COULD OHIO STATE CORNER WIND UP IN GREEN BAY?

[packers11]

pft.com


COULD OHIO STATE CORNER WIND UP IN GREEN BAY?
Posted by Aaron Wilson on February 15, 2009, 11:17 a.m.

With the annual NFL Scouting Combine set to launch this week in Indianapolis, the Green Bay Packers are expected to heavily scrutinize Ohio State cornerback Malcolm Jenkins.

According to the Green Pay Press-Gazette, Jenkins is a potential candidate to become the Packers’ first-round draft pick. nJenkins has already been linked to the Packers in several mock drafts.

NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock, who projects Jenkins’ best position as free safety in the NFL, cautioned against putting too much stock into 40-yard dash times. Especially when it comes to defensive backs.

“We predicate a lot of their true football speed on what they run [in the 40],” Mayock said. “I know a lot of guys that can backpedal, turn, move much [more] naturally that way, and because they didn’t run track or whatever [it hurts them]. So, if a guy runs 4.6, and then he goes to a special place to learn how to start and explode out of the blocks and run 4.48, is he any faster a football player?

“Probably not. That’s where the functional playing speed, versus manufactured speed, comes into play for me. I think you really have to be careful, because as an evaluator, I think there’s a trap inherent in the times.”

[packers11]

makes no sense, I don't see anyway we take this guy... Especially if he can't play corner on NFL level, we don't need a FS (we already have Collins)...

[PlantPage55]

Jenkins has already been linked to the Packers in several mock drafts.

Anybody else think this quote is absolutely hilarious? It means absolutely nothing!

[Lurker64]

makes no sense, I don't see anyway we take this guy... Especially if he can't play corner on NFL level, we don't need a FS (we already have Collins)...

In terms of "the first Green Bay pick of the draft", Thompson has surprised me 3/4 times. Just because it doesn't make sense to us, doesn't mean it doesn't make sense to the Brain Wizards part of the Scouting team.

Think of it this way, in the best case scenario Jenkins has a rare blend of size, speed, and instinct. He'll play run support like a safety and cover like a CB. In a defense that prides itself on "the offense doesn't know what's coming", you could certainly use a guy like that.

Now you almost never get the best case scenario with a guy, but he's certainly not "just a FS."

[mission]

Jenkins has already been linked to the Packers in several mock drafts.

Anybody else think this quote is absolutely hilarious? It means absolutely nothing!

Yeah, I actually had to read it twice. Is that their source? Wow lol

[Lurker64]

Yeah, I actually had to read it twice. Is that their source? Wow lol

Well, for any team that's picking in the top 10, it might make some sort of sense to write an expose about drafting any of the top 10 guys they might conceivably draft (so don't give Green Bay a QB, for example.)

Which sounds worse "linked to Green Bay in several mock drafts" or "He's probably a top ten talent, and Green Bay picks in the top 10 and needs help on defense, so it could happen!"?

[mission]

Yeah, I actually had to read it twice. Is that their source? Wow lol

Well, for any team that's picking in the top 10, it might make some sort of sense to write an expose about drafting any of the top 10 guys they might conceivably draft (so don't give Green Bay a QB, for example.)

Which sounds worse "linked to Green Bay in several mock drafts" or "He's probably a top ten talent, and Green Bay picks in the top 10 and needs help on defense, so it could happen!"?

They say the same thing as far as I'm concerned. If you take a large sampling of mock drafts, you can get GB picking just about anyone in the top 10 outside of QB ... and then base an article around it?

I guess, but... really... :roll:

[Lurker64]

I guess, but... really... :roll:

This is pft we're talking about, not only that, but it's pft during the post-superbowl pre-combine doldrums. Gotta write about something...

[DonHutson]

He's the top rated CB this year. He would've been the top CB in the draft last year if he came out.

Maybe he would be one hell of a free safety, but if he's also a top notch CB you sure wouldn't waste him at S.

[rbaloha1]

Wonder if TT rates Jenkins higher than Maybin, Brown, Orakpo and other defensive players? Left Raji off the list since he is most likley taken.

Jenkins and Collins would make an excellent tandem.

[Lurker64]

Wonder if TT rates Jenkins higher than Maybin, Brown, Orakpo and other defensive players?

Personally, if we put Raji aside, of all the defensive players I would have to rate Jenkins higher than any of the DEs that we suspect might be able to play OLB. Simply because CBs likely to be great any time soon are hard to find outside of the first round, but there's definitely value at OLB in rounds 2 and later with guys like Sintim and English.

But the only real marquee position that we're lacking on the defense is at the NT spot (since most other positions are specialists, and don't usually require top 10 picks to fill), so if Raji is gone we might as well take a LT if there's one there.

[red]

has anyone else ever heard anywhere that he would project as a safety in the pros?

thats the first i ever heard of it

the guys a damn stud at cb, why move him?

and i do think that jenkins would be higher up on boards then the de's that would be converted to OLB's. in fact i'd bet there's a few boards that might have him as the #1 defensive player

cb is one spot that really worries me. harris and c-wood are both on the wrong side of 30 where players can just drop off the face of the earth. and i am not confident with the guys behind them yet. adding a super stud cb would make our secondary look good for the future

of course, OT is also a position that has a very bleak looking future, but chances are we'll miss out on the top 3 tackles in the draft

[texaspackerbacker]

When you're right, you're right, red.

My original thought was to take Jenkins at #9. I then kinda drifted toward the idea of an OT, if we can get one of the top three, but I agree, most experts think they will be gone.

We honestly don't have great need for a front seven D player. We don't really need a Corner either, but you can never have too many of them, and if this guy is as good as advertized, we shouldn't pass him up.

As for Jenkins playing Free Safety, no. If some media person is actually saying that, it's still a bunch of bullshit. Like somebody said, you just don't take a stud Corner and switch him to Safety--especially when you are as solid at Safety as the Packers are.

[Brandon494]

As for Jenkins playing Free Safety, no. If some media person is actually saying that, it's still a bunch of bullshit. Like somebody said, you just don't take a stud Corner and switch him to Safety--especially when you are as solid at Safety as the Packers are.

A lot of people think he'll make a better safety in the NFL then CB. Also besides Collins I don'k we are too solid at safety.

[mission]

I guess because he's so good and zone and in space that people are talking about possibly safety. That reason also lends him a bit more to GB because of evolving schemes.

[packrulz]

I think if both Raji and Jenkins are on the board TT should take Jenkins, he is the BPA. Rogers-Cromartie really impressed me the way he played with the Cards, we could always put Woodson at safety if needed.

[texaspackerbacker]

I don't understand the disrespect for Bigby and Rouse. Bigby has been excellent except when injured. Rouse has been much better than originally expected, and should still improve more. I would have no problem with either of those starting next to Collins, or starting together if something happened to Collins.

[sharpe1027]

I don't understand the disrespect for Bigby and Rouse. Bigby has been excellent except when injured. Rouse has been much better than originally expected, and should still improve more. I would have no problem with either of those starting next to Collins, or starting together if something happened to Collins.

I was less than impressed with Rouse. Last year he made some big plays in limited time. This year, he was often 5-10 yards away from the play/catch. When Bigby was healthy, playing the same position, he seemed to be a factor in defending more passes. Of course that was just my impression and I have no hard evidence to back it up.

[Patler]

I don't understand the disrespect for Bigby and Rouse. Bigby has been excellent except when injured. Rouse has been much better than originally expected, and should still improve more. I would have no problem with either of those starting next to Collins, or starting together if something happened to Collins.

I was less than impressed with Rouse. Last year he made some big plays in limited time. This year, he was often 5-10 yards away from the play/catch. When Bigby was healthy, playing the same position, he seemed to be a factor in defending more passes. Of course that was just my impression and I have no hard evidence to back it up.

Rouse had knee and ankle injuries off and on all season. I think it affected his play somewhat. He still had two interceptions in limited playing time.

[sharpe1027]

Rouse had knee and ankle injuries off and on all season. I think it affected his play somewhat. He still had two interceptions in limited playing time.

Frankly, persistent knee and ankle injuries worry me more than his play.

I only remember his 99 yard interception. I loved the play, but it had nothing to do with what I am concerned about. It was on a short field where he wasn't asked to cover much ground. I am more concerned about his range. Whether due to poor recognition or slow reaction/speed I didn't feel he got that part done.

[rbaloha1]

Rouse is too stiff. Very good moving forward playing within the box. Big hitter. Valuable special teams player.

Stiff hips prevents Rouse from quickly changing directions.

[SnakeLH2006]

I promise you this much...If TT picks a CB when we need a DT and OT's, my youtube draft video will be way better than this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_dBns0i2vw&feature=related

[Lurker64]

I promise you this much...If TT picks a CB when we need a DT and OT's, my youtube draft video will be way better than this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_dBns0i2vw&feature=related

What if Raji, Smith, Smith, Monroe, and Oher are off the board?

[texaspackerbacker]

Unless one of these big three OTs--guys apparently capable of being the road graders some people crave AND mobile ZBS blockers--falls to us, Thompson will revert to waiting several rounds and picking up a ZBS-type tackle or two.

As for D Line, we simply do NOT have any pressing need there--possibly a backup 3-4 DE farther down the draft, possibly somebody slightly better than Cole as a backup NT--also available later.

A Corner like Jenkins makes the most sense--if not that, then maybe trading down.

[Guiness]

cb is one spot that really worries me. harris and c-wood are both on the wrong side of 30 where players can just drop off the face of the earth. and i am not confident with the guys behind them yet. adding a super stud cb would make our secondary look good for the future

of course, OT is also a position that has a very bleak looking future, but chances are we'll miss out on the top 3 tackles in the draft

I don't understand why CB would be a position of concern. I understand that our two starters are on the wrong side of 30, but hopefully they won't both fall off the same year.

CW had a spectacular season, and AH played very well when he came back. Not to mention I saw enough out of TWill to be comfortable with him starting if one of those two fall off or go down.

You hope that high first rounders will start day one. My opinion is that there's not a spot for CB to start on this team right now, and he would probably be our #4 CB at this point. We have the luxury of being able to develop a CB, and hopefully that will happen with Lee. Maybe Blackmon, but that's looking less and less likely.

I don't see CB as a 'need' pick. If TT sees him as BPA though, then so be it.