Two DE's that are NOT one-dimensional!!

[RashanGary]

I like Courney Upshaw a lot. He plays attack defense, similar to Bishop. But Upshaw is bigger. He's stout. He really holds his own against OL. He'd do a good job on the edge in the run game. He doesn't hesitate. He attacks the ball. Seems sure of himself. Plays faster than his actual speed. Again, similar to bishop (of course, a better athlete.) I like Bishops pass rush, he gets under guys. Upshaw has a similar style, but again, he looks stronger.

When it comes to the big 3 abilities for an OLB, I'd give him this

B+ in the run game. I was impressed with how he hunkered down. I was also impressed with how he attacked the run game. Plays fast. Plays like he knows where he's going and what he's doing (makes up for his slowish 40 time)

B- as a pass rusher. He's good. Lining up with Clay on the other side, he'll get sacks. He's not a difference maker though. Good, not great. I'd put him on par with Cullen Jenkins as a pass rusher (of course, different positions, but similarly effective. They both beat one block from time to time, never two)

Pass coverage. . . I didn't get to see it. I went and read cbs sports write up on his pass coverage. It sounds like he's so/so at it. That's exactly what you need at 3-4 OLB. They aren't asked to run with TE's. They play zone. They need to be more instinctive than pure cover guys. . . . Sort of cover the flat and tackle kind of thing, or pick up some other form of zone. It sounds like he has the traits (instinctive zone player.) Just a guess, based on what they said, I think he'd be a good 3-4 OLB in coverage (again, due to the fact that they aren't asked to do all that much compared to 4-3 backers)


At the end of the day, I like him a lot. Nobody is an A+ across the board. Matthews IMO is an A- pass rusher, B- run stopper (with flashes of course, but B- overall) and B pass coverage. He's real complete and special as a pass rusher, but there's no such thing as a player who's the best at everything.

A few RB's almost beat Upshaw to the corner in the clips. In the NFL, if he takes those angles, he's going to get beat. He's going to have to temper his enthusiasm a little in the run game, maybe stay home a little more if he doesn't want to get beat. I'd be happy with him though. I don't see superstar, but I do see a long time damn good Packer. Somewhere between Bishop and Matthews as an overall player. That's good if you ask me. I'm a bishop fan.

We'd be a better defense right now if we drafted him IMO. Get this guy, Collins back, and a guy like Wolfe and look the hell out!

[woodbuck27]

Just watched Nick Perry. To be honest, I think Wolfe is a better player. Wolf seems to play with better leverage, gets the OL off balance and blows up plays. He also is slippery and gets after the QB.


Perry is a big guy, real big. His game though, he's kind of an all around pass rusher. He actually gets the corner. I don't think he's stout enough to play 5 tech right now. I didn't see him blow up any OL. Wolfe did.

Yes Derek Wolfe looks more versatile and has a ton of natural ability; he's not so one dimentional in terms of the straight ahead rush end that Nick Perry looks to be. The experts have projected Nick Perry over Derek Wolfe by a large margin. Maybe tomorrow Derek Wolfe begins to steam up DRAFT BOARDS.

Courtney Upshaw. He's rising fast on boards now... so he's very likely too expensive for Ted Thompson if he was interested in him.

[Fritz]

He'll be unstoppable if he can secrete that anal juice that makes others think he's dead like the possum can. He won't need to get need to get near the QB to distract him, just be upwind of him.

This is the kind of commentary that the producers of Monday Night Football are looking for.

[RashanGary]

Just going off the eye test, Woody, I think we both see Wolfe as a more dominant player. I wouldn't be surprised if draft day Wolfe went first. Honestly, these draft guys get shit way wrong all of the time. Sometimes the old eye test is better than all that draft coverage from people who get fed a bunch of false information.

[Fritz]

By golly, you're right, JH. Sometimes the ol' eye test is better than any other type of information when evaluating prospects.

[KYPack]

This is the kind of commentary that the producers of Monday Night Football are looking for.

CC, you don't even want to be the sickest guy on this forum, do ya?

[Joemailman]

To me, Derek Wolfe looks like a guy who would have a chance to be an effective inside pass rusher in the nickel. I doubt he's stout enough to line up as a 3-4 DE in base. Therefore, he is at best a 3rd round guy, but probably a 4th.

[woodbuck27]

By golly, you're right, JH. Sometimes the ol' eye test is better than any other type of information when evaluating prospects.

Where is she on your board Fritz?

[woodbuck27]

To me, Derek Wolfe looks like a guy who would have a chance to be an effective inside pass rusher in the nickel. I doubt he's stout enough to line up as a 3-4 DE in base. Therefore, he is at best a 3rd round guy, but probably a 4th.

I second your placement on Derek Wolfe. I like him sometime after our second round. I'm all in now on TT trading down in the first unless a player like Courtney Upshaw will be there for him. Somehow TT has to get two really solid defensive prospects at the top of this draft.

Who else are y'all seeing with an athletic aggressive style of play and with the smarts to be upgraded within our system? At all levels of this draft....who are these guys?

[woodbuck27]

Just going off the eye test, Woody, I think we both see Wolfe as a more dominant player. I wouldn't be surprised if draft day Wolfe went first. Honestly, these draft guys get shit way wrong all of the time. Sometimes the old eye test is better than all that draft coverage from people who get fed a bunch of false information.

JH ...We're on the same page RE: Derek Wolfe.

We both like Courtney Upshaw alot. Trouble with that fella is availability. IMO...He's one of the 'only' reasons that TT should pick out of #28 spot as opposed to trading down with #28.

I agree with Lurker64. TT's solid aiming for two selections in the Pick #35 - #45 range of the board 'we might see'; that NOT be anything like Ted Thompson's. (-:

That's why we must keep this exercise of everything 'the DRAFT' fun and light. Let's trip with it.

Ted Thompson is 'the Man'. I sure hope he's 'THE MAN' come the end of the day Friday April 27,2012.

If at all possible other committments aside...be there Packer fans. That'll be an exciting day !

I enjoyed your analysis of Courtney Upshaw JH. Good job man. (-:

J H ........ If you find time and interest...Compare Courtney Upshaw to Shea McClellin. I'm interested in your assessment and comparison of these two players; so much now that Shea McClellin is being talked about as our guy.

GO Ted Thompson...Go Packers !