A review of the Clark, Spriggs and Fackrell picks

[RashanGary]

I've spent about a decade listening to and deciphering Ted Thompson's words on players after the draft. When he really, really likes a player he'll talk sort of matter of factly about what he does on the field. "He always blocks his guy." is something he said about Sitton and an example of Ted really loving a guys game tape. So here are my impressions of the first three picks.



Kenny Clark
The most glowing endorsement I've ever heard from Ted Thompson was the "he always blocks his guy" comment on Josh Sitton 8 years ago. TT didn't go that far with this guy, but I definitely get a better feel for TT's confidence in the Clark game tape vs the Sherrod and Perry game tape of years past. "He's always played the run well" and "He showed he can rush the passer last year" are the two comments I like most about Clark. TT really does speak generally, but when he says a DL can stop the run and rush the passer, those are the sort of things I consider to be strong endorsements by TT. The other comments were about Clark being big and strong and athletic. My overall impression of the Clark pick is that he's a safe bet to play good football, a good character guy and a high upside athlete. I like the pick all of the way around.

Jason Spriggs
TT said very little about this guys ability to block. He mostly talked about his size and athletic ability. He's a good person, a hard worker, plays with some nastiness, size/athletic ability are off the charts. It's almost like this guy has everything except a knack for making the play. This reminds me of the Sherrod pick. Obviously the injury played into that, but Sherrod was sketchy from play one in Green Bay. TJ Lang was a guy who had to grow into the job a little. Jordy Nelson is another. I'm not saying this guy is a bust, but I don't get that rock solid, he's got "it" feeling that I get with some other picks. I'm guessing 50/50 boom bust with this guy. I'm hoping for the best, but I don't expect Spriggs to be able to play right away and I won't expect it until I see it start showing up. I don't love the pick, but I understand it. Big guys are hard to find.

Kyler Fackrell
TT said he liked his ability to play in space and rush the passer. That's pass defense. He also likes his athletic ability and character. Honestly, Fackrell got a stronger game tape endorsement than Spriggs from TT IMO, even if not complete. Listening to TT, I think Spriggs has higher upside and is obviously the more rare body type, but I think Fackrell has a better chance of contributing. In a pass happy, nickle defense NFL, the areas where TT says Fackrell excels are the areas that matter most. Straight across the board, he gets after it on pass defense. My impression is that Fackrell is likely to be a good pass defender and has potential to be an every down player. I like the pick.

[3irty1]

I'd hope Fackrell is expected to contribute right away seeing as how he's almost 25. That's a pretty quick expiration date for a project. Good reads JH.

[yetisnowman]

I'd hope Fackrell is expected to contribute right away seeing as how he's almost 25. That's a pretty quick expiration date for a project. Good reads JH.

If only there was a proven NFL linebacker around the same age we could have targeted in free agency.....

[3irty1]

If only there was a proven NFL linebacker around the same age we could have targeted in free agency.....

If we want chase and tackle jags like the Broncos won a superbowl with then we need look no further than our own roster.

[Patler]

Spriggs presents an unusual situation by which to read TT. I think you have to look beyond TT's words.

To move just nine spots, from #57 to #48, TT gave up two extra picks. He gave #57, #125 & #248 and received only #48 in return. A 3-for-1 deal had to be difficult for a guy who clearly likes to maximize his draft opportunities. Clearly, he attached a premium on Spriggs above the next best alternatives that he might see nine spots later. When he traded up to pick Matthews, he gave away three picks, but received two in return, a 3-for-2 deal.

In this case, I think TT's actions speak louder than his words.

[RashanGary]

Spriggs presents an unusual situation by which to read TT. I think you have to look beyond TT's words.

To move just nine spots, from #57 to #48, TT gave up two extra picks. He gave #57, #125 & #248 and received only #48 in return. A 3-for-1 deal had to be difficult for a guy who clearly likes to maximize his draft opportunities. Clearly, he attached a premium on Spriggs above the next best alternatives that he might see nine spots later. When he traded up to pick Matthews, he gave away three picks, but received two in return, a 3-for-2 deal.

In this case, I think TT's actions speak louder than his words.

We've both been following these TT lead Packers for a while. I still think Ted is taking a, "potential" flyer here. I hope I'm wrong. I could see either of our impressions being correct. I still lean toward mine, but it's more intuition than logic so I understand arguments both ways or other ways.

[Patler]

We've both been following these TT lead Packers for a while. I still think Ted is taking a, "potential" flyer here. I hope I'm wrong. I could see either of our impressions being correct. I still lean toward mine, but it's more intuition than logic so I understand arguments both ways or other ways.

I think it is a potential pick too, but I think TT is much more impressed with Spriggs' potential than he was with Sherrod's, for example. He did a lot so that Spriggs wouldn't get away. Sherrod seemed like a pick that was made because he had to pick someone, they needed OL depth and Sherrod had very good size and some athletic ability.

Unlike your comment in the first post, for me the pick of Spriggs does not remind me of Sherrod at all. Of course, that doesn't mean that it will turn out any better.

[Iron Mike]

I think it is a potential pick too, but I think TT is much more impressed with Spriggs' potential than he was with Sherrod's, for example. He did a lot so that Spriggs wouldn't get away. Sherrod seemed like a pick that was made because he had to pick someone, they needed OL depth and Sherrod had very good size and some athletic ability.

Unlike your comment in the first post, for me the pick of Spriggs does not remind me of Sherrod at all. Of course, that doesn't mean that it will turn out any better.

You also have to like the fact that TT jumped ahead of the Bears to grab a guy they OBVIOUSLY targeted.....

[mraynrand]

The #7 almost doesn't matter, because the Packers focus a lot on rookie FA signings

[Patler]

The #7 almost doesn't matter, because the Packers focus a lot on rookie FA signings

I agree only partly. A 7th round pick has small value because it is the bottom of the barrel, but its value is actually enhanced by their focus on FA signings. A 7th round pick has a significant value in combination with the deep evaluations done for their focus on FA signings because it ensures that they will get a player they like. They can't be assured that they will be able to sign a targeted FA. He might chose to sign with someone else. They can make him come to GB by drafting him with a 7th round pick.

For that reason I have always felt a 7th round pick might mean more to TT and a couple others than it does to some.

[Maxie the Taxi]

Good analysis as usual JH.

My bottom-line regarding these three picks boils down to:

Clark -- Greatest potential of D-linemen available, at his best two or three years down the road. (I like his ability to bat down passes. That's a talent your born with.)

Spriggs -- Best of the NFL-able OLTs left and stays healthy (knock on wood!!)

Fackrell -- Safest choice among available, big school OLB pass rushers (guaranteed to outperform Jaylon Smith in 2016)

[Patler]

Fackrell -- Safest choice among available, big school OLB pass rushers (guaranteed to outperform Jaylon Smith in 2016)

Darn it, Maxie. Now you have jinxed him for sure! Do you not recall the rookie years of Aaron Taylor, Mike Flanagan and JC Tretter? Why would you make such a guarantee?

[Maxie the Taxi]

Darn it, Maxie. Now you have jinxed him for sure! Do you not recall the rookie years of Aaron Taylor, Mike Flanagan and JC Tretter? Why would you make such a guarantee?

You left off the "knock on wood" part!! That ALWAYS works...knock on wood!

[pbmax]

JH, where did you get the quotes? Gutenkisk or Lutefisk or Gutenberg was at the PC after the Spriggs pick. Ted came down again after grabbing Fackrell.

[RashanGary]

JH, where did you get the quotes? Gutenkisk or Lutefisk or Gutenberg was at the PC after the Spriggs pick. Ted came down again after grabbing Fackrell.

Tt talked about Clark after day 1 and spriggs and the lb after day two. I listened and watched his body language, and formed impressions that can be argued and disagreed with, but impressions none the less. That's what I shared. Opinion. I've been getting more consistently right with my opinions over the years, not always, but more often. It's still an opinion though and certainly up for debate.

[RashanGary]

Pb, I would recommend listening to the pc and watching yourself, not reading. So much gets lost in the translation to written word.

[woodbuck27]

Tt talked about Clark after day 1 and spriggs and the lb after day two. I listened and watched his body language, and formed impressions that can be argued and disagreed with, but impressions none the less. That's what I shared. Opinion. I've been getting more consistently right with my opinions over the years, not always, but more often. It's still an opinion though and certainly up for debate.

JH...You made Google:

A review of the Clark, Spriggs and Fackrell picks - PackerRats.com

packerrats.com › Forum › Big Cheese › Green Bay Packers

2 days ago - 20 posts - ‎12 authors

We've both been following these TT lead Packers for a while. I still think Ted is .....

http://www.packers.com/media-center/...6-74cf627eb0b8.

[woodbuck27]

http://www.packers.com/news-and-even...mid=96970&jb=0

Packers wanted big guys and got big guys

Posted Apr 30, 2016

By: Mike Spofford packers.com senior writer @MikeSpofford

Four of seven draft picks are linemen, five of seven from out west

Comment woodbuck27:

I believe this belongs here with JH's fine thread. Thanks JH for your analysis and insite into the nuances of Ted Thompson. He personally drives me up the wall at times and suddenly I'm all for him. LOL

If you havn't as yet seen the TT Presser following the 2016 Draft ... here it is:

I was impressed with how TT responded in this press conference. I felt he was pleased and open (revealing) in his responses. I liked how he opened showing his appreciation for all the Packer personnel that assist in helping to ensure a drafts success. If you stick with this interview you'll hear TT talk about the importance of the area scouts.

[George Cumby]

Good stuff, JH.

Like you, I enjoy trying to decipher Ted's speech and his nonverbals. I disagree with your analysis only in that Teds most telling moment was when he first picked Nelson. He positively looked like the cat who ate the canary on that one. As it turns out, rightfully so.

[RashanGary]

Good stuff, JH.

Like you, I enjoy trying to decipher Ted's speech and his nonverbals. I disagree with your analysis only in that Teds most telling moment was when he first picked Nelson. He positively looked like the cat who ate the canary on that one. As it turns out, rightfully so.

Sometimes I miss things. But yes, those are the types of things that can be gleaned if a person wants to pay attention to context! Nice observation, and i trust it!