Packers Head versus heart…

I like the Packers. You know this. It’s my homerism. It’s my blessing. It’s your curse.

But what I’m gonna do? I’m gonna see if I can’t get into Ted Thompson’s head and look at draft possibilities. I probably can’t, so I’ll tell you what I’d do.

Quarterbacks: I think there can be a pretty good flier taken on Day 2. You know that I absolutely love Andre Woodson and Josh Johnson. And even if they take a veteran like Daunte Culpepper. You can see them going super deep and taking a guy like Bernard Morris as a 3rd QB/Paul Thompson type. Remember, Ingle Martin was drafted on measureables.

Running Backs: Oddly enough? I can see Ted drafting a runner early. I know, they have Ryan Grant. But remember, Ted Thompson likes the best player available. And if a Felix Jones or a Jonathan Stewart is available at 30 in a league where the two-back offenses are growing like weeds? Ted would be stupid not to pass on him.

Receivers: I wouldn’t expect one taken before the late rounds. They have 4 receivers that have shown something, and Koren Robinson has the potential to be somebody. They may take a flier on someone with return game potential.  

Tight End: Expect one early. Donald Lee came out of nowhere to be awesome. And they do like Tory Humphrey’s potential. But they will try and get one in in the middle rounds. I think they may get past the top few, but maybe a Kellen Davis as a Jermichael Finley.

Offensive Line: Expect one early and one in the middle rounds. Clifton and Tauscher are fine players, but they’re on the wrong side of 30. And in my opinion, Tony Moll is servicable, but no heir apparent. At guard? They need another body to put into the race of Barbre, Colledge, Coston and Spitz. Remember the name Mackenzy Bernadeau. It is an awesome name.

Defensive Line: They’re deep here, even with dealing Corey Williams. They probably aren’t going to go with a defensive tackle even with the Corey Williams trade. However, when Cliff Avril becomes the best rush end available, the Packers could be looking for a cheaper bit of pass rush. 

Linebacker: Put it this way, if there was an excellent strong side linebacker with coverage skills? They’d go early. But there isn’t. If the Packers draft a linebacker early, they’re likely drafting a backup. Brandy Popillar is going to have to be the Celebrity Hook-Up Nickname Generator Strong Side Linebacker.

Cornerback: They need one and they need one early. If Al Harris or Charles Woodson get hurt for an extended period of time? The Packers are right fucked. They could possibly trade out of the first round and still come out with an excellent press-zone cornerback. There is good cornerback depth, so even though this may be the biggest need, Ted may take a breath and see about a Tyvon Branch a little later in the draft.

Safety: I wouldn’t expect one early. Bigby, Collins and Rouse are all decent NFL starters, and there is no real gamechanger available. They may just OFA a special teamer here.

Special Teams: They may add some sort of value to a player who could contribute in the return game. They’ll bring in a OFA Punter.

I’m already engaging in a Mock Draft exercize in futility, so I’m not going to say anything here. Just remember, best player available. I still say if Stewart or Jones are available at 30, the Packers are gonna two-back.

Thanks.

Do you wish for an ability to drop Draft Knowledge? (Part 1)

We are helpful people at The Grand National Championships. We like you. And when you’re gonna watch the NFL Draft on the last weekend in April? You’re gonna want to know stuff. I will bring you the stuff to know.

Elvi Patterson can hate me now, but I won’t stop now.

Let me tell you all you need to know about the quarterback class.

There are five that should go on Day 1. That you know. But did you know that if you wish to know where the sleeper goes, all you need to do is look inside an [Anchorman Reference]?

(Heh. Heh. Heh.)

The Magnificient Seven (Quarterbacks)

1. Matt Ryan (QB-Boston College)
6′4″ 223 4.95

There are some whom would compare him to Joe Montana. There are some whom would compare him to Tom Brady. Hell, Pro Football Weekly would even throw in Peyton Manning. Wrong. All of you are wrong.

His arm is not laser, and he will let you down going deep. He can manage the game well, but his vertical game blows. Out and out shitty.

Not to say he won’t have real world value in 2009, it’s just that you aught to temper your hopes, guy.

But being Drew Brees means you know how to learn the Carlton Dance!

WHY Matt Ryan is the next Drew Brees? He will struggle mightily for the first few years with a bad offensive line.

2. Brian Brohm (QB-Louisville)
6′4″ 224 4.82

 

Brian Brohm has lived a sheltered life at Louisville. A spread offense guaranteed to put up numbers for any quarterback? Two brothers as coaches? His daddy as a constant presence? Even though he was injury prone, the fix was in for him to succeed.

I know, I’m being mean. He does have a laser arm. He does have on-field football smarts. He’s not fast, but he’s not a statue in the pocket. Leadership is not a strong suit, however.

WHYhe will be the next Brady Quinn? His intangibles are questionable, his arm is not that great, and if the Ravens fall in love with a cornerback? He will lose millions on draft day.

3. Joe Flacco (QB-Delaware)
6′6″ 236 4.85

 

Kerry Collins had a passing camp in South Jersey. It crossed paths with a computer camp. Theirs was a love that could not last. Fortunately, Kerry does not believe in sexual congress with condoms. Nine months later, Ms. Flacco’s baby boy was born.

Don’t believe me? Think this story libelous? Well, how about we explain that Flacco is a statuesque laser, rocket-armed quarterback who is not great under pressure and has a drinking problem*?

He’s only going to be good as his coaching and supporting cast.

WHY he may be the next Matt Schaub? He’s going to be drafted as some teams back-up in the second round, have a good game versus the Patriots, and be rumored to get dealt for two years hence. 

*The Mileage on Joe Flacco’s drinking problem may vary.

4. Chad Henne (QB-Michigan)
6′2″ 230 4.94

Being as my friend Elvi lives in Michigan, he is inundated with hype from Ann Arbor. He is sick of Chad Henne. In that way? He’s like your average Michigan fan.

But like anything that can be much-maligned, the fact of the matter is that Henne brings more to the table than you think. He throws hard, he plays hurt, and he has played well in big games not involving Ohio State. However, he is inaccurate and like the bastard child of Kerry Collins, when the line breaks down Henne cannot stand and deliver. The devil he may take ya.

WHY he may never be a full-time starter? He has a lot of bad habits that would only be correctable by good coaching. And do you know what’s the most translatable skill of a quarterback from college to the pros? Accuracy.

5. Andre’ Woodson (QB-Kentucky)
6′4″ 229 4.88

 

Let it be said that we will make an effort to speak upon him fairly. We love his style and his ability to come up big in the biggest of games. He is poor in throwing technique. He would need to land with a team that has a swanky quarterback coach to polish the rough edges. He was not great in the all-star games.

But that being said, the man is a gunslinger. He brought them back versus three teams in the Top 15 and stood toe to toe with the son of Jor-El. And while some dream of him as a Jason Campbell or a David Garrard, if everything breaks right? (And I do mean every damn thing?)

 

WHY I just might not be crazy? A 2nd round graded quarterback who can move around from a southern school who can bring his marginally talented team back against powerhouses? He’s got the heart and the balls.

These are your day one quarterbacks in terms of value. Sure, an Erik Ainge or John David Booty may sneak in if some team has a grade for them, but they’re backup value at best (Ainge more than Booty). But in Day 2 the only city that bears an interest?

San Diego!

Day 2 Sleepers

A. Josh Johnson  (QB-San Diego)
6′2″ 213 4.55

 

There’s an impetus to find upside in your quarterback. Josh Johnson is the best and brightest. He destroyed competition in the Division 1-AA (FCS, whatever) with a 43-1 TD-INT ratio. And get this? His throwing style isn’t raw either! He may not be used to the speed of the pro game, but he’s not just some spread option sucker.

He played under a pro-style offense in San Diego. Jim Harbaugh was his sensei.

But there is some dark clouds in this ray of sunshine. He’s not one of the 6′5″ 240 sized types of quarterbacks, it means he may get launched. And he may never settle into his happy feet. But the fact of the matter? If Throwing Into Traffic wants to talk about what dreams may come? Talk up Josh Johnson.

WHY he might be drafted on Day 1? You remember Tavaris Jackson? Josh Johnson is the Platinum Edition of Tavaris.

B. Kevin O’Connell (QB-San Diego State)
6′5″ 225 4.64

He may not be the one, but Kevin O’ Connell [a.k.a. Cush] sure is the prototype. Strong arm with good accuracy, good footwork along with timed speed, and he has pretty good accuracy. And his sensei is a strong molder of quarterbacks. Chuck Long made Kevin O’Connell a prospect. Chuck Long made Kevin O’Connell blossom in the most heterosexual way possible.

And yet? The man can’t stay healthy. The man could not destroy a mid-major conference even with Chuck Long’s Mr. Miyagi-style.  He can lose the plate every so often and he will not stand tall and true. He is not the gunslinger you are looking for.

WHY won’t he be another Dan McGwire? He’s agile and mobile. That and he doesn’t juice. He is not going to be a bust.

That’s it. About 1200 words in regards to your fine quarterback prospects. Yeah. This was a bit of an effort. Woot and what not.

Here’s an interesting dilemma.

You’re the Green Bay Packers. You have no pressing need outside of depth. And all of the sudden, you find a running back that’s compared to Ricky Williams without the drug use or Jamal Lewis without the prison term free falling because of foot surgery. He will be ready to go when the season starts and in a world where Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew is a platoon for great justice, wouldn’t you think that the addition of The Green Lantern would be an awesome weapon for Aaron Rodgers? 

Now I know what you’re thinking? Is he really going to fall to the Packers? There’s a 50/50 shot. The Seahawks are going with a Backfield By Comittee of Maurice Morris, T.J. Duckett, and Julius Jones. The Cowboys will probably take the Arkansas Running Back with none of the wear and tear. Who does that leave?

WHO’S GONNA BE MY BACK-UP?

The Chargers are going to draft the best player available, as needs are not a major issue. And they may take a flier on a defender who can fill a role. I figure them going to go to Oklahoma to get a safety. Why? It’s the only position they need.

After all, solid value like Ray Rice, Matt Forte, or Chirs Johnson would roll up in the second round and provide a good Michael Turner role.

And that brings us back to do. Jonathan Stewart would be the best player available. The Packers are a good fit for The Green Lantern.

In brightest day, in darkest night and all that.

Yay!

Wisconsin Sports In Brief

1) The Green Bay packers sign OLB Brandon Chillar

Brady Poppinga is great at a lot of things. Coverage is not one of them. Brandon Chillar on the other hand, can do the things that Poppinga can’t. If Chillar can do the things that Poppinga can? Then Brady Poppinga will be another pass-rushing specialist. That cannot be a bad thing.

2) Larry Harris is OUT as the Bucks GM

I am not a hater of General Management. But I am glad we have moved on from this man. He consistently chose poorly in his drafting, signing, and trading. Let’s just say as general managers go, he did not play the common sense game well.

He was not Billy King or Rob Babcock, but our boy was a lot closer to that than Jerry West as GM of the mid-90’s Lakers.

Moving on!

It begins…

Ted Thompson has always been one who seems to have a master plan. I mean, he’s always been one unafraid to make moves, and today, he was the third NFC General Manager to trade a defensive tackle for a draft choice.

Corey Williams, the best of a transcendentally bad 2004 draft from Mike Sherman, goes to the Browns. The Packers get pick #54 in return.

Now, outside of potentially having to rely on a man as raw as steak tartar to replace him, this leads to one interesting question for Packers fans.

Who’s Coming Back?

After all, the Packers don’t have a lot of needs. They are pretty well set at the skill positions. They are in decent shape pretty much everywhere else. So where are they not deep enough?

Tight End, Guard, Linebacker, and Cornerback.

Sure, I can understand that Ol’ Double T is willing to deviate from needs and draft for the year after. But it is Feburary. I have no sources within the Packers organization. So we go with what we know.

So who’s intriguing? Let’s break it down.

Tight Ends

There is great value in the 2nd-3rd round level of the draft. I would not be disappointed at all if they pick at #54 or #59. There are four players that would be a great fit here. They are more receiver than blocker, but still. The Packers offense was at its best when they have a receiver-type as the #2.

Martin Rucker (Missouri): An athletic passcatcher who knows how to get open.
Dustin Keller (Purdue): A high-motor home run threat.
Martellus Bennett (Texas A&M): The largest boom and bust candidate, I would figure that Ted Thompson is going to pass on him. He could be Antonio Gates, he could be a giant version of Freddie Mitchell.
Jermichael Finley (Texas): If you do expect him to contribute a lot this season? This pick won’t be too shabby. He can get open now, but he has to learn the game.

Guards

It’s less likely that they’ll go here during day one. They are going to have something akin to an open competition, and there are enough bodies to keep things servicable. Also, there’s really only one guard who wouldn’t be a reach. If I had an ear to the personnel people, I’d look for a free agent.

Branden Albert (Virginia): His quickness is something to behold, though his functional strength leaves something to be desired.

Linebackers

This may be an ill-fit in terms of need. Most of the linebacking depth of a late 2nd round value is of the weakside speed linebacker variety. The weak link in the Packers armor is Brady Poppinga (and even then it is still solid), but he is on the strongside. And the backups? Mediocre at best. Sadly, Abdul Hodge looks like a bust, and Desmond Bishop is still an unknown. Who could join them in round 2?

Erin Henderson (Maryland): An instinctive talent, but injury prone and weak at shedding blockers. He is another that could play the Sam, but would be better as a Will type. Also, has a girls name.
Xavier Adibi (Virginia Tech): An undersized sppedster who fits best in the cover-2? Can he be any more of a Derrick Brooks type?
Jerod Mayo (Tennessee): A three position player (Weakside is where he’s strongest), he can play fast and hit hard.
Tavares Gooden (Miami Fla.): Physically gifted, but he could very easily get lost stepping up to the pros.

Cornerbacks

Put it simply, Al Harris and Charles Woodson are on the wrong side of 30. Jarrett Bush, Trammon Williams, and Will Blackmon are not starter material yet. They need an heir apparent. If they don’t go Antione Cason, Aqib Talib, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, or Leodis McKelvin Round 1? They do have options.

Reggie Smith (Oklahoma): May be better suited at Free Safety, but he would have the sort of physicality that would fit in perfectly with what the Packers want to do.
Tracy Porter (Indiana): Came into his own as a senior. Shows a good cover game, even if he may not be the most physical of players. Also, has a girls name.
Charles Godfrey (Iowa): He is more athlete than football player, but his athleticism is awesome. Get a good Defensive Backs coach and you may have a bargain even at the end of Round 2.
Patrick Lee (Auburn): A one-year starter who may be exactly what the packers are looking for. He knows how to press, he can be effectively stashed on special teams, and he is not afraid to stick his head in and hit.

The 14th Name?

Josh Johnson (QB-San Diego): A gritty, mobile (4.45 40 at the combine!) quarterback who crushed his lower level of competiton for three seasons (43 to 1 TD/INT Ratio, Johnson may not grade as a late second round pick now, but as Chad Henne and Andre Woodson (sadly) fall, Josh Johnson may find himself in the Joe Flacco second-tier.

There. 820+ words on the Green Bay Packers second round. Am I a sucker for doing this? Probably. But now you know.

And if your team gets Jerod Mayo, consider yourself lucky.

I propose this premise.

That if some second round speedburner running backs like Felix Jones (Yes, I know he’s probably in the precipice of round one), Steve Slaton, or a guy like Kevin Smith [Obligatory Snoogans reference] to start breaking great, the Packers would be dancing the dance of joy.

This is a team that needs three major things. An heir apparent cornerback, an heir apparent tackle, and an Edgar Bennett type in the backfield. And this is not to say that Ryan Grant is at fault nearly as much as Nick Collins, Favre, or Al Harris for the Super Bowl loss. The man is shiftier than an overactor in a spy movie.

But imagine a one two-punch of Grant-Rashard Mendenhall or Grant-Jonathan Stewart. That’s thunder and lightning. [Rookie running back] sets them up, and Grant cuts back for 60 yard gains of awesome power! This would be the greatest show on tundra.

But this Postulate is probably just spitballing. Aqib Talib is probably more likely. Not that I mind. This draft is filled to the brim at running back. And a Jacob Hester or a Matt Forte in a later round would do the job just fine.

Yeah, I guess it was just time for me to be a big dreaming dreamer.

(Still, a J.R. Stewrant backfield would be awesome!) 

I think I figured out why Yesterdays loss hurt so much.

The Packers got outplayed. Plain and simple. The Giants just shut them down in the second half. It took a big return and a very fluky play for them to keep pace. 

And they still could have won the game. That’s what gets me most of all.

The Giants gave them every opportunity to steal the win they thought they could just show up and get, and they couldn’t take it. Now comes Hick Hamlet Act VII. Now comes the fact that Aaron Rodgers showed he could play and we will have a 39 year old under center for the Packers. Sure, Brett Favre is what gives Wisconsin its identity. (our second biggest active celebrity? Tony Shaloub. Monk. Think about that.)

But what happens if the Packers are 1-5 and Favre has a ratio of 6 td’s to 9 interceptions? He’ll be 39. It can all disappear when you’re that age. No amount of Bowflex training can hold back the sands of time forever.

This is a very tenuous situation. The Packers could very well recoil into mediocrity like your New Orelans Saints. This could be the start of a several year window. It all depends on Favre and his ability (and his seeming inablity to go out gracefully.)

And it’s not to say that I don’t want Favre coming back next year, it’s just to say that the list of 39 year-old quarterbacks who can make plays is very limited.

(And even General Managers who consider themselves the smartest guys in the room won’t be able to find a graceful situation for an exit.)

Anyway, I’m teaching today. Back this afternoon with a postulate involving the NFL draft.

What? I already admitted my draft nerd status. And I promise this will be the last you hear about the NFL for a good spell.

We have more important things to worry about.

The Second Half!

• Brandon Jackson (Brandon Jackson?) makes it comfortable right quick. 35-17.
• The battery powered pants of Josh Brown make it 35-20. SNOW! YAAAAY!
• The Ryan Grant redemption is complete! 42-20.

I know everybody’s going to be talking about how Brett Favre made this game with his little 6-yard rumbling out underhander to Donald Lee. But this isn’t his day. This is Ryan Grant’s. He starts off super slow, and after two fumbles in the first five minutes, he goes for 201 and 3 scores.

Next week? The winner of Giants/Cowboys. I don’t care. Both teams have plusses and minuses. Whoever wins? It’s going to have the potential for classicisity.

The Hobbesian life of a Running Back

Now, I know what you’re thinking. This was an idea of how scientific progress went boink when it invented Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, or the Purple Jesus. Nope. I am going into an entirely nerdier correlation.

I’m talking John. I’m talking about the life of a running back being cold, brutish, and short. I’m talking about the irony that modern political thought stems from the enlightenment. I am talking about the fact that there is always one Leviathan running back on the scene. But he is never there for long.

It all starts in high school. You know the cliche, right? The all-star running back hurts his knee and ends up working in a car wash for the rest of his life? That’s because you have so many people who are only celebrities for only 9 Fridays in their entire life. And even if you have God Given talent, you still may not get anywhere near where you want to go.

Injuries. The immaturites of a 17-year old. Whatever. All of the sudden you go from being a hot-shit recruit to a tragic figure.

I PORTRAY A TRAGIC FIGURE!

Then again, you may have the four games of your life leading a 5-4 team on a magical playoff run. Maybe you get offered a scholarship to that big school. And you find yourself one out of ten sexy running backs. And you may ask yourself, why do I do this? You lose the scholarship. You go home.

Or you stand. You fight. Running backs get hurt all the time. You could end up splitting carries, you could end up as the change of pace back. But the fact of the matter is, even back-ups get pro looks. You never know.

I AM A DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP COLLEGE FOOTBALL BACK-UP!

Even then, the pro career may never come. You may be highly regarded, and you may fail. You may just be a camp body. You may only last a year until the next big thing comes around. You don’t get your guaranteed monies, kid. Move along.

MOVE ALONG!

Even so. There is the special athlete. Maybe not your Barry Sanders, Jim Brown, or Walter Payton. But these athletes are coronas. They shine bright and then they burn out in rapid fashion. They have been a more regular occurence in this day and age. Gale Sayers was one of the first. Terrell Davis was the epitome of the modern corona.

But it’s a cold, brutal game. Good players die young as running backs.

AND COMEBACKS NEVER LAST AS LONG AS YOU’D HOPE!

Vaya con dios, Priest. 

Green Bay Packers 2007 “8 Games In” Draft Grades

I figure that outside of a big set of step up performances these grades will be very similar to the final grades of the 2007 Season for the Pack. It will not be as good as the2006 draft, but the fact of the matter is that while this draft is not as bad as initially indicated, you still feel like Ted Thompson got tripped up on the lowest hurdle.

And without further adieu?

1) Justin Harrell-DT (D) Though I am willing to give him 2008 on a clean slate. Mike Shanahan did say they were taking him 17th. But he’s an idiot, so take that with a grain of salt.
2) Brandon Jackson-RB (D) See previous comments. The offensive line did not coagulate for Morency or Wynn either.
3) James Jones-WR (B+) He’d probably start for a good 10-15 teams. But he let in the loss. Best #3 in football?
3B) Aaron Rouse-S (B-) Ready or not, here he comes…
4) Allen Barbre-T (B-) He could play, but the line is deep. Check back next year.
5) David Clowney-WR (F) Shame. Rooting for him as a Jet.
6) Korey Hall-FB (C-) Yeah, he is technically a starter. For the worst rush offense in the NFL. Still, it’s a new position. I will be patientish.
6B) Desmond Bishop LB (C) He has done nothing to make me raise or lower that grade.
6C) Mason Crosby K (A) He is good at kicking, and with the bad running game, he is 4th best in the fantasy football.
7) DeShawn Wynn RB (C+) Yeah, he DID start this year. He did show flashes. But all in all, he’s an injury-prone dancer who was healthy by default.
7B) Clark Harris TE (F) The only surprise was that he lasted that long on our practice squad.

See? The first two picks haven’t panned out so far. It makes Double T look bad. But it does look like it could be potentially solid.

Potentially.