Draft 2012: Bruce Almighty would be music to Packer fans ears
By Brian E Murphy, PackersInsider.com Senior Editor
~Eli drops back to pass. Looks right. Looks left. Looks over the middle and fires. There’s Victor Cruz open for an easy 25 yard gain. First down Giants.
Eli back to pass again. He pump fakes. Now he looks over the middle. Nicks gets open on the left and Eli throws deep. 20 yards and a Giant first down.
And none of those were a Hail Mary where Eli had plenty of time to measure up his throw, without a worry in the world back there in the well-protected, peaceful pocket.
Clay Matthews needs help. He cannot do it alone.
Enter Bruce Irvin, West Virginia outside linebacker and pass-rushing specialist.
Von Miller was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year last year. He was productive on the field in college at Texas A&M, and he showed himself to be quite an athlete at the NFL combine.
The same things could be said about Bruce Irvin, with a straight face. Facts and statistics don’t lie.
More than a "Workout Warrior" -Irvin had 22 ½ sacks in two seasons with the Mountaineers.
Bruce Irvin has been at rock bottom in his life, and as a result, he’s a very hungry person, and player.
Irvin said: “Trying to reach the top because it’s too crowded at the bottom.”
Teams have asked him about the details of his past problems and issues.
“They’ve heard the stories, read the articles,” Irvin said. “They’ve questioned me, which I don’t blame. They want to hear it from the horse’s mouth, the whole situation and how it happened.”
He has owned up to his mistakes of the past, moved on, and is proud of who he’s become.
“Check my past four or five years. I got a lot of people who can vouch for me. I’m no longer that person,” Irvin said. “I went by B.J., now I’m Bruce. That’s what I tell them.”
Although he had some problems in the past, this is a guy who you want to join forces with Clay Matthews if you are a Packer fan.
He’s no Adam Pac-Man Jones, another former Mountaineer who was both talented and troubled. He never could shake the thug in him because that was who he was. He just happened to be blessed with talent in addition to that.
Irvin is not a thug. He’s talented as hell, but had a tough upbringing, as Donald Driver and James Jones did as well. Driver did some things when he was younger that he’s not proud of. He straightened himself out, overcame his circumstances, and Bruce Irvin is on that same path.
Irvin will get his share of sacks and QB pressures, and possibly relieve some pressure on Matthews, freeing him up from many double-teams.
Here are some comments on Irvin from national draft guys/scouts. It really cracks me up when these so-called scouts, scientists, refer to Irvin as “undersized”. Undersized for what? Was Von Miller undersized? Is Clay Matthews “undersized”? Irvin is bigger and stronger than both of them, and they’ve terrorized NFL QB’s at their “undersize”. Lacks the ideal size? Really? Who’s the premium pass rushers in the NFL to compare to?
Wes Bunting (National Football Post): A gifted athlete who has the initial burst to routinely reach the edge. However, lacks ideal size and doesn’t have a real sophisticated pass rushing repertoire. Is going to make the move to a 34 OLB at the next level and might need a little time. Reminds me some of Chris Clemons.
Chad Reuter (CBS Sports): Despite his lack of experience, Irvin’s athleticism and toughness should give him a chance to be a pass rusher as a 3-4 linebacker at the next level, or possibly a defensive end for the handful of NFL 4-3 teams not minding his lack of size. If he answers questions about his past to NFL scouts’ satisfaction, they may decide to take a chance on his potential in either role with an early-round selection.
NFL.com (Combine): Bruce is a compelling prospect whose athletic ability is as unique as his path to the NFL. An electrifying pass rusher who will fit as either a specialist DE or an OLB in a 3-4 scheme, Irvin uses a flurry of moves and his uncanny athletic ability to maneuver his undersized frame around and through offensive linemen to produce massive sack production in his limited views at West Virginia. A player who is hampered by his size and amount of snaps taken at a high level, Irvin should be selected within the first two rounds of the draft by a team looking for a boost in their ability to get to the quarterback.
“I’m a fast guy. I like mismatches,” Irvin said. “So I think that gives me the chance, especially if I have big guys in the middle to occupy the guards. It allows me to go one-on-one with the tackle.
“I usually won those [battles] in college. It’s going to be different at the next level, and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
It’s not often a guy this talented lasts until pick #28, and it’s even rarer for one to last until late in the 2nd round. And we’re talking about a pass-rusher in today’s NFL where the passing game is king.
Bruce Irvin would be a fantastic addition to the Green Bay Packers at wherever GM Ted Thompson took him.
Bruce Irvin loves to crush QB\’s
Pro Football Weekly: Bruce Irvin has 1st round talent
Packers 1st Round Target: OLB Shea McClellin
By Brian E Murphy, PackersInsider senior editor
~Three years ago, Packers GM Ted Thompson knew he needed a pass rushing threat at OLB for his new 3-4 defense being installed by new defensive coordinator Dandy Dom Capers.
Packer fans knew this as well.
As soft as the Packers defense, and pass rush, was last year, can you imagine how much worse it would have been had Thompson not traded up in 2009 and stolen Clay Matthews?
What they didn’t know was that Thompson would buck his trend of trading down, and instead he traded up to the latter stages of round one and shocked almost everyone by taking Clay Matthews with the pick at #26.
Matthews had the bloodlines, but he only had one year of starting experience, and didn’t have a great body of work at USC. Looking back now, it was a great pick. I believe it’s Thompson’s best move as GM, but that’s for another day’s debate.
Fast forward to today, and it’s as clear now as it was then, that Capers needs another guy who can get to the QB. In 2009, Matthews was available at pick #26. This time, Thompson has the #28 pick.
One guy who might be there is Boise State’s Shea McClellin, who will be a natural OLB in the NFL for some team who plays the 3-4 defense.McClellin is 6-3, 260 pounds, and has the speed and agility to become a Kevin Greene-type OLB.
Gamebreaking Speed: Like Matthews, McClellin has shown the ability to take the ball and run.
A month or longer ago, he was viewed as a probably third round prospect, maybe late 2nd. But now it would appear that McClellin will be gone by the end of the first round, and sources say he could go before the Packers #28 pick comes up, possibly to New England right before the Packers pick.
What makes McClellin such a high riser in the months of March and April?
Well first, he looked great in Mobile for the Senior Bowl, then he also tested great at the combine and his pro days. He showed he has the speed, quickness, flexibility, agility to transition to the OLB position in the NFL.
McClellin would be the perfect compliment to Matthews on the opposite side at ROLB.
Secondly, his measurables remind many of Matthews in 09, and Brooks Reed last year.
McClellin
40 Time: 4.62
Vertical: 31.5″
Broad: 9’10
3 Cone: 7.07
Short Shuttle: 4.33
Reed, you might remember, is the OLB from Arizona who many Packer fans, and national mocksters, had going to the Packers last year at pick #32.
Reed was on board at the pick, but Thompson went with OT Derek Sherrod instead. While Sherrod looked like a fine prospect, he had his leg broken in two places in the Kansas City loss, when OLB pass rushing specialist Tamba Hali went right around LT Marshall Newhouse for the 18th time in that game, and went smashing into Sherrod’s leg.
McClellin has shown the ability to drop back into coverage, which is something that is needed from the position at times.
While that can’t be blamed on Thompson, obviously, it is worthy to note that Reed had a great rookie year for the Houston Texans, and showed that their defense was just fine thank you without Mario Williams. So good, in fact, that they let Mario go this off-season. Reed would have, perhaps, been a difference-maker for the Packers defense last year.
Passion for the game, intensity, is another attribute that McClellin brings to the table. The Packers defense wouldn't hurt by having more guys with passion like that. Matthews and Bishop have it, but guys like Hawk and Brad Jones appear to be sleepwalking out there at times.
As you know, their defense was awful and getting to the quarterback was the number one problem. Teams focused on stopping Clay Matthews, and with Cullen Jenkins let go, there was nobody else who could get pressure on QB’s.
Not only does Shea have the right size and measurables to thrive in Capers' system, he already has a solid body of work.
McClellin appears to be a perfect fit to pair with Matthews and he has the great character, work ethic, that Ted Thompson looks for.
I don’t think he will be there at pick #28 however, so don’t be shocked to see Teddy Ballgame make another rare move up in the draft and pick a guy who most didn’t even think would be worth a 1st round pick, as was the case in 2009 with Clay.
Stay tuned.
Film Study: Boise State’s Shea McClellin
By Tyler Dunne, Journal-Sentinel
~Shea McClellin (Boise State), OLB/DE
Many experts now say McClellin won't still be available at pick #28. Here Arizona State quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) reaches for the ball after a bad snap as Boise State defensive end Shea McClellin (92) defends in the first half of the Maaco Bowl NCAA college football game, Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011, in Las Vegas. Osweiler recovered the ball on the play.
MEASURABLES
- 6 feet, 3 3/8 inches
- 260 pounds
- 40 time: 4.63 sec
- Bench: 19 reps
- Vertical leap: 31.5″
- Broad jump: 118″
- 3-cone drill: 7.07 sec
- 20-yard shuttle: 4.33 sec
STATS
- 2008: 14 tackles (1 for loss), 1 sack, 3 FF
- 2009: 36 tackles (6 for loss), 3 sacks
- 2010: 30 tackles (13.5 for loss), 9.5 sacks, 1 FF
- 2011: 50 tackles (12.5 for loss), 7 sacks, 1 FF
MCCLELLIN SAYS
On his strength: “I think that’s one of my biggest assets — versatility. This year, especially, I lined up all over. I played outside, inside ‘backer, I even played nickel at times.”
The Good…
— McClellin nails it. Versatility is his best asset. He has lined up in a three-point stance at defensive end, upright as an outside linebacker and also in the middle. Boise State as a team is extremely active pre-snap, but McClellin always appears calm and comfortable. He turns the corner effectively at both DE and OLB. On one 3rd and 8 against Georgia in the season opener, McClellin embarrassed first-round prospect Cordy Glenn. He cleanly beat Glenn off the edge immediately. Glenn could only lunge in desperation and try to hold McClellin as the end flew by and lassoed QB Aaron Murray around the ankles for a sack.
— An overachiever who doesn’t give up on plays. In Boise State’s bowl win over Arizona State, QB Brock Osweiler stepped into the pocket and appeared to have running room upfield. McClellin spun off LG Evan Finkenberg and tracked down Osweiler from behind for just a two-yard gain. We throw around “high motor” way too much in our business. With McClellin, it’s justified.
— Technically sound. McClellin isn’t a freelancer. He understands his role each play and rarely floats out of position. With the Broncos pounding the Sun Devils 21-0 in that bowl win, Arizona State tried running wide. From the ROLB spot, lined up over the tight end’s head, McClellin read run and effectively forced all action inside. He shrugged off TE Trevor Kohl and pulling C Garth Gerhart to trip up the running back for a three-yard loss. The play wasn’t flashy, but McClellin did everything right to allow a host of teammates to clog the play as well.
— Solid form tackler. On a fourth and 1 against Georgia, Bulldogs TE Orson Charles didn’t lay a finger on McClellin who stormed in to stuff Richard Samuel in his tracks for a loss. Good instincts, too. From the MLB spot in that same game, McClellin timed an A-gap blitz well and caved the pocket for a half-sack.
Clay Matthews needs some help. Opposing QB's had all day to throw last year, and they made the Packers DB's look a lot worse than they really were.
The Bad…
— The more you watch Boise State’s defense, the more you notice just how talented and fast it is across the board. This is no mid-major guppy. McClellin was surrounded by athletes, who definitely made his job easier. The Broncos also didn’t face great competition. McClellin probably should have had more than seven sacks last season.
— Had one solo tackle against Toledo and was hardly visible throughout the game. On one 20-yard screen pass, McClellin was unblocked and was a split-second slow on sacking QB Austin Dantin. At times, his short-ish arms (32 ¾”) are apparent. Compare that to Syracuse’s Chandler Jones (35 ½”) or Illinois’ Whitney Mercilus (33 7/8”). Look at the best pass rushers in the league. Long arms are critical to the position.
— Average athleticism. Doesn’t have elite burst around offensive tackles. Part of the problem may be that Boise State asked McClellin to do so much. He lacks an array of pass-rush moves others have in this draft class and was neutralized by double-teams. Not as strong as others at his position (18 reps), thus massive pro tackles could pose a problem
The Verdict…
As we wrote last week, the Packers are interested in McClellin. In many ways, he’s exactly the type of linebacker Kevin Greene covets. McClellin is intelligent, relies on strong fundamentals and has a no-quit playing style. Once projected as a fourth-rounder, McClellin’s versatility seems to be driving him into the first-round discussion. Should he be? We’ll say ‘yes.’ While McClellin lacks the eye-popping surge of USC’s Nick Perry, he gives a more consistent effort. His numbers at the NFL scouting combine don’t do McClellin justice as he plays fast and instinctive. He should be on the Packers’ radar.
Full story here
Packers All-Time Draft Bust Team (1980-now)
~As we approach the NFL Draft, it’s time to take a look back at the worst draft picks of the modern era for the Packers.
While there were plenty of busts before 1980, I’m only going to cover the worst of the worst since 1980.
Tony Mandarich was an unbelievable physical specimen, but the steroid warning signs were obvious. Add the fact that you had some premium talent in Barry Sanders, Derrick Thomas, and Deion Sanders available, makes the pick the worst in Packers history.
OFFENSE
QB- Rich Campbell, 1981, 1st rd, #6 overall
Ronnie Lott and Mike Singletary went off the board after this atrocious pick. He lasted four seasons with the Packers, appearing in just seven games. He threw a career total of 386 yards and 3 touchdowns, against 9 interceptions and a passer rating of 38.8. He was considered a “franchise-quarterback” when drafted.
Brian Brohm, 2008, 2nd rd, #56 overall
For a 2nd round QB to only last one season on an NFL team in today’s modern NFL, you have to be horrible. That’s what Brohm was for the Packers. He was taken as insurance as the Packers were turning over the franchise to Aaron Rodgers that 2008 season, and many people thought Brohm was ready for the NFL even a year sooner out of Louisville. He looked lost, and was cut the next season, then signed off the practice squad by the Bills.
Robbie Bosco, 1986, 3rd rd, #82 overall
Bosco would end up never throwing a pass in an NFL regular season game. After spending his first two seasons on injured reserve, the Packers cut Bosco. He had a great collegiate career at BYU, following in the footsteps of Steve Young, and preceeding Ty Detmer.
RB- Brent Fullwood, 1987, 1st rd, #4 overall
Like Bosco after Steve Young, Fullwood road the coattails of his previous guy at Auburn, Bo Jackson, and was over-drafted at #4 overall.
Although he had one good season in the Majikal 1989 season, he lasted just three full seasons for the Packers. His career rushing total of 1,701 yards for the Packers as a #4 overall pick is a sad story.
RB- Darrell Thompson, 1990, 1st rd, #19 overall
Thompson was the Gophers’ all-time leading rusher, and the Packers thought they were getting a franchise RB. Although he lasted five seasons in Green Bay, Thompson’s running style was so upright he was an easy target for tacklers. He finished his Packers’ career with 1,641 yards rushing, eight touchdowns and a 3.5-yard average in his career.
RB- LeShon Johnson, 1994, 3rd rd, #84 overall
As is often the case with the RB position, this was another case of a torn ACL ruining the player. After leading the nation in rushing his senior season at Northern Illinois with 1,976 yards, Johnson tore his ACL during his rookie year with the Packers. Five games into his second season, the Packers released Johnson. His Packers’ career consisted of 28 carries for 97 yards.
WR- Derrick Mayes, 1996, 2nd rd, #56 overall
The former Irish Mayes spent three seasons with the Packers, appearing in 29 games and starting only nine. His best season came in 1998, when he recorded 30 catches for 394 yards and three touchdowns. Although he broke receiving records of Tim Brown and Raghib Ismail at Notre Dame, he was a flop for the Packers. He did get himself a Super Bowl ring, however.
WR- Frankie Neal, 1987, 3rd rd, #71
Lasted just one season in Green Bay, despite the Packers being horrible during those years. Eventually, Frankie turned to a life of crime on the streets.
There have been some great #80 WR’s for the Packers. But not all of them have been worthy of the number.
TE- Gary Lewis, 1981, 2nd rd, #35 overall
Lewis played four quiet seasons for the Packers, starting a total of three games. His career stat line: 21 catches, 285 yards and one touchdown.
C- Jason Spitz, 2006, 3rd rd, #75 overall
Was drafted to replace Scott Wells as the Packers center, was given multiple chances at both center at guard, but ultimately was never able to last at either position.
OT- Tony Mandarich, 1989, 1st rd, #2 overall
OT- Jon Michels, 1996, 1st rd, #27 overall
The left tackle from USC started nine games for the Packers during his rookie season after veteran Ken Ruettgers went down with a knee injury. In ’97, he started the team’s first five games before suffering his own season-ending knee injury. The next year was more of the same – Michaels injured his right knee in training camp and never played another game for the Packers. In total, the Packers got 14 starts out of Michaels.
G- Dave Dreschler, 1983, 2nd rd, #48 overall
Never started a game, was castaway after just 2 seasons. Never should have been taken any higher than the 6th or 7th round to begin with. Fans had no idea why he was taken in round two. They still have no idea.
G- Syd Kitson, 1980, 3rd rd, #61 overall
Started 9 games in 3+ seasons before the Packers let him go, to Dallas. At least he earned a handful of starts and wasn’t a complete washout, but a 3rd rounder at guard is expected to become better than that.
From Bulk to Bust, Mandarich set the franchise back 4 years
DEFENSE
DE- Jamal Reynolds, 2001, 1st rd, #10 overall
Absolute huge bust in Ron Wolf’s final draft-dagger as Packer GM. Reynolds lasted all of two seasons for the Packers before they tried to trade him away, but ultimately simply released the bum.
DL- Justin Harrell, 2007, 1st rd, #16 overall
Most Packer fans moaned and groaned the second this pick was announced, and they ended up being correct on this one as Harrell was often injured in college, and that translated into the NFL. He had the perfect blend of size and agility, but for some reason was just made brittle and couldn’t last. Was a total waste, and what makes it worse is that Ted Thompson was just about to draft Darrell Revis with that pick, but the Jets flew in and scooped him up right before the Packers pick.
A nice guy with tons of talent, Harrell was never able to shake his brittleness. Some would say he just had a large amount of bad luck. Some would say it was a bad pick. Either way, the Packers got no return on their first round investment.
DL- Bruce Clark, 1980, 1st rd, #4 overall
Clark never wanted to play for the Packers, and he never did. The Packers thought he was bluffing, but he wasn’t. The idiot opted to instead go to the CFL where he signed with the Toronto Argonauts. The Packers got zilch out of the #4 overall pick, while some great players went off the board after the wasted pick. Dolphins center Dwight Stevenson, Redskins Hall of Fame WR Art Monk, and perennial Pro Bowl guard Matt Millen all would have been nice picks there.
Ron Wolf left the Packers on a low sour note.
What makes it even worse was that Wolf cashed in Matt Hasselbeck here to simply trade up in the first round and select Reynolds. Seattle got themselves the franchise QB who would lead them to numerous division titles as well as a Super Bowl. The Packers reached for Reynolds with their higher pick in round one, while Seattle then later used their lower pick in round one from the Packers to draft themselves Steve Hutchinson, who would become a perennial Pro Bowl guard.
DL- Mike Neal, 2010, 2nd rd, #56 overall
You all know the story here. He still has time to magically heal up and turn it around, but he’s already been suspended for the first ¼ of the 2012 season so his path looks remarkably similar to Harrell’s, and odds are that he will stay who you thought he was. An over-drafted, injury-prone college player who couldn’t stay on the field for the Packers. Ted Thompson’s overfaith in him also caused Cullen Jenkins to be let go, erroneously. Neal could only dream of becoming the player that Jenkins did.
DL- Donnell Washington, 2004, 3rd rd, #72 overall
The 6-6, 330 pounds behemoth out of Clemson never accomplished a single thing in his 2 seasons stealing money from the Packers. Not a single game played before the Packers threw him to the curb, and nobody else ever picked him up.
DL- Steve Warren, 2000, 3rd rd, #74 overall
Lasted 3 seasons, never started a game, registered a career total of 11 tackles and 1 sack for the Packers, which looks Pro Bowl like compared to Neal and Harrell through two seasons.
LB- AJ Hawk, 1st rd, 2006, #5 overall
True, he is not a total bust as he has been solid, somewhat productive, and accountable, for his six seasons. But the fact that he was taken so high, and taken before true dominant players like DL Haloti Ngata and TE Vernon Davis makes this one hard to swallow. Hawk provided a total of zero turnovers in the 2011 season. One of the highest-drafted linebackers in the whole NFL, the Packers have a right to expect more than no turnovers in a season.
LB- Mark D’Onofrio, 1992, 2nd rd, #34 overall
Like Harrell and Neal, it was the injury factor that led to his demise. He tore his hamstring his rookie year, and eventually was released before his second season. He never recorded a single tackle for the Packers despite being named a starter in his rookie training camp.
LB- Abdul Hodge, 2006, 3rd rd, #67 overall
Part of a great Big Ten linebacking crew that year (along with Hawk and Chad Greenway), Hodge had Packer Nation excited when Thompson drafted him. He lasted two seasons, mostly injured with knee problems, before the Packers cut him in August of 2008.
LB- Torrance Marshall, 2001, 3rd rd, #72 overall
Lasted three seasons for the Packers, totaling 19 tackles in his Packer career. 2004 was the end of the road for Torrance. The last NFL news we heard from Marshall was this: Marshall had an arrest warrant issued for him in connection with the trashing of a former girlfriend’s house in Sheraden, Pennsylvania. The ex-girlfriend told police that when she got off work June 14, she found that her home had been ransacked. The damage, according to a police report, included clothes strewn around and bleach dumped all over them; mattresses sliced; electrical cords on appliances cut; and urine left on family photographs. Marshall had visited Pittsburgh earlier this month to “try and work things out” with the woman, police said.
Iowa's Abdul Hodge was a fan-favorite at first.
Hodge was a fan-favorite when drafted. He never lived up to the hype as his knees were a problem, and so was his quickness.
CB- Ahmad Carroll, 2004, 1st rd, #25 overall
CB- Terrell Buckley, 1992, 1st rd, #5 overall
Cocky and brash, Buckley added some excitement to the Packers during a time when they had been horrible and boring for over two decades. Buckley was a great athlete, but too tiny and he had terrible technique as a cornerback.
Buckley made a few big plays for the Packers, but allowed more big plays than he made.
He made an impact the first time he touched the ball, returning a punt for a touchdown in week three of the 1992 season in a thrilling win over the Bengals. It also was the game that the youngster Favre came in to replace the injured Don Majkowski.
CB- Vinnie Clark, 1991, 1st rd, #19 overall
Clark lasted only two seasons in Green Bay. During those two years, the cornerback started only 15 games and recorded four interceptions.
CB- Patrick Lee, 2008, 2nd rd, #60 overall
Lee was taken in the 2nd round, surprisingly, and was one of the few head-scratchers by Ted Thompson. He had one decent season only at Auburn, but never showed the ball skills or fluidity to be a successful corner in the NFL. But he had the size that Thompson looks for in his cornerbacks.
S- Marques Anderson, 2002, 3rd rd, #92 overall
Taken in 2002, he would only last two seasons before the Packers let him go, to the Raiders. He wasn’t terrible as he made some plays, but he gave up way too many big plays gambling.
S- Bhawoh Jue, 2001, 3rd rd, #71 overall
Born in Liberia, Jue wasn’t a total bust, and he actually made some plays for the Packers. But by the end of the 2004 season, the Packers had seen enough of him getting burnt, so they let him go. The Chargers gave him a chance, so then did the Rams and Cardinals.
Patrick Lee never really amounted to much for the Packers, either on special teams or as a DB. He's finally been realeased this year.
He lasted an amazing four seasons in Green Bay and got himself a Super Bowl ring, but he was worthless as he never had a career interception and only made one start. That’s not what one expects from a second round pick.
P- BJ Sander, 2004, 3rd rd, #87 overall
The 2004 draft was very strange for the Packers. GM Mike Sherman traded up to select the crappy punter in round 3, causing the team to only have 2 more picks after round 3. They ended up being DL Corey Williams in round 6, and Scott Wells in round 7, pretty darn good picks. But the first 4 picks that draft were all awful in Carroll, Joey Thomas, Washington, and Sander.
Embarrassingly, Mike Sherman traded up in the third round to select this punter, who was only a one-year mediocre starter at Ohio State
All in all, a decent draft considering you got a Pro Bowl C in Wells and a nice player in Williams. But the earlier picks were all flops
K- Brett Conway, 1997, 3rd rd, #90 overall
From Penn State, Conway never played a single game for the Packers after he was beat out for the kicking job by waiver-wire pickup Ryan Longwell. Longwell would go on to have a fabulous 16+ season career with the Packers and Vikings, but Conway was a total flop, and more proof (like Sander) that you really never should take a punter or placekicker in the first three rounds of a draft. Sebastian Janikowski is the rare exception to that rule.
DRAFT 2012: How will Packers address their needs?
By Steve Muench, ESPN.com
~The Green Bay Packers’ dream 2011 season came to an abrupt halt with a disappointing home playoff loss to the New York Giants, and you can be sure they are itching to get back to work on another Super Bowl run.
The Packers have signed free-agent C Jeff Saturday and appear to be in pursuit of some other available players, but a good portion of that work will be done through the 2012 draft.
What holes will Green Bay be looking to fill when it comes on the clock? Here’s a look at the possibilities for each of the Packers’ top six picks, including two compensatory selections at the end of the fourth round.
First round
The Packers are clearly in need of pass-rush help. They finished second in the league with 47 total sacks in 2010 — including 13½ from OLB Clay Matthews — but ranked 29th last season with Matthews contributing only six of Green Bay’s 29 total sacks.
With Matthews needing help on the opposite side, Clemson DE/OLB Andre Branch (Scouts Inc. Grade: 92) makes a lot of sense at No. 29 overall.
Clemson's Andre Branch could be the OLB the Packers need to help apply pressure on opposing QB's.
Branch has the initial quickness and athletic ability to get to the quarterback, which would make it tougher for offenses to double-team Matthews, and Branch’s experience dropping into coverage and ability to hold up there make him a good fit for the Packers’ 3-4 scheme.
Second round
Packers FS Nick Collins suffered what could be a career-ending neck injury last season, and even if he does return Collins likely won’t be the same player. That makes safety help a pressing need, and Green Bay would do well to land LSU’s Brandon Taylor (Scouts Inc. Grade: 84) in the second round. Taylor has the range to play a center fielder-type role in coverage, and the toughness and tenacity to hold up well in run support.
Third round
The Aaron Rodgers-led passing attack is one of the most potent in the league and will remain the focal point of the offense, but improving an inconsistent ground game should be a priority. This is especially true considering the weather in Green Bay late in the season.
Brandon Jackson (second round, 2007) is the only back the Packers have drafted earlier than the third round since 1990 and he didn’t exactly pan out, so don’t expect that trend to change unless Boise State’s Doug Martin (87) somehow slides to them in the late second round. However, Washington’s Chris Polk (71) is a name to remember. He isn’t much of a big-play threat, but Polk is a tough and instinctive runner who doesn’t leave many yards on the field. He’s also a reliable receiver and, perhaps more importantly, an effective pass-blocker.
Fourth round
The Packers now have three picks in the fourth with which they could address offensive tackle, cornerback and center. Let’s start with tackle, which may not seem like a need at first glance. However, Chad Clifton is on the downside of his career, 2011 first-round pick Derek Sherrod is coming off a season-ending leg injury and Marshall Newhouse might be better suited to play guard.
With all that in mind, keep an eye on Boise State’s Nate Potter (64), who has the arm length and agility to emerge as a quality No. 3 tackle who can provide depth on both sides and potentially develop into a starter in this scheme.
As for cornerback, today’s defenses can never have enough quality corners and age has to start catching up with 35-year-old Charles Woodson. That means a player like West Virginia’s Keith Tandy (53) is a possibility. Tandy may not have the natural ability to become an above-average man-to-man corner, but he’s a tough player who closes and tackles well.
Green Bay signed Saturday after Scott Wells departed for the St. Louis Rams, but Saturday, who will turn 37 in June, clearly isn’t the long-term answer. Georgia’s Ben Jones (56) is the No. 2 center on our board at this point and could very well be available to the Packers late in the fourth. Jones would benefit from playing behind Saturday for a year, and he has the frame (6-foot-25, 303 pounds) and skill set to develop into a starter.
Full story found here
More games missed for Mikey: Packers’ Neal suspended for four games
By Robert McGinn, Journal-Sentinel
~Green Bay – Defensive end Mike Neal has dug himself a hole with the Green Bay Packers from which it might be impossible for him to recover.
Neal’s sagging career took another major hit Tuesday when the National Football League suspended him for the first four games of next season for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Neal, a second-round draft choice in 2010 from Purdue, will be allowed to participate in the off-season program and training camp. If he makes the final 53-man roster, he would be suspended without pay for the first four games.
Citing confidentiality, a team spokesman said the Packers would not comment. Attempts to reach Neal were unsuccessful.
Agent Roosevelt Barnes said his client’s appeal already had been denied.
“He’s very remorseful,” said Barnes. “He’ll serve his suspension and then be ready to come back and play.”
In two seasons, Neal has played 237 snaps in 10 of a possible 37 games. Last season, he played 158 snaps over the final eight games and really never made a play.
Neal’s mother, Rhonda, said more than 10 times during an interview that her son had not taken performance-enhancing drugs.
“Mikey, we call him Mikey, has never taken a performance-enhancing drug in his life,” she said. “If he would have taken it they would have found out through college, they would have found out when he first got to the NFL. He has been tested several times at random, like the rest of the guys.”
However, she refused to say what substance had gotten her son suspended.
“It’s nothing that can make him stronger, better or anything else,” Rhonda Neal said. “It was absolutely nothing like that.
“But I will tell you this. The same thing he was caught with, I take it all the time. I’m not on drugs. I am on a lot of medication because I just got through with chemotherapy.
“He did not take my medication. What he has is just common. It’s absolutely nothing.”
Although records are incomplete, Neal is one of only a handful of Packers players known to have been suspended for performance-enhancing drugs.
In August 1989, offensive linemen Keith Uecker and Mike Ariey were suspended 30 days by the NFL for steroid abuse.
In December 1998, linebacker Jude Waddy was suspended four games for steroid abuse, a penalty he served late that season and in early ’99.
In the last decade, defensive lineman Cletidus Hunt (2001), linebacker Torrance Marshall (2003) and cornerback Erwin Swiney (2004) were handed four-game suspensions for violating the NFL’s drug and alcohol policy. It was never made clear what their substance of abuse was.
Because the Packers have been largely immune from problems involving performance-enhancing substances, it’s hard to say if general manager Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy will give Neal another chance or just release him.
The Packers won’t lose anything financially if they work with Neal in the off-season. But, if Neal remains on the roster for the first day of training camp, they would have to pay him a reporting bonus of $491,500 because he played more than 11% (13.2%) of the defensive snaps in 2011.
If Neal makes the team, he would lose $31,765 per game, or $127,059 of his $540,000 base salary, during the four-game suspension. His original contract was for $2.95 million over four years.
Under the NFL drug policy, one positive test, an attempt to dilute or substitute a specimen or an attempt to manipulate the test results in a four-game suspension.
Step Two brings an eight-game suspension, and Step Three brings a suspension of 12 months or more.
In two seasons, Neal has played 237 snaps in 10 of a possible 37 games. Last season, he played 158 snaps over the final eight games and really never made a play.
As a rookie, Neal missed time with rib cartilage damage before suffering a torn rotator cuff.
Last season, he suffered knee cartilage damage Aug. 16, underwent arthroscopic surgery and didn’t return until Nov. 20.
At Purdue, Neal had major knee, turf toe and shoulder injuries.
Rhonda Neal insisted that the substance that resulted in her son’s suspension had nothing to do with his well-documented attempts to recover from knee surgery.
“It was absolutely nothing to do with injury or knees,” she said. “He’s not taking any supplements that were not on the approved list. Everything Michael takes his natural.”
Although Neal said in September that he slept no more than two or three hours each night, his mother insisted he had never taken sleeping pills.
Near the end of a telephone interview, Rhonda Neal said, “If he has taken some kind of performance-enhancing drugs, then shame on all of the athletics and shame on the NFL for allowing him to get as far as he did while taking it. Because he didn’t.
“This is my son. He never has.”
Full story here
Packer fans were not happy the night Mike Neal was taken in the second round of the 2010 Draft, and two seasons of nothing has made them even more disappointed.
Draft 2012: South Carolina’s Melvin Ingram
By Brian E Murphy, PackersInsider senior editor
~The Packers pass rush last year did two things well.
First, they made opposing QB’s feel very comfortable back in the pocket. Second, they made the Packers coverage units look a lot worse than they really are.
The Gamecocks have sent the Packers Sterling Sharpe, Robert Brooks, and Torri Gurley. Could Melvin Ingram be next?
There’s no denying the Packers have to upgrade their pass rush in 2012. How much has to come from the ROLB spot, and how much has to come from the DL spots remains open to debate. But somehow, somewhere, it has to get better.
This is the first in a serious of looks at possible guys in the upcoming draft who could help out in this area.
South Carolina’s Melvin Ingram is a guy who won’t be there at pick 28 when the Packers are on the clock, so as with the pick of Clay Matthews in 2009, it would take a trade up to obtain Ingram.
He’s in the 270-pound range, similar to the Steelers Lamar Woodley. Bigger than Clay Matthews by about 30 pounds, he’d be a great complement to Matthews over at the right outside linebacker spot.
A few weeks ago, Melvin sat down with Draft Countdown’s Scott Wright for a quick Q & A:
Draft Countdown: Let’s start off with a hard-hitting question: What is the most embarrassing song on your iPod?
Melvin Ingram: I really don’t have any embarrassing songs. I listen to a lot of Rocko, Wayne, Bootsie and Yo Gotti.
Draft Countdown: You played defensive end at South Carolina and some teams are projecting you to outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. Do you have a preference?
Melvin Ingram: Whatever they want me to play. I feel like I could be a dominant football player at any position they put me so there’s really not a position that I prefer.
Ingram is capable of playing in a 4-3 as a DE, or as an OLB in a 3-4. But like Jerry Hughes 2 drafts ago, probably is best suited for one over the other. Which is it?
Draft Countdown: How would you describe your game to someone that’s never seen you play? What would you say are your strenghts and weaknesses?
Melvin Ingram: I’m a passionate football player. I describe myself as a passionate football player. I try to go out and give my all on every single play. Try to gut myself. That’s how I want to be remembered, as the person who gave it his all on every play.
Draft Countdown: Weaknesses?
Melvin Ingram: I don’t feel like I have a weakness, I just try to work on every aspect of my game. You can never be too good at something so I try to get better at every aspect.
Draft Countdown: South Carolina had a unique situation at defensive end last year, with you, a guy who many feel has first round potential in Devin Taylor and an extremely high-profile recruit in Jadeveon Clowney. In fact, you were probably the least hyped member of that group before the season. You certainly emerged as a leader and people knew your name when all was said and done, but was there any adversity in terms of minutes or playing time?
Melvin Ingram: No, there was never any adversity or anything like that. There was never fighting for playing time. I was always going to work hard no matter who came in. If a little baby came in and was going to play on our team I was still going to work hard. I knew what I could do, I just had to show the world.
Draft Countdown: In what ways were you a leader on the Gamecocks defense?
Melvin Ingram: I feel like I’m a great leader. My momma always told me anybody can lead by just saying something, but a real leader would lead by example. I try to lead by example and let everyone feed off my energy.
Draft Countdown: What current NFL player do you compare favorably to?
Melvin Ingram: I try to compare myself to Ray Lewis. I feel like he plays football the right way. I feel like there is a wrong and right way to play football and he plays the right way. He plays with such passion and energy on every play, I feel like he puts it all out on the line on every play so I try to be known as a player like him.
Draft Countdown: How would you describe personality? Is it different on the field?
Melvin Ingram: On the field I’m a totally different person. I’m a mad man on the field. Off the field I’m a people person. I’m a loveable guy, I try to make friends every day.
Draft Countdown: What is your greatest football accomplishment to date?
Melvin Ingram: Just being able to wake up everyday and play football.
Draft Countdown: What are you going to do when your playing career is over?
Melvin Ingram: I still want to be around football. Coach or something.
Draft Countdown: Did you have a favorite player growing up?
Melvin Ingram: Ray Lewis. He’s been my favorite player ever since I can remember.
Draft Countdown: Who is the best opposing player you faced during your college career? What offensive lineman was the toughest to beat?
Melvin Ingram: I feel like I went against a lot of great players. I don’t know if there is anyone who stands out. I feel like everybody I went against had tremendous talent.
Draft Countdown: Are there any younger players at South Carolina that you see developing into stars, either at the college or pro level?
Melvin Ingram: Of course. Clowney (DE), Marcus Lattimore (RB), D.J. Swearinger (S), DeVonte Holloman (LB), Devin Taylor (DE). We have a lot of people that are going to play in the NFL. Akeem Auguste (CB). Vic Hampton (CB). I feel like my whole defense and my whole team will one day play in the NFL.
South Carolina's Melvin Ingram celebrates after sacking Vanderbilt's Larry Smith during second-quarter action in Columbia, S.C. on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011. At left is Vanderbilt's Chase White. (Photo by Travis Bell/Sideline Carolina)
Draft Countdown: What current pro are you looking forward to going up against in the NFL? Is there an offensive lineman that you want to test your skills against?
Melvin Ingram: Everybody. I’m a competitive person, I like to compete in everything. I’m just looking forward to the day in / day out good competition.
Draft Countdown: You battled through a foot injury last season. Is that type of toughness something you take pride in? Melvin Ingram: Of course. There’s a difference between being injured and being hurt. Being injured you can’t play. Being hurt you can play. Soreness and being hurt is just weakness leaving the body so as long as you can play, I feel like you should play.
Draft Countdown: What are you hoping to prove to scouts during the pre-draft process?
Melvin Ingram: There isn’t anything in particular that I’m trying to prove. If there is something that people don’t think I can do, I just to show them that I can.
Draft Countdown: It’s still early, but do you have any goals in mind for the NFL Draft?
Melvin Ingram: Just to be drafted.
Full interview here
McCarthy still trying to figure out how the Packers lost to Giants
By Bob McGinn, Journal-Sentinel
~Green Bay – It took coach Mike McCarthy five weeks before he had the time and was in the right mood to watch tape of the Green Bay Packers’ 37-20 loss to the New York Giants in the NFC divisional playoffs.
It took him portions of two days, one for the offense and one for the defense and special teams.
Even now, he isn’t quite sure why the game unfolded as it did.
“This will be a game I still don’t have my hands around,” McCarthy said at the NFL combine. “If you can keep your team on a path you have a chance. The Giants are an example of that. They got a lot of things moving in a positive motion at the end of the year.”
Now, the Packers will be remembered as a one-and-done playoff team that was one of just six clubs in NFL history to win 15 or more games in the regular season.
"In reality, if you don't win the big game, everything else is a footnote," he said. "That's the way it goes."
McCarthy talked about the collapse of the Packers at Lambeau Field with a friend who works as a sports psychologist. Without mentioning what they discussed, it was clear that the drowning death of Michael Philbin, the son of offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, one week before the playoff game was among many factors to come up.
“He said, ‘I don’t have anything for you,’ ” McCarthy said. “He did say there were a lot of external elements the team was going through . . . you quantify that into the preparation and the mind set and the heartbeat.
“I mean, we’re plus-24 and we go and turn the ball over four times and it wasn’t anything that they did. . . . I’m not trying to discredit the Giants. . . .
“But John Kuhn never fumbles, and he fumbled off the back of Bryan Bulaga. Ryan Grant is going to the ground and gets hit and it’s out. We have a seven-man protection and a three-step drop and we give up a sack-fumble.”
Was McCarthy anxious playing a red-hot New York team as a 7 ½-point favorite?
“I wasn’t at all,” he said. “I thought the Giants probably were one of the better teams in the tournament, but we were playing at home and had the ability to prepare in the weather.”
Ball security might be the No. 1 point of emphasis in McCarthy’s program. As the playoffs loomed, he made sure the Packers practiced outside each Wednesday and Thursday for more than a month, mainly trying to insure proper ball-handling.
Full story here
Before the Draft: Carriker, Hughes, Lawson could be valuable additions
By Brian E Murphy, PackersInsider.com senior editor
~Ten years ago, the 2002 NFL Draft came and went, yet no team felt James Harrison was worth a selection, even in the 6th or 7th round. Harrison went undrafted.
James Harrison was essentially a nobody for almost 4 years after college. After that, he developed into an All-Pro and the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2008.
The Pittsburgh Steelers did bring him in for a tryout, and signed the young Harrison, but he never got in on defense in two seasons there, playing only special teams occasionally, and usually being inactive.
After being released again, he was signed by the rival Baltimore Ravens in late 2003. They sent him to the Rhein Fire of NFL Europe, which was still alive at that time. Had they not been alive, we may not have heard about James Harrison.
The Ravens cut him as well, and he almost quit after being told for the fourth time that he’s being released.
The Steelers signed him again in training camp of 2004 after one of their linebackers, Clark Haggans, suffered an injury.
Harrison said that if it wasn’t for that final chance, he was probably going to give up the dream and retire at age 26 and move on with life.
By the next season, 2005, every NFL fan knew who Harrison was.
The lesson of Harrison doesn’t exactly parallel Jerry Hughes, but neither did Brett Favre either.
The Falcons invested the #33 pick on Brett Favre in 1991, but by 1992 they decided they had made a mistake, and happily sent him to Green Bay for the Packers 1st round pick.
Favre was the 33rd selection of his draft, 1991, and a year later his team, Atlanta, decided they’d seen enough of him and determined he had no future in this league, so they happily sent hm to the Packers in 1992 for the Packers first round pick. They felt like they had robbed Green Bay at that time.
Those are two premium examples, but there are many others where Team A decided that a player wasn’t going to help them so they let him go, only to see later that the player actually could make it, or even be a difference-maker elsewhere.
For the Packers, Charles Woodson was cast away by the Raiders in 2006, and unwanted by anyone else in the NFL.
Ryan Pickett was too, that same off-season. He had also been a late first round pick, in that 30-range as Favre was.
Going back to the 1996-97 great Packers, they had a few other castaways on defense in Sean Jones, Santana Dotson, and Eugene Robinson. Gilbert Brown was originally a Minnesota Viking, but they cut him and the Packers scooped him up. He turned out to have a fantastic career in Titletown.
That brings us to today.
Everyone is well aware that the Packers defense, particularly their pass rush, was sickly in 2011. Much of the problem was missing Cullen Jenkins on the DL, and much of the problem was because there was nobody at OLB besides Clay Matthews who could put pressure on QB’s.
The Draft isn’t until late April, and GM Ted Thompson can’t be expected to solve all the team’s holes with rookies. So Thompson should dip into free agency and go after a few guys who, like some of the previous guys mentioned (and hundreds of others not mentioned yet) have been given chances but not blossomed into a superstar. Last year at this time, I suggested the Packers scoop up CB Carlos Rogers from Washington or OLB Manny Lawson from San Francisco. Both guys were still under 30, andboth were former first round picks with obvious talent, like Woodson and Pickett.
Well Thompson was coming off the Super Bowl win, and assumed his cast of characters at OLB, Zombo and Walden, would make a leap forward. He also assumed his second round pick from 2010 Mike Neal would be able to replace the great shoes of Jenkins at DE for Dom Capers defense. Those assumptions proved very wrong.
Lawson had a nice season for the Bengals, who got him cheap. And Rogers had a super season for the 49ers, earning a Pro Bowl nod. Both guys signed one year, cheap deals last off-season, and will hit the market again this off-season. Rogers won’t be cheap enough for the Packers budget, but Lawson most likely will be.
Manny Lawson was the #22 pick in the 2006 Draft, the same draft that had the Packers take AJ Hawk at #5, ahead of Vernon Davis and Haloti Ngata. Lawson's 6-year career has been about as good as Hawk's, but he could now be obtained for about a third the money as the Packers are currently paying Hawk. 6-5, 242, and only 27 years old, he could be a very nice free agent addition. Dom Capers needs some talent added to that front 7.
He’s a very versatile, natural OLB in a 3-4 defense. He won’t get 12 or 15 sacks like Matthews does, but he will be an upgrade from what’s there already, and he’s very good both against the run and dropping into coverage.
Adam Carriker is another former first round pick, at 6-6, 315, is only 27 years old. He’s not quite Justin Smith, but he’s a lot closer to Smith than another Justin that the Packers relied on on the DL. Carriker is the perfect size for a DE in Capers’ scheme.
He was a 1st round pick by the Rams (like Ryan Pickett), and after two seasons for the Rams (one missed due to injury), they gave up on him. They sent Carriker to Washington, and all the Rams got were higher picks in both rounds five and seven. It was a coup for the Redskins, in the first degree.
Last year, Carriker registered 5.5 sacks last year for the Redskins. That would have been good enough for 2nd on the Packers defense and more than all the other Packer DL combined. He’s available this off-season and he won’t break the bank. Still just 27, and at that position, he should have plenty of good years ahead of him and his best football in front of him.
He is perfectly suited for the Packers defense, as he was the Redskins 3-4 defense. He didn’t fit well in the Rams 4-3. He was a defensive end in college at Nebraska, but the Rams tried to make him a defensive tackle. He ran the 40 in 4.72 at the NFL Combine.
From Wikipedia:
With the Rams he was a “3-technique” defensive tackle in a 4-3 defensive scheme which did not work out and led to his trade to the Redskins. “In St. Louis, we tried to make him a 3-technique and up-the-field rusher,” said defensive coordinator Jim Haslett. “For a guy who ran the 40 in 4.7 and was 6-6, 315 pounds, you’d think he could do that. But that’s not what he wants to do. He wants to play with strength and power, and he does a pretty good job of it. He feels so much more comfortable in this.”
Carriker’s 315 pounds is ideal, and he reported at the beginning of the 2010 season that he bench pressed 500 pounds, which helps him in his new position.
Early in the 2010 season the change drew positive reviews, said Rich Campbell of Fredricksburg.com, “I’m buying Carriker as an impact 3-4 end right now. He’s strong enough to set the edge on running plays, and he’s even generating a pass rush on occasion. Carriker stopped Houston RB ArianFoster for a 2-yard loss in the secondquarter after he made a quick step inside the pulling left guard. He also beat a double team on the first play of the second half to stop Foster for a gain of one. Carriker isn’t dominant—but he is flashing.”
Now Carriker isn’t quite Justin Smith or JJ Watt. But Smith too was let go by his first NFL team, the Bengals. It happens.
Adam Carriker would be the Packers best pass-rushing defensive lineman, and he's a strong tackler of RB's as well. Packer fans would love this guy. He has plenty of good or great football in front of him at his age.
Carriker is a natural 3-4 DE, and he would be a fantastic addition to this Packers defensive line for his talent, his age, and his character.
Then there’s Jerry Hughes.
Like Pickett, Woodson, Favre, Carriker, and Justin Smith, he was a top-30 something draft pick, who was written off by their team after a few years. Either as simply a bust, not good enough, or not worth their price tag.
Hughes is still in Indianapolis, but he’s been written off as a bust already. He’s done nothing in two seasons for the Colts, but I believe it was more due to the defensive scheme than the player, as with Carriker being stuck into the DT position in a 4-3 defense by the Rams. Jerry Hughes was built for being a standup OLB in a Steelers-like 3-4 defense.
This scouting report is from Walter Cherepinsky, and it echoed the majority of scouts when it came to Hughes in the 34 vs 43.
Summary: Hughes earns my first-round, 4-star grade as a 3-4 rush linebacker. His athleticism and motor is simply too much for me to not grade him out higher than everyone else. He is my No. 1 3-4 outside linebacker in the draft and I expect his stock to soar among the 3-4 teams in the league. He was simply too productive at TCU, and despite his lack of height we can see what Elvis Dumervil did last season with his exceptional first step and speed off the edge.
His size, speed, and agility are perfect for the Dom Capers’ scheme. His numbers at his NFL combine backed that up, and most scouts felt this as well.
Jerry Hughes has been miscast in Indianapolis. Could the Packers obtain the 2-year veteran and watch him blossom into an OLB stud bookend with Clay Matthews?
Ted Thompson liked Hughes for this position andsources at that time said he was expecting to take Jerry with the 23rd pick in that 2010 Draft. But because Bryan Bulaga slid all the way down to that pick, after being projected as a top-10 or 15 pick, Thompson had to take the OT with the ages of both Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher at the time.
The Colts then took Hughes with their pick at #31 and expected they could turn him into a hand-on-the-ground Dwight Freeney or Robert Mathis. They, like the Rams with Carriker, were wrong.
Carriker went to Washington, into his natural position, and has made the Rams look foolish once again.
I believe Jerry Hughes could make the Colts look very foolish as well. The only hiccup here is that the Colts look to be changing their defense to a 3-4, andtheir new coaching staff probably realizes the mistake the previous coaching staff made with Hughes. So he might not be available for a bargain price as Carriker was after two years in St Louis.
I believe these two guys could improve the Packers defense tremendously, and they are both still very young.
Jerry Hughes had two 10+ sack seasons at TCU, and would be a coup for Ted Thompson if he could steal him away from the Colts, who miscast him for two seasons as DE.
These are the two biggest holes on the Packers and if Ted Thompson could go against his normal MO, the Packers could already be closer to their 2010 defense even before the Draft gets here.
Offseason will be telling for Packers defense
By Vic Ketchman, Packers.com
~A season of disappointment for the Packers defense was punctuated by Hakeem Nicks’ Hail-Mary touchdown catch on the final play of the first half of Sunday’s playoff game, and almost certainly sends the Packers into an offseason dedicated to rebuilding a defense that fell to No. 32 in the league this past season.
“We’re very disappointed in the way we played,” Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers said on Monday, less than 24 hours after the Packers’ season ended with a 37-20 loss to the New York Giants.
The defense made a lot of no-names look pretty good this season. “We’re very disappointed in the way we played,” Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers said.
Capers was referring to his unit’s performance on Sunday, but his words would also apply to the season in general. Following two seasons of defensive dominance, the Packers sunk to a level to which Capers’ defenses are not accustomed.
Reconstruction, it would seem, will begin with repairing a pass-rush that fell from third in the league in 2010 to last in the league this season. In the age of high-powered, pass-happy offense, not rushing the passer is not a formula for victory.
“It’s going to be one of the main issues. That area fell off. We’ve got to get those sack numbers and pressures back up,” Capers said.
The Packers’ pass-defense numbers also need to improve. Yeah, the Packers led the league in interceptions, but they also led the league in yards passing allowed, as in the most yards passing allowed.
Do the Packers need more speed on defense, Capers was asked?
“With where our game is, it probably jumps out at you this year. You look at all of those offenses that can spread you out, it becomes more of a basketball game on grass and you have to be able to match up. Speed is more important than it ever has been,” Capers said.
An improved pass-rush and more speed in coverage would help reduce the number of big plays the Packers allowed in the 2011 season. Sunday’s loss to the Giants produced two more game-changers, the Hail Mary, of course, which was preceded by Nicks’ 66-yard, catch-and-run touchdown in the first quarter.
“When you give up big plays, it’s going to end up on the scoreboard and that’s been the case too much this year,” Capers said. “When we come back here in a couple of weeks, we’re going to evaluate everything top to bottom to get back to where we were the previous two seasons.”
One decision that’ll be made during the offseason involves the career of safety Nick Collins
, who was lost for the season to a neck injury in Week 2. Collins underwent fusion surgery and will decide during the offseason whether or not to continue his career.
The fate of Nick Collins is the most important aspect of the Packers defense as a whole in this off-season. They need a lot more pass-rush without question, but Collins is as good as Ed Reed & Troy Polamalu, and many fans had no idea how great he was until they missed him this season.
“We’ll have to wait and see what Nick’s status is. Right now, I don’t have any idea,” Capers said.
The Packers will scout new talent at next week’s Senior Bowl practices and game, likely with change on defense in mind.
Full story here