The Rare GB Packers FA Thread

[SkunkedAgain]

Well TT signed Jeff Saturday and Daniel Muir on the same day, and now it looks like he's pulled the trigger on Anthony Hargrove (DL-Saints) as well. Those were probably the two biggest offseason needs with OLB a distant third. He's got depth there but needs to find a gem in the draft. However, we saw that stellar DL play in 2010 can make mediocre OLB play thrive opposite Matthews.

Either way, a good slow clap for TT using free agency.

[mrklean]

They dont have much cap room so its nice to see them make a few moves, hopefully they have a good draft

[CJH]

Saturday and Hargrove are good signings. Muir is just a guy. Saturday will fill in nicely until the develop a replacement. Hargove has some athletic ability as a pass rusher, expect him and Raji in on the nickle/dime sets.

To me OLB, is the number one issue the Pack needed addressed. The most important positions in the 3-4 are the OLB's, much like DE in the 4-3, they have to be able to get consistent pass rush in order to open up the blitzes from the inside. If they draft an OLB that can do that, expect the D-backfield to look 10x better and the D to get back in the top 10.

[RiverFish]

It will be interesting to see who they take as an OLB. Will they take a fast DE or bid safety, or a true OLB.

Perry from USC I think would fit the mold. But there are a lot of guys out there. And GB is picking 28th, down the board.

[SkunkedAgain]

I'll be surprised if TT holds steady at #28. I'm pretty sure that he's going to bundle picks to either move up from 28 or grab a second 1st round pick. The benefits of having the four extra comp picks

[zepman]

Comp picks can't be used to trade up...you have to pick em where you get slotted.

4 extra picks are nice to have though.

[CJH]

Comp picks can't be used to trade up...you have to pick em where you get slotted.

4 extra picks are nice to have though.

You are correct, however they can then trade their original picks and keep the Comp's. They are only a few spots apart, considering the Pack are towards the end of the round anyway.

Extra picks fits right into TT's philosophy. This very well be the year he does some type of package trade, but you never know with him.

[SkunkedAgain]

Yup, and that's what I meant. They can trade their original picks but still have the comp picks in the later rounds. If you didn't have those compensatory picks GB would be a lot less likely to move up in any round.

[CJH]

FYI ~ Here are the Pack's draft picks for the upcoming draft (4/26-4/28). Count 'em, 12 total.

1.28

2.27

3.27

4.28, 4.37 (Compensatory), 4.38 (Compensatory),

5.28

6.28

7.17 (Jets), 7.28, 7.34 (Compensatory), 7.36 (Compensatory)

[lookincalifornia]

how bout a new back up QB. if that kid from boise state is still there in the third, he would be a nice fit. after luck, he may be the smartest QB in the draft.

[CJH]

Both Clifton and Collins were cut this week. Both reportedly failed their physicals. The Packers will not support Collins playing again and are urging him to retire. Driver will probably be cut before training camp, as he isn't due any money until then. Hate to see these great Packers go, but everybody has their day.

The amount saved on the salary cap will be used to sign the draft picks and possibly extend some current vets. Deals for Mathews, Jennings, and Rogers will all have to be done in the next year or two.

First round of the draft is tonight, pick 28, which should be between 9:30-10:15, depending on how things go. I am hoping they pick Shea McClellin - OLB Boise State. Basically a Clay Mathews clone, that has played ILB, OLB, and DE. Not sure he will be there, as supposedly the Patriots are interested in him as well, and pick right before the Pack. Always interesting to see what "Trader Ted" does during the draft!!

[mrklean]

was happy with there pick another USC backer should be interesting to see how the rest of the draft plays out, sad to see collins and clifton get cut but its not a bad thing Collins should really retire

[CJH]

Perry was compared to Lamar Woodley from the Steelers, strong and fast with 21.5 sacks in 3 seasons. Clay Mathews and the CB's should be very happy today. I wanted a pass rushing OLB and I got one, so hopefully he pans out. You never know!!

McClellin went 10 picks earlier than projected to the Bears, which is surprising since he doesn't really fit their system. Interesting to see how they use him.

TT always gets good players in rounds 2-4 and usually pulls of a few trades as well, so stay tuned!!

[RiverFish]

It will be interesting to see who they take as an OLB. Will they take a fast DE or bid safety, or a true OLB.

Perry from USC I think would fit the mold. But there are a lot of guys out there. And GB is picking 28th, down the board.

Does this guy work for the Packers

Honestly, I think it was a good pick...but like always time will tell. They can't really get worse than last year on Defense, so he has to be an improvement.

[CJH]

Here's a list of the Packer's draft class. Overall I give it a thumb's up. TT traded up more than he ever has w/ the Pack. Notice a trend anywhere??

1 28 (28) Nick Perry OLB USC

2 19 (51) Jerel Worthy DT Michigan State

2 31 (62) Casey Hayward CB Vanderbilt

4 37 (132) Mike Daniels DT Iowa

4 38 (133) Jerron McMillian S Maine

5 28 (163) Terrell Manning OLB North Carolina State

7 34 (241) Andrew Datko T Florida State

7 36 (243) BJ Coleman QB Tenn-Chattanooga

[LABS4ME]

love their draft with only one exception... wish they would've taken a flyer on a 'sleeper' RB in a late round. We really can use a RB threat. Would make Rogers all the more effective. I hope they do not recycle Grant again. Starks only achieves the minimum he needs to do to stay on the sq

Not too sure of the QB pick... don't know anything about him, but with 3 QBs on the staff, what is their hope? A practice squad guy? This is where I think a RB would've been a great pick. Did anyone pick up Demps? I know he wants to do the Olympics, but hey... when they are over, get him up to 'speed' and see what he can do for you! I really think he fit's the mold the Packers never had... FAST! You want to keep the safties back and the middle linebackers at home watching the middle instead of coming in hard on Rogers? Throw a true 40 yard rushing threat behind Rogers!

Good Luck!

Ken

[walleyeking19]

Anthony Hargrove is gonna miss the first 8 games of the year now because of the bounty thing, so good thing we stocked up on D linemen in the draft. We'll need them

[SkunkedAgain]

I think that TT knew Hargrove was going to get suspended. He gave sworn affidavits to the league (after lying about things originally in 2010). It will actually be kind of nice to have two guys in Hargrove and Neal coming back from suspensions mid-season. Fresh legs on the D-line are a luxury!

As for drafting a RB. I like the idea but the reality is that Green Bay is not even just a pass-first team, they are a pass-mostly team. It has less to do with the horses available versus the scheme. McCarthy wants to ride Rodgers to win games. It's been working. What he needs is a defense to keep the other team from matching our 30-40 points per game.

[LABS4ME]

I get what they are... a true threat in a RB will keep Rogers a lot healthier. No one puts any kind of defense on the field to stop the run for the Pack right now... 'it's balls to the walls' meet you at Rogers defense schemes.

Good Luck!

Ken

[CJH]

Not too sure of the QB pick... don't know anything about him, but with 3 QBs on the staff, what is their hope? A practice squad guy? This is where I think a RB would've been a great pick.

They need 4 QB's for training camp. This also means the kid from the arena league is probably on the way out, with Harrell the backup and Coleman 3rd string. They'll have McCarthy's QB school this off-season for the team to really get a good look at them, then sign a Vet if they need one.

As for RB they did that last year with Green (3rd round) and he got hurt, which is part of the problem with RB's, especially if you draft one high. Green is supposed to be recovering well and ready to go for training camp. The Pack did sign Perry from USC as a rookie free agent and is supposed to be solid. That would give them 4 RB's + Kuhn going into camp.

[CJH]

^ Correction: not Perry, he was the first round pick from USC. The Pack signed Marc Tyler (RB) from USC as a rookie free agent.

[CJH]

All the draft picks have signed and are in Rookie orientation. Alot sooner than previously, due to the slotted salary spots, thanks to the new CBA. Better for both sides than all the crazy hold outs.

I believe OTA's are in about a week, which is the first organized activities to include Vets since the playoff loss.

[SkunkedAgain]

It should be an interesting season. The schedule is easier than last season when we went 15-1 with the worst defense in the league, but took a quick exit from the playoffs. I'm never a big believer in rookies making an impact, so unless the 2012 crop bucks the trend, we'll likely be another team with explosive offense and questionable defense. 15-1 seems unlikely but I could see anything in the 12 to 13 realm as reasonable.