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Um, who is Alex Green? I have to admit, that was my first reaction to the announcement of the Packers’ third round selection in the 2011 NFL Draft. I hadn’t really paid much attention to running backs in my pre-draft research. I can blame that on the CheeseheadTV Draft guide, which had me spending all of my free time studying offensive tackles and outside linebackers.

I did expect the Packers to take a running back, but not until day three of the draft. So when the Packers selected Green, I raised my eyebrows a bit, read a few scouting reports and was satisfied that it seemed like a decent pick. When the draft concluded, I have to say that there was a lot that I liked about how it had all worked out for the Green Bay Packers. The Packers took three players I was really hoping for (Sherrod, Cobb and Guy), and a few I consider very pleasant surprises (House, Williams, & Elmore).

But what about this Alex Green? Well, since the draft ended, I’ve been quietly compiling information and watching tape. I can now truly say – I like this pick as much as I do those of Sherrod and Cobb.

First, a little background. I’ve been watching football for over 40 years and I’ve always been a bruising running game kind of guy. I’ve always been drawn to teams that could run it down your throat and there was nothing you could do about it. The Packers with Taylor and Hornung. The Dolphins with Csonka, Kiick and Morris. The Steelers with Harris and Bleier. Of course, those were all a long time ago and it’s a different NFL now.  Read more... (960 words + 3 images, estimated 3:50 mins reading time)

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Round 1 (32): Derrick Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State (@dsherrod78)

Sherrod measured 6’5” 321 lbs with a 35 3/8 inch wingspan and at the combine and posted a 5.18 second 40-yard dash, 23 bench presses, 28 inch vertical jump, 97 inch broad jump, 7.43 second 3-cone drill and 4.63 second 20-yard shuttle. Sherrod is one of the most decorated college football players in the nation both on and off the field; he was named to seven All-American teams this year as well as winning the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Award, which is given to the top 16 players in the nation for their academic and leadership ability.  Sherrod graduated in August of 2010 with a 3.54 grade point average in business.

Round 2 (64): Randall Cobb, WR, Kentucky (@rcobb18)

Cobb measures in at 5-11, 196 pounds with 31″ arms. He posted a 4.46-second 40-yard dash, 16 bench-presses, 33.5″ vertical leap, 115″ broad jump, 7.08-second 3 cone drill, 4.34-second 20-yard shuttle and 11.56-second 60-yard shuttle.  Over his three years in college, Cobb racked up 5,000 all-purpose yards, including 1,661 receiving and 1,313 rushing. In his final year, Cobb posted 84 catches for 1,017 yards and was selected as a First Team All-American for his efforts.

Round 3 (96): Alex Green, RB, Hawaii
Green measures in at 6-0, 225 pounds with 32″ arms. Green posted a 4.53-second 40-yard dash, 20 bench-presses, 34″ vertical leap, 114″ broad jump, 6.91-second 3 cone drill and 4.15-second 20-yard shuttle. Playing in Hawaii’s pass-happy offense, Green was able to rush for 1,199 yards on 146 carries (8.2 ypc) and 18 touchdowns his senior season. He also caught 27 passes for 363 yards and another touchdown. Green was named Second Team All-WAC in 2010.  Read more... (955 words + 2 images, estimated 3:49 mins reading time)

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During the 2011 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers added an additional 10 players to their team roster, with six going to the offense and four going to the defense. They now have a roster of 85 players, which they must cut down to 80 by training camp. (These details are, of course, subject to change based on the labor negotiations.)

With the lockout currently prohibiting teams from signing undrafted rookies, this is currently the best picture of the players that Mike McCarthy and his coaching staff will have to work with. Also note that there are currently 14 free agents on the roster (restriction status pending for some). In the far off chance they let every single free agent leave, that would give them 9 spots to fill by camp. If they managed to keep all of them, they would have to cut 5 players by then.

So enjoy perusing the current roster, and feel free to post your thoughts below. If you would like a printable version, I have posted both Excel and PDF versions below:

Packers 2011 Post-Draft Roster (*.XLSX)
Packers 2011 Post-Draft Roster (*.PDF)

*** Players in RED are free agents.
*** Players in GREEN are drafted rookies.  Read more... (1081 words + 1 image, estimated 4:19 mins reading time)

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With the 233rd pick in the 2011 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers selected Arizona State DE Lawrence Guy

He measures in at 6-4, 305 pounds.  At the NFL Combine, he posted a 4.96-second 40-yard dash, 28 bench-presses, 4.43-second 20-yard shuttle and a 29″ vertical leap.

College history

Highly recruited out of High School, Guy turned down offers from Oklahoma, Nebraska and other big-time programs to play for the Sun Devils. Guy has played every position on the defensive line for the Sun Devils, but mostly played tackle in a 4-3 defense.  Guy was a three-year starter and is leaving ASU with one year of eligibility left.

In 12 games in 2010, Guy ended the year with 41 tackles (14 solo), six tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a pair of pass break-ups..

Commentary

Here’s what I wrote about Guy in the CheeseheadTV Draft Guide:  ”Guy could be this year’s Mike Neal – an under-the-radar player with below average stats but a ton of potential. Where Neal’s best asset was his strength, Guy’s is the athleticism he displays for a man his size. He shows an explosive first step and never stops coming. Perfect body type for a five-technique end but needs to hit the weight room. The Packers make him Neal’s workout buddy – that should do it.”  Read more... (470 words + 3 images, estimated 1:53 mins reading time)

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With the 218th pick in the 2011 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers selected North Carolina TE (H-back) Ryan Taylor

He measures in at 6-3, 254 pounds.  At his Pro day, he posted a 4.76-second 40-yard dash, 21 bench-presses, 4.47-second 20-yard shuttle and a 34″ vertical leap.

College history

Taylor started out strictly as a linebacker for two seasons, spent two seasons playing both linebacker and tight end, then converted full-time to tight end (H-back) his senior year. All four years, however, he was a key contributor on special team, twice being named ST captain. (Taylor’s college coach Butch Davis, used the H-back position to help develop Jeremy Shockey and Kellen Winslow Jr when he was at Miami)

Taylor finished the 2010 season with 36 catches for 330 yards and two touchdowns. He excelled in the post-season Music City bowl, leading North Carolina with nine catches for 85 yards as the Tar Heels won a 30-27 double-overtime game over Tennessee .

Commentary

Ryan Taylor appears to be Spencer Havner with a head start. Where Havner was switched to tight end in the Pros, Taylor has already made the move and has had some excellent coaching at North Carolina.  The scouting report on Taylor says he’s an aggressive and very effective blocker on the edge, but can struggle hitting blocking targets downfield. Has solid hands, gets into his routes quickly, but will not get many additional yds after the catch.  Undersized for the pro tight end position, but if used in the H-back role, can be an effective player.  Read more... (340 words + 3 images, estimated 1:22 mins reading time)

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With the 186th pick in the 2011 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers selected Appalachian State linebacker D.J. Smith.

Smith measures 5-10, 240 pounds with 32.2″ arms. He posted a 4.75-second 40-yard dash, 20 bench-presses and a 31″ vertical leap.

College history

Smith has been one of the more productive linebackers in college football over the past four seasons. A four-year starter at Appalachian State, Smith racked up over 500 tackles and nine sacks in 50 career starts.

Smith was also a three-year All-American selection, including two First Team picks his final two seasons. In those last two years, Smith was a final for the Buck Buchanan award, given to the best defensive player in the FCS.

Commentary

Most fans wanted this position addressed much earlier (I not being one of them), but the Packers finally got their outside linebacker.

Smith is a well-built defender and has the production and experience to add competition to the position. He doesn’t seem to have the pass-rushing skills that would warrant starting on the outside, but the Packers obviously saw something in the way he was always around the football.

Video (DJ Smith is #9)

Zach Kruse is a 23-year-old sports journalist with a passion for the Green Bay Packers. He currently lives in Wisconsin and is working on his journalism degree, while also covering prep sports for The Dunn Co. News.

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With the 179th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers selected Utah guard Caleb Schlauderaff.

He measures 6-4, 310 pounds with 32.2″ arms. Schlauderaff didn’t participate at the NFL combine due to a calf injury.

College history

Schlauderaff was a four-year starter at Utah who played in 52 career collegiate games (49 starts). He was named First Team All-MWC his senior year and Third Team All-American at guard. He was also named Second Team All-MWC his junior year.

An accomplished student-athlete, Schlauderaff was a four-time Academic All-MWC.

Commentary

Schlauderaff is an experienced and intelligent addition to the interior of the Packers offensive line. After starting for four years at Utah, Schlauderaff will come into the NFL as a solid run blocker who needs to improve in pass protection.

He has experience all over the offensive line, but it seems scouts are convinced that guard is the only position he’s capable of at the next level.

Does this pick signal that the Packers are prepared to lose Daryn Colledge? I wouldn’t go that far yet, but this selection does give the Packers some insurance at the position moving forward.

Also, Schlauderaff is the fifth offensive player in six picks so far for the Packers.

Zach Kruse is a 23-year-old sports journalist with a passion for the Green Bay Packers. He currently lives in Wisconsin and is working on his journalism degree, while also covering prep sports for The Dunn Co. News.  Read more... (261 words + 1 image, estimated 1:03 mins reading time)

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