Category Archives: Defensive Players

7

May

Green Bay Packers 2012 NFL Draft: The Reasons Behind the Picks Part I

NFL Draft Logo Image

2012 NFL Draft

So now that the NFL draft is officially over, tons of fans will converge on Packers web sites to air their grievances about not drafting a particular player or reaching for another.  They will hand out grades to teams and players alike; argue with other fans about what should have happened, and how the analysts have no idea what they are talking about.

I frankly am uninterested in such things; you’re typically not going to find out how good a draft class or a player is for 3-5 years and a player’s success has a lot to do with the team and the environment they get drafted in.

Nevertheless, every team drafts a player with a role in mind, and in this article I hope to analyze what role I think each player was drafted for; I am not concerning myself with what I think will likely happen, I have not placed a grade or an analysis of each player’s potential for a reason.  I’ve also included who I think the rookies will be replacing, keep in mind I don’t necessarily think that a rookie will take a veteran’s spot (for instance I have Casey Hayward replacing Charles Woodson) only what type of role that rookie is like to take.

4

May

Brass Balls and the Packers Defense

Frank Zombo

Frank Zombo is one Packers defender that could be on the chopping block.

If using almost all of his draft picks on defensive players wasn’t enough of a warning, Ted Thompson could re-enact Alec Baldwin’s brass balls speech from Glengarry Glen Ross on the first day of training camp if he feels the Packers defense hasn’t gotten the message.

Replace Cadillac with a spot on the roster. Replace steak knives with a spot on the end of the bench. Replace getting fired with getting cut.

Message received.

Of course, this message doesn’t need to be delivered to everyone on defense. Clay Matthews is probably the Alec Baldwin of the Packers D. He can point to his $975,000 watch and automatically command respect. Desmond Bishop and Charles Woodson can point to their own watches, which aren’t quite as big as Matthews’, but are impressive nonetheless.

Because of their ineptitude last season and infusion of new blood for the upcoming season, the following defenders who received regular playing time in 2011 could be on the chopping block. They’ll have to prove during training camp that they have the “brass balls” to play in the NFL.

2

May

Anthony Hargrove Suspended For Half of 2012-13 Season

Anthony Hargrove says he's a Green Bay Packer

Anthony Hargrove will miss the first eight games of the 2012 season.

If the Green Bay Packers were expecting defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove to make an early impact during his inaugural season with the team, they might need to revisit their plans.

Roger Goodell handed out the penalties for four players from the New Orleans Saints for their involvement in “Bountygate” scandal.  Hargrove received the second-harshest punishment of all the Saints’ players (only Jonathan Vilma receiver a harsher punishment).

According to a report from NFL.com, Hargrove has been suspended for the first eight games of the 2012 NFL season.  This is a big hit to the Packers, who likely knew that some type of punishment was coming, but probably couldn’t fathom him missing half the season.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Hargrove and the other suspended Saints’ players are likely to appeal their suspensions.

While Hargrove’s play will be sorely missed by the Packers because of their desperate need for improved defensive line play, the suspension of Hargrove brings an entirely new issue to Green Bay.

2

May

Packers Defense Will Utilize Best Players Available

Oh yeah. I've got this.

Let’s get this out of the way first: I couldn’t be more excited about the 2012 Green Bay Packers draft class. I thought Ted Thompson did a great job targeting needed position players and acquiring them at a good value. For a GM who has scraped the bottom of the barrel for outside linebackers the past two years, it’s refreshing to see him pick a prospect like Nick Perry in the first round.

Of course, draft picks usually come with some baggage, and Perry is definitely no exception. Draftniks have identified a couple question marks when it comes to Perry’s future as an outside linebacker for the Packers:

1. Is he the right fit for a 3-4 OLB, or should he be playing as a DE in a 4-3 system? His body size seems to be large for an OLB, and he has expressed minimal enthusiasm about switching positions.

2. Does his motor run consistently enough for the professional level? Scouts have called him “a little soft” and noted that he has a tendency to take plays off.

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.

28

April

Packers 2012 NFL Draft – Fifth Round Pick: Terrell Manning, LB NC State

Packers fifth round draft pick Terrell Manning, LB NC State

Packers fifth round draft pick Terrell Manning, LB NC State

With their fifth round pick (163rd overall) in the 2012 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers selected Terrell manning, a linebacker out of NC State. This pick had been traded on day 2 to the Patriots, but the Packers traded to get it back, giving New England their 6th (#197), 7th (#224) & 7th (#235)

PLAYER DETAILS: 
Terrell Manning
Linebacker
NC State
6’2″ 237lbs

CAREER NOTES: From CBSDraft:

Despite averaging 76 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and five sacks in two starting seasons for the Wolfpack, Manning surprised many with his decision to leave after his junior season. While he’s athletic and possesses intriguing natural pass rush skills, Manning is also highly inconsistent. He also is a bit of a medical concern as he missed two games in 2011 with after undergoing minor knee surgery and redshirted the 2008 season due to knee injury suffered in high school a year earlier. With Manning there is upside to consider, however. When Manning returned from the knee injury in October, he went on to enjoy the most productive stretch of his career, twice being named the ACC Linebacker of the
Week (North Carolina, Maryland). He was a boom or bust player in these contests as well, however, as he was against Louisville in the Belk Bowl. Manning has obvious athleticism and appears to have the frame capable of bulking up. In an attacking scheme he has the physical skill-set to develop.

AGILITY TESTS: 

28

April

Packers 2012 NFL Draft – Fourth Round Pick: Mike Daniels, DT Iowa

Packers draft pick Mike Daniels, DT Iowa

Packers 4th round draft pick Mike Daniels, DT Iowa

With their fourth round pick (132nd overall) in the 2012 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers selected Mike Daniels, a defensive tackle out of Iowa.

PLAYER DETAILS: 


Mike Daniels
Defensive tackle
University of Iowa
6’0″ 291lbs

CAREER NOTES:

From CBSDraft: Daniels was lightly recruited out of high school, choosing Iowa over Temple. After redshirting in 2007, he saw limited action as a reserve end/tackle in 2008, recording six tackles, one tackle for loss and a sack. He was a backup defensive tackle in 2009 as a sophomore, finishing with 10 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Daniels earned a starting job in 2010 as a junior with eight starts, recording 40 tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks, earning All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors. He had his most productive season in 2011 as a senior (13 starts), finishing with 67 tackles and a team-best 13.5 tackles for loss and 9.0 sacks, earning Second Team All-Big Ten honors. Daniels

AGILITY TESTS: 

Did not participate in any official tests – had shoulder surgery in January. Was cleared by doctors two weeks ago.