wpr
  • wpr
  • Preferred Member Topic Starter
11 years ago

Taking a look at the Green Bay Packers needs this draft season surely can lead to disagreements, even among the best of friends. One guy wants a free safety, and the next wants yet another name defensive lineman or a tight end. They all have merit. Yet, there's a disturbing trend this year, or

LombardiAve  wrote:



This one is for Wade.
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steveishere
11 years ago
I don't really see a position on our line where you'd expect a rookie to come in and be the better player day 1 than who we have besides C. So yeah drafting a o lineman is a fine idea but expecting him to be able to come in and save the day is not.
play2win
11 years ago
I can see one of the top Centers being able to compete for a starting job if we draft one. Other than that, I think we are pretty deep everywhere else on our OL.
Wade
  • Wade
  • Veteran Member
11 years ago
I don't expect a rookie OL to save the day. I don't expect ANY rookie to come in and save the day.

I do think that the OL needs improvement, however. Everyone is convinced that Bahktiari/Sherrod/Bulaga/Barclay will be sufficient at tackle, everyone seems to be confident that Tretter is going to be okay at C, everyone seems to be content with Lang at RG. Well, I'm not. I count four positions on that line that need improvement over last year. Four.

Oh, sure, they could have been a lot worse than they were last year. I get that. But there's a difference between "better than the year before" and "good enough". And there's another difference between "good enough" and "dominant." Not only do I not think the current OL is dominant (nor will it be this year), I don't think it is good enough yet.

Maybe the current roster has it in them, maybe it doesn't. Hell, maybe B J Raji and Mike Neal and Brad Jones have it in them to improve to become "good enough". Let's not bother drafting anyone, since this is a team that makes the playoffs every year and everyone has potential for improvement.

I call bull.

This team needs significant improvement (IMO) on the OL or its going to lose Rodgers for more and more games. And the way you get improvement is by bringing in competition. And since you can't or won't bring in competition in FA before the draft, that means bringing in competition during the draft.

And there's some great competition available at the OL positions in this draft.

I don't expect Taylor Lewan or Zack Martin to last until 21 but I'd jump on either of them if they did. Other than those two, I wouldn't use the first rounder on an OL this year.

Some of these are going to be available to the Packers with either their second, third, or fourth round picks, though:
OT: Ju'Wan James, Joel Botonio, Jack Mewhort, Antonio Richardson, Morgan Moses, Laurent Duvernay-Tardiff, Cameron Fleming, Billy Turner, Charles Leno, Antonio Richardson

OG: Xavier Su'a-Filo, Gabe Jackson, Joel Botonio, Trai Turner, David Yankey, Dakota Dozier, Anthony Steen, Chris Watt, John Urschel

C: Marcus Martin, Weston Richburg, Travis Swanson

Any of these will add serious competition in camp. Not just competition for depth, but competition that can say to Bahktiari, Bulaga, Lang, and the rest, "Here we are. You better get better, or we're going to push you aside. THAT's what I want.

I want drafting that considers "better depth" is the worst-case scenario. I want drafting that says to everyone on the current OL roster but Josh Sitton, the starting job is yours *only* if you improve, not drafting that says its yours by default because you're the best we happen to have at the position.

A team that needs multiple rookies to come in and start is a losing team. A team that brings in rookies that will compete and push and claw and fight incumbents for starting jobs -- *that* is a winning team. *That* is a team on its way to dominance.

*THAT* is what I want.

You want potential to develop into high performance. Make these bastards fight for a starting job until they become dominant. Bring in competition for them every year until they either become dominant, get beat out by someone who is better, or retire.

If you are satisfied with "good enough", if you are satisfied with "potential for future development," if you are satisfied with "won't hurt us" and "serviceable," all you're going to end up with is mediocrity and one-and-done.

You may strive for dominance and never get it. But if you don't strive for it, in and out, every year, by insisting the non-dominant compete for their jobs, you will end up stuck in mediocrity and "We'll improve next year. We have to."

The strength of this draft is that the Packers won't have to "draft for depth" until sometime in the fifth round or later. There is so much talent that any pick they have or get before the fifth (and probably halfway into it) can be used on someone who will push a present starter for playing time.

That's what makes trading down such an attractive idea this time around. Given all the positions that need starters being pushed if not replaced (FS, SS, ILB, OLB, DT, DE, OT, RG, C, TE, WR3), this draft a gives quantity of opportunity rarely available.

I'm not going to be upset if the Packers don't go OL in the first. As I said above, there aren't likely to be high enough quality OL left. But I will be upset that if they don't use at least one pick in the 4th or earlier on the OL. And if Ted can managed to finangle some extra picks in the 2nd through 4th, I'll be arguing for more than one.

And if BPA in 2nd and 3rd is OG and OT, then I hope he goes OG and OT rather than reaching on a Zumwalt, Skov, Reynolds or Loston or Fiedorowicz just because those needs are "bigger."

Don't draft for starters. Don't draft for depth.

Draft for DOMINANCE.
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)
buckeyepackfan
11 years ago
There a 3 or 4 OT's that are projected to go in the 1st rnd, and I sure hope they go early, the more offensive players to go in the top 20, the better for the Packers.

Center may be a position Ted is looking to add some depth at and there are 4 really good ones that should be available between late 1st rnd - late 3rdnd.

Marcus Martin, C, Southern California (Late 1st early-mid 2nd)
Weston Richburg, C, Colorado State Late 2nd early 3rd)
Travis Swanson, C, Arkansas (mid - late 3rd)
Bryan Stork, C, Florida State (late 3rd)

Anyone of these guys could contend for the starting job if Ted decides to draft them, most likely they would end up as good depth.

IS IT DRAFT DAY YET?????????

8-[ 😰 😰 😰 😰 😰

I was addicted to The Hokey Pokey, but I turned myself around!
Zero2Cool
11 years ago
Again, drafting MORE OL is a mistake. Why continue to waste resources on that position until a competent coach is employed?

How many more first rounders do you want us to blow away on OL?
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DarkaneRules
11 years ago
Haha every team should consider every position in the draft. This title made me chuckle.
Circular Arguments: They are a heck of an annoyance
DoddPower
11 years ago

Haha every team should consider every position in the draft. This title made me chuckle.

Originally Posted by: DarkaneRules 



That's what I was thinking when I read Wade's post above, too. Of course the Packers will strongly consider any player that they view is the "Best Player Available" regardless of position (at least they should). However, if the draft doesn't work out that way to add another big time offensive linemen, the Packers will still be OK. I do think it can be much better, but it will be average at worst, and often "good." It would obviously be much better if it could be "dominant," as would every other position group, but that's not always possible. I'm sure Ted is trying to make the entire team that way, as is every other general manager in the NFL.

I'm actually still not sold on Bacteria as anything more than a serviceable-to-average left tackle, so I would definitely like some competition there. I'm confident Ted Thompson will be drafting and/or adding some offensive linemen.
uffda udfa
11 years ago
A rookie TE could come in and have a pretty big impact. I also think a rush OLB could do the same and certainly an ILB. Plus, a WR like Beckham/Latimer/Moncrief/Matthews could be pretty impressive and supplant a guy like Boykin for 3rd WR before the season is over. Any S could produce more than starter MD Jennings, and even Morgan Burnett. Center, which has already been mentioned, is another area where a rook could shine.

Michael Rodney of PackerUpdate.net floated the idea of taking Bridgewater at 21. Wouldn't that cause some buzz in Packerland. People would be rioting. A kicker would probably evoke less of a response.

I hope they don't take a QB, CB, DT, DE, OL, K, RB, FB or P in Round 1. That leaves WR, TE, ILB, OLB, or S.


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Ted Thompson sits on his hands per former GM: "because they’ve had 25 fricking years of great quarterbacks. Of course it works. Try it without a special quarterback."


Fan Shout
Zero2Cool (1-May) : Packers did not activate the fifth-year options for linebacker Quay Walker, with the goal of signing him to a contract extension.
Zero2Cool (1-May) : Matthew Golden spoke with Randall Cobb before draft. Looked like chance encounter.
packerfanoutwest (1-May) : from a head left turn?
packerfanoutwest (1-May) : someone drunk?
Zero2Cool (1-May) : Unlikely.
dfosterf (30-Apr) : How long until Jeff Sperbeck's family sues John Elway ?
Zero2Cool (30-Apr) : Packers are exercising the fifth-year option on DT Devonte Wyatt, locking in a guaranteed $12.9M for the 2026 season.
beast (30-Apr) : Sounds like P Luke Elzinga has a rookie try out opportunity from the Titans
dfosterf (30-Apr) : Luke Elzinga Punter Oklahoma stil unsigned. Green Bay has been mentioned as good fit
beast (30-Apr) : The Packers re-signed three exclusive rights free agents WR Melton, P Whelan and RB Wilson.
Zero2Cool (29-Apr) : February 5, 2002 (age 23) ok no. packers.com is wrong
Zero2Cool (29-Apr) : Micah Robinson is only 19??
Zero2Cool (29-Apr) : 6 first rounders on Packers defense now
Zero2Cool (29-Apr) : LB Isaiah Simmons. Signed. Called it!!! Oh yeah!
Martha Careful (29-Apr) : ty bboystyle...fat fingers
bboystyle (29-Apr) : Tom*
Martha Careful (28-Apr) : RIP Packer Safety Tim Brown
beast (27-Apr) : Yeah, but also some of the wording suggestions Jax only pranked called the QB, not the others... and if he had an open spreadsheet & 3 calls
beast (27-Apr) : Thank goodness he's not leaving the Turtle in the Red Tide
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : Cowboys 1st round pick Tyler Booker will indeed be bringing his pet turtle to Dallas with him
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : that contained all prospects info and contact
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : beast, according the Falcons statement Jax came across it on an ipad. If I had to guess, probably an open spread sheet or something
Zero2Cool (27-Apr) : Simmons put up an emoji with cheese.
beast (27-Apr) : Not sure anyone is interested in Isaiah Simmons... Collin Oliver might of taken his potential slot
beast (27-Apr) : I'm going with Jax Ulbrich is not telling the whole truth... he accidentally came across it? Why would a defensive coordinator have a QB #?
Zero2Cool (27-Apr) : He's not that great, but final piece of the script.\
Zero2Cool (27-Apr) : If we add Isaiah Simmons, book your Super Bowl tickets
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : Colts 1st round TE Tyler Warren also got prank called, was that Jax Ulbrich as well?
Zero2Cool (27-Apr) : Jax Ulbrich, Jeff Ulbrich’s son, released an apology for his role in the Shedeur Sanders prank call.
Martha Careful (27-Apr) : apparently he did not participate in practice or play on the east west shrine game nor the NFL combine. The kid was a mediocre spoiled brat
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : Yeah that one that was a super wounded duck that Sanders supporters are highlighting to prove a point
Zero2Cool (27-Apr) : Shough is the guy who missed guys at combine isn't he?
beast (27-Apr) : It's not official until I'm dead! I have a chance still! (Not really)
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : I could feel my body decomposing in real time when I read that
Mucky Tundra (27-Apr) : @MIKEYSAINRISTIL Tyler Shough will officially be the last person drafted to the NFL born in the 1900’s
Mucky Tundra (26-Apr) : saw the tweet, he meant the city
Mucky Tundra (26-Apr) : Was that for the team or the city?
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter · 3m Draft grade is in: Green Bay gets an A. The people, the city, the venue were all superb. NFL Draft’s next
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Matt LaFleur says Jaire Alexander is participating in #Packers offseason program, which has been conducted virtually during this first week
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : ✅ ...
buckeyepackfan (26-Apr) : Check
Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Matthew Golden cahanged 81 to 22??
TheKanataThrilla (26-Apr) : Sam Howell to Vikings...guess no Aaron
Martha Careful (26-Apr) : 1 round 7 min, with one extra minute if there is a trade. 2nd round 4 minutes, 3rd -3, 2 thereafter IMO
Martha Careful (26-Apr) : Agree
dfosterf (26-Apr) : Great idea imo
dfosterf (26-Apr) : 1st round to 7 minutes with one extension
dfosterf (26-Apr) : NFL comissioner wants to shorten the 2st
Mucky Tundra (26-Apr) : @jalenreagors They’re discussing if Sheduer can go back to college on NFL Network LMFAOOOOO
beast (26-Apr) : Great point Martha
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