Category Archives: Adam Czech

30

April

What Holes Remain on Packers Roster After the Draft?

Packers Draft Pick Jerel Worthy

New Packers D-lineman Jerel Worthy should help the team's feeble pass rush.

So all those holes on the Packers defense are patched now, right?

Someone to get after the quarterback opposite Clay Matthews? We got Nick Perry for that.

A defensive lineman to fill the void left by Cullen Jenkins? Say hello to Jerel Worthy.

Defensive backs that can cover and won’t shy away from making a tackle every now and then? Welcome to Green Bay, Casey Hayward and Jerron McMillian.

If only it was that simple. Unfortunately, none of the Packers shiny new toys acquired in the draft have played a snap in the NFL. As excited as Packers fans are to have so many new faces — especially on defense — there’s no guarantee that they’ll make the team any better.

Right now the only tangible asset these draft choices provide is hope. What else does a football team have to sell in April?

But let’s be extra positive and assume that the Packers aced this draft and everyone they selected in rounds 1-4 does what they’re supposed to do and makes the Packers better.

26

April

Packers 2012 NFL Draft – First Round Pick: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, Southern California

Packers First Round Draft Pick Nick Perry USC

Packers First Round Draft Pick Nick Perry USC

With their first-round pick (28th overall) in the 2012 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers selected Nick Perry a defensive end/outside linebacker out of the University of Southern California.

Ted Thompson didn’t trade up, or out, of the first round and ends up with someone they can put opposite of Clay Matthews.

Player Details

NICK PERRY
Defensive End
University of Southern California Trojans
#8
6:02.6-271
Detroit, Michigan
Martin Luther King High School

CAREER NOTES

26

April

Green Bay Packers Draft Matchup: CB Janoris Jenkins vs. S Harrison Smith

Janoris Jenkins

North Alabama CB Janoris Jenkins

I highly doubt CB Janoris Jenkins will still be avaliable when the Packers pick late in the first round of the NFL draft, but if he is, Ted Thompson has an interesting decision to make.

On paper, Jenkins vs. Harrison Smith is a complete mismatch. Jenkins is by far the more talented and superior player. But when you factor in concerns about Jenkins off the field and the Packers need for a safety after releasing Nick Collins, the matchup becomes closer.

Jenkins is a cocky, in-your-face, man-to-man, physical cover corner. You can put him on an island against any WR and he’s not going to back down. He’ll take on whomever he’s asked to cover, not ask for any help, and have a good chance of winning the battle.

Smith is one of the better safeties in a weak safety class and almost plays like an extra linebacker. I don’t see him as a guy who can cover the field against deep passing attacks, but I do think he’ll be good in the box against the run and as a blitzer. Think of him sort of as a lite version of Charles Woodson.

26

April

Green Bay Packers Draft Matchup: DE/OLB Andre Branch vs. G Kevin Zeitler

NFL Draft Prospect Profile Andre Branch, DE/OLB Clemson

Andre Branch, DE/OLB Clemson

This decision comes down to need for the Packers. Do they take Andre Branch and fill an immediate need on the defensive front? Or do they select Kevin Zeitler and fill a likely future need at center or guard?

Usually I don’t pay much attention to the NFL draft, especially all the pre-draft hoopla, but this year the draft has sucked me in. I’ve watched video, studied scouting reports, and tried to follow the opinions of analysts I respect.

One of my favorite players to watch and learn more about has been Zeitler. He’s quick out of the gate when he pulls and a wrecking ball when he heads upfield looking for defenders to take out and pave the way for Wisconsin’s running backs.

Branch’s pass-rushing game is built mostly around speed, but what makes him even more attractive to the Packers is his versatility. He lined up in both a two- and three-point stance at Clemson and could move around the Packers defense if needed. He’s definitely a Dom Capers type of player.

25

April

Green Bay Packers Draft Matchup: LB Shea McClellin vs. DE/LB Whitney Mercilus

Shea McClellin OLB Boise State NFL Draft Profile

Shea McClellin OLB Boise State

Both Shea McClellin and Whitney Mercilus could be considered late risers on most NFL draft boards, including the Packers’ board. Different types of late risers, but late risers nonetheless.

Mercilus had only two sacks and didn’t do much of anything at Illinois in 2009-10 before exploding for 16 sacks and nine forced fumbles in 2011. McClellin wasn’t a highly regarded recruit coming into Boise St., but kept improving and became a feared edge rusher and versatile hybrid LB/DE. While Mercilus was projected as a first-rounder as soon as “draft season” started, it took a while for McClellin to get the attention he deserved and start rising up boards.

If McClellin and Mercilus are still avalaible when the Packers pick in the first round, I would take McClellin. I think McClellin still has some room to grow as a pass rusher and I’d love to see him develop opposite of Clay Matthews. I also think McClellin is a better fit in Dom Capers’ defense. He can rush from the edge, drop into coverage, stunt up the middle and move around if needed as Capers disguises his coverages and schemes.

22

April

Surviving Sunday: Packers News, Notes and Links for the Football Deprived

 

Surviving Sundays With No Packers Football

Surviving Sundays With no Packers Football

If you missed the three-hour ESPN special unveiling the NFL schedule, congratulations. I was open minded enough to give it a shot, but only managed to last about five minutes before trying to leap through my living-room window.

 

Three hours to unveil the NFL schedule?! I allow the NFL and the Green Bay Packers to monopolize my life from September through January. I can’t let them do the same in April.

 

Besides, why watch an ESPN anchor read off a cue card and a bumbling former player or two unveil the schedule in Bristol, CT, when you could just visit ALLGBP.com and find out all you need to know? Here’s a link to the NFL schedule, and below are some random thoughts on the portion of the schedule that involves the greatest franchise in the history of sports, the Packers.

 

  • I was hoping the Packers would play the Giants in the NFL’s Wednesday kickoff game. I didn’t care about exacting revenge for the playoff loss, but it would’ve been nice for the Packers to get 10 days off after the season opener. It turns out the Packers will get 10 days off early in the season, but it comes after playing the Bears on Thursday night in week two.
21

April

NFL Draft Prospect Profile: B.J. Coleman, QB, Tennessee-Chattanooga

B.J. Coleman

Tennessee-Chattanooga QB B.J. Coleman

Green Bay Packers draft prospect profile: QB B.J. Coleman

Player Information:

B.J. Coleman, QB, Tennessee-Chattanooga
6-3, 222 pounds
Hometown: Chattanooga, TN

NFL Combine:

N/A.

News and Notes:

In terms of physical tools, regarded as one of the best small-college QBs in recent years. … Limited to seven games senior season with a shoulder injury. … Good athlete and tough runner between the tackles. … Holds the ball too long at times, struggles to progress to secondary receiving options. … Compared to Boomer Esiason because of his instincts and hard-driven leadership style. … Transferred from Tennessee to Tennessee-Chattanooga after losing competition for starting job the spring of his sophomore season. … Completed 60.89 percent of passes for 1,527 yards and nine TDs in seven games as a senior. … Finished college career as the fourth player in school history to throw for over 6,000 yards. … Lettered three times as a pitcher in high school.

 What they’re saying about him:

  • NFL.com: “Coleman has a quick set-up and plays with a good sense of urgency. He is athletic when scrambling and can place it on receivers both in the short and long passing situations.”