GB's Greatest Draft Failures

Smokey
Veteran Member Topic Starter

8 years ago

Tony Mandarich is considered by many to be GB's greatest Draft failure. The 6' 5" Offensive Lineman was Drafted by GB in 1989 out of Michigan State U. . The 324 pound prospect was GB's 1st round Draft pick .

Well , we all know the rest of the story, he failed to live up to the big build-up . Others have failed to live up to their expectations as well.

This thread is to discuss past Draft failures and how to avoid it from happening so much . Many of you should have much to say on this subject .

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sschind
Senior Member

8 years ago

I my mind there is no question who was the Packers greatest draft failure and it wasn't Tony Mandarich. In 1980 they drafted Bruce Clark #4 over all after he said he wouldn't play in Green Bay and he didn't. He went to the Canadian league instead. I suppose, since they recouped the first round pick in 1983 by trading him to New Orleans it wasn't a total loss but I still think drafting a player that high who never puts on your uniform is worse than drafting a player that high who just didn't work out no mater what the hype was surrounding him.

Besides that the Mandarich pick was only a bust in hindsight. There were A LOT of people who said and a lot who still say the Packers made the right choice at the time.

I'm curious to know what you have to say on the matter or aren't you going to participate in your own discussion?

nerdmann
Premier Member

8 years ago

Agreed, Mandarich actually played for us, although not very well. Came back later and had an adequate career with Indy.

I'd also add Rich Campbell to the list, althouh I've heard the coaches messed with his mechanics. Then Brent Fullwood and Terrell Buckley.

“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”

wpr
Preferred Member

8 years ago

Mandarich is by far the bigger bust. I don't give a rats butt what he did for someone else. He was an absolute zero in GB. They had the #2 pick and could have taken Barry Sanders, Derrick Thomas or Neon Deion all HoFers taken with the next 3 selections. All can't miss prospects.

Clark was a #4 pick. Close but #2 is clearly a higher pick. The 1980 draft was a little weaker in that there were only 3 HoFers compared to 4 in 1989 plus 3 more that were not drafted. Clark may not have played in GB but he became Tim Lewis. He was pretty good but career cut short due to injury. Just bad luck.

Zero2Cool
Elite Member

8 years ago

Originally Posted by: wpr

Tony Mandrich was THE can't miss prospect so that doesn't mean a damn thing, as we fortunately found out. If Packers had taken one of the other folks, you can bet we don't fire Lindy Infante, meaning we don't get Ron Wolf, meaning ... you get the drift.

nerdmann
Premier Member

8 years ago

Originally Posted by: wpr

Prime Time wouldn't have played here, and Sanders wouldn't have done shit on the tundra. He made his living on the carpet. Derrick Thomas? Sure, he'd have been great here.

“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”

Cheesey
Preferred Member

8 years ago

"Bustin" Harrel belongs on that list, too.

The "Manwich" pick was made extra bad, by the fact we COULD have had Barry Sanders!!!!

wpr
Preferred Member

8 years ago

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool

I am well aware of the Wolf Factor but he is not relevant to this discussion any more than bringing Belichick would be.

Don't get me wrong, I wanted Mandrich. Build an OL wall. That doesn't change the fact he was a bust nor does it excuse the GB front office from doing their due diligence. They should have known he was pumping juice. The rumors where there. A judicious organization would have found out.

wpr
Preferred Member

8 years ago

Prime Time wouldn't have played here, and Sanders wouldn't have done shit on the tundra. He made his living on the carpet. Derrick Thomas? Sure, he'd have been great here.

Originally Posted by: nerdmann

Damn nerd I knew you were great. I just never knew the depths of your abilities. I didn't realize were psychic. I should have realized you can look at a guy and know what his stats and abilities would have been with a team he never played for. I bet you rock Vegas all day long.

Zero2Cool
Elite Member

8 years ago

#10

Originally Posted by: wpr

Ron Wolf does factor into this because if Tony Mandrich wasn't selected, there's a good chance Tom Braatz doesn't get canned opening the door for Ron Wolf. Belichick? No clue why he'd be mentioned at all. He wasn't part of the Packers, Wolf was and it's easy to see the connection.

You mentioned the others as can't miss prospects as if Mandrich was not. He was THE can't miss prospect of the entire '89 draft. No one had a clue he was going to flop. No one.

I can't wait for the the Packers Greatest Draft Picks thread.

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