Bretsky
04-23-2006, 08:20 AM
Assessing needs
Scouts comment on the Packers' draft priorities
Green Bay - Coming off their first last-place finish in the division since 1980, the Green Bay Packers enter the draft with little hope of filling the myriad holes that sprung up during a 4-12 finish in 2005.
"I think they're in a rebuilding mode right now," an executive in personnel for another National Football League team said Friday. "I mean, obviously they didn't partake in free agency or didn't think anybody was worthy to sign. Ted (Thompson) is going to try to squeeze a couple drafts before the heat gets to him and try to get as many young guys on the team as he can before he goes to the dreaded free-agent market.
"I think it's the Ron Wolf philosophy right now. He's got his draft board and he's going to pick what's on his draft board.
"Ted came in with a plan. The plan was to build through the draft, acquiring as many young guys as he can and developing his roster. I would say they won't go the veteran route for another year or so.
"I think he came in to go young."
The executive then agreed to assess the status and degree of need at each of the Packers' positions as the draft approaches:
Wide receiver: "I think if 84 (Javon Walker) is back in the fold they've got three that were highly productive as a group. They got Marc Boerigter and brought back Rod Gardner. I'm sure they'd like to get a young guy but that's not a pressing need right now. If Walker leaves, it's huge and you've got to replace him. Then they're no better than they were last year. He's a Pro Bowl player."
Tight end: "I think for what they do they're fine."
Tackle: "I think they're fine at tackle. They've invested in them long-term and they've still got time there."
Guard: "They need a guard. Really, their best scenario is (Scott) Wells playing center and getting a guard. (Adrian) Klemm is Klemm. He can't play. Let's be honest. Maybe (Will) Whitticker steps up. It wasn't anything special last year. But they really need inside help. I've never seen (Junius) Coston. He's brand new."
Center: "I think they're fine with Wells."
Quarterback: "If Brett (Favre) comes back he just picks up where he left off and (Aaron) Rodgers sits another year. If he doesn't, Rodgers is their starter and probably they're looking for a veteran backup."
Running back: "(Ahman) Green was a damn good running back. I don't see (Najeh) Davenport or (Samkon) Gado ever reaching what Green was when he was rolling. I still don't think Green will be the player that he once was. He's older now. He's on the down side of his career. I still think they need a running back."
Fullback: "You've got the old man (William Henderson) there. He's one of the better special teams guys they've got on the team. How much has he got left? (Vonta) Leach has been developing."
Defensive end: "They gave a lot of money to (Aaron) Kampman. They obviously like him. They gave a lot to 'KGB' (Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila). If you want to call them bookends, you can call them bookends. I think they could use one. They need a third guy that's a pass rusher, a guy to turn the corner. If they get that guy, then they move Kampman inside in dime. (Mike) Montgomery looked like a decent athlete but he's a 5.1 40 guy."
Defensive tackle: "They went and signed (Ryan) Pickett. They've got seven guys. I think they'll add a guy and get by with what they have. (Colin) Cole. (Cullen) Jenkins. They still got Donnell Washington as a third-round pick. Kenny Peterson was a third-round pick. I think he (Thompson) will play it out at defensive tackle."
Strong-side linebacker: "They don't have one."
Middle linebacker: "They got (Nick) Barnett."
Weak-side linebacker: "It's Robert Thomas or bust. I saw some good things with him. Tracy White is just a guy. I see them picking two linebackers."
Cornerback: "They picked up some corners last year, didn't they? They picked up (Mike) Hawkins. This (Jason) Horton guy, I guess they got him from Canada. They need another corner."
Safety: "They picked up this (Marquand) Manuel guy. Is he going to start for them? Whew. We view him as a box guy, a guy with coverage limitations. You pick up bulk with Manuel but you don't pick up any speed or quickness by replacing (Mark) Roman. Roman's just a little guy."
Kicker: "What are they going to do? Go with Billy Cundiff? That's a big drop-off, my friend. His kickoffs will be at about the 10. . . . Let me tell you something. This guy kicked in a dome. Now he's going to be kicking out there on Lambeau Field? His balls may be bouncing on the 12 by the end of December."
Punter: "They don't have one. They never had one."
Return specialist: "The kickoff guy will be Davenport. Now I'm trying to figure out who will be back there (on punts). Uh, they don't have anybody."
Long snapper: "They're fine with (Rob) Davis."
Scouts comment on the Packers' draft priorities
Green Bay - Coming off their first last-place finish in the division since 1980, the Green Bay Packers enter the draft with little hope of filling the myriad holes that sprung up during a 4-12 finish in 2005.
"I think they're in a rebuilding mode right now," an executive in personnel for another National Football League team said Friday. "I mean, obviously they didn't partake in free agency or didn't think anybody was worthy to sign. Ted (Thompson) is going to try to squeeze a couple drafts before the heat gets to him and try to get as many young guys on the team as he can before he goes to the dreaded free-agent market.
"I think it's the Ron Wolf philosophy right now. He's got his draft board and he's going to pick what's on his draft board.
"Ted came in with a plan. The plan was to build through the draft, acquiring as many young guys as he can and developing his roster. I would say they won't go the veteran route for another year or so.
"I think he came in to go young."
The executive then agreed to assess the status and degree of need at each of the Packers' positions as the draft approaches:
Wide receiver: "I think if 84 (Javon Walker) is back in the fold they've got three that were highly productive as a group. They got Marc Boerigter and brought back Rod Gardner. I'm sure they'd like to get a young guy but that's not a pressing need right now. If Walker leaves, it's huge and you've got to replace him. Then they're no better than they were last year. He's a Pro Bowl player."
Tight end: "I think for what they do they're fine."
Tackle: "I think they're fine at tackle. They've invested in them long-term and they've still got time there."
Guard: "They need a guard. Really, their best scenario is (Scott) Wells playing center and getting a guard. (Adrian) Klemm is Klemm. He can't play. Let's be honest. Maybe (Will) Whitticker steps up. It wasn't anything special last year. But they really need inside help. I've never seen (Junius) Coston. He's brand new."
Center: "I think they're fine with Wells."
Quarterback: "If Brett (Favre) comes back he just picks up where he left off and (Aaron) Rodgers sits another year. If he doesn't, Rodgers is their starter and probably they're looking for a veteran backup."
Running back: "(Ahman) Green was a damn good running back. I don't see (Najeh) Davenport or (Samkon) Gado ever reaching what Green was when he was rolling. I still don't think Green will be the player that he once was. He's older now. He's on the down side of his career. I still think they need a running back."
Fullback: "You've got the old man (William Henderson) there. He's one of the better special teams guys they've got on the team. How much has he got left? (Vonta) Leach has been developing."
Defensive end: "They gave a lot of money to (Aaron) Kampman. They obviously like him. They gave a lot to 'KGB' (Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila). If you want to call them bookends, you can call them bookends. I think they could use one. They need a third guy that's a pass rusher, a guy to turn the corner. If they get that guy, then they move Kampman inside in dime. (Mike) Montgomery looked like a decent athlete but he's a 5.1 40 guy."
Defensive tackle: "They went and signed (Ryan) Pickett. They've got seven guys. I think they'll add a guy and get by with what they have. (Colin) Cole. (Cullen) Jenkins. They still got Donnell Washington as a third-round pick. Kenny Peterson was a third-round pick. I think he (Thompson) will play it out at defensive tackle."
Strong-side linebacker: "They don't have one."
Middle linebacker: "They got (Nick) Barnett."
Weak-side linebacker: "It's Robert Thomas or bust. I saw some good things with him. Tracy White is just a guy. I see them picking two linebackers."
Cornerback: "They picked up some corners last year, didn't they? They picked up (Mike) Hawkins. This (Jason) Horton guy, I guess they got him from Canada. They need another corner."
Safety: "They picked up this (Marquand) Manuel guy. Is he going to start for them? Whew. We view him as a box guy, a guy with coverage limitations. You pick up bulk with Manuel but you don't pick up any speed or quickness by replacing (Mark) Roman. Roman's just a little guy."
Kicker: "What are they going to do? Go with Billy Cundiff? That's a big drop-off, my friend. His kickoffs will be at about the 10. . . . Let me tell you something. This guy kicked in a dome. Now he's going to be kicking out there on Lambeau Field? His balls may be bouncing on the 12 by the end of December."
Punter: "They don't have one. They never had one."
Return specialist: "The kickoff guy will be Davenport. Now I'm trying to figure out who will be back there (on punts). Uh, they don't have anybody."
Long snapper: "They're fine with (Rob) Davis."