wpr
  • wpr
  • Preferred Member Topic Starter
14 years ago

Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers wins, cornerbacks lose in draft
 



The Green Bay Packers stocked their roster by drafting 10 players last week, which will leave some veterans either out of work or demoted come September.

Thats the nature of the NFL, where competition and General Manager Ted Thompsons constant quest for improvement keeps the revolving roster door spinning. The draft created clear winners and losers among returning players:

Winners

The Packers showered quarterback Aaron Rodgers with gifts. He received new offensive weapons in the form of receiver Randall Cobb and running back Alex Green, and extra protection with first-round tackle Derek Sherrod. Life is good for the reigning Super Bowl MVP.

C.J. Wilson was an unsung seventh-round draft choice last year but has the chance to play a significant role on the defensive line. The expected departures of Cullen Jenkins and Johnny Jolly already provided a window of opportunity. But it got even better for Wilson when the Packers ignored a college talent pool rich in defensive ends until the seventh round. Third-year defensive end Jarius Wynns career prospects also went up.

Graham Harrell isnt ready for prime time, but with Matt Flynns contract expiring after the season and no competition coming out of the draft, the Packers third-string quarterback has the chance to eventually climb the depth chart.

The Packers waited until the sixth round to draft an outside linebacker, which is a huge vote of confidence for Frank Zombo, Erik Walden and Brad Jones. One of those players likely will be in the starting lineup opposite Clay Matthews in the season opener.

The selection of Cobb, who doubles as a return man, means Pro Bowl-caliber cornerback Tramon Williams no longer needs to sacrifice life and limb returning punts. The Packers risked Williams health last season on special teams because there was no decent alternative. Williams can get back to focusing on what he does best, which is shutting down opposing receivers.

Jarrett Bush, formerly one of the most criticized players on the team, proved his worth on special teams last season and in the secondary with an interception in the Super Bowl. The Packers didnt draft a safety, which should allow Bush to stay for another year.

Losers


Its conceivable, maybe even likely, that Pat Lee and Brandon Underwood will make the roster, but their chances of earning more playing time were reduced when the Packers drafted cornerback Davon House. What formerly was a two-man scramble for cornerback duty behind Charles Woodson, Williams and Sam Shields has become a three-way battle.

The presence of Green, the third-round pick from Hawaii, could knock Brandon Jackson out of his third-down running back role, or make the Packers less inclined to give Jackson a new contract. If Green produces a big splash, it also could pave the way for the departure of Ryan Grant after this season.

The Packers wont feel as hard-pressed to re-sign James Jones now that Cobb, the second-round receiver from Kentucky, is in the fold. Even if Jones stays, he likely wont see as many balls thrown his way.

Conventional wisdom suggests the drafting of two tight ends will spell trouble for Tom Crabtree. But its possible the Packers will keep four tight ends at the expense of the fullback position. While the versatile and productive John Kuhn is a good bet to stick, the same cant be said for Korey Hall or Quinn Johnson. One or both might have to go.

Its almost a given that Sherrods arrival will hasten the departure of tackle Mark Tauscher. But veteran guards and potential free agents Jason Spitz and Daryn Colledge also could be on their way out the door if young and hungry linemen like T.J. Lang, Nick McDonald or sixth-round draft pick Caleb Schlauderaff develop.


UserPostedImage
Dulak
14 years ago
Nice article and sounds pretty accurate - I still want jones and jenkins back thou - even if these rookies would be on the bench or out.
musccy
14 years ago
agreed, and can't believe I'm saying this but I do want Jones back. I don't know what to expect from Driver or Swain, which could leave the team with only 2 viable threats and a rookie.

W/ Cullen, either they know something we don't about the potential of the 10 DL prospects they have in the barn, or they're going to make a big push for Cullen afterall.

It'll be interesting to see what competition does to guys like Grant, BJack, Lang, Underwood, Quarless and Crabtree...pressure makes diamonds and hopefully that's the case w/ some of these guys.
beast
14 years ago

agreed, and can't believe I'm saying this but I do want Jones back. I don't know what to expect from Driver or Swain, which could leave the team with only 2 viable threats and a rookie.

"musccy" wrote:



As well as a couple of very athletic TEs (which some can move like big WRs) and hopefully a running game.

W/ Cullen, either they know something we don't about the potential of the 10 DL prospects they have in the barn, or they're going to make a big push for Cullen afterall.

"musccy" wrote:



This DL has good potential even with out Jenkins... they just need to stay healthy and grow and get better a bit. But with Jenkins it could be an amazing DL...

My guess is they have put a dollar amount on Jenkins contract, but letting him test the FA market... when they get an idea of the market then the Packers will ether decide to match the best offer or not match it...

just like they did with Clifton last year... who rumored didn't want to change teams... and he smartly went to the Redskins (high spenders and seriously need help at the position) ... but I think Thompson felt he had to match it (to protect Rodgers... and that was before Tausher resign or the draft so no Bulaga ether).... I'm not sure he feels he needs to resign Jenkins... and I'm not sure dollar amount but one would think it's less than the Franchise tag amount because they didn't tag him.
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musccy
14 years ago
You're right that a few of the TEs could almost double as WRs, I even wonder if they'd entertain 4 wrs on the roster this year to account for the TE depth. Regardless, w/o Jones, you only have 2 viable wr threats with Driver showing his age this past year (even prior to his quad injury), and Cobb an unkown thus far which makes me nervous (as if I matter).

You're right that they didn't franchise him, but that was also prior to the Jolly incident this spring, and who knows if that factored into their play on Cullen or not. Cullen isn't a spring chicken at 30, they seemed to play a lot of 5 lb sets last year, and they seem to have faith in CJ and Neal, so you may be right that they view him as being somewhat expendable.
beast
14 years ago

You're right that a few of the TEs could almost double as WRs, I even wonder if they'd entertain 4 wrs on the roster this year to account for the TE depth.

"musccy" wrote:



They had 4 TEs and 5 WRs last year... with 3 FBs and 2 RBs. One of the position will be lost to RB Green... most likely a FB one... but they could still keep 5 WRs. But MM has gone 4 WR and 4 TE before... so it's all about who helps the most at the last couple of positions.
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musccy
14 years ago
I'm discounting Swain in this equation, and maybe I shouldn't. None the less I'm assuming they'd stick with Finley, DJ, and Quarless, and then if then it'd depend on upside and ST value which could really help with versatility when you have to cut down to the game day roster.

As for other skill positions, I'd imagine just 2 FBs, and maybe 4 rbs since BJack really is good at his niche. Even though Green seems to be the 3rd down back of the future, he's a JUCO w/ limited college experience, and out of the spread offense at that.
Wade
  • Wade
  • Veteran Member
14 years ago

agreed, and can't believe I'm saying this but I do want Jones back. I don't know what to expect from Driver or Swain, which could leave the team with only 2 viable threats and a rookie.

"beast" wrote:



As well as a couple of very athletic TEs (which some can move like big WRs) and hopefully a running game.

W/ Cullen, either they know something we don't about the potential of the 10 DL prospects they have in the barn, or they're going to make a big push for Cullen afterall.

"musccy" wrote:



This DL has good potential even with out Jenkins... they just need to stay healthy and grow and get better a bit. But with Jenkins it could be an amazing DL...

My guess is they have put a dollar amount on Jenkins contract, but letting him test the FA market... when they get an idea of the market then the Packers will ether decide to match the best offer or not match it...

just like they did with Clifton last year... who rumored didn't want to change teams...
and he smartly went to the Redskins (high spenders and seriously need help at the position) ... but I think Thompson felt he had to match it (to protect Rodgers... and that was before Tausher resign or the draft so no Bulaga ether).... I'm not sure he feels he needs to resign Jenkins... and I'm not sure dollar amount but one would think it's less than the Franchise tag amount because they didn't tag him.

"musccy" wrote:



The only potential problem with the bolded strategy: I don't think Cullen has the same depth of feeling about changing teams that Clifton had. It could just be public posturing/negotiating on his part, but my sense is that he's more than a little upset about the way the team has approached re-signing him to this point. A free agent doesn't have to give his current team a chance to "match"; and I wouldn't be surprised if even if some other team gave Jenkins something in the range the Packers would accept, Jenkins signs with the other team instead.

Hope I'm wrong. But I just get the feeling that Jenkins might take a "you had your chance" approach once free agency starts.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2 (NKJV)
DakotaT
14 years ago
Crabtree's ability is blocking at the line of scrimmage and he is a must unless the new guy from Carolina beats him out.

We should just franchise tag Jenkins for a year to make sure we have a player in Neal. Yeah, it's a cheesedick move, but all it's not unheard of.
UserPostedImage
14 years ago

agreed, and can't believe I'm saying this but I do want Jones back.

"musccy" wrote:



I just cannot for the life of me figure out a way to relate to this statement.

I agree with Twinkiegorilla.

bozz_2006 wrote:


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