The great unknowns.

[Patler]

Of all the recent draft classes, we probably learned less about the 2008 class in their first year than any other class in their first year. Only Nelson played enough to get any feel for him at all. Yet, on several occasions TT has professed his belief that it will turn out to be a very good class. Recently he said he still expects it to produce a lot of starters in the near future. He has made these statements when he didn't have to, when he could have said much less. I know it can all be a smokescreen, and privately he might be kicking himself for some of the selections, but I still look forward the the second year for each of them.

Which of the following will be household names for Packer fans in 2012?

Nelson
Brohm
Lee
Finley
Thompson
Sitton
Giacomini
Flynn
Swain

[Partial]

Certainly Thompson. He is going to be given every opportunity to win the wide open ROLB spot. I think Sitton will be starting by 2010

[Patler]

I think Sitton will be starting by 2010

Not by 2009??

[Partial]

I think he probably should be, but I don't think that necessarily means he will be

[Joemailman]

Nelson, Finley, Thompson, Sitton, Giacomini

[Patler]

Nelson, Finley, Thompson, Sitton, Giacomini

No love for Lee?

[Patler]

Nelson, Finley, Thompson, Sitton, Giacomini

If they all become legit starters, that would be an excellent draft class.

I am hopeful one of the QBs can be transformed into a draft choice via trade by 2012, and the other can be a reasonably competent backup for the Packers.

[Joemailman]

Not sure about Lee yet. Hard for me to judge whether he was a disappointment last year, or just a guy who hasn't gotten his opportunity yet.

[Joemailman]

Nelson, Finley, Thompson, Sitton, Giacomini

If they all become legit starters, that would be an excellent draft class.

I am hopeful one of the QBs can be transformed into a draft choice via trade by 2012, and the other can be a reasonably competent backup for the Packers.

I think all 5 have an excellent chance to be starters. I agree that would be an excellent class. I'm not used to the Packers backup QB being a household name. Hope it stays that way.

[Patler]

I'm not used to the Packers backup QB being a household name. Hope it stays that way.

Good point!
By 2012, I would like one to become a household name like Hasselbeck did, and the other, among Packer fans at least, like Petersen did. That would be a perfect situation in my opinion.

[Patler]

Not sure about Lee yet. Hard for me to judge whether he was a disappointment last year, or just a guy who hasn't gotten his opportunity yet.

I think the same can be said for many in that class. Giacominini blew the one chance he had by being injured at the end of the season. We saw nothing of him at all. Just curious, why are you willing to include him in the list for 2012?

[Joemailman]

Because you don't mess with a guy whose name is Breno Giacomini.

There have been reports that the Packer coaches are very high on Giaco (See? Great nickname) despite the fact he didn't really do anything as a rookie. He has the size and frame to become a much stronger guy than he was as a rookie. I just haven't heard anything about how they feel about Lee.

[Patler]

Because you don't mess with a guy whose name is Breno Giacomini.

I thought that was guys named "Leroy Brown" or "Jim" or something like that!

[red]

i think lee could end up being a damn good cb. i liked what i saw of him early last season before he got hurt

[Patler]

i liked what i saw of him early last season before he got hurt

Really? I'm not trying to be a wise guy or anything. It's just that I thought in the limited opportunities he had last year he looked a little lost. Certainly something that experience can overcome, so I have hope, but its due to his reported potential and not anything I saw last year.

Maybe I'm forgetting something or a particular game???