What '05 or '06 rookie do you think will step up?

[Patler]

Not the big names, so no starters like Collins, Poppinga, Hawk, Jennings, Spitz or Colledge, and not Mall, or even Underwood. These are all guys that are expected to. Is there anyone that you "have a feeling about" who really hasn't contributed a lot? Just to throw out a few possibles to think about: Coston, Bourke, Beach, Alcorn, Humphrey, any WR other than the starters, Hunter, Montgomery, Jolly, Hodge, any nonstarting DB.

Guys like KGB, Rivera, Chmura and others were pretty obscure for a year or more before they showed anything. Do you feel that about anyone now?

My pick...Shaun Bodiford.
I've read a few articles out of Detroit from last fall, and I just feel that he might contribute as a kick returner and as a deep threat at WR. Eddie Drummond had some very positive things to say about him, that he has got the "it" that good kick returners have. He is also supposed to be surprisingly fast. Detroit was trying to sneak him onto the practice squad, when they needed a spot to fill for injuries. The coaches even said they did not want to lose him.

He might be able to help in 3 areas, kick return, punt return and WR.
Or....he might be cut!

[CyclonePackFan]

Will Blackmon

Never got a chance to show anything, as he was injured too early. Abilities at WR and DB, both areas currently lacking depth. I think he might wind up as the dime back. Also has potential as a returner.

[Patler]

I had high hopes for Blackmon last year. Then he got hurt in the first camp and never got untracked thereafter. If he steps up it would be a huge lift for the D.

[Joemailman]

It's a hard question to answer before the draft. Arliss Beach was probably the Packers most productive RB in training camp last year, but could get buried on the bench if TT drafts a running back early. Ruvell Martin showed potential late in the season as a possession/end zone receiver, but will find it hard to get playing time if they draft someone like Dwayne Jarrett.

Having said all that, I think the move of Cullen Jenkins to DE creates a real opportunity for Johnny Jolly. He is more talented than Cole, and injuries are bound to happen which will give Jolly a chance to shine, and I think he will.

[Bretsky]

Jason Hunter will be my first pick; I see some very good potential as a pass rushing specialist in the rotation

I'm still curious about Abdul Hodge; he looked lost last year but with a season under the belt who knows. I just hope he doesn't end up as another Torrence Marshall.

[BallHawk]

I'm guessing I can't choose Tyrone Culver....

I think Mike Montgomery has a chance of doing something in Training Camp. I think Ruvell Martin will turn into a pretty good WR. I also think Donald Lee will show up this season.

[Patler]

Jason Hunter will be my first pick; I see some very good potential as a pass rushing specialist in the rotation

I'm still curious about Abdul Hodge; he looked lost last year but with a season under the belt who knows. I just hope he doesn't end up as another Torrence Marshall.

Hunter didn't impress me at all. I hope I'm wrong, but I didn't see anything that excited me about him at all.

Hodge was a bit of a puzzle, but could end up being one of those players that has a very good college career, but just can't adapt his game to the NFL. The fact he couldn't even contribute on ST leaves me without a lot of hope for him. Any worthy linebacker candidate should be able to be a leading ST player.

[MJZiggy]

P.J. Pope. I think if he gets a shot, he'll make the most of it.

[Patler]

P.J. Pope. I think if he gets a shot, he'll make the most of it.

Putting your faith in the hands of the Pope, so to speak?

[MJZiggy]

:lol: :lol:

[esoxx]

Will Blackmon.

The guy's got the size and speed combo to be a very good CB. Just needs to get on the field and play.

[ND72]

I'd say Blackmon, Culver, Underwood....I would maybe put Poppinga on there even though the "rules" are no starters, but I didnt' count him as a "starting material" LB last year...so maybe he will in my book be "raised" in my book.

[Freak Out]

Beach or Blackmon.

[Partial]

I think Corey Rodgers trys out and makes the team as a returner. Yes, I am serious.

[RashanGary]

I think Johnny Jolly will be really good. DT's always take a year or two to get stronger.

[Fritz]

Lots of good things were said about Arliss Beach last year. I have a feeling the Packers really, really like this guy, and that he may end up carrying the load this year.

I'd alwasy hoped "Orange" Junius Coston would step up, and this is the year to do it. Apparently he was very young when the Packers chose him - he's younger, I believe, than Colledge. I hope - more than think - he can become a very solid young backup.

[Patler]

I'd alwasy hoped "Orange" Junius Coston would step up, and this is the year to do it. Apparently he was very young when the Packers chose him - he's younger, I believe, than Colledge. I hope - more than think - he can become a very solid young backup.

Coston is younger than all of the '06 rookie linemen. Birthdays:

Colledge- 2/11/82
Spitz - 12/9/82
Moll - 8/23/83
Coston - 11/5/83

[LL2]

I will go with Hunter, Beach, and Ruvell Martin. Hunter and Beach showed potential last preseason, and Martin at times during the regular season. I think Martin or Holiday could become the #3 WR this year. It would be great if Hunter could replace KGB as the situational pass rusher, and trade KGB while he has some value. It would be nice to see opposing defenses say “That son of a Beach burned us again!”

[Partial]

It would be nice to see opposing defenses say “That son of a Beach burned us again!”

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Patler]

I'm perplexed by all the comments that Jason Hunter "showed potential" last year. When did he do that? I'm afraid a lot is based on an article or two in preseason, but what did he do during the season?

6 tackles (not more than one in any game)
0 sacks
0 FF
0 FR
0 Pass D

Someone please tell me when he showed this potential. When were you even aware that he was on the field?

Now, he could be exactly the type of player this thread is about, coming from no where to be a contributor in 2007. But even in preseason I didn't see the speed or quickness of the young KGB, or anything that could lead me to think he has that kind of potential as a pass rush specialist.

Someone tell me what I am missing.

[ND72]

I forgot about a few guys that I saw while reading through. #1 - Johnny Jolly. A lot of experts said he was a steal when we got him, and I agree. I think if Johnny has a strong offseason, and can come in healthy and compete, we could have a nice 4 man DT rotation. #2 - Ruvell Martin. I really think he could become our red zone threat. He's really long, and can jump. I don't know why McCarthy didn't try plugging him in early in the year.

[Patler]

I forgot about a few guys that I saw while reading through. #1 - Johnny Jolly. A lot of experts said he was a steal when we got him, and I agree. I think if Johnny has a strong offseason, and can come in healthy and compete, we could have a nice 4 man DT rotation. #2 - Ruvell Martin. I really think he could become our red zone threat. He's really long, and can jump. I don't know why McCarthy didn't try plugging him in early in the year.

Jolly will be interesting to watch. He fell in the draft due to an injury concern. The one consistent knock I saw in all the draft evaluations was that in college he seemed to react to the play, then couldn't find the ball to make the tackle. He would be in position to make a play, but didn't. I think in the NFL disrupting the play to allow others to make the tackle has more value than in college where the players around to clean up the play may not be as good. We'll see.

[swede]

Good idea for a thread.

Blackmon was the first name that jumped into my head. Arliss Beach made a lot of sense after somebody mentioned him. Ruvell Martin and Carlyle Holliday seem to be the same type of receiver. It would be helpful if one of them would step up and become reliable and productive.

It really would be sweet to find out that TT has been right about going slow in FA because there is considerable talent already on the team just waiting for the chance to develop and contribute this season.

[Guiness]

My runner-ups are Ruvell Martin on O. He can step up as a #3 or #4 receiver - getting two dozen catches out of him would be very nice. On D it's Blackmon. He should be able to land the nickel back position.

I think Beach has the best shot at having a big impact. Not because he is a better player than the other two - but he could end up carrying the load. It appears the 'feature back' position is wide open, and there's the possibility he is the starter from week 1.

[packinpatland]

I like Hodge

[Green Bud Packer]

Unless Barnett is injured Hodge is destined for the bench. I'm liking Bodiford on what i saw of him during the season and Beach based off of last pre-season. Go Pack.Good to see you are still around, Patler.

[Partial]

I like Hodge

Me too. My guess is he is hitting the squats and deads hard, and doing a lot of sled pulling to improve his speed.

[retailguy]

One of the RB's better step up, or none of the rest of it really matters.

My guess, is that'll be either Beach or Pope. I hold out hope for Beach, Pope I'm not too sure about.

Without a good solid running game, we're too one-dimensional to do much.

I am not sold that the OL has improved to the point some here think it has, but we'll see. I'm also not convinced that Beach, Morency, or Pope can run behind a bad line, as effectively as Green did.

[RashanGary]

Morency ran behind that same bad line better than Green a year ago. We might get Lynch too.

[retailguy]

Morency ran behind that same bad line better than Green a year ago. We might get Lynch too.

Morency has TWO good games, against Arizona and Philadelphia. He DID NOT run better behind the line than Green did. Most games he had ONE good run then stunk it up the rest of the game. Rushing statistics don't sway me, Greg, and they shouldn't sway you. When Morency contacted the Defense, HE FELL DOWN, when Green contacted the defense, his legs NEVER stopped churning. There is a clear difference between the talent of Vernand Morency and the talent of Ahman Green, even if Green is "over the hill" as you think. Can Morency improve? SURE. But he hasn't done so yet.

Perhaps you should rewatch the Minnesota game last season. 4 rushes - 4 yards. Might also watch the Jets game. 6 rushes - 14 yards. Mix those two in with the Arizona game - 11 rushes 101 yards.

Lynch has not proven he could run behind a bad line either. But we'll see. I think Thompson drafts defense, even if Lynch is there. We'll see.

[KYPack]

Culver, Blackmon, & Jolly were 3 guys I thought of right away.

Sometimes being hurt that first year is a benefit tio a young guy.

All these guys have potential and are chomping at the bit. Now, in the 2nd year, they know what the league is all about and at least two of 'em will have an impact.

[woodbuck27]

Will Blackmon

Never got a chance to show anything, as he was injured too early. Abilities at WR and DB, both areas currently lacking depth. I think he might wind up as the dime back. Also has potential as a returner.

Will Blackmon had loads of talent and if he can remain healthy there is alot of reason to have hope in what he can give us.

I will not desert the Ruvell Martin bandwagon.

[Partial]

Morency ran behind that same bad line better than Green a year ago. We might get Lynch too.

Morency has TWO good games, against Arizona and Philadelphia. He DID NOT run better behind the line than Green did. Most games he had ONE good run then stunk it up the rest of the game. Rushing statistics don't sway me, Greg, and they shouldn't sway you. When Morency contacted the Defense, HE FELL DOWN, when Green contacted the defense, his legs NEVER stopped churning. There is a clear difference between the talent of Vernand Morency and the talent of Ahman Green, even if Green is "over the hill" as you think. Can Morency improve? SURE. But he hasn't done so yet.

Perhaps you should rewatch the Minnesota game last season. 4 rushes - 4 yards. Might also watch the Jets game. 6 rushes - 14 yards. Mix those two in with the Arizona game - 11 rushes 101 yards.

Lynch has not proven he could run behind a bad line either. But we'll see. I think Thompson drafts defense, even if Lynch is there. We'll see.

Ahman had a stellar 2.5 ypc and 55 yards on 22 carries against the Vikes. Thats by no means lights out and isn't any better because in 22 carries you're bound to break two or three 8 yards.

In the other game, he was 18 rushes for 42 yards against the Vikes. Even worse.

If it wasn't for a 35 yard run against the Jets, Greens game would have been crappy there, too.

You also failed to acknowledge Green's stellar 2.6 ypc average against the saints on 16 carries. Awesome.

His 13 rushes for 28 yards against the Patriots.

Overall, Morency did a heck of a lot better on the time that was given to him than Green. Green's stats were also severely inflated by an exquisite blocking job by the offensive line on his long run at miami.

He was OK at best last year.

[RashanGary]

I'm definitly concerned about the health of MOrency but I do think he is a more explosive back than Green at this point in their careers and that he is a very small step down overall to Green right now.

For the money; I take Morency every time. Hopefully we land Lynch though. I think LYnch could be one of the top 10 players in thsi draft if he works hard.

[RashanGary]

Really though, I'm just thankfull Sherman isn't the GM here in GB. Our cap would be right back to hell almost instantaniously. Acctually; we never would have gotten out to begin with.

[GoPackGo]

Perhaps you should rewatch the Minnesota game last season. 4 rushes - 4 yards. Might also watch the Jets game. 6 rushes - 14 yards. Mix those two in with the Arizona game - 11 rushes 101 yards.

no RB rushed for big numbers vs. Minnesota #1 run defense

[Bretsky]

I'm definitly concerned about the health of MOrency but I do think he is a more explosive back than Green at this point in their careers and that he is a very small step down overall to Green right now.

For the money; I take Morency every time. Hopefully we land Lynch though. I think LYnch could be one of the top 10 players in thsi draft if he works hard.


After last year I don't know how to argue that Morency is better than Green. Harvey pointed out several stats showing Morency's effectiveness was against two terrible run defenses. I was at a game and he looked like junk and Noah flippin Herron came in and had a stellar game. He has some speed, but evidence wisde it behooves me how anybody could make a solid case for that. But sometimes blind faith is the best kind :wink:

[Bretsky]

Really though, I'm just thankfull Sherman isn't the GM here in GB. Our cap would be right back to hell almost instantaniously. Acctually; we never would have gotten out to begin with.

Sherman tried to win now; he made terrible mistakes packaging duo picks for one and then picking the wrong person. He made a bad mistake with the punter.

But after watching Aaron Kampman and Corey Williams blossom he was nowhere near as bad of a GM that I use to argue he was.

Ted Thompson is trying to set up this team for down the road and sacrifices the ability for short term success.

Time will tell who is better.

[Bretsky]

Morency ran behind that same bad line better than Green a year ago. We might get Lynch too.

Morency has TWO good games, against Arizona and Philadelphia. He DID NOT run better behind the line than Green did. Most games he had ONE good run then stunk it up the rest of the game. Rushing statistics don't sway me, Greg, and they shouldn't sway you. When Morency contacted the Defense, HE FELL DOWN, when Green contacted the defense, his legs NEVER stopped churning. There is a clear difference between the talent of Vernand Morency and the talent of Ahman Green, even if Green is "over the hill" as you think. Can Morency improve? SURE. But he hasn't done so yet.

Perhaps you should rewatch the Minnesota game last season. 4 rushes - 4 yards. Might also watch the Jets game. 6 rushes - 14 yards. Mix those two in with the Arizona game - 11 rushes 101 yards.

Lynch has not proven he could run behind a bad line either. But we'll see. I think Thompson drafts defense, even if Lynch is there. We'll see.

Ahman had a stellar 2.5 ypc and 55 yards on 22 carries against the Vikes. Thats by no means lights out and isn't any better because in 22 carries you're bound to break two or three 8 yards.

In the other game, he was 18 rushes for 42 yards against the Vikes. Even worse.

If it wasn't for a 35 yard run against the Jets, Greens game would have been crappy there, too.

You also failed to acknowledge Green's stellar 2.6 ypc average against the saints on 16 carries. Awesome.

His 13 rushes for 28 yards against the Patriots.

Overall, Morency did a heck of a lot better on the time that was given to him than Green. Green's stats were also severely inflated by an exquisite blocking job by the offensive line on his long run at miami.

He was OK at best last year.


Where was the Vikings Run defense rated last year ?

Didn't Harvey already provide a Patler esque breakdown showing some solid factual details on where Green's rushing yards came from versus Morency's ?

I don't think Green wasy Great or anything, but to say Morency is better than Green is completely puzzing to me

[RashanGary]

I said Morency was better for teh money B...

I'd rather go with Morency untill a real solution comes along. I think patients is a very valuable thing for an NFL GM.

[Bretsky]

I said Morency was better for teh money B...

I'd rather go with Morency untill a real solution comes along. I think patients is a very valuable thing for an NFL GM.


Oops; careless when I was reading. I'm fine with those saying we should have avoided Texan type money. I sure do hope they address the RB spot in the draft though. I suppose a cheap Chris Brown along with Morency would be a short term bandaid as well