Brett Farrey

Wow…..they need some work. The offensive line just isn’t very good, and it’s going to haunt them the entire season. They better pray Clifton can come back soon, since Colledge is awful at LT. Barbre did better, but still pretty awful. I’d have Tauscher’s phone number on my speed dial. If they don’t fix it quick, Rodgers won’t last the entire season.

What is up with the penalties? I say every player that gets a penalty should do wind sprints in practice. I think that’s a little harsch, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Also, the next receiver that drops a ball that hits them in the hands spends time with the catching machine, and they get to line up for wind sprints.

It’s time for McCarthy to crack the whip.

Evening practice recap

This may sound familiar, but the next big play A.J. Hawk makes in practice will be the first. While Desmond Bishop is constantly shooting gaps and trying to make plays, Hawk is still reading and reacting. He is seldom around the ball. He takes on blockers, but is easily turned around. It’s a repeat of last season when he was playing Mike after Barnett went down. On a DeShawn Wynn draw, Hawk could have exploded into the gap but took on Finley — and lost. However, the coaches are still high on Hawk.

I remember when the Packers drafted AJ Hawk, and I have to say, I was super excited. He was a dominating linebacker coming out of Ohio State, which is know for producing great linebackers. The first couple of years, I gave him the benefit of the doubt since he was new to the NFL, but now, there are no more excuses. He still seems to have the physical abilities, but he doesn’t seem to have the intensity required of an NFL linebacker.

AJ, I would like you to meet Desmond Bishop. He’s not quite as physically gifted, but the man has determination and a nose for the football. Desmond is on the verge of taking your job, and I expect him to be a starter by the end of training camp. If not the end of training camp, a few weeks into the season.

Desmond has been playing his butt off, and the coaches are going to have a hard time finding a reason to not keep the man on the field. AJ will be a really solid backup, and he’ll still contribute this season, but his career as starter in Green Bay, is just about to end.

Why is it people refer to Ohio State as “THE Ohio State”? Is there another Ohio State University? I personally think they add the “the” in a pathetic attempt at telling the world their university is the best. Guess what Buckeyes? It’s not the best; not even close.

I absolutely cringe at the beginning of NFL games when they introduce the players, and the player says they’re from THE Ohio State University, with a huge emphasis on “THE”. Does the word make it anymore meaningful? Of course not, but I guess it makes them feel better about themselves.

My wife and I were watching Biggest Loser last night, and they were voting on two possible contestants for next season. The first girl said she was going to college at the THE Ohio State, and I just about vomited. I told my wife there was no way America would vote for her after making such an arrogant claim. I realize she’s proud of the school she’s attending, but nobody else really gives a shit; the other girl won.

I realize saying “The Ohio State” makes OSU fans, students, and alumni feel self-important, but the rest of the world is embarrassed for you.

1. DT BJ Raji. Michael Crabtree would be very tempting, but the Packers are stacked at wide receiver, and Raji is a terrific value.

2. OLB Everette Brown. I wouldn’t have traded up for Matthews. Sintim and Barwin are also options here.

3. OLB Michael Johnson. I would have traded up a few spots to grab a pass rusher.

3. Traded to Bengals to move up in 3rd round.

4. DT Sammie Lee Hill. A big fast DT to help clog the middle.

5. FB Quinn Johnson. Arguably the best fullback in the draft. Tough football player.

5. OT Jamon Meridith. A great value and eventual starter on the o-line.

6. DE Jarius Wynn. This guy has potential, and that’s what you look for in the later rounds.

7. CB Mike Mickens. He led the nation in interceptions last season. Very fast, and a great value in the 7th round.

I’m thinking the Broncos are going to trade up with the either the Jaguars or the Packers at #8 or #9 to nab Mark Sanchez. I’d really like the Packers get Orakpo, but I just don’t see it happening. Unless Maybin or another decent pass rusher falls to the Bills, I think they’ll pull the trigger on Andre Smith. I think the Patriots reach a little for Larry English, and the same goes for the Titans grabbing Evander Hood.

1. Lions – Matthew Stafford
2. Rams – Jason Smith
3. Chiefs – Aaron Curry
4. Seahawks – Eugene Monroe
5. Browns – Brian Orakpo
6. Bengals – Michael Crabtree
7. Raiders – Jeremy Maclin
8. Broncos(traded #12 to Jaguars) – Mark Sanchez
9. Packers – B.J. Raji
10. 49ers – Aaron Maybin
11. Bills – Andre Smith
12. Jaguars(traded #8 to Broncos) – Malcolm Jenkins
13. Redskins – Everette Brown
14. Saints – Chris Wells
15. Texans – Clay Matthews
16. Chargers – Michael Oher
17. Jets – Percy Harvin
18. Broncos – Tyson Jackson
19. Buccaneers – Josh Freeman
20. Lions – Eben Britton
21. Eagles – Brandon Pettigrew
22. Vikings – Vontae Davis
23. Patriots – Larry English
24. Falcons – Peria Jerry
25. Dolphins – Rey Maualuga
26. Ravens – Darius Heyward-Bey
27. Colts – Kenny Britt
28. Eagles – William Beatty
29. Giants – Brian Cushing
30. Titans – Evander Hood
31. Cardinals – Knowshon Moreno
32. Steelers – Duke Robinson

1. Detroit Lions: Matt Stafford, QB, Georgia

I just don’t see them grabbing an offensive lineman here, althought that’s probably what they should do. Unfortunately, when your best QB is Duante Culpepper, you don’t have much choice.

2. St. Louis Rams: Jason Smith, OT Baylor

The Rams get one hell of an offensive lineman

3. Kansas City Chiefs: Aaron Curry, LB Wake Forest

The Chiefs need defense, and Curry is just what the doctor ordered.

4. Seattle Seahawks: Eugene Monroe, OT Virginia

This was a tough pick. Crabtree makes sense, but Walter Jones only has a few more years left, the running game has been struggling, and they need to keep Hasselbeck healthy. I was thinking maybe Brian Orakpo, but they have Lawrence Jackson and Patrick Kerney.

5. Cleveland Browns: Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB Texas

Rookie of the year. I have a feeling Orakpo is going to be a monster in the NFL.

6. Cinninati Bengals: B.J. Raji, DT Boston College

Tons of needs here, and Crabtree is tempting, but they must shore up both their lines.

7. Oakland Raiders: Michael Crabtree, WR Texas Tech

Al Davis actually makes a smart pick here.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jeremy Maclin, WR Missouri

They could use CB, WR and OL help, but there’s nothing on the board worth taking at this spot. They surprise everyone by taking Sanchez. He sits on the bench for a few years watching David Garrard.

9. Green Bay Packers: Andre Smith, OT Alabama

I have four options here. They could get an OLB in Aaron Maybin or Everette Brown, but both scream BUST to me. Tyson Jackson would help the d-line, but he’s a tad bit of reach. Andre Smith was thought to be the easy choice for #1 overall, but now he’s slipped. If he plays like he did in college, this pick will be great! If he plays like he’s acted the last few months, Ted Thompson will be looking for a new job.

10. San Francisco 49ers: Aaron Maybin, Penn State

Mike Singletary will draft defense. End of story. Everette Brown could be a possibility here.

I’d really like to see Julius Peppers playing for the Green Bay Packers, but I just don’t think Ted Thompson would ever pull off a deal like that. Kampman and Peppers rushing from the OLB positions sound pretty good to me. The Packers could trade #9 overall for Peppers, and maybe pickup another pick from Carolina….say a 3rd or 4th…..OR…they could trade Kampman and a 3rd or 4th round pick. I personally have my doubts about Kampman playing OLB in a 3-4 system, and Peppers clearly wants out of Carolina to play in a 3-4 system.

At some point, TT is going to have to take a chance on free agency, a trade, or moving up in the draft. I think it’s no coicidence that arguably two of the best Packers ever, Reggie White and Brett Favre, weren’t actually drafted by the Packers. Ron Wolf built through the draft, but he also took some chances, which seemed to pan out, and was the reason why he was so good at his job.

It’s plain and simple for Ted Thompson. One more losing season, and you’re fired!

I’ve been a fan of Ted Thompson since he’s come to Green Bay. Ted has injected this team with a lot of young talent, and he’s done it through the draft. He’s traded down multiple times for more draft picks, and for the most part, it’s worked out pretty good. The team is chock full of young talent, so what’s the problem?

There’s no doubt going 6-10 last season was a huge disappointment after an incredible 13-3 season…so what happened? Favre wasn’t here last season, which may have gotten the Packers a win or two more, but that wasn’t the real problem. The problem was injuries, bad draft picks and the lack of free agent pickups were at the root of the problem.

Draft Picks

2008

The jury is still out on the 2008 class, but they contributed very little for the 2008 season. Their top pick Jordy Nelson, which I see as a great pickup, definitely wasn’t a need pick, and he saw a lot of action while James Jones was struggling with injuries. If Jones hadn’t been struggling with injuries, Nelson wouldn’t have had as much playing time. Ted’s second pick, Brian Brohm, was arguably the best player available, but he probably felt it was necessary since there were no backup quarterbacks on the team. Huge mistake! Thompson should have acquired a veteran QB to backup and support Rodgers through his first season as a starter, and drafted a QB later. Brohm could eventually develop into a fine QB and be trade bait, but he was beat out by a seventh round rookie and was relegated to third string. I like Patrick Lee, Jermichael Finley, and Jeremy Thompson, and they did contribute some this past season, but they weren’t exactly wowing anyone.

2007

The 2007 draft has got to be one of Thompson’s biggest blunders…..Justin Harrell. I really hope this guy can turn it around since he just can’t seem to stay healthy, but so far, he’s been a bust. There were games last year where Mason Crosby had more tackles than Harrell. How embarrassing! If you look at the players that were drafted after Harrell in the first round, I would take almost any of them over Harrell. Second round pick RB Brandon Jackson seems to have been a decent pick, but that pick was out of necessity since they didn’t have a starter; Ryan Grant was still with the Giants. Jame Jones was a great pick, and has been contributing from day one, but I wonder if he’s already hit a ceiling. Aaron Rouse looked like a safe pick, and I still love his athleticism, but he’s starting too look like a bust. Mason Crosby has been a great addition, and I also like LB Desmond Bishop.

2006

This was a decent draft, except for one black eye…..AJ Hawk. I loved the pick at the time, but he’s really no better than an average linebacker, and it’s time he got supplanted as a starter. Colledge seemed like another good pick in the second round, but again, nothing but average, but he’s probably better suited as a tackle. Greg Jennings was a phenomenal pickup in the second round, and currently, may be the only real playmaker on offense. Abdul Hodge was a bust. Jason Spitz is pretty average. Fourth round pick Cory Rodgers didn’t even make the team. Fourth round pick CB William Blackmon can’t win a starting job, but has turned into a decent returner. DT Johnny Jolly was a decent pick in the sixth round. Ingle Martin, Tony Moll, Tyrone Culver, and David Tollefson are no longer with the team. Overall, one great pick, and a handful of average players.

Free Agents

I can understand why Ted stayed away from free agency at the beginning of the building process, but why stay away from it now? The most successful teams build through the draft, fill holes through free agency, and occasionally role the dice on a big dollar free agent. Ted had some balls to sign Charles Woodson to such a big contract, but that decision has paid huge dividends. I sometimes wonder if Ted caved to the fans on that decision. The signing of Frank Walker was an odd choice. He was an over-aggressive corner that committed way too many penalties. I like the Brandon Chillar signing, he’s their best cover LB, and he might push for a starting job this Summer. This season? Nothing so far, which is kind of disappointing after a 6-10 season.

Needs

• 3-4 DT, DE, OLB, Safety, CB, RT

To Do – Here’s what I would do, but what do I know?

1. I would have cut Jarrett Bush at the end of the 2008 season.
2. Trade Aaron Kampman for draft picks and/or players. Julius Peppers would be at the top of my list.
3. I would have targeted Bart Scott and Jim Leonhard in free agency.
4. I’d open up all of the starting linebacker spots for competition.
5. I would have created a two-headed monster by targeting RB Derrick Ward.
6. Brandon Jackson would be the third down back.
7. I’d sign Nick Collins, Greg Jennings, and Tramon Williams to extensions immediately.
8. I’d resign Mark Tauscher to a 2-3 year deal without breaking the bank.
9. I would have resigned Colin Cole to a reasonable contract before he hit free agency. Ted didn’t learn from losing Cory Williams last season.
10. I’d probably let Clifton hit free agency next year.
11. Unless Jason Smith or Michael Crabtree falls to them at #9, I’d try and trade down or draft an OLB or NT.
12. I’d try and find more defense in the second round, someone like Clint Sintim or Connor Barwin…maybe a NT.
13. I’d draft Chase Coffman if he’s available in the third round. Come on, his dad is Paul Coffman!

I’m thinking this list could go on forever, so I’ll just stop.

Conclusion

Overall, Thompson has injected this team with youth to build for the future, but the question is, when will Ted build this team for an upcoming season? Ted continues to hold onto his draft picks, will probably trade down in the upcoming draft, and so far, has played it safe in free agency. The team has lots of needs on both sides of the ball, and they’re trying to switch to a 3-4 defense. As a Packer fan, I have to say, I’m not looking forward to another losing season, so let’s just hope Ted has a trick up his sleeve, or we better pray for a miracle. That being said, one more losing season, and it’s time for a new GM.

Related Article:

Principle vs. reality for Ted Thompson

http://www2.jsonline.com/badger/fb/uws92698.stm

Barry Alvarez is WAY overpaid. Yes, the Badgers are typically competitive, but by no means are they one of the best in the country, and there is no reason Barry should be the third highest athletic director in the country. I think it’s time to cut Alvarez loose and find a much more affordable and qualified candidate for the job. I appreciate the fact Alvarez brought the football program back to life, but there is no way he’s deserving of $750,000 per year as an athletic director. I say promote Vince Sweeney to athletic director. Sweeney is currently listed on UW website as Senior Associate AD for External Relations. Hell, what’s Al Toon doing these days?

Baggot: Is Alvarez worth $750,000 a year?