Green Bay Packers Position Analysis, Volume VII: Defensive Backs

(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

CB Will Blackmon, 6’0”, 206 lbs., two years

2008: one pass defensed, one fumble recovery, two fumbles forced, 17 tackles (16 solo)

Blackmon was pressed into more playing time last season because of the injuries to Harris and Pat Lee, but is really no more than a special teams player. He was a solid returner (three punt returns for touchdowns in two years) and led the special teams in tackles with 18.

He gets a C- for his pass coverage in 2008, and despite still developing, it is unlikely he will see action in the backfield in 2009 (future: C-). Lee was the team's second round pick in 2008 and will play if healthy; even newly-drafted Brandon Underwood will get a chance to show he is ready to play right away.

CB Pat Lee, 6’0”, 194 lbs., one year

2008: one pass defensed, one tackle (solo)

Lee was another of Ted Thompson's top picks to be an utter bust in his first year (along with two-year bust Justin Harrell and fellow 2008 pick Brian Brohm, who could not even beat out seventh rounder Matt Flynn for the backup quarterback spot). Because of his injury in a season almost anyone in the backfield could have contributed, he earns an F for 2008.

However, there is no reason to assume he will have Harrell's injury struggles, having been healthy every season at Auburn. He was the eighth cornerback drafted in 2008 and was generally considered a solid pick; his future rates a B- because he is still an unknown.

CB/S Jarrett Bush, 6’0”, 200 lbs., three years

2008: one pass defensed, one tackle (solo)

Setting aside my bias against him for trying to make a highlight reel in the NFC Championship Game in 2007 rather than falling on the fumble, Bush remains primarily a special teams player. He saw limited action against spread formations even though there were injuries to the unit.

Having little asked of him in pass coverage, it is hard to give him less than a C- for 2008 despite him having made almost no impact when he was on the field. His main role was in special teams, where he was among the team's five leading tacklers.

However, when you look at the Packers lack of special teams skill in 2008, perhaps losing Bush is not a loss. I see Underwood's drafting signaling the end of Bush's time in Green Bay, although his ability to play any backfield position might keep him around...a D- for his future.

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