LL2
03-29-2007, 12:53 PM
Here’s a clear reason why we haven’t been competitive the past few years. In 2003 we got Nick Barnett and he’s good, but our 2002 pick Javon Walker is gone, and our 2005 pick is sitting on the bench still. So, from 2001 – 2005 we have one solid contributor playing and producing for the Packers. While you find “gems†in the later rounds, it’s the first round picks that should become playmakers and hopefully probowl type players. One solid pick in a 5 year period is what lead to the horrible past two seasons. Hawk is going to be a playmaker for a long time, and TT needs to hit a homerun this year otherwise the Pack are going to suck for a lot longer.
Draft class appraisal
Analyzing every first round from 1995 through 2004
Posted: Thursday March 29, 2007 12:18PM; Updated: Thursday March 29, 2007 12:18PM
By Jeffri Chadiha
The deepest first-round class in the 10-year window was the 2004 crop: Though four other draft classes have produced more Pro Bowl players, no other group has generated more stars and solid starters. Aside from two clear-cut busts (Green Bay cornerback Ahmad Carroll and 49ers wide receiver Rashaun Woods), most of the players in this class are making some kind of impact on their respective teams. Half of the first 10 picks (Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald, San Diego's Phillip Rivers, Washington's Sean Taylor, Detroit's Roy Williams and Atlanta's DeAngelo Hall) have already played in a Pro Bowl. The 11th overall selection (Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger) is the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl. And when you really study the top 18 picks in that class, 14 already look like they'll be long-time, high-producing stars in this league. It's tough to beat those kinds of numbers.
The most star-studded class was the 2001 crop: No other class in the last 10-year window has produced more Pro Bowl players than the 14 from this group. Say what you will about the inconsistency of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, that year's top overall pick, but he has led his team to two playoff appearances and he might benefit this season from the offensive mind of new head coach Bobby Petrino. San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson (the No. 5 pick) is making a strong bid to go down as one of the best running backs in NFL history, while Vikings guard Steve Hutchinson (No. 17), formerly of Seattle, has literally raised the pay scale for players at his position by being so dominant.
Even the bottom half of that first round has produced exceptional talent. Buffalo cornerback Nate Clements, Seattle running back Shaun Alexander, Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne and Ravens tight end Todd Heap were all selected after the 20th pick that year. The only downside to this class: Nine busts, including Chicago wide receiver David Terrell, Green Bay defensive end Jamal Reynolds and Denver Broncos cornerback Willie Middlebrooks.
Draft class appraisal
Analyzing every first round from 1995 through 2004
Posted: Thursday March 29, 2007 12:18PM; Updated: Thursday March 29, 2007 12:18PM
By Jeffri Chadiha
The deepest first-round class in the 10-year window was the 2004 crop: Though four other draft classes have produced more Pro Bowl players, no other group has generated more stars and solid starters. Aside from two clear-cut busts (Green Bay cornerback Ahmad Carroll and 49ers wide receiver Rashaun Woods), most of the players in this class are making some kind of impact on their respective teams. Half of the first 10 picks (Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald, San Diego's Phillip Rivers, Washington's Sean Taylor, Detroit's Roy Williams and Atlanta's DeAngelo Hall) have already played in a Pro Bowl. The 11th overall selection (Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger) is the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl. And when you really study the top 18 picks in that class, 14 already look like they'll be long-time, high-producing stars in this league. It's tough to beat those kinds of numbers.
The most star-studded class was the 2001 crop: No other class in the last 10-year window has produced more Pro Bowl players than the 14 from this group. Say what you will about the inconsistency of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, that year's top overall pick, but he has led his team to two playoff appearances and he might benefit this season from the offensive mind of new head coach Bobby Petrino. San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson (the No. 5 pick) is making a strong bid to go down as one of the best running backs in NFL history, while Vikings guard Steve Hutchinson (No. 17), formerly of Seattle, has literally raised the pay scale for players at his position by being so dominant.
Even the bottom half of that first round has produced exceptional talent. Buffalo cornerback Nate Clements, Seattle running back Shaun Alexander, Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne and Ravens tight end Todd Heap were all selected after the 20th pick that year. The only downside to this class: Nine busts, including Chicago wide receiver David Terrell, Green Bay defensive end Jamal Reynolds and Denver Broncos cornerback Willie Middlebrooks.