AllGreenBayPackers.Com

2012 NFL Draft

So here is part II of the reasons behind the draft picks (see part I here)  Again, I’m not assigning grades to the draft or to the players because I don’t believe you can tell whether or not a player will pan out within the first 30 something days.  What I am interested in is what the Packers were thinking of when they decided to draft a player; with that in mind, this is what I think the Packers want to accomplish with each draft pick and which player each rookie could be potentially be replacing.

Jeron McMillian – Projected Strong Safety – Round 4, Pick #38 (#133 overall) – Replaces Pat Lee

Rationale: First off let’s be honest here, I don’t think we have the next Nick Collins in McMillian; I was actually very surprised that McMillian was drafted at all by the Packers simply because he doesn’t fit into the mold of what the Packers look for in safeties.  The Packers are probably more interested in playing two free safeties (which there really wasn’t one this year in the draft), consider their preferred pairing of Collins and Morgan Burnett (who ironically never really played together): both have good ball skills and the ability to jump passing routes.  What McMillian does best is run support, which is almost the exact opposite of a ball hawk.   Then again even if McMillian is the next Collins I highly doubt that the Packers can afford to stick him out there in his first year, which is even more reason why I think Woodson will have to make the move to safety.  Read more... (1506 words + 1 image, estimated 6:01 mins reading time)

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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.  Read more... (639 words + 1 image, estimated 2:33 mins reading time)

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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:  Read more... (433 words + 1 image, estimated 1:44 mins reading time)

• 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.”

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When will Ted Thompson draft a quarterback in the 2012 NFL Draft?

With the 2012 NFL draft only days away, there is an abundance of mock drafts on the Internet for your viewing pleasure.  While it is always enjoyable to see which prospect the draft “experts” project to the Green Bay Packers, there has been one common factor I’ve seen lately that has been rather mind-boggling.

In most mock drafts, the “experts” have the Packers using an early-round draft pick on a quarterback.  To be honest, that is crazy talk.  There is absolutely no need for the Packers, who are sporting the best quarterback in the league in Aaron Rodgers, to waste that high of a pick on a backup quarterback.

This is especially true when you consider that Green Bay has holes at outside linebacker, defensive line, safety and running back that need to be filled.

So, when is too early for the Packers to draft a quarterback?

First Round?

Absolutely.  The only reason that Green Bay should select a quarterback in the first round would be if Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III fell to them.  Read more... (566 words + 1 image, estimated 2:16 mins reading time)

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Last Day at Lambeau Premieres April 18, 2012, Wisconsin Film Festival

The man’s been retired for over a full year now and yet we can’t stop talking about him.

I speak, of course, of one Brett Lorenzo Favre.  With him finally (hopefully) settled into his post-football life, most would think eventually he’d fade from the spotlight.

That hasn’t been the case.  He was rumored multiple times this past season as a mid-season replacement for an injured starter whether it was in Houston, Kansas City or Miami.  Whether not he is officially on Twitter has even become a hot point for debate.  It seems like there is no escaping Favre even when he isn’t (supposedly) actively seeking the spotlight.

Which brings me to filmmaker Michael Neelsen’s new film “Last Day at Lambeau.”  The film chronicles Favre’s divorce from the Green Bay Packers and its aftermath, and it is currently a topic of discussion amongst Packer fans all over the internet.

Our own Al Bracco received an advance copy of the film and already shared his thoughts.  I have yet to see the film, but I will be attending its ‘world premiere’ this Wednesday at the Wisconsin Film Festival on the UW campus in Madison.  Read more... (1476 words + 1 image, estimated 5:54 mins reading time)

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Southern Mississippi QB Austin Davis

Green Bay Packers draft prospect profile: QB Austin Davis

Player Information:

Austin Davis, QB Southern Mississippi
6’2”, 221 lbs
Hometown:  Meridian, MS

NFL Combine:

Vertical Jump: 31
Broad Jump: 9’1”
20-yard shuttle:  4.11
3-cone drill:  6.73

News and Notes:

Owns school record for most career touchdown passes, surpassing Brett Favre. Broke Favre’s single season touchdown pass record for a freshman with 23 in 2008. Named All Conference USA freshman.  Led Southern Miss to a 12-2 record and a win over the Nevada Wolfpack in the 2011 Hawaii Bowl.

What they’re saying about him:

Dane Brugler (CBSSports.com): “A dual threat quarterback with athletic footwork and mobility. An instinctive runner with very good toughness  uses stiff arms and runs with good body strength. Has quick, smooth delivery with very good touch and anticipation as a passer. Has natural leadership traits and plays with his heart, willing his team to victory. A smart and confident individual on and off the field. Plays like a veteran and executes and sells fakes well, doesn’t force a lot and isn’t afraid to throw it away.  Read more... (516 words + 1 image, estimated 2:04 mins reading time)

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Possibly the worst photoshop job on a NFL player ever

So who thinks Matt Flynn should have been franchised now?  I will be the first to admit that in my heart, I desperately wanted Flynn to be tagged and traded, and maybe while I’m dreaming some idiot team like the Raiders would offer a first rounder.  My head of course said otherwise, sure the potential reward is high, but so was the risk; what would happen if the Packers were stuck with a $14 million guaranteed check?

In the end, general manager Ted Thompson was right in letting Flynn go without a fight and Flynn signed a very conservative 3-year $26 million deal with $10 million guaranteed with the Seattle Seahawks.  More money that you or I will probably make in a lifetime, but loose change in comparison to the 5-year $90 million contract Peyton Manning just signed, or even the 5-year $60 million contract that Kevin Kolb signed last year.

My question is why fan perception of a player so different from a NFL GM?  Even the media, which presumably has a better idea of what NFL GMs are thinking are still more like fans when it comes to predicting player value (although this might have to do with the fact that the media caters to fans and not to NFL GMs, so they could be deliberately doing this).  Answer, the endowment effect.  Read more... (832 words + 1 image, estimated 3:20 mins reading time)

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