Official "WTF TT?" draft picks theory and speculation thread

[wist43]

I find it impossible to believe that you know this. As far as I know (and I would know) TT has never came out and published his board or said anything about how he specific players were ranked in relation to anyway.

Anyway, having a wide receiver rated ahead of a defensive tackle is nonsensical when you realize that actual NFL teams do not arrange their boards vertically (at least Ted Thompson does not), they arrange their boards horizontally and rank vertically within position groups. Raji was the top rated (or 2nd rated) DL in the high first round tier, Crabtree was the top rated WR in the high first round tier. Whether you take the WR or the DT is a conversation you have weeks before the draft. Thompson knew he was taking Raji (and probably Jackson) ahead of Crabtree probably at the beginning of March.

Now I will say you can't possibly know that.

I absolutely remember during the draft hearing several people comment that they believed TT had jumped his board b/c he had the players rated closely, and we had more of a need at DT.

As it happens we still have a need on the DL - entire front 7 for that matter. We have only 2 NFL calibur front 7 people (Raji and Matthews). Everyone else is either average, or should be tending bar. I expect more of the same this year. For TT, and I think you can paraphrase his comments over the years and consider his overall philosophy, to conclude that team building is completely secondary to player picking. His philosophy is to pick the BPA, and over the course of years, players will fall into the starting lineup by way of gravity.

I agree with building thru the draft, but I also believe in plugging holes to make runs at championships. As I said, TT went against his board with Raji, and he broke with his MO and traded up to get Matthews - that got us over the hump.

Bottom line is, don't expect TT to draft defensive players simply b/c our defense is pathetic. An entire defense of Frank Zombo's isn't going to cut it.

[Smeefers]

I read a pretty good article on how TT drafts. http://jerseyal.com/GBP/2012/02/23/t...lue-available/

[sharpe1027]

Wist, the tone of your posts make it sound like they were down with the Vikings in the Suck for Luck competition. You are consistent.

I agree that TT won't draft all defense as a knee jerk reaction to one year. I also don't think it would be smart do so. I'd rather have them win by scoring 40 and giving up 30 than have them lose by giving up 14 and only scoring 10. Keep bringing in players on both sides of the ball. Never miss an opportunity to improve at regardless of the position.

[wist43]

Wist, the tone of your posts make it sound like they were down with the Vikings in the Suck for Luck competition. You are consistent.

I agree that TT won't draft all defense as a knee jerk reaction to one year. I also don't think it would be smart do so. I'd rather have them win by scoring 40 and giving up 30 than have them lose by giving up 14 and only scoring 10. Keep bringing in players on both sides of the ball. Never miss an opportunity to improve at regardless of the position.

If you have a QB?? you will always have a shot... TT has done a great job of giving Rodgers weapons, but there's no balance. Since we have an explosive offense that is locked in for at least next year, and figuring Rodgers has 6-8 good years ahead, it only makes sense to plug the up the holes in the leaky defense and make a couple of legitimate runs at some Lombardi trophies.

As it is with TT, he will likely draft according to his board and if the top rated player is offense, so be it... if at the next pick the top rated player is offense, so be it, and so on, and so on. The first 3 picks off the board last year?? All offense - despite the fact that our front seven couldn't generate pressure against a High School team. Last year, TT filled the front seven with special teams guys and bartenders, and it cost a shot at the SB.

If TT doesn't think the defensive players he values will be available at whatever pick, I want him to move up or down accordingly. I want defense; I always want more defense. As it is, our defense is nothing short of pathetic.

Just sayin'

[Smeefers]

If you have a QB?? you will always have a shot... TT has done a great job of giving Rodgers weapons, but there's no balance. Since we have an explosive offense that is locked in for at least next year, and figuring Rodgers has 6-8 good years ahead, it only makes sense to plug the up the holes in the leaky defense and make a couple of legitimate runs at some Lombardi trophies.

As it is with TT, he will likely draft according to his board and if the top rated player is offense, so be it... if at the next pick the top rated player is offense, so be it, and so on, and so on. The first 3 picks off the board last year?? All offense - despite the fact that our front seven couldn't generate pressure against a High School team. Last year, TT filled the front seven with special teams guys and bartenders, and it cost a shot at the SB.

If TT doesn't think the defensive players he values will be available at whatever pick, I want him to move up or down accordingly. I want defense; I always want more defense. As it is, our defense is nothing short of pathetic.

Just sayin'

That's spot on. When you put it like that, it's amazing we got to 15-1 and led the league in turn overs and were awesome in the red zone and had the MVP of the league.

[George Cumby]

The Raji pick put much more squarely in support of TT, but you could tell he didn't want to make the pick... TT had Crabtree rated higher, and went against his board and principles - his breaking ranks with his own philosophy is what put us over the top and won us a SB. If he doesn't draft Raji, and if he doesn't trade up for Matthews, we don't win the SB last year.

Now that we've won one, I suppose we can go back to drafting 6 OL, 6 RB's, 8 WR's, and a QB... I'm sure our next starting OLB is tending bar somewhere right now.

At the draft presser, TT was somewhat beside himself, in a TT kind of way, when speaking about Raji. He said words to the effect of "The Good Lord doesn't make many like BJ". Referencing his size and athleticism. Although Crabtree may have been graded higher, really good WRs are much easier to come by than dominant big men. I don't think that TT went outside his philosophy at all.

[sharpe1027]

If you have a QB?? you will always have a shot... TT has done a great job of giving Rodgers weapons, but there's no balance. Since we have an explosive offense that is locked in for at least next year, and figuring Rodgers has 6-8 good years ahead, it only makes sense to plug the up the holes in the leaky defense and make a couple of legitimate runs at some Lombardi trophies.

I'm not suggestion not picking defensive players, but there's no reason to go all (or almost all) defense in any one draft. The reality is that most players take a while to develop so you don't get immediate benefits anyway. Also, you are really shooting yourself in the foot if you cut the pool of available players in half be excluding all offensive players.

Where I will agree with you is that on a decisions between two closely-rated players, go with the defensive player.

[cheesner]

As I recall TT commented that crabtree was considered because he was very talented. This has morphed into TT jumping his board. I think they had crab as a better talent bit correctly downgraded him on character. I think Raji was still the top player on their board.

[Pugger]

No QB is drafted this year.

Why is this crazy? Flynn will be leaving via Free Agency, Rodgers has a concussion history (if slight), and the only other QBs on the roster haven't proven they even belong as clipboard carriers in the NFL.

Why this is less crazy than you think? Because TT has confidence in M3's ability to mold an NFL QB out of dirt. Or tundra. And because it's TT.

I think it is crazy. Harrell may be the answer as Rodgers' backup, but who knows about Hill and it wouldn't hurt to have another QB in camp to push both of them. We'll draft a QB but not until the later rounds.

[sharpe1027]

As I recall TT commented that crabtree was considered because he was very talented. This has morphed into TT jumping his board. I think they had crab as a better talent bit correctly downgraded him on character. I think Raji was still the top player on their board.

It was a good thing too, they ended up being able to sign Tom Crabtree as a free agent. They saved a ton of money by not drafting him in the first round.

[Deputy Nutz]

I find it difficult to comprehend the Packers going into 2012 with 5 tight ends on the roster especially when Donald Driver is going to make this roster again. The offense is flooded with pass catchers right now and if the Thompson is going to improve the offense he is going to have to look at drafting some running backs, or draft linemen, again.

Clifton has nothing left to offer, sure he can be good for 5 games in a season, but he needs to be replaced as the starter. This is also a deliema because you spent a first round pick on a Tackle that suffered a significant injury that might not be available to start the season, and Newhouse had more downs than ups last year. Newhouse is a work in progress, and should deserve the first crack at left tackle in mini camps, but the Packers need another 2 bodies that can provide capable depth at the tackle position. Bulaga certainly isn't the model of health.

I don't recomend taking an interior linemen in the first two rounds but who am I. Konz is a good player but I just wouldn't draft a center in the first two rounds.

Defense the Packers can get better every where. If the Packers take a cornerback then he can be a work in progres with a high ceiling because it is the only position where the first 3 spots are secured, unless Woodson moves to safety.

There is going to be OLB available at the end of the first round that can make an impact in 2012 for the Packers, but the question is can the Packer go another position and still find a player at OLB that can still make an impact in the second round? I would think Thompson will be on the phone looking to trade back a few spots to still land that OLB or DE, and hopefully grab the other later in the second round. I am not as worried at DE, they need to find someone that can push Neil and stand up against the run and hold their responsiblity, you can find 3-4 defensive ends later in the draft, problem is the shelf is pretty bare at defensive end for the Packers, and they might not have time to groom a defensive end taken later in the draft.

[Lurker64]

I find it difficult to comprehend the Packers going into 2012 with 5 tight ends on the roster

Quarless is essentially a lock to start the season on PUP. By week 9 there will probably be a roster spot if they want him on the roster. So it'll be a "4 TEs" thing.

Plus, last year they went with with 5 TEs and 1 FB. The season before that they rolled with 3 TEs and 3 FBs. It's more or less the same in terms of roster spots devoted to player with similar roles.

[Smidgeon]

I think it is crazy. Harrell may be the answer as Rodgers' backup, but who knows about Hill and it wouldn't hurt to have another QB in camp to push both of them. We'll draft a QB but not until the later rounds.

I think it's crazy too. But somehow, I'm not sure I'd be terribly surprised if none was drafted.

[Smidgeon]

Quarless is essentially a lock to start the season on PUP. By week 9 there will probably be a roster spot if they want him on the roster. So it'll be a "4 TEs" thing.

Plus, last year they went with with 5 TEs and 1 FB. The season before that they rolled with 3 TEs and 3 FBs. It's more or less the same in terms of roster spots devoted to player with similar roles.

If Tom Crabtree lasts on the team, I wouldn't be surprised if it was only until Quarless was fully recovered.

[mraynrand]

I don't recomend taking an interior linemen in the first two rounds but who am I. Konz is a good player but I just wouldn't draft a center in the first two rounds.

Can you imagine the Packerrats howling were Konz the Packers' first round pick?