The official 2009 DRAFT thread

[retailguy]

When you are creating the foundation, multiple picks is the way to go.
When you believe you are solid, it's time to get the players you feel are special fits for your team.
It's funny how some folks who have whined the 'turtle' nonsense for so long, and lambasted Thompson for not moving up, now have reversed field and complain about him making a move upwards.
Personally, I love both picks, and applaud the Packers for shrewd planning and the courage to go after players they want.

such a simpleton view while ignoring what he gave up to move up

I'm fully on board to give up fair value to move up; I'm fine with Matthews and think he can move in a start right away.

If Matthews is a Pro Bowler this still turns out fine

But on paper Bellichek fleeced your hero

You can't really say that until you see what the Bellicheck gets for those picks. ALso, if you feel thereis nothing in the middle rounds worth the picks, you trade up and get a guy you really want. I agree with Shadow. IF Matthews turns out to be a pro bowler, tghen it doesn't mean shit what the trade looks like on paper.

NO

You agree with ME since I was the one who said that

lol

[Gunakor]

Horrible trade by Denver imo.

Denver just got raped... what the hell...

Missed it, what was it?

[Rastak]

Broncos take Alphonso Smith .......since somebody is reading them.....why not....


Overall Football Traits

Production 1 Wake Forest red-shirted Smith in 2004. He started all 11 games of the 2005 season finishing with 59 total tackles, 52 unassisted tackles, eight tackles-for-loss, two sacks, three interceptions including one he returned for a touchdown, nine pass breakups, one forced fumble and two blocked kicks. Smith also returned one kickoff for a total of 15 yards and two punts for a total of 40 yards. He started thee of the 14 games he appeared in during the 2006 season finishing with 48 total tackles, 37 unassisted tackles, 8.5 tackles-for-loss, four sacks, three interceptions, eight pass breakups, one forced fumble and one blocked kick. Smith also returned five kickoffs for a total of 115 yards and one punt 34 yards for a touchdown. He started all 13 games of the 2007 season finishing with 44 total tackles, 36 unassisted tackles, 4.5 tackles-for-loss, three sacks, eight interceptions including three he returned for touchdowns, ten pass breakups, four forced fumbles and one blocked kick. Smith also returned six kickoffs for a total of 112 yards. During his senior campaign in 2008 he started all 13 games and recorded 37 total tackles, 28 unassisted tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss, seven interceptions, 13 pass breakups and two forced fumbles. He also added 108 yards on 21 punt returns averaging 5.1 yards per return. Earned first team All-ACC honors during both the 2007 and 2008 season.

Height-Weight-Speed 4 Smith's height is below-average and his weight is adequate for his smaller frame. He does, however, possess excellent top-end speed.

Durability 2 Lacks ideal size but durability is not much of a concern, as he did not miss playing time due to injury throughout career.

Character 3 Ejected in the second quarter of the 2006 Clemson game for allegedly throwing a punch.

Defensive Corner specific Traits

Recognition Skills/Toughness 2 Reads key and locates the ball quickly. Recognizes bubble screens. Flashes a mean streak and times hits well when in coverage but appears soft at other times. (See third quarter touchdown run in 2007 Maryland game) Doesn't get great hand placement, shows average at best upper body strength and doesn't do a great job of rerouting receivers.

Closing Burst 3 Shows a notch below elite closing burst when coming forward out of backpedal and closes quickly in the short area. Also can get to the quarterback when asked to blitz off the edge. However, he lacks second-gear to make up ground in deep coverage.

Fluidity 2 Fluid hips smoothly and shows very good footwork. Is quicker than fast. Displays fine change-of-direction skills and is able to keep with WR double moves.

Ball Skills 1 Times jumps fairly well and shows above-average leaping ability. Appears to take eye off the ball at times and can drop passes that should catch. Finished as ACC's career interceptions leader (21).

Run Support 4 Adequate drag-down tackler but doesn't always break down into a sound tackling position and can get run over. Inconsistent in this area.

[Lurker64]

That's a WTF trade by Denver there.

[Partial]

Denver is going to be awful next year. Who is going to play QB for them? They are going to be giving away a top 10 pick in 2010(a crazy deep draft most likely) for the 37th (55-60 in a typical year). Awful trade.

[RashanGary]

The thing Thompson said about Matthews that I liked best was how he took on blocks.

It seems to be common knowledge that he rushes the passer well and drops into coverage well. Thompson said that Matthews was a guy that can battle through blocks and stay on his feet when most guys can't. That's very important for a 3-4 outside linebacker.

When Kevin Greene came here, he said 3-4 OLB's do three things:

1. They rush the passer (check)

2. They cover flats and short zones (check)

and

3. They stop the run at the point of attack (I wondered about this)

The way Thompson made it sound, playing the run against bigger lineman was one of his strengths. Sounds like he's a complete 3-4 backer. I don't think guys who can cover, rush the passer and take on big blockers in the run game are all that common. It's really something we needed, especially with Kampman being a guy we won't drop into coverage a lot (we need a complete player on the other side to offset the more predictable player on the toher)

[Lurker64]

Horrible trade by Denver imo.

Denver just got raped... what the hell...

Missed it, what was it?

2010 first for the Seahawk's 2nd round pick, and they took a CB, which wasn't really a need unlike EVERY OTHER POSITION ON THE FRONT SEVEN!

What are they doing up there in the mountains?

[cpk1994]

Looks like 7:30 is the time for the next speaker at Packers.com

[retailguy]

Denver is going to be awful next year. Who is going to play QB for them? They are going to be giving away a top 10 pick in 2010(a crazy deep draft most likely) for the 37th (55-60 in a typical year). Awful trade.

i hate the broncos. more than the bears.

[Bretsky]

When you are creating the foundation, multiple picks is the way to go.
When you believe you are solid, it's time to get the players you feel are special fits for your team.
It's funny how some folks who have whined the 'turtle' nonsense for so long, and lambasted Thompson for not moving up, now have reversed field and complain about him making a move upwards.
Personally, I love both picks, and applaud the Packers for shrewd planning and the courage to go after players they want.

such a simpleton view while ignoring what he gave up to move up

I'm fully on board to give up fair value to move up; I'm fine with Matthews and think he can move in a start right away.

If Matthews is a Pro Bowler this still turns out fine

But on paper Bellichek fleeced your hero

Just like Ted fleeed Belichek in 2006 trading down for Jennings while Bill selected Chad Jackson.

Completely unrelated; was there a trade betwene BB and TT in 06 or are you really talking about TT being right on a draft pick and comparing with an actual trade >

[Rastak]

Denver is going to be awful next year. Who is going to play QB for them? They are going to be giving away a top 10 pick in 2010(a crazy deep draft most likely) for the 37th (55-60 in a typical year). Awful trade.

Orton!

[Gunakor]

Horrible trade by Denver imo.

Denver just got raped... what the hell...

Missed it, what was it?

2010 first for the Seahawk's 2nd round pick, and they took a CB, which wasn't really a need unlike EVERY OTHER POSITION ON THE FRONT SEVEN!

What are they doing up there in the mountains?

ROFLWUT???

[Bretsky]

When you are creating the foundation, multiple picks is the way to go.
When you believe you are solid, it's time to get the players you feel are special fits for your team.
It's funny how some folks who have whined the 'turtle' nonsense for so long, and lambasted Thompson for not moving up, now have reversed field and complain about him making a move upwards.
Personally, I love both picks, and applaud the Packers for shrewd planning and the courage to go after players they want.

such a simpleton view while ignoring what he gave up to move up

I'm fully on board to give up fair value to move up; I'm fine with Matthews and think he can move in a start right away.

If Matthews is a Pro Bowler this still turns out fine

But on paper Bellichek fleeced your hero

The typical anti-Ted treacle.
He's wrong if he doesn't draft your man-crush.
He's wrong if he doesn't move up.
He's wrong if he does move up.
Back to the Cheetos (and maybe a spoonful of Metamucil).

Best to avoid the facts and go general when your argument is weak

[jmbarnes101]

Knowing you are going to get Matthews, would you prefer to give up the #1 next year or what TT actually gave up? I know what I'd do but what does eveybody else think?

[retailguy]

When you are creating the foundation, multiple picks is the way to go.
When you believe you are solid, it's time to get the players you feel are special fits for your team.
It's funny how some folks who have whined the 'turtle' nonsense for so long, and lambasted Thompson for not moving up, now have reversed field and complain about him making a move upwards.
Personally, I love both picks, and applaud the Packers for shrewd planning and the courage to go after players they want.

such a simpleton view while ignoring what he gave up to move up

I'm fully on board to give up fair value to move up; I'm fine with Matthews and think he can move in a start right away.

If Matthews is a Pro Bowler this still turns out fine

But on paper Bellichek fleeced your hero

The typical anti-Ted treacle.
He's wrong if he doesn't draft your man-crush.
He's wrong if he doesn't move up.
He's wrong if he does move up.
Back to the Cheetos (and maybe a spoonful of Metamucil).

Best to avoid the facts and go general when your argument is weak

rose colored glasses give a very general view of the world.