the Aaron Kampman mold

[motife]

One recurring pattern I detect in the picks thus far are "man's man", "never takes a play off", "outstanding explosion", "tough player", "does extra film work", "lean, can easily add bulk to their frame", "outstanding special teams player", etc.

as mentioned earlier, Ted Thompson was TRASHED by the national media and local fanbase for "wasting" last years two 2nd round picks on Daryn Colledge and Greg Jennings, two complete unknowns, at least to mock drafts and media rankings. Both turned out to be as good or better than the more highly touted 1st rounders or the players the Packers "should have taken" who followed.

The attitude is reminiscent of Ted Thompson's description of Head Coach Mike McCarthy when he hired him, a no-nonsense "man's man".

[motife]

Justin Harrell
Height: 6-4
Weight: 305
Position: Defensive Tackle
College: Tennessee

Has thick upper-body mass with a firm chest, shoulders and good arm-muscle definition. … Has big hips, thick thighs and calves and room on his frame to add at least another 20 pounds of bulk with no loss in quickness. … Quick and explosive off the snap; even though he was used mostly to occupy multiple blockers at the line of scrimmage, he does a good job of anchoring and clogging up the inside rush lanes. … Has outstanding weight-room strength and is starting to learn how to translate that to the football field (must keep his hands inside and active to get full value out of his punch). … Does an effective job of combining aggressiveness with strength to create an explosive surge off the snap. … Maintains a low center of gravity to fill the inside lanes. … Will make plays downfield and shows good urgency closing on the ball. … Lacks ideal instincts, but shows no hesitation getting to the ball once he locates it. … Leader-by-example type who proved his moxie by refusing surgery to play with a ruptured biceps vs. Florida in 2006. … Responsible, mature type who really embraced the leadership role thrust upon him as a senior. … Will duck his head at times coming off the ball, but has the leg drive and burst to gain advantage. … If he learns to anticipate the snap quicker, he has that natural burst needed to dominate at the line of scrimmage. … When he hunkers his pads down and drive his foot into the ground, he is very effective at containing inside run plays. … Has good change-of-direction agility and it is rare to see him exposed on the move. … If he learns to use his hands better to gain leverage, he could be very effective in attempts to stack and control. … Has the strength to split double teams, but must be conscious of using his hands. … Compensates for a lack of ideal timed speed by taking proper angles to gain position to make the tackle working down the line. … Difficult to handle in one-on-one situations; he will constantly battle until the whistle. … Delivers a punishing hand jolt as he slides down the line of scrimmage and has the balance to sidestep and slip past the blocker when bull rushing. … Still plays more on his raw ability, but shows quickness reacting to the running plays, where his lateral agility is shown while giving chase. … Not much of a pass rusher; he is used more in run containment, but shows effective rip and club moves in attempts to get penetration. … More of a push type of pass rusher, but has the strength to gain inside penetration and is decent trying to adjust on the move. … Won't get to the quarterback when taking a wide loop, but up the middle he closes quickly on the quarterback, showing the leg drive and burst to collapse the pocket (better getting to the passer from his inside alignment than on the edge). … When he extends his long arms, he does a nice job of keeping blockers off him (needs to do this with more consistency, though).

[The Leaper]

I don't mind Thompson's philosophy long-term. However, at some point, you need PLAYMAKERS. In three years, Thompson has yet to find anything remotely resembling a threat on offense...let alone a playmaker.

He also drove one (Javon Walker) out of town.

With that in mind, you have to ask yourself if he is capable of it at all. One draft...doesn't bother me. Two drafts...I see a trend, but I'll give him time. Three drafts...and after a season where his team was ATTROCIOUS in the red zone...I'm about to say Thompson is incapable of hitting on anything other than "high effort - marginal talent" guys.

Those don't win Super Bowls. Playmakers win Super Bowls.

[motife]

Brandon Jackson
Height: 5-10
Weight: 210 Position: Running Back
College: Nebraska

Has a compact, well-defined frame with good chest development, thick thighs and calves and deceptive burst to get out on the perimeter … Cuts sharply and changes directions suddenly … Makes quick decisions on the move, showing the field vision to locate soft areas on the field … Consistent in finding the cut-back lanes and changes direction well, showing the quick feet to side-step trash and break into the second level … Picks up defensive coverage well and is able to see the small cracks and explode through the holes … Even when he doesn't have the luxury of open lanes, he is capable of sinking his pads, redirecting and bouncing wide … Better when working along the perimeter, as he needs room to shift, and displays the balance and body control, along with forward lean, to pick up valid yardage after the initial hit … Aggressive inside runner with the weaving ability to pick-and-slide through traffic, doing a nice job of maintaining balance running through the pile and will keep his feet on the move … When he bounces to the outside, he can generate that accelerated second gear to separate from defenders upfield … Releases off the snap and gets into his routes smoothly in passing situations, showing marked improvement fielding the ball outside the framewor … Falls forward with good body lean and shows a good slide step to make the initial tackler miss … Can get to the corner, cut and break free down the sideline, building to top speed nicely … Runs at the low pad level you look for in a back (doesn't have to gear down to shift) … Has enough valid speed to be split wide in passing situations and is quite effective on swing routes … Lacks pop in his hips, but will face up as a blocker … Showed better patience waiting for his line to create rush lanes in 2006 than he did in the past … Shows no hesitation attacking the crease once he locates it, and has the field intelligence to avoid running into spots … Could use more upper body power, but can deliver a good stiff arm and has the proper pad level to bounce off tackles … Won't explode into tacklers, but has the leg drive to move the pile … One of his better assets is his ability to plant, drive and redirect, showing ease of movement to get past the second level … Has good hip swerve, head fakes and spin moves to set up and elude single tacklers … Knows how to shield the ball from defenders when working in the short-area passing game and has become a proficient underneath receiver due to his natural hands and ability to locate the soft areas in the zone … Can also provide emergency duty as a kickoff returner.

[mraynrand]

I thought this thread was going to be about somthing green, growing on A Kampman.

[motife]

James Jones
Height: 6-1
Weight: 207 Position: Wide Receiver
College: San Jose State

The consummate team player, the coaching staff took full advantage of Jones' athletic ability and versatility in 2006. He not only went on to lead the team in receptions, but he also showed a strong throwing arm for the option pass, natural hands to handle punt-return duties and an ability to keep the defenses honest by getting good yardage on the reverse. He went on to score by catching, running and throwing the ball during his final year.

Solidly built athlete with a lean, yet defined frame, showing good upper body muscle definition, long arms and large, soft hands … Lacks explosion off the snap but does a good job of accelerating throughout his route … Can fill in as a long snapper in an emergency … Runs with good balance and shows above average hand/eye coordination … Can make the tough catches in traffic and then run around defenders with the ball … Has a smooth, gliding running motion, but does not generate an explosive pull-away burst … Does a nice job of scanning the field to find the open area … Uses his hands well to get a push off the defender up field … Will extend and grab for the ball, showing consistent hand skills … Fights for the ball in traffic, generally coming up with it due to his determined attitude and leaping ability … Has the body control and timing on his leaps to compete for the ball at its high point … Best when utilized on hitches as he has the strength to turn a short toss into valid yardage … Makes good body adjustments tracking the ball in flight … Fluid in and out of his breaks and is alert to coverages, settling into the field's soft areas nicely … Shows good urgency getting down field as the gunner on the coverage units.

[motife]

Aaron Rouse
Height: 6-4
Weight: 225
Position: Strong Safety
College: Virginia Tech

Powerfully built with good upper body muscle definition, tight abdomen, big bubble, thick thighs and calves, long limbs and exceptional timed speed … More of an athlete than a football player, but shows good physicality in his play … Displays loose hips that allow him to smoothly transition out of his backpedal with no wasted motion … Has excellent leaping ability, getting a quick rise while making good body adjustments to get to the ball at its high point … Very aggressive tackler, but needs to play with better control, as he will get reckless and out-run the plays at times … Takes plays from the chalkboard to the playing field with no problems … Vocal leader of the secondary who does a nice job of making adjustments and calls … Responds well to hard coaching and plays with a line-backer's mentality … Shows good ball anticipation skills and has that explosive burst to get to the play in an instant … Has the vision to frame the receiver and quarterback and showed improvement in not biting on pump fakes … Can locate the ball in a crowd and has a good feel for taking proper angles to the ball in plays in front of him (just adequate with his back to the ball) … Has the fluid hips and quick feet to match up with any receiver, and looks natural in his turn-and-run motion, doing a good job of cutting off the inside routes … Will generally mirror the receiver throughout the route and shows the nimble feet to turn fluidly out of his pedal … Has a good feel for the receiver in his zone and gets a quick jump on the ball … Shows the burst to close and fill the gaps in run force (made 40 of his 59 plays against the run in 2006) … Keeps his feet when planting and driving, showing the second gear and burst to shadow and trail the receiver working underneath … Knows how to use his long arms to reach around or over the receiver to deflect the pass … Will not give up on plays and has the lateral range to fly to the perimeters … Shows very good vision eying the backfield and is alert to blocking schemes when stepping up inside the box … Glides up and down hill with good urgency and has the body control to shoot out of his breaks with no wasted motion … Physical between-the-tackles player who gets off blocks well when he keeps his hands inside his framework … Will torque and twist his frame to compete for jump balls (has track experience to rise quickly) … Catches outside his frame, but has not had many opportunities to make the interception (used more in run force as a senior than in the deep zone) … Hits with authority, showing the classic wrap-up technique and pop on contact to get the ball carrier down … Is a good run force safety due to his explosive closing burst and toughness making open-field plays … Hits with authority, putting full force behind his tackles and showed in 2006 that he has improved that technique, doing a much better job of attacking the ball carrier's outside leg to impede forward progress than he did earlier in his career … Not used much on the blitz, but has the quickness to surprise a lethargic offensive lineman coming off the edge … Can form up and maintain balance when striking.

[motife]

Allen Barbre
Height: 6-4
Weight: 300
Position: Offensive Tackle/Guard
College: Missouri Southern State
Barbre might have toiled in relative anonymity during his career with the Lions, but opposing defensive ends, defensive coordinators and professional scouts were well aware of his outstanding quickness and blocking skills. The four-year starter not only matched up and contained the opposition's best pass rusher each week, but he was also an outstanding gunner on special teams, leading the punt coverage unit in 2006.

Has a developing frame with room to add at least another 15 pounds of bulk with no loss in his impressive quickness … Has a thick upper body, with broad shoulders, thick calves, solid midsection, long arms, large hands, big bubble and natural strength … Comes out of his stance with outstanding explosion to shock a lethargic defender … Has the loose hips to change direction and plays … Generates good force behind his hand punch to deliver pop on contact … Hard worker who might need several extra reps to retain plays, but spends extra hours in the film room watching tapes and in the weight room improving his overall strength … Can get to the second level quickly to cut or wall off, but needs to break down better and play under control … When he gets his hands into an opponent, he has the raw power to pull, jerk, lock on and drag down … Rolls his hips well to put more force behind his blocks working in-line … Is quick to react to movement and does a good job of shuffling his feet to mirror … Takes the defensive lineman where he wants to go and uses that momentum to wash out his opponent (needs to stop waist bending, though) … Plays with a strong base and solid effort, showing good foot movement in his pass set … Does a better job landing when pulling or on screens, but needs to play with better control working in the second level … When he slides his feet in pass protection, he plays with a wide base, but must be more conscious of keeping his pads down (gets too high in his stance at times) … Showed much better hand placement in 2006, sustaining his blocks longer once he learned to keep his hands inside the frame … Can beat a defender off the edge with his explosive initial step … Generally takes good angles on the short pull and has the lateral mobility to work down the line … Does a nice job of communicating with his guard on double teams.

[mraynrand]

Allen Barbre
Height: 6-4
Weight: 300
but he was also an outstanding gunner on special teams, leading the punt coverage unit in 2006.

A 300lb Gunner? Jeezus, I'd hate to see that guy coming at me at full speed.

[motife]

David Clowney
Height: 6-0
Weight: 184 Position: Wide Receiver
College: Virginia Tech

Has a lean, angular frame with room to carry more bulk without it affecting his quickness … Has adequate power to fight through the jam and get into position to make the tough catches in a crowd … Not big, but is a slippery route runner whose suddenness causes defenders to struggle in attempts to get their hands on him in attempts to reroute … Blessed with the elusiveness and second gear to escape the initial tackler and separate in the open field … Shows fluid change of direction agility and despite his slight frame, he utilizes his explosion to defeat the jam … Does a nice job of gearing down and dropping his weight when working through a crowd … Has the plant-&-drive agility coming out of his breaks to get under the deep pass … Has the explosion to instantly gobble up the cushion and will win most foot races in the open … Sinks his pads with fluidness and is deceptive with his acceleration, as he looks effortless gliding towards the ball … Stays in control getting in and out of his break point … Has the quick vertical burst and lateral agility to come back for the poorly thrown pass … Shows good awareness for locating the soft spots in the zone, dropping his weight to settle underneath … Can generate that second gear needed to make the over-the-shoulder grabs … Uncovers and finds space when working in the short area and can drive off on the slant due to his quickness … Has large, natural hands and shows proper technique extending to catch outside his frame … Does not hesitate going for the ball in a crowd (but lacks the size and strength to dominate) … Shows a steady stride and burst throughout his route progression … Even with his blazing speed, he knows how to regulate so he does not outrun the deep throws … His hard planting agility lets him separate from the crowd after the catch … Has good pluck-&-snatch ability, doing a good job of making body adjustments to the ball in flight … Can get in and out of his break point, doing a nice job of driving off on slants when working in the short area … Keeps his feet working along the sidelines and will catch with his hands outside his framework … Very elusive runner once he reaches full stride … Has the crisp cutting agility that lets him come out of his breaks without having to throttle down … Adequate cut blocker who uses his hands well vs. second level defenders and despite a lack of bulk, he works hard to sustain, especially when blocking for the running game … Can add some value as an emergency kickoff returner.

[RashanGary]

Wow Mot!!

Great Thread.

[motife]

Thompson on his 2nd and 3rd round picks

"All 3 of these guys are tough. They're football guys. Football is really, REALLY important to them. They know what it is to be a part of a team."

I don't think anyone's ever said that about Randy Moss.

As much as I'm disappointed like everyone not to have Moss, the positives are more reps for the young guys, allowing development for a potential star like Donald Driver, Robert Brooks, Antonio Freeman, Edgar Bennett, Dorsey Levens, Mark Tauscher, Aaron Kampman, Cullen Jenkins or Ahman Green. And.. we don't expose our young guys to Moss, who consistently becomes indifferent in adversity.

[The Leaper]

As much as I'm disappointed like everyone not to have Moss, the positives are more reps for the young guys, allowing development for a potential star like Donald Driver, Robert Brooks, Antonio Freeman. And.. we don't expose our young guys to Moss, who consistently becomes indifferent in adversity.

I'm not sure how many reps guys will get...we had the most players under contract going into the free agency period, and now are throwing 11 more draft picks in the mix.

My guess is that at least 4 or 5 of these draft picks likely won't be on the final roster.

[Scott Campbell]

As much as I'm disappointed like everyone not to have Moss, the positives are more reps for the young guys, allowing development for a potential star like Donald Driver, Robert Brooks, Antonio Freeman. And.. we don't expose our young guys to Moss, who consistently becomes indifferent in adversity.

I'm not sure how many reps guys will get...we had the most players under contract going into the free agency period, and now are throwing 11 more draft picks in the mix.

My guess is that at least 4 or 5 of these draft picks likely won't be on the final roster.

11????

[GrnBay007]

I don't mind Thompson's philosophy long-term. However, at some point, you need PLAYMAKERS. In three years, Thompson has yet to find anything remotely resembling a threat on offense...let alone a playmaker.

I think Jennings was a threat before his injury...esp. for a rookie.