Rouse just interviewed on cold pizza

[HarveyWallbangers]

I don't buy it.

[Merlin]

Most people don't but hey that's okay. If we all agreed how boring would that be?

[Tarlam!]

Most people don't but hey that's okay. If we all agreed how boring would that be?

Marquand was injured when he came in and took a LONG time to adjust. He's not stupid, so his self confidence took more of a beating than our team!

I think we'll be witness to his ability this season and if that was all he had, well, to little upside.

Nice paycheck, though!

[pittstang5]

Peprah is intriguing. 5th round pick of the Giants last year. Good kid. We'll see. I don't think Thompson will have any problems jettisoning Manuel. He did with Mark Roman, and I don't but that it was because Roman was a Sherman guy. Thompson doesn't seem too tied to his guys (see Cory Rodgers last year).

True, but I thought I remember an interview or something from Thompson saying that it was the injury early in the year and playing in a new system that hindered Manual's development. But TT could just be saying that to justify the reason why he brought him to GB. I just get this feeling, TT gives the benefit of the doubt and gives his guys longer to prove something over Sherman's pick ups. True, some of Sherman's pick ups deserved to be thrown out, but you never know with TT.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I think TT would say the same about Roman. He has an amazing ability to never insult one of his players in public.

[3irty1]

I know the draft is over... But is it just me or do a lot of you also think Collins would be a better SS???

I do think he'd be a great SS especially if Chuck is moved to FS. Chuck can run with anybody, can cover the whole field and he's proven that he's got great hands. He makes big plays but gives up too many to be a DB imo.

Roman would have been an upgrade to Manual!

I actually thought Roman played well in 2005, 2004 he sucked though. I thought he was serviceable.

I also liked Roman. Probably just because he was fun to watch. He's playing very well for the 49er's now.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I don't think most would consider Roman played "very well" for the 49ers, but he was okay. Point taken. Of course, that doesn't mean he would have played well in Green Bay. Hell, Manuel played well for Seattle in 2005. Roman signed an extension with the 49ers, but it was a cheap deal at $1.5M/year. If he had played "very well," I think he would have made much more money than that on the FA market. I think they believe if nothing else, we have a decent backup for relatively cheap.

[mraynrand]

Harv, I see your point about coverage - clearly Carroll and Poppinga were awful (but Pops did improve over the course of the season - how could he not?). But Collins achilles heel is man coverage, period. I think he's a real talent, but he was terrible when exposed to man coverage. The challenge will be to either coach him up there, or protect him. I don't know how you do that if the other safety is slower and/or with the current scheme. Any thoughts on this?

[HarveyWallbangers]

I don't think he's horrible in man coverage actually. I think his problems are more to do with losing guys in zone coverage (mental). Sure, he gave up a couple of jump balls early (one to a WR that turned out pretty good in Marques Colston), but that's a tough matchup for any safety--one on one against a very good WR. Honestly, I think Collins is going to be a very good all around S, and there's not one thing I think they'll necessarily need to hide him from. Of course, you don't want your S matched up against great receivers all of the time (there aren't many LeRoy Butlers out there). He also had good coverage on many other plays. I watched a replay of the Rams game the other day, and he made a very nice play late in the game one-on-one against a wideout that got the ball back for Green Bay late. He needs to continue to get better in the mental part of the game. Other than that, I think he'll blossom. I was one of the few who felt the same way about Sharper early in his career.

So, you think we need to hide him more in coverage?

[mraynrand]

I don't think he's horrible in man coverage actually. I think his problems are more to do with losing guys in zone coverage (mental). Sure, he gave up a couple of jump balls early (one to a WR that turned out pretty good in Marques Colston), but that's a tough matchup for any safety--one on one against a very good WR. Honestly, I think Collins is going to be a very good all around S, and there's not one thing I think they'll necessarily need to hide him from. Of course, you don't want your S matched up against great receivers all of the time (there aren't many LeRoy Butlers out there). He also had good coverage on many other plays. I watched a replay of the Rams game the other day, and he made a very nice play late in the game one-on-one against a wideout that got the ball back for Green Bay late. He needs to continue to get better in the mental part of the game. Other than that, I think he'll blossom. I was one of the few who felt the same way about Sharper early in his career.

So, you think we need to hide him more in coverage?

Interesting. No, I don't think the Packers need to hide him. I was thinking more along the lines that if the other safety is slower or less experienced, Collins trys to play the entire field to compensate and gets exposed badly at times. That could account for some of the apparent coverage 'busts.' I was one of the people who said that Sharper would pan out, but watching him at games was eye opening. He (Sharper) really was a guy who relied heavily on his athleticism to make up for false steps. He took a lot of risks as well. When you compare him to Brian Dawkins, you can easily see that Dawkins was much more instinctive (or smarter/well-prepared mentally) and read plays a lot better than Sharper. LeRoy Butler had this quality as well. I wonder if Collins can ever reach that level.

[retailguy]

Well if Manual remains the starter

True. Conversely, if Blackmon and Underwood or Rouse step up, the secondary could be really good.

IF, IF, IF.... <sigh>

Is this the new Green Bay mantra, or what? If 42 if's go right we'll be really special.

Just like the guy at the mini mart - "If this lotto ticket takes off, all my worries will be solved.

[CaliforniaCheez]

Underwood, last year's starter, returns.

Rouse, Peprah, and Culver will sort out the back up priorities.

Manuel made the whole secondary look bad and will be gone(he never should have arrived) it is just a question of when and how he gets disposed.

Manuel has never earned a starting spot in the NFL but his starts occurred due to injuries to others. Overpaying him was one of the worst mistakes Ted Thompson has made.

The Defense appears very solid.
The Offense is coming together with a new RB and FB and a couple of new WR's.

There is no position where competition exists except at QB where no one can compete with Brett.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Interesting. No, I don't think the Packers need to hide him. I was thinking more along the lines that if the other safety is slower or less experienced, Collins trys to play the entire field to compensate and gets exposed badly at times. That could account for some of the apparent coverage 'busts.' I was one of the people who said that Sharper would pan out, but watching him at games was eye opening. He (Sharper) really was a guy who relied heavily on his athleticism to make up for false steps. He took a lot of risks as well. When you compare him to Brian Dawkins, you can easily see that Dawkins was much more instinctive (or smarter/well-prepared mentally) and read plays a lot better than Sharper. LeRoy Butler had this quality as well. I wonder if Collins can ever reach that level.

Probably not. I think both of those guys has a shot at the NFL Hall of Fame some day. I think Collins could be pretty good though. I wouldn't even be surprised if he made a Pro Bowl some day. I don't know if I'm just enamored with his athleticism and toughness (like I was with Favre and Sharper at a young age). I'd take two Nick Collins type players at S. People did say that he'd probably take time to develop. Maybe he's lived off God-given talent, and when he finally gets it, he'll be special.

[Bretsky]

I think TT would say the same about Roman. He has an amazing ability to never insult one of his players in public.

TT has a wonderful ability to say much about nothing; he should be a politician.

[packrulz]

I like the Rouse pick, but don't forget about Underwood. If he can stay healthy, I'm banking on him beating out Manuel for the starting spot opposite Collins. Not to get a little too off topic, I'm really curious how things will play out in Traing camp at the safety position. Barring injuries, Collins is a lock, but the competition for the other spots will be between Rouse, Culver, Underwood, Manuel and the other guy...Peprah or something. Do they keep 5 safeties? Does TT admit that Manuel wasn't a good pick up and let him go?

As for Rouse, unless he absolutely sucks in TC, he'll stay on the roster. I don't see him as a starter any time soon, at least not this year and probably not next year either. I think he'll play mainly on special teams and hopefully be a beast there. It'll be some good competition.

Right now the Packers have eight safeties on the roster, Bigby, Manuel, Underwood, Peprah, Culver, Collins, Rouse, & Nnabuife, I'm thinking one or more of those could play nickle if need be.