Opinionated, but not infrequently under-informed, observations of the Green Bay Packers. If something in this blog sounds funny, it's probably satirical.
IF YOU LIKE THIS BLOG, HELP ME SPREAD THE NEWS BY CLICKING "SHARE" ON TOP AND POST IT TO YOUR FACEBOOK OR TWITTER ACCOUNT.
I normally don't comment much about other teams in this blog, unless it's to taunt the Vikings on firing of their coach, or their stadium implosion, or their general status as a society... Let me re-phrase that, with the exception of the Vikings... or Bears, I don't normal comment much about other teams on this blog. But what the Philadelphia Eagles have engineered in free agency the last 48 hours is nothing short of impressive.
Sometimes you are just ready for championship... or a piss.
Let's break this down for a second: Eagles lose home divisional playoff game to the Packers, decide they need to get active in the free agency market to get over the proverbial hump -- a hump, incidentally, the Eagles have been stuck on for the better part of 50 years. Apart from losing appearances in Super Bowls XV and XXXIX, the Eagles haven't tasted a championship since 1960. That's quite a dry spell. If the Packers had gone 51 years without a championship (not to mention 0-for-2 in the Super Bowl era), we would all be getting a little antsy -- almost as antsy as this die-hard Eagles fan was to find a porta-potty without a line.
After their humbling loss to end the 2010 campaign, the Eagles wasted no time, after a short 5-month lock-out, in stacking up their defense. And their moves have been almost as impressive as the squatting pose struck by this fan. First was the deal everyone was anticipating, shipping Kevin Kolb to Arizona in exchange for cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Great move -- particularly once they signed Vince Young to a one-year deal to back up Vick. Kolb's style was very different than Vick's. And if/when Vick gets hurt, which I suspect he will, Vince is a much better back up that doesn't force them to change the way they call the offense. Shrewd. If this were the only move the Eagles made, it would have been a big upgrade. But they weren't done.
Yesterday came the news that the Eagles had landed the top free agent prize of the year: Oakland cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. Asomugha had gone somewhat forgotten in Oakland, but his skills are un-questioned. Dallas, NY Jets and Houston were rumored to be the most likely destinations, but the Eagles swooped in and stole perhaps the top corner in the league. Him, coupled with Cromartie and, presumably, a re-signed Asante Samuels will instantly give the Eagles one of the most high-octane defensive secondaries in all of football. But they still weren't done.
This is when it really touches Packer nation -- today the Eagles announced the signing of our very own Cullen Jenkins. Jenkins fits very well with their defense and should have plenty of time to get to the quarterback with their newly-signed shut-down corners. I'm not sure I would have given a 5-year, $25 million contract to a 30-year-old defensive end, but it was one of the last missing pieces for the Eagles defense.
Eagles fan sending a message: "Get the beer guy!"
Clearly the Eagles are sending a message: we're not going to be runners up again. We're blowing our wad this year to make a run at this thing. Anything less than a Super Bowl championship will be a disappointment. And Eagles fans are sending a message too -- you can practically hear them shouting, "Get me anutha' cheesesteak!" and "Whadda you lookin' at!" and "The line fo' da pissa is way too freakin' long!"
Whether this will be enough to finally get the Eagles past the Packers and on to Super Bowl glory, time will tell. But if there's one thing we can all agree on, it's that this classy fan base finally deserves a Lombardi trophy.
Packers fans can rest assured that we won’t be resting on our laurels through the frenzy of free agent signing this week. The Green Bay front office announced that the highly coveted Shaky Smithson, WR from Utah, and Peanut Joseph, NT from Temple – both undrafted free agents – have landed with the Packers.
Is this the future for Shaky and Peanut???
Although “Shaky” may not be the most re-assuring name for a wide receiver, at least he’s not a brain surgeon. Or a calligrapher. And while one might hope for more of a "Brazil nut" or "Macademia" for a nose tackle, “Peanut”, a name presumably appropriate for its irony, could add some depth behind B.J. Most likely scenario is none of these guys make the team, but Sam Shields was plucked from last year’s undrafted free agent class, and now he has a Super Bowl Ring… as a neck tattoo.
So who am I to judge?
Other than Shaky and Peanut, the Packers dive into the free agency mosh pit hasn’t had many surprises. In case you’re out of date, here are the highlights:
Nick Barnett was cut. No real surprise – saved the Packers $5 million in salary for a guy who is probably past his prime, is injury prone, and, in all likelihood, would be a back-up to Hawk and Bishop.
Daryn Colledge, as expected, is almost certainly leaving via free agency . It would be great to re-sign him, but the salary could be a hard nut to swallow and it sounds like he’s already out the door. I’m a little concerned about the O-line. Not quite sure what their plan is for back-filling him.
Mason Crosby was re-signed to five-year deal worth $14.75 million, including $3 million guaranteed – making him one of the most highly paid kickers in the NFL. I like Crosby. Not sure I like him that much, but I’m not GM.
The two biggest question marks remain Cullen Jenkins, who we all assume is gone (Redskins being the leading candidate), and James Jones. Rodgers put in a strong case to bring Jones back today stating, "James is extremely talented and he's a guy that I think we need to bring back without a doubt. He should be priority No. 1 and I mean that with all my heart. He really should be priority No. 1. We don't win the Super Bowl without him and we need him."
My gut is Jones doesn’t come back, but you never know – there are several big-name WRs in the free agent pool this year, so Jones may discover he can’t get what he thinks he can get, and return to an heir-apparent #2 in Green Bay after Double-D retires. I’d like to see him stay. Maybe they can give him some of the money that Barnett and Colledge won’t be getting.
Stay tuned to TriggPack or risk missing more breaking news, like the Shaky and Peanut story.
Brown County officials welcome the end of the NFL lock-out.
It's finally over. Months of bickering, animosity and greed finally culminated in what most observers figured would ultimately prevail: common sense. There was simply too much money at stake for the two sides not to agree. The league generates $9 billion per year today, but, barring an unexpected groundswell in Australian Rules Football that steals away TV audiences, the NFL will generate well over $100 billion over the 10-year life of this deal. That's a lot of cheddar. They had to get a deal done.
As a quick side rant, our friends in Washington D.C. would be well-served to follow the NFL's lead. It's a sad statement that the NFL owners and players association look reasonable and mature compared to our federal elected officials. One of many differences between a business and the federal government is that a business can see and measure when it is destroying its own equity through its own obstinance and idiocy. The government can't -- at least not until our bonds get downgraded to junk status. Regardless of your political leanings, there's really only one word that can be applied to Washington D.C.: dysfunctional. Maybe we just need Jeff Saturday to get in there and give John Boehner a big 'ol hug.
Can't the politicians just hug it out like the NFL?
Back to football... tomorrow and the ensuing week or so is going to be unprecedented in terms of player movement. And, unfortunately for the Packers, many of those players may be moving out the door. The only Packer free agent who seems like a lock to re-sign is Mason Crosby. Two of the most painful, and most likely, departures will be Cullen Jenkins and Daryn Colledge. Given the up-and-coming young players the Packers have at both these positions, I'm not sure I'd pony up what either guy will command in the open market. But both could leave big holes if the younger guys fail to step up.
The next crop of losses that will hurt but are more survivable are James Jones, Brandon Jackson, and either Korey Hall or John Kuhn. Jones gets a bad rap among Packers fans for his untimely drops this season, but he will be hard to replace. Randall Kobb could be good, but he's unproven and has a very different body type -- not really a replacement. Jackson feels more expendable, assuming Grant returns to health and Starks keeps rolling. Suspect Kuhn and/or Hall will be re-signed since there isn't a frothy market for FBs, but both are unrestricted free agents and could get scooped away.
Finally, there are several back-up defensive players who could exit in seek of starting roles elsewhere, including Nick Barnett, Atari Bigby, Matt Wilhelm, Brady Poppinga, and Brandon Underwood. None of these guys would be big losses, and several could easily be re-signed if they don't find a new home in this compressed free agent period. But more players out means a loss of depth and continuity that was key to the Packers weathering the perfect storm of injuries last year, which happens many years.
Unfortunately, I don't hear the Packers coming up in the discussion for many top free agent prospects. This comes as no surprise, given Ted's inclination to build via the draft rather than free agency. There are no glaring holes that they need to fill, although there may be some backfilling to do. But it would be fun to see the Packers make some moves in next few days/weeks. As reigning Super Bowl champions, they have a persuasive selling point to lure players they want.
There were many spectacular moments in the Packers' Super Bowl victory, but one of my favorites wasn't discovered until I watched the replay of the game, complete with sideline cameras and microphones, on NFL Network. It was linebacker coach Kevin Greene telling Clay Matthews, "It is time... It is time!" On the next series, Matthews applied the hit that forced the fumble that probably won the game. Spectacular.
NFL owners and players would be well advised to heed these words: IT IS TIME! The ridiculousness of this lock-out has lasted long enough. We are at the deadline. If the two sides don't ratify this new agreement this week, missing games is a near certainty. There's no more time for negotiation. There's no more time for posturing in the media. It is time to finally do what they should have done months ago -- get a new collective bargaining agreement and get on with football. Damn it.
Rounds 4-7 of the NFL Draft are a little different than the first 3 rounds. As you go deeper into the draft board, the predominant reaction as the picks are announced is… “Who??”
Not being nearly as big a fan of the college game as I am the NFL game, I needed to do some research on the Packers’ last 7 selections in the 2011 draft. Everyone hopes to find some diamonds in the rough in these later picks. The reality, of course, is that some of them may not even make the team. But if we get a Sam Shields or two out of this crop, we should all be happy.
The X-factor that is very hard to determine from game film is a players’ character. The Packers have consistently selected players with integrity, determination, and self-confidence without overly large egos. Perfect example, if you haven’t seen it already, is this ESPN story about Packers’ 5th-round pick D.J. Williams from Arkansas.
Guys who can overcome this upbringing have the character to make it in the NFL. The Packers obviously felt they could find some gems late in the draft as they traded down to amass three picks in the 6th round and two more in the 7th. Here’s my breakdown of the remaining picks.
Davon House, CB, New Mexico St. (Round 4, Pick 131)
I like this pick. Some boards had him as high as a second-round pick. He has good size, plays bump-and-run press coverage, and should challenge the Packers’ back-up DBs to be their dime back. House fits well with the Packers’ defense and has the athleticism to contribute on special teams as well. Good example, like Shields, of getting a gifted athlete. I also like the selection of a DB. We needed a little competition on the depth chart.
D.J. Williams, TE, Arkansas (Round 5, Pick 141)
Since seeing the video above, this guy is one of my favorites. Thompson evidently has an affinity for guys named “D.J.” since he picked two of them this draft. Williams was seen as one of the top 3-4 TE prospects in the draft. Like House, his skill set fits very well with the Packers offense – great hands and speed who creates match-up problems. He can also play in the fullback or halfback position, which presents some intriguing possibilities. One analysis described drafting Williams in the 5th-round as “highway robbery.” Certainly, with Finley back, and Quarless’s maturation, the Packers have an elite set of lethal weapons at TE.
Caleb Schlauderaff, OL, Utah (Round 6, Pick 179)
This was no steal, but it does add depth at a position we will likely need help at if Colledge and Spitz are lost. Schlauderaff reportedly has great toughness and work ethic, along with a “mean streak” which I like to see in offensive linemen. It’s not clear if he’s got the skills to be a true starter. Frankly, it’s not clear he’s got the skills to even make the team. But he should provide depth and some options at the interior of the Packers’ O-line.
D.J. Smith, LB, Appalachian St. (Round 6, Pick 186)
Many prognosticators (myself included) expected the Packers to select an OLB sooner in this draft. But at least we added someone to the mix. Smith is small, and certainly not obviously better than any of our other various options for OLB. Some speculate he may be better suited to play inside, or may just be a special teams player. Thompson commented on the pick, “What I like most about him, is his name is D.J.”
Ricky Elmore, DL/OLB, Arizona (Round 6, Pick 197)
By this point in the draft, you’re really taking flyers on guys. But Elmore could be worth the flyer. He again grades out high on the character quotient – with a reportedly “strong motor” and never-say-quit attitude. Several mock drafts had us taking another Arizona pass rusher and Clay Matthews look-alike, Brooks Reed. But Elmore actually out-produced Reed over their respective college careers, with Elmore logging a Pac-10 best 21.5 sacks over the 2009-2010 seasons. Again, should add depth and competition at training camp and has great potential up-side.
Ryan Taylor, TE, North Carolina (Round 7, Pick 218)
The Packers like their tight ends, and have selected many great ones. Taylor apparently caught the eye of the Packers scouts and coaches, and could make the team as a fourth TE. There will be plenty of competition, with at least 6 guys (including Crabtree and Havner) by my count coming into training camp. It’s possible the Packers see his value as mostly on special teams – Taylor was a special teams captain at North Carolina.
Lawrence Guy, DT, Arizona State (Round 7, Pick 233)
The appropriately named “Guy” wasn’t the last pick in the 2011 Draft (that honor went to Cheta Ozougwu from Rice with the 254th selection by the Texans), but at pick #233 he was pretty close. It’s an honor to be selected at all, but, statistically speaking, the likelihood of some “Guy” making an impact, or even making the team, as a 7th-round pick is low. That said, Thompson and his team have shown they can find great value deep on the board. I would not have guessed that defensive line, one of the areas I thought we needed most, was a position we would wait to select till the last round. But this “Guy” has the potential to be a surprise value. He’s big and athletic and probably could have gone higher in the draft. If nothing else, he will, hopefully, motivate Neal, Wilson and other Packers’ defensive tackles to step it up.
My overall reaction to the draft was positive. It was more heavy on offense than I expected. Although we addressed them late, I wish we had selected some more promising players at DT and OLB. That said, there are several players with upside potential. And the “best-available” approach that has served us well in the past could have been an effective philosophy again this year. Can't wait to see these guys in camp, assuming we ever sort out this labor mess.
One of the strategies that has made Ted Thompson’s drafts so successful is he selects players a couple years before he urgently needs them. This approach gives players time to mature, to develop. And, frequently, they emerge in their second or third (or, in Rodgers’ case, fourth) year as pros to become impact players.
That strategy seemed to be at play today with the selection of Randall Cobb, WR from Kentucky, in the second round and Alex Green, RB from Hawaii, in the third. I was somewhat surprised to see the Packers select two more offensive players, particularly with their needs at DL and OLB not addressed yet. But I’m having a hard time objecting to either pick.
Cobb is a little under-sized at just 5'10" and 191 lbs. But he was a top 5 receiver in most of the mock drafts, and projected to go higher. So to get him with the 64th pick was certainly good value. Several receivers came off the board in front of him – including Jon Baldwin from Pittsburgh (to the Chiefs), Greg Little from North Carolina (to the Browns), and Titus Young from Boise State (to the Lions) – who don’t seem as promising as Cobb. So I expect the “best available” approach played into this selection.
Cobb is also a good fit for the Packers' offense. He is quick off the snap and has great hands. He played the slot a lot at Kentucky – suggesting the Packers may see him as an eventual successor to Driver. Cobb also brings some interesting X-factor skills. He’s a very good return man – something the Packers desperately need. He even has had experience as a quarterback and running back, which could provide useful versatility to the Packers' offense. The selection of a receiver in the 2nd round also suggests that the Packers may be expecting to part ways with James Jones. Cobb would help sustain the Packers’ depth at receiver. Here are some Cobb highlights to get you pumped up:
The selection of Alex Green at running back in the 3rd round with the 96th overall pick was a bigger surprise. As with the Cobb pick, this selection could indicate some uncertainty about the future of Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson. I expected the Packers to hold tight at running back, particularly since Starks appears to be a steal from last year’s draft. Even if you accept that the Packers had need at this position, there were quite a few other guys – including Kendall Hunter from Oklahoma State, Jordan Todman from Connecticut, Jamie Harper from Clemson and others – who I suspect would be higher on most team’s boards.
Green, at 6’0”, 225 lbs, is one of the bigger, more physical backs in this year’s draft. And the Packers could see him as a Grant replacement, perhaps after a year or two on the bench. I just think they probably could have gotten Green with a later pick – most mock drafts seem to have him going a round or two later.
That said, it’s hard to point out other picks that the Packers passed up. Defensive line was a need, but the run on defensive linemen was dramatic – with 25 selected in the first three rounds so far. Maybe they just didn’t see anyone else at that position that they liked. I’m not sure I do.
The other position I was hoping they might draft early was outside linebacker. But there again, they may just not have seen value at that position when they were selecting. Several promising prospects were already taken in the second round – including Akeem Ayers from UCLA (pick 39 by the Titans), Bruce Carter from North Carolina (pick 40 by the Cowboys), Brooks Reed from Arizona (pick 42 by the Texans) and Jonas Mouton from Michigan (pick 61 by the Chargers). Martez Wilson from Illinois could have been had in the second, but he was gone by the third round (pick 72 by the Saints), as was Justin Houston from Georgia (pick 70 by the Chiefs). Sam Acho from Texas was still available at the end of the 3rd round, but maybe they think they have a chance to land him, or some of the other players still available at OLB, later.
Cornerback is the other position I could have considered in the third round, but it was pretty picked over. Five cornerbacks were selected in the second round, including Ras-I Dowling, Marcus Gilchrist, Jaiquawn Jarrett, Brandon Harris, and Aaron Williams. And five more were taken in the third round. Without a pressing need at that position, I probably would have passed on this second-tier crop of players as well.
I guess I can’t complain. I spent most of last season begging for Thompson to get a running back. He’s finally answered the call in the way he knows how: through the draft. Hopefully, both these guys will work out.
I like the selection of Derek Sherrod from Mississippi State with the Packer's first round selection. As I mentioned before the draft, I feel like offensive line is the area of greatest need for the Packers. I'm not sure Sherrod was a "steal" at the #32 pick -- that's about where he was projected to go in most mock drafts. But all the guys I've seen ranked higher, like Carimi, Solder and Pouncy, were already off the board.
Sherrod may fit better with the Packers anyway. I'm glad they selected a tackle rather than a guard. Think there's more talent among tackles in this draft, and, though he played left tackle at Mississippi State, Sherrod seems to have the flexibility to move into the left guard position (if Colledge is gone) or go to right tackle (if they switch Bulaga to the left side).
I never saw him play in college, but some of his strengths are reportedly his quick feet, fast and powerful first move, and long arms. That should make him well-suited for the pulls, traps, and screens the Packers like to run. He also showed a little bit of a playful attitude in some of his promo reels. Seems to have a little of that love-of-the-game self-confidence that is reminiscent of B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews. The Packers always do a good job of drafting attitude not just ability.
Overall, this seems like a solid pick by Thompson and company. The only position that you could argue was an equal need for the Packers was defensive line, but that crop was pretty picked over by the time Green Bay was on the clock. Twelve defensive linemen were selected in the first round, and no one was left that the Packers couldn't pass up on that side. The value was greater at offensive line at that point, and it was too early, in my estimation, to take an OLB -- their other area of need. I'd definitely like to see the Packers go defense with their second pick. Looking forward to the rest of the draft.
