Bretsky
04-28-2007, 12:25 AM
Prime catch
Vols receiver Meachem might be Packers' favorite
Posted: April 27, 2007
On the Packers
Bob McGinn
E-MAIL
Green Bay - One way or another today, the Green Bay Packers fully intend to acquire a wide receiver and a running back.
The wide receiver could be Oakland's Randy Moss, the mercurial deep threat. Green Bay has expressed interest in Moss since February, and with Raiders owner Al Davis now actively trying to trade him, general manager Ted Thompson just might make that deal.
If not, the Packers have targeted a pair of wide receivers, Tennessee's Robert Meachem and Louisiana State's Dwayne Bowe, with the 16th pick in the National Football League draft.
With both size and speed, Tennessee WR Robert Meachem is reminiscent of Javon Walker.
NFL team sources aren't quite sure how the Packers have Meachem and Bowe rated. It is said to be close. But Meachem (6 feet 2 inches and 216 pounds), almost a clone of the departed Javon Walker, is faster and more dangerous than Bowe and probably a better bet to become the Packers' choice.
Even if running back Marshawn Lynch of California lasts until Green Bay's selection, it appears as if the Packers still prefer Meachem. Lynch would come with nagging character and durability issues, whereas Meachem is considered clean.
If the Packers take the wide receiver in the first round, NFL sources say they have targeted running back Antonio Pittman of Ohio State as their second-round choice (No. 47).
"Everybody has Pittman as the third or fourth back and they've got him in the second round," one personnel director said. "Lynch is better, but Pittman is good. They're trying to get the two best players for their needs."
Pittman (5-10 1/2, 210) might not be big enough to carry the load by himself. But the Packers also appear extremely high on the sudden running style of Vernand Morency (5-9 1/2, 212), who isn't a workhorse, either.
With Pittman and Morency, Green Bay could split the ball-carrying chores in much the same fashion that Indianapolis and Chicago, the two Super Bowl teams, did in 2006.
The distinct possibility also exists that Thompson might trade down a few notches in the first round and pick up some additional selections. He could use the move for a more advantageous position to snare Pittman. Also, Miami's Greg Olsen, the draft's only downfield threat at tight end and a player who would fill another major need for the Packers, would be worth taking in the 20s.
In what looks like an unpredictable first round, other players might trickle down to the 16th pick that no doubt would give the Packers pause.
One would be ball-hawking safety Reggie Nelson of Florida. The Packers then could say good-bye to Marquand Manuel and start Nelson immediately alongside Nick Collins. There are major questions on Nelson's mental capacity, but after meeting with Nelson at the combine, it appears Green Bay thinks a Nelson-Collins pairing could work.
Still, the safety position isn't valued as highly as most others, and the Packers still probably think they could get a competent starter from among Marviel Underwood, Tyrone Culver and Atari Bigby.
The Packers also need another cornerback to be the nickel back and replace Charles Woodson or Al Harris in time. And, if Pittsburgh's Darrelle Revis were to reach No. 16, the Packers might well take him because he fits their bump-and-run style of play.
But it's highly unlikely that Revis would get by the Steelers, if he even lasts that long.
Michigan's Leon Hall nipped Revis as the No. 1 cornerback in a poll of 18 personnel people conducted by the Journal Sentinel. However, Hall is not as dynamic nor does he play as fast as Revis. Plus, Hall doesn't fit the Packers' in-your-face defensive system as well.
The ever-changing rhythms of a draft were evident Friday in Buffalo when owner Ralph Wilson all but determined he was going to make Lynch the club's choice. The Bills had appeared set to take Revis or linebacker Paul Posluszny at No. 12 before Wilson stepped in.
That could change today, but even Lynch's availability at No. 16 probably wouldn't change the Packers' thinking though they like much about him.
"I would think off Ted's personality he would be leaning to the receivers more than the running back," said a scouting friend of Thompson's from another team. "There's a little more risk with the running back."
Meachem, a fourth-year junior from Tulsa, Okla., didn't start until his third and final season for the Volunteers but exploded last year to catch 71 passes for 1,298 yards (18.3-yard average) and 11 touchdowns.
According to scouts, Meachem isn't as accomplished as Walker hauling in a long pass on a sideline take-off route. But they say he is somewhat better than Walker after the catch and showed better hands in college.
"If you want Walker, take Meachem," one personnel man said. "He helps (Brett) Favre. They're not going to get that quality of a player in the second round. You want to go to Laurent Robinson? The only guy there that can run fast is the kid at Illinois State (Robinson) and he's from Illinois State."
Bowe (6-2, 219) is even more physical than Meachem, played all four seasons at LSU, inspires confidence in quarterbacks and runs polished routes. But Bowe's 40-yard dash time of 4.54 seconds pales in comparison to Meachem's 4.41 and his hands aren't as reliable, either.
Another junior wide receiver, Ohio State's Ted Ginn Jr., might provide instant field position as a returner while he learns to expand his rather raw receiving skills. The problem with Ginn is he's just 5-11, short for coach Mike McCarthy's prototype at the position.
Of course, with Meachem's size and speed, there's no guarantee that he'll still be available when the Packers choose. But unless someone trades up to nab him, the only team from Nos. 10-15 that seems to have a chance of selecting him would be Carolina at No. 14.
If the Packers take a defensive player at No. 16, there could be a significant run of wide receivers before they choose at No. 47. Barring an out-of-character trade up by Thompson, they might not have a shot at such threats as LSU's Craig Davis and Southern Cal's Steve Smith. If Davis puts his misgivings aside and agrees to return punts, he would provide that dimension as well.
On the other hand, the Packers might have their pick of the second-tier running backs at No. 47. Besides Pittman, that group would include Auburn's Kenny Irons, Arizona's Chris Henry and perhaps Penn State's Tony Hunt.
Irons' dimensions (5-10 1/2, 203) and his hell-bent-for-election running style cause scouts to doubt his longevity. Hunt (6-1 1/2, 234) is a bruising pile-driver and accomplished blocker but does well to break 4.7 in the 40. Henry (5-11, 230, 4.40) has exceptional talent but didn't start in high school, let alone college.
Pittman missed one game in three seasons due to injury. He did more than just show up, too, gaining 1,331 yards (5.5 per carry) in 2005 before coming back with 1,233 (5.1) in '06. His 40 time of 4.40 compares favorably to Lynch's 4.46.
"He runs better north and south," one scout said. "He's not as good wide, but he's got speed. He can catch the ball, but he's going to have to work on his blocking. He's a better back than Morency. Got more movement. But neither one can carry you."
Another factor why the Packers don't feel compelled to go all-out for Lynch is second-year man P.J. Pope, another back they've been high on since signing him from Chicago's practice squad Oct. 31.
Two defensive ends, Arkansas' Jamaal Anderson and Nebraska's Adam Carriker, undoubtedly would pique the Packers' interest if they reached No. 16.
Vols receiver Meachem might be Packers' favorite
Posted: April 27, 2007
On the Packers
Bob McGinn
Green Bay - One way or another today, the Green Bay Packers fully intend to acquire a wide receiver and a running back.
The wide receiver could be Oakland's Randy Moss, the mercurial deep threat. Green Bay has expressed interest in Moss since February, and with Raiders owner Al Davis now actively trying to trade him, general manager Ted Thompson just might make that deal.
If not, the Packers have targeted a pair of wide receivers, Tennessee's Robert Meachem and Louisiana State's Dwayne Bowe, with the 16th pick in the National Football League draft.
With both size and speed, Tennessee WR Robert Meachem is reminiscent of Javon Walker.
NFL team sources aren't quite sure how the Packers have Meachem and Bowe rated. It is said to be close. But Meachem (6 feet 2 inches and 216 pounds), almost a clone of the departed Javon Walker, is faster and more dangerous than Bowe and probably a better bet to become the Packers' choice.
Even if running back Marshawn Lynch of California lasts until Green Bay's selection, it appears as if the Packers still prefer Meachem. Lynch would come with nagging character and durability issues, whereas Meachem is considered clean.
If the Packers take the wide receiver in the first round, NFL sources say they have targeted running back Antonio Pittman of Ohio State as their second-round choice (No. 47).
"Everybody has Pittman as the third or fourth back and they've got him in the second round," one personnel director said. "Lynch is better, but Pittman is good. They're trying to get the two best players for their needs."
Pittman (5-10 1/2, 210) might not be big enough to carry the load by himself. But the Packers also appear extremely high on the sudden running style of Vernand Morency (5-9 1/2, 212), who isn't a workhorse, either.
With Pittman and Morency, Green Bay could split the ball-carrying chores in much the same fashion that Indianapolis and Chicago, the two Super Bowl teams, did in 2006.
The distinct possibility also exists that Thompson might trade down a few notches in the first round and pick up some additional selections. He could use the move for a more advantageous position to snare Pittman. Also, Miami's Greg Olsen, the draft's only downfield threat at tight end and a player who would fill another major need for the Packers, would be worth taking in the 20s.
In what looks like an unpredictable first round, other players might trickle down to the 16th pick that no doubt would give the Packers pause.
One would be ball-hawking safety Reggie Nelson of Florida. The Packers then could say good-bye to Marquand Manuel and start Nelson immediately alongside Nick Collins. There are major questions on Nelson's mental capacity, but after meeting with Nelson at the combine, it appears Green Bay thinks a Nelson-Collins pairing could work.
Still, the safety position isn't valued as highly as most others, and the Packers still probably think they could get a competent starter from among Marviel Underwood, Tyrone Culver and Atari Bigby.
The Packers also need another cornerback to be the nickel back and replace Charles Woodson or Al Harris in time. And, if Pittsburgh's Darrelle Revis were to reach No. 16, the Packers might well take him because he fits their bump-and-run style of play.
But it's highly unlikely that Revis would get by the Steelers, if he even lasts that long.
Michigan's Leon Hall nipped Revis as the No. 1 cornerback in a poll of 18 personnel people conducted by the Journal Sentinel. However, Hall is not as dynamic nor does he play as fast as Revis. Plus, Hall doesn't fit the Packers' in-your-face defensive system as well.
The ever-changing rhythms of a draft were evident Friday in Buffalo when owner Ralph Wilson all but determined he was going to make Lynch the club's choice. The Bills had appeared set to take Revis or linebacker Paul Posluszny at No. 12 before Wilson stepped in.
That could change today, but even Lynch's availability at No. 16 probably wouldn't change the Packers' thinking though they like much about him.
"I would think off Ted's personality he would be leaning to the receivers more than the running back," said a scouting friend of Thompson's from another team. "There's a little more risk with the running back."
Meachem, a fourth-year junior from Tulsa, Okla., didn't start until his third and final season for the Volunteers but exploded last year to catch 71 passes for 1,298 yards (18.3-yard average) and 11 touchdowns.
According to scouts, Meachem isn't as accomplished as Walker hauling in a long pass on a sideline take-off route. But they say he is somewhat better than Walker after the catch and showed better hands in college.
"If you want Walker, take Meachem," one personnel man said. "He helps (Brett) Favre. They're not going to get that quality of a player in the second round. You want to go to Laurent Robinson? The only guy there that can run fast is the kid at Illinois State (Robinson) and he's from Illinois State."
Bowe (6-2, 219) is even more physical than Meachem, played all four seasons at LSU, inspires confidence in quarterbacks and runs polished routes. But Bowe's 40-yard dash time of 4.54 seconds pales in comparison to Meachem's 4.41 and his hands aren't as reliable, either.
Another junior wide receiver, Ohio State's Ted Ginn Jr., might provide instant field position as a returner while he learns to expand his rather raw receiving skills. The problem with Ginn is he's just 5-11, short for coach Mike McCarthy's prototype at the position.
Of course, with Meachem's size and speed, there's no guarantee that he'll still be available when the Packers choose. But unless someone trades up to nab him, the only team from Nos. 10-15 that seems to have a chance of selecting him would be Carolina at No. 14.
If the Packers take a defensive player at No. 16, there could be a significant run of wide receivers before they choose at No. 47. Barring an out-of-character trade up by Thompson, they might not have a shot at such threats as LSU's Craig Davis and Southern Cal's Steve Smith. If Davis puts his misgivings aside and agrees to return punts, he would provide that dimension as well.
On the other hand, the Packers might have their pick of the second-tier running backs at No. 47. Besides Pittman, that group would include Auburn's Kenny Irons, Arizona's Chris Henry and perhaps Penn State's Tony Hunt.
Irons' dimensions (5-10 1/2, 203) and his hell-bent-for-election running style cause scouts to doubt his longevity. Hunt (6-1 1/2, 234) is a bruising pile-driver and accomplished blocker but does well to break 4.7 in the 40. Henry (5-11, 230, 4.40) has exceptional talent but didn't start in high school, let alone college.
Pittman missed one game in three seasons due to injury. He did more than just show up, too, gaining 1,331 yards (5.5 per carry) in 2005 before coming back with 1,233 (5.1) in '06. His 40 time of 4.40 compares favorably to Lynch's 4.46.
"He runs better north and south," one scout said. "He's not as good wide, but he's got speed. He can catch the ball, but he's going to have to work on his blocking. He's a better back than Morency. Got more movement. But neither one can carry you."
Another factor why the Packers don't feel compelled to go all-out for Lynch is second-year man P.J. Pope, another back they've been high on since signing him from Chicago's practice squad Oct. 31.
Two defensive ends, Arkansas' Jamaal Anderson and Nebraska's Adam Carriker, undoubtedly would pique the Packers' interest if they reached No. 16.