PACKERS NEWS PD TRANSCRIPT: REVELATIONS

[Packnut]

Wr

It's tough to figure out how a WR will do. Jones has a few positives and might turn out to be a good move the chains kind of guy. Problem is, it's look's like Jennings is also that type. In today's NFL, you gotta be able to stretch the D. IF we had a TE that could do it, things would'nt be as bad, but we don't. Those of you counting on Clowney are gonna be disappointed.

Teddy had a chance to draft Bowe, which is a guy that can out jump DB's. He can stretch the field and is a big RZ target. We'll find out this season whether Thompson made the right choice. I say he blew it. Bowe would have been more valuable and was more needed than Harrell. WR's also have a bigger impact on the game than DT's.

[BobDobbs]

Obviously this is all speculation, but that is the fun part about this time of year. I have to agree with Wist that Holiday looks to be pretty similar to James Jones. I also don't think that he was saying that a 3rd pick has to be an instant game changer. I think he was questioning whether the pick brought the most value to the team.

If all you do is exchange a strong possesion guy for a very similarly abled/bodied player, then maybe your pick is better spent on say a Tight End(for example) as that is a position that a mid round prospect might bring a huge upgrade to.

I took a look at the 3rd round of the draft and James Jones was picked #78 in the midst of a run on receivers from picks #73-#80 (This includes a Tight End and Return Specialist as receivers). Considering that a Receiver hadn't been pick since Steve Smith R2(51) and wouldn't be picked until Johnnie Lee Higgins R3(99), it looks like many GMs felt that this was the time to take advantage of Receiver depth on with a First Day Pick. They are mostly smaller school guys.

I don't follow College Ball enough to trust my predictions, but I enjoy tracking players who were drafted in a similar position to see if the scouts predictions pan out. What I mean is if the Saints had know what they were getting with Colston then they should have drafted him higher. Since he is an anamoly I give them credit for drafting him, but they got a bit lucky.

If you look at a pick like Nick Barnett with both EJ. Hendersen and Boss Bailey on the board. That looks like a good pick now, but at the time those other guys were more highly rated by some scouts.

Now let's look at that run on Receivers

9(73) Houston Jacoby Jones WR LANE
10(74) Baltimore Yamon Figurs RS KANSAS STATE
11(75) Atlanta Laurent Robinson WR ILLINOIS STATE
12(76) San Francisco Jason Hill WR WASHINGTON STATE
13(77) Pittsburgh Matt Spaeth TE MINNESOTA
14(78) Green Bay James Jones WR SAN JOSE STATE
15(79) Jacksonville Mike Walker WR CENTRAL FLORIDA
17(80) Tennessee Paul Williams WR FRESNO STATE

I think the ones to compare over time are Jones, Walker, and Williams since that's who was left. It's probably worth watching those other guys too since it's pretty easy to jump up a couple spots. I just checked to other two guys bios and they are all roughly the same size, but Paul Williams speed jumps out. He did get the ball knocked away from him quite a bit, too much.

One scouting report compares Mike Walker to Greg Jennings without as much speed. He timed a little faster than James Jones. When I watch Jones on tape he looks exciting, but then I remember his level of competition and measurables. I am excited about him and look forward to preseason.

It will be fun to watch these guys careers play out over the next three years.

[HarveyWallbangers]

True, but Terrell didn't strike fear into opposing defenses prior to his first NFL training camp either.

He also stunk his rookie year. He had a bad case of the dropsies his first couple of years in the league. It was until his catch in the playoffs against us that his career turned around, and he was absolutely horrible in that game until the final play.

[Scott Campbell]

A make it happen mentality that is pretty different from what TT has done in the draft so far.

I think it's Ted's mentality to try and take advantage of the "make it happen" crowd like Shermy.

[TopHat]

OTAS & SPORTING NEWS REMARKS

Soothing PD's skepticism, it's best to counter with these positive remarks about JJ and Clowney, beyond the coaches positive remarks:

"Of the six receivers who did participate [windy OTA day], only rookies James Jones and David Clowney did not drop a ball. Jones had a series of nifty grabs, including a catch between three defenders during the team period and a leaping reception in the end zone during 7-on-7."

JJ recieved national media attention for his mini-camp performance making the all-shorts team by sportingnews.com...."James Jones, WR, Packers. The third-round pick from San Jose State was quick and explosive in and out of his cuts, and he plucked every pass thrown his direction."

As fans pointed out, we shall see in training camp and preseason games leading to opening day about the "immediate playmaking" capabilities. So far, "Okay."

[The Shadow]

Re: Wr

It's tough to figure out how a WR will do. Jones has a few positives and might turn out to be a good move the chains kind of guy. Problem is, it's look's like Jennings is also that type. In today's NFL, you gotta be able to stretch the D. IF we had a TE that could do it, things would'nt be as bad, but we don't. Those of you counting on Clowney are gonna be disappointed.

Teddy had a chance to draft Bowe, which is a guy that can out jump DB's. He can stretch the field and is a big RZ target. We'll find out this season whether Thompson made the right choice. I say he blew it. Bowe would have been more valuable and was more needed than Harrell. WR's also have a bigger impact on the game than DT's.

Stop the presses! News Flash!!!

[OS PA]

Re: OTAS & SPORTING NEWS REMARKS

Soothing PD's skepticism, it's best to counter with these positive remarks about JJ and Clowney, beyond the coaches positive remarks:

"Of the six receivers who did participate [windy OTA day], only rookies James Jones and David Clowney did not drop a ball. Jones had a series of nifty grabs, including a catch between three defenders during the team period and a leaping reception in the end zone during 7-on-7."

JJ recieved national media attention for his mini-camp performance making the all-shorts team by sportingnews.com...."James Jones, WR, Packers. The third-round pick from San Jose State was quick and explosive in and out of his cuts, and he plucked every pass thrown his direction."

As fans pointed out, we shall see in training camp and preseason games leading to opening day about the "immediate playmaking" capabilities. So far, "Okay."

With recievers you look for three things before all others: Hands, Route Running, and Seperation Ability. With everything i've seen on Jones he is supurb in all three of these areas, he's a big, strong, smart, and doesn't drop anything. The only real knock on his recieving ability is his speed, and running a 4.6/40 isn't slow by any means. Jones is going to be a solid starter in three to four years, I don't expect an all-pro season this season or even next, but by his third season he'll know the league, and he'll know the little tricks that the good players use to get open. The kid is going to be good.

[BobDobbs]

"Of the six receivers who did participate [windy OTA day], only rookies James Jones and David Clowney did not drop a ball. Jones had a series of nifty grabs, including a catch between three defenders during the team period and a leaping reception in the end zone during 7-on-7."

I love all the catches in traffic on Jones's highlight tape. He's definitely going against smaller guys who aren't playing him physical. But, going up and getting the ball is natural ability combined with a hunger for it. If he's coachable we might get a red zone scoring threat out of this guy.

Of course, critics might say that he HAS to make all those catches in traffic, because he can't get seperation.

[The Leaper]

Re: OTAS & SPORTING NEWS REMARKS

With recievers you look for three things before all others: Hands, Route Running, and Seperation Ability. With everything i've seen on Jones he is supurb in all three of these areas, he's a big, strong, smart, and doesn't drop anything.

What has he proven it against? How long has he proven it for?

It has been made pretty evident by most people watching camps recently that Jones did not turn heads like Jennings did last year. He did not do poorly, but he wasn't outrageously good either. He does seem to have great hands...which certainly is a plus. That could help him see playing time sooner rather than later.

However, I think it is way too early to declare that he is superb in route running or separation. He did not play long enough in college to really establish his ability...especially against the mediocre competition he was facing. Most of the big plays I have seen on tape from Jones have LITTLE to do with his route running or separation ability, and MORE to do with incompetant and overmatched DBs.

As I have maintained...I like Jones in the long term. I think he can be a starter in the NFL, which is good enough production from a 3rd round pick. However, based on the needs of this offense, I fail to see how Jones provides any real solution for what ails us. He doesn't have speed to stretch the defense. He doesn't have size to make an impact in the red zone. He doesn't have the experience (like a Jennings had last year) to step in and immediately produce on a relatively consistent basis.

This was a deep draft at WR. We had plenty of opportunity to get a different WR who offered far more potential. I'm disappointed Thompson did not make much of an attempt to do so...because ultimately that is what it takes to get a team over the top in the NFL.

[Packnut]

Re: Wr

It's tough to figure out how a WR will do. Jones has a few positives and might turn out to be a good move the chains kind of guy. Problem is, it's look's like Jennings is also that type. In today's NFL, you gotta be able to stretch the D. IF we had a TE that could do it, things would'nt be as bad, but we don't. Those of you counting on Clowney are gonna be disappointed.

Teddy had a chance to draft Bowe, which is a guy that can out jump DB's. He can stretch the field and is a big RZ target. We'll find out this season whether Thompson made the right choice. I say he blew it. Bowe would have been more valuable and was more needed than Harrell. WR's also have a bigger impact on the game than DT's.

Stop the presses! News Flash!!!

Nope, no news flash, just the same opinion as the over-whelming majority of people who cover football for a living have. With Harrell's injury history in high school and college, even you can't deny the injury history makes this pick a gamble. My point is that you don't go for a home run with the team we have. You take the sure double. You gamble when you already have a good team. That way if you are wrong, it does'nt hurt as much.

[run pMc]

We had the chance to go after some WRs who were well proven on the college level and had great size in the 2nd round

Not disagreeing...but despite what people say about TT drafting the BPA over need, I think a RB was a bigger need in round 2 than WR. I don't recall any decent (starter-quality) FA RB's available at draft time, so they probably would have been forced to pick a RB in round 3. That might have been OK too...but clearly TT had Jackson (or the RB position as a need) ranked higher.

I think Jones and Jennings are two different kinds of WR's; whether comparing them is fair or not is up to you. I like Ruvell Martin, but I think he's at his ceiling; the staff must think Jones's "upside" is higher. I'm very interested to see how Holliday plays in TC -- for all I know he could be the #3. Time will tell about Jones, Clowney, and the rest of the WR's.

Being a 5th rounder, I'm not expecting much of anything this season from Clowney (if he makes the squad). Best case is probably that he learns the ropes on the practice squad this year, and long-term acts as a speed guy who stretches the defense and lets guys like Jones run the underneath routes.

From what I heard about Bowe, he didn't impress in the OTA's...he showed up late, and dropped some easy balls. I have to admit, pre-draft there were times when I was hoping TT would trade down a few spots and pick him. Then I thought Meachem would be TT's pick...but at this point his conditioning, attitude, and knee situation make him sound like he could be another 1st round WR-bust.

BobDobbs, I agree -- I think it is most appropriate to compare with other WR's picked within that same range...and it will be interesting to see if/how they pan out. WR's take a while to develop in the pros...3 years is usually enough time.

As far as whether Jones gives the team the best value...I'm obviously not qualified to do anything other than throw out my opinion. If Holliday and Jones are the same player, it's a wasted pick unless one of them goes on IR or you have a lot of plays where the WR's are running 6-yard patterns.

[The Leaper]

Re: Wr

Nope, no news flash, just the same opinion as the over-whelming majority of people who cover football for a living have. With Harrell's injury history in high school and college, even you can't deny the injury history makes this pick a gamble. My point is that you don't go for a home run with the team we have. You take the sure double. You gamble when you already have a good team. That way if you are wrong, it does'nt hurt as much.

I'm not sure I can pigeonhole it to that extent. I do think there are instances where a bad team should roll the dice on a potential elite player...what do they really have to lose? I also think a good team can get farther taking a "safe" player in an area of need than taking a flier on "potential" in an area they might be OK at.

A lot depends on the depth of talent in the draft and how it is distributed at each position. A gamble in one draft at a position might make sense...but the same gamble in another draft might not. This year, I think it made sense to gamble on Harrell...because the position was relatively low on talent, and it is clear that Harrell had premium talent when compared to most other DTs healthy.

[TopHat]

GOOD POINTS!

Outstanding posts!

[TopHat]

EDITORIAL! HILARIOUS YOUTUBE PACK VIDEO

These Pack fans' posts are extremely well written with something to say about the ongoing debate, reflected by the experts, fans, and writers, that expresses concerns about "immediate offensive playmakers" for Favre, maybe his last harrah. Surprisely, echoing Favre, even Philbin said their professional development could take years. On the lighter side, check out a really hilarious funny fans' reaction on draft day: Packers Draft Day Freak-Out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekPumyJjdX4

[TopHat]

GOOD NEWS!

http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=61&p=2&c=655141&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http%3a%2f%2fpackers.scout.com%2f2%2f655141.html

In depth: Wide receivers. PackerReport.com's Todd Korth continues his series on analyzing each position on the Packers. Today, Korth assesses the wide receivers and argues why the Packers should be able to get along just fine without Randy Moss.