Heatherthepackgirl
Cheesehead
By ROB REISCHEL
Special to the Journal Sentinel
Posted: Feb. 21, 2008
On Wednesday, the Packers cut ties with Franks. And now, for the first time since 2000, the Packers might use a relatively high draft pick on a tight end.
"Green Bay, they've been on me," said Jermichael Finley, a junior from the University of Texas. "They've been on me real hard. I think I'd fit in real nice there. That's who's showing me the most love. They need a tight end, so that's why I'm, like, interested in them."
The Packers figure to be interested in several of the tight ends who are attending the NFL scouting combine at the RCA Dome and will get a first-hand look at them over the next couple of days. Tight ends will do their weightlifting today, then run the 40-yard dash and do agility drills on Saturday.
The general crop of tight ends is considered above average, so Green Bay should have a decent chance to add a player who can have an impact.
"I have great confidence in our personnel department," Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said. "And I'm sure things will work out as they always seem to do."
Green Bay's Donald Lee had a breakout season in which he caught 48 passes for 575 yards and six touchdowns and was named a Pro Bowl alternate. Lee. 27, parlayed his big season into a four-year, $11.9 million contract extension, but the Packers would love to find a younger player to complement him.
Southern California's Fred Davis is widely regarded as the best tight end in this class and the only player worthy of a first-round pick. But others such as Notre Dame's John Carlson, Missouri's Martin Rucker and Tennessee's Brad Cottam, along with underclassmen Martellus Bennett of Texas A&M and Texas' Finley, could all go in the first three rounds.
"It's a good group," 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan said.
Special to the Journal Sentinel
Posted: Feb. 21, 2008
On Wednesday, the Packers cut ties with Franks. And now, for the first time since 2000, the Packers might use a relatively high draft pick on a tight end.
"Green Bay, they've been on me," said Jermichael Finley, a junior from the University of Texas. "They've been on me real hard. I think I'd fit in real nice there. That's who's showing me the most love. They need a tight end, so that's why I'm, like, interested in them."
The Packers figure to be interested in several of the tight ends who are attending the NFL scouting combine at the RCA Dome and will get a first-hand look at them over the next couple of days. Tight ends will do their weightlifting today, then run the 40-yard dash and do agility drills on Saturday.
The general crop of tight ends is considered above average, so Green Bay should have a decent chance to add a player who can have an impact.
"I have great confidence in our personnel department," Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said. "And I'm sure things will work out as they always seem to do."
Green Bay's Donald Lee had a breakout season in which he caught 48 passes for 575 yards and six touchdowns and was named a Pro Bowl alternate. Lee. 27, parlayed his big season into a four-year, $11.9 million contract extension, but the Packers would love to find a younger player to complement him.
Southern California's Fred Davis is widely regarded as the best tight end in this class and the only player worthy of a first-round pick. But others such as Notre Dame's John Carlson, Missouri's Martin Rucker and Tennessee's Brad Cottam, along with underclassmen Martellus Bennett of Texas A&M and Texas' Finley, could all go in the first three rounds.
"It's a good group," 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan said.
