Three guys

[warhawk]

Three guys we haven't heard much of and didn't contribute this year that could get much more in the mix next year:

1) M. Underwood. I really liked his athletic ability and feel his injury ended up being big for us as lousy as Manuel has been. He has stayed with his rehab in Green Bay and is being pushed by Poppinga in the weight room. He wants to be there and stay involved with the team as much as possible.

If nothing else he could add quality depth and get playing time in the nickel. (I know he's not worse in coverage than Manuel).

2) A. Beech. This guy didn't get in much but when he did he ran with power and reminded me of a young AG once he got thru the line. Hey, the guy played for Kentucky. Now I live in Alabama ( 24 years removed from God's country and still a Packer fan) and can tell you he very seldom had a line in front of him that wasn't getting it's butts whipped by nearly all the other SEC teams. Yet he still ran up decent numbers.

Beech is my sleeper of the '07 season.

3) W. Blackmon. Couldn't keep him on the field this year but he will help us depth wise, ST's, and has more talent to consider as a future CB than any of the others.

My point is there will be a lot of folks looking far and wide for the right additions to help us get better but there just may be a few answers in our own back yard.

 

[porky88]

I'm very high on Marvel Underwood. I really think if we don't sign a free agent safety it's because the Packers feel good about Underwood starting at SS next year.

Other 2 guys IMO are..

Michael Montgomery. I think next year he could have a pretty good season as a backup. He's not a starter but a great change of pace player and we need depth on the D-Line.

Koren Robinson - Heard about him but didn't get a chance to do anything. I think he'll give us a legit 3rd receiving threat and will do a lot more for special teams and our receiving core than most think.

 

[tromadz]

good point.

I think there will also be a lot of people saying "Sign or draft offensive linemen! protect favre!" even though thats what 2006 was all about. To get young, quality linemen, sort em out, see who is worth a damn, and give them experience. Surprisingly, just about all of them grew up really fast after a tough first 4 weeks, even Tony Moll who stepped in alot due to injuries! With an NFL offseason now, and another training camp and whatnot with hopefully the same offensive coordinator, they will be a lot better.

I like your thread here, and I would like to contribute as well! Here are my 3 guys who we should look into next year:

1. Patrick Dendy - I like him cuz he replaced Ahmad Carroll, but did ok. He got beat at times, but thats acceptable when thrown into the fire cuz the guy playing ahead of you shouldn't even be in the NFL. You rarely heard his name in 2006, which believe me, IS A GOOD THING! He could and should be a solid Nickel DB or at least dime DB in 2007. I even believe he is a Sherman pickup too. good job, Sherm!

2. Tyrone Culver - Everyone Hates Marquand Manuel. Even me. I held out hope for him. I said "wait and see" I said "give him a chance" and boy...he just sucks, doesn't he? But a lot of you might remember Tyrone Culver had a very good training camp, televised scrimmage, and preseason. Our safeties looked goooooooood. Then he got hurt, and Manuel was getting over his injury, so he took his job back easily, and the rest was (an ugly) history. However, with Manuel sucking donkey balls, and Culver being a young athletic smart kid(B.S. degree in health science), I think he could very well be our starting strong safety in 2007. And I am sure people will be saying "pick up (enter aging expensive injury prone safety here)!!!!" Give the kid a chance! Underwood also had a good preseason. We might have our answer at safety!

3. Jarrett Bush - Another young secondary player. When we claimed him off waivers from Carolina, Panthers fans came to PF.COM just to tell us how good of a pickup this was for us. Panthers fans were sort of shocked they didn't keep the young man. He is athletic and very fast. With Al and Charles at the #1 and #2, young CBs like Bush(and Dendy) can attempt to master their craft without being thrown out to face #1 and #2 WRs in the NFL. Bush could be someone who does good things for GB in 2007.


Thats my take. Who are your 3 guys who are on the team who are under the radar but could come through in 2007?

 

[warhawk]

I'm very high on Marvel Underwood. I really think if we don't sign a free agent safety it's because the Packers feel good about Underwood starting at SS next year.

Other 2 guys IMO are..

Michael Montgomery. I think next year he could have a pretty good season as a backup. He's not a starter but a great change of pace player and we need depth on the D-Line.

Koren Robinson - Heard about him but didn't get a chance to do anything. I think he'll give us a legit 3rd receiving threat and will do a lot more for special teams and our receiving core than most think.

KRob would definately contribute at WR and KR. I'm hoping for another WR to give us four legitimate WR's next year. I think having that would open up DD and Jennings more and provide more opportunities for them to catch and run as well.

Montgomery would be a good backup guy. Seems like we have several of those. Would like to see us get at least one really good consistant DL that can get pressure week in week out.

We seem to get bursts from this player or that one in any given game but it's when none seem to be winning any one on one's when we get destroyed out there.

I mean, no one out there is really fearing our DL. No players teams have to figure out how to game plan around. Getting better there would go a long ways. Depth is important and Monty gives us that but I don't see great improvement on the DL for next year coming from in-house.

I see a need to draft real high here or bring in a proven FA. Might be a good time and place to fork out some bucks.

 

[retiredgrampa]

Good topic! I, too, expect much good from guys like Underwood, Blackmon, Beach(on the O). We may well have a deeper reserve of young talent than most realize. We were just bitten by that injury bug in all the wrong places. Here I go (with my favorite broken record) but SO MUCH depends on our replacing Sanders, Shott, Washington & Stock. These D players have been led by confused, inexperienced, and low-key coaches that it makes one weep. There are few things as demoralizing as talent being wasted by losers. If TT will only use his power to demand these coaching changes, our rebound time could be shortened considerably. We could be the Saints story of 2007. I hope MM realizes his future depends on it.

 

[warhawk]

good point.

I think there will also be a lot of people saying "Sign or draft offensive linemen! protect favre!" even though thats what 2006 was all about. To get young, quality linemen, sort em out, see who is worth a damn, and give them experience. Surprisingly, just about all of them grew up really fast after a tough first 4 weeks, even Tony Moll who stepped in alot due to injuries! With an NFL offseason now, and another training camp and whatnot with hopefully the same offensive coordinator, they will be a lot better.

I like your thread here, and I would like to contribute as well! Here are my 3 guys who we should look into next year:

1. Patrick Dendy - I like him cuz he replaced Ahmad Carroll, but did ok. He got beat at times, but thats acceptable when thrown into the fire cuz the guy playing ahead of you shouldn't even be in the NFL. You rarely heard his name in 2006, which believe me, IS A GOOD THING! He could and should be a solid Nickel DB or at least dime DB in 2007. I even believe he is a Sherman pickup too. good job, Sherm!

2. Tyrone Culver - Everyone Hates Marquand Manuel. Even me. I held out hope for him. I said "wait and see" I said "give him a chance" and boy...he just sucks, doesn't he? But a lot of you might remember Tyrone Culver had a very good training camp, televised scrimmage, and preseason. Our safeties looked goooooooood. Then he got hurt, and Manuel was getting over his injury, so he took his job back easily, and the rest was (an ugly) history. However, with Manuel sucking donkey balls, and Culver being a young athletic smart kid(B.S. degree in health science), I think he could very well be our starting strong safety in 2007. And I am sure people will be saying "pick up (enter aging expensive injury prone safety here)!!!!" Give the kid a chance! Underwood also had a good preseason. We might have our answer at safety!

3. Jarrett Bush - Another young secondary player. When we claimed him off waivers from Carolina, Panthers fans came to PF.COM just to tell us how good of a pickup this was for us. Panthers fans were sort of shocked they didn't keep the young man. He is athletic and very fast. With Al and Charles at the #1 and #2, young CBs like Bush(and Dendy) can attempt to master their craft without being thrown out to face #1 and #2 WRs in the NFL. Bush could be someone who does good things for GB in 2007.


Thats my take. Who are your 3 guys who are on the team who are under the radar but could come through in 2007?

I believe you have mentioned the future startes in the "D" backfield. Surely Culver or Underwood can step in and contribute at a high level over Manuel can't they? That may end up being the most competitively fought for position in pre-season next year.

Bush is great on ST's and I see him, Dendy, and Blackmon taking over when their time comes. Ease them into those CB spots which personnel wise we can do.

Won't it be great to not have to hear so often next year "coming in for the injured so and so is ROOKIE whoever". This year it's almost always been a rookie or a guy in his first NFL season.

All this experience the rooks are getting this year will certainly benefit us next season. Looks to me like we will be deeper with many more interchangeble rotations than we have had in years.

 

[digsthepack]

1. Marviel Underwood - Underwood was looking great before going down with injury. He is equally adept at coverage and run support....and truly enjoys inflicting damage upon arrival in both areas. A solid, fireplug build and a knack for the hit, he reminds me a little of Bob Sanders. Will set a physical tone in the secondary. With proper coaching, he and Collins provide much hope for the future at safety.

2. Kendrick Allen - Prior to going down with an injury, he was establishing himself as a possible starter or heavy rotation member with his run stoopping skills. Plus he showed good burst to get into the backfield and be disruptive. He will not accumulate sacks, but will re-direct runs and create havoc with opponent's RBs and QBs.

3. Koren Robinson - Longshot pick, but if he finally embraces sobriety we have one of the best WR groups in the league. His skills as a WR and return specialist are rare...a truy gifted athlete who could extend Favre's career and make the words Super Bowl a possibility within a few short years provided youth continues to mature, solid drafts continue and select FAs acquired.

Oh heck, here is a 4th:

4. Johnny Jolly - Disruptive, quick burst interior D lineman who, if he continues to mature, reminds me a little of Warren Sapp. Not saying he is going to become a Sapp type player, but similar style of game.

 

[TOPackerFan]

Underwood would be starting over Manuel right now if he hadn't been injured in August. The real key is how he comes back from his injury.

 

[digsthepack]

Agreed. The only good thing about it is that it happened very early....and he has Poppinga driving him hard every day.

 

[warhawk]

Agreed. The only good thing about it is that it happened very early....and he has Poppinga driving him hard every day.

I really liked hearing he stayed in GB to rehab and wanted to stay around the team amap. I think he will come back fully recovered. We debated in here about Walker's injury and how he would do and he's certainly answered that.

This is good stuff. It shows me that we should come into next year with a lot more experience, much more depth, and, not nearly as many questions regarding how fast young players can get ready to do quality work.

That was the big thing this year. Next year will be "how much better" will they perform and who will step up and solidify the holes we saw in '06.

This thread tells me we may not have to see nearly as many new faces as we have this season to achieve a higher quality of personnel.

When we get to a point where we go into a year with nearly all the previous seasons starters intact and not a ton of holes to fill is when we have a great shot.

 

[Zombieslayer]

1. Greg Jennings - Yes, you heard me right. You're not seeing the real Greg Jennings right now. You're seeing a guy playing at 80-90%, still a decent #2, but when he's 100% recovered after the off season, expect to see Mr. Jennings getting 1200+ yards and at least 6 or 7 TDs. Jennings will not only take the heat off of Driver, he's going to turn short slants into huge gains all year long. Defenses will fear him. And fans will forget all about the Javon Walker incident.

At the beginning of this year, you got to see a Greg Jennings preview. Now you're seeing a hurt Greg Jennings still playing because we have no choice. Believe me, you're not seeing what he can REALLY do right now.

2. KRob - it was no accident he got a Pro Bowl nod last year. The guy has talent. With a more mature line, we'll see a dangerous Packer offense next year, an offense that will be able to get first downs and keep the defense off the field. KRob will be a big part of this.

The receiving trio of Driver, Jennings, and Robinson will be so good, Favre's not going to want to retire after next season. 2007 is going to be FUN! (and yours truly will be making his first trip to Wisconsin since the 70s).

Plus, KRob will break one on special teams.

3. Arliss Beech - I was seriously bummed when he went down. This kid is going to be good. With a solid zone blocking scheme, expect him to get some long runs next year. Green still has a few years left in him, but after that, it will be Morency/Beech for awhile.

As for the DBs previous posters mentioned, I hope you're right. I don't think our talent back there though is lacking, I think it's more the coaching. We'll see.

By the way, Warhawk, this was a fun topic. Good post.

 

[steveGB]

my guys who i think could get more into the "mix" are:

jason hunter: i dunno i like the guy hes fast and with the fading KGB we might see him a little more. but on the other hand probably not coz montgomery will probably be put above him. i like him he ran a 40 in 4.64 seconds and hes really underated

vernand morency: man hes illusive next year if we dont pick up a better back id expect him to play a higher role and get more opportunities then this year.

ben taylor: hes been injured this year but coz i aint heard much on poppys role i think he might get more involved in the defence if he aint cut that is.

 

[dhpackr]

The SS position may be addressed in the 2007 draft

 

[GakkofNorway]

I don't think Dendy, Bush, Underwood or Beach will do anything next season

 

[Tiger]

1. Greg Jennings - Yes, you heard me right. You're not seeing the real Greg Jennings right now. You're seeing a guy playing at 80-90%, still a decent #2, but when he's 100% recovered after the off season, expect to see Mr. Jennings getting 1200+ yards and at least 6 or 7 TDs. Jennings will not only take the heat off of Driver, he's going to turn short slants into huge gains all year long. Defenses will fear him. And fans will forget all about the Javon Walker incident.

great post and i totally agree. I also get the feelings Jennings would do anything to play even he had to run around on one leg. When Jennings gets his route running refined then he'll become a serious game breaker.

 

[Zombieslayer]

1. Greg Jennings - Yes, you heard me right. You're not seeing the real Greg Jennings right now. You're seeing a guy playing at 80-90%, still a decent #2, but when he's 100% recovered after the off season, expect to see Mr. Jennings getting 1200+ yards and at least 6 or 7 TDs. Jennings will not only take the heat off of Driver, he's going to turn short slants into huge gains all year long. Defenses will fear him. And fans will forget all about the Javon Walker incident.

great post and i totally agree. I also get the feelings Jennings would do anything to play even he had to run around on one leg. When Jennings gets his route running refined then he'll become a serious game breaker.

Agreed. I'm hoping Jennings comes back 100% next year. We're going to have the most exciting WR duo in the NFL with Driver and Jennings. It will be better than '04.

 

[chibiabos]

:twocents: And how about Josh Bourke OT and Tony Palmer OG. Both supposed to be quite athletic and certainly have some size. Hope the draft gets us a major DT with great quicknes and size. Think it's one area GB really needs some big time help.

 

[Packnic]

with the return of several injured players next year we have a lot of young talent to fight out for spots in the preseason, and at the very least these young guys will be very talented backups for anyone we might bring in.

What this also does is lets TT draft the best player available in next years draft. We all know we need secondary help and pass rush help and recieving help... but we do have guys coming back next year that can answer some of those questions, ... so we wont have to go into the draft thinking... hey we HAVE to draft a SS. maynot sound big, but when we gotta decide wether or not to take a gamebreaker, or just a solid SS.... it will come into factor.

onto the list.

1. Jarret Bush- i live in NC, and i saw some preseason action and hear reports all the time. he might be a little high on my list because im not sure hes even ready to produce this year... but he will be good.
2. Jason Hunter
3. Nick Collins - im not even counting this year against him, crappy secondary coaching, and a clueless safety partner in Manuel... made for a bad year. I think with a little more competition in camp and some decent coaching, he will be back in line with what we saw from him last year.