Official Undrafted Free Agency Thread

[Lurker64]

I'm going to spend my saturday night obsessively reloading this page: http://www.nepatriotsdraft.com/2012-nfl-undrafted-free-agents

You are all welcome to join me.

I'd like to see a C (Wedige, Brewster, Anzevino), and an RB (Polk, Carter, Banyard) and maybe some more defensive players (Nzegwu, Fangupo, Burris)

[mission]

I love this thread...

[Lurker64]

Aaron Henry signs with the Raiders. Josh Harris, who was the best college longsnapper in recent memory , signed with the Falcons.

[Joemailman]

Aaron Henry signs with the Raiders. Josh Harris, who was the best college longsnapper in recent memory , signed with the Falcons.

Does Kiper concur with this?

[pbmax]

Kellen Moore is an UDFA to the complete surprise of every writer in the country.

[Lurker64]

Does Kiper concur with this?

I think it was the consensus longsnapper evaluation. Those are very contentious, as you may remember.

[Lurker64]

Scott Wedige signs with the Arizonas, there goes one of my Centers.

[pbmax]

Wes Hodkiewicz ‏ @WesHod
Western Michigan alumnus and De Pere native Drew Nowak has signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as UFA #hsswi
Retweeted by Rob Demovsky

[pbmax]

Packer Report ‏ @PackerReport

One center not coming is Scott Wedige, the Elkhorn native. He'll join Daryn Colledge in Arizona.
Retweeted by Jason Wilde

[Lurker64]

"Virginia Tech guard Jaymes Brooks signing with the Packers, per his Twitter account (@VTBrooks68)"

[Lurker64]

Kellen Moore is a Lion, so everybody can stop talking about him.

[Lurker64]

"Congratulations to #SDSU WR Dale Moss on agreeing to terms with the Green Bay Packers! Follow him at @DaleMoss"

"West Virginia OT Don Barclay has signed with #Packers, per his Twitter account (@Barclay_64)"

(Why do WRs come here as UDFas?)

[pbmax]

GreenBayPressGazette ‏ @gbpressgazette
RT @WesHod: West Virginia OT Don Barclay has signed with #Packers, per his Twitter account (@Barclay_64)
Retweeted by Packer Report

Packer Report Packer Report ‏ @PackerReport
Dale Moss was a basketball standout at South Dakota State. Played one year of FB, lit it up at pro day. #Packers

Scott Smith Scott Smith ‏ @XAMSports
Congratulations to #SDSU WR Dale Moss on agreeing to terms with the Green Bay Packers! Follow him at @DaleMoss
Retweeted by Packer Report

28m Jaymes Brooks Jaymes Brooks ‏ @VTBrooks68
Going to the Packers as a FA
Retweeted by Packer Report

[pbmax]

Packer Report ‏ @PackerReport

Doesn't appear Micah Pellerin will be signing with #Packers. Drafting Hayward put end to that.

[Lurker64]

"Per Twitter, Vanderbilt safety Sean Richardson has signed with the #Packers"

You'd think we wouldn't need to get this many Vandy DBs in order to scout their QB.

[Lurker64]

"Dezman Moses signs with #Packers. I talked to him two weeks ago. OLB from Tulane."

From @PackerReport

[pbmax]

Aaron Nagler ‏ @Aaron_Nagler
RT @Schottey: RT @nfldraftscout: Chris Polk to PHI. Chris Owusu to SF. Per agent.

[pbmax]

jack bechta ‏ @jackbechta
WKU RB Bobby Rainey headed to the Ravens. Great fit!
Retweeted by Ben Muth

[pbmax]

tom silverstein ‏ @TomSilverstein

#Packers have signed CB Dion Turner from Southern Utah, agent said.

[pbmax]

Jason Wilde ‏ @jasonjwilde
The King of Twitter UDFAs. RT @WesHod: Per a source...wait no, still Twitter, #Packers have signed Iowa State wide receiver Darius Reynolds.

[mission]

tom silverstein ‏ @TomSilverstein

#Packers have signed CB Dion Turner from Southern Utah, agent said.

Southern Utah? That's a college I assume? I like pickups like that. No one would know if he's any good.

[pbmax]

I am going to Tweet that the Packers have signed God Shammgod, JC Temple to play wingback and see if anyone runs with it.

[pbmax]

Richarson had 14 offers and choose the safety poor Pack. At least his mind is working (or he listens to his agent).

Jim Wyatt ‏ @jwyattsports
Former #Vanderbilt safety Sean Richardson has reached a free agent deal with the Green Bay Packers after considering 14 offers
Retweeted by Packer Report

[Lurker64]

Word is Burfict to the Bengals. I'm not sure I believe that, it's too perfect.

[Deputy Nutz]

I can't believe that Kellen Moore went undrafted. Lions got a good UDFA there.

[Joemailman]

Word is Burfict to the Bengals. I'm not sure I believe that, it's too perfect.

You're a poet and you don't know it.

[smuggler]

Moore was slotted 6th-7th so seeing him go UDFA is not outlandish.

[mission]

Word is Burfict to the Bengals. I'm not sure I believe that, it's too perfect.

Purfict.

[Lurker64]

I can't believe that Kellen Moore went undrafted. Lions got a good UDFA there.

He'll hold a clipboard with the best of them.

[Lurker64]

USC RB Marc Tyler to the Packers

http://twitter.com/M_Tyler26/status/196396109755715584

[mission]

USC RB Marc Tyler to the Packers

http://twitter.com/M_Tyler26/status/196396109755715584

I like him!

[Lurker64]

DE Drew Vanderlin to the Packers

http://twitter.com/TomSilverstein/status/196401009969467392

[Lurker64]

"#Packers have signed Minnesota TE Eric Lair. Was a 1,000-yard receiver for me on NCAA 12 this past year"

"Iowa State WR Darius Reynolds, who Pats had in for a workout, reportedly lands with Packers." (Did we have this one already? This is just too exciting)

[smuggler]

Damn, that's a ton of UDFAs all at once.

[pbmax]

Confirming with the sources:

Don Barclay ‏ @Barclay_64
Officially a Green Bay Packer!!
Retweeted by Jason Wilde

Marc Tyler ‏ @M_Tyler26
Didnt get drafted but worse things have happened to me but im a Green Bay Packer now and im ready to prove that I belong!!!
Retweeted by tom silverstein

Aaron Davis ‏ @adballer
Congrats to our client @DrewV_99 staying home with the Packers! #TSBG
Retweeted by tom silverstein
this is Drew Vandelin, Mich Tech

Jason Wilde ‏ @jasonjwilde
University of Minnesota fullback-tight end #Packers bound? RT @E_Lair85: IM A CHEESEHEAD BABYYYYY! #GoPackers!

Raymond Carter ‏ @HumbleMan_Ray
I'm headed to Green Bay!!
Retweeted by Jason Wilde

[pbmax]

Justin Felder ‏ @Justin_Felder
Per @KellyLyell, #Packers sign Colorado State RB Raymond Carter as UDFA.
Retweeted by Jason Wilde

[smuggler]

I appreciate all this work, pbmax. Good job, man.

[Lurker64]

"Packers have signed San Diego St. OL Tommie Draheim as a non-drafted free agent. Coming off a shoulder injury."

We love guys with bad shoulders this year.

[MJZiggy]

I am going to Tweet that the Packers have signed God Shammgod, JC Temple to play wingback and see if anyone runs with it.

What's your twitter handle? This could be worth logging into my home twitter account for...

[pbmax]

What's your twitter handle? This could be worth logging into my home twitter account for...

@Toast_Patterson

[pbmax]

Did we have this one?

Aaron Nagler ‏ @Aaron_Nagler
There's your RB Packers fans. RT @KellyLyell: Former Colorado State RB Raymond Carter said he's reached a free-agent deal with the Packers.

[pbmax]

Wilde says to treat these skeptically. Not all players will sign a UDFA deal. Some are rookie camp bodies who will literally be in Green Bay for a few days.

[Lurker64]

Wilde says to treat these skeptically. Not all players will sign a UDFA deal. Some are rookie camp bodies who will literally be in Green Bay for a few days.

Some of these are also out-and-out fabrications (no way we would get Shamgod)

[pbmax]

A retraction!

Jason Wilde ‏ @jasonjwilde
Take Ray off #Packers depth chart. RT @HumbleMan_Ray: sorry y'all for the miscommunication I'm actually heading to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

This is Ray Carter.

[pbmax]

Some of these are also out-and-out fabrications (no way we would get Shamgod)

He's a throwback kind of player. Real old school.

[pbmax]

New school confirmation:

Aaron Nagler ‏ @Aaron_Nagler
Dying w/laughter RT @jasonjwilde: Not sure I can use this as an official announcement. RT @fatd212: My nigga jus gt drafted by da packers'

[smuggler]

I guess we got UDFA Marcus Rivers from Buffalo. Maybe he's old pals with Starks.

[MJZiggy]

@Toast_Patterson

Now if you could just send me my password, we'd be all good. I totally gave up twitter at home when I had to start using it at work.

[smuggler]

Comprehensive List

Darius Reynolds, WR, Iowa State
Eric Lair, TE, Minnesota
Drew Vanderlin, DE, Michigan Tech
Marc Tyler, RB, Southern California
Sean Richardson, S, Vanderbilt
Dion Turner, CB, Southern Utah
Dezman Moses, LB, Tulane
Dale Moss, WR, San Diego State
Jaymes Brooks, G, Virginia Tech
Don Barclay, T, West Virginia
Raymond Carter, RB, Colorado State <- Jaguars
Tommie Draheim, OL, San Diego State
Marcus Rivers, WR, Buffalo
Nic Cooper, RB, Winston-Salem
Randy Colling, DT, Gannon
Cameron Ford, TE, Wake Forest
Anthony Gray, DT, Southern Mississippi <- Reports earlier tonight said Steelers, but his Twitter says Packers as of now.

[pbmax]

Josh Oglesby (Badger) is going to Washington for a physical and possible spot. He might have been the most talented OL on that team for the last 4 years. But injuries kept happening.

[pbmax]

Now if you could just send me my password, we'd be all good. I totally gave up twitter at home when I had to start using it at work.

I'll send an email to the News of the World staff to see if there is still someone there to hack into it.

[Upnorth]

I don't remember seeing Shamgod at the combine, was he invited?

[Lurker64]

I don't remember seeing Shamgod at the combine, was he invited?

He went to one of the regional combines.

[pbmax]

I don't remember seeing Shamgod at the combine, was he invited?

As per usual these days, some true believers saw him at breakfast. Others thought it was just burnt toast.

[pbmax]

Matt Leinart getting a tryout with Reggie and the Raiders. Collarbone healed?

[Smidgeon]

Comprehensive List

Darius Reynolds, WR, Iowa State
Eric Lair, TE, Minnesota
Drew Vanderlin, DE, Michigan Tech
Marc Tyler, RB, Southern California
Sean Richardson, S, Vanderbilt
Dion Turner, CB, Southern Utah
Dezman Moses, LB, Tulane
Dale Moss, WR, San Diego State
Jaymes Brooks, G, Virginia Tech
Don Barclay, T, West Virginia
Raymond Carter, RB, Colorado State <- Jaguars
Tommie Draheim, OL, San Diego State
Marcus Rivers, WR, Buffalo

The Iowa State WR just a camp body?

[Brando19]

Matt Leinart getting a tryout with Reggie and the Raiders. Collarbone healed?

PFT reports a signing is very likely. How is this guy still in the league???

[denverYooper]

He's a throwback kind of player. Real old school.

I heard he's really popular with Anabaptists.

[denverYooper]

I don't remember seeing Shamgod at the combine, was he invited?

I don't know, but I'm pretty sure he was in the Wu Tang Clan back in the day. I'll have to dig up my copy of Return to the 36 Chambers and check the liner notes...

[pbmax]

Last thing for me tonight. I think Demovsky at GBPG counted 72 on the Packer roster after the draft. So there is room for 18 UDFA unless the Packers wish to add a street FA like Grant.

[Lurker64]

http://twitter.com/AnthonyGray67/status/196421158806102016

Nose tackle, 5'11 3/8" 330 lbs. Sheesh... talk about "natural leverage".

[Lurker64]

"Former Hanna and Wake Forest standout Cameron Ford signed as an undrafted free agent with the Green Bay Packers"

TE/FB

[Lurker64]

Tom Silverstein Sulia's (is that a verb yet):


Here's a list of free agents #Packers signed after the draft. Not surprisingly 11 of the 14 listed play offense:
Jaymes Brooks, OT, Virginia Tech;
Dale Moss, WR, S. Dakota;
Don Barclay, OT, W. Va;
Sean Richardson, S, Vandy;
Nic Cooper, RB, Winston-Salem St.;
Dezman Moses, DE, Tulane;
Dion Turner, CB, So Utah;
Mark Tyler, RB, USC;
Drew Vanderlin, DE, Mich Tech;
Eric Lair, TE, Minn;
Tommie Draheim, OL, SD State;
Duane Bennett, RB, Minn;
Cameron Ford, TE, Wake Forest;
Marcus Williams, WR, Buffalo.

[Joemailman]

Here's a list of free agents #Packers signed after the draft. Not surprisingly 11 of the 14 listed play offense:
Jaymes Brooks, OT, Virginia Tech;
Dale Moss, WR, S. Dakota;
Don Barclay, OT, W. Va;
Sean Richardson, S, Vandy;
Nic Cooper, RB, Winston-Salem St.;
Dezman Moses, DE, Tulane;
Dion Turner, CB, So Utah;
Mark Tyler, RB, USC;
Drew Vanderlin, DE, Mich Tech;
Eric Lair, TE, Minn;
Tommie Draheim, OL, SD State;
Duane Bennett, RB, Minn;
Cameron Ford, TE, Wake Forest;
Marcus Williams, WR, Buffalo.

Not only had I never had of Nic Cooper of Winston-Salem St., I had never heard of Winston-Salem St.

[smuggler]

I've got 3 more than him. Heh.

[Joemailman]

http://twitter.com/AnthonyGray67/status/196421158806102016

Nose tackle, 5'11 3/8" 330 lbs. Sheesh... talk about "natural leverage".

MM will love his pad level.

[mraynrand]

Is Ben Bojicic still available? (BGSU)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywVioVpJ-Qg

[Lurker64]

Good stuff on the UDFAs: http://gnb.scout.com/2/1182087.html

[Freak Out]

Mark Tyler...tailback U.

[Joemailman]

Dale Moss sounds like a great developmental prospect.

[HarveyWallbangers]

One player listed on the list of Top UFDA


18. OG Jaymes Brooks, Virginia Tech 6-2, 310
CFN Overall Ranking: 145

A swing player for the interior, he can handle himself at either guard position or center if needed. While he’s short, that’s actually a plus since it allows him to get great leverage and generate a good push. A pure run blocker with the right attitude and fight, he’ll blast away on the speed rushers, but he also has just enough quickness to make things happen on the move. The Virginia Tech coaching staff liked him and knew that week-in-and-week-out he was as reliable as they come. His problem will come against the monster defensive tackles. He’ll get shoved a bit by the 300-pounders inside considering he just doesn’t have the bulk, but eventually he’ll likely find a niche as a key backup for several spots.
CFN Projection: Fifth Round

[Joemailman]

— Mark Tyler, RB, USC (5-10, 249). After leading the Trojans in rushing with 913 yards as a junior, his senior year was a mess.He was suspended for his infamous TMZ video in which he suggested athletes at USC get paid more than they make in the pros. Tyler, who is the son of former NFL star Wendell Tyler, rushed for 568 yards as a senior and 1,751 (5.2 average) for his career.

Was he suspended for making that up, or for telling the truth?

[smuggler]

That's a shameful suspension and the NCAA should be suspended. After watching some videos of Marc Tyler, I sort of feel like he's a slightly bigger version of Brandon Jackson. That's good, and it's bad. But what do you want from a UDFA?

[Lurker64]

That's a shameful suspension and the NCAA should be suspended. After watching some videos of Marc Tyler, I sort of feel like he's a slightly bigger version of Brandon Jackson. That's good, and it's bad. But what do you want from a UDFA?

If he can pick up blitzes and catch the ball and run in space like Brandon Jackson, put him on the roster immediately.

[HarveyWallbangers]

At 6'2" Brooks sounds like a candidate to push EDS at backup OC.

[smuggler]

If he can pick up blitzes and catch the ball and run in space like Brandon Jackson, put him on the roster immediately.

Don't know about the pass blocking, but the rest sounds right.

[Teamcheez1]

I 've always wondered about how we fare in the UDFA process. From a competition standpoint, do players avoid us because the competition may be to stiff on a winning team? Are agents smart enough to steer players at certain positions where we may have a defined need to the team? Are some players more interested in the bright lights, big city to the detriment of a potential roster spot in a smaller market?

If the draft is a mystery with TT, the UDFA signings are even more vague in my mind. I would hope since we have a track record of actually signing some of these guys to the roster or practice squad, that we have the same legitimate opportunities as other teams, and are not scraping the bottom of the barrel.

[Scott Campbell]

I 've always wondered about how we fare in the UDFA process. From a competition standpoint, do players avoid us because the competition may be to stiff on a winning team? Are agents smart enough to steer players at certain positions where we may have a defined need to the team? Are some players more interested in the bright lights, big city to the detriment of a potential roster spot in a smaller market?

If the draft is a mystery with TT, the UDFA signings are even more vague in my mind. I would hope since we have a track record of actually signing some of these guys to the roster or practice squad, that we have the same legitimate opportunities as other teams, and are not scraping the bottom of the barrel.


It's tough to make this team, but the Packers have a reputation as at team where UDFA's have a shot. Somebody always seems to make this team. Last year I think there were 2 that made a loaded roster.

These guys are always long shot hopefuls, and I doubt they give too much thought to nightlife opportunities. I'm sure they and their agents are carefully evaluating the depth chart at their position of any team interested before deciding where to sign.

[swede]

— Mark Tyler, RB, USC (5-10, 249). After leading the Trojans in rushing with 913 yards as a junior, his senior year was a mess.He was suspended for his infamous TMZ video in which he suggested athletes at USC get paid more than they make in the pros. Tyler, who is the son of former NFL star Wendell Tyler, rushed for 568 yards as a senior and 1,751 (5.2 average) for his career.


Was he suspended for making that up, or for telling the truth?

Nice. :)

[denverYooper]

Dale Moss sounds like a great developmental prospect.

I'm Lichen him more and more.

[Scott Campbell]

I'm Lichen him more and more.


I hope you get fungus in your underwear.

[smuggler]

Hahaha

[Lurker64]

It's tough to make this team, but the Packers have a reputation as at team where UDFA's have a shot. Somebody always seems to make this team. Last year I think there were 2 that made a loaded roster.

There's really two things that work in the Packers favor when signing UDFAs. The first is, as you say, that the Packers give as fair a shake to UDFAs as anybody in the league. The second is that the Packers waiver claims and practice squad are combed over as much as or more than any team in the league. That is, if you go to Green Bay, and you don't make it, then you still may be claimed on waivers and get a shot somewhere else. If you go to Buffalo and don't make it, you're out of luck.

[Bretsky]

it's time to start reading up on these guys and posting some of the feel good stories to cheer for. We nailed Zombo a couple yrs. back. Justin Bieber..aka...the Beaver...didn't turn out so well but it was fun to speculate. He is a high school teacher in my area now coaching HS football as well

[Lurker64]

it's time to start reading up on these guys and posting some of the feel good stories to cheer for. We nailed Zombo a couple yrs. back. Justin Bieber..aka...the Beaver...didn't turn out so well but it was fun to speculate.

I could see Dale Moss making this team as a 5th or 6th WR (he's one of those "one year of football, crazy upside" kind of guys), and Jayme Brooks looks like a good bet in the EDS mold (if he can back up all three interior positions, you can keep 5 starters, 2 backup OTs, and 2 backup interior guys.) It's also entirely possible to see one of the RBs make it, since Grant may be gone and Saine is nothing special.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I could see Dale Moss making this team as a 5th or 6th WR (he's one of those "one year of football, crazy upside" kind of guys), and Jayme Brooks looks like a good bet in the EDS mold (if he can back up all three interior positions, you can keep 5 starters, 2 backup OTs, and 2 backup interior guys.) It's also entirely possible to see one of the RBs make it, since Grant may be gone and Saine is nothing special.

Are you saying Moss is the next Bill Schroeder? Tough spot to break into the lineup. Brooks is the one that stands out the most to me.

[pbmax]

Press Gazette has them up to fifteen confirmed and a bunch uncomfirmed or invitees only.

http://blogs.greenbaypressgazette.com/blogs/gpg/insider/2012/04/29/updated-rookie-free-agent-list/

Drew Vanderlin DE
Tommie Draheim C-T
Eric Lair TE
Don Barclay T, West Virginia
Marc Tyler RB, USC
Dezmon Moses OLB, Tulane
Darius Reynolds WR, Iowa State
Sean Richardson S, Vanderbilt
Jaymes Brooks G, Virginia Tech
Jaymar Latchison OLB, New Mexico
Dale Moss WR, South Dakota State
Duane Bennett RB, Minnesota
Cameron Ford TE, Wake Forest
Nicholas Cooper RB, Winston-Salem State
Cameron Ford TE Wake Forest

Other players reportedly signed as undrafted rookie free agents or invited to minicamps, but not confirmed: T Tyler Butzler, LS Casey Casper, WR Marcus Rivers, CB Dom Joseph, K Dave Nadeau, Arkansas G Grant Cook, DT Anthony Gray, CB Dion Turner, Gannon NT Randy Colling, T Mike McCabe, LB ElToro Freeman and Missouri LB Luke Lambert.

[pbmax]

allgreenbaypackersallthetime.com (Jerseyal.com)

http://jerseyal.com/GBP/2012/04/29/tracking-the-packers-2012-udfa-signings-undrafted-free-agents/?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

He has writeups and basic measurables for most.

Dale Moss
Darius Reynolds
Marcus Rivers
Nic Cooper
Marc Tyler
Duane Bennett
Eric Lair
Don Barclay
Jaymes Brooks
Tommie Draheim
Cameron Ford
Sean Richardson
Dion Turner
Randy Colling
Dezman Moses
Jaymar Latchison
Drew Vanderlin

[pbmax]

Tom Silverstein
Also In Green Bay Packers

Sulia (no, I don't know what it is either but it seems important to print guys): http://www.sulia.com/channel/football/f/473ee379-5049-469c-b169-0c46900e812d/?source=twitter

Two more tryout invitees for #Packers rookie camp: LB ElToro Freeman, Auburn and LB Luke Lambert, Missouri. Other tryout players are: DL Grant Cook, Arkansas, OT Tyler Butzler, Wisconsin-Stout, K Dave Nadeau, Minnesota-Duluth, LS Casey Casper, Wisconsin-Whitewater

[pbmax]

Tom Dienhart ‏ @BTNTomDienhart
RT “@DustinDopirak: Indiana's Andrew McDonald said he has a mini-camp offer from the Green Bay Packers”

https://twitter.com/#!/BTNTomDienhart/status/196623661724205056

[pbmax]

The whole League shebang (that looks terrible in print) right in one spot, National Football Post:

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Top-rookie-free-agent-signings-by-team.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[Lurker64]

Are you saying Moss is the next Bill Schroeder? Tough spot to break into the lineup. Brooks is the one that stands out the most to me.

Moss is a converted basketball player, he's 6-3, runs a 4.5, has a 41" vert, is a smooth athlete with lateral speed (4.13 shuttle, 6.35 cone), and has (basket)ball skills. He also doesn't have a clue as to how to run a route, but if you wanted to mold a receiver from raw clay, you're not going to do much better with an undrafted guy.

He has better tools than Gurley, but is comparatively unpolished (and Gurley may be a better special teams player). He's a guy you may not be able to stash on the PS.

[Guiness]

Are you saying Moss is the next Bill Schroeder? Tough spot to break into the lineup. Brooks is the one that stands out the most to me.

And don't forget about the 'tool belt'.

WR is a tough gig for this squad. Jennings and Nelson are obvious locks. Cobb had a good rookie season, and is going nowhere. That means for there to be a spot available, the team has to cut ties with Driver, or decide they want a developmental guy instead of Jones. And for one of these rookies to make it as a developmental guy, they have to beat out Gurley and Smithson.

[pittstang5]

I like the pick up of Sean Richardson. Seems he had quite a few offers and chose GB because of the Safety situation. I'm excited to see what he brings.

[Guiness]

It's tough to make this team, but the Packers have a reputation as at team where UDFA's have a shot. Somebody always seems to make this team. Last year I think there were 2 that made a loaded roster.

By my count, at least 4 UDFA's spent some time on the active roster last year. Ray Dominguez, Brandon Saine, Vic So'to and J. Lattimore! I wonder how that compares to other teams?

[pbmax]

There was a report that Richardson was going to move to LB for the Packers, but that seems to have been debunked. His weight is being reported as 216 lbs currently.

[Lurker64]

There was a report that Richardson was going to move to LB for the Packers, but that seems to have been debunked. His weight is being reported as 216 lbs currently.

If the Packers were going to role with an LB that slight, we would have given Lattimore snaps in nickel last year.

[Iron Mike]

I'm Lichen him more and more.I hope you get fungus in your underwear.

http://www.your-doctor.net/dermatology_atlas/rwx/rwx/Tinea_cruris1.jpg

Tinea cruris, ouch!!!!

[pbmax]

C'mon Mike. I want this thread to stay here. But that does look mildly uncomfortable.

[woodbuck27]

I'm going to spend my saturday night obsessively reloading this page: http://www.nepatriotsdraft.com/2012-nfl-undrafted-free-agents

You are all welcome to join me.

I'd like to see a C (Wedige, Brewster, Anzevino), and an RB (Polk, Carter, Banyard) and maybe some more defensive players (Nzegwu, Fangupo, Burris)

If this fella is available I'd love to see him at TC. Tauren Poole:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/draft-2012/players/79123.html

http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/378231/tauren-poole

GO TT >>> GO PACKERS !

[HarveyWallbangers]

And don't forget about the 'tool belt'.

WR is a tough gig for this squad. Jennings and Nelson are obvious locks. Cobb had a good rookie season, and is going nowhere. That means for there to be a spot available, the team has to cut ties with Driver, or decide they want a developmental guy instead of Jones. And for one of these rookies to make it as a developmental guy, they have to beat out Gurley and Smithson.

Smithson? He looked terrible to me last year, and I think he has no shot at making the roster.

Borel actually showed some potential.

[Lurker64]

Smithson? He looked terrible to me last year, and I think he has no shot at making the roster.

Smithson really has nothing to offer the Packers. He's a guy who, despite below-average athleticism, excelled as a punt/kick returner in college. We've pretty much already concluded that this does not translate to the NFL, and we've already found a punt/kick returner who has above-average athleticism and upside as a returner.

If the Packers had to cut someone in the next five minutes, Smithson is probably the easiest cut.

[Joemailman]

Smithson being added to the practice squad really surprised me last year. Couldn't believe how slow he looked. Maybe he was kept around as a returner in case something happened to Cobb.

[Lurker64]

Maybe he was kept around as a returner in case something happened to Cobb.

That is my guess. At the very least, Smithson is able to field the ball underhanded (something that some of our return specialist projects in the past have struggled at.) If Cobb were to get hurt, you could promote Smithson and have somebody who is at least able to catch the ball and fall forward for 2 yards without having to risk either having an adventure catching the ball or putting a key player like Tramon back there to field kicks.

If there is anybody else on this team who can catch the ball under-handed, does not start for the offense or the defense, and is at least an average NFL athlete for his position, Smithson is the easiest cut on the roster.

[Guiness]

I didn't know much about Smithson, other than he looked slow. I thought maybe it was just a matter of him catching up with the game? He hung around the PS all year, so I figured he had some promise, but it sounds pretty unanimous that he doesn't!

[Fosco33]

Surprised Jaymes Brooks went undrafted. He was projected 3-5th round.


A three-year starter who finished his career with 42 consecutive starts at right guard for Virginia Tech, Brooks was an All-ACC selection for the second consecutive season in 2011. His solid play helped David Wilson rank fourth in the nation with 1,709 rushing yards and paved the way for the Hokies to average 187 yards per game on the ground. Brooks closed his college career with strong performances in two big games. He had five knockdown blocks in 44 snaps against Clemson in the ACC championship game and helped Virginia Tech rush for 163 yards in a 23-20 overtime loss to Michigan in the 2012 Sugar Bowl. Brooks possesses all the tools necessary to develop into a very good NFL player, displaying a nice combination of size, strength and explosiveness that should allow him to play in a variety of offenses. While shorter than the average NFL guard, he has better than average bulk with a muscular frame. A decent athlete with good technique, Brooks will need to improve his footwork to reach his full potential at the next level. Because he's proven extremely durable and has a reputation as a very hard worker with a dedication to the weight room, Brooks could be selected as high as the third round, but the fourth or fifth seems a more likely destination.

[Scott Campbell]

By my count, at least 4 UDFA's spent some time on the active roster last year. Ray Dominguez, Brandon Saine, Vic So'to and J. Lattimore! I wonder how that compares to other teams?

I think So-to and MD Jennings were the guys that made the roster coming out of camp.

[Scott Campbell]

And don't forget about the 'tool belt'.

WR is a tough gig for this squad. Jennings and Nelson are obvious locks. Cobb had a good rookie season, and is going nowhere. That means for there to be a spot available, the team has to cut ties with Driver, or decide they want a developmental guy instead of Jones. And for one of these rookies to make it as a developmental guy, they have to beat out Gurley and Smithson.


I think Borel also got an offer from a team that wanted him on their active roster towards the end of last year. But I don't think we had to give him as much money as Gurley.

[Lurker64]

I didn't know much about Smithson, other than he looked slow. I thought maybe it was just a matter of him catching up with the game? He hung around the PS all year, so I figured he had some promise, but it sounds pretty unanimous that he doesn't!

No, Smithson actually is slow. He ran a 4.65 40, and 7.20 cone, which is glacial for a shorter (5-11) WR. (Compare undrafted 6-3 Dale Moss who ran a 4.51 40 with a 6.35 cone) In terms of athleticism, you might actually be better off putting Nick Perry back there to return punts, assuming he can catch them. They have similar numbers.

The thing about Smithson though is that he's reliable at catching underhand, and in college he did things like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5POiP8upI2w

(To see the difference in speed, compare Randall Cobb's 79 yard punt return TD (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beDiOC2yyJo&feature=related) against the Vikings last year)

But Smithson has virtually no upside as a WR (he didn't even catch passes in college), and his punt return game doesn't look to have been able to transition to the NFL game, where everybody covering kicks is a good athlete.