Packers Draft

[Down to Earth]

Looked through some mock drafts this morning that were updated no later than the 16th. No surprise all have the Packers going Defense. At least none are now predicting the Packers picking a QB in Round 1, which was the case earlier on. A couple names that popped up on multiple drafts were Pollack the DE out of Georgia and Davis the S/OLB also out of Georgia. Definately a lot of speculation on the Mocks, especially when it comes to a pick so late. Can't wait until the weekend. I'll be out of town so I'll have to catch the recaps.

[buzzsaw]

By Len Pasquarelli

ESPN.com

With what transpired this weekend in the NFL draft, a couple of division champions from the 2004 season, the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks, might consider heeding that advice and avoid swiveling too quickly. Stare too long into the rear-view mirror, and the Seahawks are going to find an ascendant Arizona Cardinals team creeping up from behind. And if the Packers peek over their shoulders, they are apt to discover that it is the Minnesota Vikings breathing hot air on their necks.

Since this marks the second year in a row in which the boss has allowed us to escape doing one of those post-draft report cards -- the kind of instant-pudding analysis that usually earns you an early Monday morning telephone call from some incensed personnel director questioning the grade you awarded him -- we don't know exactly which team had the best draft. And (again, thanks, boss), we don't have to publicly embarrass ourselves any more than usual in trying to divine the definitive answer to such a subjective item.

But, in our humble opinion, the Vikings and Cardinals, the franchise that Dennis Green once coached and the outfit by which he is now employed, were certainly among the weekend's biggest winners. And given the limp divisions in which each competes, the impressive draft bounties that the two teams amassed could be enough to further close the already narrow talent gap between themselves and the defending division champions.

It was anticipated that the Vikings, who had a pair of first-round choices by virtue of the trade that sent Randy Moss packing, would have a solid draft. But saying a team is going to choose wisely, and then having the club do it, are sometimes polar extremes. And as colleague Chris Mortensen noted on-air Sunday afternoon, credit Minnesota owner Red McCombs, who is on the brink of peddling his franchise, for having the vision to see beyond the "For Sale" sign, hold things together, and conduct business pretty nicely.

The Vikings got playmakers on both sides of the ball in the first round, surprising some pundits by choosing wide receiver Troy Williamson over Mike Williams and adding to a fast-improving, young defensive front with pass-rush end Erasmus James. But the Vikes not only started fast, they finished nicely as well, adding "value board" prospects such as offensive lineman Marcus Johnson (who could replace right guard David Dixon), corner Dustin Fox (a potential "nickel" contributor as a rookie) and tailback Ciatrick Fason. If coach Mike Tice is as serious as he claims to be about returning to the power run game that Minnesota abandoned in 2004, Fason could be a factor.

• The contrarian view: Reading through the usual Sunday morning rehashes of the "winners" and "losers" on the first day of the draft, it was obvious most analysts felt the Green Bay Packers got a steal when University of California quarterback Aaron Rodgers plummeted all the way down to their No. 24 spot in the first round. But we're not buying into that assessment just yet. We still harbor some reservations about Rodgers' arm strength, which certainly will be tested when Lambeau Field is attacked by those blustery winter winds.

And there is this angle as well: Coach Mike Sherman, entering the final year of his contract (although the indications are that he will eventually sign an extension) had a whole lot of holes to fill, especially on defense, where the Packers statistically ranked No. 25 in 2004. It had to be a difficult decision, and a tough swallow, for the Packers to serve as the safety net for Rodgers, who does not figure to help much (if at all) in 2005, when there were ready-to-play defenders still on the board at that point. Coaches tend to be instant gratification guys, people whose view of the future usually extends only to the tips of their noses, largely because of the lack of security their jobs entail. Based on Brett Favre's plans beyond this season, Rodgers might not get the chance to play, or be ready to perform as the starter, for a few more years yet. And whither Sherman, particularly if Green Bay does not solve some of its defensive woes, by then?

Credit the Packers organization, for sure, for embracing the long view. But excuse us if we take a cross-eyed view of the decision to end Rodgers' misery.

Three final points in this area: Although they did not have a uniform prepared with Rodgers' name across the back, we hear that Green Bay officials, by Friday, sensed there were some scenarios under which the quarterback might fall to their spot. And for the analysts who noted Saturday that Rodgers might be the "heir apparent" to Favre, doesn't the "apparent" part of the equation negate any of the "might." Lastly, to good buddy Bob Glauber, the outstanding NFL reporter for Newsday, kudos for purposely keeping Rodgers out of the first round of your mock draft. Now that took a lot of, uh, fortitude, and Glauber came very close to being right.

[buzzsaw]

One more thing, this from a Q & A with Erasmus James....

Q: Will there be people in Wisconsin upset you are now in Minnesota, playing for the Vikings?

A: I think a lot of the Wisconsin fans are upset. I was doing an interview for some of the Green Bay newspapers and they asked me if I had it in for Brett Favre. I said, you know what, I don't take appointments, I always do walk-ins.

[cybermuskie]

Charles Robinson of yahoo sports

Green Bay Packers

High marks: Aaron Rodgers was an A-plus pick at 24th overall. He was thought of as a franchise quarterback leading up to the draft, and he's a great centerpiece to groom for long-term success. Center Junius Coston was a minor steal in the fifth round.

Low marks: Drafting Rodgers for value is nice, but the Packers fell apart after that. Second-rounder Nick Collins was a big reach and is going to take a year or two to develop when Green Bay needs defensive help right now. Wide receiver Terrence Murphy is a good value pick that makes almost no sense for a team that doesn't need receivers. Some teams had fourth-round safety Marviel Underwood slotted as a seventh-round pick or an undrafted free agent. The Packers got zero immediate defensive help and possibly not a single 2005 starter in this draft. That's rough with three picks in the top 58.

Final grade: C

[Down to Earth]

Good article Buzzsaw. I read that one over on ESPN this morning. I've seen two grades for the Packers draft, one a C and the other a B. Personally I'm wondering how they graded them so high? I'd give them a D+ at best. Long term it could rise when/if Rogers becomes the starting QB. With so many needs on the Defensive side of the ball they go offense not only in the first, but with taking a WR of all positions with their second 2nd round pick. No immediate help and a potential long term solution for QB, which could have been solved later. One article I read yesterday in a Wisconsin paper had Thompson saying none of the Defensive players they had on their board warranted the #24 pick. If that was the case they should have been trading down.

I can't help but think Rogers is going to be a hard sign. Though he really has no leverage, but here is a guy who's agent a week and a half a go where negotiating a 1 pick overall contract with a team, now he's #24. Personally I think they got played by the 49ers big time.

Originally when Favre said he was returning, I thought he'd play at least another two years before retiring. With the direction the front office is taking now I'd be surprised if he comes back after next. I'd be surprised as well if Sherman returns for another year as well.

[cybermuskie]

Down to Earth...

I really don't think the Pack will have a problem signing Rodgers. I watched the draft, and it looked like he really got humbled by the whole process. I think by the time he got taken he was just happy it was in the first rd. Plus like everyone is saying, he gets to learn from one of the best to ever play the game. I think he ended up in a better place than going #1. He has no pressure to start, gets to learn the system, from Brett, and in a couple years he will have the chance to make the Packers his team. Other than losing out on the "big money" of the number 1 pick, he will still be able to live better than most people. And when he takes over the team, he will get more! I think he will be just fine, and long as he continues to work, and I think he has something to prove, so he will.

Just my .02 cents.

[buzzsaw]

Both of you guys have good points! I always like hearing others opinions. It could be a tough season for the packers next year. I have not looked at there schedule but if I had to guess I'd say 6-10 and a top notch defensive player will be waiting for them next spring at the #6 position in the draft.

[james_walleye]

In 3 years you might be able too give this draft of the packers a higher grade when Rodgers gets on the field, but as far as helping this coming years team i dont think the packers could have done any worse could they have? They did nothing in free angency and they did nothing at all too help their defense. Sure the vikings have too gel on the field but at least on paper they have pretty much done all they could too this point too seriously upgrade that defense. You are looking at 2 teams going in totally opposite directions, i dont think that can be disputed. Its pretty safe too say every team in the central but the packers is on the rise.

[buzzsaw]

No doubt! I think the Vikes, Lions and Bears in that order have done the most to improve their teams. It will be interesting to say the least what kind of a draw GB has when Favre retires and they have no more football icon's to pull in other star quality type players. I see Javon Walker as a stud, Ahman Green is pretty good as well.... but after that I see nothing or nobody. The Lions have a great young core that could develop into many years of headaches for the Vikings.... The Bears are also looking better and already had a pretty good defense... give that team a stud QB and lookout! The same can be said about the Lions!!

[Down to Earth]

Nationally I think their draw will decrease quite a bit, but justified or not the national media still associates the Glory Days of the Past with the present so on that level the Packers will always have some kind of national interest. As far as Wisconsin is concerned they will still continue to sell out Lambeau with season ticket holders. I don't think that will ever change.

As of now Walker is making a fuss over his contract and I believe Green is a free agent after next year. It will be interesting to see what happens to Green. Based on things I've read on him, I think there will be a decent chance he stays in Green Bay. So far, it doesn't seem to be going in the direction that he is unhappy and is looking for the first ticket out of Green Bay.

I have to agree with you that based on what has happened during the off season the Vikings appear to be favorites in the NFC North. I also like what the Lions did and I think they will be fighting it out with the Packers for 2nd in the North. I think the Bears were a bit farther behind, but are getting better and will close the gap more next year. With the way parity is in the NFL each team is going to have their windows of ups and downs. Hopefully the Packers can put off the down slide a bit longer, but I think it fast approaching.