Rate the 2008 draft

[sharpe1027]

That's why I'm lukewarm on Finley as he relates to this thread. I think he was a great pick for where he was taken, but so far he has had only a moderate impact on the team. I think it can be argued that Nelson has had as much or even more impact than Finley has had. As for their potential? Finley by a landslide, but we aren't rating potential, are we? If he doesn't have a good year in 2011 and leaves in the off season, he won't have "panned out" all that well for the Packers.

Maybe that's why so many disagree so strongly with me. I am looking at actual impact and others are looking more to the future. As I have said over and over, I would give that draft a "C" for now, but have acknowledged it could move much higher depending on where the future takes Finley and Nelson, and if they get something from the pick of Flynn.

I think a GM can have a great draft that just doesn't pan out due to injury.

I agree with analyzing the draft that way.

I would like to point out that the drop off between the Nelson playing and not playing vs. Finley playing and not playing is not that close. Nelson was active for many games that you had to try hard even to notice him. Finely jumped off the screen in almost every game. Nelson's contribution in total number might be greater than Finley, but I think Nelson's contribution is more easily picked up by other players. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'd rather have Finely for five games than Nelson for sixteen.

[get louder at lambeau]

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'd rather have Finely for five games than Nelson for sixteen.

Not me. We just won the Super Bowl without Finley. We probably wouldn't have won the Super Bowl without Jordy. He had Finley-like numbers in the postseason this year-

Divisional @ATL 8 catches for 79 yards and a TD
Conference @CHI 4 catches for 67 yards
Super Bowl v. PIT 9 catches for 140 yards and a TD

[bobblehead]

I have never downgraded a GM because of a player's injury. No way of predicting those. But we aren't rating TT here, we are rating the effect of the 2008 draft, no? The impact of that draft on the team. The question was:



For example, I think Murphy was a good pick in 2005, but his impact on the team was 0. If I were evaluating TT's performance, I would not downgrade him for picking Murphy, but Murphy didn't "pan out" at all.

I for one do not think Harrell was a bad pick, he just hasn't panned out at all. I do not criticize TT for picking him, but he has meant nothing to the Packers so far. The impact of that draft may be low, but not because TT did a poor job necessarily.

That's why I'm lukewarm on Finley as he relates to this thread. I think he was a great pick for where he was taken, but so far he has had only a moderate impact on the team. I think it can be argued that Nelson has had as much or even more impact than Finley has had. As for their potential? Finley by a landslide, but we aren't rating potential, are we? If he doesn't have a good year in 2011 and leaves in the off season, he won't have "panned out" all that well for the Packers.

Maybe that's why so many disagree so strongly with me. I am looking at actual impact and others are looking more to the future. As I have said over and over, I would give that draft a "C" for now, but have acknowledged it could move much higher depending on where the future takes Finley and Nelson, and if they get something from the pick of Flynn.

I think a GM can have a great draft that just doesn't pan out due to injury.

That is fair then. I still think you have a harsh curve, but I understand it at least. I still say we got 4 NFL starters from this draft, even if only 2 of them are starting for us right now. 2 more could be starting elsewhere. I can buy not giving it an A due to finley not completing a season yet.

[Iron Mike]

Taco John's is closed? Is the Mad Hatter closed too?

Taco John's was sold to a local owner who kept the same recipes, but changed the name to Mexicanna Express. Then a few years ago, they built a new Taco John's where Petrie's Restaurant was.

There was a fire at the Mad Hatter, and they moved the store in between 5th and 6th Streets on Main Street.

http://www.directtoustore.com/madhatteur2

I guess you have to actually go to the store to buy a bong, though......

[Pugger]

Is the Taco Johns in Green Bay still there on the east side? When my hubby and I are in Green Bay for the summer we always make it a point to go there a few times.

[get louder at lambeau]

Taco John's was sold to a local owner who kept the same recipes, but changed the name to Mexicanna Express. Then a few years ago, they built a new Taco John's where Petrie's Restaurant was.

There was a fire at the Mad Hatter, and they moved the store in between 5th and 6th Streets on Main Street.

http://www.directtoustore.com/madhatteur2

I guess you have to actually go to the store to buy a bong, though......

Petrie's is Taco Johns now? Where am I supposed to get my clam chowder at? Bastards.

[Brandon494]

Anyway back on topic...

Here is the grade I would give each player based on their talent and the round they were drafted...

Jordy Nelson - B-
Brian Brohm - F
Pat Lee - D-
JerMichael Finley - A+
Jeremy Thompson - incomplete
Josh Sitton - A+
Breno Giacomini - D
Matt Flynn - A
Brett Swain - C-

Any GM would be lucky to have a draft like this every year IMO for those who think it was just an average draft.

[Patler]

Anyway back on topic...

Here is the grade I would give each player based on their talent and the round they were drafted...

Jordy Nelson - B-
Brian Brohm - F
Pat Lee - D-
JerMichael Finley - A+
Jeremy Thompson - incomplete
Josh Sitton - A+
Breno Giacomini - D
Matt Flynn - A
Brett Swain - C-

Any GM would be lucky to have a draft like this every year IMO for those who think it was just an average draft.

I think it was a good draft, but that to date the impact of it is not as good as its potential.

I would give Finley an "A" for potential, a "C" for actual contributions to date.
(I don't mess with "+" or "-", mostly because in my own mind I can't differentiate between "B-" and "C+", for example.
Thompson gets a "D", because he is done and he has to have a final grade.
Flynn gets a "B" from me. (I don't give a lot of "A's".
The rest would be the same letter value from me, based on actual impact to date.

I agree that any GM should be happy with that draft, because a GM is also looking to its potential. But in terms of its actual impact so far, it is not as good as it could be.

Again, I am grading the impact of the draft, not TT's performance.

[Deputy Nutz]

Jordy Nelson, TT traded back into the second round and with his first pick he selected Nelson. Through three season Nelson has averaged 33 catches for 422 yards, and 2 touchdowns. His biggest game to date was in the 2010 Super Bowl where he caught 9 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown. He has been a consistent 4th wide receiver for the Packers who value a rotation of their wide receivers so Nelson has had a limited chances to be the focus of qb Aaron Rodgers. Nelson is a deep ball threat and has the ability to run after the catch. Still he has not had a break out season to date and will still be no better than 3rd on the depth chart at the start of the 2011 season. Grade C+

Brian Brohm, Was considered one of the NFL ready QBs from this draft but as soon as camp started any notion of that was a huge misunderstanding. He demonstrated a lack of arm strength, problems with accuracy, and poor footwork. Made the Roster in 2008 but was cut in 2009 when 7th rounder Matt Flynn demonstrated a better understanding of the playbook, and skill on the field. Brohm signed on to the Practice Squad but was then signed by the Bills. Has yet to make a positive impact for the Bills. Grade F

Pat Lee, another second round pick that has shown a tremendous lack of production on the field due to injury. He was dubbed a raw talent in the 2008 draft but had the size and talent that TT looks for in his defensive backs. Like Nelson saved his biggest impact for the Super Bowl where he filled in for the injured Charles Woodson and had a solid game. Will be in a fight for a roster spot in 2011. Grade D

Jermicheal Finnely, 3rd round draft pick that has played close to the book that was written on him before the draft. A tremendous talent, most talent among Tight Ends in the 2008 draft but a complete lack of maturity. Had a break out season in 2009 but after the season it was reported that he missed or showed up late to several meetings and had upset the coaching staff. He also missed all but 4 games of the 2010 season and missed a handful of games in 2009 as well. Finely might be the top talent on the roster, but his lack of maturity might be the reason that TT has drafted Tight Ends in two of the last drafts. Grade B

[Tarlam!]

(I don't mess with "+" or "-", mostly because in my own mind I can't differentiate between "B-" and "C+", for example.

It's pretty liberal especially on school report cards. If the teacher likes the kid it's a B- if not, it's a C+. I liked my math teaher who scored points for the summary of work. It was fair and reflective of performance. And for this reason it should be abolished except A+ and F-.

I disagree with Swain being a C-. Firstly, the kid works damned hard and is always ready to step up. He's excellent on ST and a thankful #6 WR (counting Finley). If anything, he makes Jones superfluous IMO, because his drops are no where near as critical.

And there's no way Jordy gets less than a B from me. He's come up big time at times when the team has really needed it.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Nelson = B
Finley = B (with potential to turn into A)
Flynn = A (rare to get somebody like Flynn that late)
Sitton = A

There's only one WR (DeSean Jackson) taken in the first two rounds in 2008 that I think is clearly better than Nelson. The rest are Donnie Avery, Devin Thomas, James Hardy, Eddie Royal, Jerome Simpson, Malcolm Kelly, and Dexter Jackson.

TEs drafted before Finley were Dustin Keller, John Carlson, Fred Davis, Marcellus Bennett, Brad Cottam, and Craig Stephens. The TEs chosen after him were all non-descript. Give Carlson and Keller credit for staying healthy, but I wouldn't take either Finley going further (injury concerns or not). We all knew Finley would take awhile to max out. He was young when he came into the league. I was surprised he turned into a stud so soon. Injuries knock him down, but I fully expect to give this an A grade after this season.

Sitton is an elite OG and Flynn was a steal. Not much explanation needed for them.

[Brandon494]

Anyone who doesnt think drafting a talent like Finley in the 3rd round doesnt deserve an "A" seriously needs to get their head checked. You guys are acting like hes Justin Harrell or somebody. He got extremely unlucky last season getting injuried making a tackle, then got an infection and now all of sudden hes injury prone? Overreact much?

[ThunderDan]

Anyone who doesnt think drafting a talent like Finley in the 3rd round doesnt deserve an "A" seriously needs to get their head checked. You guys are acting like hes Justin Harrell or somebody. He got extremely unlucky last season getting injuried making a tackle, then got an infection and now all of sudden hes injury prone? Overreact much?

Donald Lee was just trying to get more playing time by fumbling the ball on that play!

[Tarlam!]

Harv, well made point on the D Jackson WRs.

Brondon, we are waiting to see if A) He's capable of a full season and B) If he's mature enough.

If that means we need medical attention so be it.

[Brandon494]

It's pretty liberal especially on school report cards. If the teacher likes the kid it's a B- if not, it's a C+. I liked my math teaher who scored points for the summary of work. It was fair and reflective of performance. And for this reason it should be abolished except A+ and F-.

I disagree with Swain being a C-. Firstly, the kid works damned hard and is always ready to step up. He's excellent on ST and a thankful #6 WR (counting Finley). If anything, he makes Jones superfluous IMO, because his drops are no where near as critical.

And there's no way Jordy gets less than a B from me. He's come up big time at times when the team has really needed it.

haha ok keep hyping up Swain, exactly what grade would you give him? Hes an below average player with no upside who goes hard on special teams because thats the only way he'll make the team. Also while Jordy did have 9 catches in the super bowl don't forget the drop balls he had as well. I'd give him A grade if he was a #1 reciever, a B if he was a #2 reciever but I went with B- since hes a #3 reciever with pontenial to be a #2 IMO.