Observations from draft:

[The Leaper]

I hope DD gets the chance to retire as BF did - on his own terms. For what he's done for us fans, he deserves it.

Favre was able to retire on his own terms because he was still playing at a Pro Bowl caliber level when he walked away...and he already had made a ton of money so that he did not need to make more to retire comfortably.

If Driver's production starts to decline, then Thompson could be faced with having to tell Driver that they can't afford to keep him with a cap number in excess of $5M. I'm fully in favor of keeping Driver as long as he wishes to play, providing he is relatively productive, but we can't hold on to someone who a huge cap number that can't produce at the level that cap number demands going forward. We have a ton of young talent on this team that will be getting paid in the next 2-3 years.

Some of it depends on cap space...we have a ton right now, so we can probably continue to pay Driver under his current deal through the end of the 2009 season. After that...Driver may have to take a pay cut to remain in Green Bay unless he's playing at a Pro Bowl caliber level 2 years from now, which is doubtful because I didn't think he put up Pro Bowl numbers last year with a rejuvenated Favre, although he was voted in on reputation.

[Packnut]

Driver

I hope DD gets the chance to retire as BF did - on his own terms. For what he's done for us fans, he deserves it.

Favre was able to retire on his own terms because he was still playing at a Pro Bowl caliber level when he walked away...and he already had made a ton of money so that he did not need to make more to retire comfortably.

If Driver's production starts to decline, then Thompson could be faced with having to tell Driver that they can't afford to keep him with a cap number in excess of $5M. I'm fully in favor of keeping Driver as long as he wishes to play, providing he is relatively productive, but we can't hold on to someone who a huge cap number that can't produce at the level that cap number demands going forward. We have a ton of young talent on this team that will be getting paid in the next 2-3 years.

Some of it depends on cap space...we have a ton right now, so we can probably continue to pay Driver under his current deal through the end of the 2009 season. After that...Driver may have to take a pay cut to remain in Green Bay unless he's playing at a Pro Bowl caliber level 2 years from now, which is doubtful because I didn't think he put up Pro Bowl numbers last year with a rejuvenated Favre, although he was voted in on reputation.

What I'm most anxious to see this season is how DD plays now that he will no longer be consistently doubled. Way to many weapons on this offense now for any defense to attempt it.

I expect Jennings to see much more double coverage so it will be very very interesting to see how much success DD has.

[The Leaper]

Re: Driver

What I'm most anxious to see this season is how DD plays now that he will no longer be consistently doubled. Way to many weapons on this offense now for any defense to attempt it.

There weren't that many double teams on our guys last year...defenses can't double team 4 and 5 WR sets very effectively. Granted, I can only go by what I'm seeing on TV...but it didn't seem like Driver was double covered an extensive amount in 2007. After 4-5 games, Jennings had established himself as a real threat and Jones at the #3 spot was also proving capable.

I think the extensive double teaming on Driver would've been put to bed around the nanosecond that Jennings split the defense and beat the Chargers.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Re: Driver

What I'm most anxious to see this season is how DD plays now that he will no longer be consistently doubled. Way to many weapons on this offense now for any defense to attempt it.

There weren't that many double teams on our guys last year...defenses can't double team 4 and 5 WR sets very effectively. Granted, I can only go by what I'm seeing on TV...but it didn't seem like Driver was double covered an extensive amount in 2007. After 4-5 games, Jennings had established himself as a real threat and Jones at the #3 spot was also proving capable.

I think the extensive double teaming on Driver would've been put to bed around the nanosecond that Jennings split the defense and beat the Chargers.

Actually, I thought I read that it was until at least half way through the year that Jennings took much of the focus on Driver. Let's remember that we didn't 4 and 5 WRs in a large percentage of plays. It was more of a changeup play in the grand scheme things. It's not like they ran that formation on half of their passing plays. Obviously, the better the group you have, the easier it makes for the other receivers.

[The Leaper]

Re: Driver

Actually, I thought I read that it was until at least half way through the year that Jennings took much of the focus on Driver.

Perhaps.

However, even if you concede that Driver was a primary focus during the entire first half of the year, his stats were slightly more consistent during that time...and he scored his only 2 TDs early in the year.

Basically, I'm just saying that I don't think we will see any appreciable "bump" in Driver's stats from having additional depth now. If anything, the young kids will take more catches away...plus, Driver's age obviously is a negative factor as well.

[cheesner]

Re: Observations from draft:

T.T. must think :

Feel free to add your own...

ok


MM is interested in continuing and perhaps increasing the number of multiple (5) WR sets. (too bad you can't run 6 WR sets )


TT is happy with the overall talent level of the starters. I don't see any of his picks having that much chance to be starters right away. Instead he went with players with lots of upside, that may be a bit raw right now.

[sharpe1027]

Re: Observations from draft:

T.T. must think :

- Nick Collins / Aaron Rouse is the answer at FS

- Driver will most likely not getting a contract extension unless it is very reasonable for the packers (after this year)

-Win/Win situation at QB; if A-Rod is not the future, then he indeed does have a backup plan

-Have high hopes in Blackmon/Williams/Bush to step up

-Comfortable at guard position for the upcoming year

Feel free to add your own...

I could see that, but we don't really know his thought process. For example, it may be that TT thought that:
- the FS available in the draft were not the answer;
- Nelson was better than the current #4 (or #3) WR;
- they need something at backup QB because last year's backup is starting;
- he drafted a CB to push Blackmon/Williams/Bush;
- he drafted a few linemen that may end up at guard

We really don't know what he was thinking. IMO, it is more important that the players selected are good than what position they play at. I think that too often we get caught up judging a draft by trying to fill in our perceived holes on paper. Admittedly, right now it is hard not to judge a draft that way because none of them have had a single NFL practice. Even so, I think this draft filled some needs: TE (no legit backup); QB (no legit backup) and CB (nickel has been an issue). I don't think we should be expecting a draft pick in every single position...

[Lurker64]

I think Thompson is getting into the Wolf program of "You draft some QBs, DBs, and OL and just wait and see who develops into a player." I like that.