HarveyWallbangers
05-03-2006, 11:17 PM
"The Packers have two bona fide playmakers in the heart of the defense with middle linebacker Nick Barnett and Hawk, both of whom figure to never get off the field as the new coaching staff ponders going with a 4-2 front in dime situations."
Team Report: Inside Slant
FoxSports.com
DRAFT REVIEW
General manager Ted Thompson outdid himself in his second go-around calling the shots in the Packers' draft room.
A year after wheeling and dealing come up with 11 picks, Thompson initiated five trades to amass 12 prospects for the youth movement that's clearly afoot in Green Bay. Yet before he finally dumped disgruntled receiver Javon Walker on Denver, Thompson resisted the temptation to slide out of the highly coveted No. 5 spot in Round 1.
Thompson more than once during the buildup to the draft said he wouldn't pull a Portland Trail Blazers and pass on Michael Jordan. The initials are slightly different, but Thompson was ready to call it a successful draft after getting what he feels is the M.J. of this year's football pool -- Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk.
"Quite frankly, I had my heart set on this guy. I wanted to take him. I didn't want to risk losing him," Thompson said. "I had to do a lot of praying (the previous night) to get to that point. So I wasn't going to mess that up."
Not only did Hawk fit Thompson's criterion of best player available, the athletic linebacker filled the team's No. 1 draft need. The Packers have two bona fide playmakers in the heart of the defense with middle linebacker Nick Barnett and Hawk, both of whom figure to never get off the field as the new coaching staff ponders going with a 4-2 front in dime situations.
Thompson continued on his need-based mission the rest of the first day. The second- and third-round selections of Boise State's Daryn Colledge and Louisville's Jason Spitz bolster a depth-deficient interior of the offensive line. Colledge is an intriguing prospect who will move inside from left tackle and has a solid chance to win the starting job at left guard.
Those picks sandwiched the selections of Western Michigan receiver Greg Jennings and Iowa linebacker Abdul Hodge in rounds 2 and 3, respectively.
The highly productive but smallish Jennings could crack the top four in the receiver rotation now that the team has moved on without Walker and the injured Terrence Murphy.
The arrival of Hodge, a tackling demon at middle linebacker, will give the defensive staff pause about whether to move Barnett outside.
"We trusted our board. We peeled them right off," Mike McCarthy said of the start to his first draft as coach.
McCarthy and Co. may have unearthed a mid-round gem in TCU return specialist Cory Rodgers.
The net result of booting Walker were four picks: Colledge, Boston College cornerback/receiver Will Blackmon, Texas A&M defensive tackle Johnny Jolly and Fresno State safety Tyrone Culver.
While the Packers may have found another heir apparent for Favre in Furman's Ingle Martin, they didn't take a running back. That leaves them with no depth to speak of behind Ahman Green and Najeh Davenport, both returning from serious leg injuries, and Samkon Gado.
A closer look at the Packers' picks:
Round 1/5 -- A.J. Hawk, OLB, 6-1, 245, Ohio State
The Packers quickly resolved their most pressing of many needs when they held firm with their lofty position in the first round and landed a player many NFL personnel types feel is the defensive newcomer destined to provide the greatest impact right away. Hawk already has been given jersey No. 50 and handed the starting job on the weak side. An ordinary defense has the makings of becoming a fearsome unit with the athletic combination of Hawk and Nick Barnett fortifying the linebacker position.
Round 2/47 -- Daryn Colledge, T/G, 6-4, 299, Boise State
Durability as much as flexibility sold the Packers on this viable starting prospect. Colledge started 52 straight games at left tackle. Green Bay will initially try him at left guard, where it has a spot to fill, and figures Colledge can be effective because of his quickness and explosiveness in the new zone-blocking scheme in which he's been trained.
Round 2/52 -- Greg Jennings, WR, 5-11, 197, Western Michigan
His lack of size doesn't jibe with the new coaching regime's desire for bigger receivers. Yet his production for the mid-major program was off the charts -- he's only the 11th player in NCAA history with three 1,000-yard seasons. Jennings' strength is run-after-the-catch proficiency.
Round 3/67 -- Abdul Hodge, MLB, 6-0, 236, Iowa
Every-down player lacks the prototypical dimensions of a middle linebacker, where he will initially work despite the presence of Barnett. Hodge, though, can play all three positions in a 4-3 scheme. He plays with a mean streak and sheds blockers with a strong lower body.
Round 3/75 -- Jason Spitz, C/G, 6-4, 313, Louisville
The Packers further addressed concerns on the interior of the line with another swing lineman. Spitz's expertise is at guard on both sides, but he will start out at center as an understudy to Scott Wells. Green Bay ranked Spitz at the head of the lineman draft class for his hands.
Round 4/104 -- Cory Rodgers, WR, 6-1, 197, TCU
Converted quarterback isn't a complete product as a receiver, where he's not experienced in downfield route-running. The Packers, though, drafted him more for need as an exceptional returner. Rodgers finished in the top 10 in the country for kickoff (30.3 yards) and punt return (15.3) averages.
Round 4/115 -- Will Blackmon, CB/WR, 6-0, 191, Boston College
Blackmon moved to split end in a full-time role last season but is nothing more than a developmental prospect at receiver. The Packers will start with him at cornerback. He has ideal size and athleticism for the team's bump-and-run coverage. Also will be a candidate on returns.
Round 5/148 -- Ingle Martin, QB, 6-2, 224, Furman
Notable pedigree puts Martin in position to take over No. 3 job vacated by departure of free agent Craig Nall. Martin backed up Rex Grossman at Florida in 2002, then was the Gators' starter at the outset of 2003 before a concussion cost him the job and led him to a record-breaking stint in pro-style offense at Furman the last two years. Also a strong-legged punter.
Round 5/165 -- Tony Moll, T, 6-4, 300, Nevada
Packers general manager Ted Thompson calls Moll "a very interesting prospect." The converted tight end played only one season at tackle, on both sides, but established himself as an athletic pass-blocker. The Packers want Moll to get bigger and will consider shifting him inside to guard.
Round 6/183 -- Johnny Jolly, DT, 6-3, 310, Texas A&M
Jolly was a college teammate of defensive end Michael Montgomery, whom the Packers selected in the sixth round last year. Jolly started for three years and excelled as a run stopper at nose tackle. He has the versatility to play the three-technique spot and move outside but is slow.
Round 6/185 -- Tyrone Culver, S, 6-1, 205, Fresno State
Culver played mostly center field the last two years at Fresno State, which capitalized on his quickness and range. He also was used in one-on-one coverage. Admittedly slow to react at times. Will have to make his mark on special teams to earn a roster spot.
Round 7/253 -- Dave Tollefson, DE, 6-1, 260, Northwest Missouri State
An underdeveloped prospect out of the Division II ranks. The converted linebacker was sidetracked for three years because of injury after he played two years at the junior-college level. Tollefson resurrected his career the last two years at Northwest Missouri State, where he put on more than 50 pounds and dominated off the edge with a school-record 12 1/2 sacks last season.
Team Report: Inside Slant
FoxSports.com
DRAFT REVIEW
General manager Ted Thompson outdid himself in his second go-around calling the shots in the Packers' draft room.
A year after wheeling and dealing come up with 11 picks, Thompson initiated five trades to amass 12 prospects for the youth movement that's clearly afoot in Green Bay. Yet before he finally dumped disgruntled receiver Javon Walker on Denver, Thompson resisted the temptation to slide out of the highly coveted No. 5 spot in Round 1.
Thompson more than once during the buildup to the draft said he wouldn't pull a Portland Trail Blazers and pass on Michael Jordan. The initials are slightly different, but Thompson was ready to call it a successful draft after getting what he feels is the M.J. of this year's football pool -- Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk.
"Quite frankly, I had my heart set on this guy. I wanted to take him. I didn't want to risk losing him," Thompson said. "I had to do a lot of praying (the previous night) to get to that point. So I wasn't going to mess that up."
Not only did Hawk fit Thompson's criterion of best player available, the athletic linebacker filled the team's No. 1 draft need. The Packers have two bona fide playmakers in the heart of the defense with middle linebacker Nick Barnett and Hawk, both of whom figure to never get off the field as the new coaching staff ponders going with a 4-2 front in dime situations.
Thompson continued on his need-based mission the rest of the first day. The second- and third-round selections of Boise State's Daryn Colledge and Louisville's Jason Spitz bolster a depth-deficient interior of the offensive line. Colledge is an intriguing prospect who will move inside from left tackle and has a solid chance to win the starting job at left guard.
Those picks sandwiched the selections of Western Michigan receiver Greg Jennings and Iowa linebacker Abdul Hodge in rounds 2 and 3, respectively.
The highly productive but smallish Jennings could crack the top four in the receiver rotation now that the team has moved on without Walker and the injured Terrence Murphy.
The arrival of Hodge, a tackling demon at middle linebacker, will give the defensive staff pause about whether to move Barnett outside.
"We trusted our board. We peeled them right off," Mike McCarthy said of the start to his first draft as coach.
McCarthy and Co. may have unearthed a mid-round gem in TCU return specialist Cory Rodgers.
The net result of booting Walker were four picks: Colledge, Boston College cornerback/receiver Will Blackmon, Texas A&M defensive tackle Johnny Jolly and Fresno State safety Tyrone Culver.
While the Packers may have found another heir apparent for Favre in Furman's Ingle Martin, they didn't take a running back. That leaves them with no depth to speak of behind Ahman Green and Najeh Davenport, both returning from serious leg injuries, and Samkon Gado.
A closer look at the Packers' picks:
Round 1/5 -- A.J. Hawk, OLB, 6-1, 245, Ohio State
The Packers quickly resolved their most pressing of many needs when they held firm with their lofty position in the first round and landed a player many NFL personnel types feel is the defensive newcomer destined to provide the greatest impact right away. Hawk already has been given jersey No. 50 and handed the starting job on the weak side. An ordinary defense has the makings of becoming a fearsome unit with the athletic combination of Hawk and Nick Barnett fortifying the linebacker position.
Round 2/47 -- Daryn Colledge, T/G, 6-4, 299, Boise State
Durability as much as flexibility sold the Packers on this viable starting prospect. Colledge started 52 straight games at left tackle. Green Bay will initially try him at left guard, where it has a spot to fill, and figures Colledge can be effective because of his quickness and explosiveness in the new zone-blocking scheme in which he's been trained.
Round 2/52 -- Greg Jennings, WR, 5-11, 197, Western Michigan
His lack of size doesn't jibe with the new coaching regime's desire for bigger receivers. Yet his production for the mid-major program was off the charts -- he's only the 11th player in NCAA history with three 1,000-yard seasons. Jennings' strength is run-after-the-catch proficiency.
Round 3/67 -- Abdul Hodge, MLB, 6-0, 236, Iowa
Every-down player lacks the prototypical dimensions of a middle linebacker, where he will initially work despite the presence of Barnett. Hodge, though, can play all three positions in a 4-3 scheme. He plays with a mean streak and sheds blockers with a strong lower body.
Round 3/75 -- Jason Spitz, C/G, 6-4, 313, Louisville
The Packers further addressed concerns on the interior of the line with another swing lineman. Spitz's expertise is at guard on both sides, but he will start out at center as an understudy to Scott Wells. Green Bay ranked Spitz at the head of the lineman draft class for his hands.
Round 4/104 -- Cory Rodgers, WR, 6-1, 197, TCU
Converted quarterback isn't a complete product as a receiver, where he's not experienced in downfield route-running. The Packers, though, drafted him more for need as an exceptional returner. Rodgers finished in the top 10 in the country for kickoff (30.3 yards) and punt return (15.3) averages.
Round 4/115 -- Will Blackmon, CB/WR, 6-0, 191, Boston College
Blackmon moved to split end in a full-time role last season but is nothing more than a developmental prospect at receiver. The Packers will start with him at cornerback. He has ideal size and athleticism for the team's bump-and-run coverage. Also will be a candidate on returns.
Round 5/148 -- Ingle Martin, QB, 6-2, 224, Furman
Notable pedigree puts Martin in position to take over No. 3 job vacated by departure of free agent Craig Nall. Martin backed up Rex Grossman at Florida in 2002, then was the Gators' starter at the outset of 2003 before a concussion cost him the job and led him to a record-breaking stint in pro-style offense at Furman the last two years. Also a strong-legged punter.
Round 5/165 -- Tony Moll, T, 6-4, 300, Nevada
Packers general manager Ted Thompson calls Moll "a very interesting prospect." The converted tight end played only one season at tackle, on both sides, but established himself as an athletic pass-blocker. The Packers want Moll to get bigger and will consider shifting him inside to guard.
Round 6/183 -- Johnny Jolly, DT, 6-3, 310, Texas A&M
Jolly was a college teammate of defensive end Michael Montgomery, whom the Packers selected in the sixth round last year. Jolly started for three years and excelled as a run stopper at nose tackle. He has the versatility to play the three-technique spot and move outside but is slow.
Round 6/185 -- Tyrone Culver, S, 6-1, 205, Fresno State
Culver played mostly center field the last two years at Fresno State, which capitalized on his quickness and range. He also was used in one-on-one coverage. Admittedly slow to react at times. Will have to make his mark on special teams to earn a roster spot.
Round 7/253 -- Dave Tollefson, DE, 6-1, 260, Northwest Missouri State
An underdeveloped prospect out of the Division II ranks. The converted linebacker was sidetracked for three years because of injury after he played two years at the junior-college level. Tollefson resurrected his career the last two years at Northwest Missouri State, where he put on more than 50 pounds and dominated off the edge with a school-record 12 1/2 sacks last season.