Biggest Surprise GB Player From 2008 in 2009. Who is It?

[SnakeLH2006]

We've had plenty of GB guys surprise us.

Jennings, Hall, and James Jones had good surprising rook seasons. But this isn't just rookies....This poll is about holdovers (not rookies).

Jolly was delightful pre-codeine.

T. WIlliams was/is a beast at ST and as a CB replacement....etc. But again. What player in 2008 from the holdovers will stand out in 2009 as a guy who outperforms expectations from last year?

So who rises amongst the ranks, not as a rookie, but some other guy on the roster THIS YEAR in 2009 that just does it, whether it's as a starter but someone who makes plays maybe formerly as a "scrub" off the bench who produces in 2009 that shines?

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Snake likes Lumpy at RB, but not sold on his injury BS, Rouse should rise...James Jones, I always liked him, but I really gotta go with BJack as in his 2 years he really looks like he's ready to shine in 09. Not a big Grant fan, but I see BJack really rising (if healthy) to get more carries/catches in the zone O at RB. BJack is my pick of the holdovers. I really like that cat for our Running scheme.

It was tough, but in Snake's mind TWill has already proven to be a very good player, so his up-commence is not as much at BJack can be. TWill is already a great player...thus I did not put him in this poll, as I think he's already a proven player for GB.

Thoughts?

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Note: Aww shit. I forgot Desmond Bishop as I really like that cat. I still say BJack but Bishop will be force in 2009. So state other if you like him. Sorry.

[sharpe1027]

Re: Biggest Surprise GB Player From 2008 in 2009. Who is It?

I have to go with Finley. The dude got into games early and they went right to him. Sure he screwed up, but they came back to him later on. To me that means they really really like what he brings to the table. Look for him to become the end zone threat and get some TDs.

[Scott Campbell]

I think many people feel that Colledge is already there, in that he proved something over the last half of the 09 season. He's a legit NFL starter right now. Hopefully he can take it another level or two. Jordy is in the same boat as he played his way into the WR rotation ahead of Ruvell and didn't give up his spot up when Jones got healthy. So I wouldn't necessarily consider those two as surprises at this point.

I'd say the front runners have to be J. Thompson, Barbre and Finley, as the coaching staff seems to be intent on giving those guys a shot early this off season.

[Fritz]

I said Harrell. Wishful thinking.

[sharpe1027]

I said Harrell. Wishful thinking.

It would be a big surprise.

[Waldo]

Jeremy Thompson.

The only thing keeping him from being as good or better than Ware/Merriman sits behind his eyes. From the neck down he's every bit the physical specimen, heck his short area bust and arm length are better than both of theirs, and he's about the same size, bigger than Ware, but smaller than Merriman.

And he's very smart.

Somebody makes it click upstairs with him, and we've got ourselves one heck of a player.

There might not be a better man out there to find that button that needs pushing than Coach Greene.

Our last coach figured out his problem and tried to correct it. Nice guys don't do good at his position, he has to play instinctive and angry, to be a shark with blood in the water. Coach Greene finds that button, and JT could very easily be one of Teds best picks. Physically he has what it takes to be elite, and overall is one of the best athletes TT has drafted at any position in any round.

[SkinBasket]

Pat Lee. Won't be all pro this year, but will develop into a solid 3rd DB with flashes of glittering awesomeness here and there. We knew drafting him he didn't have as much experience and would take a couple years to develop and learn. By the end of the season, people won't be worried about who replaces Harris in 2010.

[Fritz]

Jeremy Thompson.

The only thing keeping him from being as good or better than Ware/Merriman sits behind his eyes. From the neck down he's every bit the physical specimen, heck his short area bust and arm length are better than both of theirs, and he's about the same size, bigger than Ware, but smaller than Merriman.

And he's very smart.

Somebody makes it click upstairs with him, and we've got ourselves one heck of a player.

There might not be a better man out there to find that button that needs pushing than Coach Greene.

Our last coach figured out his problem and tried to correct it. Nice guys don't do good at his position, he has to play instinctive and angry, to be a shark with blood in the water. Coach Greene finds that button, and JT could very easily be one of Teds best picks. Physically he has what it takes to be elite, and overall is one of the best athletes TT has drafted at any position in any round.

Don't be shy, Waldo. Tell us how you feel about Thompson.

Dang. I sure hope you're right. And you have a lot more backing for your position than I do for my position vis a vis Harrell.

Here's an interesting question: which player of the two would it be more crucial for the Packers to get a breakout season from? That is, if Harrell flops are there enough other ends on the roster that it'd be okay? Or if JT doesn't "get it," are there other linebackers who could pick up that slack?

[Scott Campbell]

Jeremy Thompson.

The only thing keeping him from being as good or better than Ware/Merriman sits behind his eyes. From the neck down he's every bit the physical specimen, heck his short area bust and arm length are better than both of theirs, and he's about the same size, bigger than Ware, but smaller than Merriman.

And he's very smart.

Somebody makes it click upstairs with him, and we've got ourselves one heck of a player.

There might not be a better man out there to find that button that needs pushing than Coach Greene.

Our last coach figured out his problem and tried to correct it. Nice guys don't do good at his position, he has to play instinctive and angry, to be a shark with blood in the water. Coach Greene finds that button, and JT could very easily be one of Teds best picks. Physically he has what it takes to be elite, and overall is one of the best athletes TT has drafted at any position in any round.

Don't be shy, Waldo. Tell us how you feel about Thompson.

Dang. I sure hope you're right.

I'm totally buying what Waldo is selling.

[Waldo]

Here's an interesting question: which player of the two would it be more crucial for the Packers to get a breakout season from? That is, if Harrell flops are there enough other ends on the roster that it'd be okay? Or if JT doesn't "get it," are there other linebackers who could pick up that slack?

It is generally agreed apon, for a 3-4 team the most important 4 players on the team are:

QB, LT, NT, WOLB

While QB surely is at the top, the order of the other 3 positions is widely debatable.

DE is one of those positions sandwiched between the really important ones. A 3-4 defense is very nice and symmetric; every function and subfunction it does can be evaluated in triangle groups (ex - Interior running, the NT, RILB, LILB triangle), all the way across the defense for everything, one of the things that makes some forms so incredibly frustrating to game plan against and so unpredictable (that is how Capers and Lebeau view the defense, guys within a triangle can substitute some tasks for each other (such as coverage) while maintaining defensive integrity, and can work as a unit to accomplish a goal (such as the DE not rushing to get the passer, but to open an unblocked lane for the OLB/ILB to get to the passer)).

When you look at the triangles that the DE's are involved in, they are always paired with an ILB, and either the NT or OLB. Strength at 2/3's of a triangle makes the triangle strong (you can stop the rush inside with a crappy NT if you have 2 outstanding ILB's). With Kamp/Hawk/Raji making up the other 2/3, even weakness there can be overcome and solid defense played (good god, we were starting Hunter at RDE last year (the most important position in a 4-3 defense), compare that to Jolly/Harrell/Monty at LDE in this defense and you have a better player in a much less important position this year).

WOLB is critical for our success. For some reason Kamp has always been content on the left (SOLB). There really is no such thing as a fearsome pass rusher off the left. Whether it is Thompson, Matthews, Poppinga, or some other unknown, IMO it is the most critical position for our success this year on D. Every good 3-4, or even decent one, has a good WOLB.

[CaptainKickass]

I voted for Blackmon. Got that kind of a superhero quality to his name:

(In your best Jamaican accent) He's Black... Hes a Mon... He's:

"Blackmon"!


Seriously - the guy has great field speed and obvious talent at redirection while on the move. This is illustrated by his punt/kick return ability. If he can apply those talents to being a corner, and if he can put it all together, I think he has as good a chance as Pat Lee to be the next potential replacement corner whenever Woodson and Harris have departed. My guess is based on his history so far - that it might take too long for him to develop as such. I'm hoping he surprises.

[Waldo]

I voted for Blackmon. Got that kind of a superhero quality to his name:

(In your best Jamaican accent) He's Black... Hes a Mon... He's:

"Blackmon"!


Seriously - the guy has great field speed and obvious talent at redirection while on the move. This is illustrated by his punt/kick return ability. If he can apply those talents to being a corner, and if he can put it all together, I think he has as good a chance as Pat Lee to be the next potential replacement corner whenever Woodson and Harris have departed. My guess is based on his history so far - that it might take too long for him to develop as such. I'm hoping he surprises.

Punts....yes, while he isn't one of the leagues elite, he is in the next tier down of very good. Kicks.....he's terrible, he isn't a very good kickoff returner at all.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Colledge is already good enough, smart enough, and dog gone it people like him.


The only guy on that list that has shown he can be outstanding is Jordy Nelson, IMO. The rest would be pleasant surprises.

[Scott Campbell]

Harlan,

Who's the girl in your av?

[Fritz]

Here's an interesting question: which player of the two would it be more crucial for the Packers to get a breakout season from? That is, if Harrell flops are there enough other ends on the roster that it'd be okay? Or if JT doesn't "get it," are there other linebackers who could pick up that slack?

It is generally agreed apon, for a 3-4 team the most important 4 players on the team are:

QB, LT, NT, WOLB

While QB surely is at the top, the order of the other 3 positions is widely debatable.

DE is one of those positions sandwiched between the really important ones. A 3-4 defense is very nice and symmetric; every function and subfunction it does can be evaluated in triangle groups (ex - Interior running, the NT, RILB, LILB triangle), all the way across the defense for everything, one of the things that makes some forms so incredibly frustrating to game plan against and so unpredictable (that is how Capers and Lebeau view the defense, guys within a triangle can substitute some tasks for each other (such as coverage) while maintaining defensive integrity, and can work as a unit to accomplish a goal (such as the DE not rushing to get the passer, but to open an unblocked lane for the OLB/ILB to get to the passer)).

When you look at the triangles that the DE's are involved in, they are always paired with an ILB, and either the NT or OLB. Strength at 2/3's of a triangle makes the triangle strong (you can stop the rush inside with a crappy NT if you have 2 outstanding ILB's). With Kamp/Hawk/Raji making up the other 2/3, even weakness there can be overcome and solid defense played (good god, we were starting Hunter at RDE last year (the most important position in a 4-3 defense), compare that to Jolly/Harrell/Monty at LDE in this defense and you have a better player in a much less important position this year).

WOLB is critical for our success. For some reason Kamp has always been content on the left (SOLB). There really is no such thing as a fearsome pass rusher off the left. Whether it is Thompson, Matthews, Poppinga, or some other unknown, IMO it is the most critical position for our success this year on D. Every good 3-4, or even decent one, has a good WOLB.

Thanks, Waldo. I learned a lot - as long as I've watched football, I've never learned as much as I have reading certain posters on this site.

You write that Thompson is a smart guy - so I'm guessing it's his aggressiveness level that will have to be taught? Maybe he's one of those laid-back sorts who needs to be a little meaner on the field? Is that what you meant in your original post as to whether Thompson will "get it"?

So go Thompson!