Packers Release Palmer

[Striker]

Tom Silverstein @TomSilverstein 26m26 minutes ago
#Packers have also informed ILB Nate Palmer that he has been released. Palmer played 539 snaps last year but lost job to rookie Jake Ryan.

Well, that leaves Barrington, Ryan, Thomas, and maybe Clay. You'd have to imagine they'll go at the position within the first three rounds of the draft.

[Patler]

They must see no hope for him in their system at all. They have lots of room on their roster, even after the draft.

Could it be that Carl Bradford is starting to show something for the 4th round draft pick used on him? The did resign Bradford after the season, and apparently are keeping him over Palmer now.

[George Cumby]

Wasnt Palmer Kevin Greene's Extra Special Recruit Unique Project out of Southern Illinois?

[esoxx]

...

[wist43]

They must see no hope for him in their system at all. They have lots of room on their roster, even after the draft.

Could it be that Carl Bradford is starting to show something for the 4th round draft pick used on him? The did resign Bradford after the season, and apparently are keeping him over Palmer now.

Bradford is a complete slug - they kept him over Palmer b/c of the draft pick. In reality, neither can play.

TT simply doesn't care about some positions - ILB is one of them. There is no reason whatsoever to think that TT will use a pick in the first 3 rounds on an ILB. Our need there was just as bad last year - and yet he sat on his thumb until the 4th round, and then picked another slug - Ryan.

TT just doesn't care about the position enough to do much about it.

[Upnorth]

Bradford is a complete slug - they kept him over Palmer b/c of the draft pick. In reality, neither can play.

TT simply doesn't care about some positions - ILB is one of them. There is no reason whatsoever to think that TT will use a pick in the first 3 rounds on an ILB. Our need there was just as bad last year - and yet he sat on his thumb until the 4th round, and then picked another slug - Ryan.

TT just doesn't care about the position enough to do much about it.

Doesn't care is an obtuse ignorant statement. Didn't see value on the draft board where he was drafting is much more obvious. He has put a first round pick into ILB in the past.
But it is more fun to type hyperbole.

[Patler]

A GM "doesn't care" about a position. Ya, that makes sense.

Since when is using a 4th round pick evidence of ignoring a position?

Over the years, TT has been accused of ignoring guards, centers, O-line generally, running backs, quarterbacks, tight ends, safeties, top WR talent, basically whatever position he hasn't used a high pick on recently. If he drafted ILBs in rounds 1 & 2 last year, people would complain that he ignores CBs, relying instead on undrafted rookies.

[Rutnstrut]

A GM "doesn't care" about a position. Ya, that makes sense.

Since when is using a 4th round pick evidence of ignoring a position?

Over the years, TT has been accused of ignoring guards, centers, O-line generally, running backs, quarterbacks, tight ends, safeties, top WR talent, basically whatever position he hasn't used a high pick on recently. If he drafted ILBs in rounds 1 & 2 last year, people would complain that he ignores CBs, relying instead on undrafted rookies.

Well if he wasn't so pig headed about free agency they wouldn't have to do it ALL through the draft. But it's all good, I'm sure they will have a solid defense sometime before Rodgers can collect SS.

[wist43]

Doesn't care is an obtuse ignorant statement. Didn't see value on the draft board where he was drafting is much more obvious. He has put a first round pick into ILB in the past.
But it is more fun to type hyperbole.

Perhaps getting burned by taking Hawk with the 5th pick is a contributing factor to why he doesn't invest in the position now?? Although some had Hawk listed as an OLB coming out, I never saw that in him... from long before we drafted him, I've always called Hawk a JAG. Hawk was a below average-to-average starter. Since then TT hasn't done much of anything to improve ILB.

Ryan is a sluggish, 2 down (more like 1.5 down) ILB. He is very limited athletically, and is a huge liability in the passing game. He can play in base 3-4, and in some 2-4 nickel, but that's it.

Palmer just got cut; Barrington, IMO, is better than Ryan at this point, but he too is seriously limited - especially in the passing game: Bradford isn't an NFL caliber player... of all the fodder on the roster now, I probably like Thomas the most, and he's not much more than a borderline NFL player.

Since TT's ignominious pick of Hawk in '06, he has invested the following resources to filling ILB:

2007 - Desmond Bishop, 6th round (Good, but limited player)
2008 - None
2009 - Brad Jones, 7th round (the player we all love to hate)
2010 - None
2011 - DJ Smith, 6th round (had a cup of coffee and was gone)
2011 - Ricky Elmore, 6th round (cut almost immediately)
2012 - Terrell Manning, 5th round (couldn't play)
2013 - Nate Palmer, 6th round, (just released)
2013 - Sam Barrington, 7th round, (Okay player, limited ceiling)
2014 - Carl Bradford, 4th round (has shown nothing - less than nothing actually)
2015 - Jake Ryan, 4th round (Okay, but very limited player)

So in the 10 years since the Hawk pick, TT has invested:

2, 4th round picks
1, 5th round pick
4, 6th round picks
2, 7th round picks

Out of which none can play at a high level in the NFL.

Should we take a look at all the very good ILB's drafted by other teams, that TT passed on for what player/players??

[mraynrand]

He can play in base 3-4

Packers don't play base 3-4.

[wist43]

A GM "doesn't care" about a position. Ya, that makes sense.

Since when is using a 4th round pick evidence of ignoring a position?

Over the years, TT has been accused of ignoring guards, centers, O-line generally, running backs, quarterbacks, tight ends, safeties, top WR talent, basically whatever position he hasn't used a high pick on recently. If he drafted ILBs in rounds 1 & 2 last year, people would complain that he ignores CBs, relying instead on undrafted rookies.

I value 4th round picks very highly - I don't think Ryan was worth the pick.

Everyone backs TT and extolls the virtues of Randall the Ankle Biter, but I'd have taken Anthony over him; I'd have been just fine with Bernardrick McKinney over Randall; I like Hau'oli Kikaha who was taken in the 2nd round last year - he played outside, but I think he could play inside just fine; Eric Kendricks; Jordan Hicks (played great until injury last year)...

And that's just the first 3 rounds from last year... x how many seasons??

[Upnorth]

Wist,
I agree that he has not invested heavily in ILB, I just think that saying he ignored the position is a very flawed statement. I would like to hear what other positions he doesn't care about in your opinion.
I think he places less value on it, but still definitely cares.

[wist43]

Packers don't play base 3-4.

I know you're being your usual snarky ass, but the 3-4 they don't play is on the field about 10% of the time... so, that would give Ryan 10% of the snaps there. What other packages does he, or should he get PT in?? The answer is only in 2-4 nickels that are looking to play the run... what percentage of snaps is that?? Another 20-30% maybe??

And again, if he is on the field and it is a pass... he's a big liability.

[Patler]

Perhaps getting burned by taking Hawk with the 5th pick is a contributing factor to why he doesn't invest in the position now?? Although some had Hawk listed as an OLB coming out, I never saw that in him... from long before we drafted him, I've always called Hawk a JAG. Hawk was a below average-to-average starter. Since then TT hasn't done much of anything to improve ILB.

So, apparently you believe JAGs should be starting from Day One, I guess.
Why else would you have said this way back when?

Nick,

I like the draft for the most part. In particular, I like Hawk and Hodge quite a bit.

and this:

I've seen enough of Hawk and Hodge to state up front that they should both be on the field from day 1.

or, is it that you become an expert after the fact, like the rest of us?

[Upnorth]

I still think hawk was a decent player. I expected more out of the 5th pick, but to play for 9 years isn't bad. It definitely could be worse.