OFFICIAL 2008 UNDRAFTED FREE AGENCY THREAD!!!

[MadScientist]

The Vikings signed:

S Husain Abdullah of Washington State
DE Martail Burnett of Utah
DT Leger Douzable of Central Florida
S Marcus Griffin of Texas
K Steven Hauschka of NC State
LB Erin Henderson of Maryland
WR Nate Jones of Texas
CB Travis Key of Michigan State
LB Jeremy Leman of Illinois
C Tim Mattran of Stanford
OT Drew Radovich of USC
WR Darius Reynaud of West Virginia
CB Brandon Sumrall of Southern Mississippi
CB Marcus Walker of Oklahoma
QB Kyle Wright of Miami (FL)
RB Albert Young of Iowa

Thanks for the update, but what is the reasoning of the bold names? I can't comment about most of the names, but Leman of Illinois looked really good last year, and if his ankle heals well, I wouldn't be surprised if he sticks.

[Patler]

Historically, big, tall long-legged punters have had problems adapting to the short amount of time they have to get the ball off in the pros. I have no idea about this kid, I've never seen him play, but I can see some teams seeing this as a concern.

That maybe true, but Ray Guy and Reggie Roby were pretty tall and they didn't have any problems. Look, both guys may never punt in the NFL. I just think the kid from NDSU is a heck of a punter. 46 yards/punt over his last 3 years, has shown the ability to directional punt, and he's quite the athlete. He made quite a few tackles in college. Maybe teams are concerned about his getoff time and they figure it will take him a couple of years to develop, and they don't want to invest the time to develop a punter.

I didn't suggest tall punters can't make it; just that they can have problems that might make GMs shy away, especially if there is already a question about their quickness. Just offered it as a reason why in spite of his stats, he might not be as highly regarded as other punters. Blocked punts are an absolute turnoff for NFL teams; and most will gladly sacrifice a few yards per punt for more certainty about avoiding blocks. Several teams shied away from Jon Ryan because of his blocked kicks in Canada, which had nothing to do with his height, just his approach.

[Tarlam!]

what is the reasoning of the bold names?

Means they are gay and will fit well as Queens.

Sorry, Ras. I'm just messin' with ya!!

MS, if Ras has them bolded, he likes 'em for whatever reason. Prolly expected to go in the draft and didn't, so he sees them as value FA's.

[Rastak]

what is the reasoning of the bold names?

Means they are gay and will fit well as Queens.

Sorry, Ras. I'm just messin' with ya!!

MS, if Ras has them bolded, he likes 'em for whatever reason. Prolly expected to go in the draft and didn't, so he sees them as value FA's.

LOL, yea those were guys I thought were good free agent pickups.

[swede]

It is a surprise when any street free agent makes a team, but I'd be shocked if any stuck in Green Bay this year.

As for the old guy punters, I remember Roby, but I don't really have an impression of his kicking style.

Ray Guy, though, he'd take the snap, step-step, and his whole body would go about a foot in the air as his leg whipped up to like 180 degrees perpendicular to the ground.

It's a shame he's not in the hall of fame.

[Badgerinmaine]

A few players the Packers have signed to FA contracts:
Ken DeBauche--the kid from Suamico who has been punting with the Badgers;
J.J. Jansen, a long snapper from Notre Dame: (on both, see
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/sports/packers/283509)

and
Marcus Riley--LB from Fresno State and WAC defensive player of the year:

http://stl.scout.com/a.z?s=124&p=2&c=750679

The State Journal story also says they will offer a tryout (but not a contract, at least not yet) to a RB from UW-Whitewater named Justin Beaver. You don't think anyone teased him in high school with a name like that, do you?

[Zool]

How could you forget Reggie Roby? The guy wore a digital watch during every game.

[Patler]

It is a surprise when any street free agent makes a team, but I'd be shocked if any stuck in Green Bay this year.

I know this isn't what you meant, but one is quite likely to stick this year in GB. Both Gafford and Jansen are street FAs, and one is likely to be the long snapper!
(You probably meant REAL Players! )

[swede]

How could you forget Reggie Roby? The guy wore a digital watch during every game.

I remember Roby, I just didn't remember his style, and I certainly didn't remember the watch.

Look at that pic!

My hamstring would snap like a cheap piano string if I tried to do that.

[swede]

It is a surprise when any street free agent makes a team, but I'd be shocked if any stuck in Green Bay this year.

I know this isn't what you meant, but one is quite likely to stick this year in GB. Both Gafford and Jansen are street FAs, and one is likely to be the long snapper!
(You probably meant REAL Players! )

I'm holding out hope that Rob Davis quits his day job in the front office and comes back for another season of sure snapoing!

You're right of course, Patler, both about the likelihood of street frees becoming a long snapper for the Pack and also about the perception that the long snapper is only marginally a football player.

The NFL network made a bid deal, btw, about a team picking a long snapper in the 6th round. They really ripped on that for a while.

I didn't see the problem. Long snappers have a limited yet important role.

[Patler]

The NFL network made a bid deal, btw, about a team picking a long snapper in the 6th round. They really ripped on that for a while.

I didn't see the problem. Long snappers have a limited yet important role.

When a team can't find a decent one, and loses games when a guy botches a snap, those same commentators will talk about how crucial it is, and what a poor job the GM has done not to find one.

I agree with you. I have no problem using a 6th or 7th round pick for any player, regardless of position. If he makes your team it was a good investment.

[The Leaper]

6th and 7th round picks are exactly the ones that should be used to grab special team specialists...it is far easier to find value at those positions that late (see Mason Crosby) than it is to find value at regular positions.

[Patler]

6th and 7th round picks are exactly the ones that should be used to grab special team specialists...it is far easier to find value at those positions that late (see Mason Crosby) than it is to find value at regular positions.

Aren't punters supposed to be drafted much higher???

[Lurker64]

According to the JSO blog:

The Packers continued to flood their wide receiver position with young talent, this time signing Mississippi College wide receiver Jake Allen to a rookie free agent deal, according to the school.

Highlights include: "Mississippi College's career leader in receptions, receiving yards
and touchdown catches. He caught 61 passes last fall, for 1254 yards and 12
touchdowns. He was named a first-team All-American by D3football.com."

We must have been the only team going after this guy, since he has to jump Taj Smith, Brett Swain, Chris Francies, and Shaun Bodiford to even have a crack at the roster.

[The Leaper]

We must have been the only team going after this guy, since he has to jump Taj Smith, Brett Swain, Chris Francies, and Shaun Bodiford to even have a crack at the roster.

The guy is just happy to not have to start a real job for a few more months.