2010 Rookies

[mraynrand]

Quarless is further along than Finley was at this point in his career. I like what I've seen out of Quarless. He's played pretty well for a rookie midround pick.

I agree. He's all right. It would have been big if he had caught that fastball from Rodgers, but that thing was a heater....

[Smidgeon]

Plus, Quarless has freely admitted that he's hit a rookie wall and is doing everything he can to just be competitive. I expect much greater things from him next year.

[vince]

One year isn't enough time to make a conclusive evaluation. I get that. But it's noteworthy to see how these guys are trending at this point. With Masthay, there are 9 or 10 guys that are trending toward solid to very good.

A number of them are already there and only going to get better. Bulaga for instance. Yeah he's had some inconsistencies, but he's also had some very solid games and performed well against some seriously tough matchups. We didn't hear Peppers' name much other than the head-to-head play, and he was matched up with Bulaga much of the day. Given his inexperience and switch to the opposite side to boot, I don't see how you can't like what you've seen so far knowing that he's really young yet, is well-grounded and has a great work ethic. There's nothing that I can see that doesn't make me think he won't get stronger and continue to improve his technique and be an extremely reliable performer at minimum at a vital position.

You could make similar statements about a bunch of guys in this class. Neal, Burnett, Starks, Shields, Masthay. I think McDonald very well develop into a beast based on his natural ability, work ethic, size. This offseason will be important for him.

I'm not as high as many on Quarless or Newhouse, but you can't count them out, particularly Quarless. Zombo's ceiling probably isn't real high, but he's going to give everything he's got and then some.

About the worst negative for a bunch of these guys is that it's only been a year and you just don't know yet. This class has shown enough to have a real chance to be off-the-charts good as a group. That's about as objective an evaluation as you can get. Anything less than that and you need to put down the haterade.

[RashanGary]

Quarless is further along than Finley was at this point in his career. I like what I've seen out of Quarless. He's played pretty well for a rookie midround pick.

I like your first post, agree with most of it. Burnett is still a wait and see for me.

With Quarless, I'm with you. I don't think he has as reliable of hands as Finley, but he's faster. After a full offseason in the training room, he's going to come back a nice weapon to pair with Finley and scare defenses.

[swede]

Zombo may be understudying for the Brady Popinga role--good spot starter, will do anything for the team, expendable when the next better football player comes along.

[Packers4Glory]

Zombo may be understudying for the Brady Popinga role--good spot starter, will do anything for the team, expendable when the next better football player comes along.

that was going to be my next post. Zombo is the new Brady P.

I hope Quarless can develop and give this team 2 weapons at TE in the near future. Right now, our TE's in our offense are almost non-existent. They might get a goal line call, but its basically a gimmick to surprise the defense ala Crabtree's TD catch. But right now our TE aren't having much, if any, impact in the offensive passing game. I'd hoped by the time we got to the later weeks in the season that Quarless or Lee would have bigger roles and at least give the defenses something to think about and have to cover. i just don't see that being the case. Maybe its just MM has fallen in love w/ his 3 and 4 WR sets and hasn't made an attempt to involve the TE more.

I'd hate to try an outsmart myself if I were MM, but if he can get Quarless or Lee involved in the offense a little early in the Super Bowl, that might open things up more for the WR's. They are not going to be paying a whole lot of attention to them. Running is going to be tough so lets let them think our TE are gonna stay and pass protect and hit them on some slants and quick outs. IF Quarless can catch the damn ball he might be able to use his speed for some big yards on a quick hitter over the middle like the ball he missed vs chicago.

[Smeefers]

I'm going to tag along with those who liked Quarless. I think he's playing great for a rookie. I don't think he's going to be as good as Finely, but then again, I think Finely is going to be as good as Gonzolaz/Gates. I'm with Swede on Zombo, perfectly said.

[Brandon494]

Quarless is further along than Finley was at this point in his career. I like what I've seen out of Quarless. He's played pretty well for a rookie midround pick.

That doenst mean anything. Donald Lee had a better rookie season then Finley. Quarless has very average hands right now and we need to stop going to him crucial plays.

[SkinBasket]

Quarless is going to benefit immensely when Finley's also on the field with Jennings and Driver out wide and a running back who doesn't suck turds in the backfield. If he can learn to catch a football anyway.

[Smeefers]

That doenst mean anything. Donald Lee had a better rookie season then Finley. Quarless has very average hands right now and we need to stop going to him crucial plays.

Oh! Yeah, totally. *This year.* He's running on fumes at this point and everyone can see it. I just see a lot of potential in the guy. I think he played pretty well considering the shoes he had to fill, but I don't think I'd ever make a rookie a go to guy. Ever. Especially on a 5 wide set.

[wist43]

I may be wrong, but I'm not sure Green Bay's had as (seemingly) solid a bunch of rookies as the ones TT brought in this year. Yes, 2009 was perhaps better in terms of talent (Raji and Matthews both in round 1 look to be stars for a long time), but I don't think anybody in this year's class has flamed out or just plain bombed. I think that's pretty impressive and bodes well for the future.

Except for Newhouse and McDonald, who are both developmental O-line prospects and thus haven't played much, the only one I'm not sold on yet is Burnett. But that's only because he seemed tentative and hesitant to hit someone. That could simply be because he was learning on the fly and was still thinking too much. I think his value will show more next year. Hopefully Mike Neal can stay healthy next year too.

(1-23) Bryan Bulaga, T, Iowa
(2-56) Mike Neal, DE, Purdue
(3-71) Morgan Burnett, S, Georgia Tech
(5-154) Andrew Quarless, TE, Penn State
(5-169) Marshall Newhouse, T, Texas Christian
(6-193) James Starks, RB, Buffalo
(7-230) C.J. Wilson, DE, East Carolina
(FA) Nick McDonald, C-G, Grand Valley State
(FA) Frank Zombo, OLB, Central Michigan
(FA) Sam Shields, CB, Miami

Shields, Bulaga, and Neal make this draft for me; Burnett has a chance to be a good player; and there is a lot of potential underneath that.

Williams and Shields rising to the level of play that they have, has completely changed what Capers is able to do with coverages and blitzes. So from that standpoint, Shields is the most important off season pick up.

In the front 7, I actually think the injuries and loss of Jolly forced Capers into being more creative, and that has helped the defense as a whole... that said, I loved what I saw of Neal. When he and Jolly come back next year, we are going to be very, very stout up front. Neal is a hell of a player IMO.

[RashanGary]

Shown Star potential:
Neal
Starks (Grant with receiving hands and better feet)
Shields

Shown good player potential
Bulaga
Quarless
Wilson
Zombo
Burnett

Don't know yet
Newhouse
McDonald



To Smidgeon's point, there are 8 guys in this draft where you think, hey, we've got something here. There is some star potential in the group. Let's give this draft a couple years. I doubt the top end will be as impactful as Raji and Matthews, but a star corner and DE, a 10 year LT along with several other solid starters. . . . This draft has high potential to be great.

[bobblehead]

Quarless is further along than Finley was at this point in his career. I like what I've seen out of Quarless. He's played pretty well for a rookie midround pick.

I disagree with this completly. Yes, I realize I am in a minority as I've read ahead. The only thing he has done better at this point is get on the field. I've seen nothing special about Qaurless, but even in Finley's rookie seasons you saw glimpses of doing things other guys can't. Quarless may continue to develope, he is a rookie, but other than speed I don't see much. He isn't even a very willing blocker at this point.

[mraynrand]

I disagree with this completly. Yes, I realize I am in a minority as I've read ahead. The only thing he has done better at this point is get on the field. I've seen nothing special about Qaurless, but even in Finley's rookie seasons you saw glimpses of doing things other guys can't. Quarless may continue to develope, he is a rookie, but other than speed I don't see much. He isn't even a very willing blocker at this point.

The big deal IS that Quarless is on the field and a lot more mature. Physically, and skill-wise, Finley looked much more impressive. Plus, his college work was eyecatching. But did he really show all that much his rookie season? Perhaps, but you must have seed a lot in those six receptions!

[bobblehead]

Shown Star potential:
Neal
Starks (Grant with receiving hands and better feet)
Shields

Shown good player potential
Bulaga
Quarless
Wilson
Zombo
Burnett

Don't know yet
Newhouse
McDonald



To Smidgeon's point, there are 8 guys in this draft where you think, hey, we've got something here. There is some star potential in the group. Let's give this draft a couple years. I doubt the top end will be as impactful as Raji and Matthews, but a star corner and DE, a 10 year LT along with several other solid starters. . . . This draft has high potential to be great.

This is pretty good but I think Zombo is a JAG. I don't even see him as the next Poppinga. He sets a good edge, but other than that he is below average in every other way. CJ Wilson is the guy that shocked me. I think he has improved all season long....rookie wall my ass. I'd probably drop Neal into the next category as well. He looked good, but doesn't have the burst to be elite. Starks maybe, but can't say that for sure. I have to see him play behind a run blocking line. I just like that we finally have a guy who can run/catch/block all in one. Bulaga will start for 10 years somewhere. Shields will be in a pro bowl someday. No clue on Burnett or Quarless, but they at least flashed enough to make you think they can be players if not elite players.

Anyone besides me think Sheilds benefited immensely from playing WR? He tracks the ball better than any rookie I have ever seen. ONE penalty all season says volumes about him looking for the ball. Special that one is....mmmm.....very special. (insert yoda voice).