Waldo's Mock Offseason

[Waldo]

I can't see Al being traded for anything more than a 5th. His contract is very nice, but he's near the end. For a team like Buffalo however, that just signed Owens and is clearly going all-in this year, Al has some value. There is a very legitimate chance that Al isn't starting if he is on the roster this year.

New coach = position battles at every position. Tramon is a much more well rounded corner. Harris has to be hidden on the blind side sideline, where his great press shuts down the quick route, and throws off the timing of the deep route, making it hard for an X to do much. If he's not on the blind sideline, Al is pretty bad. I can't see him being worth a crap in sky coverage, where he drops to be essentially a cover-3 safety in zone. Sky and Cloud coverage are staples of 3-4 zone blitzes. Having your CB shut off a third of your playbook is not good.

[Fritz]

Oh.

Nevermind.

[SnakeLH2006]

Re: Waldo's Mock Offseason

I posted this elsewhere but I figured I'd share. TT has shown interest in most of the prospects in it, and all are picked about where they are projected. I was conscious to choose guys that meets the criteria for players that TT has shown favor for (athletic traits, size, personality, leadership, etc..).

Free Agency:

Additions:
Anthony Smith, FS/SS, 6'1", 200lb

TT's first FA signing, he brings experience in the scheme and is a player the coaches know.

Michael Montgomery, DE, 6'5", 275lb

After Carter visited the Packers attention has turned to Montgomery, who has the right sized frame, though is a little slow and undersized for the DE position.

Duke Preston, C/G/T, 6'5", 326lb

Versatile player brought in as a guy to compete at C, G, and RT, and at worst be a valuable player on the bench. He's very large compared to the rest of our lineman, yet has the agility to succeed in our blocking scheme if the coaches can get him to play up to his ability.

Subtractions:
Mark Tausher, RT
Mark is signed elsewhere prior to TT making an effort to retain him.

Colin Cole, DT
Cole signed with the Seahawks after rejecting the small offer from the Packers.

Projected 2010 compensatory picks: None

Draft:
Detroit Lions - Matthew Stafford - The bar has swung back to Stafford IMO. This pick is all about $$, I think that Stafford and his agent have to study the past history of drafts, and they will realize that he is losing a significant amount of money if he doesn't sign here. He could realistically fall all the way to #8, or beyond, if he does not take Detroit's offer. Detroit has to keep up with the Joneses, a QB is what they need, and sign and pick Stafford.

St. Louis - Eugene Monroe - The Rams IMO are set on a tackle. They need a tackle and a WR (in addition to basically every defensive position), the tackle is the safe pick here.

Kansas City - Brian Orakpo - Though many have Curry penciled in here, the fact remains that he plays linebacker, when cost is considered the DE/OLB becomes the more valuable pick. KC needs a pass rush in a very bad way.

Seattle - Jason Smith - IMO this pick is very important to a number of others down the line. While Sanchez seems like a good fit, there is that nasty thing known as a contract, I just can't see a top 5 QB backing up a 10M/yr QB who is under contract for 2 more years. Walter is closer to the end than Hass is, and franchise LT's are nearly as hard to find as franchise QB's.

Cleveland - Aaron Curry - At some point the BPA can't be ignored, I think that Curry's overall football IQ and ability to play ILB and OLB, makes him an ideal fit as a 2 gap 3-4 LB, which they play.

Cincinnati - Michael Crabtree - I think that they are looking to get rid of Ocho sooner rather than later. Crabtree here facilitates that process. I thought that this would be Andre's floor, but the Ocho situation complicates this.

Oakland - Andre Smith - Andre Smith was the best OT in college football last year, and Al likes tackles. He has drafted A LOT of them. If his tackles aren't the best (they aren't), be assured that Al wants to take a tackle.

Jacksonville Jaguars - BJ Raji - Jacksonville is in a tough spot, while I'm sure that they would love Sanchez, their staff is too close to the hot seat to take a guy that probably won't help them much in '09. I'm sure that they'd love to trade down, but unfortunately for them, the player on the board that teams want is a QB, and the team with the next pick is quite possibly the least likely team in the draft to actually take a QB. Their defense declined bad after Stroud left, Raji could pick up where he left off and get them back to dominating the defensive line of scrimmage. The positive test just gets tham a cheaper contract with him.

*trade* - Green Bay trades #9 to the Washington Redskins for #13 and Carlos Rogers.

Trade Acquisition - Carlos Rogers, CB, 6'0", 190

There has been talk all offseason that he has been on the block, including as part of trade compensation for Cutler. Snyder made his bed with Smoot and Hall, he can't afford to extend Rogers even though statistically he was one of the best covermen in the NFL. Repeated attempts to trade him have lowered his value. Dan tipped his hand in pursuit of Cutler, he wants better than Campbell. He moves up to secure Jason's successor, lacking much draft pick firepower he trades the CB and TT is happy to oblige. Rogers is young and entering his prime. He needs a new contract soon but that can be accommodated.

Washington Redskins - Mark Sanchez - Dan wants better than Campbell. He moves up to get Jason's successor before the 49ers have a chance to grab him.

San Francisco 49ers - Everette Brown - Manny Lawson has thus far proven ineffective, and SF could use a better pass rusher. Coach Singletary knows linebackers, and he likes what he sees out of Brown on tape.

Buffalo Bills - Robert Ayers - The Bills could use a pass rush and better DE, Maybin is a little too slow and raw for them, Ayers has a lot of hype, and the Bills have bit on hype before.

Denver Broncos - Aaron Maybin - With the Packers next, the Broncos have to be strategic about the next two picks. They know the Packers are probably looking at the same players that they are, where is the biggest dropoff, pass rusher or line. They take the pass rusher.

#13 - Tyson Jackson, DE, 6'4", 295lb

The Broncos taking Maybin cleared the way for the Packers to take Jackson here. TT fills the position he's been snooping around in the offseason and he gets a good starting CB for his trading down trouble. Barnett is grinning ear to ear.

*trade* - Green Bay trades #41 to the NYG for #45 and #129
*trade* - Green Bay trades #45 and #129 to Cleveland for #50 and #104

#50 - Max Unger, C/G/RT, 6'5", 309lb

Max's arms are a little short to play LT, but he can play the other 4 positions well. He's a low error player that will facilitate the filling of the RT spot, whether by Colledge, Barbre, Sitton, or himself. TT gambles that he can trade down and pick up some value and still get him, and he is right.

#73 - Dorell Scott, NT/DE, 6'3", 315lb

In a recent interview, Scott has said that he was being looked at almost exclusively by 3-4 teams seeking a NT, having visited (or scheduled visits) with most of them. TT was the only GM present at Clemson's pro day. He fits the mold of a TT draft pick, a team leader and mentor to other players, with strong athletic ability.

#83 - Cody Brown, OLB, 6'2", 244lb

Short and undersized with real long arms and good enough speed, agility, and explosion. He was a very productive player in school but falls a but due to less than perfect size, plus he is of little use to 4-3 teams aside from situational rusher.

#104 - Chase Coffman, TE, 6'6", 244lb

TT has been sniffing around TE's all offseason. Has a foot injury and has been unable to work out, and he falls to the Packers here at the top of the 4th. His father Paul played for the Packers and was one of the Packer greats.

#109 - James Davis, RB, 5'11", 218lb

TT showed a lot of interest in Davis. We are going to need another back to bring to camp, Davis would have a solid chance to make the roster, especially if he can run back kicks.

#145 - Tony Fiametta, FB/H-Back, 6'0", 245lb

Quick FB with great hands and great blocking skills. He fits what MM likes to do on offense perfectly. Has the size and speed to be a good battering ram when a yard or two is needed. The FB is dying in the NFL, but not in GB where the FB gets a lot of use.

*trade* - Green Bay trades Al Harris to Buffalo for #147 - Buffalo is gearing up for a run and is in win now mode. TT discussed jumping ahead of Denver with them with Al as part of the package, they told him no but to call back later they might have interest. TT eliminates any sort of conflict that might arise from the acquisition of Rogers by immediately trading Al.

#147 - Henry Melton, OLB, 6'4", 269lb

Henry started his career as a RB, moving to DE eventually to play opposite Brian Orakpo. He showed very good athleticism at his pro day, which TT was present for.

#182 - Nader Abdallah, DE, 6'4", 292lb

Late bloomer that had a strong finish to his college career. Physical prototype at DE that will be developed.

#187 - Don Carey, CB, 5'11", 192lb

CB with good enough size and speed for TT that flashed impressive skills in the shrine game.

#218 - Jamarko Simmons, WR/H-Back/FB, 6'2", 231lb

Big strong WR with good wheels that hails from G. Jennings alma mater and broke several of his records, including receptions and single season yards.

Projected Depth Chart:
QB - Rodgers, Brohm, Flynn
RB - Jackson, Grant, Davis
FB - Hall, Fiametta
WR - Driver, Jennings, Nelson, Jones, Simmons
TE - Lee, Finley, Coffman
LT - Clifton, Colledge, Barbre
LG - Colledge, Preston, Barbre
C- Spitz, Preston
RG - Unger, Preston, Moll
RT - Sitton, Moll, Giacomini

WOLB - Poppinga, Brown, Melton
RDE - Jenkins, Scott, Malone
NT - Pickett, Scott, Harrell
LDE - Jackson, Harrell, Jolly
SOLB - Kampman, Thompson, Poppinga
WILB - Barnett, Chillar, Hawk
SILB - Hawk, Bishop, Poppinga
LCB - Rogers, Lee
NCB - Williams, Carey
FS - Collins, Rouse, Smith
SS - Bigby, Smith, Rouse
RCB - Woodson, Blackmon

K - Crosby
P - Unknown
LS - Jansen

Wow..You are going into Snake's Fab 5 of posters. Well...you already were, but that stuff is stuff that looks professional and should be in Sporting News. Good stuff. I love it.

[mission]

Does Fiametta appear to be high on anyone elses radar? Have we showed any interest in him?

[Waldo]

Does Fiametta appear to be high on anyone elses radar? Have we showed any interest in him?

We've shown a great deal of interest in him. TT did a bump into him in the hotel lobby interview with him at the combine and Edgar had a really long chat with him there too.

[Fritz]

For a little chimp with glasses, you sure do get around, Waldo.

Hey, are you Curious George? And is Ted Thompson the Man in the Yellow Hat?

[texaspackerbacker]

Just curious, what do you think that we are going to draft? 10 defensive lineman?

The positions that we have been scouting the heaviest this offseason have been TE, RB, and OLB. We've been linked to almost every prospect at these positions.

I was just changing things up this mock with Coffman, I usually have Cameron Morrah from Cal in that area.

I'd be shocked if we go into camp with 4 RB's. 5-6 is the bare minimum IMO. Any RB drafted will have KR high on the list of things they don't suck at.

C. Brown is nothing like Melton. Melton switched from being a RB and is still learning defensive (more akin to Barwin). C. Brown has played as a true freshman and has been consistently getting to the QB since. He's much more similar to L. English in that respect, being a lot more experienced than the first rounders. The only real difference with Larry is Larry is bigger and has a place in a 4-3 defense, Cody is more athletic and is best suited at 3-4 OLB, he's a little small for 4-3 DE.

I wouldn't be so sure about Poppinga. I bet there's a 65%+ chance he's the starter, unless we draft Clay Matthews. Pops is much better in coverage than the DE's on the team, and much more stout agaisnt the run than the rest of the LB's on the team. He's going to be tough to beat.

Fiametta is the best FB in the class, perhaps the best in a few years. He has great hands and is in Beanie's league speed wise, faster than Moreno. He would definitely upgrade the position. Plus he's a great blocker already. We've already shown a lot of interest in him.

Who, me?

I posted in that other thread where you pick your ten choices. Not more than a couple were D Linemen. What makes you think I favor that position?

I'm comfortable with what we have at DE, ILB, and OLB, as well as probably Safety. We also are well stocked for the present at Corner, although obviously we will need help fairly soon there. We likely need or at least could use a backup NT.

I see four quality RBs right now; Undoubtedly we will draft or get as street free agents one or two more--just not very high in the draft.

I also see two decent fullbacks right now, and an easy job to find others on the scrap heap--no need to draft one.

My first round choice is Oher--or Andre Smith if he's available instead--any of the top four OTs. I would also draft another O Linemen farther down--maybe two.

I have said many times, I'd like to see the Packers draft Pat White in about the 3rd or 4th round--or if not him, somebody similar. I'd like to see us have the capability to throw in some option or wildcat stuff.

I wouldn't be opposed to getting Coffman or maybe the Western Michigan kid or Beckum, and losing Humphrey, but I kinda doubt the Packers will do that.

That about covers it, I guess.

[KYPack]

I can't see Al being traded for anything more than a 5th. His contract is very nice, but he's near the end. For a team like Buffalo however, that just signed Owens and is clearly going all-in this year, Al has some value. There is a very legitimate chance that Al isn't starting if he is on the roster this year.

New coach = position battles at every position. Tramon is a much more well rounded corner. Harris has to be hidden on the blind side sideline, where his great press shuts down the quick route, and throws off the timing of the deep route, making it hard for an X to do much. If he's not on the blind sideline, Al is pretty bad. I can't see him being worth a crap in sky coverage, where he drops to be essentially a cover-3 safety in zone. Sky and Cloud coverage are staples of 3-4 zone blitzes. Having your CB shut off a third of your playbook is not good.

As Bill Quinlan once said to Ray Nitschke, now you're talking like a champion, Waldo. I could of swore we had an argument about this a month or so ago, with you taking the opposite viewpoint. Yeah, 100% that is gonna be some trouble for Al.

When they fire zone from the other side, Al's gotta roll back, in the deep 3. He sure as hell can't play that press technique if he's on the back line. The base cover in a 3-4 isn't exactly press cover. They play off technique, but right at the line or 1 yard. It's a subtle difference, but a huge one for AH. Now Tramon prefers that kind of technique and should be comfortable in the new covers in zone and fire zone.

When you say "Blind side" I assume you mean the weak side, yes?

[Waldo]

I can't see Al being traded for anything more than a 5th. His contract is very nice, but he's near the end. For a team like Buffalo however, that just signed Owens and is clearly going all-in this year, Al has some value. There is a very legitimate chance that Al isn't starting if he is on the roster this year.

New coach = position battles at every position. Tramon is a much more well rounded corner. Harris has to be hidden on the blind side sideline, where his great press shuts down the quick route, and throws off the timing of the deep route, making it hard for an X to do much. If he's not on the blind sideline, Al is pretty bad. I can't see him being worth a crap in sky coverage, where he drops to be essentially a cover-3 safety in zone. Sky and Cloud coverage are staples of 3-4 zone blitzes. Having your CB shut off a third of your playbook is not good.

As Bill Quinlan once said to Ray Nitschke, now you're talking like a champion, Waldo. I could of swore we had an argument about this a month or so ago, with you taking the opposite viewpoint. Yeah, 100% that is gonna be some trouble for Al.

When they fire zone from the other side, Al's gotta roll back, in the deep 3. He sure as hell can't play that press technique if he's on the back line. The base cover in a 3-4 isn't exactly press cover. They play off technique, but right at the line or 1 yard. It's a subtle difference, but a huge one for AH. Now Tramon prefers that kind of technique and should be comfortable in the new covers in zone and fire zone.

When you say "Blind side" I assume you mean the weak side, yes?

The side where the QB would need eyes at the back of his head to see during his drop. The X receiver is almost always going to be the first read or a deep option, it is hard for him to be a second read because typically the first will be on the other side of the field, and there will be a second receiver or TE on that side as well that will be the 2nd read. There typically are not a lot of moderate depth timing routes on the backside, either fairly quick, or fairly slow. This makes Al's job easier. Bang him hard at the line and you disrupt the first read, push him toward the sideline and don't let him get past you and disrupt the deep route. Be good at those two things and you can mostly shut down an X receiver, and Al excels at those two things.

[mraynrand]

Waldo,

Do you know if the Packers will have the OLB have responsibility for sealing the outside at the end of the line, or will the corners have to take some of that responsibility in the Packer's version of the 3-4. I seem to recall NE put the end 'seal' responsibility totally on the OLB - freeing up the corners to concentrate on coverage. What will the Packers do, and how will that affect the Harris/Williams choice?