Green Bay Packers Thread

Only a couple more days to the draft, was just looking at what we've drafted and where over the last number of years as a matter of interest to maybe get a feel for what we might go for. We seem to have a lot of success in later rounds or with undrafted guys in comparison to some teams. Looking through our starters on either side of the ball, its nuts that we've three linebackers picked in the first round with two of them (bit unfair on Perry I guess) needing to up their game in a big way next season:

Rogers - 1st, Harris - FA, Nelson - 2nd, Cobb - 2nd, Jones - 3rd, Finley - 3rd, Bulaga - 1st, Lang - 4th, Dietrich Smith - UD, Sutton - 4th, Newhouse - 5th.

Pickett - 1st, Raji - 1st, Worthy - 2nd, Perry - 1st, Bishop - 6th, Hawk - 1st, Matthews - 1st, Hayward - 2nd, Shields - UD, Burnett - 3rd, McMillan - 4th.

It's fairly clear that Thompson and McCarthy are happy enough to pick receivers and corners in mid to late rounds given the depth of them unless they're standouts. And they don't strike me as guys who will jump at a RB early either.

So given our problems at defending deep last year, and our tackling issues in the open field, wouldn't be surprised to see us go for a safety or get more protection for Rodgers in the form of a guard. Dietrich Smith seems to be doing well with Rodgers and our tackles are fairly versatile. What you think?

WakeyTyke wrote: »

Seems this draft is deep with Safeties so I can see this area being addressed in later rounds. I think our main priorities is a big a DL, given that Pickett is nearing the end of his career and Worthy, Daniels, Neal and Wilson have yet to prove that they are going to be stand-out Linemen. Rodgers needs a better LT than Newhouse and a big question mark hangs over Sherrod, so I can see them going down that road in the early rounds.

You're right about it being a deep safety class but I'd love to see us pick up someone like Elam, a real playmaker and likes making big hits. We could do with a guy like that in the DB corp with Woodson gone.

But the most likely areas are of course our defensive line and offensive line given our current situation. Especially given how many times Rodgers was under pressure last year as a result of missed blocks by the likes of Newhouse.

Ok the way I see it is the O line is what is needed big time. Then I would like another Clay matthews if you please. After that a rb who can wun over 3 yards a carry would be fantastic. I actually think a replacement for woodson isn't really needed as our D were pretty good without him last season. Maybe a tight end would be good after losing crabtree this year and more than likely no Finlay after this year, give someone some time this season and then have em step up next season with a bit of experience



I really am interested to see what we do this year but for the love of god we need people to protect AR.


Edit I see the cbs draft have us taking Lacey at rb if we don't trade out which was also mentioned.

WakeyTyke wrote: »

So a DE it is. Have to say that Datone Jones attacks like a LB and could be a great help to Matthews (and hopefully Perry), looks an exciting prospect.

Someone that aspires to play like the great Reggie White is certainly going to endear himself to the Packer nation.

I really like the pick. I think anything for the offensive line at 26 would've been a huge reach and there's not an awful amount of difference in the tackles left. DE was a need as you said earlier this week and it gives us a great pass rush option. If we could up the productivity of Hawk, Raji, Perry and Bishop now we have a solid defence.

Where do you think our next pick will be spent on?

With Thompson's strong BAP philosophy I could well see our next pick being another on defense. There is a lot of quality there still at LB and Safety.

Intriguingly RB Eddie Lacey is still there, could he tempt Thompson to move up as I can't see him still being there at 55?

Think the cream of the Tackles has gone, Barrett Jones versatility might see him picked (if he is still available) but I can see the OL need being pushed back to find value in the later rounds.

matthews and rodgers signed up and if we trade up to get eddie lacy and get barrett Jones later on, it would be a great off season. fingers crossed

How is Jones' first name pronounced? Is it dat - one or something like daytonay?

Lacy at #61 looks like a steal. Time will tell. Starks' career in GB must be on its last legs.

Draft done and must say I'm delighted with how it turned out for us.

Lacy and Franklin were in the top 3-4 RB's in a lot of people's mocks, so to get both of them was fantastic. Especially given quite a few had us drafting Lacy in the first (which would've been a reach). Was wondering earlier today - if Lacy was picked where Ball was, would we have gone with Ball? I know we were supposedly keen on him. We've got great depth there now and as someone mentioned, that's probably the end of Starks. I still like Alex Green as a RB aswell and was just glad to see him stay healthy for the season last year.

Datone Jones in the first was a real smart pick given who was available and our needs going forward. Should be a huge help to Matthews and Perry in creating space and opening gaps if nothing else.

Glad we addressed the offensive line too and David Bakhtiari was rated as a 2-3 round guy by CBS. Tretter looks to be versatile enough from what I've read and given he could be needed anywhere along the line if he develops, then that could be important.

Can't say I know much about Charles Johnson from Grand Valley or Kevin Dorsey from Maryland. Just started watching a few bits of Johnson and the one thing that seems to stand out is the fact he seems to go for extra yards after impact quite a lot of the time given his power and momentum. Dorsey is a smaller guy and is seenhereagainst West Virginia wearing #12. Be warned, link contains some horrible QB play and playcalling.

Josh Boyd DT and Micah Hyde at safety add depth where it's needed. Nate Palmer and Sam Barrington were the last two picks at linebacker with Palmer touted as an outside linebacker and Barrington as a possible inside linebacker.

Looking forward to the new season now with these guys on board. Going to watch a lot of tape over the next few days to see what they're like. (Granted, I haven't a clue what to be looking for other than big plays as such!) Fair play to Thompson and co. for how we managed the draft. There was no real need to trade up and get anyone given the lack of elite players and thus we accumulated picks quite easily.

So we have a new O-line set with Bulaga at LT partnered with Sitton at LG, Lang moving to RG with with Newhouse, Barclay and Sherrod to compete for the RG slot.

This has to be an improvement but will it be good enough to keep Rodgers safe?

Taken from another forum;

I dropped by Hinkle Field today to watch a bit of OTA practice. I didn't stay for the entire practice, it was hot and I didn't bring a chair. But this is what I noticed:

Datone Jones looks the part. Tall. Very tall, noticeably taller than the other D linemen. "Length"...I get what they mean now.

Alex Green and Starks took reps with #1 Offense. Lacy and Franklin with #2

Quarless looked to be moving well and was a full participant. I'd say he's fully back.

Rodgers jumped in and played middle LB during an offensive drill and even blitzed the qb and jumped up his face during one rep. He's not wrapped in bubble wrap out there!!

The O line is a loud, fun loving bunch. I like it.

It seemed weird not seeing Driver out there and hearing the crowd cheer his every catch.....

TE Brandon Bostick looks big. Tall and well built.


That's about it. Can't tell very much when guys are just running around in shorts.

Arawn wrote: »

nothing about our 4th round pick breaking his ankle and being out for 6 months??


Honestly being a united and packer fan when it comes to injuries is seriously taking the piss

Nope, it has been pretty well covered through the main stream stuff. I think the injury solidifies Van Roten's position as backup. Apparently happened during a fumble recovery drill when his studs got stuck in the turf as he was sliding for a ball.

nope, did just fine without him for a lot of last year.