My Draft Man Crush

[Arrigo]

As many of you know I am a die hard Packers fan, a owner with a stake in the team and I make no bones about it. But with The Average Joe Show neither Pacheco or myself will be focusing on our personal favorite teams, rather we'll try to take a non-bias approach and look at the world of sports and entertainment. But I had to write about the NFL Draft and this years draft "man crush" for the team I love, the Packers. Before I get to who he is, let me explain what I think the Packers need to address and the type of player I feel would "fit the bill" for Dom Capers defense.

Packers fans know all to well about the Packers defense in 2011. They had no pass rush, gave up a lot of points and yards through the air and the outside linebacker not named Clay Matthews III was a non-factor all year. The Packers missed the complete play from their defensive end (5 technique) position, that they received in previous years by Cullen Jenkins, more then they realized or thought. Mike Neal went down early and played the 2011 season injured and combination of Jarius Wynn, Howard Green and CJ Wilson's play was ineffective. Lastly when Nick Collins went down in week 2 with a season (and potentially career) ending neck injury, it exposed Charlie Peprah as a poor coverage safety and from that day forth the secondary's play was lackluster.

So if your a Packers fan or a draftnik doing your mock draft, you should be looking at the outside linebacker, defensive end and safety position as the Packers biggest "needs".

When I look at the Packers defense I have felt for years that they miss that "nasty" or that "bad ***" on defense that makes teams think twice about doing certain things. Wayne Simmons brought that to the Packers on the Super Bowl champion team in 1996. A guy who I have watched film on and I feel processes the type of ability, attitude and "nasty" I would like to see playing opposite of Mathews III is Oklahoma outside linebacker Ronnell Lewis.

You must be logged in to see this image or video!

Lewis has the speed to cover almost any tight end, the strength to bring down any running back, loves to hit (and hit hard) and plays with a mean streak. While those are his positives he does have some "red flags" that will cause him to slip in the 2012 NFL draft. According to a NFL scout I talked to, Lewis was late to 9 different meetings (5 optional) while at OU as well as got into "heated conversations" with the then DC Venerable (calling him and his manhood out) and plays undisciplined. That's why Bob Stoops said he thought it was best for Lewis to forgo his remaining college eligibility and make the leap to the NFL.

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=DS5coCK-qCg<br data-mce-bogus="1">

I rarely trust the opinions of NFL draft "experts", but when I do I trust Shawn Zobel from http://draftheadquarters.com. Shawn is biased, thorough, detailed and a man that should be scouting for some lucky NFL team shortly. Here is Shawn's scouting report on Ronnell Lewis:

A talented athlete with the physical tools needed to make the transition to the NFL, Ronnell Lewis is a "tweener" who lacks a true fit at the next level. A 1.5-year starter with just 14 career starts for the Sooners, Lewis totaled 119 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, nine pass breakups, and two interceptions over the course of his career in Norman; his best statistical season came during his junior season in 2011 when he recorded 60 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, five pass breakups, and one interception. Owning an ideal build for an outside rush linebacker, Ronnell has a great combination of size, strength (36 reps on bench), and speed (4.68 40). As a pass rusher, Lewis offers a ton of versatility after having lined up both with his hand on the ground at end as well as standing up at linebacker. With good short-area quickness, Ronnell owns the quick feet needed to weave in and out of traffic in pursuit of the quarterback. He doesn't own great explosion or an elite burst, but possesses enough acceleration needed to get the job done at the next level and has shown the quick change of direction skills that you look for at the position.. His speed is more evident with his range than with his ability to rush the passer, as he doesn't show the ability to consistently run the arc. Lewis is a physical player with the strength needed to fight his way through blocks; he will need further refinement of his pass rush repertoire, however he has the type of upper body strength where he could really develop quickly if he improved his hand use. He was able to get by on his physical tools in college, however that won't be the case in the NFL. As a run defender, Ronnell projects better as a linebacker than at end at the next level, as he doesn't own the lower body strength needed to consistently set the edge or anchor at the point of attack. He owns long enough arms (32 inches) as well as the upper body strength to extend out and attempt to hold his ground, however he also doesn't play with the consistent technique and fundamentals that you look for and will need to improve his inconsistent discipline here. Lewis understands how to locate the ball in the backfield and flow to ball carrier, however he doesn't show the type of instincts and awareness needed to read or diagnose plays and will be step late at times because of it; he's as raw from a mental standpoint as he is with his technique and hand use. Part of the reason for Ronnell's average production at Oklahoma is as a result of being moved back and forth from end to linebacker without being given the chance to develop and learn the nuances of one position, shown in his inconsistent instincts, however his raw technique and lack great hand use also played a part here. While he doesn't play with the type of non-stop motor that you look for, he will take advantage of being in proper position and embraces the chance to run down a running back or quarterback in the backfield; he has the range to play inside out from the linebacker position and when in position to make the tackle, he has shown the consistent ability to either wrap up by cutting the legs out from underneath the runner or apply a bit hit to the ball carrier. Lewis is an explosive tackler and will provide some impressive plays with his range, physical attitude, and upper body strength when bringing down the runner. Durability could be a question mark with Ronnell after he missed two games during his junior year with a knee injury and missed another two games during his junior year with a sprained MCL. In addition, character and work ethic question marks are sure to be concerns with teams after Ronnell was suspended for the team's bowl game against Iowa this season for poor grades; academics were considered a reason for his early entry, so teams will surely look into his questionable work ethic off the field. I project that Lewis will be drafted in the third-to-fourth round. Ronnell Lewis is an intriguing pass rushing prospect because of the physical tools that he offers, however it's hard to be optimistic with a player who has injury questions, didn't get the job done in the classroom off the field, and never appeared to be an overly productive player for his team. Lewis projects favorably as a 3-4 outside rush linebacker where the wide alignment outside could give him a better opportunity to rush the passer at the next level. In the 4-3 defense, he either projects as a pass rush specialist at end or as a developmental project as a WILL linebacker, however he projects far better in the 3-4 than 4-3. Lewis is still a raw prospect who needs quite a bit of development, however he has the physical tools to develop into a productive starting rush linebacker for a team in the NFL; it's just a question of how quickly he can develop, how well he can learn a complex defense, and how much work he will put in off the field. Because he has high upside but so many questions at the same time, Lewis has the makings of being a boom-or-bust prospect. Notes: Ronnell was named first-team All-Big 12 as a junior in 2011. A former top recruit coming out of Dewar High School in Oklahoma, Ronnell was rated as a four-star prospect, the No. 4 outside linebacker and No. 44 overall player in the country, as well as the No. 2 player in the state of Oklahoma by Rivals.com; he committed to the Sooners during the spring of his junior year of high school. Ronnell played eight-man football in high school where he starred as a running back and linebacker; between his junior and senior seasons, he rushed for 4,219 yards and 73 touchdowns in addition to tallying 156 tackles as a senior and intercepting 11 passes as a junior.

To me Lewis has the upside to to be a better NFL player then college player. He's has the type of attitude that Packers outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene would love to coach and the talent Greene could get the most out of. Lewis wouldn't be asked to have 12-15 sacks a year. He could be a 8-10 sack guy that is a force vs the run and solid in coverage and that would be perfect for the Packers defense.

With Lewis' draft stock being a 2nd to 4th round grade, the Packers could look to another "need" in round 1 (maybe defensive end of safety) and still be able to take Lewis in round 2, adding that player that brings the "nasty" to the defense as well as make the team better overall.

 

[Southpaw]

I like Lewis too, but as you and several others have pointed out, his character issues are a concern. I also believe there is a Sooners fan on here who claims that's he's not a very hard worker either. But he does like to hit people and he's an athlete.

I think he'd be more of player the Ravens might go after. I hear more along the lines of him being serious to go in the second. But if he does fall to the 3rd or 4th, than I can't see passing him up. But I'm not sure we'd actively pursue him early.

 

[HyponGrey]

I like Lewis too, but as you and several others have pointed out, his character issues are a concern. I also believe there is a Sooners fan on here who claims that's he's not a very hard worker either. But he does like to hit people and he's an athlete.

I think he'd be more of player the Ravens might go after. I hear more along the lines of him being serious to go in the second. But if he does fall to the 3rd or 4th, than I can't see passing him up. But I'm not sure we'd actively pursue him early.

I think He's more likely to chant "Just win, Baby" soon. He fits their prisonball archetype

 

[TJV]

Interesting choice, Arrigo. It'll be interesting to watch Lewis' NFL career whether or not he's picked by the Packers. And you're certainly going out on a limb:

Ronnell Lewis is an intriguing pass rushing prospect because of the physical tools that he offers, however it's hard to be optimistic with a player who has injury questions, didn't get the job done in the classroom off the field, and never appeared to be an overly productive player for his team.

If the Packers are considering him, I think paramount in their analysis should be the likelihood Lewis would respect Kevin Greene. If that isn't obvious to them…

BTW, your draft man crushes aren't always bad boys, are they?

I have a question regarding Zobel's analysis:

His speed is more evident with his range than with his ability to rush the passer, as he doesn't show the ability to consistently run the arc.

Is he talking about the arc on the way to the QB as in an outside pass rush? Also I assume you meant Shawn Zobel is unbiased, right?

 

[slaughter25]

What I really like about this kid is his knack for special teams. If he is still around in rounds 3 or 4 I think that would be a no brainer pick.

 

[7thFloorRA]

I think the Packers have a great environment where a guy like this will learn to be a professional. He could be a beast.

 

[okcpackerfan]

Lewis has the speed to cover almost any tight end, the strength to bring down any running back, loves to hit (and hit hard) and plays with a mean streak. While those are his positives he does have some "red flags" that will cause him to slip in the 2012 NFL draft. According to a NFL scout I talked to, Lewis was late to 9 different meetings (5 optional) while at OU as well as got into "heated conversations" with the then DC Venerable (calling him and his manhood out) and plays undisciplined. That's why Bob Stoops said he thought it was best for Lewis to forgo his remaining college eligibility and make the leap to the NFL.

I am from OKC and a few of my friends are OU insiders and sports reporters for OU based websites. Can you prove where you got your information that Ronnell got into a heated fight with "Venables" and that is why Bob Stoops told him to leave? I am not calling you a liar but that is not even close to the stories I have heard.

 

[Arrigo]

Stoops addressed some of Lewis' issues in a presser. Reports serviced during the season about his transgressions.A source who is a scout for an NFC team gave me the info about the missed meetings and the "heated argument".

I will not divulge any more about sources. I made that clear in my 1st OTS post here. I have not posted anything that is or has been off based or fabricated...and in-fact broke things a head of some major sports news sites.

I take no offense but will if you ask to go any further about my sources.

 

[Arrigo]

Stoops addressed some of Lewis' issues in a presser. Reports serviced during the season about his transgressions.A source who is a scout for an NFC team gave me the info about the missed meetings and the "heated argument".

I will not divulge any more about sources. I made that clear in my 1st OTS post here. I have not posted anything that is or has been off based or fabricated...and in-fact broke things a head of some major sports news sites.

I take no offense but will if you ask to go any further about my sources.