What '05 or '06 rookie do you think will step up?

[Fritz]

Lots of good things were said about Arliss Beach last year. I have a feeling the Packers really, really like this guy, and that he may end up carrying the load this year.

I'd alwasy hoped "Orange" Junius Coston would step up, and this is the year to do it. Apparently he was very young when the Packers chose him - he's younger, I believe, than Colledge. I hope - more than think - he can become a very solid young backup.

[Patler]

I'd alwasy hoped "Orange" Junius Coston would step up, and this is the year to do it. Apparently he was very young when the Packers chose him - he's younger, I believe, than Colledge. I hope - more than think - he can become a very solid young backup.

Coston is younger than all of the '06 rookie linemen. Birthdays:

Colledge- 2/11/82
Spitz - 12/9/82
Moll - 8/23/83
Coston - 11/5/83

[LL2]

I will go with Hunter, Beach, and Ruvell Martin. Hunter and Beach showed potential last preseason, and Martin at times during the regular season. I think Martin or Holiday could become the #3 WR this year. It would be great if Hunter could replace KGB as the situational pass rusher, and trade KGB while he has some value. It would be nice to see opposing defenses say “That son of a Beach burned us again!”

[Partial]

It would be nice to see opposing defenses say “That son of a Beach burned us again!”

[Patler]

I'm perplexed by all the comments that Jason Hunter "showed potential" last year. When did he do that? I'm afraid a lot is based on an article or two in preseason, but what did he do during the season?

6 tackles (not more than one in any game)
0 sacks
0 FF
0 FR
0 Pass D

Someone please tell me when he showed this potential. When were you even aware that he was on the field?

Now, he could be exactly the type of player this thread is about, coming from no where to be a contributor in 2007. But even in preseason I didn't see the speed or quickness of the young KGB, or anything that could lead me to think he has that kind of potential as a pass rush specialist.

Someone tell me what I am missing.

[ND72]

I forgot about a few guys that I saw while reading through. #1 - Johnny Jolly. A lot of experts said he was a steal when we got him, and I agree. I think if Johnny has a strong offseason, and can come in healthy and compete, we could have a nice 4 man DT rotation. #2 - Ruvell Martin. I really think he could become our red zone threat. He's really long, and can jump. I don't know why McCarthy didn't try plugging him in early in the year.

[Patler]

I forgot about a few guys that I saw while reading through. #1 - Johnny Jolly. A lot of experts said he was a steal when we got him, and I agree. I think if Johnny has a strong offseason, and can come in healthy and compete, we could have a nice 4 man DT rotation. #2 - Ruvell Martin. I really think he could become our red zone threat. He's really long, and can jump. I don't know why McCarthy didn't try plugging him in early in the year.

Jolly will be interesting to watch. He fell in the draft due to an injury concern. The one consistent knock I saw in all the draft evaluations was that in college he seemed to react to the play, then couldn't find the ball to make the tackle. He would be in position to make a play, but didn't. I think in the NFL disrupting the play to allow others to make the tackle has more value than in college where the players around to clean up the play may not be as good. We'll see.

[swede]

Good idea for a thread.

Blackmon was the first name that jumped into my head. Arliss Beach made a lot of sense after somebody mentioned him. Ruvell Martin and Carlyle Holliday seem to be the same type of receiver. It would be helpful if one of them would step up and become reliable and productive.

It really would be sweet to find out that TT has been right about going slow in FA because there is considerable talent already on the team just waiting for the chance to develop and contribute this season.

[Guiness]

My runner-ups are Ruvell Martin on O. He can step up as a #3 or #4 receiver - getting two dozen catches out of him would be very nice. On D it's Blackmon. He should be able to land the nickel back position.

I think Beach has the best shot at having a big impact. Not because he is a better player than the other two - but he could end up carrying the load. It appears the 'feature back' position is wide open, and there's the possibility he is the starter from week 1.

[packinpatland]

I like Hodge

[Green Bud Packer]

Unless Barnett is injured Hodge is destined for the bench. I'm liking Bodiford on what i saw of him during the season and Beach based off of last pre-season. Go Pack.Good to see you are still around, Patler.

[Partial]

I like Hodge

Me too. My guess is he is hitting the squats and deads hard, and doing a lot of sled pulling to improve his speed.

[retailguy]

One of the RB's better step up, or none of the rest of it really matters.

My guess, is that'll be either Beach or Pope. I hold out hope for Beach, Pope I'm not too sure about.

Without a good solid running game, we're too one-dimensional to do much.

I am not sold that the OL has improved to the point some here think it has, but we'll see. I'm also not convinced that Beach, Morency, or Pope can run behind a bad line, as effectively as Green did.

[RashanGary]

Morency ran behind that same bad line better than Green a year ago. We might get Lynch too.

[retailguy]

Morency ran behind that same bad line better than Green a year ago. We might get Lynch too.

Morency has TWO good games, against Arizona and Philadelphia. He DID NOT run better behind the line than Green did. Most games he had ONE good run then stunk it up the rest of the game. Rushing statistics don't sway me, Greg, and they shouldn't sway you. When Morency contacted the Defense, HE FELL DOWN, when Green contacted the defense, his legs NEVER stopped churning. There is a clear difference between the talent of Vernand Morency and the talent of Ahman Green, even if Green is "over the hill" as you think. Can Morency improve? SURE. But he hasn't done so yet.

Perhaps you should rewatch the Minnesota game last season. 4 rushes - 4 yards. Might also watch the Jets game. 6 rushes - 14 yards. Mix those two in with the Arizona game - 11 rushes 101 yards.

Lynch has not proven he could run behind a bad line either. But we'll see. I think Thompson drafts defense, even if Lynch is there. We'll see.