Which holes will Thompson plug in draft ?

WinnipegPackFan

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Posted December 25, 2006

Which holes will Thompson plug in draft?

How about finding complements to Driver or Kampman?

By Rob Demovsky


With college football's bowl season under way, NFL teams' scouts are finishing their in-season player reports.


Those reports will be modified following the all-star games, February's NFL scouting combine, individual workouts and one-on-one interviews. Nevertheless, enough is known about many of the top college prospects for teams to have educated opinions about the players they will consider selecting in April's draft.


So, it's at this point that teams like the Green Bay Packers begin assessing not only their needs but what will be available to them before the draft, a la in free agency.


Without knowing whether Ted Thompson, the Packers' normally conservative general manager, will take a more active approach to free agency in his third offseason running the team, it's safe to assume he again will rely heavily on the college draft to fill many of the glaring holes on his roster.


In Thompson's first two drafts, he has selected a quarterback and a linebacker with his first-round picks. Those are probably the only positions — other than specialists — that Thompson is unlikely to consider with his first-round pick on April 28.


The Packers appear stacked at linebacker with last year's No. 1 pick, A.J. Hawk, entrenched as a starter. The other two starters — Brady Poppinga and Nick Barnett — are under contract for next season, and there's another rookie, Abdul Hodge, who is viewed as an eventual starter.


At quarterback, much hinges on whether Brett Favre returns next season. Not enough is known about Aaron Rodgers, the Packers' No. 1 pick in 2005, to determine whether or not he'll be a viable replacement. However, Thompson and first-year coach Mike McCarthy continually have praised Rodgers' development and appear committed to giving him the first shot at replacing Favre.


The Packers are going to need a starting running back in the near future, even if they re-sign Ahman Green. Though Green has bounced back from a quadriceps tendon injury from 2005 and is on the cusp of another 1,000-yard season, he'll turn 30 on Feb. 16. However, with the new zone-blocking scheme, the Packers are of the belief they don't necessarily have to spend a high draft pick on a back.


Green Bay could use a cornerback, given its starters, Al Harris and Charles Woodson, are 32 and 30, respectively, and it doesn't have a proven No. 3 corner.


Taking all of that into consideration, the Packers' greatest need on defense is another outside pass rusher to complement Aaron Kampman, who has a career-best 15½ sacks.


Their top need on offense is another playmaker in the passing game, likely at receiver, to complement Donald Driver, who also is having a career year.


With that in mind, here's a look at the top college prospects at those two positions.


Defensive end

It appears the top choice is Clemson's Gaines Adams. The 6-foot-5, 260-pounder has 10½ sacks and 15½ tackles for loss this season. He's been compared to Jevon Kearse. The problem for the Packers is Adams is likely to be gone when they select. He could be a top-five pick, and heading into Week 16, the Packers were guaranteed to pick no higher than eighth.


There may not be another defensive end worthy of a top-10 selection, depending on which juniors come out. The other top senior prospects are Nebraska's Adam Carriker, who at 6-6, 295, is among the biggest ends in the draft. He's a complete player like Kampman, who can play the run and the pass.


Notre Dame's Victor Abiamiri (6-4, 270) is another senior worthy of first-round consideration.


Players like Michigan's LaMarr Woodley (6-3, 274), Georgia's Quentin Moses (6-5, 257), Purdue's Anthony Spencer (6-3, 261) played defensive end in college, but some scouts project them as outside linebackers in a 3-4 scheme in the NFL. The Packers play the traditional 4-3.


Hawaii's Ikaika Alama-Francis (6-5, 250) is the most raw of the possible senior first-round picks. The Hawaii native was recruited to play basketball, and didn't play a significant number of snaps until 2004.


Among the juniors who are expected to declare are USC's Lawrence Jackson (6-5, 265), who could be the second-best prospect behind Adams, Auburn's Quentin Groves (6-3, 254) and Florida's Jarvis Moss (6-6, 251).


Receivers

There's one exceptional player, Georgia Tech's Calvin Johnson. At 6-5 and 235, the junior has ball skills akin to Randy Moss. He has 13 touchdowns this season and 26 in his three-year career. He has run the 40-yard dash in 4.3 seconds and boasts a 48-inch vertical jump. He comes from a family that values education, so it's not a given he'll declare early. But given the possibility he could be among the first three players taken, NFL teams believe he'll come out.


Because there aren't many top-flight seniors, there figures to be a bunch of junior receivers in this draft, including USC's Dwayne Jarrett (6-5, 210), who could end up being rated ahead of Johnson.


The other top juniors are Ohio State's Ted Ginn Jr. (6-0, 180), Tennessee's Robert Meachem (6-3, 210), LSU's Early Doucet (6-0, 207) and Texas' Limas Sweed (6-5, 219).


The top senior likely will be Notre Dame's Jeff Samardzija (6-5, 218), who is a big, sure-handed target. He's also a baseball prospect as a pitcher, and was drafted in the fifth round by the Chicago Cubs in June. He signed a five-year contract reportedly worth up to $7.25 million, but there is believed to be an out if he chooses football.



Thoughts ?
 

tromadz

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I dont feel we have many needs (wr,rb,de,safety,1 nickel CB)

- we might have our safety in culver\underwood
-the others should be taken care of in the draft and free agency, which we have money to use (not to spend, to USE. )

I've got faith in TT to get this done. He has shown he can make good moves in draft(collins,hawk,jennings) AND free agency (Woodson,Pickett,KRob).

2007 should be nice.
 

cyoung

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I agree with Trom (was I one of the first to say that) that I see 2007 being a good season and that most of the needs should be filled because there really isn't that many
 

Zero2Cool

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Everything I've been reading from the 'experts' about Marviel Underwood is that he's an excellent player with a huge upside and they were planning on him starting over Manuel until he got hurt.
 

cyoung

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Right now since I havent really seen much of Underwood I'm not so sure of putting him over Manuel. Although the way Manuel screws up somtimes maybe there should be a change.

For now though I see a lot better team for next year, I was a little crazy for predicting 12-4 for this year. But for 2007 12-4 doesn't sound that crazy.
 

tromadz

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Right now since I havent really seen much of Underwood I'm not so sure of putting him over Manuel. Although the way Manuel screws up somtimes maybe there should be a change.

Did you see the scrimmage game and preseason? The kid was a stud. Yeah it was preseason, but the kid was so consistent it was great. I feel he woulda been the starting SS by week 3 at the latest had he stayed healthy, and Manuel woulda been a backup and 'special teams specialist.'

underwood vs. culver for the SS job.
 

packedhouse01

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We've got to find a dominant defensive end on the other side of Kampman. We also need to find some cornerbacks and a safety. Offensively, I'd like to see us pick another receiver and a running back, but I think you have to fill the receiver spot with a free agent. This draft is going to be to find a couple of players that could start, but mostly it's about building some depth and getting those players ready to fill in for the players that will eventually leave us in free agency. The problem with Mike Sherman drafts is that he missed on so many drafts that not only didn't we get starters we didn't get any depth either.
 

cyoung

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cyoung said:
Right now since I havent really seen much of Underwood I'm not so sure of putting him over Manuel. Although the way Manuel screws up somtimes maybe there should be a change.

Did you see the scrimmage game and preseason? The kid was a stud. Yeah it was preseason, but the kid was so consistent it was great. I feel he woulda been the starting SS by week 3 at the latest had he stayed healthy, and Manuel woulda been a backup and 'special teams specialist.'

underwood vs. culver for the SS job.

I saw those and yeah he did look good, but if I could see more of him like in a game and he had that same consistency then thats proof that he is better.
 

CaliforniaCheez

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Free agency will involve the Packer DT's Jenkins, Cole, Williams, Allen.
It will also include an experienced Safety and journeyman RB, FB, WR.
Donald Lee should be re-signed.

First Round- CB Woodson and Harris age; CB's drafted cheaper than FA.
2nd Round- WR Ferguson will be cut.
3rd Round- RB Green's age; Morency and Herron lack quality.
4th Round- Center/Guard Wells needs a back up.
5th Round- FS/KR special teams need a good return man.
6th Round- FB to replace Miree and some day maybe Henderson??
7th Round- LB Possibly bump White and Taylor's contract expired.
7th Round- TE David Martin is finally gone.

Where I may be wrong.
With Underwood returning and a Safety in FA I don't think a rookie Safety will improve the defense that much.

Some may think that TE and Safety is more of a priority. I won't say you're wrong.

Much of this all depends on what is done in Free Agency.
 

agopackgo4

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I dont think that is how TT goes about doing things. From what I understand he will most likely take the "best player out there" whoever is there at the time they are on the clock. But I think we need a safety. or a WR
 

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First round: best player available in the TE, S, DE, CB, RB, WR spots would be ok with me.
 

rundemc

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cyoung said:
Right now since I havent really seen much of Underwood I'm not so sure of putting him over Manuel. Although the way Manuel screws up somtimes maybe there should be a change.

Did you see the scrimmage game and preseason? The kid was a stud. Yeah it was preseason, but the kid was so consistent it was great. I feel he woulda been the starting SS by week 3 at the latest had he stayed healthy, and Manuel woulda been a backup and 'special teams specialist.'

underwood vs. culver for the SS job.
not to bash what your saying but just remember abdul hodge looked like a stud at the scrimmage too but it didnt really carry over to the regular season
 

Zero2Cool

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not to bash what your saying but just remember abdul hodge looked like a stud at the scrimmage too but it didnt really carry over to the regular season

Exactly. You can't judge a player by a scrimmage game. On the other side of the debate, Hodge was healthy during the scrimmage game and was not at full strength at all during the season after his injury.
 

cyoung

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rundemc said:
not to bash what your saying but just remember abdul hodge looked like a stud at the scrimmage too but it didnt really carry over to the regular season

Exactly. You can't judge a player by a scrimmage game. On the other side of the debate, Hodge was healthy during the scrimmage game and was not at full strength at all during the season after his injury.

I watched Hodge and didn't think he did that bad for his first NFL game,He should of been in some places to make a stop but he did ok for his first game.
 

Zero2Cool

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Zero2Cool said:
rundemc said:
not to bash what your saying but just remember abdul hodge looked like a stud at the scrimmage too but it didnt really carry over to the regular season

Exactly. You can't judge a player by a scrimmage game. On the other side of the debate, Hodge was healthy during the scrimmage game and was not at full strength at all during the season after his injury.

I watched Hodge and didn't think he did that bad for his first NFL game,He should of been in some places to make a stop but he did ok for his first game.
I watched him three times. Once live, another removing commercials and then again making highlights. He wasn't in any of the highlights lol
 

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hodge is young. i was glad we picked him originally. but poppinga has cut down on his mistakes lately. hodge sees like the odd man out. but a 3rd round pick is defiinately worth a SOLID back up LB. you never know when an injury can strike!
 

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First off it's way to early to give up on Hodge, he's a rookie and MLB is a tough position to play. But as to the question, seeing the Packers flounder in the Red Zone all year they need some playmakers on offence but a sure handed T.E. is high on my list, I think we could have won several close games this year had Brett had a check off receiver rather than trying to force it to Driver all the time. Lets get Brett a stud at TE (if there is one out there) before he retires!
 

pack4life

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I'm a huge fan of Zack Miller TE from ASU....but that's because I went to ASU and because I went to school with both Zack and his brother Brent Miller (another TE from ASU)...so i'm biased
 

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I would like to see the Packers get Joe Thomas from the Badgers, and move Tausher back over to guard and keep Colledge where he is. That would be a pretty solid line then. But who knows. We need to fill a lot of holes on the team, so I say take the best available player reguardless of need.
 

porky88

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I would like to see the Packers get Joe Thomas from the Badgers, and move Tausher back over to guard and keep Colledge where he is. That would be a pretty solid line then. But who knows. We need to fill a lot of holes on the team, so I say take the best available player reguardless of need.

Thomas is a LT. Clifton would have to move to RT and that's something he probably wouldn't want to do. Drafting Thomas would likely cause the end of Clifton.

With that said. Thomas is as close to a lock as a top 5 pick as Brady Quinn. We won't get him unless we move up.

As long as Green Bay doesn't draft Ted Ginn Jr. I'm alright. Ginn is to much of a risk with upside. He's a project. I want Green Bay to look at Marshawn Lynch assuming AP doesn't fall.
 

Zero2Cool

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Schmitty said:
I would like to see the Packers get Joe Thomas from the Badgers, and move Tausher back over to guard and keep Colledge where he is. That would be a pretty solid line then. But who knows. We need to fill a lot of holes on the team, so I say take the best available player reguardless of need.

Thomas is a LT. Clifton would have to move to RT and that's something he probably wouldn't want to do. Drafting Thomas would likely cause the end of Clifton.

With that said. Thomas is as close to a lock as a top 5 pick as Brady Quinn. We won't get him unless we move up.

As long as Green Bay doesn't draft Ted Ginn Jr. I'm alright. Ginn is to much of a risk with upside. He's a project. I want Green Bay to look at Marshawn Lynch assuming AP doesn't fall.

I like that Dwayne Jarret WR. He has some solid hands and they were formed in a manner that reminds me of how Jerry Rice got such great hands. Of course there is a difference between catching bricks and catching footballs though.
 

porky88

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porky88 said:
Schmitty said:
I would like to see the Packers get Joe Thomas from the Badgers, and move Tausher back over to guard and keep Colledge where he is. That would be a pretty solid line then. But who knows. We need to fill a lot of holes on the team, so I say take the best available player reguardless of need.

Thomas is a LT. Clifton would have to move to RT and that's something he probably wouldn't want to do. Drafting Thomas would likely cause the end of Clifton.

With that said. Thomas is as close to a lock as a top 5 pick as Brady Quinn. We won't get him unless we move up.

As long as Green Bay doesn't draft Ted Ginn Jr. I'm alright. Ginn is to much of a risk with upside. He's a project. I want Green Bay to look at Marshawn Lynch assuming AP doesn't fall.

I like that Dwayne Jarret WR. He has some solid hands and they were formed in a manner that reminds me of how Jerry Rice got such great hands. Of course there is a difference between catching bricks and catching footballs though.

Jarrett in my opinion is the most polished WR in the Draft and goes up and gets the ball better than Calvin Johnson. He doesn't have the greatest of speed but it's certainly fast enough. I wouldn't mind Jarrett either but I think a young RB is more of a need than a young WR. So if both Jarrett and Lynch were on the board, I'd go with Lynch but that doesn't mean I'd be upset with Jarrett.
 

tromadz

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tromadz said:
cyoung said:
Right now since I havent really seen much of Underwood I'm not so sure of putting him over Manuel. Although the way Manuel screws up somtimes maybe there should be a change.

Did you see the scrimmage game and preseason? The kid was a stud. Yeah it was preseason, but the kid was so consistent it was great. I feel he woulda been the starting SS by week 3 at the latest had he stayed healthy, and Manuel woulda been a backup and 'special teams specialist.'

underwood vs. culver for the SS job.
not to bash what your saying but just remember abdul hodge looked like a stud at the scrimmage too but it didnt really carry over to the regular season

the regular season....you mean his 1st career start ever in the nfl?

shocker, a rookie wasn't impressive in his starting debut! Who woulda thought!

If every player who played bad in his 1st start never played again...well...I doubt many teams would be able to fill their rosters.

and yeah, its not like he scored a defensive TD in his short chance at playing.
 

porky88

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Hodge isn't better than A.J. Hawk but remember this about Hawk. After the 1st couple of games there were a lot of articles pointing out many flaws in Hawk and some were using the BUST word. Even on the radio they were talking some about Vernon Davis and how he should of been the pick.

Then Hawk got to keep playing and he improved every game and it his stride (so to speak) against the Lions in week 4. So while Hodge didn't look great against Seattle, he never really got to see the field much. I think he can improve and he'll be a solid backup for us and maybe some good trade bait. Pretty much labeling him a bust of a pick because of one awful half against the Seahawks is premature.
 

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