5th Year Options Declined: 2013 Draft Rregrets

[woodbuck27]

I have to say, Mayock's ranking was pretty damned close to the actual drafting order. Manuel's ranking is out of whack but that can be explained as a reach by Buffalo.

Who should ever trust what the ultimate draft expert (Mike Mayock) might proclaim?

Sure the Experts sometimes get it wrong but no less they are the best or considered competent at what they do...they are obviously respected by the NFL Teams or prospects wouldn't generally come off the board in terms related to 'the Expert Grades' and overall ranking of prospects. Too poo poo all that is nonsense...maybe even arrogance when you put down any fan that acknowledges or respects what these experts have to offer. To go there disclaims against any NFL fan that dedicates him/herself to reading all that available on the internet or in magazines specializing in the importance of the annual NFL Draft.

I'll proclaim this:

If your a serious fan, investing time and money in things like the NFL Network and reading all that's available on the internet won't hurt your competence to expand your fan experience and maybe know more than the casual NFL fan.

We al know that the draft can be hit and miss. TT and his draft team select a certain player based on clear criteria of need or PBA.Then the work with that prospect really begins. It's then more than less out of Ted Thompson and the Scouts hands and in the guidance of the Packer Coaching staff . It's with that prospects real ability to find the correct attitude and drive for a roster spot. That attitude and appreciation for their careers as NFL players on the Green Bay Packers must be maintained ever present into years two ..three etc.

[pbmax]

The issue in the past half a dozen drafts is that Thompson doesn't draft players for the 3-4 defense. He doesn't realize that you have to draft players that actually fit the scheme your team is running. Nick Perry, Mike Neal, Jerell Worthy, Mike Daniels*, Datone Jones. I struggle with the fact that Thompson fails to realize that you basically that you play 3 really big guys at the linemen position, and then draft 4 athletic fellas to play linebacker. You don't draft college defensive ends and stand them up as outside linebackers. You don't draft college defensive ends in 4-3 defenses in college and ask them to play defensive tackle in a 3-4.

I am pretty sure with the drafting of Raji and Matthews that Thompson knows the body type.

There was no reason other than health that Perry can't play OLB very well. Neal turned out to be too puffed up to be a 5 tech DT but he looked for all the world like one. He played alright as an elephant and if he wasn't bringing PED rumors into the locker room, he might still be on the roster. If you read his draft notices, 5 tech is mentioned often. Worthy and Daniels were grabs for speed and pass rush. One worked out, the other can barely stay in the League regardless of scheme. Jones looked like 1 of the 2 best 5 techs in his draft. Physically, he is tailor made for it. I think scouting/player busts have played more of a role than targeted body type.

The main problem is that they haven't been a straight 3-4 since 2010.

First, they are in 3-4 base about 25% of the time. And when they are in base, they are often aligned like a 4-3 Over defense. 1 tech, 3 tech, 5-7 tech and 9 tech (OLB).

So drafting just for 3-4 would leave you shorthanded for nickel and dime: 75% of your snaps.

[mraynrand]

First, they are in 3-4 base about 25% of the time.

If they are only in it 25% of the time, why call it base? They don't.

[mraynrand]

First, they are in 3-4 about 25% of the time. And when they are in 3-4, they are often aligned like a 4-3 Over defense. 1 tech, 3 tech, 5-7 tech and 9 tech (OLB).

So drafting just for 3-4 would leave you shorthanded for base nickel and dime: 75% of your snaps.

They've often said they wanted to draft/develop personnel that could switch to multiple alignments without substitution. I think that's at least one reason why Jones is 'standing up' and one reason why they drafted the Northwestern guy: You look at his tape and he really can play anywhere on the line except maybe nose against the run. He even looked reasonably comfortable in a zone blitz drop.

[Deputy Nutz]

I am pretty sure with the drafting of Raji and Matthews that Thompson knows the body type.

There was no reason other than health that Perry can't play OLB very well. Neal turned out to be too puffed up to be a 5 tech DT but he looked for all the world like one. He played alright as an elephant and if he wasn't bringing PED rumors into the locker room, he might still be on the roster. If you read his draft notices, 5 tech is mentioned often. Worthy and Daniels were grabs for speed and pass rush. One worked out, the other can barely stay in the League regardless of scheme. Jones looked like 1 of the 2 best 5 techs in his draft. Physically, he is tailor made for it. I think scouting/player busts have played more of a role than targeted body type.

The main problem is that they haven't been a straight 3-4 since 2010.

First, they are in 3-4 base about 25% of the time. And when they are in base, they are often aligned like a 4-3 Over defense. 1 tech, 3 tech, 5-7 tech and 9 tech (OLB).

So drafting just for 3-4 would leave you shorthanded for nickel and dime: 75% of your snaps.

Sign Peppers, move him to outside linebacker.

[mraynrand]

Sign Peppers, move him to outside linebacker.

Who cares what you call him? Sign him as a TE, but line him up where his strengths are best utilized; i.e. probably not a good idea to drop him in coverage all that often, but can do that more often with him than with Perry.

[mraynrand]

Who should ever trust what the ultimate draft expert (Mike Mayock) might proclaim?

Sure the Experts sometimes get it wrong but no less they are the best or considered competent at what they do...they are obviously respected by the NFL Teams or prospects wouldn't generally come off the board in terms related to 'the Expert Grades' and overall ranking of prospects. Too poo poo all that is nonsense...maybe even arrogance when you put down any fan that acknowledges or respects what these experts have to offer. To go there disclaims against any NFL fan that dedicates him/herself to reading all that available on the internet or in magazines specializing in the importance of the annual NFL Draft.

I'll proclaim this:

If your a serious fan, investing time and money in things like the NFL Network and reading all that's available on the internet won't hurt your competence to expand your fan experience and maybe know more than the casual NFL fan.

We al know that the draft can be hit and miss. TT and his draft team select a certain player based on clear criteria of need or PBA.Then the work with that prospect really begins. It's then more than less out of Ted Thompson and the Scouts hands and in the guidance of the Packer Coaching staff . It's with that prospects real ability to find the correct attitude and drive for a roster spot. That attitude and appreciation for their careers as NFL players on the Green Bay Packers must be maintained ever present into years two ..three etc.

what's your point?

[Carolina_Packer]

I think I'll be ok.

http://packerrats.com/showthread.php?25404-Pick-26-Datone-Jones&p=721597&viewfull=1#post721597

I don't feel like its any dumber of a reclamation project than moving Neal to OLB was. You gotta think its a distant plan B though.

Obviously he got moved because they wanted to get him more snaps, because he wasn't getting enough otherwise. When he was drafted in 2013, he was projected as a proto-5 tech in a 3-4. Just because he didn't kill it, is not necessarily a reflection on anyone's evaluation skills or coaching. Sometimes it just doesn't work. The team has three choices; 1) have him try diversifying his portfolio by playing OLB or 2) let him rot on the vine or 3) cut him. Without a doubt this is a big year for Datone. I'm sure he knows that more than anyone. I hope he stays healthy and finally is able to show what the Packers saw in him in the first place.

[Deputy Nutz]

The Packers also turned down Perry's 5th year and they are still paying him 5 million. So that doesn't mean they won't sign him after the season they just don't want to sign him for his option

[pbmax]

^ Yep, good point. Specifically, both Sylvester and Hayden I think were mentioned in the news reports as being likely retained, but at lower dollar figures.

[Bossman641]

It's hard to believe how far Patterson has fallen. After his rookie year the dude looked like a star

[Fritz]

Agreed. Now he's "just" a dangerous kick returner, when everyone thought he was the next Randy Moss.