"HARRELL, WAITING AND WATCHING""

[Carolina_Packer]

Right now the Packers look a little foolish for taking Harrell. If he was so good why can't he beat out Colin Cole or Johnny Jolly? The Packers had no need at tackle

This pretty well sums it up. The "best player available" theory doesn't work when the "best player" can't crack a 10-deep depth chart.

It's like this: Justin Harrell is a major disappointment. If he does not become a STARTER next year, he is a major flop.

I don't expect every player to be a great or even good pick, it is largely a crap shoot. I trust TT had good reason to pick Harrell. And maybe we'll find out next year that all is rosy.

Perhaps he got a little too near sighted when it came to building the D-line. Like I said, I can see how his perceptions might change after going through camp. Funny, he's willing to take a gamble on young talent at RB, a much more high profile and uncertain position during the off-season, but elects to stock up on a D-lineman. If he was sitting there with a crytal ball before he drafted Harrell and could see all the way to today, do you think he still would have chosen Harrell? How about if he could have seen how Johnny Jolly was going to step up? I think many would argue that we could addressed a higher need at #16 (and you can insert favorite players name there), and then draft a more developmental type guy later (or hell, look at Muir that we got as an undrafted). First round busts are the highest profile ones for sure...Tony Mandarich, Jon Michaels, and Jamal Reynolds could not be reached for comment.

I still think Harrell deserves more time. He was a boom/bust first round pick with his injury. I think he needs to show something this year or we need to hang onto Corey Williams. Your thoughts?

[Harlan Huckleby]

If he was sitting there with a crytal ball before he drafted Harrell and could see all the way to today, do you think he still would have chosen Harrell?

This is the only good question right now.

For people saying "wait and see", it is true that things can change. But it is not be an excuse to ignore the evidence right before your nose.

[Packnut]

Harrell

It's not so much a rip on the Packers as it is a rip on 3T. Before the pick, after the pick, it doesn't really matter. There are not very many supporters of taking Harrell in the first round. More over, there were more pressing needs at the time and once again 3T did what he wanted and not what was in the best interests of the team. If we go 4-0 or 19-0 or 3-13, it doesn't matter. It was a wasted pick then and it is a wasted pick now. That's why I asked how much his contract was worth. How much on the hook are we for this guy and for how many years if we end up cutting him? There were much better options on the board and 3T took the worst option available. It isn't helping us win games sure, but we added depth at the only position we had depth. And people call this guy smart?

If Harrell makes the Pro Bowl in 3 years was it a wasted pick? and coming back and saying it won't happen is an invalid answer. So is saying he won't crack the lineup.

There is a better chance of Iran becoming our newest bestest buddy, than Harrell making the pro-bowl in 3 years........

[MJZiggy]

That's invalid. I want an answer to the question: if Harrell makes the pro bowl in 3 years is he a wasted pick?

[Harlan Huckleby]

That's invalid. I want an answer to the question: if Harrell makes the pro bowl in 3 years is he a wasted pick?

no.

and if he has 10 children, he's not impotent.

[Packnut]

Harrell

That's invalid. I want an answer to the question: if Harrell makes the pro bowl in 3 years is he a wasted pick?

Yes. Harrell was not needed. Our D line was fine. If you wanna take the position that TT believed no one at 16 could help us this season, fine. If you wanna believe TT was planning for the future with this pick, that's fine too. However, he should have planned to concentrate more on what will become a position of need and that is cornerback. He could have taken one of the top CB's who could have been groomed over the next few seasons.

I'm not thrilled with Bush cause he does'nt know how to play the ball which is something I believe a DB should have an instinct for. IF Harris or Woodson go down, we're screwed. We have depth at D line without Harrell in the mix.

The previous party line was DT's take time to develope. Well Mr Okoye is all the rage down in Houston and has BLASTED that theory all to hell.

[GBRulz]

That's invalid. I want an answer to the question: if Harrell makes the pro bowl in 3 years is he a wasted pick?

If we are 1 playmaker short of making a serious SB run with Favre still here, yes.

I just think that unless a first round pick can contribute somewhat in his rookie year, it's a wasted pick. You pick up 1st rounders because you want (hope) for them to help your team now, not 4 years later. Especially with the money these rookie's are getting. QB's are a little different, so no I don't see Rodgers as a wasted pick. Although think of our team with Frank Gore instead??

[Maxie the Taxi]

Drafting players is like hiring employees: you win some and you lose some.

In 2006 we had to choose between Hawk and Mario Williams. I wanted Williams. We also had to choose between Greg Jennings and Devin Hester. I wanted Jennings. I also wanted Abdul Hodge over Demeco Ryans. The whole league passed on Marques Colston.

My pre-draft board this year looked like this:

1. ROBERT MEACHEM, WR
2. BRIAN LEONARD, RB
3. BEN PATRICK, TE (or FRED BENNETT, CB)
4. LORENZO BOOKER, RB, PR
5. COURTNEY BROWN, CB (or MARTREZ MILNER, TE)
6. YAMON FIGURS, WR, KR
7. ROY HALL, WR, TE

I'm satisfied TT did all right, all things considered. I think you have to wait 2-3 years to really know how guys pan out.

[wist43]

If Williams walks as a result of drafting Harrell... regardless of how Harrell plays, he's a wasted pick b/c you already had the position filled with Williams.

It was Williams who provided the pressure on Rivers for Barnett's interception that sealed the win last week.

Williams is a damn fine DT... you don't use 1st round picks on guys that are going to be 3rd on your depth chart - or in this case, 5th - when all you have to do is sign the 1st two guys to extensions - with the truckload of cap space you have - and likely be set at the position for the next 5-6 years.

[MJZiggy]

If Harrell's playing poorly, I can't see TT not signing Williams just so he can keep Harrell. He seems to be brutally in the camp that you put the best 53 on the field.

[HarveyWallbangers]

If Williams walks as a result of drafting Harrell... regardless of how Harrell plays, he's a wasted pick b/c you already had the position filled with Williams.

Fruitless. If Williams walks, nobody will know if it's because of Harrell or Green Bay didn't think he was worth the money (see Ahman Green). The fact that Williams CAN walk after this year was a good reason to draft Harrell. If Harrell becomes a good player, it was a good pick--no matter what happens with Williams.

[Partial]

Harrell can ride the pine for a year if that is what it takes.

His two predecessors at Tenn are the two most dominant defensive tackles in the league. If I remember correctly, it took Haynesworth 2-3 years before he became a stud.

Let's look at this argument again in 4 years. Give the kid some time.

[The Leaper]

I just think that unless a first round pick can contribute somewhat in his rookie year, it's a wasted pick.

Harrell could very easily turn out to be a perennial Pro Bowl talent 2-3 years down the line...and you would sit here and claim that is a waste simply because he wasn't a world beater in year 1?

The fact of the matter is that the depth on our DL is a huge advantage. Harrell's drafting likely ensures that depth will remain into the future...regardless of what happens down the road.

I'm willing to give Harrell a couple years to develop before I write him off as a wasted pick.

[VanPackFan]

Re: Harrell

There is a better chance of Iran becoming our newest bestest buddy, than Harrell making the pro-bowl in 3 years........

I don't understand for one second how you can possibly say this, and I hope my sarcasm detector is malfunctioning.
If the kid has a good work ethic and skills, and if he follows the same progression path as many before him, there's no reason he shouldn't be a starter next year and go from there.
Odds are the door will be open for him when Corey Williams inevitably departs. I think if they were going to extend his contract they would have done so by now. I think Jolly's emergence probably put the kibosh on handing Williams the cash.

Here's the question... when Donald Driver was drafted did any of you see him turning into a pro bowler? Did anyone see Marques Colston coming last year? Did anyone think a nickel back from Philadelphia would become our shutdown corner? To write off a first round draft pick, ANY first round draft pick, at this point is foolish.

[rbaloha1]

Relax on Justin Harrell

Chill Packer fans on Justin Harrell. We are 3-0 with a 75 per cent likelihood of making the playoffs. Is it not amazing how much the team has progressed from 2005 and 2006?

As for JH, the guy flashed power and explosion during the preseason. The problem was stamina which is easily fixed throughout the season.

Fortunately the Packers are blessed with quality d-tackles allowing JH to learn and develop the required NFL stamina.

Corey Williams is elgible for free agency after the season. Ryan Pickett is 30+. Colin Cole is strictly a rotational tackle. Next season, JH starts and makes a significant contribution.

Okay TT bashers, you need to find something to complain about. When does the whining stop? When are you guys start to show thanks for TT rebuilding the team to make a legitimate playoff run?