The Packers will be "on the lookout" for nose tack

[SnakeLH2006]

I have faith in our ensemble of 3-4 D coaches we assembled, but we definitely need a man-mountain in the middle.

Well, the question for the coaching staff is really "do we want to spend a lot of resources on a guy who could probably start at NT who would split time with Pickett", or "do we want to draft a guy late, platoon him in a rotation, and develop him."

If we want a guy who has a shot at being a 50/50 starter with Pickett, we ought to nab a guy like Raji or Brace.

If we are just looking for "a backup NT" a guy like Terrence Taylor or Sammie Lee Hill would be a good pickup in the later rounds.

The problem I have is that a top ten pick is a high price for a backup, and Pickett hasn't really done anything to convince me he can't start.

I agree, but keep in mind Pickett is 30, and slowing down, and is due for FA after this year. With those things in mind, I'd really like to land a stud at NT for the next 10 years, as great 3-4 D's are predicated on a man-mountain to dictate gaps/blockers/etc. for the LB's to fly free. I don't see Pickett being that man in 2009 and much less past that seeing how he's older, slowing, and a FA to be after this year.

[Lurker64]

I do think that whatever happens at the top of the draft, Thompson really ought to draft a few big guys (like Sammie Lee Hill, say), in the later rounds. I think a large part of our issues on the DL over the last year were that Thompson just stopped taking DL late, and some of those late round DL guys will grow into solid contributors over a few years (Kampman, Corey Williams, KGB). We spent a 6th round pick on Jolly, and a year later he was an important cog along the DL. We need to do more things like that, no matter who we take in the #1 spot.

[The Shadow]

I think a stud nose tackle would be a great first piece to add in the new 3-4 system.
I am really hoping B.J. is there when we pick.

[Partial]

I do think that whatever happens at the top of the draft, Thompson really ought to draft a few big guys (like Sammie Lee Hill, say), in the later rounds. I think a large part of our issues on the DL over the last year were that Thompson just stopped taking DL late, and some of those late round DL guys will grow into solid contributors over a few years (Kampman, Corey Williams, KGB). We spent a 6th round pick on Jolly, and a year later he was an important cog along the DL. We need to do more things like that, no matter who we take in the #1 spot.

You mean like Monty (2005), Jolly (2006), and Harrell (2007) Just giving you shit

[Lurker64]

I do think that whatever happens at the top of the draft, Thompson really ought to draft a few big guys (like Sammie Lee Hill, say), in the later rounds. I think a large part of our issues on the DL over the last year were that Thompson just stopped taking DL late, and some of those late round DL guys will grow into solid contributors over a few years (Kampman, Corey Williams, KGB). We spent a 6th round pick on Jolly, and a year later he was an important cog along the DL. We need to do more things like that, no matter who we take in the #1 spot.

You mean like Monty (2005), Jolly (2006), and Harrell (2007) Just giving you shit

We took Jolly in the late rounds of 06, true, but you can't call Harrell a late round guy, and we didn't take any big DT bodies in the late rounds of 07 and 08.

[rbaloha1]

I do think that whatever happens at the top of the draft, Thompson really ought to draft a few big guys (like Sammie Lee Hill, say), in the later rounds. I think a large part of our issues on the DL over the last year were that Thompson just stopped taking DL late, and some of those late round DL guys will grow into solid contributors over a few years (Kampman, Corey Williams, KGB). We spent a 6th round pick on Jolly, and a year later he was an important cog along the DL. We need to do more things like that, no matter who we take in the #1 spot.

Agreed. This draft is crucial for finding players specifically for the 3-4. Questions remain if the following players are good fits for the scheme: Kampman, Jenkins and Barnett.

[Partial]

I do think that whatever happens at the top of the draft, Thompson really ought to draft a few big guys (like Sammie Lee Hill, say), in the later rounds. I think a large part of our issues on the DL over the last year were that Thompson just stopped taking DL late, and some of those late round DL guys will grow into solid contributors over a few years (Kampman, Corey Williams, KGB). We spent a 6th round pick on Jolly, and a year later he was an important cog along the DL. We need to do more things like that, no matter who we take in the #1 spot.

You mean like Monty (2005), Jolly (2006), and Harrell (2007) Just giving you shit

We took Jolly in the late rounds of 06, true, but you can't call Harrell a late round guy, and we didn't take any big DT bodies in the late rounds of 07 and 08.

Would you rather have had TT draft someone in the 6th than the 1st? The point is he didn't neglect the position, the players drafted just haven't produced. If Harrell was healthy and producing, we're not having this discussion.

[3irty1]

I saw a couple of guys have mentioned Sammie Lee Hill as a possible 2nd day selection. I saw him play in Columbia, SC last year against Benedict where he had a big game. The guy is 6'4" and 325 but he was playing left end. His stats for that game were:

8 tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, a pass defended, and 1.5 Sacks

He left enough of an impression on me that I did a little research and I found some interesting facts about him. He's quite the versatile athlete and has tremendous leaping ability. 30 or 40 lbs ago he was a skilled basketball player and before he was a left end he played defensive tackle, Tight end, Linebacker, and Kicker.

Most interestingly though, Sammie Lee Hill was in the papers last August for carrying a man in Tuscaloosa out of a burning house.

A small 1-AA school guy like this will have to have some good workouts if he's going to make noise in the draft but I'd be all for picking him sometime on day two. He seems like he might be our type of guy.

[swede]

...Sammie Lee Hill as a possible 2nd day selection. The guy is 6'4" and 325...

His stats for that game were:

8 tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, a pass defended, and 1.5 Sacks...

I'd be all for picking him sometime on day two. He seems like he might be our type of guy.

Well, get going and call the Packers offices. They let two or three nuts talk to TT and Murphy every day. One of them might as well be you.

[Guiness]

I saw a couple of guys have mentioned Sammie Lee Hill as a possible 2nd day selection. I saw him play in Columbia, SC last year against Benedict where he had a big game. The guy is 6'4" and 325 but he was playing left end. His stats for that game were:

8 tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, a pass defended, and 1.5 Sacks

He left enough of an impression on me that I did a little research and I found some interesting facts about him. He's quite the versatile athlete and has tremendous leaping ability. 30 or 40 lbs ago he was a skilled basketball player and before he was a left end he played defensive tackle, Tight end, Linebacker, and Kicker.

Most interestingly though, Sammie Lee Hill was in the papers last August for carrying a man in Tuscaloosa out of a burning house.

A small 1-AA school guy like this will have to have some good workouts if he's going to make noise in the draft but I'd be all for picking him sometime on day two. He seems like he might be our type of guy.

Is he this year's feel-good story? The press needs guys like him to keep the ink flowing this time of year. Last year I remember a lot of time being spent talking about a 1-AA or D2 RB who was supposed to be amazing. I watched for him on day, but don't think I saw his name called.

ok, just looked, it was Danny Woodhead. Wasn't drafted, and doesn't look like he landed anywhere.

[Joemailman]

Raji is the pick. If unavailable, Maoli from USC in the second round is a good pick.

Hopefully Raji is still there. That's starting to look less likely.

Moala is listed at only #280. I don't think that's what they're looking for. Maybe they could bulk him up to play end.

After Raji and Brace, I don't see any DT draft prospects over #320 until you get down to the late round guys.

I'm starting to think Raji will be there. He's considered marginal as a pass rusher. Teams that run a 4-3 will not spend that high a pick on a guy who is primarily considered a run stuffer. Haloti Ngata lasted until the #12 pick a few years ago. There have not been any 3-4 teams in recent years that have drafted a NT that early. So I think he'll be there. Whether TT thinks he's worth a #9 pick is another matter.

[Fritz]

Since I don't pay as much attention as some here, anybody care to give his/her opinion of Ron Brace? Could he be the monster body needed to plug up the middle? Is he an end-of-the-first-rounder? Why is Raji seen as so much better?

[Joemailman]

I think Raji is considered to be a bit quicker. Most seem to consider Brace a 2nd round pick. I'd be happy if the Packers got one of the top OT's on the 1st round, and Brace in the 2nd. http://www.draftcountdown.com/scouti.../Ron-Brace.php

[Fritz]

Thanks, Joe.

[Waldo]

Since I don't pay as much attention as some here, anybody care to give his/her opinion of Ron Brace? Could he be the monster body needed to plug up the middle? Is he an end-of-the-first-rounder? Why is Raji seen as so much better?

Both can command double teams against the run and plug things up. Brace is a lot like Pickett in that that's all he's really good for. Raji has the potential to command doubles in the passing game as well. If that is the case, they have to make the gamble on every snap as to which OLB is rushing (or if both do it doesn't matter). If they guess wrong that OLB is isolated on a TE or RB in blitz pickup. In the 4-3 Hawk and Poppinga are OLB's, in the 3-4 Kamp and Thompson are OLB's. I would wager that Kamp would have an easier time getting to the QB if a RB, not a RT, was blocking him, and he had a head of steam going when he got to the RB.

Of course Raji wouldn't provide much rush being doubled and probably wouldn't have great stats and might "disappear", but you can see the advantages of having a man like this in the middle.