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1. 

   2012 NFL Draft

   Ted Thompson hasn’t gone crazy:  While many people were surprised by the fact that Thompson traded up several times, a good indication that Thompson is still following his MO is that he’s trolling the media about his “change” in personality.  If you’ve followed Thompson enough, you’d know that he’ll never tell anyone anything, so if he’s saying he’s doing things differently, chances are he really isn’t.  I now think Thompson wasn’t as averse to trading up in the past as we all thought; it simply didn’t make much sense in previous years to do so.  For instance right now Thompson probably has one of the best teams in the NFL in terms of depth so he can afford to trade picks to move up the draft but when Thompson took over in 2005 the team was in a salary cap nightmare and salary cap nightmares usually also mean that there were no quality backups on the team (or else why pay more for an aging veteran?).  Secondly, the rookie salary cap has altered the draft to a point where the picks at the top of the 1^st round are the most valuable (as they should be) and teams have adjusted accordingly by trading up in order to secure the best talent for them. In fact the majority of 1^st round draft picks ended up being selected by teams who were not the team originally award the pick.  I am a little surprised that Thompson was so quick to recognize the change and act upon it, which is why I now think that Thompson isn’t averse to trading up, he just could justify paying the price in the past.

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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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USC DE/OLB Nick Perry

Saying that Ted Thompson and the Packers focused on defense in the 2012 NFL Draft wouldn’t be strong enough. Thompson used the Packers’ first six draft picks exclusively on defense before drafting Andrew Datko in the seventh round.

The heavy emphasis on defense wasn’t the only difference in this years’ draft for the Packers. After trading up just three times since taking over draft day responsibilities for the Packers, Thompson traded up not once, not twice, but thrice to get players.

Round 1: Nick Perry, OLB, University of Southern California

Perry fulfills a specific need while providing great value to the Packers at the 28th pick. Perry should be able to make the transition to OLB and fit nicely opposite Clay Matthews. It would appear that Perry will be the starter making the jump over Erik Walden, Brad Jones and Frank Zombo. With some coaching, Perry should be able to make an immediate impact on the Packers defense.  Read more... (817 words + 1 image, estimated 3:16 mins reading time)

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Packers GM Ted Thompson targeted by radical fans?

The first two days of the 2012 NFL Draft have quickly unfolded and Packers’ GM Ted Thompson has fulfilled the wishes of most Packers fans by going defense, defense, defense. In press conferences at lambeau Field, Mr. Thompson has insisted these weren’t “need” picks, but I think we all know the truth (nudge nudge, wink wink, say no more).

The similarities to the 2009 draft, with the trading up and the focus on defense and apparently, need, early on  reminded me of a fun little piece I wrote after that draft. I think it pretty much works again, so here it is, as originally written:

In an amazing development, the NFL has just revealed that a sleeper cell of radical Packer fans successfully pulled off a plot to kidnap Packers GM Ted Thompson before the NFL draft and replace him with a look-alike puppet.

Thompson was found this morning, bruised but otherwise unharmed, in a dumpster outside of a Holiday Inn in nearby Appleton, Wisconsin. Thompson had been drugged and woke up confused in the dumpster. His calls for help attracted the attention of hotel guests, who helped him out of the dumpster and untied him.  Read more... (450 words + 1 image, estimated 1:48 mins reading time)

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Packers Second Round Draft Pick Casey Hayward Vanderbilt

With another second-round pick (62nd overall) in the 2012 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers selected Casey Hayward, a cornerback from Vanderbilt University

Once again, the Packers traded up in the second round, giving up their 3rd (#90) and 5th round (#163) picksto the New England Patriots for their 62nd pick.

Player Details

CASEY HAYWARD

Cornerback/Free Safety
Vanderbilt University Commodores
#19
5:11.3-192
Perry, Georgia
Perry High School

CAREER NOTES

Hayward appeared in 50 games for the Commodores, starting his last 37 contests, as he recorded 199 tackles (146 solos) with 18.0 stops for losses of 35 yards, a quarterback pressure and a forced fumble…Defended 46 passes, deflecting 31 tosses while coming up with fifteen interceptions for 126 yards in returns (8.40 avg) and one touchdown…Saw brief action on offense as a senior, gaining 60 yards on five carries (12.0 ypc)…Added 11 yards via a kickoff return and 12 yards on a punt return…Hayward’s fifteen interceptions rank second among active players in the NCAA football Bowl Subdivision ranks, topped by only Sean Baker of Ball State (18)…His fifteen interceptions also tied Leonard Coleman (1980-83) for the school career-record and rank tied for 14th in Southeastern Conference annals (most by an SEC performer since Corey Webster of Louisiana State recorded 16 thefts, from 2001-04)…Hayward became the first defensive back to lead the team in tackles-for-loss in a season (8.5 in 2009), which are also the most by a Southeastern Conference in a season…The cornerback had 242 passes targeted by the opposition into his area, as 71 were completed (29.34%) for 498 yards and two touch-downs, an average of 7.01 yards per completion and 2.06 yards per pass attempt  Read more... (543 words + 1 image, estimated 2:10 mins reading time)

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Packers Second Round Draft Pick Jerel Worthy MSU

With their second-round pick (51st overall) in the 2012 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers selected Jerel Worthy a defensive tackle / defensive end from Michigan State University.

The Packers traded their 2nd round pick (#59) and 4th round pick (#123) to the Philadelphia Eagles for their 2nd round pick (#51).  This was the first trade of the 2012 NFL draft by the Packers.

Player Details

JEREL WORTHY
Defensive Tackle / Defensive End
Michigan State University
#99
6:02.8-308
Huber Heights, OH
Wayne High School

CAREER NOTES

Worthy started 38-of-40 games for Michigan State at the left defensive tackle position, registering 107 tackles (52 solos)…His twelve sacks for minus 78 yards rank 14th on the school career-record chart, while his 27.5 stops for losses totaling 118 yards rank 13th in MSU annals…Added six quarterback pressures with two fumble recoveries and six pass deflections…Also blocked three kicks.

Agility Tests

5.03 in the 40-yard dash…1.81 10-yard dash…2.97 20-yard dash…4.58 20-yard shuttle… 7.62 three-cone drill…28 ½-inch vertical jump…8’11” broad jump…Bench pressed 225 pounds 28 times…33-inch arm length…9 3/8-inch hands…79 7/8-inch wingspan.

Scouting Report  Read more... (464 words + 1 image, estimated 1:51 mins reading time)

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2012 NFL Draft

As the 2012 NFL Draft is about to begin, here are some things that have been whispered into my ear as well as some of my own opinions and predictions.  Read more... (367 words + 1 image, estimated 1:28 mins reading time)

1. Whisper: The Packers love Shea McClellin, but so do the Patriots, who pick just before them. If Ted HAS to have him, he’ll need to trade up in front of NE (unless Mercilus is there for New England, who is their first choice)
2. Prediction: There will be no Ted Thompson head-scratchers on the first 2 days of the draft. The Packers are still burning from a 15-1 season and first round playoff loss. They have virtually the same team coming back. Ted knows if he can plug a few holes with immediate help, success will follow.
3. Whisper: The Packers also love Casey Hayward in the second, but will have competition from the 49ers.
4. Opinion: The only four positions I would draft an offensive player at are center, tackle, quarterback and running back.
5. Whisper: The Packers are seriously considering some linebackers that are thought to be more suited as 4-3 LBs, but who they consider to be  ”moldable.”

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