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Defensive line ranks among NFL's best
Bob McGinn, JSO
Green Bay - Even now, as the Green Bay Packers line up with their best defensive line in a decade, much of the focus is on Justin Harrell.
That's kind of the way it goes these days in the National Football League, where just about everyone not only wants to play general manager but thinks he could be a good one, too.
The hard-core fantasy football players, along with some old-fashioned fans, tend to evaluate the real general managers on moves that don't pan out while conveniently glossing over those that do.
Harrell? Reported out of shape. Came across as somewhat naïve, maybe too nice. Wasn't prepared for the tempo of an NFL training camp. And now he's hurt.
Is he the first-round bust many doomsayers already have penciled him in as? He shouldn't be. If Harrell learns how to push himself and discovers what it takes to be a pro, he should turn into a solid starter.
Whether that happens any time soon remains to be seen. It isn't going to be easy for Harrell or any of the other backups to start on this defensive line, which might not be as good from top to bottom as New England, Jacksonville and San Diego but certainly rates in that next tier along with Tennessee, Minnesota, Detroit, Philadelphia, Carolina, Indianapolis, Baltimore, Chicago and Pittsburgh.
"I think Green Bay may have the best defensive linemen in all of football," said James Lofton, the Chargers' wide receivers coach who saw the Packers in Week 3. "That six-, seven-man rotation they're able to throw in there, those guys are really good. That's the strength of that defense. I know the corners are veteran players but those D-linemen are great."
The last time anyone was saying the Packers had a great defensive line was 1996 when they won the Super Bowl. But by the time Mike Sherman took over in 2000, the unit had hit hard times.
During the next six seasons, Sherman made dozens of decisions regarding the defensive line. The two that will live in infamy were the first-round selection of Jamal Reynolds, made in conjunction with lame-duck GM Ron Wolf, and the unrestricted free-agent signing of Joe Johnson.
When Reynolds and Johnson turned out to be horrendous mistakes, it took time for the Packers to recover. That's why Thompson didn't appear to inherit much of a defensive line when he replaced Sherman as GM in January 2005. At the same time, the new defensive coordinator, Jim Bates, couldn't stop bubbling about the talent in the defensive line.
No one knew it then but Bates basically was right. Five defensive-line survivors from the '04 team, one dating to Wolf and four to Sherman, rank among the seven best players today.
Together with the six players added by Thompson, the Packers have 11 whom they regard as almost interchangeable.
The success of the group can't all be attributed to player procurement. Robert Nunn, the defensive tackles coach since 2005, and Carl Hairston, who replaced Bob Sanders coaching the ends in '06, have done a remarkable job not only developing players but also fostering an unselfish approach that permeates the group.
Just look at how these players entered the league. Besides Harrell, Ryan Pickett (first round) was the only other player selected in the first four rounds. Two of the 11 were fifth-round picks, three were sixth-round choices and four weren't even drafted.
Now look at them.
Aaron Kampman has been to the Pro Bowl. An offensive line coach for an NFC North team last week said Cullen Jenkins, a free agent in 2003, was every bit as good as Minnesota's Kevin Williams, the ninth pick in the '03 draft. And Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila already has broken Reggie White's team sack record.
But the focus today will be on how these players got to Green Bay.
As you read this, remember how much work, insight and foresight went into each of these acquisitions. Remember, too, just how ruthless is the competition for players among the 32 teams.
In order of how they've played and practiced through six games, here's how the Packers' 11 defensive linemen arrived:
Aaron Kampman, DE: Fifth-round pick in 2002; that choice was part of Sherman's trade up for Javon Walker, one of the best deals in recent club annals … Wasn't even invited to the combine but after campus workout the Packers came to categorize him as the second best testing athlete among defensive linemen in the draft … Director of college scouting John Dorsey had been high on Kampman for months … Sherman signed off on the selection after being blown away by Kampman's personality during pre-draft visit to Green Bay … "We felt everything was ahead of him," vice president Mark Hatley said on draft day … Thirteen ends were taken ahead of Kampman but only Julius Peppers and Dwight Freeney have played better.
Ryan Pickett, DT: Unrestricted free agent signing (four years, $14 million, $6 million guaranteed) from St. Louis in March 2006 … Director of pro personnel Reggie McKenzie staked his reputation on Pickett, the 29th pick in 2001 who hadn't really played all that well until '05 … Believing in McKenzie, Thompson then reached his own conclusion that Pickett was best DT in free-agent class that included Gerard Warren, Maake Kemoeatu, Rocky Bernard and Larry Tripplett. Warren and Kemoeatu got more money than Pickett but haven't played nearly as well … "He played in a one-gap scheme and I was concerned because it wasn't our style," Nunn said. "But the more I kept watching I said, 'Hey, this guy fits.'"
Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, DE: Fifth-round pick in 2000 … The Packers needed an "elephant" end to play in new coordinator Ed Donatell's system … Released on the last cut that August, Wolf signed him to practice squad the next day and then promoted him to roster Oct. 10 … Ten ends were taken ahead of "KGB" but none turned out any better.
Cullen Jenkins, DE: Undrafted free agent in 2003 ($2,000 signing bonus) … Played end at Central Michigan but weighed just 267 as a senior … Bulked up to 295 by draft day and worked out extremely well in March … Became a priority free-agent signing ramrodded by Dorsey … Released on cut to 65 that August and was out of football in '03 … Remembering his pass-rush explosiveness, McKenzie signed him to "street" free-agent deal in January '04 and shipped him to NFL Europe, where his career took off.
Johnny Jolly, DT: Sixth-round pick in 2006 … Played hurt as a senior on a bad ankle and then posted the slowest 40-yard dash (5.41 seconds) of 47 defensive linemen at the combine … Thompson refused to give up on Jolly, citing his competitive fire and quick feet … "We discussed him right after the first day of the draft," Nunn said. "He was one of the guys we were going after." … A high grade from area scout Alonzo Highsmith was one reason why the Packers' final grade made him an obvious late choice … Only four, maybe five of the 14 tackles taken ahead of Jolly have played better.
Corey Williams, DT: Sixth-round pick in 2004 … After trading up for DE Kenny Peterson and DT James Lee in '03 and DT Donnell Washington early in '04, Sherman was at it again on the second day in '04 … An ankle injury ruined Williams' development at Arkansas State but personnel analyst John Schneider was among those who really liked him on the basis of potential … Just four of the 17 tackles taken ahead of Williams have turned out better.
Colin Cole, DT: Signed as a free agent by Minnesota in 2003, also spent time with Detroit in '03 and '04 before joining Packers' practice squad in September '04 ... Activated late that November and has been a fixture since … Joint effort of pro personnel department led by McKenzie, Eliot Wolf and Tim Terry.
Justin Harrell, DT: First-round pick in 2007 … Thompson rated him as the No. 1 tackle in the draft … There wasn't another run stuffer with size in the draft that interested him … He viewed Harrell as a talent that eventually would put the group over the top … After rebuffing Cleveland's offer of a first-round pick in '08, he took Harrell over WR Robert Meachem.
Michael Montgomery, DE: Sixth-round pick in 2005 … Admired for his play during the '04 but ran poorly (5.05) at the combine … Thompson never came off him … Twelfth end taken; three of the four taken immediately before him are out of football.
Daniel Muir, DT: Undrafted free agent in 2007 ($15,000 signing bonus) … Four-year starter at end and tackle for Kent State … Swift 40 (4.87), tremendous strength and a zealous personality … Shaun Herock, assistant director of college scouting, pushed for him throughout the process.
Jason Hunter, DE: Undrafted free agent in 2006 ($15,000 signing bonus) … Undersized pass rusher and special-teams ace … Had 13 sacks and three defensive touchdowns in '05 for Division I-AA champion Appalachian State.
Each fall, scouts sit in film rooms and stand on practice fields across America using every experience that they have had in life to determine who among the many will make it and who among the many will not. In the end, decision-makers like Ron Wolf, Mike Sherman and Ted Thompson have the lonely job of making the calls that affect football organizations for years to come.
When they're right many more times than they're wrong, the result is a splendid unit just like the defensive line in Green Bay.
Bob McGinn, JSO
Green Bay - Even now, as the Green Bay Packers line up with their best defensive line in a decade, much of the focus is on Justin Harrell.
That's kind of the way it goes these days in the National Football League, where just about everyone not only wants to play general manager but thinks he could be a good one, too.
The hard-core fantasy football players, along with some old-fashioned fans, tend to evaluate the real general managers on moves that don't pan out while conveniently glossing over those that do.
Harrell? Reported out of shape. Came across as somewhat naïve, maybe too nice. Wasn't prepared for the tempo of an NFL training camp. And now he's hurt.
Is he the first-round bust many doomsayers already have penciled him in as? He shouldn't be. If Harrell learns how to push himself and discovers what it takes to be a pro, he should turn into a solid starter.
Whether that happens any time soon remains to be seen. It isn't going to be easy for Harrell or any of the other backups to start on this defensive line, which might not be as good from top to bottom as New England, Jacksonville and San Diego but certainly rates in that next tier along with Tennessee, Minnesota, Detroit, Philadelphia, Carolina, Indianapolis, Baltimore, Chicago and Pittsburgh.
"I think Green Bay may have the best defensive linemen in all of football," said James Lofton, the Chargers' wide receivers coach who saw the Packers in Week 3. "That six-, seven-man rotation they're able to throw in there, those guys are really good. That's the strength of that defense. I know the corners are veteran players but those D-linemen are great."
The last time anyone was saying the Packers had a great defensive line was 1996 when they won the Super Bowl. But by the time Mike Sherman took over in 2000, the unit had hit hard times.
During the next six seasons, Sherman made dozens of decisions regarding the defensive line. The two that will live in infamy were the first-round selection of Jamal Reynolds, made in conjunction with lame-duck GM Ron Wolf, and the unrestricted free-agent signing of Joe Johnson.
When Reynolds and Johnson turned out to be horrendous mistakes, it took time for the Packers to recover. That's why Thompson didn't appear to inherit much of a defensive line when he replaced Sherman as GM in January 2005. At the same time, the new defensive coordinator, Jim Bates, couldn't stop bubbling about the talent in the defensive line.
No one knew it then but Bates basically was right. Five defensive-line survivors from the '04 team, one dating to Wolf and four to Sherman, rank among the seven best players today.
Together with the six players added by Thompson, the Packers have 11 whom they regard as almost interchangeable.
The success of the group can't all be attributed to player procurement. Robert Nunn, the defensive tackles coach since 2005, and Carl Hairston, who replaced Bob Sanders coaching the ends in '06, have done a remarkable job not only developing players but also fostering an unselfish approach that permeates the group.
Just look at how these players entered the league. Besides Harrell, Ryan Pickett (first round) was the only other player selected in the first four rounds. Two of the 11 were fifth-round picks, three were sixth-round choices and four weren't even drafted.
Now look at them.
Aaron Kampman has been to the Pro Bowl. An offensive line coach for an NFC North team last week said Cullen Jenkins, a free agent in 2003, was every bit as good as Minnesota's Kevin Williams, the ninth pick in the '03 draft. And Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila already has broken Reggie White's team sack record.
But the focus today will be on how these players got to Green Bay.
As you read this, remember how much work, insight and foresight went into each of these acquisitions. Remember, too, just how ruthless is the competition for players among the 32 teams.
In order of how they've played and practiced through six games, here's how the Packers' 11 defensive linemen arrived:
Aaron Kampman, DE: Fifth-round pick in 2002; that choice was part of Sherman's trade up for Javon Walker, one of the best deals in recent club annals … Wasn't even invited to the combine but after campus workout the Packers came to categorize him as the second best testing athlete among defensive linemen in the draft … Director of college scouting John Dorsey had been high on Kampman for months … Sherman signed off on the selection after being blown away by Kampman's personality during pre-draft visit to Green Bay … "We felt everything was ahead of him," vice president Mark Hatley said on draft day … Thirteen ends were taken ahead of Kampman but only Julius Peppers and Dwight Freeney have played better.
Ryan Pickett, DT: Unrestricted free agent signing (four years, $14 million, $6 million guaranteed) from St. Louis in March 2006 … Director of pro personnel Reggie McKenzie staked his reputation on Pickett, the 29th pick in 2001 who hadn't really played all that well until '05 … Believing in McKenzie, Thompson then reached his own conclusion that Pickett was best DT in free-agent class that included Gerard Warren, Maake Kemoeatu, Rocky Bernard and Larry Tripplett. Warren and Kemoeatu got more money than Pickett but haven't played nearly as well … "He played in a one-gap scheme and I was concerned because it wasn't our style," Nunn said. "But the more I kept watching I said, 'Hey, this guy fits.'"
Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, DE: Fifth-round pick in 2000 … The Packers needed an "elephant" end to play in new coordinator Ed Donatell's system … Released on the last cut that August, Wolf signed him to practice squad the next day and then promoted him to roster Oct. 10 … Ten ends were taken ahead of "KGB" but none turned out any better.
Cullen Jenkins, DE: Undrafted free agent in 2003 ($2,000 signing bonus) … Played end at Central Michigan but weighed just 267 as a senior … Bulked up to 295 by draft day and worked out extremely well in March … Became a priority free-agent signing ramrodded by Dorsey … Released on cut to 65 that August and was out of football in '03 … Remembering his pass-rush explosiveness, McKenzie signed him to "street" free-agent deal in January '04 and shipped him to NFL Europe, where his career took off.
Johnny Jolly, DT: Sixth-round pick in 2006 … Played hurt as a senior on a bad ankle and then posted the slowest 40-yard dash (5.41 seconds) of 47 defensive linemen at the combine … Thompson refused to give up on Jolly, citing his competitive fire and quick feet … "We discussed him right after the first day of the draft," Nunn said. "He was one of the guys we were going after." … A high grade from area scout Alonzo Highsmith was one reason why the Packers' final grade made him an obvious late choice … Only four, maybe five of the 14 tackles taken ahead of Jolly have played better.
Corey Williams, DT: Sixth-round pick in 2004 … After trading up for DE Kenny Peterson and DT James Lee in '03 and DT Donnell Washington early in '04, Sherman was at it again on the second day in '04 … An ankle injury ruined Williams' development at Arkansas State but personnel analyst John Schneider was among those who really liked him on the basis of potential … Just four of the 17 tackles taken ahead of Williams have turned out better.
Colin Cole, DT: Signed as a free agent by Minnesota in 2003, also spent time with Detroit in '03 and '04 before joining Packers' practice squad in September '04 ... Activated late that November and has been a fixture since … Joint effort of pro personnel department led by McKenzie, Eliot Wolf and Tim Terry.
Justin Harrell, DT: First-round pick in 2007 … Thompson rated him as the No. 1 tackle in the draft … There wasn't another run stuffer with size in the draft that interested him … He viewed Harrell as a talent that eventually would put the group over the top … After rebuffing Cleveland's offer of a first-round pick in '08, he took Harrell over WR Robert Meachem.
Michael Montgomery, DE: Sixth-round pick in 2005 … Admired for his play during the '04 but ran poorly (5.05) at the combine … Thompson never came off him … Twelfth end taken; three of the four taken immediately before him are out of football.
Daniel Muir, DT: Undrafted free agent in 2007 ($15,000 signing bonus) … Four-year starter at end and tackle for Kent State … Swift 40 (4.87), tremendous strength and a zealous personality … Shaun Herock, assistant director of college scouting, pushed for him throughout the process.
Jason Hunter, DE: Undrafted free agent in 2006 ($15,000 signing bonus) … Undersized pass rusher and special-teams ace … Had 13 sacks and three defensive touchdowns in '05 for Division I-AA champion Appalachian State.
Each fall, scouts sit in film rooms and stand on practice fields across America using every experience that they have had in life to determine who among the many will make it and who among the many will not. In the end, decision-makers like Ron Wolf, Mike Sherman and Ted Thompson have the lonely job of making the calls that affect football organizations for years to come.
When they're right many more times than they're wrong, the result is a splendid unit just like the defensive line in Green Bay.
and said "ok, we have a few more candidates to interview and you'll hear from us"
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