his career. He puts his hand in the dirt. Gets after the QB. He was great as a closure against the []_[]. He'll get after you. I was disappointed in his Bowl game as I thought he winded early and had a limited motor. Others to consider: Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise State; Lamar Miller, RB, []_[]; Doug Martin, RB, Boise State; Jared Crick, DL, Nebraska; Josh Chapman, DL, Alabama; Ben Jones, C, Georgia; Bruce Irvin, OLB, WVU. McClellin has all of the tools that are required of an OLB at the pro level. He can get to the QB. He has an endless motor. He can drop and cover. He spent time at ILB in college. Played some ILB at the Senior Bowl as well. The crop at RB is strong in the 2nd & 3rd rounds. Not that RB is a necessity, but if Thompson is sticking to the best player available, if Martin or Miller fall this far, they'd likely be the "best player" on the board. If drafting for need, Chapman is a talented run stuffer. He'd play a solid rotational role and fill the spot that was vacated by the essentially absent Howard Green played in 2010. As I mentioned earlier, Ben Jones will make a solid starting Center for someone this year. Bruce Irvin is a talented pass rusher. He is not gifted as a run stopper, but he's a speed rusher who consistently displayed pressure over the past two years for WVU. Jared Crick is a classic Ted Thompson "football player." Crick is coming off a season ending torn pectoral muscle injury. Still, Crick is a player who gives it his all and fights on every play. He'd immediately upgrade the Packers DL and play in the rotational.
Round 3: Antonio Allen, S, South Carolina. If you've followed the blog long enough, you know that I've wanted him since before the season started. He can play in the box. He has the capacity to cover out of the slot. He attacks the QB on the blitz. He doesn't play the ball like Sir Charles, but he'd certainly get after the QB like Woodson does. Others: Nigel Bradham, ILB, FSU; Isaiah Pead, RB, Cincy; Chris Polk, RB, Washington; Tyrone Crawford, DE, Boise State; Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State; Alameda Ta'amu, DL, Washington; Nick Toon, WR, WI. Again, RB's can be found in the 2nd & 3rd Rounds. Pead and Polk are both legitimate NFL backs who made people miss in the open field. Polk will punish you. He'll also run away from you. Wouldn't surprise me if he lands in Round 2, but some have him as a 3rd Round pick. Pead is a gifted runner who would fit well in a one-cut system. McCarthy will be looking for a new toy at QB. Cousins could be that guy. Crawford is another guy who always caught my eye. I would turn on Boise to watch Billy Winn or McClellin, but Crawford would always jump out. Ta'amu disappointed against Baylor as the speed was too much for him, but he responded with a strong Senior Bowl. Toon - who was seemingly a lock for the 1st round - has dropped to a projected 3rd round selection due to concerns about a foot injury. If he's healthy, he's a steal at this point. Nigel Bradham would immediately make an impact for the Packers. He's projected as a 3rd-4th round selection. Every time I watch him, he's making plays. He covers better than Hawk. He'd be a great compliment to Desmond Bishop's game.
Round 4 (3 selections): Cyrus Gray, RB, Texas A&M; Derek Wolfe, DL, Cincy; Casey Hayward, CB, Vanderbilt. Mike Sherman compared Gray to Ahman Green. While Sherman wasn't the greatest scout of talent for the Packers, he did have an eye for RB's. He positioned RB's for success. Gray has great hands. He picks up the blitz. He was with purpose. He fits. As for Hayward, simply stated, I haven't seen anyone play the ball in the air better than Hayward. Grab him! Derek Wolfe is one of the most underrated prospects in this draft. Great effort on almost every down. From what I saw, he was probably the best DL in the Big East this year.
Round 5: Jacquies Smith, OLB, Missouri. No, he's not the next Aldon Smith, but Jacquies does have the size and agility to be a difference maker at the next level. He's a solid value pick in the mid-to-late rounds. When Smith hits you, he's looking to force the turnover as well. He's slapping wrists and grabbing at the ball.
Round 6: Ryan Miller, OG, Colorado. I went to two games that the Buffaloes played this year. The only guy that even remotely caught my eye on the Colorado squad is Miller. He's massive at 6-7. And he moves decent for his size as well.
Round 7 (4 selections): Adrian Hamilton, OLB, Prarie View A&M; Brandon Hardin, S, Oregon State; Case Keenum, QB, Houston; Marcus Zusevics, OT, Iowa. Hamilton would be a Ted Thompson special. Possible small school gem. Hamilton flat out got to the QB. He got to the QB in the Casino Del Sol bowl game. Worth a late round selection. I was disappointed when Brandon Hardin suffered his shoulder injury this year. I went to the Wisconsin v Oregon State game and he was someone I was hoping to see. Instead, I was forced to watch both Lance Mitchell and Cameron Collins. Neither was overly impressive, but both Mitchell and Collins have the physique to play at the next level and are late round options for the Packers. At some point, the Packers will draft a QB and Keenum is a solid 7th round option. He was overly productive in a spread offense and is similar to Graham Harrell, who the Packers appear to have high hopes for. When watching Iowa, Zusevics - obviously - was always overshadowed by Riley Reiff, but I like Zusevics athleticism and he moves his feet well. He'd provide depth at Tackle for the Packers as a developmental prospect.
Hope everyone had a Happy & Safe St. Patrick's Day.
Go Pack Go.
Cheers,
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/#!/buzzboy3
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
My Take -> NFC Divisional Playoffs
Greetings, G-Force.
We're the Defending Champions. We have the NFL's MVP. We finished 15-1. We're well rested. We're playing at home. Yet, most I talk to are picking the G-Men. In fact, I heard on the radio last night that 84% of the money in Vegas that is being placed on this game is being put on the Giants. Let's do this, Lambeau!
Many I talk to point to the 2007 NFC Championship game as a reason to believe the G-Men will win. I hear the "they've done it before." Sure, there are similarities. It'll be at Lambeau. It'll be McCarthy vs. Coughlin. But, there are HUGE differences. Put it this way, the Packers will start 5 players on offense (Grant, Driver, Jennings, Clifton, and Wells) and 3 players on defense (Woodson, Hawk, and Pickett) that started the 2007 NFC Championship game. What more fresh in these players minds is the 45-17 drubbing that the Packers handed out the Giants last year as both teams fought for the 6th and final playoff spot. On that day, Eli threw 4 TD interceptions. What's even fresher is the Packers 38-35 victory in New York. The Giants are undoubtedly healthier now than they were on that day, but the Packers took the Giants best shot. Regardless of health, I'm not sure the Giants can play any better than they did in our earlier match-up this year. And the Packers left with victory. It's worth noting that McCarthy is 3-1 against McCarthy. Rodgers is 2-0 against Eli.
Since Mike McCarthy became the Head Coach of the Green Bay Packers in 2006, he's encountered immensely difficult scenarios. He dealt with the Favre exit and choosing Rodgers over Favre. Then, he had to face Favre as a Viking - 4 times. In the Super Bowl run, injuries attempted to derail the season. And, now, in the Run for the Repeat, once again, McCarthy is faced with drama. This time in absolutely tragic fashion. Obviously, the death of Michael Philbin will has had an affect on the locker room. It's an immensely sad story. Additionally, over the last week, the Packers have lost Reggie McKenzie, Philbin has had 2 interviews for Head Coaching opportunities, Tom Clements has been the subject of rumors to be an Offensive Coordinator elsewhere, John Dorsey has been offered opportunities to interview in other places, Winston Moss appears to be the leading candidate to coach the Oakland Raiders next year, and by some accounts, Darren Perry might be going with him. These are distractions. Major distractions. McCarthy has been quoted as saying "Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance." I have to believe the Packers will be prepared to receive the Giants best punch.
I have great respect for the Giants organization. They're a confident bunch who believes that they're peaking at the right time. In some ways, their season is aligned with what the Packers pulled off last year. After an embarrassing Division loss in December, they were forced to win their last two to make the playoffs. In Week 16, the Giants beat a team from New York. Last year, in Week 16, the Packers beat a team from New York. In Week 17, the Giants had to beat a Divisional Rival in order to make the playoffs. Last year, in Week 17, the Packers had to beat the hated Bears in order to make the playoffs. In the playoffs, the Giants had to get through the Falcons. Last year, in the playoffs, the Packers had to get through the Falcons.
No worries. The Packers aren't losing this game.
I have full confidence that the Lambeau Faithful will be rocking. ALL GAME! From the 1st snap, it'll be difficult for the G-Men. It'll be loud. It'll be rowdy. The atmosphere will be unparalleled in American sports.
Early in the game, look for the Giants to try and establish the run. They'll try to run the ball to the right side of our defense. Regardless of who is playing ROLB for the Packers, Capers should move either Peprah or Woodson to the right side of the defense as an 8th man in the box. Both Woodson and Peprah play the run well. While the Giants have struggled running the ball in 2011, they did have success against the Packers in the December match-up. They rushed for 100 yards on only 20 carries, averaging 5 yards an attempt. The Giants like to collapse the line and run a counter/cut-back to the left side of their offensive line. To reiterate, we must be prepared with an 8th man in the box.
Stop the run. Then come on inside blitzes with our middle LB's on passing downs. If Eli Manning gets pressure in his face, he makes mistakes. Eli is tough to sack as when the pressure comes, he throws off his back foot and floats the ball in the air. With our ball hawking DB's, good things will happen for the Packers. We'll have opportunities to make plays if we can get pressure between the guards. It'll be important to seize those moments.
I'm confident that T-Mon matches up with Nicks. I'm confident that Sammy Swagga can man-up against Manningham. I'm confident that Woodson can jam Cruz off his route at the line of scrimmage. Yes, the Giants WR's will make plays, but I believe the Packers will limit the amount of big plays that we've seen the Giants live off of in 2011. It didn't happen in the December match-up, but I have a feeling it'll be different on Sunday.
Offensively, it'll come down to protecting the NFL's MVP. The Giants DL is deep. It's lethal. It's a must to chip JPP. Early & Often. If not every play. Don't let JPP beat you. He's a game changer. In 2-TE sets, have one of the TE's chip JPP prior to his route. On long developing routes, roll Rodgers to the opposite side of JPP and have J-Mike chip JPP before running a safe, check-down crossing route.
If the Packers try to pound the ball, they'll struggle. Spread 'em out. They can't cover us. Early on, let's see some 12-yard back shoulder passes. It'll set up the stop and go for later on. Kenny Phillips and Antrel Rolle talk a good game. You can also beat Deon Grant. Neither is particularly good playing in space. 15 yard crossing routes. They could turn into BIG plays. We've seen Jordy Nelson get behind Antrel Rolle before, we'll see it again on Sunday.
In a back and forth game, the Packers have the ball and a 4 point lead mid-way through the 4th Quarter. Rodgers grabs the ball and the game on a big play to Greg Jennings over Corey Webster. Welcome back, Greg. Be great!
Packers 34. Giants 30.
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
twitter.com/#!/buzzboy3
We're the Defending Champions. We have the NFL's MVP. We finished 15-1. We're well rested. We're playing at home. Yet, most I talk to are picking the G-Men. In fact, I heard on the radio last night that 84% of the money in Vegas that is being placed on this game is being put on the Giants. Let's do this, Lambeau!
Many I talk to point to the 2007 NFC Championship game as a reason to believe the G-Men will win. I hear the "they've done it before." Sure, there are similarities. It'll be at Lambeau. It'll be McCarthy vs. Coughlin. But, there are HUGE differences. Put it this way, the Packers will start 5 players on offense (Grant, Driver, Jennings, Clifton, and Wells) and 3 players on defense (Woodson, Hawk, and Pickett) that started the 2007 NFC Championship game. What more fresh in these players minds is the 45-17 drubbing that the Packers handed out the Giants last year as both teams fought for the 6th and final playoff spot. On that day, Eli threw 4 TD interceptions. What's even fresher is the Packers 38-35 victory in New York. The Giants are undoubtedly healthier now than they were on that day, but the Packers took the Giants best shot. Regardless of health, I'm not sure the Giants can play any better than they did in our earlier match-up this year. And the Packers left with victory. It's worth noting that McCarthy is 3-1 against McCarthy. Rodgers is 2-0 against Eli.
Since Mike McCarthy became the Head Coach of the Green Bay Packers in 2006, he's encountered immensely difficult scenarios. He dealt with the Favre exit and choosing Rodgers over Favre. Then, he had to face Favre as a Viking - 4 times. In the Super Bowl run, injuries attempted to derail the season. And, now, in the Run for the Repeat, once again, McCarthy is faced with drama. This time in absolutely tragic fashion. Obviously, the death of Michael Philbin will has had an affect on the locker room. It's an immensely sad story. Additionally, over the last week, the Packers have lost Reggie McKenzie, Philbin has had 2 interviews for Head Coaching opportunities, Tom Clements has been the subject of rumors to be an Offensive Coordinator elsewhere, John Dorsey has been offered opportunities to interview in other places, Winston Moss appears to be the leading candidate to coach the Oakland Raiders next year, and by some accounts, Darren Perry might be going with him. These are distractions. Major distractions. McCarthy has been quoted as saying "Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance." I have to believe the Packers will be prepared to receive the Giants best punch.
I have great respect for the Giants organization. They're a confident bunch who believes that they're peaking at the right time. In some ways, their season is aligned with what the Packers pulled off last year. After an embarrassing Division loss in December, they were forced to win their last two to make the playoffs. In Week 16, the Giants beat a team from New York. Last year, in Week 16, the Packers beat a team from New York. In Week 17, the Giants had to beat a Divisional Rival in order to make the playoffs. Last year, in Week 17, the Packers had to beat the hated Bears in order to make the playoffs. In the playoffs, the Giants had to get through the Falcons. Last year, in the playoffs, the Packers had to get through the Falcons.
No worries. The Packers aren't losing this game.
I have full confidence that the Lambeau Faithful will be rocking. ALL GAME! From the 1st snap, it'll be difficult for the G-Men. It'll be loud. It'll be rowdy. The atmosphere will be unparalleled in American sports.
Early in the game, look for the Giants to try and establish the run. They'll try to run the ball to the right side of our defense. Regardless of who is playing ROLB for the Packers, Capers should move either Peprah or Woodson to the right side of the defense as an 8th man in the box. Both Woodson and Peprah play the run well. While the Giants have struggled running the ball in 2011, they did have success against the Packers in the December match-up. They rushed for 100 yards on only 20 carries, averaging 5 yards an attempt. The Giants like to collapse the line and run a counter/cut-back to the left side of their offensive line. To reiterate, we must be prepared with an 8th man in the box.
Stop the run. Then come on inside blitzes with our middle LB's on passing downs. If Eli Manning gets pressure in his face, he makes mistakes. Eli is tough to sack as when the pressure comes, he throws off his back foot and floats the ball in the air. With our ball hawking DB's, good things will happen for the Packers. We'll have opportunities to make plays if we can get pressure between the guards. It'll be important to seize those moments.
I'm confident that T-Mon matches up with Nicks. I'm confident that Sammy Swagga can man-up against Manningham. I'm confident that Woodson can jam Cruz off his route at the line of scrimmage. Yes, the Giants WR's will make plays, but I believe the Packers will limit the amount of big plays that we've seen the Giants live off of in 2011. It didn't happen in the December match-up, but I have a feeling it'll be different on Sunday.
Offensively, it'll come down to protecting the NFL's MVP. The Giants DL is deep. It's lethal. It's a must to chip JPP. Early & Often. If not every play. Don't let JPP beat you. He's a game changer. In 2-TE sets, have one of the TE's chip JPP prior to his route. On long developing routes, roll Rodgers to the opposite side of JPP and have J-Mike chip JPP before running a safe, check-down crossing route.
If the Packers try to pound the ball, they'll struggle. Spread 'em out. They can't cover us. Early on, let's see some 12-yard back shoulder passes. It'll set up the stop and go for later on. Kenny Phillips and Antrel Rolle talk a good game. You can also beat Deon Grant. Neither is particularly good playing in space. 15 yard crossing routes. They could turn into BIG plays. We've seen Jordy Nelson get behind Antrel Rolle before, we'll see it again on Sunday.
In a back and forth game, the Packers have the ball and a 4 point lead mid-way through the 4th Quarter. Rodgers grabs the ball and the game on a big play to Greg Jennings over Corey Webster. Welcome back, Greg. Be great!
Packers 34. Giants 30.
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
twitter.com/#!/buzzboy3
Saturday, January 7, 2012
My Take -> Bye Week
Greetings, G-Force.
15-1! Yes, 15-1! For real, 15-1! Amazing! Truly sensational. What a ride. And while the Packers are on bye for Wild Card weekend, I figured it'd be time for a Packers Mock Draft. After all, we have also just completed the most epic week of football all year, Bowl Week. And, of course, I was full throttle with regards to analysis. But, before I get too deep, I'd be a fool if I didn't give a huge shout-out to Matt Flynn. 31-44. 480 yards, a Packer record. 6 TD's, another Packer record. All against a playoff bound team. Sublime! Last year, I was highly critical of Flynn after the loss in Detroit. He proved me wrong. Once again, so did Ted Thompson.
Speaking of Ted Thompson, he'll have to adjust due to the loss of his wingman, Reggie McKenzie. Cheers to you, Reggie. The pain is that McKenzie is the 2nd member of Thompson's staff to depart in the last year - the other being John Schmeider. I'm not going to question Thompson, but it's only natural to wonder how this will affect Thompson's draft preparations.
If you've been following this blog, you know I want the 3-peat. It'd be the first in Super Bowl history. Twice in their rich history, the Packers won 3 consecutive championships. From 1929-1931 and from 1965-1967. The coaches? Lambeau and Lombardi. That's VIP! In order to grab 3 in a row, this draft class will need to provide difference makers.
As always, I have limitations in my Mock Draft. First and foremost, if I didn't watch the guy play a game in 2011, I can't select him. Secondly, as always, time has not permitted me to be fully caught up on OL. So, I won't draft them. Though I'm on board with my good mate, Stack, who suggests OG, Kevin Zeitler, WI, in Round 3. In Round 5, I'd also like Marcus Zusevics, OT, Iowa. Generally speaking, Iowa produces top notch prospects at OT. Zusevics has the size and athleticism to play at the next level. He's also had the coaching at the collegiate level to make an impact on an NFL Roster. Rightfully so, he's often overshadowed by Riley Reiff, I look for Zusevics to also have a solid NFL career. The reality is that the Packers are relatively set at the skill positions on offense and it'd surprise me if the Packers selected an offensive weapon in the 1st three rounds, even though Lamar Miller, RB, []_[], would be the proverbial "best player available" if he's sitting on the board at #32. He'd be the final piece to the offensive arsenal at the skill positions. He'd be the sexy pick. He's a game changer. However, it's unlikely Ted Thompson will ignore the Defensive front 7 early in the 2012 Draft. In fact, just as Thompson went aggressive on the offensive side of the ball early in the 2011 NFL Draft, it's likely he'll do the same on the defensive side of the ball in 2012.
Final stats with regards to compensatory picks are:
Cullen Jenkins - 16 games. 16 starts. 5.5 sacks. 40 tackles. Man, did the Packers miss him. I'd expect a 4th Round compensatory pick for him.
Daryn Colledge - Played in 16 games. Made 16 starts. Worth a 5th Round pick in the Draft.
Jason Spitz - Played in 10 games with 0 starts.
Ras-A-tari Bigby - Played in 15 games. Made 2 starts. Finished with 18 tackles, 2 passes defensed and a sack.
Anthony Smith - Played in 13 games before being put on IR for the year. Made 4 tackles.
Korey Hall - Played in 13 games. Made 0 starts.
B-Jack - Didn't play due to an injury. Was on IR all year.
I project the Packers to receive a 4, a 5, and two 7th round picks as compensation for the FA losses of last year. It's also worth noting that the Packers traded Caleb Schlauderaff to the Jets for an undisclosed late round pick. On the year, Schlauderaff made 6 appearances and had 1 start. I've yet to see what the Packers will receive as compensation. Until I learn what selection they received, I'll ignore it in the Mock Draft. Regardless, Ted Thompson will be spoiled with a minimum of 11 picks to work with in this years NFL Draft.
1.) If Sam Montgomery declares, he's my clear cut choice at #32. Merge Montgomery's gifts with those of The Claymaker and the Packers OLB spot would be fulfilled for the next decade. If Montgomery trays in school, I'm waffling a bit. Be sure to pay extra attention to #99 in the BCS Championship. Kendall Wright has been my favorite player to watch in college football this year, but the Packers aren't drafting WR in Round 1. I really like Fletcher Cox, Jerel Worthy and Nick Perry, but I don't envision any of them being available at #32. Therefore, my selection is Dontari Poe, DL, Memphis. The DL needs to improve. Ryan Pickett is still playing at a high level, but he's not getting any younger and Howard Green has not been the same player that he was last year. Poe will improve the run defense. He's not going to solve our pass rush issues, but he'll help when teams try the ground and pound approach against the XLV Champs.
Others that I am watching: Whitney Mercilus, OLB, Illinois. Mercilus had great success getting to the QB. He's the ideal size for a 3-4 OLB. I have his Bowl game on DVR. After I watch his game vs. UCLA, he could easily become my 1st Round choice. Lamar Miller, RB, []_[]. As I mentioned, Miller amazes me. He runs with grace. He's often the fastest player on the field. Every time he touches the ball, he's a threat to take it to the house. I'd love it if Miller were the selection.
2.) Vinny Curry, OLB, Marshall. He played a DE role at Marshall. He causes havoc on opposing Offensive Coordinators. He uses a variety of moves to get to the QB. With Curry, the Packers will get a legitimate playmaker who not only makes the tackle, but he swipes the ball away. I've been enamored with his game since the '10 Classic between Marshall and WVU when Curry and Mario Harvey almost knocked off the Mountaineers by themselves. In '10, Curry finished with 18 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. In '11, Curry finished with 22 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, 7 forced fumbles,3 blocked kicks and a safety. Curry fits what we're seeking. At this stage, Curry is viewed as a late 2nd/early 3rd round pick. Don't be surprised if he jumps up draft boards after the Combine and his individual workout. I like Curry enough to draft him in the 1st Round, so it'll be interesting to see how he performs in the pre-Draft events as he could easily catapult to my 1st Round selection. Much like in 1999 when Ron Wolf went aggressive with CB's, it wouldn't surprise me to see Ted Thompson be aggressive with Pass Rushers.
Others: Cam Johnson, OLB, Virginia. He has had experience playing in a 3-4, however prior to his Junior Year, Virginia moved to a 4-3. He's a little heavier than the traditional 245-255 lb OLB. Nonetheless, look for the Packers to go after a number of pass rushers and in some ways, Johnson reminds me of Lamar Woodley. He has the attitude to play OLB in the 3-4. Moves well. Might be a decent compliment to Clay. At this point, Johnson is viewed as a 2-3 round pick. Billy Winn, DL, Boise. Winn is somewhat Jeckyl and Hyde. At times, he's pushed backwards or thrown to the turf. Other times, he's dominant. Alameda Ta'amu, DL, Washington. He disappointed in the Bowl game. He disappointed against Stanford. But, he's got the size, athleticism, and mobility that NFL teams crave. He uses his hands well and collapses the pocket well for his size.
3.) Since I initiated my first 2012 Mock Draft back In August, one name has been a constant: Antonio Allen, S, South Carolina. He's terrific in the box. He can cover the TE. He'll blitz with a ferocious approach out of the slot. Simply stated, his game translates to Dom Capers' system. I'm still not convinced that he's an elite player when he's asked to cover in space, but he does have terrific versatility. He's causes confusion for opposing QB's. He has to be accounted for on every play.
Others: Isaiah Pead, RB, Cincy. If I didn't enjoy Antonio Allen so much, Pead would be my unquestioned choice. Man, he'd fit perfectly. Great instincts. Tough to bring down. Finds space. Elite vision. One of the better runners I saw this year. Pead would fit in well in Green Bay. Let me repeat, Isaiah Pead in Green Bay would work out well for all parties. But, I'm higher on Brandon Saine than most and therefore, I'll hold off on a RB selection until later in the draft. Bernard Pearce, RB, Temple. Good one-cut runner. Sound vision. Have to question the level of competition, but regardless, he was a consistent performer with all of the tools to develop into a solid 1st and 2nd down runner. He reminds me a little of Ryan Grant.
4.) Casey Heyward, CB, Vandy. Heyward is currently a mid-round prospect. But, every time you watch him play, he's forcing turnovers, reading routes and making plays on the ball. Wouldn't surprise me if he jumps to the end of the 2nd round as we get closer to the Draft.
4a.) Derek Wolfe, DT, Cincy. He'd immediately improve the pass rush. Oddly, most have him projected as a late round pick. I see him as a 4th Round prospect. He's a great hustle player who pursues with intent. His figure doesn't seem to promote mobility, but he moves surprisingly well. He gets a good push and his motor is consistent.
Others: Nigel Bradham, ILB, FSU. Bradham attacks ball carriers. He drops well. He reads the QB's eyes with precision. He'd be a nice mid-round pick. I'm interested to see how Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise performs at the combine. Undoubtedly, he's athletic. Ideal size for the 3-4. Has shown that he can rush the passer and drop in coverage. Does he run the 4.7 that most are expecting him to run? If so, he'll be an attractive selection. Cyrus Gray, RB, A&M. If there's one thing that Mike Sherman is tremendous at, it is developing and utilizing RB's. He compared Gray to Ahman Green. Respect!
5.) Terrance Ganaway, RB, Baylor. Like Alex Green, Ganaway played in a spread offense, which requires a back to make a quick decision, one-cut move and then go! Ganaway had a solid year, with exclamation of an ending in his Bowl game. Ganaway runs hard. He's not going to outrun many DB's, but he's moves well for his size. He also pushes the pile forward upon contact. I'd prefer Cyrus Gray, but he'll be gone by this point and defensive improvements are top of mind in this years Draft.
5a.) Mike Martin, DL, Michigan. Martin is consistently active. He gives everything he has on every down. Not going to overwhelm you, but he's not going to be driven backwards. Stout at the point. Doesn't get moved easily. He also doesn't dominate the line of scrimmage. But, he's going to give you endless effort. And, due to his effort, he'll make plays. He reminds me of Don Davey. Davey was a little taller and a lot lighter, but they played with similar styles.
Others: The 5th and 6th Rounds look like a good time to target a WR. Jarius Wright, Arkansas, is favorite of mine. Marvin McNutt, Iowa, was an elite playmaker at the college level. BJ Cunningham, Michigan State, showed glimpses of brilliance. Joe Adams, Arkansas, is like watching a video game in real life. Jeff Fuller, Texas A&M, has all of the tools to be a legit NFL WR. Ryan Browles, OK, had a tremendous collegiate career before blowing out his knee. TY Hilton, FIU, is a fun weapon. I'll never forget watching him play as a Freshman. He was a lethal KR & PR. Jordan White, Western Michigan, has all of the gifts that translate to success at the next level. At RB, I also like Dan Herron as a 4th or 5th round prospect. Marred by the Ohio State scandal, no one can deny Herron's on-field production.
6.) Olivier Vernon, OLB, []_[]. When motivated, Vernon was an absolute baller. Very troublesome though is the fact that Vernon was often uninvolved. If he played with a high motor 100% of the time, Vernon would be a 2nd round pick. He'd be a terrific project for Kevin Greene. Greene would find a way to motivate Vernon - I have no doubt. And, much like Jimmy Graham, who also came from the []_[], he might be a late bloomer and a late round diamond in the rough.
7.) Case Keenum, QB, Houston. Matt Flynn is gone. No question about it. It seems as though Thompson and McCarthy intend on promoting Graham Harrell, who is sure to benefit from an off-season with mini-camps and the QB school that McCarthy offers. How can you argue with Keenum's numbers? Granted, he did not take snaps from center, but remember, neither did Harrell in college. In fact, they're similar prospects. I believe Keenum is more mobile than he gets credit for. He throws a great long ball. He doesn't have significant zip, but in time, I see him as a reliable back-up QB. He's worth a 7th Round pick.
7a.) Sammy Brown, OLB, Houston. Brown caught my eye when I tuned into the Marshall v Houston game this past October. My intent was to watch Vinny Curry and Case Kenum. And while Curry was unproductive, Brown was a total stud. Active in pursuit. Aggressive off the edge. A potential 7th Round steal.
7b.) Najee Goode, ILB, WVU. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know. This one is a reach. But, why not? Watch the film. He makes tackles. He finds the ball carrier. He's around the ball. He finished with 87 tackles, 5 sacks, a forced fumble and an interception. He may not time well in the 40, but he gets sideline-to-sideline well. Further, he was a leader. I see him as a solid special teams contributor. ILB is not a position of need for the Packers, nonetheless, he'd be a fun selection.
Others: Tyrone Crawford, DE/OLB, Boise. Does he have a position on the field? I'm not sure. He is a tweener, no doubt. But, the guy is a football player. Arguably the most underrated prospect that I've seen in College Football. Every time I watched Boise, Crawford seemed to be making plays. Jermaine Kearse, WR, Washington. Ideal size. Runs a good deep route. Well coached. Had trouble holding onto the ball in 2010, but seemed to improve this year. Good late round option. Dominique Davis, QB, ECU. Escapes pressure well. He is a run-first QB, with the ability to throw on the run. He's elusive. Sees the field fairly well. High upside. Not sure he's scratched the surface of his potential.
More Draft vibes to come after the Packers claim the XLVI Crown. Pop Tarts!
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
15-1! Yes, 15-1! For real, 15-1! Amazing! Truly sensational. What a ride. And while the Packers are on bye for Wild Card weekend, I figured it'd be time for a Packers Mock Draft. After all, we have also just completed the most epic week of football all year, Bowl Week. And, of course, I was full throttle with regards to analysis. But, before I get too deep, I'd be a fool if I didn't give a huge shout-out to Matt Flynn. 31-44. 480 yards, a Packer record. 6 TD's, another Packer record. All against a playoff bound team. Sublime! Last year, I was highly critical of Flynn after the loss in Detroit. He proved me wrong. Once again, so did Ted Thompson.
Speaking of Ted Thompson, he'll have to adjust due to the loss of his wingman, Reggie McKenzie. Cheers to you, Reggie. The pain is that McKenzie is the 2nd member of Thompson's staff to depart in the last year - the other being John Schmeider. I'm not going to question Thompson, but it's only natural to wonder how this will affect Thompson's draft preparations.
If you've been following this blog, you know I want the 3-peat. It'd be the first in Super Bowl history. Twice in their rich history, the Packers won 3 consecutive championships. From 1929-1931 and from 1965-1967. The coaches? Lambeau and Lombardi. That's VIP! In order to grab 3 in a row, this draft class will need to provide difference makers.
As always, I have limitations in my Mock Draft. First and foremost, if I didn't watch the guy play a game in 2011, I can't select him. Secondly, as always, time has not permitted me to be fully caught up on OL. So, I won't draft them. Though I'm on board with my good mate, Stack, who suggests OG, Kevin Zeitler, WI, in Round 3. In Round 5, I'd also like Marcus Zusevics, OT, Iowa. Generally speaking, Iowa produces top notch prospects at OT. Zusevics has the size and athleticism to play at the next level. He's also had the coaching at the collegiate level to make an impact on an NFL Roster. Rightfully so, he's often overshadowed by Riley Reiff, I look for Zusevics to also have a solid NFL career. The reality is that the Packers are relatively set at the skill positions on offense and it'd surprise me if the Packers selected an offensive weapon in the 1st three rounds, even though Lamar Miller, RB, []_[], would be the proverbial "best player available" if he's sitting on the board at #32. He'd be the final piece to the offensive arsenal at the skill positions. He'd be the sexy pick. He's a game changer. However, it's unlikely Ted Thompson will ignore the Defensive front 7 early in the 2012 Draft. In fact, just as Thompson went aggressive on the offensive side of the ball early in the 2011 NFL Draft, it's likely he'll do the same on the defensive side of the ball in 2012.
Final stats with regards to compensatory picks are:
Cullen Jenkins - 16 games. 16 starts. 5.5 sacks. 40 tackles. Man, did the Packers miss him. I'd expect a 4th Round compensatory pick for him.
Daryn Colledge - Played in 16 games. Made 16 starts. Worth a 5th Round pick in the Draft.
Jason Spitz - Played in 10 games with 0 starts.
Ras-A-tari Bigby - Played in 15 games. Made 2 starts. Finished with 18 tackles, 2 passes defensed and a sack.
Anthony Smith - Played in 13 games before being put on IR for the year. Made 4 tackles.
Korey Hall - Played in 13 games. Made 0 starts.
B-Jack - Didn't play due to an injury. Was on IR all year.
I project the Packers to receive a 4, a 5, and two 7th round picks as compensation for the FA losses of last year. It's also worth noting that the Packers traded Caleb Schlauderaff to the Jets for an undisclosed late round pick. On the year, Schlauderaff made 6 appearances and had 1 start. I've yet to see what the Packers will receive as compensation. Until I learn what selection they received, I'll ignore it in the Mock Draft. Regardless, Ted Thompson will be spoiled with a minimum of 11 picks to work with in this years NFL Draft.
1.) If Sam Montgomery declares, he's my clear cut choice at #32. Merge Montgomery's gifts with those of The Claymaker and the Packers OLB spot would be fulfilled for the next decade. If Montgomery trays in school, I'm waffling a bit. Be sure to pay extra attention to #99 in the BCS Championship. Kendall Wright has been my favorite player to watch in college football this year, but the Packers aren't drafting WR in Round 1. I really like Fletcher Cox, Jerel Worthy and Nick Perry, but I don't envision any of them being available at #32. Therefore, my selection is Dontari Poe, DL, Memphis. The DL needs to improve. Ryan Pickett is still playing at a high level, but he's not getting any younger and Howard Green has not been the same player that he was last year. Poe will improve the run defense. He's not going to solve our pass rush issues, but he'll help when teams try the ground and pound approach against the XLV Champs.
Others that I am watching: Whitney Mercilus, OLB, Illinois. Mercilus had great success getting to the QB. He's the ideal size for a 3-4 OLB. I have his Bowl game on DVR. After I watch his game vs. UCLA, he could easily become my 1st Round choice. Lamar Miller, RB, []_[]. As I mentioned, Miller amazes me. He runs with grace. He's often the fastest player on the field. Every time he touches the ball, he's a threat to take it to the house. I'd love it if Miller were the selection.
2.) Vinny Curry, OLB, Marshall. He played a DE role at Marshall. He causes havoc on opposing Offensive Coordinators. He uses a variety of moves to get to the QB. With Curry, the Packers will get a legitimate playmaker who not only makes the tackle, but he swipes the ball away. I've been enamored with his game since the '10 Classic between Marshall and WVU when Curry and Mario Harvey almost knocked off the Mountaineers by themselves. In '10, Curry finished with 18 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. In '11, Curry finished with 22 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, 7 forced fumbles,3 blocked kicks and a safety. Curry fits what we're seeking. At this stage, Curry is viewed as a late 2nd/early 3rd round pick. Don't be surprised if he jumps up draft boards after the Combine and his individual workout. I like Curry enough to draft him in the 1st Round, so it'll be interesting to see how he performs in the pre-Draft events as he could easily catapult to my 1st Round selection. Much like in 1999 when Ron Wolf went aggressive with CB's, it wouldn't surprise me to see Ted Thompson be aggressive with Pass Rushers.
Others: Cam Johnson, OLB, Virginia. He has had experience playing in a 3-4, however prior to his Junior Year, Virginia moved to a 4-3. He's a little heavier than the traditional 245-255 lb OLB. Nonetheless, look for the Packers to go after a number of pass rushers and in some ways, Johnson reminds me of Lamar Woodley. He has the attitude to play OLB in the 3-4. Moves well. Might be a decent compliment to Clay. At this point, Johnson is viewed as a 2-3 round pick. Billy Winn, DL, Boise. Winn is somewhat Jeckyl and Hyde. At times, he's pushed backwards or thrown to the turf. Other times, he's dominant. Alameda Ta'amu, DL, Washington. He disappointed in the Bowl game. He disappointed against Stanford. But, he's got the size, athleticism, and mobility that NFL teams crave. He uses his hands well and collapses the pocket well for his size.
3.) Since I initiated my first 2012 Mock Draft back In August, one name has been a constant: Antonio Allen, S, South Carolina. He's terrific in the box. He can cover the TE. He'll blitz with a ferocious approach out of the slot. Simply stated, his game translates to Dom Capers' system. I'm still not convinced that he's an elite player when he's asked to cover in space, but he does have terrific versatility. He's causes confusion for opposing QB's. He has to be accounted for on every play.
Others: Isaiah Pead, RB, Cincy. If I didn't enjoy Antonio Allen so much, Pead would be my unquestioned choice. Man, he'd fit perfectly. Great instincts. Tough to bring down. Finds space. Elite vision. One of the better runners I saw this year. Pead would fit in well in Green Bay. Let me repeat, Isaiah Pead in Green Bay would work out well for all parties. But, I'm higher on Brandon Saine than most and therefore, I'll hold off on a RB selection until later in the draft. Bernard Pearce, RB, Temple. Good one-cut runner. Sound vision. Have to question the level of competition, but regardless, he was a consistent performer with all of the tools to develop into a solid 1st and 2nd down runner. He reminds me a little of Ryan Grant.
4.) Casey Heyward, CB, Vandy. Heyward is currently a mid-round prospect. But, every time you watch him play, he's forcing turnovers, reading routes and making plays on the ball. Wouldn't surprise me if he jumps to the end of the 2nd round as we get closer to the Draft.
4a.) Derek Wolfe, DT, Cincy. He'd immediately improve the pass rush. Oddly, most have him projected as a late round pick. I see him as a 4th Round prospect. He's a great hustle player who pursues with intent. His figure doesn't seem to promote mobility, but he moves surprisingly well. He gets a good push and his motor is consistent.
Others: Nigel Bradham, ILB, FSU. Bradham attacks ball carriers. He drops well. He reads the QB's eyes with precision. He'd be a nice mid-round pick. I'm interested to see how Shea McClellin, OLB, Boise performs at the combine. Undoubtedly, he's athletic. Ideal size for the 3-4. Has shown that he can rush the passer and drop in coverage. Does he run the 4.7 that most are expecting him to run? If so, he'll be an attractive selection. Cyrus Gray, RB, A&M. If there's one thing that Mike Sherman is tremendous at, it is developing and utilizing RB's. He compared Gray to Ahman Green. Respect!
5.) Terrance Ganaway, RB, Baylor. Like Alex Green, Ganaway played in a spread offense, which requires a back to make a quick decision, one-cut move and then go! Ganaway had a solid year, with exclamation of an ending in his Bowl game. Ganaway runs hard. He's not going to outrun many DB's, but he's moves well for his size. He also pushes the pile forward upon contact. I'd prefer Cyrus Gray, but he'll be gone by this point and defensive improvements are top of mind in this years Draft.
5a.) Mike Martin, DL, Michigan. Martin is consistently active. He gives everything he has on every down. Not going to overwhelm you, but he's not going to be driven backwards. Stout at the point. Doesn't get moved easily. He also doesn't dominate the line of scrimmage. But, he's going to give you endless effort. And, due to his effort, he'll make plays. He reminds me of Don Davey. Davey was a little taller and a lot lighter, but they played with similar styles.
Others: The 5th and 6th Rounds look like a good time to target a WR. Jarius Wright, Arkansas, is favorite of mine. Marvin McNutt, Iowa, was an elite playmaker at the college level. BJ Cunningham, Michigan State, showed glimpses of brilliance. Joe Adams, Arkansas, is like watching a video game in real life. Jeff Fuller, Texas A&M, has all of the tools to be a legit NFL WR. Ryan Browles, OK, had a tremendous collegiate career before blowing out his knee. TY Hilton, FIU, is a fun weapon. I'll never forget watching him play as a Freshman. He was a lethal KR & PR. Jordan White, Western Michigan, has all of the gifts that translate to success at the next level. At RB, I also like Dan Herron as a 4th or 5th round prospect. Marred by the Ohio State scandal, no one can deny Herron's on-field production.
6.) Olivier Vernon, OLB, []_[]. When motivated, Vernon was an absolute baller. Very troublesome though is the fact that Vernon was often uninvolved. If he played with a high motor 100% of the time, Vernon would be a 2nd round pick. He'd be a terrific project for Kevin Greene. Greene would find a way to motivate Vernon - I have no doubt. And, much like Jimmy Graham, who also came from the []_[], he might be a late bloomer and a late round diamond in the rough.
7.) Case Keenum, QB, Houston. Matt Flynn is gone. No question about it. It seems as though Thompson and McCarthy intend on promoting Graham Harrell, who is sure to benefit from an off-season with mini-camps and the QB school that McCarthy offers. How can you argue with Keenum's numbers? Granted, he did not take snaps from center, but remember, neither did Harrell in college. In fact, they're similar prospects. I believe Keenum is more mobile than he gets credit for. He throws a great long ball. He doesn't have significant zip, but in time, I see him as a reliable back-up QB. He's worth a 7th Round pick.
7a.) Sammy Brown, OLB, Houston. Brown caught my eye when I tuned into the Marshall v Houston game this past October. My intent was to watch Vinny Curry and Case Kenum. And while Curry was unproductive, Brown was a total stud. Active in pursuit. Aggressive off the edge. A potential 7th Round steal.
7b.) Najee Goode, ILB, WVU. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know. This one is a reach. But, why not? Watch the film. He makes tackles. He finds the ball carrier. He's around the ball. He finished with 87 tackles, 5 sacks, a forced fumble and an interception. He may not time well in the 40, but he gets sideline-to-sideline well. Further, he was a leader. I see him as a solid special teams contributor. ILB is not a position of need for the Packers, nonetheless, he'd be a fun selection.
Others: Tyrone Crawford, DE/OLB, Boise. Does he have a position on the field? I'm not sure. He is a tweener, no doubt. But, the guy is a football player. Arguably the most underrated prospect that I've seen in College Football. Every time I watched Boise, Crawford seemed to be making plays. Jermaine Kearse, WR, Washington. Ideal size. Runs a good deep route. Well coached. Had trouble holding onto the ball in 2010, but seemed to improve this year. Good late round option. Dominique Davis, QB, ECU. Escapes pressure well. He is a run-first QB, with the ability to throw on the run. He's elusive. Sees the field fairly well. High upside. Not sure he's scratched the surface of his potential.
More Draft vibes to come after the Packers claim the XLVI Crown. Pop Tarts!
Go Pack Go!
Talkin' S-Mac.
talkins-mac.blogspot.com
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