10 THINGS I THINK from LAMBEAU TODAY

[Bretsky]

I focused in on the WR's and DL most while at today's game. Here are some of my thoughts; I'm curious what others observed as well

1. Justin Harrell is playing ok. He holds the line of scrimmage most of the time, even against double teams. He rarely gets a ton of push, and is not an effective pass rusher yet. But he does clog. Comparisons to Jamal Reynolds are unfair. Reynolds was weak and get pushed all over like a rag doll. Harrell has the strength and has to improve on his techniques and consistency

2. Daniel Muhr also looks like a promising prospect; he moves very well up and down the line of scrimmage. He holds his ground well. He has potential.

3. Corey Williams is almost the opposite of Harrell; he's a penetrator that doesn't hold his ground as well. Sometimes he penetrates on the run and jumps a hole he should be in. Sometimes he holds his ground. He's an OK starter, but not one to break the bank on. I can see how he's so much more effective with Pickett or Jolly in; he can gamble more and with those players in he can play to his strengths

4. KGB had a bunch of almost sacks. With Kampman and Pickett out he was still chasing the QB all around. He may be expensive, but he is well worth keeping on the team with his contract.

5. Koren Robinson is a very physically gifted dude. He's very fluent in his route running. He still has starting talent as a WR. Green Bay is fortunate to have him. He is a good part of the reason why James Jones numbers have went down.

6. Ruvell Martin has improved quite a bit. The effort is always there. He's running better routes out there and looks more confident that earlier in the season. He's a very good #4/#5 WR. With James and Martin as the bottom two Wr's the Packers are now very deep at this position

7. Ryan Grant again showed he can be a solid RB for us; he continues to do as much as we can with our blocking. There clearly is still a dropoff when Brandon Jackson is in. But today Jackson showed us he may be able to be part of a one two punch

8. Jon Ryan, heck of a job today

9. Mason Crosby, heck of a job today. It was clear from TT's draft that there was a great focus to improve the overall play of the special teams. It worked

10. Craig Nall- Gotta give the guy his kudos :!: On my drive to Green Bay we passed a car with the writing on the window "We love Craig Nall". We joked that all two people in his fan club were in that car.

Nall started out sloppy, but he improved with each series and did a fine job.

Craig Nall is better than some backups in the NFL and I hope he gets a shot to stick somewhere next year

[Partial]

I really hope that KoRo stays in GB for awhile. He is a very good 3rd receiver and makes our receiving corps that much deeper and special. I really like him as a returner, and he seems to have a knack for the big play.

To me, it seems like the writing is on the wall for the exit of Corey Williams. I suppose that is fine. I expect TT to draft another DL or two.

[Joemailman]

Now that Nall has likely seen the writing on the wall as far as ever being a starter, I imagine he's be thrilled to stay here. I think he would be a perfect #3 next year, or #2 if Favre retires.

[coolman3]

Nall fumbles too much.

[RashanGary]

Thanks for the observations. I forgot to record this game. I was at my moms watching with my brother.


What you saw in Harrell and Williams is the same thing I'm seeing. I think they should start Harrell and put Williams back to his pass rushing role. He was very effective when he could just line up and go at the QB. It's not because Harrell is so much better than Williams. IT's because Williams is more of a specialist and a damn good one. I think we're hurting our team by wasting his energy on run downs.

I'm still hopefull that they find a way to keep Williams, but with UFA approaching, I know his price might pass the point of what he's worth and as hard as it is to see a guy go, sometimes it's for the best (see Ahman Green)

[oregonpackfan]

Add on #11. Brandon Jackson had his best day as a Packer, IMO. He was more decisive in picking his hole and showed great second effort as he often broke the initial tackle.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Nall fumbles too much.

nall was not a fumbler and bumbler during his first stint in Green Bay. I think he was just very rusty today.

[Tony Oday]

I should hope that KoRo would pay us back by resigning.

Nall is a good butty for Farve sign him again :)

Ryan Grant looked good :)

[Partial]

12) Jarrett Bush is one hell of a gunner. He has a spot on this team next year even as a 5th defensive back for his skills on ST.

[Merlin]

Brandon Jackson finally had game today. I suspected he might since Grant started tearing it up. Even though this is technically Grant's "rookie" year as far as being an NFL RB, he has been in the league for 3 years and he learned from veterans along the way. Jackson started to run harder and hit the hole harder AFTER Grant was given his shot and tore it up. I am a firm believer that you need good veteran leadership at the skill positions. Morency was injured and TT and M3 were set on Jackson as the starter to begin the season. Today, he is not the same RB he was then. IMO it had everything to do with watching a veteran lead at the position.

I disagree with Justin Harrell. You can run right at the guy because he doesn't hold the point of attack very well and he doesn't have much of a push up field. He can fight off a double team but by the time he is done fighting it the play is over. Right now he is easily compared to Jamal Reynolds. Only time will tell if the comparison will stick. If he doesn't improve and remains an injury problem then I am afraid he is JR II. With our depth at DT, I am prepared to give him a full season of playing before I think we should cut him. If in the next few seasons that doesn't happen (e.g. injured all the time), then he needs to go. I still think he was a huge risk as a #1 pick as there were better athletes on the board.

We need to lock up Koren Robinson. He is a great football player and it would seem his past is behind him.

We need to keep Craig Nall as well. He looked rusty but hasn't really played since pre-season (if he did at all in Buffalo). He did though look a lot better as the game progressed and he wasn't with the entire #1 offense, especially the offensive line so it was no surprise that he got taken down a few times. The one thing he has that Rodgers has yet to develop is presence. He looked like a QB in the pocket, he went though his reads and his arm strength look very good. I am not surprised at Nall's performance, it was about what I expected. I wonder where he would be if he had the silver spoon in his mouth treatment that Rodger's has been given since he joined the team, where would Nall be in his progression? I think he would be one of the best backups in the NFL. Doug Peterson was a forever backup. When he entered the game you knew he wasn't going to lose the game for you. This is what we have in Nall and cutting him lose again is a mistake.

[Tarlam!]

The one thing he has that Rodgers has yet to develop is presence. He looked like a QB in the pocket, he went though his reads and his arm strength look very good.

Would have agreed with this prior to this season (post pre-season opener). Since that game, A-Rod has been quite stellar when on the field. He showed a lot of presence against Dallas and took command of the huddle.

Not sure Nall took command as much as the team just agreed with what was going on.

I am glad Nall threw a TD.

[RashanGary]

12) Jarrett Bush is one hell of a gunner. He has a spot on this team next year even as a 5th defensive back for his skills on ST.

I agree. He's below average as a CB right now but he's a stud gunner. I still think you want another young, promising corner, but not at the expense of a valuable ST's player.


Right now I think you have to go with

Harris
Woodson

Tramon Williams
Will Blackmon---------If these guys work hard and show up in the best shape of their lives I think they are all good bets
Jarrett Bush

And because we're really searching for a replacement for the grey beards, I think you keep a sixth CB, hopefully he's a high draft pick. Of the three young guys that we currently have on the roster, I do think there is a good chance one pans out. They've all shown flashes. It just takes one of three to become consistant with those flashes and we have part one of the two part problem solved.

[Patler]

Harrell is a better player now than Jolly was last year at this time. If he makes the step that Jolly did in his second year he will be fine.

[Bretsky]

Harrell is a better player now than Jolly was last year at this time. If he makes the step that Jolly did in his second year he will be fine.

Jolly was injured at this time last year :wink:

[Patler]

Harrell is a better player now than Jolly was last year at this time. If he makes the step that Jolly did in his second year he will be fine.

Jolly was injured at this time last year :wink:

That was part of my point. Jolly also came out of college with an injury history and it continues for him in his two NFL seasons. He improved his second year in performance and durability, but again is gone. Harrell has at least stayed healthy enough to remain on the active roster and has been contributing the last month or so. If he improves as Jolly did, he will be a full-time part of the rotation.

I think comparisons to Reynolds are way off base. Reynolds was a liability when he was in the game, Harrell is not. Harrell makes plays at times, Reynolds never did.

[Bretsky]

I disagree with Justin Harrell. You can run right at the guy because he doesn't hold the point of attack very well and he doesn't have much of a push up field. He can fight off a double team but by the time he is done fighting it the play is over. Right now he is easily compared to Jamal Reynolds.


We just have to agree to disagree. Harell was holding off two blockers on several plays yesterday which allowed LB's to come in and make a play. Reynolds was just manhandled most of the time he was in the game.

As many in here know I was never fond of the Harrell pick; and while I'm still disappointed in him so far overall he has shown me some potential when he learns how to play.

I never saw that in Reynolds

[Patler]

I disagree with Justin Harrell. You can run right at the guy because he doesn't hold the point of attack very well and he doesn't have much of a push up field. He can fight off a double team but by the time he is done fighting it the play is over. Right now he is easily compared to Jamal Reynolds.


We just have to agree to disagree. Harell was holding off two blockers on several plays yesterday which allowed LB's to come in and make a play. Reynolds was just manhandled most of the time he was in the game.

As many in here know I was never fond of the Harrell pick; and while I'm still disappointed in him so far overall he has shown me some potential when he learns how to play.

I never saw that in Reynolds

Reynolds made you wonder how he was drafted at all, let alone in the first round.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I'm on the Justin Harrell Bandwagon. He's not a good player yet, but I see him make plays now and then, and he holds-up physically. Sometimes he takes himself out of plays, but that is experience.

I think the forgotten man on the D-line is Colin Cole. He's a qaulity rotation guy, better than the rookies. It hurt to lose him too.

[RashanGary]

I'm still disappointed in him so far overall he has shown me some potential when he learns how to play.


This is exactly how I see him. I expected more coming out. He struggled early, but has sort of picked it up a little. Still, I think it's very easy to say he's a talented young player who's just scratching the surface. There are enough flashes to feel optimistic.

[Patler]

I think the forgotten man on the D-line is Colin Cole. He's a qaulity rotation guy, better than the rookies. It hurt to lose him too.

I think Cole will be forgotten completely next year, because he will be playing somewhere else.

[Bretsky]

I think the forgotten man on the D-line is Colin Cole. He's a qaulity rotation guy, better than the rookies. It hurt to lose him too.

I think Cole will be forgotten completely next year, because he will be playing somewhere else.

I think so too; I've seen enough of Daniel Muhr to think he can be Cole like

[Patler]

I think the forgotten man on the D-line is Colin Cole. He's a qaulity rotation guy, better than the rookies. It hurt to lose him too.

I think Cole will be forgotten completely next year, because he will be playing somewhere else.

I think so too; I've seen enough of Daniel Muhr to think he can be Cole like

Cole will never be anything more than he is right now. He can be a piece of a team, but eventually on a good team, if the position is otherwise crowded, those types of players are replaced by a young player with potential to be something more. I have no doubt that Cole will be playing somewhere, I just think younger players like Muir and Harrell will be given his snaps in GB because they have to be given a chance to bebetter than what Cole is.

[Packerarcher]

Hey guys I am not new I lurk A LOT so I guess this would be my first post. I wanted to first say that I love this board,there are some very fine football minds on here. Then there are some like me that kave usually good football sense,but I drink that wonderful PACKER KOOL-AID so you know how it can be. Anyway I wanted to say that I agre with whoever said that if Nall had ben given the chances that Rodgers had he would be the #2 now. Sorry for any of you A.Rodgers fans but come on,he sucks. When he does play he needs a month to heal his aching mangina. I think given the snaps in practice Nall will become more familiar with things and if needed,would be a very good back up. But we all know that will not be needed. Because Favre will be healthy right through the Superbowl(just poured more kool aid).

[MadtownPacker]

Whats up man, welcome to the forum.

Yeah, Im starting to worry about ARod also. He is making Cali look bad.