My thoughts on the draft

[Deputy Nutz]

The Packers, without a doubt, have the least "sexy" draft of any team. There aren't any big names or superstar college players, but we got guys who play hard, work hard, and should ultimately become a very solid base for this orginzation. I could see 8 players from this draft making the team this year and 4 of those guys making a significant contribution in the future.

Actually no, the least sexiest draft has to be the Arizona Cardinals. I usually don't say anything to horrible the day after the draft about a team's selections, but they really didn't do anything to knock anyone's socks off.

My take on this draft, Thompson apparently doesn't sway on his board, I got that much out of this draft. The Packers needed a sure fire second tight end on the roster and that position was seemingly ignored until the Packers last pick. Apparently there were other players that had more value to the Packers organization. I was least than pleased with the Packers 6th round, I for the life of me don't realize why the Packers decided on two linebackers, one apparently drafted to play fullback, and a kicker. I guess they got good value on the kicker, but I really didn't think they needed a kicker. Well what can I say when the board speaks, the board speaks, and thats the bottom line because Ted Thompson says so.

[Partial]

Well said........ everyone.
When I look at the real play makers the Packers have on the roster, most were not drafted early. Most were not 'big name' picks. Maybe, just maybe we'll be ok.

Just for the sake of pointing it out, I will say that maybe that is a reason the Packers are not very good :P

[Partial]

The Packers, without a doubt, have the least "sexy" draft of any team. There aren't any big names or superstar college players, but we got guys who play hard, work hard, and should ultimately become a very solid base for this orginzation. I could see 8 players from this draft making the team this year and 4 of those guys making a significant contribution in the future.

Actually no, the least sexiest draft has to be the Arizona Cardinals. I usually don't say anything to horrible the day after the draft about a team's selections, but they really didn't do anything to knock anyone's socks off.

My take on this draft, Thompson apparently doesn't sway on his board, I got that much out of this draft. The Packers needed a sure fire second tight end on the roster and that position was seemingly ignored until the Packers last pick. Apparently there were other players that had more value to the Packers organization. I was least than pleased with the Packers 6th round, I for the life of me don't realize why the Packers decided on two linebackers, one apparently drafted to play fullback, and a kicker. I guess they got good value on the kicker, but I really didn't think they needed a kicker. Well what can I say when the board speaks, the board speaks, and thats the bottom line because Ted Thompson says so.

I think that 2nd ILB/Fullback will be primarily a second or "third" fullback but primarily a special teams guy. My guess is he'll be listed as the second fullback but when they need to go to that position in a game, I would think one of the TEs will fill in.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I agree that the Hall, Bishop, and Wynn picks didn't excite me. Looked like they were looking special teams and roster flexibility. I'm willing to give Hall a chance. Sounds like an absolute demon on special teams, and could provide the roster flexibility. I was impressed with Bishop's video, but there's no way he fits this defense. His video looked almost identical to Hodge, and I have a bad feeling that Hodge is just too slow for this defense. Don't like Wynn much. I did like the Crosby pick, the TE in the last round, and most of the top picks (with the exception of probably James Jones).

[Partial]

I agree that the Hall, Bishop, and Wynn picks didn't excite me. Looked like they were looking special teams and roster flexibility. I'm willing to give Hall a chance. Sounds like an absolute demon on special teams, and could provide the roster flexibility. I was impressed with Bishop's video, but there's no way he fits this defense. His video looked almost identical to Hodge, and I have a bad feeling that Hodge is just too slow for this defense. Don't like Wynn much. I did like the Crosby pick, the TE in the last round, and most of the top picks (with the exception of probably James Jones).

What do you think of the left tackle? Clifton's replacement in the future?

[Lurker64]

What do you think of the left tackle? Clifton's replacement in the future?

The most exciting thing about Barbre is that he was one of the gunners on the punt team in college, at 300 lbs. So I think he's quick enough for the ZBS.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Like him a lot. I had him rated as my #5 at OG after my research. (With his height, I was projecting him at OG.) Great athlete, mean, can play four OL positions, they say he has the frame to put on 15 pounds without giving up speed.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Barbre is one of the very best OL athletes in the draft. He ran 4.88 with a 32" vertical.

[Partial]

What do you think of the left tackle? Clifton's replacement in the future?

The most exciting thing about Barbre is that he was one of the gunners on the punt team in college, at 300 lbs. So I think he's quick enough for the ZBS.

That is absolutely ridiculous. I love that.

[Partial]

TT should try and model himself more after Phil Savage. The man has continually done what it takes (including giving up a #1 and #2) to get Quinn this year. He is a great drafter(the mastermind behind Baltimore). The thing that stands out to him is he maximizes the first day picks, while going for volume and having the same type of TT approach on day 2.

Kyle Boller didn't work out the way he had hoped. But, at least he made a move and tried something. In the end, it didn't hurt them that much.

I just feel like TT relies on strength in numbers to make him look good rather than trying to make a move and possibly failing.

Even if Jarrett or Rice would have been a bust, so what? So he gave up a third to draft a bust in the second? It happens all the time. Teams recover from this. The time when you cannot bust and take a chance is top 5. The salaries are too high and the ramifications last for years.

But to be too scared to make a move in the second in unacceptable, especially when the guy could have made this team much better at its weakest point (from goal-line to 20 on both ends of the field).

[Joemailman]

My thoughts on this draft:

I think one reason Thompson is being criticized for not addressing needs with this draft is because the perception most people have of the Packer needs are not the same as Thompson's. I think he really believes he has players on this team from the previous 2 drafts who are ready to assume a more significant role than they have thus far. I suspect the only 2007 draftees who he expects to fill a real significant role are Harrell and Jackson. The rest of the guys will be expected to fill an occasional role, and contribute to special teams. It won't be like last year where there were 4-5 rookies starting every game.

The real improvement on this team will come from guys like Poppinga, Underwood, Hawk, Colledge, Spitz, Jennings, and Collins, not Jones, Rouse, Clowney, etc.

[Partial]

My thoughts on this draft:

I think one reason Thompson is being criticized for not addressing needs with this draft is because the perception most people have of the Packer needs are not the same as Thompson's. I think he really believes he has players on this team from the previous 2 drafts who are ready to assume a more significant role than they have thus far. I suspect the only 2007 draftees who he expects to fill a real significant role are Harrell and Jackson. The rest of the guys will be expected to fill an occasional role, and contribute to special teams. It won't be like last year where there were 4-5 rookies starting every game.

The real improvement on this team will come from guys like Poppinga, Underwood, Hawk, Colledge, Spitz, Jennings, and Collins, not Jones, Rouse, Clowney, etc.

I don't know about that. I'd say the people who are upset are primarily upset about the refusal to trade up in the second to get one of the two receivers. I am quite satisfied with the rest of the picks as my analysis should show. He could have had what I would consider a great draft had he added a red zone threat in the second.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I don't know about that. I'd say the people who are upset are primarily upset about the refusal to trade up in the second to get one of the two receivers. I am quite satisfied with the rest of the picks as my analysis should show. He could have had what I would consider a great draft had he added a red zone threat in the second.

I don't know about that. That was a secondary thought by a few. Most are upset that Harrell got picked round 1 and the Moss deal fell through.

[Bretsky]

I don't know about that. I'd say the people who are upset are primarily upset about the refusal to trade up in the second to get one of the two receivers. I am quite satisfied with the rest of the picks as my analysis should show. He could have had what I would consider a great draft had he added a red zone threat in the second.

I don't know about that. That was a secondary thought by a few. Most are upset that Harrell got picked round 1 and the Moss deal fell through.

I'd be fine with Harrell if we'd have landed a top tier WR from this draft like Jarrett or Rice in round two. We only had to go up about six picks. Or I suppose Moss, but that was a pipe dream.

[Joemailman]

Time will tell if Jarrett and Rice will be better than Jones. The WR position has been filled with high profile busts in recent years. TT has shown a pretty good eye for receivers the last 2 years with Murphy and Jennings.