The official 2009 DRAFT thread

[cpk1994]

Must still be expecting someone at Packers.com

[Bretsky]

Man, that was a lot to give up for Mathews. I'm not a huge fan of trading up, but I do echo the sentiments of the poster (Harv, maybe?) who said at one point that many of the people blasting TT for being the "turtle" and never making a bold move now seem to be blasting him for giving up so much to make such a bold move....

I think it was a lot to give up, but I'm not a big trading up guy. Still, it seems that TT was telling us the truth when he said he needed to build up the core of the team, and feels he's done that so now he can spend his ammo to get the guys he wants.


I also think that TT likes the end of this draft - he trusts his scouts to find the fifth and sixth and seventh rounders that will turn into players (well, maybe one or two)..

All in all, people wanted TT to draft for need, mostly. They cried about Jordy Nelson last year, many folks, because GB didn't "need" a receiver. Now TT drafts at positions seen as need, and people still bitch - now that he didn't go "BPA." Thopugh maybe he did. Maybe he liked Raji better than Crabtree.

I've flipped from a need to BPA guy if the BPA has superior talent.
I like Mathews but like most question if we gave up too much. For GB to give up this much I have to think Matthews will be a Pro Bowler..and if that is right that deal willl look good.

[jmbarnes101]

Well we can add big bodies on the line and complete linebackers to the list of things that Ted looks for when drafting.

[oregonpackfan]

Re: Ammo

Thompson did what he was suppossed to do. It would have been foolish to spend the money it took to get Capers and then tell the guy to go to war with an empty gun.

Teddy gave the guy a few bullets. I'm surprised some missed the point on Raji. I firmly believe you need 2 solid NT's in the 3-4. It takes a ton of stamina to play every snap. Pickett was at his best when they rotated in and out. Now they can have that rotation again. It's not a situation where it's either Pickett or Raji-it's both.

Let's say for the sake of argument that the law of averages kicks in. Jenkins has proven good when healthy. May-be Harrell gives us something. If it works out, we can have a good rotation in the front 3 to where they are always fresh. That will help in the 4th quarter.

TT lover

C'mon, Bretsky! Even the strongest TT-hater has to admit the Packers made two fine draft picks on defensive players--and it was defense where the Packers had the greatest need. I am very happy with the Raji and Matthews picks.

[RashanGary]

Thompson talked about Raji being the best player on the board. He said all things being equal, he would always lean in favor of the rare big guys. Said that that is why he took Raji.

He didn't come out and say it, but it sounded like he did have Crabtree rated really high. It sounded like he had Raji rated on the same tier, but Raji was a rare body type that you don't get many opportunities to take.

[packers11]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft09/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=4100869

John Clayton

10 nuggets from day 1:

"2. Packers general manager Ted Thompson loves to trade back, but on Saturday, he traded up from the second round into the first to take linebacker Clay Matthews. Packers fans should rejoice. The additions of B.J. Raji and Matthews will make the transition to a 3-4 defense smoother."

[Bretsky]

Re: Ammo

Thompson did what he was suppossed to do. It would have been foolish to spend the money it took to get Capers and then tell the guy to go to war with an empty gun.

Teddy gave the guy a few bullets. I'm surprised some missed the point on Raji. I firmly believe you need 2 solid NT's in the 3-4. It takes a ton of stamina to play every snap. Pickett was at his best when they rotated in and out. Now they can have that rotation again. It's not a situation where it's either Pickett or Raji-it's both.

Let's say for the sake of argument that the law of averages kicks in. Jenkins has proven good when healthy. May-be Harrell gives us something. If it works out, we can have a good rotation in the front 3 to where they are always fresh. That will help in the 4th quarter.

TT lover

C'mon, Bretsky! Even the strongest TT-hater has to admit the Packers made two fine draft picks on defensive players--and it was defense where the Packers had the greatest need. I am very happy with the Raji and Matthews picks.

I'm enjoying giving PN a bit of jousting here; he's one of the biggest haters left. Can we bring back Packpete to see if he likes the new players ?

[pbmax]

Man, that was a lot to give up for Mathews. I'm not a huge fan of trading up, but I do echo the sentiments of the poster (Harv, maybe?) who said at one point that many of the people blasting TT for being the "turtle" and never making a bold move now seem to be blasting him for giving up so much to make such a bold move....

I think it was a lot to give up, but I'm not a big trading up guy. Still, it seems that TT was telling us the truth when he said he needed to build up the core of the team, and feels he's done that so now he can spend his ammo to get the guys he wants.


I also think that TT likes the end of this draft - he trusts his scouts to find the fifth and sixth and seventh rounders that will turn into players (well, maybe one or two)..

All in all, people wanted TT to draft for need, mostly. They cried about Jordy Nelson last year, many folks, because GB didn't "need" a receiver. Now TT drafts at positions seen as need, and people still bitch - now that he didn't go "BPA." Thopugh maybe he did. Maybe he liked Raji better than Crabtree.

I agree Fritz and I don't think, if you are sitting in that room that it is an either/or proposition of BPA or need.

You don't want to reach, you want value.
Similar grades on guys means trade down if you can stay in range.
BPA at position of strength only if nothing else of that value is in range or you can't execute the trade down. (Rodgers maybe Harrell)
Need over BPA if Need is value for the pick and trade down can't get you the same. (Raji) There has to be a limit on the difference here, so the players need to be close.

[pbmax]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft09/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=4100869

John Clayton

10 nuggets from day 1:

"2. Packers general manager Ted Thompson loves to trade back, but on Saturday, he traded up from the second round into the first to take linebacker Clay Matthews. Packers fans should rejoice. The additions of B.J. Raji and Matthews will make the transition to a 3-4 defense smoother."

I have to tell you, I hate to do something so obvious that even Clayton praises it. I liked it better when Wilbon was on PTI last summer mocking our GM by imitation "I'm Ted Thompson and I am smarter than everybody else!"

[Gunakor]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft09/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=4100869

John Clayton

10 nuggets from day 1:

"2. Packers general manager Ted Thompson loves to trade back, but on Saturday, he traded up from the second round into the first to take linebacker Clay Matthews. Packers fans should rejoice. The additions of B.J. Raji and Matthews will make the transition to a 3-4 defense smoother."

I have to tell you, I hate to do something so obvious that even Clayton praises it. I liked it better when Wilbon was on PTI last summer mocking our GM by imitation "I'm Ted Thompson and I am smarter than everybody else!"

Al Davis gets that honor this year I think.

[Joemailman]

Re: Ammo

Thompson did what he was suppossed to do. It would have been foolish to spend the money it took to get Capers and then tell the guy to go to war with an empty gun.

Teddy gave the guy a few bullets. I'm surprised some missed the point on Raji. I firmly believe you need 2 solid NT's in the 3-4. It takes a ton of stamina to play every snap. Pickett was at his best when they rotated in and out. Now they can have that rotation again. It's not a situation where it's either Pickett or Raji-it's both.

Let's say for the sake of argument that the law of averages kicks in. Jenkins has proven good when healthy. May-be Harrell gives us something. If it works out, we can have a good rotation in the front 3 to where they are always fresh. That will help in the 4th quarter.

TT lover

C'mon, Bretsky! Even the strongest TT-hater has to admit the Packers made two fine draft picks on defensive players--and it was defense where the Packers had the greatest need. I am very happy with the Raji and Matthews picks.

I think people are still in shock. From 2005-2008, TT made 13 picks in rounds 2-3. This was like opening all your presents on Christmas Eve and then having nothing to do on Christmas morning.

[retailguy]

Re: Ammo

Thompson did what he was suppossed to do. It would have been foolish to spend the money it took to get Capers and then tell the guy to go to war with an empty gun.

Teddy gave the guy a few bullets. I'm surprised some missed the point on Raji. I firmly believe you need 2 solid NT's in the 3-4. It takes a ton of stamina to play every snap. Pickett was at his best when they rotated in and out. Now they can have that rotation again. It's not a situation where it's either Pickett or Raji-it's both.

Let's say for the sake of argument that the law of averages kicks in. Jenkins has proven good when healthy. May-be Harrell gives us something. If it works out, we can have a good rotation in the front 3 to where they are always fresh. That will help in the 4th quarter.

TT lover

C'mon, Bretsky! Even the strongest TT-hater has to admit the Packers made two fine draft picks on defensive players--and it was defense where the Packers had the greatest need. I am very happy with the Raji and Matthews picks.

I think people are still in shock. From 2005-2008, TT made 13 picks in rounds 2-3. This was like opening all your presents on Christmas Eve and then having nothing to do on Christmas morning.

you open presents christmas morning?

no wonder I don't understand Ted Thompson. :P

[Packnut]

Re: Ammo

Thompson did what he was suppossed to do. It would have been foolish to spend the money it took to get Capers and then tell the guy to go to war with an empty gun.

Teddy gave the guy a few bullets. I'm surprised some missed the point on Raji. I firmly believe you need 2 solid NT's in the 3-4. It takes a ton of stamina to play every snap. Pickett was at his best when they rotated in and out. Now they can have that rotation again. It's not a situation where it's either Pickett or Raji-it's both.

Let's say for the sake of argument that the law of averages kicks in. Jenkins has proven good when healthy. May-be Harrell gives us something. If it works out, we can have a good rotation in the front 3 to where they are always fresh. That will help in the 4th quarter.

TT lover

C'mon, Bretsky! Even the strongest TT-hater has to admit the Packers made two fine draft picks on defensive players--and it was defense where the Packers had the greatest need. I am very happy with the Raji and Matthews picks.

I'm enjoying giving PN a bit of jousting here; he's one of the biggest haters left. Can we bring back Packpete to see if he likes the new players ?

[HarveyWallbangers]

Re: Ammo

Thompson did what he was suppossed to do. It would have been foolish to spend the money it took to get Capers and then tell the guy to go to war with an empty gun.

Teddy gave the guy a few bullets. I'm surprised some missed the point on Raji. I firmly believe you need 2 solid NT's in the 3-4. It takes a ton of stamina to play every snap. Pickett was at his best when they rotated in and out. Now they can have that rotation again. It's not a situation where it's either Pickett or Raji-it's both.

Let's say for the sake of argument that the law of averages kicks in. Jenkins has proven good when healthy. May-be Harrell gives us something. If it works out, we can have a good rotation in the front 3 to where they are always fresh. That will help in the 4th quarter.

Bingo! My guess is you'll see Pickett on early downs and when the Pack is behind. Raji brings more pass rush. He'll play more on 3rd down and when the Pack is head. Should help that anemic defense we saw last year when the Pack was trying to hold a lead in the 4th quarter.

[Partial]

Part of me wonders if TT had Matthews above Orakpo and/or Maybin. Matthews seems more well versed in coverage than either of the other two. Maybin is too young to be a Thompson guy(he seems to really like seniors).