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A little different from ND's positive spin on DT, Popp and Manuel.
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THIS STORY
Finding top back a priority
By BOB McGINN
bmcginn@journalsentinel.com
Posted: April 21, 2007
Green Bay - A year ago, the Green Bay Packers picked up four starters and a few promising backups to plug many of the glaring holes on what had been a 4-12 team.
Packers/NFL
Photo/AP
Marshawn Lynch is a consensus pick as the second-best running back in the NFL draft.
Draft Audio with Bob McGinn
With each segment of his 2007 NFL Draft analysis, Bob McGinn offers his take on each position, including players to watch and where they might be picked.
LISTEN TO AUDIO
Related Coverage
Lynch: RB's back not sore spot
Needs: Finding top back a priority
Packer Insider
McGinn: Analyzing the quarterbacks
The Skinny: Unsung Hero; Pick to Remember, etc...
Position-by-position
Bob McGinn's draft preview series:
QBs: Story | Capsules
RBs: Story | Capsules
2007 NFL Draft
Get the latest updates on the Green Bay Packers and the 2007 NFL Draft in our draft preview section.
Go to Section
Forecaster Draft
DRAFT CENTER: Forecaster Preview
MOCK DRAFTS: March 29
TRADE LOG: Latest league updates
TOP PROSPECTS: Reports on the 100 best players
COMBINE REVIEW: Winners and losers...
DRAFT ORDER: Team-by-team picks
Forum
You're the Packers' GM. What do you do in the upcoming draft? POST YOUR THOUGHTS
Packers Etc.
'07 Schedule
'07 Roster
'07 Draft Order
'07 Draft Picks
'07 Cap Figures
'06 Results
'06 Depth
'06 Statistics
'06 Rookie Pay
NFL Basics
Standings
Statistics
Scoreboard
'07 Draft Order
'07 Calendar
Player index
Team pages
Movements
Injuries
'06 Draft Review
Advertisement
Buy a link hereWith the draft less than a week away, the Packers find themselves with less obvious needs and fewer holes to patch in the wake of an 8-8 season.
"I think the arrow's going up," an executive in personnel for another National Football League team said Thursday. "I really think they're still one more year away, but they've got a chance to compete for their division.
"Actually, I think Green Bay is doing really well. They're doing the right things. You've got to fill through the draft."
The executive agreed to assess the status and degree of need at each of the Packers' positions:
Wide receiver: "You got a Pro Bowler and a young, developing kid. You really got two guys, (Greg) Jennings and (Donald) Driver. You need a third that can be a threat. (Robert) Ferguson is on the downside. I think we all saw what he is. This (Ruvell) Martin guy, he's limited. Maybe he gets a little better but he's not really a threat. They didn't sign anybody. (Carlyle) Holiday is a guy they brought in late and did some decent things. That third spot isn't a major need but it's definitely a need."
Tight end: "(David) Martin's gone, you've got to replace one. We know (Donald) Lee is limited. They have a blocker (Bubba Franks) and a wide-receiver type in Lee. Martin kind of did both. It's not a pressing need. I think receiver is more of a need than tight end. Franks is a red-area weapon but not really a weapon in the middle of the field."
Tackle: "If everybody is healthy they're fine. But how long can they go? Depends on (Kevin) Barry, (Tony) Moll. Maybe they think one of those guys could develop. I don't think there's a left-tackle candidate on the roster if (Chad) Clifton physically can't do it."
Guard: "I think they could use a starter, but they've got some young, developing guys. They've drafted guards. I do think they need a guy that produces like a starter. Maybe with another year of development these guys get better. I have (Daryn) Colledge graded higher than the other guy (Jason Spitz). They probably feel they've got these guys already."
Center: "They paid that kid (Scott Wells) so they don't think it's a need. You can get by with average centers in the league."
Quarterback: "Well, they got (Brett) Favre and the (Aaron) Rodgers kid. That's status quo. Not a lot of teams have one, let alone three."
Running back: "No. 1 need on offense. They do not have a No. 1. They're all backups. (Vernand Morency) hasn't done it. Maybe he can. He's got some speed. They've got a No. 2 and a No. 3. They just don't have a starter."
Fullback: "Somebody could pop up there. That happens all the time. But today, to say they have a starting fullback, no. (Brandon) Miree has not fully blossomed yet. Maybe he can with a full off-season."
Defensive end: "I think they're fine. If they keep "KGB" (Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila) in the third spot, they got three ends."
Defensive tackle: "I think they need help there. Really, they need an inside pass rusher. If you really want to have a good defensive line they need another defensive tackle."
Strong-side linebacker: "(Brady) Poppinga is coming off the knee and I think he will be better next year. He's a big specimen. In terms of physical play, he'll be OK there. But the coverage skills are limited. You give that up for the size."
Middle linebacker: "Well, they just paid him (Nick Barnett) the big money. (Abdul Hodge) is an up-and-coming kid."
Weak-side linebacker: "They got a guy (A.J. Hawk). I just think they got four linebackers. I don't like (Tracy) White."
Cornerback: "I like the two starters. They've got to find a better third who can potentially be a starter. We just think Frank Walker is an average guy."
Safety: "They need a starting strong safety. I thought (Marviel) Underwood showed some things back in '05 and then he got hurt. Tyrone Culver did some good things. But I don't like (Marquand) Manuel, the guy who was starting last year. I thought he was a guy to replace."
Kicker: "That's a questionable area with (Dave) Rayner. I just thought he was OK."
Punter: "The punter (Jon Ryan) needs to be replaced. You can get in his head."
Return specialist: "I think you're competent there. You can continue to do that."
Long snapper: "They're good to go."
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From the April 22, 2007 editions of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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JS ONLINE: SPORTS: PACKERS: E-MAIL | PRINT
THIS STORY
Finding top back a priority
By BOB McGINN
bmcginn@journalsentinel.com
Posted: April 21, 2007
Green Bay - A year ago, the Green Bay Packers picked up four starters and a few promising backups to plug many of the glaring holes on what had been a 4-12 team.
Packers/NFL
Photo/AP
Marshawn Lynch is a consensus pick as the second-best running back in the NFL draft.
Draft Audio with Bob McGinn
With each segment of his 2007 NFL Draft analysis, Bob McGinn offers his take on each position, including players to watch and where they might be picked.
LISTEN TO AUDIO
Related Coverage
Lynch: RB's back not sore spot
Needs: Finding top back a priority
Packer Insider
McGinn: Analyzing the quarterbacks
The Skinny: Unsung Hero; Pick to Remember, etc...
Position-by-position
Bob McGinn's draft preview series:
QBs: Story | Capsules
RBs: Story | Capsules
2007 NFL Draft
Get the latest updates on the Green Bay Packers and the 2007 NFL Draft in our draft preview section.
Go to Section
Forecaster Draft
DRAFT CENTER: Forecaster Preview
MOCK DRAFTS: March 29
TRADE LOG: Latest league updates
TOP PROSPECTS: Reports on the 100 best players
COMBINE REVIEW: Winners and losers...
DRAFT ORDER: Team-by-team picks
Forum
You're the Packers' GM. What do you do in the upcoming draft? POST YOUR THOUGHTS
Packers Etc.
'07 Schedule
'07 Roster
'07 Draft Order
'07 Draft Picks
'07 Cap Figures
'06 Results
'06 Depth
'06 Statistics
'06 Rookie Pay
NFL Basics
Standings
Statistics
Scoreboard
'07 Draft Order
'07 Calendar
Player index
Team pages
Movements
Injuries
'06 Draft Review
Advertisement
Buy a link hereWith the draft less than a week away, the Packers find themselves with less obvious needs and fewer holes to patch in the wake of an 8-8 season.
"I think the arrow's going up," an executive in personnel for another National Football League team said Thursday. "I really think they're still one more year away, but they've got a chance to compete for their division.
"Actually, I think Green Bay is doing really well. They're doing the right things. You've got to fill through the draft."
The executive agreed to assess the status and degree of need at each of the Packers' positions:
Wide receiver: "You got a Pro Bowler and a young, developing kid. You really got two guys, (Greg) Jennings and (Donald) Driver. You need a third that can be a threat. (Robert) Ferguson is on the downside. I think we all saw what he is. This (Ruvell) Martin guy, he's limited. Maybe he gets a little better but he's not really a threat. They didn't sign anybody. (Carlyle) Holiday is a guy they brought in late and did some decent things. That third spot isn't a major need but it's definitely a need."
Tight end: "(David) Martin's gone, you've got to replace one. We know (Donald) Lee is limited. They have a blocker (Bubba Franks) and a wide-receiver type in Lee. Martin kind of did both. It's not a pressing need. I think receiver is more of a need than tight end. Franks is a red-area weapon but not really a weapon in the middle of the field."
Tackle: "If everybody is healthy they're fine. But how long can they go? Depends on (Kevin) Barry, (Tony) Moll. Maybe they think one of those guys could develop. I don't think there's a left-tackle candidate on the roster if (Chad) Clifton physically can't do it."
Guard: "I think they could use a starter, but they've got some young, developing guys. They've drafted guards. I do think they need a guy that produces like a starter. Maybe with another year of development these guys get better. I have (Daryn) Colledge graded higher than the other guy (Jason Spitz). They probably feel they've got these guys already."
Center: "They paid that kid (Scott Wells) so they don't think it's a need. You can get by with average centers in the league."
Quarterback: "Well, they got (Brett) Favre and the (Aaron) Rodgers kid. That's status quo. Not a lot of teams have one, let alone three."
Running back: "No. 1 need on offense. They do not have a No. 1. They're all backups. (Vernand Morency) hasn't done it. Maybe he can. He's got some speed. They've got a No. 2 and a No. 3. They just don't have a starter."
Fullback: "Somebody could pop up there. That happens all the time. But today, to say they have a starting fullback, no. (Brandon) Miree has not fully blossomed yet. Maybe he can with a full off-season."
Defensive end: "I think they're fine. If they keep "KGB" (Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila) in the third spot, they got three ends."
Defensive tackle: "I think they need help there. Really, they need an inside pass rusher. If you really want to have a good defensive line they need another defensive tackle."
Strong-side linebacker: "(Brady) Poppinga is coming off the knee and I think he will be better next year. He's a big specimen. In terms of physical play, he'll be OK there. But the coverage skills are limited. You give that up for the size."
Middle linebacker: "Well, they just paid him (Nick Barnett) the big money. (Abdul Hodge) is an up-and-coming kid."
Weak-side linebacker: "They got a guy (A.J. Hawk). I just think they got four linebackers. I don't like (Tracy) White."
Cornerback: "I like the two starters. They've got to find a better third who can potentially be a starter. We just think Frank Walker is an average guy."
Safety: "They need a starting strong safety. I thought (Marviel) Underwood showed some things back in '05 and then he got hurt. Tyrone Culver did some good things. But I don't like (Marquand) Manuel, the guy who was starting last year. I thought he was a guy to replace."
Kicker: "That's a questionable area with (Dave) Rayner. I just thought he was OK."
Punter: "The punter (Jon Ryan) needs to be replaced. You can get in his head."
Return specialist: "I think you're competent there. You can continue to do that."
Long snapper: "They're good to go."
Buy a link here
From the April 22, 2007 editions of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Have an opinion on this story? Write a letter to the editor or start an online forum.
Subscribe today and receive 4 weeks free! Sign up now.
BACK TO TOP
News | Business | Sports | Entertainment | Classifieds | Jobs | Wheels | Homes | Rentals
XML/RSS News Feeds (What's this?) | JSO Wireless
© 2005, Journal Sentinel Inc. All rights reserved. | Produced by Journal Interactive | Privacy Policy
Journal Sentinel Inc. is a subsidiary of Journal Communications.
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