Jonathan Gannon new Packer DC

[OldSchool101]

Ganon last year, his offense that was built on the run game. Well they lost their star RB week 3 and their #2 week 4. They were 2-0 before the injury. And lost the next 5 games by 1, 3, 1, 4, 4 points. Before they imploded.

That wasn’t Ganons fault imo. But I get it. 3-14, with no wins at home.

GBs was masterful in their moves this off season. IMO.

I agree. For not having a 1st Rounder we did really well imo. About the only thing you could nitpick is trading up. So far the early signs look good on McClellan though. Obviously very preliminary but my guess is we’ll know inside several weeks cause they’ll want to show any draft pick they trade up for.
I could’ve seen Dani go at #77 and Mac at #120, but either way we stuck the first 3 picks imo. Then Jager is turning heads already and we got him in the 150’s. I think at worst he’s like Newman level and that kid looks and plays more like young Corey Linsley. He’s anywhere from a good backup to good starter imo. I watched several games and his film review and he’s very aggressive, he’s similar to a smaller Belton.

Not yet sure about Domani he could fizzle or impress. Yet we only spent a 6th so it’s immaterial either way. Our other 6th Rounder has a 50/50 of being our starting Kicker, which is kinda important.

 

[tynimiller]

Domani just needs to provide ST play and even if he sustains that role in his entire rookie contract he will have IMO delivered more than enough return for his draft cost.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Domani just needs to provide ST play and even if he sustains that role in his entire rookie contract he will have IMO delivered more than enough return for his draft cost.

Yeah, I think way too many fans think rookies, especially rookies taken in the first few rounds are going to be immediate impacts. That just isn't how NFL history has gone with most rookies. While you can get instant contributors, I think most GM's will settle for a rookie staying healthy, learning and as you said, playing special teams or being able to step in during injury situations and not completely shitting the bed.

Out of the Packers 6 drafted rookies, I think the most pressure is on Trey Smack. Unlike the other 5 players, he actually is expected to not just start, but to excel at his position. That pressure got even bigger when the Packers released McManus. I still don't really understand the logic behind cutting McManus. If anyone says "To give him a chance to play for another team", I think you need to rethink that excuse.

 

[Voyageur]

Yeah, I think way too many fans think rookies, especially rookies taken in the first few rounds are going to be immediate impacts. That just isn't how NFL history has gone with most rookies. While you can get instant contributors, I think most GM's will settle for a rookie staying healthy, learning and as you said, playing special teams or being able to step in during injury situations and not completely shitting the bed.

Out of the Packers 6 drafted rookies, I think the most pressure is on Trey Smack. Unlike the other 5 players, he actually is expected to not just start, but to excel at his position. That pressure got even bigger when the Packers released McManus. I still don't really understand the logic behind cutting McManus. If anyone says "To give him a chance to play for another team", I think you need to rethink that excuse.

I think they decided that it would either be Smack or Havrisek who gets the job. Lucas proved he can hit the long kicks last year so that's an option.

 

[gopkrs]

I'm gonna be very surprised if it isn't Smack. And someone on ps for er.

 

[OldSchool101]

Domani just needs to provide ST play and even if he sustains that role in his entire rookie contract he will have IMO delivered more than enough return for his draft cost.

Yes I was thinking that. Domani has the perfect traits for Teams. I read or heard I don’t recall but a Scout said his initial pathway is Teams and he’s ideal for that role.

Somewhere else I read he has Kalen King (the up and down performance is mildly concerning) type upside, but King lacked physical traits whereas that’s Domani’s strength.

Also, if memory serves, Kalen King was trending downward in his last year in College. Domani actually came back for playoffs and somewhat redeemed himself, so he’s trending up.

 

[milani]

I think they decided that it would either be Smack or Havrisek who gets the job. Lucas proved he can hit the long kicks last year so that's an option.

The Packers want another young, long term kicker to follow in the tradition of Crosby, Longwell, and Jacke who all started young in GB. Older kickers can still perform for years longer than position players but they are still more vulnerable to injury as in the case of McManus. Hopefully, we will land a winner here.

 

[Voyageur]

The Packers want another young, long term kicker to follow in the tradition of Crosby, Longwell, and Jacke who all started young in GB. Older kickers can still perform for years longer than position players but they are still more vulnerable to injury as in the case of McManus. Hopefully, we will land a winner here.

There's also the salary level. Older kickers who have been around quite a while draw more money from the cap. At a certain point teams pull the plug because of costs and figure they can find a replacement. For years the Packers were the exception to that philosophy like you indicated. Now they're part of the same equation for saving money.

 

[milani]

There's also the salary level. Older kickers who have been around quite a while draw more money from the cap. At a certain point teams pull the plug because of costs and figure they can find a replacement. For years the Packers were the exception to that philosophy like you indicated. Now they're part of the same equation for saving money.

So right. Vinatieri, Robbie Gould, Boniol, Longwell etc. have their day with one team and then go elsewhere. Still quite a feat that the Lions kept Jason Hanson all those years.

 

[OldSchool101]

There's also the salary level. Older kickers who have been around quite a while draw more money from the cap. At a certain point teams pull the plug because of costs and figure they can find a replacement. For years the Packers were the exception to that philosophy like you indicated. Now they're part of the same equation for saving money.

Yep. It’s one of the Bi products of signing a $40Mil Edge. There’s several areas you have to trim that Cap. Kenny was the first and his Cap hits are closer to Double Hargrave. Then trading Rashan helped some (I saw Gary trade as making Cap room for our WR room) Then a couple smaller deals like at Kicker and as you said moving on from having to pay $5Mil annual over a $1Mil deal and Franklin ($9.0M AAV) over Walker ($13.5M AAV) at LB. That pretty much gets us Cap straight with some left to restructure or extend key players.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Yeah, I think way too many fans think rookies, especially rookies taken in the first few rounds are going to be immediate impacts. That just isn't how NFL history has gone with most rookies. While you can get instant contributors, I think most GM's will settle for a rookie staying healthy, learning and as you said, playing special teams or being able to step in during injury situations and not completely shitting the bed.

Out of the Packers 6 drafted rookies, I think the most pressure is on Trey Smack. Unlike the other 5 players, he actually is expected to not just start, but to excel at his position. That pressure got even bigger when the Packers released McManus. I still don't really understand the logic behind cutting McManus. If anyone says "To give him a chance to play for another team", I think you need to rethink that excuse.

Good points. Personally I see a guy like Cooper DeJean, who I think was DROTY a few years back for Philly, and wonder why the Packers can't get a guy like that. (For the record, they passed on DeJean, and so did other teams.)

But DeJean is the exception to the rule. Most rookies play as you described - making a name on STs and adjusting to the speed and ferocity of the NFL. It's a big jump from colllege, even for the big guys.

And yes, Smack has had a world of pressure on him since the night he was drafted. He'll very likely be the starter, and will be counted on in the most pressure-packed moments of close games. His name is just to good for him to do anything but succeed…...

 

[Heyjoe4]

The Packers want another young, long term kicker to follow in the tradition of Crosby, Longwell, and Jacke who all started young in GB. Older kickers can still perform for years longer than position players but they are still more vulnerable to injury as in the case of McManus. Hopefully, we will land a winner here.

Agreed milani. The Packers are a talented team and they can't afford to be weak at K. We've seen how damaging that can be with rookie Carlson and then veteran McManus.

Smack will have plenty of pressure on him as he is the expected starter. I certainly wish him the best and hope he has a looooooong career in GB, similar to the guys you mentioned.

 

[OldSchool101]

Should be a lot of Kicking competitions between now and Final Roster cuts. We should have a good feel about Smack. Worst case we hold 2 Kickers I’d Smack looks good, probably just risk Havrisik clearing waivers. If it’s Havrisik looking better, just hold 2 Kickers and give Smack a year.

 

[OldSchool101]

Agreed milani. The Packers are a talented team and they can't afford to be weak at K. We've seen how damaging that can be with rookie Carlson and then veteran McManus.

Smack will have plenty of pressure on him as he is the expected starter. I certainly wish him the best and hope he has a looooooong career in GB, similar to the guys you mentioned.

Hey Joe
Should be a lot of Kicking competitions between now and Final Roster cuts. We should have a good feel about Smack. Worst case we hold 2 Kickers. However if suddenly Smack looks good, probably just risk Havrisik clearing waivers as a PS option, then designate him as a protected player. If it’s Havrisik looking better, just hold 2 Kickers and give Smack a year would be worst case.
Plus we’re always trying to stay 1 leg up on our competition. Here we’d literally have 2 legs up!

 

[Voyageur]

I have a feeling Havrisik is going to be the guy winning the job and the Packers will let Smack go. After watching him kick last year, I saw a guy with ice in his veins and that's what it takes to kick for a team with high hopes at a run in the playoffs. It was knowing they had Lucas in house and drafting Smack that told them they could move on with a new body having the job.

Right now, I figure it's about 50/50 as to who gets the job. Going to be an interesting camp unless one of them comes up with a case of the yips or shanking disease.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Hey Joe
Should be a lot of Kicking competitions between now and Final Roster cuts. We should have a good feel about Smack. Worst case we hold 2 Kickers. However if suddenly Smack looks good, probably just risk Havrisik clearing waivers as a PS option, then designate him as a protected player. If it’s Havrisik looking better, just hold 2 Kickers and give Smack a year would be worst case.
Plus we’re always trying to stay 1 leg up on our competition. Here we’d literally have 2 legs up!

Right now, the ideal situation would have Smack on the 53 and Havrisik on the PS. The position is too important to not have a back up.

 

[GreenBaySlacker]

I have a feeling Havrisik is going to be the guy winning the job and the Packers will let Smack go. After watching him kick last year, I saw a guy with ice in his veins and that's what it takes to kick for a team with high hopes at a run in the playoffs. It was knowing they had Lucas in house and drafting Smack that told them they could move on with a new body having the job.

Right now, I figure it's about 50/50 as to who gets the job. Going to be an interesting camp unless one of them comes up with a case of the yips or shanking disease.

You think smack will make it to our practice squad if he doesn't win the job in training camp?

 

[Voyageur]

You think smack will make it to our practice squad if he doesn't win the job in training camp?

To be honest, I don't have a clue. Usually, teams don't try to stash a kicker on the practice squad. The Packers were hedging their bets last year, after years of atrocious kicking, so I won't go out on a limb and say they wouldn't.

 

[OldSchool101]

You think smack will make it to our practice squad if he doesn't win the job in training camp?

I think there’s a better than 50% chance that at least 2 teams would’ve been in play at PK. Then string chance that at minimum 1 drafted Smack before RD7 closed. I think Brian thought that because we study other teams needs and tendencies. Similar to the Draft interactive I’m guessing we have a computer model that displays the probability another team drafts said position or player. I think by RD7 there are 3-4 teams that are interested and 1-2 that are highly probable to choose a Kicker. RD7 is ideal for quality Special Teams adds.

 

[milani]

I think there’s a better than 50% chance that at least 2 teams would’ve been in play at PK. Then string chance that at minimum 1 drafted Smack before RD7 closed. I think Brian thought that because we study other teams needs and tendencies. Similar to the Draft interactive I’m guessing we have a computer model that displays the probability another team drafts said position or player. I think by RD7 there are 3-4 teams that are interested and 1-2 that are highly probable to choose a Kicker. RD7 is ideal for quality Special Teams adds.

I am hoping that in the preseason games that MLF opts out of going for it on 4th downs greater than 2 yards in order to give the place kickers the testing. Hope we get to kickoff a bunch as well to see where they land the chip shot.

 

[Voyageur]

I am hoping that in the preseason games that MLF opts out of going for it on 4th downs greater than 2 yards in order to give the place kickers the testing. Hope we get to kickoff a bunch as well to see where they land the chip shot.

Amen!

 

[Heyjoe4]

I have a feeling Havrisik is going to be the guy winning the job and the Packers will let Smack go. After watching him kick last year, I saw a guy with ice in his veins and that's what it takes to kick for a team with high hopes at a run in the playoffs. It was knowing they had Lucas in house and drafting Smack that told them they could move on with a new body having the job.

Right now, I figure it's about 50/50 as to who gets the job. Going to be an interesting camp unless one of them comes up with a case of the yips or shanking disease.

I've changed my mind on this. Whoever doesn't win the PK job will be cut. That is, the team won't keep a PK on the PS.

Whether it's Smack or Hav, I'm guessing Smack wins the job or he never would have been drafted. Then again Gluten didn't give up much to move up and get Smack.

As long as they find a guy who can be consistently - good - I don't care.

I am hoping that in the preseason games that MLF opts out of going for it on 4th downs greater than 2 yards in order to give the place kickers the testing. Hope we get to kickoff a bunch as well to see where they land the chip shot.

Agreed. We've seen more of the 4th down offense, what works and what doesn't. PK during a game, even a PS game, is necessary for these two kickers.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

To be honest, I don't have a clue. Usually, teams don't try to stash a kicker on the practice squad. The Packers were hedging their bets last year, after years of atrocious kicking, so I won't go out on a limb and say they wouldn't.

When the league expanded the PS to 16 players, about 50% of teams started carrying a K on the PS. Personally, I think it is good insurance for an injury to your starting K. You have a guy that otherwise would be sitting on a couch, that can practice with your LS and holder on a consistent enough basis.

 

[milani]

When the league expanded the PS to 16 players, about 50% of teams started carrying a K on the PS. Personally, I think it is good insurance for an injury to your starting K. You have a guy that otherwise would be sitting on a couch, that can practice with your LS and holder on a consistent enough basis.

And with the goofy, new kick off scenario the chance of injury to your kicker increased exponentially. The days of touchbacks every kickoff prevented that.

 

[rmontro]

I'm rooting for Smack, seems like he's got the biggest potential upside.