DRAFTT !

[Partial]

The Badgers played away from Everette Brown all day. They doubled, rolled to the right, ran and basically gave him no opportunity to rush the passer.

At the end, with Wisconsin down, they finally had to do some straight drop back passing. Everette Brown showed off his studly inside spin move to get a sack and fumble.

He's a hell of a player. More than just a speed rusher. He's a strong dude, plays well with his hands and has multiple counter moves to go along with his speed rush.

They ran RIGHT at him. He was awful. He had one good pass rush during the game, then he had one more decent play. The rest of the time he was blown up consistently.

He was not a factor at all tonight. He was more invisible than anything. The Badgers blocked him effectively using only a TE for the majority of plays.

Graham made him his bitch all day. He had the one big play, and that was more a result of Sherer than anything.

He seems to have Rey Lewis syndrome of getting credit for half tackles simply by piling on at the end. He was NOT very effective imo. I was not impressed, and wouldn't touch him on the first day with a ten foot pole.

Brown was the 2nd best end on the field at best. Shaughnessy looks longer, thicker, and appears to be equally if not more athletic. I'm interested in knowing what the other viewers think of this.

I give him a big "No Thanks!"

[texaspackerbacker]

A big Hell Yeah to you, Partial. I was reading down, wondering if these people had been watching the same Wisconsin/Florida State game I watched. Finally, you said basically what I was thinking about Everette Brown--a few good plays, but mostly, handled without too much difficulty all day--and particularly ineffective against the run.

Shaughnessy looked good, but he hasn't played that well most of the season, and I think, he too, is not really an obvious step upward from what we have now. He should be a good 3rd or 4th rounder for somebody, though.

[ND72]

Agreed with Partial & Tex....Badgers were running right at Brown. In fact 3 of Wisconsin's big runs were going directly at Brown who twice got pancaked on the play. I was MORE impressed with FSU's other DE than I was with Brown.

[texaspackerbacker]

Though TT's philosophy is to build through the draft, there should be no question that he HAS to have 1 to 2 high impact players for 2009 season.

OLine is a definite need, so is DLine. LB? The one with all the hype is Mauleuga (assuming that's the "luga' you're referring to). We need a less cerebral D and D that can set the tone, that can intimidate. To me Mauleuga is in the mold that Polamolu was for the secondary.

To me Poppinga has ZERO, ZIP, NADA in the instinct category. He is an overachieving special teamer at LB. Chillar wasn't super-consistent but I'd take him over Poppinga. Move out Poop and bring someone in who has his motor, but the instincts of a Polamolu. Mauleuga is that guy.

Vanilla Bob's D doesn't cut it. Blitzes rarely worked this year because they were poorly disguised and poorly executed. There are plenty of DC's out there who play press coverage and can do a better job than Sanders. Yes, we had a multitude of injuries, but our depth was not there talentwise. That's on TT. Also we tried changing our type of defense to compensate for that. That experiment has blown up in our face, that's on Sanders.

We do need a more active role for TE, and that may have to come via trade or FA. I wouldn't put my team's success in the hands of the TE's we have now. Lee is servicable, but not a big enough playmaker. Humphrey is just a body and Finley (save his lone 35 yard reception vs Chicago) has been more of a detriment than a help.

We came so close to get Gonzo then KC pulled their last second stunt to nix the deal. The guy has 96 catches on an absolutely pathetic Chiefs team. How much more would've his veteran presence helped this year? But, I digress.

Both MM and TT, are on an a big-ass hotseat for next season. An influx of new talent is needed to replace some starters and build depth in others. They do need to hit the right buttons or their tenure here won't be long.

Dean, I can't even count how many ways I disagree with your post.

We "tried changing our type of defense"? When did that happen?

We lack depth of talent on D? And you don't think injuries had anything to do with that? Tramon Williams stepping in for Harris; Rouse doing the job for Bigby--'til he got hurt too; Bishop coming through when Barnett went down; I would say Montgomery for Jenkins, but I guess nobody else but me has any respect for his performance. I call that quality depth. Could we use more? Sure, who couldn't. Could we use a superstar in the middle of the line like Haynesworth? Hell Yeah--but probably not at the backbreaking cost that would entail. |Blaming Thompson for the breakdown on D is almost as ludicrous as blaming Sanders. The Sanders scheme SAVED US FROM FAR WORSE CONSEQUENCES after the injuries than what we had.

Popinnga wasn't great, and didn't improve this year like I expected, but as a third LB, he, in tandem with Chillar, was decent. Get Mauleluga and use him as a strongside OLB? I don't think so. And as I said before, you take somebody who is surrounded by the best collection of college defensive players in the country at USC, and he just might be looking better than he actually is.

Bigby minus the injuries being anything other than an ideal safety? He was an excellent coverage guy when healthy, and a decent tackler/run stopper. THAT is the kind of safety you need--not some highlight film big hitter who can't cover. Rouse? He was an excellent big hitter with decent and improving coverage skills.

TE usage? You don't suppose it has something to do with the Packers having the finest corps of wideouts in the league, and Kansas City not having that? Are you going to set up Tony G as a fullback in max protection, as the Packers occasionally find necessary? I doubt it. Lee was decent; Humphrey made the best of limited ability; And Finley was a college sophomore coming out who still has the prospect of a great future.

Thompson/McCarthy/Sanders on the "hotseat"? Only in the eyes of IDIOTS. If we get everybody back healthy and don't have a similar outbreak of the bad luck of injuries next season, and the team then ends up with 5 or 6 wins, yes, THEN those guys will be on the "hotseat". But if the team is healthy next season, I don't care if we get absolutely nothing in the draft or free agency, we will still be right up there with last year's 13-3 team.

[wist43]

We need defensive help everywhere...

Which is exactly why I think TT takes a RB in the 1st round. Don't need a RB... has to be the pick

[DonHutson]

Here's what I saw out of Brown. He's not just a speed guy. He's fast and quick, but he also knows how to use his hands, he knows how to use leverage, he has a variety of moves, and he seems to have a nose for the football.

So to me, the Jamal Reynolds comparisons seem completely unfounded. Reynolds was strictly a speed guy. When his speed wasn't enough in the NFL he was unable or unwilling to develop anything else. Brown already has a variety of moves. He also seems to have the football player mentality that Reynolds lacked.

Did Brown get knocked backwards by some guys who outweighed him 70 pounds? Sure. But even if he never develops into an everydown DE (though I think he could grow into the job), he still might be worth the pick as a designated pass rusher as long as he excels at the role.

Is he THE guy for Green Bay? I don't know yet. But he should be in the discussion. This team had a shitload of INTs this year with no pass rush at all. Imagine if we could actually start forcing some bad throws.

[swede]

To correct a little misinformation about Orakpo...someone mistated Orakpo's strength as measured by bench press.

Orakpo will put some of those skills to use on Saturday, when he takes part in another heavyweight matchup with Texas Tech left tackle Rylan Reed, a 26-year-old senior who measures 6-7 and 314 pounds. Reed has benched pressed a Tech-record 625 pounds, while the smaller Orakpo benches 515 pounds.

[steve823]

Yea your right..515 lbs is pretty bad...man even i can bench more then him

[swede]

Yea your right..515 lbs is pretty bad...man even i can bench more then him

Someone had attributed the 625 lb bench press to Orakpo.

I wasn't hatin' on the weakling. Just correcting a factual error of more than 100lbs on what the dude benches.

As long as we're playing fast and loose with numbers, Orakpo also runs a 4.2 40 yard dash.

[SnakeLH2006]

A lot of people now seem to think that Orakpo will be gone when the Packers pick. Football's Future has the Packers taking Jason Smith/OT/Baylor in the 1st round. http://www.footballsfuture.com/2009/nflmockdraft.html With Tauscher an injured free agent and Clifton a free agent next year, it's a possibility. OT, DE and LB look pretty strong in the 1st half of the 1st round this year.

Could happen, but it'd be disappointing to me to see a OT in round one

I love ya Bretsky, but are you serious? Our #1 position we need an upfusion of talent in Tackle/OL...Damn I can't wait till we take a Joe Thomas type to upgrade the shoddy pass protects with the injured/old Tauchy/Cliffy combo and get someone that can open a hole for the RB's. For real, that needs to happen soon. This OL is a wreck and need a passrusher, but those take a year or two to develop, so I'd rather a stud ass OL in the top 10 right now by far. LB not so concerned as it's average, but the OL and DL are very much the cause of our digress in 2008. DL could come in FA if TT shows some nuts and gets one for the money....doubt it, but it's hard to upgrade with a rook on DL, but easily done on OL..Damn Joe Thomas was

an All-Pro last year as a LT. Get one off them and we are set.

I think both the OL and DL have needs; but to me it seems that we at least have some promising young OL and I see DL as weaker overall than the OL. I don't see promising young players on the DL side yet. We could shoot for a OL and DL starter in free agency; in fact I hope we get a solid DL player in FA and round one.

Basically we're weak in the trenches on both sides and that makes us a finesse team; that needs to change

Agreed both lines are weak...the problem is this...In FA this year, it looks to be that DL is stronger and OL is weak....Normally it's far easier to get a FA DL with gamechanging ability than OL. Rookie OL in the top 10 tend to blossom quickly (Joe Thomas, et al) yet rook DL (Harrell, Reynolds, etc.) tend to bust or take a long time to develop regardless of how high they are picked.

I'm thus, inclined to go with an OT as we need two quick-like and that could only enhance Arod's development. Yes, we are slightly weaker at DL, but I'd take my chances on FA to get one for the money (we have it) and go nuts-out on a stud OL (most mock drafts have had 3 OT's in the top 5-7 picks all year)...Let's do that and hope TT shows some nuts and some money in getting a top notch DT or DE in FA. I agree with your assessment of the OL and DL, just saying as far as draft we are much better to get an OL that can be a stud quickly.

[packrulz]

I gotta say I'm intrigued by Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech, 6'7, 260 lbs. He only started his senior year, but his physical attributes are impressive.
Michael Johnson DE 6'7 260 Georgia Tech
By: Robert Davis

Johnson spent most of his freshman season on special teams, but managed to make six tackles and a sack on the year. As a sophomore, he only started one game but was effective off the edge. He had 34 tackles, six for loss, five sacks, and an interception on the year. Johnson again started one game as a junior, this time finishing with 21 tackles, six for loss, and four sacks for the season. He was a full time starter for the first time as a senior, and had a very productive season. Johnson finished the year with 43 tackles, 15 for loss, seven sacks, a pick, and even broke up seven passes.

Strengths

Johnson is a potential game changer off the edge. He is a phenomenal athlete, with excellent quickness and agility, along with the speed to close and finish plays. As a pass rusher, he is a player you have to account for on every snap. Johnson can simply explode by the tackle with his natural talent and get into the backfield. He also has a long, lean frame that should fill out as he continues to get older. He is a DE that could end up playing on Sundays around the 285 mark, and be an every down player. Even if he does not add weight to his frame, his athleticism and speed could allow him to play in a 3-4 defense.

Weaknesses

Johnson has only started one season at the college level, and still may be more hype than substance. The projections are based on his off the charts physical ability, not his production even though he did have a solid senior year. He does have a thin frame and will have to gain weight to be able to hold up as an every down end.

Future

Johnson was receiving hype as a potential #1 pick despite starting just two games entering his senior year. He had a productive season and still has a ton of upside but not enough to justify that pre-season hype. His ability off the edge will get him selected in the Top 25 though and with the right coaching, could make every team ahead of his team regret passing on him.

[packrulz]

Here's a look at last years draft, some of the high picks were not so great in their rookie season.
Pick Team Player Pos Ht Wt College
[+] 1 (1) Miami Dolphins Long, Jake OT 6'7" 315 Michigan

[+] 2 (2) St. Louis Rams Long, Chris DE 6'4" 275 Virginia

[+] 3 (3) Atlanta Falcons Ryan, Matt QB 6'5" 224 Boston College

[+] 4 (4) Oakland Raiders McFadden, Darren RB 6'2" 210 Arkansas

[+] 5 (5) Kansas City Chiefs Dorsey, Glenn DT 6'2" 316 LSU

[+] 6 (6) New York Jets Gholston, Vernon DE 6'4" 258 Ohio State

[+] 7 (7) New Orleans Saints (From 49ers through Patriots) Ellis, Sedrick DT 6'1" 305 Southern Cal

[+] 8 (8) Jacksonville Jaguars (From Ravens) Harvey, Derrick DE 6'5" 252 Florida

[+] 9 (9) Cincinnati Bengals Rivers, Keith LB 6'3" 235 Southern Cal

[+] 10 (10) New England Patriots (From Saints) Mayo, Jerod OLB 6'1" 242 Tennessee

[+] 11 (11) Buffalo Bills McKelvin, Leodis CB 5'11" 190 Troy

[+] 12 (12) Denver Broncos Clady, Ryan OT 6'6" 316 Boise State

[+] 13 (13) Carolina Panthers Stewart, Jonathan RB 5'11" 235 Oregon

[+] 14 (14) Chicago Bears Williams, Chris OT 6'6" 315 Vanderbilt

[+] 15 (15) Kansas City Chiefs (From Lions) Albert, Branden OG 6'6" 309 Virginia

[+] 16 (16) Arizona Cardinals Rodgers-Cromartie, Dominique CB 6'2" 182 Tennessee State

[+] 17 (17) Detroit Lions (From Vikings through Chiefs) Cherilus, Gosder OT 6'7" 315 Boston College

[+] 18 (18) Baltimore Ravens (From Texans) Flacco, Joe QB 6'7" 236 Delaware

[+] 19 (19) Carolina Panthers (From Eagles) Otah, Jeff OT 6'6" 340 Pittsburgh

[+] 20 (20) Tampa Bay Buccaneers Talib, Aqib CB 6'1" 202 Kansas

[+] 21 (21) Atlanta Falcons (From Redskins) Baker, Sam OT 6'5" 312 Southern Cal

[+] 22 (22) Dallas Cowboys (From Browns) Jones, Felix RB 6'0" 200 Arkansas

[+] 23 (23) Pittsburgh Steelers Mendenhall, Rashard RB 5'11" 210 Illinois

[+] 24 (24) Tennessee Titans Johnson, Chris RB 5'11" 197 East Carolina

[+] 25 (25) Dallas Cowboys (From Seahawks) Jenkins, Mike CB 6'0" 200 South Florida

[+] 26 (26) Houston Texans (From Jaguars through Ravens) Brown, Duane OT 6'4" 315 Virginia Tech

[+] 27 (27) San Diego Chargers Cason, Antoine CB 6'0" 190 Arizona

[+] 28 (28) Seattle Seahawks (From Cowboys) Jackson, Lawrence DE 6'5" 268 Southern Cal

[+] 29 (29) San Francisco 49ers (From Colts) Balmer, Kentwan DE 6'5" 298 North Carolina

[+] 30 (30) New York Jets (From Packers) Keller, Dustin TE 6'3" 242 Purdue

[+] 31 (31) New York Giants Phillips, Kenny FS 6'2" 208 Miami

[Lurker64]

Michael Johnson really frightens me, since he's the classic "huge upside/minimal production" guy. How much has Vernon Gholston accomplished in his NFL career? How much has Vernon Davis accomplished in his NFL career?

All too often there's a guy who jumps 20 feet in the air and throws a tire real far at the combine and people start drooling over him, regardless of the fact that he hasn't really demonstrated he can dominate on the field.

Then again, considering the last two top 10 "athletic freak" pseudobusts have been name Vernon, so we may be in the clear.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Mock has us drafting 10th and taking Orakpo--with Maualuga going next.

http://www.draftcountdown.com/sub/Mock-Draft-A.php

After winning 13 games a year ago big things were expected of the Packers in 2008 and even though they failed to take that next step the future still looks bright. Regardless of what you might think of Ted Thompson and the way he handled the Brett Favre situation you can't help but be impressed with his Draft Day track record and he has assembled a nice core of young talent on both sides of the ball. However, one area that is of particular concern is the defensive line and Green Bay really struggled to generate a pass rush, ranking near the bottom of the league in sacks. Aaron Kampman doesn't get nearly enough credit for being one of the best defensive ends in the business but former defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins is more of a run stuffer and after releasing Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila they could use a top pass rusher. Brian Orakpo, a.k.a. “O-Sack-Po”, had an amazing senior season for the Longhorns and he won both the Lombardi Award as the nation's best lineman and the Nagurski Trophy, which is given to the nation's top defensive player. In addition to that outstanding on-field performance Orakpo also figures to test extremely well in pre-draft workouts when he is given an opportunity to show off his amazing blend of athleticism, speed and strength. The Packers could also use some help at offensive tackle but the chance to add the best defensive end in the draft is too good to pass up.

[Lurker64]

Orakpo would be a great pick, I don't see him getting past the Chiefs though, but who knows. I don't want Maualuga for reasons I have explained elsewhere.

For sheer mock draft overload this is a good resource.