Packerfanforever--posted"
While I've generally been pleased with Thompson's practice of stockpiling players, I've been wondering lately if that practice isn't reaching a point of diminishing returns. The roster, right now, is so filled with young players who have potential that there's no way hang on to them all.
Are we getting to the point where the Packers are simply churning through players who are at about the same talent level and keeping players who are no better than those that they release? "
I would not form that above opinion, as yet, about the Packers '05, '06 and '07 draftees. Don't be so impatient with this young Packer team. That is determined ever year by pre season mini camps, OTA's , Training camps pre season games and this regular season. We will know especially how good the '05 rookies will be and how much about '06 rookies will contribute during this '07 season. The '07 rookies will make their presence known in '08 and '09. But you never know who in '07 draft class might make contributions this year..
I can remember a 17th round 1956 draft choice, who was a QB from a very poor from U of Alabama team named Bart Starr, who took from 1956 to 2nd half of 1960 season until he became a clear starter on the 1960 team. That was same team that won 5 NFL Championships in 8 years under the Great packer Coach Vince Lombardi.
How about 7b round 1999 draft choice WR Donald Driver from little Alcorn State .who took from 1999 until 2002 season to have a break out year with 70 catches for 1,064 yards and 9 TDs. In 2006, Driver had 92 catches for 1,295 yards and 8 TDs with double coverage or more at times.
Former Packer Guard Marco Rivera who was drafted in 6b round of the 1996 draft and did not make the team in 1996, but was sent to NFL Europe that year. Returned the next year in 1997 and played in 14 games for the Packers and was a mainstay at Guard for the Packers until the end of the 2004 season..
Former Packer Center Mike Flanegan was drafted in 3a round of the 1996 draft. He was injured in his first (1996) and 2nd year (1997) training camp and went on IR each year . Finally came back healthy in 1998 played in two games. In his fourth year 1999 Flanegan started 15 games and was the starting center until end of 2005 season.
You never know how far a Draftee will go in the NFL and how long he will take to get there.