5th Year Options Declined: 2013 Draft Rregrets

[wist43]

I feel for Datone. I think in another scheme he could be Cameron Jordan. The flashes are there and not even that rare. He's just not stout enough to stay on the field every down for us.

I think the Packers thought he'd be able to pack more weight on than he has. Now they're going the other way with him, we'll see how that goes. He should seek out a 4-3 IMO. The guy definitely belongs in the NFL.

So now you're basically agreeing with what I said when we drafted him, i.e. he was never going to be a good fit for a 3-4?? Are you sure you want to align with me on a player?? The other kids in here can get kind of nasty when they're throwing rotten vegetables at me... you could get caught in the crossfire

And for the record, trying Jones at LB is dumber still... wreaks of trying to play Kampman there.

They should have resigned Neal. Losing him is going to hurt.

[Patler]

They should have resigned Neal. Losing him is going to hurt.

I can't help but wonder if teams fear there is substance to the HGH allegations about Neal late last year. GB has shown no apparent interest in him, and interest around the league hasn't been very strong.

[Joemailman]

I can't help but wonder if teams fear there is substance to the HGH allegations about Neal late last year. GB has shown no apparent interest in him, and interest around the league hasn't been very strong.

I think that's exactly it. When that story came out earlier this year, Matthews and Peppers released very strong denials. Neal's comments were more evasive:

“You might as well stop asking me questions,” Neal said. “I mean, I’m sure you saw how pissed off Peyton Manning was about somebody coming out with false accusations. So if you want to piss me off, that’s one thing. But please don’t — if you want to talk about football, let’s talk about that.”

[3irty1]

So now you're basically agreeing with what I said when we drafted him, i.e. he was never going to be a good fit for a 3-4?? Are you sure you want to align with me on a player?? The other kids in here can get kind of nasty when they're throwing rotten vegetables at me... you could get caught in the crossfire

And for the record, trying Jones at LB is dumber still... wreaks of trying to play Kampman there.

They should have resigned Neal. Losing him is going to hurt.

I think I'll be ok.

http://packerrats.com/showthread.php...l=1#post721597

He's strictly a 5-technique in a 30 base, and he's a versatile DT inside on passing downs.

I don't feel like its any dumber of a reclamation project than moving Neal to OLB was. You gotta think its a distant plan B though.

[Carolina_Packer]

I think I'll be ok.

http://packerrats.com/showthread.php...l=1#post721597



I don't feel like its any dumber of a reclamation project than moving Neal to OLB was. You gotta think its a distant plan B though.

Obviously he got moved because they wanted to get him more snaps, because he wasn't getting enough otherwise. When he was drafted in 2013, he was projected as a proto-5 tech in a 3-4. Just because he didn't kill it, is not necessarily a reflection on anyone's evaluation skills or coaching. Sometimes it just doesn't work. The team has three choices; 1) have him try diversifying his portfolio by playing OLB or 2) let him rot on the vine or 3) cut him. Without a doubt this is a big year for Datone. I'm sure he knows that more than anyone. I hope he stays healthy and finally is able to show what the Packers saw in him in the first place.

[Deputy Nutz]

So now you're basically agreeing with what I said when we drafted him, i.e. he was never going to be a good fit for a 3-4?? Are you sure you want to align with me on a player?? The other kids in here can get kind of nasty when they're throwing rotten vegetables at me... you could get caught in the crossfire

And for the record, trying Jones at LB is dumber still... wreaks of trying to play Kampman there.

They should have resigned Neal. Losing him is going to hurt.

The issue in the past half a dozen drafts is that Thompson doesn't draft players for the 3-4 defense. He doesn't realize that you have to draft players that actually fit the scheme your team is running. Nick Perry, Mike Neal, Jerell Worthy, Mike Daniels*, Datone Jones. I struggle with the fact that Thompson fails to realize that you basically that you play 3 really big guys at the linemen position, and then draft 4 athletic fellas to play linebacker. You don't draft college defensive ends and stand them up as outside linebackers. You don't draft college defensive ends in 4-3 defenses in college and ask them to play defensive tackle in a 3-4.

[pbmax]

The issue in the past half a dozen drafts is that Thompson doesn't draft players for the 3-4 defense. He doesn't realize that you have to draft players that actually fit the scheme your team is running. Nick Perry, Mike Neal, Jerell Worthy, Mike Daniels*, Datone Jones. I struggle with the fact that Thompson fails to realize that you basically that you play 3 really big guys at the linemen position, and then draft 4 athletic fellas to play linebacker. You don't draft college defensive ends and stand them up as outside linebackers. You don't draft college defensive ends in 4-3 defenses in college and ask them to play defensive tackle in a 3-4.

I am pretty sure with the drafting of Raji and Matthews that Thompson knows the body type.

There was no reason other than health that Perry can't play OLB very well. Neal turned out to be too puffed up to be a 5 tech DT but he looked for all the world like one. He played alright as an elephant and if he wasn't bringing PED rumors into the locker room, he might still be on the roster. If you read his draft notices, 5 tech is mentioned often. Worthy and Daniels were grabs for speed and pass rush. One worked out, the other can barely stay in the League regardless of scheme. Jones looked like 1 of the 2 best 5 techs in his draft. Physically, he is tailor made for it. I think scouting/player busts have played more of a role than targeted body type.

The main problem is that they haven't been a straight 3-4 since 2010.

First, they are in 3-4 base about 25% of the time. And when they are in base, they are often aligned like a 4-3 Over defense. 1 tech, 3 tech, 5-7 tech and 9 tech (OLB).

So drafting just for 3-4 would leave you shorthanded for nickel and dime: 75% of your snaps.

[mraynrand]

First, they are in 3-4 base about 25% of the time.

If they are only in it 25% of the time, why call it base? They don't.

[mraynrand]

First, they are in 3-4 about 25% of the time. And when they are in 3-4, they are often aligned like a 4-3 Over defense. 1 tech, 3 tech, 5-7 tech and 9 tech (OLB).

So drafting just for 3-4 would leave you shorthanded for base nickel and dime: 75% of your snaps.

They've often said they wanted to draft/develop personnel that could switch to multiple alignments without substitution. I think that's at least one reason why Jones is 'standing up' and one reason why they drafted the Northwestern guy: You look at his tape and he really can play anywhere on the line except maybe nose against the run. He even looked reasonably comfortable in a zone blitz drop.

[Deputy Nutz]

I am pretty sure with the drafting of Raji and Matthews that Thompson knows the body type.

There was no reason other than health that Perry can't play OLB very well. Neal turned out to be too puffed up to be a 5 tech DT but he looked for all the world like one. He played alright as an elephant and if he wasn't bringing PED rumors into the locker room, he might still be on the roster. If you read his draft notices, 5 tech is mentioned often. Worthy and Daniels were grabs for speed and pass rush. One worked out, the other can barely stay in the League regardless of scheme. Jones looked like 1 of the 2 best 5 techs in his draft. Physically, he is tailor made for it. I think scouting/player busts have played more of a role than targeted body type.

The main problem is that they haven't been a straight 3-4 since 2010.

First, they are in 3-4 base about 25% of the time. And when they are in base, they are often aligned like a 4-3 Over defense. 1 tech, 3 tech, 5-7 tech and 9 tech (OLB).

So drafting just for 3-4 would leave you shorthanded for nickel and dime: 75% of your snaps.

Sign Peppers, move him to outside linebacker.

[mraynrand]

Sign Peppers, move him to outside linebacker.

Who cares what you call him? Sign him as a TE, but line him up where his strengths are best utilized; i.e. probably not a good idea to drop him in coverage all that often, but can do that more often with him than with Perry.