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Unless they are convinced Wells is the answer at center, or there is an ongoing injury concern about Faine, why would GB not be willing to give up a 4th round choice for Faine? After all, Faine:
- has started every game that he has been active for, from his first pro game as a rookie after winning the position in training camp.
- was a first round pick in 2003 (#21 overall).
- was a first team All-American.
- started three years at ND, and lead the lineman in minutes played for two years.
- was an unquestioned team leader.
- won ND's Pietrosante Award, given to the player who best exemplifies courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and pride.
- is just turning 25 years old.
- reportedly wants to play in Green Bay.
The ONLY issue related to Faine as a player might be injuries. He has ended all three season on injured reserve, missing the last 7 games of 2003 and the last 3 games in 2004 with ankle injuries, and the last 2 games in 2005 with a biceps injury.
This is not just a guy who plays center (like Ruegamer). Faine is a very talented player, and is young enough to be around for a long, long time. Centers get better as they mature with experience, and Faine is just entering his 4th year.
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He's not an upgrade over who, Wells? The Packers have no one else.
Wells still has a lot to prove, was not very good at guard and is unknown as a center. Couldn't even beat out an obviously gimpy Flanagan last year.
Faine has started every game he has been available for.
A lot of fourth rounders have made it big for the Packers? Oh? Which ones? The Packers fourth rounders have been:
2005 - Underwood, Poppinga
2004 - none
2003 - none
2002 - traded their own, Davenport with comp. pick
2001 - Bill Ferrario
2000 - Diggs (from SF), Anthony Lucas, Gary Berry (comp pick)
1999 - traded theirs, Brooks & Bidwell as comp. picks
1998 - Rosevelt Blackmon
1997 - Jermaine Smith
1996 - Chris Darkins
1995 - Jeff Miller
1994 - Gabe Wilkins
1993 - none
1992 - traded their own, Edgar Bennett (from SF)
Fifteen years, 15 playes and Bennett 15 years ago the only one that is memorable. Diggs contributed, but will not be a remembered Packer. The rest either never became much for GB, but did elsewhere (Bidwell, Brooks). or never became anything at all.
I think a proven center (IF he is healthy) is worth giving up the opportunity to draft another Wilkins, Miller, Darkins, Smith, Blackmon, Lucas, Berry, Ferrario, Davenport, Underwood or Poppinga, or even another Diggs, Bidwell or Brooks. I'll take my chances that they wouldn't have drafted another Edgar Bennett.
