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Georgia LB Alec Ogletree

Green Bay Packers NFL Draft prospect profile: LB Alec Ogletree

Player Info:

Alec Ogletree

6’3”

237 lbs.

Hometown: Newnan, GA

 STATS

NFL Combine:

40-yard dash: 4.70 seconds

Bench Press: 20 reps (225 lbs)

Vertical Leap:    33.5 inches

Broad Jump:       122 inches

20 Yd Shuttle:    4.39 seconds

Three Cone:       7.16 seconds

News and Notes:

He earned the team’s Newcomer of the Year award as a true freshman in 2010. Ogletree moved from safety to inside linebacker at the request of coaches. After he broke his foot against Boise State in 2011, Ogletree missed seven games. He was suspended the first four games of 2012 due to violation of team rules.  The final play of his college career was a sack to seal a bowl win over Nebraska.

What they’re saying about him:

NFL.com: “Has excellent speed for the position, can turn on the jets to chase plays down form behind. Beats blocks with hand quickness, plays the position like a safety with a chance to build a frame like a linebacker. Attacks the football when tackling in the hopes of creating a fumble. Outstanding straight-line speed. Plays loose.”  Read more... (758 words + 1 image, estimated 3:02 mins reading time)

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UCLA DE Datone Jones

Player Information:

Datone Jones, Defensive End, UCLA

6’04″, 283 pounds

Compton, CA

STATS

NFL Combine:

40 time: 4.80

225-pound bench: 29 reps

Vertical: 31 1/2″

20 yard shuttle:  4.32

News and Notes:

Jones was a four-star recruit coming out of high school. . .started as a true freshman in 2008 and in 2009, racked up 11 tackles for loss and four sacks. . . missed the entire 2010 season due to a foot fracture suffered in Spring practice. . . in 2012, Jones was extremely productive. He tallied 62 tackles with 19 for a loss.

What they’re saying about him:

• CBSSports.com: “Well-built athlete with long arms and good strength, throughout. Flashes an explosive initial burst off the snap to penetrate gaps. Uses his hands well at the snap to rip free from blocks, showing a variety of pass rush techniques (swim, rip, club), as well as enough power to simply bull over offensive linemen into the backfield.”
• NFL.com: “Versatile lineman that can fit in an odd or even front. Fires off the ball with impressive pad level and is often able to shock the offensive lineman with a quick jolt. Use active hands to disengage quickly. If he cannot disengage, he keeps his arms extended.  Maintains the line by keeping his body leaning forward. Difficult for running backs to avoid him in tight quarters, keeps his feet moving while wrapping up.”

   Read more... (506 words + 3 images, estimated 2:01 mins reading time)

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Stony Brook RB Miguel Maysonet

Player Information:

Miguel Maysonet, Stony Brook University

5’10″, 205 pounds

Riverhead, NY

STATS

NFL Combine/Pro Day:

40 time: 4.60 (Pro day)

10 yard split: 1.58 (Pro day)

225-pound bench: 20 reps

3 Cone: 7.21

20 yard shuttle:  4.43

Vertical jump: 31 1/2″ (Pro day)

News and Notes:

Maysonet started his collegiate career at Hofstra in 2009 but had to transfer afterwards when the football program was cut. . .in his first season at Stony Brook, he rushed for 1,128 yards and 12 touchdowns on 176 carries. . . continued that momentum the following year, rushing for 1,633 yards and 15 touchdowns on 252 carries. . . Walter Payton Award (outstanding FCS player) runner-up. . . had 1,964 yards and 21 touchdowns on 267 carries in his senior year. . . returned kicks as well and had a return for a score during his senior season. . . was not able to fully participate in this year’s NFL Combine due to a hamstring injury. . . would become the first Puerto Rican-born NFL player if he is drafted and sticks on the roster.

What they’re saying about him:  Read more... (571 words + 3 images, estimated 2:17 mins reading time)

• ESPN.com: “Workhorse.  Runs with a chip on his shoulder. Would grade out extremely high in this area if not for recent fumbling issues.  Above average run instincts.  Usually senses crease before it opens. Shows the instincts to locate hole while going full speed, which is critical in transition to faster NFL game.  Very good lateral agility.  Will make one cut and go.  Can stick foot in ground and accelerate up the field.”

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Evan Dietrich-Smith ended up back in Green Bay.

When the Packers only offered the original round tender to restricted free agent Evan Dietrich-Smith — as of now, the team’s leading candidate to start at center — I was a little puzzled.

In Dietrich-Smith’s case, “original round” meant any team that wanted to sign him would not have to surrender a draft pick as compensation since Dietrich-Smith was undrafted out of Idaho State.

I thought for sure some other team would take a run at Dietrich-Smith, but I was wrong. He signed his tender for $1.323 million last week and will be in Green Bay for the offseason conditioning program starting Monday.

Is it concerning that the guy slated to start at center for the Packers was unable to even draw a minimal offer from another team?

I know the free-agent market has been dry for both centers and restricted free agents this spring, but you’d think someone would be interested in signing the likely starting center for a Super Bowl contending team with the best quarterback in the league.

Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy have had nothing but praise for Dietrich-Smith since he became the starter last season. I know a teammate and coach will never come right out and say one of their teammates/players is no good, but you can usually read between the lines to get the true sense of how a player is viewed.  Read more... (428 words + 1 image, estimated 1:43 mins reading time)

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Will Packers coach Mike McCarthy give Aaron Rodgers a little less freedom at the line of scrimage in 2013?

The Packers are fortunate to have a very smart head coach, a quarterback who is as well-prepared as any in the game, and a defensive coordinator known for his innovation and scheme adjustments.

When Mike McCarthy’s offensive brilliance, Aaron Rodgers’ ability to read a defense and Dom Capers’ knack for confusing offenses all comes together, it’s a beautiful thing.

But there were times last season when I wondered if perhaps they were too smart for their own good.

Exhibit No. 1 is the all-too-familiar scene of two Packers defensive backs staring at each other in bewilderment and pointing after giving up a big play. This scene typically comes after the defense scrambles around pre-snap like a bunch of worker ants.

“You were supposed to be there!”

“No, you were supposed to take that guy and I was supposed to be here!”

Ugh.

What happened to just lining up, covering your man or your area, and beating the guy who lines up across from you or enters your zone?

Rodgers sometimes drove me a little crazy last season as well with all of his pre-snap maneuvering. Rodgers is the best quarterback in the game. He’s got a group of elite wide receivers and a freakishly athletic tight end.  Read more... (586 words + 1 image, estimated 2:21 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.

Round 2: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

With a pick I would have been pleased with in the first round, the Packers traded up and grabbed Worthy. The combo of Perry and Worthy will come into Green Bay with big expectations, similar to Matthews and B.J. Raji. Worthy will immediately improve the Packers defensive line lined up alongside Raji and Ryan Pickett. Worthy not only adds to the pass rush, but allows the Packers flexibility on the line because of his size.  Read more... (817 words + 1 image, estimated 3:16 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... (356 words + 3 images, estimated 1:25 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.”
6. Prediction: The Packers will select two cornerbacks in this draft. One will have potential for a conversion to safety.
7. Prediction: The Packers will not draft 12 players. Trade-ups will be made.
8. Opinion: Ted should increase the weight he gives to need in this draft. The team is in a position to warrant it.

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