Bleacher Report - Articles by Matt Konkle

Packers Report: Poor Blocking, Red Zone Inefficiency, Dumb Penalties, Oy Vey!

Matt Konkle — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:05:52 -0400

The Green Bay Packers are light years away from the team everyone predicted them to be after the preseason. The team’s lack of discipline when it comes to penalties is most alarming as it has been killing drives for the offense, eliminating yardage gained by special teams, and taking away opportunities for the defense to get off the field.

Green Bay’s offense has disappointed as they have blocked poorly in both the running game and the passing game, been horribly inefficient in the red zone, and have managed not to stay healthy across the board.

The defense, on the other hand, looks to be on the rise after an up-and-down five games to start the season.

Penalties have always been a problem for the Packers and they are well-aware of it; they finished second to Dallas last year for most in the league while leading the league in penalty yardage. What’s disturbing is that they are on pace to finish this season with higher totals in both categories than in 2008.

Coming out of the bye week, Green Bay was determined to limit the penalties, starting with their game against Detroit. Jordy Nelson took the opening kickoff back the other way for a touchdown, yet the return was called back on a holding penalty. Later in the game Chad Clifton committed back-to-back pre-snap penalties on first down which decidedly stalled a promising drive by the offense.

And once again, late in the game, Nick Barnett made a nice move on a blitz to get to the quarterback only to take the passer down by the facemask and draw a 15-yard penalty on what would have been a sack to bring up fourth down. In all, the Packers committed 13 penalties for 130 yards, in their first contest following their bye week, at home, against the hapless Lions who were missing Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson on offense and three of their four starting lineman on defense.

At this point, head coach Mike McCarthy has to take the blame for the complete and utter lack of discipline displayed by this team week-in and week-out. He has got to change the mental make-up of this team and the only other option at this point seemingly is to yank the starters for a snap or series if they commit anymore inexcusable penalties. There has to be accountability for these mistakes.

The blocking on offense has been absolutely atrocious up to this point. Offensive line coach James Campen and offensive coordinator Joe Philbin need to do a better job coaching or they will be in danger of getting axed while the season is still ongoing. Rodgers is on pace to be sacked 80 times this season if the offensive line (and it is offensive) continues to allow five sacks per game on average through the rest of the season, and of course if Rodgers manages to stay healthy throughout this forcasted beat-down.

Everyone has had a hand in the pass-protection problems. The tackles have been losing a lot of one-on-one battles this season, a fact that is confirmed by this eye-popping statistic: every opposing team the Packers faced so far has had one defensive end sack Rodgers at least twice in the game (Adewale Ogunleye—two sacks of Rodgers, Antwan Odom—five sacks of Rodgers, Leonard Little—two sacks of Rodgers, Jared Allen—four and a half sacks of Rodgers, Julian Peterson—two and a half sacks of Rodgers). This simply cannot continue.

However, Rodgers has taken blame for some of his sacks this season as he’s held the ball too long at times, waiting for the big play downfield to develop rather than checking the ball down when the pressure comes.

The line’s interior has also gained its share of criticism through miscommunications in protection calls that have allowed free rushes at Rodgers by defensive tackles. Even the backs and tight ends have struggled; Rodgers is getting sacked by defensive lineman whom the back or tight end chipped before entering their route. Collectively, the entire offense must perform better in pass protection for drives to succeed.

The Packers’ deficiencies in the run game and the red zone are intertwined with their inability to block and their timely penalties. Whether it’s the one-yard runs that put the offense in second-and-long’s or the pre-snap penalties that force three straight passes, the Packers have become a painfully predictable pass-happy team.

Defenses are loading up to stop the pass, so Green Bay has to start effectively running the ball to take advantage of these opportunities. Too often one Packer will blow their blocking assignment, either by mental lapse or sheer physical domination, and Ryan Grant will be hit in the backfield.

The constant shuffling the line has had to undergo because of injuries has hindered the cohesion of the unit as a whole. The starting lineup from tackle to tackle needs to stay intact for a certain level of comfort and familiarity to be established.

The offense will continue to struggle sustaining drives and scoring touchdowns as long as the run game remains unproductive. With Clifton returning from injury just in time to give the offense four pre-snap penalties against Detroit before again leaving with an ankle injury, it’s time to see what rookie TJ Lang can give the team at left tackle.

Clifton has always had a reputation for being top-notch in pass protection but a liability in the run game. Lang, on the other hand, has performed well when run-blocking. He’s mostly unproven pass-blocking, though he did come in late in the Vikings game and held his own against Allen, save for one allowed sack.

Getting a player on the field, one that the coaches have been impressed with, and seeing what he can do is quite possibly the best option as everyone else up to this point has done a fairly poor job at the left tackle position. Lang’s presence in the running game could really pick the offense up as long as he’s able to hold up in pass protection. Throwing him into the fire is the only way to find that out.

The most feasible reasoning behind the Packers having success this season comes down to the strength and improvement of the defense. With Atari Bigby now back in the lineup, the Packers eliminate the liability they had on the back end of their defense and are able to unleash their entire playbook on opposing offenses.

The exotic blitzes that were observed in the first game of the season in which Jay Cutler completed less than half his passes while throwing four picks can now be dialed up again. The Packers had been playing somewhat conservatively on defense since Bigby’s injury, highlighted by the three and four-man rushes displayed during the Vikings game. Pressure is hard to come by when two-third’s of your pass rush are being double-teamed while the opposing offense has five pass-catchers available to the quarterback.

The Packer defense has a strong rotation both along the line and amongst their linebackers to keep their front seven fresh throughout the game, and defensive coordinator Dom Capers is starting to utilize Aaron Kampman as a down lineman where he truly belongs. Where the team gets thin on defense is at the safety position, so that is why having Bigby back allows Capers to be more aggressive in his play calls from here on out.

Next up on the Packers’ schedule is another tune-up game, this time against the Cleveland Browns, before the epic showdown against the Vikings at Lambeau Field. If Green Bay is to have any hope of winning that game, the blocking has to improve, the penalties have to be limited, and the defense has to carry the team. Can it be done? Of course it can. This will be a game of good vs. evil, and good always prevails.

Packers' Message to NFL: This Isn't Last Year

Matt Konkle — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 14:48:44 -0400

The highly anticipated Sunday night matchup between the Packers and their arch-rival, the Bears, left a lot to be desired for the first 58 minutes and 42 seconds. But low-and-behold, with the game on the line and a chance to win it, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers came through with a win in the waning seconds of the game.

The game-winning hookup between Rodgers and Greg Jennings was a message heard loud and clear across the NFL: this is not last season.

It’s amazing how much like last year the end of the game was shaping up to be. The Packers, with a slim lead deep into the fourth quarter, allowed the Bears to drive and kick the go-ahead field goal with just over two minutes to play.

The point difference was essentially the safety allowed earlier in the game, and a statistic reminiscent of last year’s struggles quickly shot into the forefront of every Green Bay fan’s minds: 0-7 in games decided by four points or less.

It was eerily familiar how this game had played out, one final two-minute drive to win the game. What was going to happen? A turnover on downs? An eventual Rodgers interception from a desperate heave into triple coverage? A successful drive into field goal range and a game-winning kick hooked right?

If one were to base their chance of success on a game-winning drive on the outcomes of last season, any of the answers above would be a reasonable guess.

However, on a third-and-one from the 50-yard line with just over a minute to play, the Packers emphatically separated themselves from last year’s identity.

Coach Mike McCarthy dials up the play-action pass, Rodgers fakes the handoff beautifully and lasers the ball downfield to Jennings who splits the double-coverage and eases in for the touchdown, the lead, and the eventual win.

As Lambeau Field simply erupts in exuberant cheer, Jennings takes a knee while Rodgers sprints the length of the field pointing to the sky. This was huge—huge for the fans, huge for the team, huge for Rodgers.

And let it not go unnoticed that the defense is not the same defense as last year, as they carried Green Bay through the full length of this Week one game. Dom Capers put pressure on Jay Cutler from the start to the very end. They picked off Chicago’s prized offseason addition four times and forced plenty of incompletions. Matt Forte was held to just over two yards a rush and Greg Olsen just a single reception.

Against a less mobile quarterback like the Bengals' Carson Palmer next week, the sack totals should look to climb from the two tallied in the Bears game Sunday night. And with the pressure of a season-opener at home against a tough divisional opponent like the Bears now behind them, the Packers’ offense should look to regain their preseason rhythm against a disheartened Bengals defense.

This win over the Bears, in the fashion they did it, answered more doubts about this team than a margin of victory of 21+ could have ever done.

When the game was on the line, when it really mattered, the team came through and won it, and by doing so, they made it abundantly clear.

This is not last season.

Green Bay Packers to Win it All: 2009 League MVP Aaron Rodgers at the Helm

Matt Konkle — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 22:06:52 -0400

To say the Green Bay Packers, a year after finishing 6-10, will win the Super Bowl this year is a bold prediction. However, not even considering the team a true contender to win the big game would simply be foolish.

For those who want to discount the Packers’ preseason success because it’s preseason, let it be noted that it’s still pro football, the objective is still to beat the other team, and there’s still competition for starting positions yet to be determined so players still have something to play for.

And it’s one thing to just win the game, but for the starting units to completely crush the opposition like they have is really making a statement.

Beginning this discussion with the defense, hands down the best offseason pickup of any team was the Packers’ signing of Dom Capers as defensive coordinator. He has completely turned this defense around and has the team excited about continuing their preseason dominance into the regular season.

The defensive scheme last year ran by Bob Sanders was painfully bland and predictable. That, coupled with a few injuries, left the defense seemingly on its heels in most games.

But with Capers running the show, the defense, for lack of a better word, is on its toes attacking, intimidating, and setting the tone when the opposition’s offense steps onto the field.

Charles Woodson will be an All-Pro when everything is said and done. Capers has been using him in a number of blitz packages and Woodson has been incredibly productive off those blitzes.

In the Arizona game alone he came off the edge and sacked Kurt Warner twice, forcing a fumble on both sacks. He also stripped Jerheme Urban of the ball early in the game after a short completion.

Woodson has top-notch football IQ and is a very talented defensive back. He has practically patented this tomahawk chop he does when making a tackle from behind and often times will force a fumble doing so.

Woodson also has great ball skills which he’s demonstrated throughout his career and with the new scheme heavily favoring zone coverage, Woodson will have increased vision to the quarterback. No longer will he have to cover with his back to the ball.

This will benefit Woodson immensely as he is a master of dissecting plays when he’s playing zone or off coverage. His ability to diagnose what the quarterback is trying to do can be attributed to his superior instincts and intense film study.

Woodson and the rest of the Packers defense have transitioned seamlessly to the new scheme. They are playing fast and with excitement. What a difference a unit’s enthusiasm can make on their effectiveness and execution.

Aaron Rodgers and the offense came up short last year in some tight matchups, but for the most part that was only after the defense lost the lead by allowing a score late in those games.

The offense overall ranked fifth in the league, highlighted by a 4,000-yard passer, two 1,000-yard receivers, and a 1,200-yard rusher.

They are looking to improve on that ranking with a healthy Ryan Grant and an experienced Rodgers entering his second year as the starter (oh and Brett Favre is out disrupting a different training camp this year).

Rodgers has been nearly perfect in the preseason, throwing for six touchdowns and no picks while racking up a 147.9 quarterback rating. However, those stats, as impressive as they are, don’t even begin to tell the story of how effective Rodgers will be this season.

Throughout OTA’s, mini camp, training camp, and the preseason games, Rodgers has been accurate and disciplined with his throws and decisions, respectively. He throws quite possibly the best deep ball out of any quarterback in the league, hitting his receivers in stride and where only they can catch the ball.

He is quick to get the ball out of his hands or tuck and run if nobody’s open, and it’s evident from his 34-yard scamper against Arizona that he’s got some wheels.

Without a sliver of a doubt, Rodgers has mastered Mike McCarthy’s offensive system and not only that, but he is the unquestioned leader of the team. Everyone on the team was pushing Rodgers to lead this squad and he has through his play on the field and his voice on and off the field.

Rodgers will lead this team to a division title, his first (but not only) league MVP award, and a Super Bowl victory in this 2009 season.

It may seem like outlandish predictions, but this team is better than it was in 2007. Names like Cullen Jenkins, Johnny Jolly, Jermichael Finley, and James Jones will surface around the league while better-known names like Rodgers, Woodson, and Greg Jennings will become very well-known names.

This team has a very bright future and the future is six days away.

It's Time for the Wisconsin Badgers' Quarterback To Emerge

Matt Konkle — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:11:54 -0400

The Wisconsin Badgers’ football team had a rough go last season. The team finished the year at 7-6, capped off by the Florida State dissection of the Cardinal in the Champs Sports Bowl.

The defense, a unit that had three front-seven players go in the third round of the 2009 NFL draft, greatly under-achieved. They produced mediocre statistics after an abundance of preseason praise and high expectations.

Injuries knocked Wisconsin’s premier playmaker Travis Beckum out for most of the season. Top performers P.J. Hill and Garrett Graham were also forced to sit out a few games with injuries. But the real reason for the Badgers’ dismal season was the poor play from the quarterback position.

Allan Everidge and Dustin Sherer didn’t come close to the effectiveness of 2007’s starter Tyler Donavan. Both 2008 quarterbacks were indecisive, inaccurate, and at times, too conservative with their throws, and both put the ball on the ground way too often.

Although the run game produced outstanding numbers as it does every year for Wisconsin, with the passing game lacking Badger running backs were constantly facing eight defenders in the box.

For the upcoming season, there will be a full-out quarterback competition between senior Sherer, redshirt freshman Curt Phillips, sophomore Scott Tolzien, and true freshman Jon Budmayr.

Though Budmayr has piqued some of the coaches’ interest, the competition will come down to Sherer, the starter through the second half of last season, and Phillips, the MVP of the scout team in 2008 who has the potential to grow into a similar mold as Texas quarterback Colt McCoy.

Phillips came to Wisconsin last year labeled as a duel-threat quarterback. Much like Donavan, he has the ability to tuck and run if he gets pressured in the pocket or if no one is open downfield.

Sherer moves a few steps slower, which is why he didn’t scramble much last year. Instead, he was throwing the ball away out of bounds or forcing a pass into coverage and creating turnovers.

For a college quarterback, the ability to run with the ball is a necessity. There is so much transition and turnover amongst the starting units due to graduation, early-entry into the draft, or simply one player out-competing another for a starting spot.

Miscommunications will happen with the lack of continuity among the starters and plays will break down.

A quarterback has to be able to run the ball when this happens and salvage downs by picking up what yardage he can. Taking a sack will kill a drive and throwing the ball away is essentially giving up a down.

In the spring intra-squad scrimmage, both Sherer and Phillips took an equal share of reps at quarterback and their passer ratings couldn’t have been farther apart. Phillips rushed for a score and threw for two more while helping the offense to four total scores.

Sherer, on the other hand, threw one touchdown and one pick-six. Given their respective performances, coupled with the superior skill set that Phillips has over Sherer, the redshirt freshman should be the starter for the 2009 season.

In addition, Sherer is graduating after this season. Phillips will have three more years of eligibility remaining.

As for the rest of the team, the Badgers will be returning studs like John Clay, Graham, Jay Valai, and David Gilreath. At 6'2", 237 lbs, Clay is a load to bring down and is a dominant runner between the tackles.

Graham is a complete tight end who can in-line block and get open downfield. He has become a favorite target of Wisconsin quarterbacks.

Valai is a thumper at the safety spot and will force turnovers with his physical style of play. And though Gilreath has made steady progress at receiver, he remains an electric return man and should produce a few more highlights this season on special teams.

The Badgers will be expecting some bounce-back seasons from players who showed promise in 2007 but didn’t progress in 2008, guys like Aaron Henry and Kyle Jefferson.

Henry has speed to burn at cornerback and plays receivers tight in man-to-man coverage, but he couldn’t stay healthy in 2008. Jefferson is a tall, long-striding receiver and was a great deep threat for Donavan two years ago, but he never seemed to establish a rapport with the quarterbacks last year.

A few new additions at defensive tackle (Bryce Gilbert and J.J. Watt) and some notably improved players like Lance Kendricks at tight end and Nick Toon at wide receiver should also add big-play potential to this 2009 Wisconsin team.

There are so many new faces across much of the roster, players who are expected to step into starting roles for the first time in their collegiate careers. Coach Bret Bielema and his staff will be very busy trying to prepare this young group, though the talent is there.

Wisconsin could surprise this season.

Packers' Donald Driver: Mock Interview Questions

Matt Konkle — Thu, 28 May 2009 00:00:38 -0400

1. On several occasions, I’ve see you out-jump defenders for the ball with ease and I know you could have participated in the 2000 Olympics in the high jump. So, how high can you jump?

2. What’s your favorite route to run and why?

3. What is your most memorable play ever?

4. You’ve been fairly durable for most of your career, but I remember that scary incident in 2003 when you went up high for a ball and had your legs cut out from under you by the defensive back and you landed on your head, injuring your neck. Though you only missed one game, it slowed you down tremendously that season, which happened to be the only year of the last seven in which you did not record 1,000 yards receiving. Were you disappointed that the injury affected your play or simply relieved that it wasn’t something more serious?

5. Of what does your workout regimen consist? Packer coaches and players always note that you enter the offseason program already in great shape. Do you ever miss a workout?

6. Being the veteran and experienced Packer that you are, do you take on leadership responsibilities? Do you mentor the younger guys or are you more of a lead-by-example type of leader? If the Packers are down by four points, needing a touchdown, and the offense just got the ball back with a minute to go in the game, would you try to rally your teammates with a speech? If so, what would you say?

7. Who’s the one cornerback in the league that you look forward to lining up against? Who gives you the biggest challenge? Is there any particular game that stands out to you?

8. You’ve stated that no other team matches the talent of the Packers’ receivers. What do you think each receiver, including yourself, brings to the passing game?

9. What’s your opinion of Aaron Rodgers’ game? How much has he grown since the first day he arrived in Green Bay?

10. Mike McCarthy has said that, even though the offensive scheme has been the same since he’s arrived, there are subtle changes and additions made to the playbook between seasons every year. Could you give some examples?

11. What division opponent do you look forward to playing the most every year and why?

12. Over the years, many former Packers receivers have revealed the results from catching so many Brett Favre balls: permanently swollen fingers from repeated joint dislocations. How are your hands doing? Have you ever been injured from a Favre fast ball?

13. How would you feel seeing Favre as a Viking? Do you think it’s going to happen?

14. What has it been like to play for this organization, to live in Green Bay, and to play in front of these fans in Wisconsin?

15. What are your expectations for the Packers this season? How many wins do you think Green Bay will get? How far in the playoffs will you advance?

16. What do you think of McCarthy as your coach? How does he compare to Mike Sherman?

17. What about Ted Thompson?

18. Wide receiver is a position to which not many guys can contribute at this late in their career, but, at 33, you just completed your fifth straight 1,000 yard season. How many more productive years do you think you have left? Is it a matter of working even harder in the offseason to prepare your body for the rigors of the season?

19. What are your plans after your football career is over? Will you remain in Green Bay? Will you stay involved with the team in some way?

20. As a player, for what do you hope fans will remember you? Your toughness? Your speed and athleticism? That big smile you make after getting up from a hard hit?

With Coach McCarthy's Staff Complete, the Packers Are Ready To Compete

Matt Konkle — Wed, 27 May 2009 09:22:27 -0400

The Green Bay Packers’ defensive coaching staff will see a lot of new faces this season with the overhaul Head Coach Mike McCarthy oversaw, highlighted by his hiring of Dom Capers as defensive coordinator. In contrast, the offensive coaching staff remains intact from last season as the Packers enjoyed a productive year on offense in 2008.

McCarthy’s football background started at Baker University where he played tight end, was captain of his team as a senior, and was named all-conference at his position in 1986.

He went on to become a graduate assistant and position coach (quarterbacks) at Fort Hays State University and University of Pittsburgh, respectively, before arriving in the NFL on Kansas City’s coaching staff.

There, McCarthy began to make a name for himself as a quarterbacks coach. He went on to Green Bay for his first stint with the club before moving on to New Orleans, earning an offensive coordinator job.

After New Orleans, McCarthy went to San Francisco for a year before landing in Green Bay for his second stint with the Packers, this time, as head coach.

Through his journey from graduate assistant to head coach, McCarthy worked with and tutored the likes of Joe Montana, Steve Bono, Rich Gannon, Elvis Grbac, Brett Favre, Matt Hasselbeck, Aaron Brooks, Jake Delhomme, and Aaron Rodgers.

His “quarterbacks school,” in session every March, is well renowned for helping young signal-callers and veterans alike to develop into exceptional quarterbacks.

Along with his head coaching duties for the Green Bay Packers, McCarthy also calls in the plays on offense during games. It’s a role he has become very familiar with when he was hired by defensive-minded head coaches in the past to coordinate their offenses.

Joe Philbin is Green Bay’s offensive coordinator of the last two years. He assumed that role after Jeff Jagodzinski left to be the head coach at Boston College following the 2006 season.

Philbin has orchestrated a very productive offense in 2007 and 2008, producing the fifth most points in the league both years even with a change at the quarterback position in-between those seasons.

Before coming to the Packers in 2003, Philbin built a strong reputation for himself as an offensive line coach at Iowa. Under his tutelage, players like Robert Gallery, Eric Steinbach, and Bruce Nelson enjoyed all-conference honors in the Big Ten before becoming Day One draft picks, with Gallery going No. 2 overall in 2004.

Philbin also did well to coach an offensive line for the Packers in 2006 that consisted of Daryn Colledge, Jason Spitz, and Tony Moll, all of whom were rookies that season and logged 38 combined starts. All three remain on the team, with Colledge and Spitz figuring to start at left guard and center, respectively.

Edgar Bennett, the team’s running backs coach, arrived in Green Bay originally as a fourth-round draft choice out of Florida State. Playing the running back spot for the Packers, he set a team-record for receptions in 1994 with 78 and eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing in 1995.

Bennett became part of the Packers’ player development staff in 2001, mentoring the team’s backs, before he was named by McCarthy as the Packers’ running backs coach in 2005. Most recently, Bennett has been responsible for turning Ryan Grant into a feature back, Brandon Jackson into a serviceable third-down back, and Deshawn Wynn into a talented back-up runner.

James Campen is the Packers’ offensive line coach, a position he took over when Philbin took the coordinator job in 2007. Before that, he assisted Philbin with the offensive line, helping Mike Flanagan, Marco Rivera, and later on Chad Clifton all make the Pro Bowl.

He also assisted in the team’s transition from Flanagan to Scott Wells, and will possibly oversee another switch at center as Spitz will compete with Wells for the position this summer.

Like Bennett, Campen played for the Packers before returning to the team to coach. He was a center in the early 90s and started in games for three seasons in Green Bay before a season-ending hamstring injury essentially ended his playing career.

Jerry Fontenot, assistant offensive line coach, will be entering his fourth year with the Packers and his fourth year coaching in the NFL. He started as a summer intern with Green Bay in 2006 and stayed with the team through the year. He was promoted to assistant offensive line coach in 2007.

Fontenot actually played for McCarthy back in New Orleans when McCarthy was the offensive coordinator. Fontenot also played for the Bears and the Bengals as a part of his 16 year playing career. He played college football at Texas A&M before becoming Chicago’s third round draft choice in the 1989 draft.

Quarterbacks coach Tom Clements had plenty to boast about last season. He has been heavily involved in the development of Aaron Rodgers since the former Cal star arrived in Green Bay.

Last season, Rodgers became the only other quarterback in league history besides Kurt Warner to throw for more than 4,000 yards in his first season as a starter. Rodgers also ranked fourth in the league in both yards and touchdowns thrown; this is only a year after Brett Favre’s MVP-quality performance from 2008.

Aside from a stint as offensive coordinator in Buffalo for two years before coming to Green Bay in 2006, Clements has been a quarterbacks coach throughout his coaching career. He has coached in Kansas City, Pittsburgh, and New Orleans, as well as Notre Dame under Lou Holtz.

Clements also had a very prolific playing career for Notre Dame where he led his team to a National Championship in 1973. Later on in the CFL, Clements won two Grey Cup Championships, one with Ottawa and another with Winnipeg.

Like most of the offensive coaching staff, Ben McAdoo arrived on the scene in Green Bay in 2006. He followed McCarthy to Green Bay after having worked with him previously in New Orleans and San Francisco. McAdoo has helped the tight end group adapt to multiple roles in the offense.

McCarthy likes his tight ends to be versatile blockers, lining up at the traditional tight end spot as well as in the backfield.

Donald Lee has grown accustomed to lining up next to Rodgers, picking up blitzers or slipping beyond the line of scrimmage to give Rodgers the option for a dump-off pass. McAdoo was able to turn Lee from a relative obscurity into a productive contributor for the team, amassing 11 touchdowns over the past two seasons.

As wide receivers coach for the Packers since 2006, Jimmy Robinson has contributed to the early development of young receivers Greg Jennings, James Jones, and Jordy Nelson. This trio of receivers had productive rookie seasons, collecting no less than 33 receptions each.

Robinson has also helped guide veteran Donald Driver to 1,000 yard receiving seasons every year that he has been coaching for the Packers.

Robinson boasts one of the more experienced resumes among the Packers’ offensive coaches. He previously spent two years coaching for the Saints, when Joe Horn had his most productive year receiving, falling a yard shy of 1,400 yards while scoring 11 times. He also coached for six seasons with the Giants during which Amani Toomer earned five straight 1,000-yard seasons.

Before that, Robinson had a pair of four-year gigs as receivers coach for the Falcons and Colts.

As a wide receiver at Georgia Tech from 1971-1974, he collected over 100 receptions and 1,600 yards through his career. He was drafted in the 15th round and went on to make 85 catches for over 1,400 yards.

John Rushing is the lone coach on the offensive side of the ball who is entering his first year with the Packers organization. He will be the team’s offensive quality control coach, though his background is as a defensive backs coach.

This is his first year coaching in the NFL, as he previously coached at Utah State, Montana State, and Boise State. He played college ball at Washington State as a defensive back, starting 46 games (a school record).

As for the defense, the unit this year will be led by defensive coordinator Dom Capers. He will implement the highly anticipated 3-4 scheme and to do so, he has hand-picked most of his defensive coaching staff.

Capers comes to Green Bay with a decorated coaching background, having head coached two expansion teams: the Panthers and the Texans. He coordinated the Dolphins’ defense in 2006 when Jason Taylor won defensive player of the year honors.

Historically speaking, Capers is best known for his coaching job in the early '90s as the Steelers’ defensive coordinator when he ran the 3-4 defense with great success. During that span from 1992-1994, no other team in the NFL allowed fewer touchdowns than the Pittsburgh defense.

Capers has also coached in New England and Jacksonville. He coached in some great college programs as well, such as California, Tennessee, and Ohio State where he was a defensive backs coach.

The Packers got a steal with Mike Trgovac coming in to coach the defensive line. Trgovac has had six productive seasons with the Panthers as defensive coordinator. Carolina offered Trgovac an extension to continue coaching there, but he declined, preferring a lesser coaching role somewhere else so that he could spend more time with his family.

Prior to his time with the Panthers, Trgovac coached the defensive lines of the Redskins, Packers, and Eagles (where he started his NFL coaching career). As for the college ranks, he mentored young defensive lineman from Ball State, Navy, Colorado State, Michigan, and Notre Dame.

Kevin Greene will be the Packers’ outside linebackers coach, having previously played the position for Capers during his time with both the Steelers and Panthers. Greene ranks third all-time in sacks with 160. He played for 15 seasons and was named to five pro bowls.

Though this is his first official year of coaching, he has been interning with teams during the summer for the past five years. Greene will coach a position he mastered during his playing days, and he promises his passion for the game will be just as strong in his coaching role as it was when he was out there playing.

Darren Perry is another former Capers disciple, having played for him when Capers was coordinating the Steelers’ defense. Perry played safety with Pittsburgh and played nine total years in the NFL including one-year stints with the Chargers and Saints to end his playing career. He will be coaching the safeties for Green Bay this coming season.

Perry has been coaching secondaries for seven seasons now, most recently with the Raiders, and also with the Steelers and Bengals before that. He has aided in the development of players such as Troy Polamalu and Nnamdi Asomugha and has worked under the likes of Dick LeBeau and Bill Cowher.

Coaching the cornerbacks in Green Bay will be Joe Whitt Jr. He was one of the few coaches leftover on defense after the major overhaul by McCarthy in the offseason. Whitt was promoted from a defensive quality control position he worked last season, his first year with the Packers and only his second year in the league, having previously worked in Atlanta.

His college coaching career consists of one year at The Citadel and four years with Louisville. Whitt was a walk-on at Auburn and later earned a scholarship, though injuries derailed a possible future playing in the NFL, so he turned to coaching. He is one of the youngest coaches on the team at 31 years old.

Winston Moss holds the title of assistant head coach as well as linebackers coach. He has been interviewed the past two offseasons for potential head coaching jobs. Though those clubs interested in him eventually passed on Moss, it says a lot that he has been considered for head coaching positions.

Before the Packers, Moss was with the Saints for six years coaching the linebackers at the same time McCarthy was there coordinating the offense. Prior to that, Moss was coaching with the Seahawks.

As a player, Moss had an 11 year career, playing for Tampa Bay, the L.A. Raiders, and Seattle. He played his college ball at the University of Miami.

Scott McCurley takes over Whitt’s old position this season as defensive quality control coach, his first official year as an NFL coach. Part of his duties on the team include breaking down film and working with the scout team. He played college football at the University of Pittsburgh and later coached at his alma mater before coming to Green Bay.

Shawn Slocum, now the Packers’ special teams coordinator, came to Green Bay as an assistant special teams coach in 2006 after 15 years of college coaching. Most of those years in college were at Texas A&M, while he also coached at USC, Ole Miss, and University of Pittsburgh, when McCarthy was there.

At Texas A&M, Slocum tutored Shane Lechler who would later earn pro bowl honors in the NFL. Along with his special teams duties, Slocum also assisted with coaching linebackers and tight ends in college and continues to assist Moss with the linebacking group in Green Bay.

Curtis Fuller, a player for the Packers as recently as the ’04 season, will take over Slocum’s old position as special teams assistant coach. He worked a similar position for the Raiders in 2007 and interned with the Packers last summer.

His only other significant coaching experience came from the school where he played safety at, TCU. There, he was an all-conference academic selection. He later became a fourth round draft choice by the Seahawks.

The Packers' coaching staff has a nice balance of coaching experience, playing experience, and leadership. It’s a little early to declare this collection of coaches as great as the staff Mike Holmgren assembled in the 1990s, but the current staff has some promise.

Inside the Green Bay Packers' Playbook

Matt Konkle — Fri, 22 May 2009 10:27:04 -0400

Despite the 6-10 record posted by Green Bay, they had a number of plays during the season that proved to be highly effective.

Whether it was a come-back route or the play-action pass, Charles Woodson blitzing, a simple slant pattern, or Aaron Rodgers picking up yards on the ground, the Packers’ playbook was filled with successful play-designs for several game situations and defensive looks.

1. One of the more effective routes ran last season was the come-back route and surprisingly, then-rookie Jordy Nelson was getting more receptions and first downs out of that particular route than any of the other receivers on the team.

The route is identical to what Reggie Wayne has perfected over the years with Peyton Manning in Indianapolis.

Generally when the opposing team’s corner is playing off-coverage, the job of the wide receiver is to sprint straight down the field with head down, just to the right of the numbers, for about 17 yards. The objective is to make the corner think his man is going deep.

At around 17 yards from the line of scrimmage, the corner should commit to the deep pass, abandon his back-pedal, and turn his hips. In that moment of transition for the defender, the receiver will sink his hips and shuffle his feet to come to a stop.

He will then run back at an angle towards the quarterback/sideline, make the reception, tap one foot, and drag the toe of the other before his momentum carries him out of bounds for a 12-yard gain.

This is a timing route, meaning the quarterback will be releasing the ball before the receiver has even turned to face him, so a clean release off the line of scrimmage and careful measurement of the route by the receiver are very important.

Nelson has the size and strength to beat the jam if the corner is playing press-coverage, and he can sink his hips and change direction very well for a big receiver.

Rodgers consistently looked for Nelson on those come-back routes in several third-and-long situations last season, and Nelson successfully moved the chains for the Packers running that particular route.

Furthermore, running that route often enough in a game could set up a defender for a double-move on a go-route, something Nelson wasn’t asked to run much last season.

But, if the second-year wide-out keeps picking up first downs running the come-back route this season, it’s almost certain the coaches will have him running deep, catching the defensive back by surprise.

2. By-far the best play the Packers had in their arsenal last season was the play-action pass. It’s a great way to score quickly, and it’s a back-breaker for defenses when completed.

Though it was run infrequently because of the lack of a run game for much of the season (equating to defenses dropping players into coverage more often), it was very effective when Coach Mike McCarthy called it.

The first game of the season versus Minnesota showcased a perfectly designed, well executed play-action pass. In the game, Green Bay wasn’t running the ball effectively, but they were committed to running it, handing the ball off to Ryan Grant several times per possession. This forced Vikings’ safety Tyrell Johnson to respect the run.

McCarthy dialed up the play-action, Rodgers faked the handoff to Grant, and Johnson reacted by taking a few steps forward, giving Greg Jennings a one-on-one situation with Charles Gordon.

Rodgers bootlegged to his right and launched a bomb down the middle of the field. Jennings did a great job of tracking the ball and timing his jump perfectly as the pass was slightly under-thrown, which allowed Johnson to catch up to the play.

Despite good coverage by the corner, Jennings made the grab and secured the ball as he came to the ground. That play gave the Packers a first-and-goal, which they later converted into their first touchdown of the game.

Rodgers has a great deep ball, and aside from the particular pass mentioned that was slightly under-thrown, he usually hits his targets in stride.

Rarely do his receivers have to extend for the ball because Rodgers puts so much air under his throws down the field that the ball drops right into their breadbasket (see long touchdown pass to Donald Driver versus Atlanta last season, also off the play-action).

Beyond the design of the play-action pass, Rodgers’ ability to execute the throw as well as he does, and the talent and depth of the wide receivers around him are what make this play the best in the Packers’ playbook.

3. Whenever the Packers needed a big play on defense, Charles Woodson provided it. Whether it was a turnover, a pick-six, or a first-down saving tackle, Woodson was the top playmaker for former defensive coordinator Bob Sanders. That’s why Sanders called in a corner-blitz on numerous occasions.

Woodson collected three sacks, made several stops behind the line of scrimmage, and forced incompletions by pressuring the quarterback. Woodson would normally blitz in third-and-long situations when the Packers were in their nickel set and he was covering the slot receiver.

Moving from the outside to covering the slot gives Woodson the perfect opportunity to blitz since he’s closer to the quarterback.

He’s also in a better position to disguise his intentions since his coverage assignment can be more easily picked up by a Packer linebacker, who doesn’t have to reposition himself to pick up the slot receiver.

If Woodson was blitzing from the outside, most likely one of the Packer safeties would have to move over top in order to be in good position to pick up the receiver out wide which might tip off the offense. In addition, blitzing from the outside is simply a farther path to the quarterback.

Though Sanders is no longer with the team, new defensive coordinator Dom Capers has undoubtedly noticed Woodson’s effectiveness off the blitz during his film study and should allow his talented all-pro corner to continue to wreak havoc on opposing offenses via the blitz.

4. One play that has been the staple of the Packers’ offense for a few years now is the slant pattern. The great thing about a slant-route is that it can be run from any formation, whether it be a five-wide set or out of the I-formation.

The benefit of throwing the slant pass is that it completely eliminates the opponent’s pass-rush since the ball is thrown right after the snap of the ball. It’s a high-percentage pass and it leaves the defense little time to diagnose the play before it’s executed.

The job of the wide receiver is to run to the middle of the field while staying in front of the corner. As long as the pass is thrown in front of the receiver, the outcome should be a catch every time, though the yards gained are usually minimal.

But with the Packers’ group of receivers, there’s enough talent to turn those short slants into long gains by breaking tackles and running away from the defense.

Jennings and Driver excel at gaining YAC (yards after the catch) because of their speed and agility, while James Jones, Nelson, and Ruvell Martin are big enough to drag defenders with them for extra yards. And of course, the quick release and accuracy by Rodgers allows the receivers to make the reception without having to break stride.

The Packers’ wide receiver depth not only gives Rodgers different options to throw to, but those who aren’t being targeted will run clear-out routes deep down the middle of the field, designed to get defenders to follow so that the player catching the slant has a clear path in front of him.

Teams get wise to the slant-patterns, though, and after a while the play won’t work because the corners will be sitting on the route, ready to jump it to make the interception.

At that point, a pump-fake from Rodgers and a fake inside from the receiver could leave an intermediate pass downfield wide-open. The Packers exploited many teams last year when they anticipated the defense’s expectation of the slant.

5. One final play from 2008 that should be noted for its effectiveness is Rodgers’ scrambling and quarterback sneaking. Usually a quarterback scrambling is not a good thing. Either the pocket is collapsing, he’s feeling heat from a lineman or a blitzer, or none of his receivers are separating from their defenders so he’s forced to tuck the ball and run.

Rush attempts or scrambles from the quarterback spot had become a lost art over the years in Green Bay, what with Brett Favre having been too old to run.

Instead, Favre would simply force the ball into coverage if he was under duress, which would generally result in an interception. Rodgers, on the other hand, has the athletic ability and spring in his legs to avoid the pass rush and pick up positive yardage if a play breaks down.

Several times, especially early in the season when teams didn’t have much game-tape on the young signal-caller, Rodgers was able to scramble for first downs, extending drives and frustrating defenses.

Another lost art over the years for Green Bay has been converting third-and-one’s and fourth-and-one’s whether it was at midfield or the goal line.

McCarthy has found a temporary solution to that problem, and that is having Rodgers quarterback sneak it. Simply put, Rodgers will take the snap, pause a second for his lineman to get a good initial push, and dive in behind them.

Quite often, the Packers would run this play out of a spread-formation so that the defense was filtered across the width of the field rather than packed on the line. The design and execution of this play was very effective and Rodgers did well to convert the first down or score while not getting himself hurt.

Until the Packers discover a way to convert short gains by actually blocking lineman and running the ball, the quarterback sneak, though risky, will have to do.

All of these plays should be seen again early and often in the 2009 season. McCarthy and Sanders had designed these plays around the skill sets of their players, which is why the slant pattern, for example, became known around the league as a staple of the Packers’ offense.

Though McCarthy and especially Capers will throw some new wrinkles into the offensive and defensive playbooks, respectively, they will come back to what worked so well in 2008.

NFC North: Who Wants It?

Matt Konkle — Mon, 18 May 2009 00:17:55 -0400

The NFC North has been regarded as a pretty mediocre division in years past, but this year, they might take the NFL by surprise. Minnesota has created a stir with rumors of Adrian Peterson playing at 230 lbs and Brett Favre coming to town. Chicago has made the team instantly better with the addition of Jay Cutler via the trade from Denver.

Green Bay changed it up a bit in the offseason with the hiring of Dom Capers as defensive coordinator; the defense will have a radical new look after Capers is done implementing his 3-4 scheme. And yes, Detroit still resides in the division, but even they will steal a few games during the season, as long as Calvin Johnson stays healthy.

The Vikings boast the best running back in the league, hands down. He wants to play heavier this year, though, so that he can better absorb the hits he takes. The extra muscle will also help him dish out more punishment to would-be tacklers.

With Peterson’s violent running style already well-known across the league, seeing him coming at 230 lbs could cause defenders to hesitate. It is yet to be determined, however, if Peterson can carry that extra weight while still maintaining his game-breaking speed and quickness.

The Vikings also boast arguably the league’s best defensive line, highlighted by Kevin and Pat Williams, and Jared Allen. However, that talented threesome could be compromised with the suspensions of both Williams’ for four games, leaving Allen facing likely double teams during their absence.

But when the team has all three at its disposal, running the ball and maintaining a clean pocket for the quarterback to throw in becomes a serious challenge for most teams.

In addition to the players Minnesota still has from last season’s roster, they added a few rookies through the draft who could make immediate contributions. Percy Harvin decided to leave Florida early after helping his school capture two national championships in three years with his explosive speed and agility.

He’ll add another dimension to the run game, pass game, and return game. The Vikings hope Phil Loadholt, the massive offensive tackle from Oklahoma, will answer their problems on the right side of the line.

The one issue in Minnesota that comes up every year is the quarterback situation. Yes, they traded for Sage Rosenfels in the offseason, but will he even push Tarvaris Jackson for a starting job?

Houston fans remember how he single-handedly lost the game against Indianapolis last year when the Texans were up double-digits on their division rival late in the fourth quarter. There’s a reason he only saw the field when Matt Schaub was out with injury.

With Jackson yet to prove himself capable of handling the quarterback duties, does that leave a door open for Favre? It seems to be a simple question of whether his arm is healthy enough to throw for a full 16+ games this season.

Though head coach Brad Childress still believes in Jackson, his hand-picked quarterback, there’s no denying Favre would be the better option for the 2009 season.

The Chicago Bears on the other hand, once had the same issue at quarterback, but they finally solved that problem with the acquisition of Cutler. Having recently been elected to the Pro Bowl, he brings instant credibility to the Bears’ offense.

Though there isn’t a proven wide receiver on the roster, Cutler does have talented tight ends Desmond Clark and Greg Olsen, as well as second-year running back Matt Forte to throw the check down to.

Devin Hester will also provide game-changing plays on offense, but he has not shown he can consistently produce at the wide receiver position. On the bright side, Cutler will be reunited with his former receiver from Vanderbilt, Earl Bennett.

However, it should be considered that Chicago gave up a fortune for a quarterback who holds a career winning percentage below .500.

The Bears’ special teams units have always excelled and should continue to do so this season. It remains to be seen whether Hester will be a part of the return game, but with Daniel Manning, he doesn’t need to be.

The kicking and punting game have always been solid with Robbie Gould and Brad Maynard, respectively. And somehow, Chicago always finds ways to win games as a direct result of turnovers, blocked field goals/punts, or touchdowns scored by their special teams units.

The once dominant Bears defense is actually the team’s weakest link now. Players have aged, struggled to stay healthy, and failed to play up to the levels they once did.

And while the Bears significantly upgraded their quarterback position and their offense with Cutler, they compromised the future of their team, of their defense potentially, by trading away their valuable first round draft choices.

Chicago still has players like Brian Urlacher, Tommie Harris, and Charles Tillman who are capable of taking over a game. In recent years, though, they have not been able to consistently perform up to that level due to injuries.

The same can be said of Mike Brown, whom the Bears might not even bring back to camp this summer. Chicago might have to outscore their opponents on offense this year in order to win games. Times have definitely changed in the Windy City.

As for Detroit, it’s not reasonable to expect that the league’s first 0-16 team can compete for the division, but it is reasonable to believe they’ll be improved from last year.

Two things they have going for them is Calvin Johnson and finally getting rid of Matt Millen as GM, though to his credit, he did select Johnson (he also drafted Charles Rogers and Mike Williams, among many other busts).

Johnson is an absolute freak of nature. He can outrun, outreach, out jump, and outmuscle any corner in the league. And unlike a former NFC North star-studded receiver with supreme athletic skills (Randy Moss), Johnson wants to be great, he wants to work for it, and he’s a team-first player.

Detroit also owned the first pick overall in the draft and used it on quarterback Matthew Stafford, the best player in the draft for the Lions according to the Lions. After all, it was the first pick made in the post-Millen era.

Of course, the assumption is Stafford will be holding a clipboard all season long. This will allow him to learn the system before he faces the new level of competition that awaits him in the NFL. Hopefully by the time he does start, the Lions will have added more talent to the team, especially on the offensive line.

On defense, the Lions are making somewhat of a scheme change too, from former coach Rod Marinelli’s Tampa-Two philosophy to Jim Schwartz’s scheme, which will include getting bigger across the defensive line.

Of course, injecting some more talent onto that side of the ball wouldn’t hurt either. Aside from Ernie Sims, who do Detroit have on defense? They primarily focused on offense through the draft, so unless the Lions pick up a few veteran free agents in the coming months, they’ll have trouble keeping opponents out of the end zone again this year.

Green Bay stands to have a more pressure-oriented defense, for better or for worse, with the installation of the 3-4 scheme. The results of this dramatic switch in defensive philosophy will depend on how quickly the players can adapt to playing with new responsibilities.

The offseason will test their discipline and focus as they prepare to make the transition seamless, though historically speaking, the switch from an even front to an odd front is hard to successfully achieve in just one year. Of course, it won’t be difficult to top last year’s performance on defense.

The Packers did do well for themselves by drafting B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews in the first round, players who fit the 3-4 defense very well. Both players could possibly start at their respective positions (nose tackle for Raji and right outside linebacker for Matthews) once training camp has allowed them to showcase their talents.

Getting Cullen Jenkins back from injury will also aid the transition as he projects to play one of the defensive end positions.

Getting a healthy Ryan Grant to start the season will do wonders for Mike McCarthy’s offense. Not only will the run game improve with Grant running at full speed, but the play-action pass can be dialed up more frequently as a result.

When the Packers have success running the ball, the play-action pass has worked very well for Aaron Rodgers and his receivers, namely Greg Jennings, and their success rate per attempt is unbelievably close to perfect.

The offense in general for the Packers was a bright spot last year and should in no way be blamed for their 6-10 finish. They generated the fifth most points scored in the NFL. Although scoring was not an issue for the Packers, preventing the score was, hence the change to the 3-4 defense.

Special teams has had its issues, namely punting and the coverage units, but with Mason Crosby’s strong leg and Will Blackmon’s explosive plays as the return man, the Packers can be happy with some parts of their special teams.

The key to the Packers’ success against their division opponents will be aggressiveness on defense. There’s no better way to defend against the shaky play at quarterback in Minnesota and Detroit than to attack them with pressure and force hurried throws. Just as well, that same pressure can force unwarranted passes from the gunslinger in Chicago.

Green Bay’s secondary will also be playing more zone coverage, allowing them to keep their eyes on the quarterback and be better prepared to intercept those throws made under duress.

Charles Woodson and Nick Collins are proven playmakers with the ball in their hands, so this scheme switch should provide them with more opportunities for big plays.

The rest of the division has failed to find an answer for the Packers’ spread offense, which they run to perfection. Green Bay has arguably the best wide receivers group in the league. They go five-deep and provide Rodgers with favorable matchups against a defense’s fourth or fifth cornerback.

Often when the Packers go to this formation against the Vikings, Minnesota is forced to keep Pat Williams on the bench because he is not very effective as a pass-rusher. Keeping him out of the equation proved very beneficial for the Pack last season.

Everything considered, the Packers stand the best chance of winning the division. They return a top-five offense in terms of scoring, and addressed their struggles on defense through the draft and with the schematic changes that will be implemented by Capers.

The Packers lost seven games by four points or less last season, not including a game against Tampa Bay which they led late in the fourth.

In fact, if not for two missed field goals in the closing seconds of games against the Bears and Vikings, Green Bay would have swept all six divisional games last year. Finally, one advantage the Packers have this offseason over last offseason is they know how to deal with a Favre unretirement.

What Holes Did the Packers Fill Through the Draft and What Holes Remain?

Matt Konkle — Thu, 14 May 2009 19:04:49 -0400

The Green Bay Packers started the 2009 NFL off-season with question marks about every phase of their team: offense, defense, and special teams.

The near-clean sweep of the defensive coaching staff and the addition of Dom Capers, who will be implementing the 3-4 defense, had only added to the list of defensive positions without a clear-cut starter or quality depth.

Specifically, the Pack had needs at right offensive tackle, left offensive tackle depth, nose tackle depth, right outside linebacker (rush ‘backer), defensive ends to play the five-technique in the 3-4, and punter.

Packers’ GM Ted Thompson surprisingly made a play for Chris Canty in the first week of free agency, competing against Giants’ GM Jerry Reese for the marquee free agent’s services.

Canty, formerly of the Dallas Cowboys, had extensive experience in Wade Phillips’ 3-4 defense, a valuable trait for a team like Green Bay that currently lacks players with any kind of extensive experience in the 3-4.

Thompson felt Canty brought more to the table than any of the players currently on the Packers’ roster who were being “projected” to play the defensive end position.

Unfortunately, the Giants signed him, leaving Thompson to look to the draft for help at defensive end, among other positions. Luckily, the Packers were able to land key players in the draft at positions of greatest need on the team.

With the No. 9 overall pick, and a little help from Kansas City, the New York Jets, and Oakland who decidedly shook up the early part of the draft, the Packers were able to land B.J. Raji.

A senior out of Boston College, Raji is the answer to Green Bay’s questionable depth at the all-important nose tackle position in the 3-4 scheme. He will also be the team’s long-term answer as the starter at that position.

Raji adds excellent size to the position and can hold his own against the double team, but he’s also incredibly athletic for his size, which allows him to line up at multiple positions across the defensive line.

The Green Bay coaching staff has already begun to play Raji at the defensive end spot, as well as his nose tackle position in rookie minicamps.

He can also provide an inside pass rush (evidenced by his eight sacks as an Eagle for Boston College last season) in an even front, which the Packers will most likely be switching back to on third downs and obvious passing situations.

Teaming up with Cullen Jenkins on the inside could make for a formidable tandem capable of collapsing the pocket and disrupting plays in the backfield.

After selecting Raji, Thompson watched Clay Matthews drop down to the later part of the first round. Then, at the number 26 pick overall, Thompson shocked everyone by trading back into the first round and drafting the former Trojan to be Green Bay’s right outside linebacker.

It was only Thompson’s second trade up ever in his five drafts as Packers’ GM. He gave up a lot in order to draft Matthews (while also acquiring New England’s sixth round pick), trading the Packers’ second and third round picks, as well as the third round selection they received from the Jets for Brett Favre last year.

Getting Matthews gives the Packers a future star at the right outside linebacker position where previously, they merely had role players, but no starter amongst them.

Matthews has a great deal of versatility and athleticism for his position, just as Raji has for his along the defensive line. Matthews can fulfill the duties of a rush outside linebacker by getting to the quarterback, as well as taking on blockers and covering the flats.

But as a former safety, Matthews has the fluid hips, length and speed to turn and run with tight ends and backs downfield. This skill set will allow him to stay on the field on third downs while playing pass coverage, or as a pass-rusher, a role he performed very well at USC.

At offensive tackle, the Packers may or may not have found a replacement for Mark Tauscher on the right side and the eventual successor to Chad Clifton in a year or two on the left side, but those issues were at least acknowledged in the draft.

T.J. Lang and Jamon Meredith were picked by the Packers in the fourth and fifth rounds, respectively. Though both are developmental prospects, they join a deep group of players who will be competing for starting and back-up spots at the book-ends of the offensive line.

Come training camp, that group will include Breno Giacomini, Tony Moll, Allen Barbre, possibly Daryn Colledge and Josh Sitton, and rookies Meredith and Lang. At the very least, the Packers have a lot of options at right tackle and at left tackle behind Clifton.

Similar to the offensive tackle spot, the two defensive end positions are heavy with depth, but consist of players merely projected to play the position, none of whom have any NFL game experience at the position.

Johnny Jolly and Jenkins are the presumed starters for now, with Justin Harrell, Mike Montgomery, and rookie Darius Wynn behind them, but that could change during the course of training camp where heated position/roster battles always create a competitive atmosphere.

By no means will anyone be given either defensive end position outright so until training camp comes to a close, the starters at both positions are TBA.

As for punter, the Packers have three options currently working out in Green Bay and participating in the offseason program: Jeremy Kapinos, Durant Brooks, and recently signed Adam Graessle.

None of these players can be any worse than Derrick Frost was last year for the Pack (line-drive punts with no hang-time and 12-yard shanks off the side of the foot don’t cut it in this league).

Kapinos finished out the season for Green Bay after Frost was let go and did okay while Brooks actually beat out Frost at Redskins camp last summer, only to be cut midseason. Graessle has been out of football for a few years but recently impressed Packers coaches at this year’s scouting combine, flashing a strong leg with solid hang-time on his punts.

As long as the Packers can find a guy out of these three who can two-step and punt with good hang-time, then that’ll be enough. Or simply put, anyone other than Frost will be enough.

So, like every year, Thompson has used the draft to try to fill the holes on the team. He’s found himself potential starters at some positions (Raji and Matthews) and possible options at others (Lang, Meredith, and Wynn).

Matt Konkle's Final 2009 NFL Mock Draft

Matt Konkle — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 20:53:32 -0400

The NFL Draft is less than two weeks away and now is as good a time as any to make some final predictions as to how it will all play out. Most of the pro days are finished, though teams are still bringing in prospects for private workouts and a few more, last minute medicals.

All that's left, really, is analysis, discussion, and plenty of second-guessing. I will be doing just that as I wrap up this final mock draft. Let's start with our first team, the Detroit Lions:

1. Detroit Lions - QB Matthew Stafford of Georgia

This is Detroit's guy. Though I believe Mark Sanchez will have a better pro career, the Lions have to take Stafford because he's got more potential. Ever since the Lions' new coach declared the necessity of having a face for this franchise at the quarterback position, there's been no doubt in my mind that the pick will be a quarterback.

Many have argued that Detroit has so many holes that they should choose the best talent in the draft, and that that player would not be Stafford, but the fact of the matter is a team must have a guy they can rely on at quarterback for the team to be successful.

It's the most important position on a football team and should be valued that way. That means if, for arguments sake, Aaron Curry is thought to be a much better linebacker than Stafford is a quarterback, or that Jason Smith is a much better left tackle than Stafford is a quarterback, a team like Detroit should still go with Stafford.

It's simple: the quarterback's impact on a team is increasingly greater every year than any other position on the team, what with the evolution of the passing game and the rule changes favoring the offense and the quarterback in particular. The Bears know that.

That's why they gave up what they did to get Jay Cutler. It has been highly agreed upon that the Chicago defense is what cost the team opportunities to collect more wins last season, but they went out and got themselves a quarterback instead of a pass rusher or a coverage guy.

Kyle Orton wasn't great, but he wasn't awful either. Yet, the Bears gave up the chance to improve on their defense through the draft by trading away three high draft picks so that they could upgrade the most important position on their team.

Detroit has to follow this mentality and draft Stafford. Right now, they are losing the race in their division at that position, with young stars Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler having established themselves as supreme talents at quarterback with long, bright futures still ahead of them.

Not that I wasn't convinced before that this should be the pick for the Lions, but I think I re-convinced myself just now.

2. St. Louis Rams - LT Jason Smith of Baylor

With the obvious decline of Orlando Pace and then the subsequent release of the future Hall-of-Famer, the Rams are in need of a left tackle.

It's been thought that they could move Alex Barron over from the right side to the left side, but when recently asked about such a move, he seemed surprisingly hesitant and even concerned about such a move.

He stated that it would be quite the adjustment and that he would have to relearn playing the left side when he manned that position back in college.

Marc Bulger is starting to get up there in age and has been dinged up the last few seasons, but when healthy he is still very effective and efficient and isn't even halfway through the ginormous contract he received just a few years ago.

And since receiving that contract extension, Bulger really hasn't done much so I'm sure the Rams' organization would like to give their signal-caller the chance to make good on that investment.

To help him do that, St. Louis needs to start drafting for the offense, for Marc Bulger. Pace and Torry Holt have been let go this offseason, Issac Bruce before that, and their star running back Steven Jackson was nicked up for a good part of the season last year, as too was the offensive line.

With those players still on the roster getting healthy, and maybe an infusion of youth and talent on the offensive line with Smith and a playmaker like maybe Jared Cook at tight end in the second round, Bulger might be able to return to form.

He has proven himself to be a pro bowl quarterback and even the MVP of the pro bowl when he is surrounded by talent. The Rams should focus this draft on getting him a talented supporting cast like the one he had once upon a time.

3. Kansas City Chiefs - LT Eugene Monroe of Virginia

The Chiefs have an unhappy Larry Johnson right now and there is not a trade-market for the high-priced veteran, so that means he is staying a Chief. Johnson is simply unhappy, though, because of the lack of production from the run game last season. I'm sure the Chiefs are also unhappy about this reality.

What Kansas City needs to do is start building the offensive line back to prominence when they had the combination of Priest Holmes and Johnson running to pay dirt multiple times a game with the likes of Will Shields and Willie Roaf leading the way.

Obtaining Monroe and shifting Brandon Albert inside to guard or to the other side at right tackle could give Johnson some holes to run through.

Regaining a strong running game could make Matt Cassel's first season as a Chief a lot easier too, forcing teams to keep a safety in the box and opening things up for Gonzo and Bowe.

4. Seattle Seahawks - LB Aaron Curry of Wake Forest

The Seahawks could go in a number of different directions here, like Sanchez, BJ Raji, or Michael Crabtree, but I think getting the highest rated player on many teams' boards would be too good to pass up here.

Besides, with Hasselbeck starting to throw again and the offseason acquisitions of Colin Cole, Corey Redding, and TJ Houshyamamma, as well as the loss of Julian Peterson, linebacker seems to be the more attractive position to fill at this point.

Curry has everything a team could want in a linebacker and can play any position, though Seattle currently has a vacant spot at strong-side linebacker after the trade of Peterson. Well what a coincidence, because that's where Curry played most of his college career at.

He can make an immediate impact and seamless transition to the position, especially now that Seattle has beefed up the front four so that their linebackers may be protected and may roam free to the ball.

Obtaining Curry could also give the Seahawks some leverage in contract talks with their franchised linebacker Hill and some insurance in case Tatupu has another injury-riddled season.

At the very least Seattle can get some immediate returns from Curry as the last few years have proven with linebackers winning defensive rookie of the year honors.

5. Cleveland Browns - WR Michael Crabtree of Texas Tech

With the possibility of a Braylon Edwards trade lingering, the trade of Kellen Winslow already in the books, and Donte Stallworth most likely out of the picture, this Browns offense needs to start acquiring some talent rather than ridding themselves of talent.

It would be a good idea to take Crabtree at this point, even if they keep Edwards, as they have a young stud at left tackle, former Wisconsin Badger Joe Thomas, who will protect the blind-side of eventual starter Brady Quinn.

This foursome could create all kinds of havoc for opposing defenses with Edwards running deep, Crabtree running shallow and Thomas giving Quinn all the time he wants to find whomever he wants.

Give the Browns Crabtree and I'm sure the "Mangenius" will find a way to get him open and make him productive.

If anything, taking Crabtree at five will prevent their divisional and state rival Bengals from getting him, an opportunity which I think Cincinnati would jump at with the loss of Houshyamamma and Chad being Chad.

6. Cincinnati Bengals - BJ Raji of Boston College

The Bengals just barely missed at the chance to acquire a top talent at defensive tackle last year when the Saints leap-frogged them in the draft and took Seddrick Ellis out of USC. Ellis had a pretty good rookie year for New Orleans, though he did miss a few games with a knee injury.

But when Ellis was on the field, he was everything the Saints hoped he'd be, and everything the Bengals wished they had. Well now the Bengals have an opportunity to make up for missing out on Ellis by taking the top-ranked defensive tackle in this year's draft in BJ Raji.

Raji does come with some slight baggage, but after putting up a fairly believable front that they were done with those kind of players, jettisoning many from the team in recent years, they were right back at it with the resigning of Chris Henry and the signing of Tank Johnson this offseason.

They just never learn, though I'm not saying Raji is on par with the troubled athletes the Bengals have been known for.

The mammoth tackle from Boston College has incredible quickness and pass rush ability for a man of his size. That's a plus for a team to gain with Raji because he weighs more than 330 pounds and has proven to be a force against the run as many would expect at that size.

He's also versatile enough and willing to play either tackle position in the 4-3 or 3-4 and even defensive end, which he's played before at Boston College.

Cincinnati has been hurting for a really good defensive tackle for a long time now as their defense has been notorious over the years for giving up a lot in the run game. After addressing their back seven in the last few drafts, now is the time to address the all important front four group.

Raji should be a no-brainer here if he's still available.

7. Oakland Raiders - WR Jeremy Maclin of Missouri

One of the reasons I'm sticking with Maclin here for Oakland is that I want to see if all the Raiders fans that responded last time have warmed up yet to the idea of Maclin catching deep passes from Russell. This pick, though, could just as easily be the speedy turtle from Maryland, Darrius Heyward-Bey. You know Al Davis loves speed.

Not only that but Davis showed last year that he has no reservations about taking a player high if he already has a few intriguing players stocked at the position already (of course Davis doesn't really show any reservations about anything).

In last year's draft, everyone thought Davis would go with McFadden because of the speed and home-run ability McFadden brought to the table.

But then there were others who assumed McFadden wouldn't be the pick since they had Justin Fargos and Michael Bush. Well, Davis took McFadden and now the Raiders have arguably the best trio of running backs in the league, hands down.

The Raiders already have a speedy receiver who doubles as a return man in...ah gee, what's his name Raiders fans? Well, they got him, and Javon Walker, but like I said, with Davis picking up McFadden last year can you rule out him picking Maclin this year? Besides, can either of those two guys be trusted to perform at wide receiver?

The only legitimate threat Oakland has in the passing game is Miller.

Coach Cable has come out and said that he would like to incorporate more deep throws into the offense for 2009. A strong running game behind their trio of backs would really open up those deep passes off some play-action, and Russell will have no problem throwing those deep passes with his strong arm.

The question is, will someone be there to catch those throws? The answer is yes, and the who is Maclin.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars - LT Andre Smith of Alabama

It's hard to imagine the Jags passing on any offensive lineman prospect, especially one that was once projected to go No. 1 overall.

Yes, we've all heard the negatives about this guy, but what has been forgotten are the positives, and that's because the positives are what this kid does on the field and he hasn't been on the field since the end of the college regular season, so it's been a while since we've seen Andre do something good.

Running the 40 at his pro day I think everyone could have done without seeing, but going through an NFL offseason will help tighten all of that up.

What I take into careful consideration is how many coaches and people who know Smith have backed the youngster, saying he has merely taken some bad advice as of late but that he's a good kid at heart, is very coachable, and wants to succeed.

Smith wasn't given the Outland Trophy, an award given to the nation's best lineman, not left tackle, not offensive tackle, not offensive lineman, but lineman. Smith earned the Outland Trophy. He earned it with his play over the course of three seasons at Alabama in the tough and rugged trenches of SEC play.

He constantly shows a nastiness when he engages a defender, often blocking him into the ground. Smith is a mauler who finishes his blocks and completely dominates as a run-blocker.

The Jags lost three starters on the line very early in the season last year. An offensive lineman was always going to be the pick here, though some think it should be a wide receiver. If Maclin was still available, I would think about changing this pick to the Missouri wide receiver, but he's not available.

The next best wide receiver available is probably Darrius Heyward-Bey, but taking him at No. 8 would be too big of a reach in my mind. Andre Smith could do what Jeff Otah did for the Panthers last year and really inject some life into the run game with his power-blocking on the right side of the line.

Smith will produce immediately for a team. I know "pocket Hercules" would like this pick, along with a raise.

9. Green Bay Packers - LT Michael Oher of Mississippi

If the draft plays out like I have it playing out so far, I seriously see a trade back into the middle of the first round as the move Green Bay makes here. Not only are the guys they would have liked to be available to them at this pick gone (Raji and Andre Smith) but Mark Sanchez is still available.

With San Fransisco picking at 10, teams enticed with Sanchez will be scrambling to jump ahead of the 49ers in order to acquire the talented thrower from powerhouse USC.

If I have to pick a player for the Pack at this point, however, I believe it would come down to a three-man race with Michael Oher, Tyson Jackson, and Brian Orakpo all being in the discussion.

Oher is a player at a position of greatest need for the Packers. In all likelihood, they will be moving on without Mark Tausher manning the right side of the line, and Chad Clifton has only a few more years at best on the left side.

Clifton's contract is also up after the 2009 season so it is anyone's guess whether he will even be brought back.

There's not a whole lot waiting in the wings. Breno Giacomini was drafted out of Louisville a year ago and the coaching staff seems to think he has a future at right tackle for the team after improving immensely over the course of his first NFL season.

However, he was downright awful and barely made the team before the season began, so how good is he after improving so much from being absolute crap to start? He also had offseason surgery on his ankle so it's up in the air if he'll even be able to participate much in offseason workouts.

Josh Sitton is another second year player who has impressed. He graded out so well during minicamps and training camp that he was slated to start the season opener before he was injured.

He played right tackle in college at Central Florida, blocking for Kevin Smith, but the coaches seem to want him playing at guard and are done with the constant flip-flopping that has been going on with the offensive line in past years.

For most of the same reasons, Darren Colledge won't be an option at tackle either. He's proved he can slide out to left tackle in a pinch if Clifton is hurt, but as with Sitton, the coaching staff would prefer to leave Colledge at left guard where he has shown steady progress over the course of his young career.

So, that really leaves no one on the roster to fill that tackle spot. Those three guys mentioned are the options right now, but obviously are not the preferred options for right now. Getting Oher would fill the immediate need at right tackle and possibly the future need at left tackle when Clifton leaves.

When that happens, maybe Giacomini will be groomed well enough to man the right side.

When talking about the five-technique defensive end in a 3-4 scheme, the Packers have a lot of question marks. However, they do have A LOT of questions marks, being that they have plenty of bodies that can fit the mold of a defensive end in the 3-4. They just don't know if those guys will pan out or not at the position.

Cullen Jenkins, Johnny Jolly, Justin Harrell, Mike Montgomery, and Alfred Malone all stand to get a look at that spot, with Jenkins and Jolly the projected starters. But will any of these guys emerge from the pack, learn and figure out the position, stand out and produce?

Jenkins is coming off a season-ending injury, while Harrell has never been healthy since entering the league it seems. Jolly has a very elusive trial date hanging over his head after getting busted for codeine abuse and it is unclear whether Goodell will hand him a suspension or not.

Montgomery has to add some weight but he has the frame to carry additional weight and he did improve dramatically last year, especially against the run. Malone was a late add to the roster off free agency and the Packers aren't quite sure what they got in him yet.

So yes, lots of questions but there is some intrigue with that group as they all have proved to be effective in the previous scheme when healthy.

The Packers' pursuit of Chris Canty in the first week of free agency, however, seems to suggest they are a little bit more weary of their options at defensive end than I am. That is why Tyson Jackson becomes a possibility for Green Bay at pick No. 9.

The LSU star has great strength and a good work ethic along with the perfect body type to not only play the 5-technique but to shift inside and rush the passer when the Packers switch back to an even front in certain scenarios throughout the season.

As for the outside linebacker position in the 3-4, the Packers are set with Aaron Kampman on one side, but have an opening to fill on the other side.

While there has been a tendency to find plenty of guys to fill such a position later on in the draft as colleges produce more and more of those undersized defensive ends who project to rush linebacker in the NFL, it'd be hard to pass up a talent like Brian Orakpo.

Orakpo brings an intensity that teams are enamoured with and has the versatility and willingness, much like Raji, to play in either the 3-4 or 4-3 scheme.

Being that it will be the first year the Packers try to implement the 3-4 scheme into their defense, it would be a big plus to gain a player who could play in both schemes as Green Bay is likely to be switching between the two schemes all season as they make the adjustments to playing a new defense.

Orakpo has good size, strength, and ability to rush the passer. He's a team player first and foremost, and he will play through injury if he feels he can still be effective and help the team.

The only problem is that he has been injured a little too much in college and teams are concerned about his ability to stay healthy in the NFL, where the season is longer, the offseason is even longer, and the players will downright pulverize each other. His attitude and character, I believe, should be enough to make up for those durability concerns.

As it stands, though, the Packers just invested a ton of money into Aaron Rodgers and are about to do the same for Greg Jennings. For those two to keep connecting with each other, Rodgers must stay upright and the odds of that happening begin to dwindle if Green Bay does not address the tackle position in this draft.

The future of this organization is Aaron Rodgers, and his future is Michael Oher.

10. San Francisco 49ers - QB Mark Sanchez of USC

The 49ers would like to believe that Alex Smith could prove he was worth taking No. 1 overall, but the fact is he was not and the team needs to move past that.

Taking Sanchez here would be the smart thing to do, just admit mistake after having taken Smith and start over with a guy like Sanchez who could be gotten only at the No. 1 overall pick next year if he were to have stayed for another season at USC.

He has the talent which he showed off when he lit up the Nittany Lions' defense in the Rose Bowl, but what teams love about him are his intangibles. He has a natural ability to lead, he is a very hard worker and will study his craft and that of his opponents, and he is just an overall nice, likable guy.

This is a guy the fans will grow to adore and they could sure use a guy like that, being without one since Steve Young.

Sanchez could also fit in to the San Fran offense rather nicely as they have the talent right now to not get him killed or booed to start his career.

Vernon Davis and their first round tackle of a few drafts ago are guys Sanchez can enjoy a long and fruitful career with, while vets like Issac Bruce and Frank Gore can provide some early leadership and supporting roles for Sanchez before he takes over as the guy everyone turns to.

Scouts are convinced Sanchez has that "it" factor. The 49ers would be much better off grabbing him from the 10 spot rather than trying their luck with the guys they currently have in Smith and Hill.

Once the organization comes to the realization that neither of those two will lead them to a Super Bowl, then they can feel comfortable and excited about taking Sanchez.

11. Buffalo Bills - LB Clay Matthews of USC

Here's a surprise pick. I don't understand the debate that Buffalo needs a defensive end since, as far as I'm concerned, they already have two serviceable ends in Schobel and Kelsay. What they need more than an end is another linebacker to team with Posluzny.

Matthews would provide the Bills with a three-down linebacker as he showed he can tackle well and provide pressure as a blitzer off the edge, but he also has incredibly fluid hips for a linebacker and has the speed to run with backs and tight ends.

He was a former safety back in high school and it shows in his ability to cover. Matthews will be a valuable commodity on a defense that desperately needs more playmakers.

Some teams worry because he was a late bloomer, but I'm anxious to see how much better he can become. I think he has an incredibly high ceiling and with his bloodlines, I am confident he will achieve the utmost of his potential.

12. Denver Broncos - DE Tyson Jackson of LSU

This one is pretty easy. The Broncos are switching to the 3-4 and lack a lot of big guys to play the odd front. Jackson is a perfect fit for the scheme at end and with BJ Raji gone, Jackson is the next best prospect for their defense.

He's got incredible length and has the ability to occupy multiple blockers from his end position. Not only that but he's a high character player and after the whole deal with Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall constantly causing a scene, getting a top-notch individual like Jackson would be a pleasant pick-up.

The Broncos sorely need defensive help and strong defenses are always built with good big men up front.

13. Washington Redskins - DE Brian Orakpo of Texas

Orakpo's plummet down the draft stops at 13. With teams having other areas of interest or possibly being scared away by his injury history, the Redskins land a steal in this draft at a position of greatest need.

A very proud player, such a drop down draft boards could actually leave Orakpo with a chip on his shoulder, giving him extra motivation to dominate his competition and prove just how good a player he is, not that he needs anything extra to motivate him.

Not only that, but being able to team up with Albert Haynesworth could spell trouble for opposing teams' offensive lines.

Haynesworth will most likely get the double teams each game so Orakpo can work his craft one-on-one every game, every snap, just about.

The trade for Jason Taylor last year failed miserably and cost them dearly after giving up two draft picks (including a second rounder) for a year's service from a once great defender who offered next to nothing for the season they had him. The trade, though, showed how desperate they were to acquire a talented pass rusher.

They also made a trade for the Vikings' Udeze, which hasn't proven to have been worth it either. There are plenty of talented pass rushers in this draft, and in this scenario Washington gets their pick of the litter.

14. New Orleans Saints - RB Chris Wells of Ohio State

I believe this pick comes down to OSU teammates Wells and Malcom Jenkins. The Saints have a big need for both, and while Jenkins can offer the versatility to line up at corner or safety, both needs for New Orleans, Wells offers that compliment they once had for Bush when Reggie was a rookie and had a healthy Deuce softening opposing defenses.

That offense was never better than that year when both Deuce and Reggie were healthy and complimenting each other's skill sets with their own.

Wells offers the size McAllister had, but he can also run away from defenders, something Deuce couldn't do. He has been nicked up way too much in his career at OSU, but he has shown the ability to play through some of those injuries too.

The only thing that really matters is the ability that Wells brings to the table. He's huge, can bulldoze defenders, and can out run them too if he so chooses.

The way to effectively run the ball in today's game is to have two backs that complement each other well: the Jets' Jones and Washington, Carolina's Williams and Stewart, San Diego's LT and Sproles, the Giants' Jacobs and Bradshaw, Atlanta's Turner and Norwood, Minnesota's Peterson and Taylor, Miami's Brown and Williams, Dallas' Barber and Jones, Tennesse's White and Johnson, etc.

The Saints know this, had this, and will once again get back to this.

15. Houston Texans - DB Malcom Jenkins of Ohio State

The idea behind taking Mario Williams first overall a few years ago was that Houston had to play Indy twice a year. Now, for the same reason, they will take Jenkins. The Texans need a presence across from Robinson, or insurance in case they can't get a contract done with their star corner.

Houston could also use a playmaker at the safety position, which they might feel Jenkins could provide them instead, or in addition to his services at corner.

Either way, this team needs some help in the secondary to combat the arm of Peyton Manning and getting a hard-nosed, smart, versatile playmaker like Jenkins would fit that need. Not only is Jenkins solid in coverage and run support, but he knows what to do with the ball in his hands and he knows how to put himself in that position.

Rarely have I seen Houston's defense scoring any points for their team off of turnovers but with Jenkins collecting hurried throws off a super-Mario-pressured Peyton Manning, that could change in a hurry.

16. San Diego Chargers - LB Rey Maualuga of USC

Though Mr. Maulaluga's stock has been dropping with concerns of his hurt hamstring, his questionable character, and his less-than-stellar instincts, I think the Chargers swoop him up to be a thumper for them in the middle of their 3-4.

The team has a couple of guys in the middle that are serviceable, but they're just a couple of guys, nothing special.

Maualuga doesn't always use the best technique when tackling or angling his pursuit of a ballcarrier, but those things can be coached up. What's important is that he can lay the wood on a player. He'll deliver punishment to those with the ball and he'll be nasty about it.

He seems like a perfect fit to play next to Merriman, who has a similar aggressive and intimidating personality and the two could thrive together.

17. New York Jets - QB Josh Freeman of Kansas State

As it stands now, the Jets are in the market for a wide receiver. It so happens, though, that they've already found one in Miles Austin.

They are prepared to offer the Dallas wide receiver a contract and give the Cowboys a second round pick if they don't match the offer, which they probably won't be able to as it has been rumored they are going to throw a "poison-pill" into the contract, much like the Vikings did with Steve Hutchinson and then the Seahawks did with Nate Burleson.

If these rumors hadn't come up, I was prepared to make this pick Heyward-Bey. But lets say they get Austin and give up a second round pick to acquire him. Once that is taken care of, I believe they target Freeman to be the future of the franchise.

The Jets brought in Rex Ryan from Baltimore and he personally watched a quarterback of similar size come from a similar small-school program and excel for his team. Freeman also has a similar arm to Flacco's, it's just his mechanics and decision-making that don't compare to the Raven's quarterback, at least not right now.

But if Ryan likes Freeman, then he'll probably get Freeman. New coach. New quarterback. His quarterback. His hand-picked quarterback. That's usually how it goes, right McDaniels?

18. Denver Broncos - DE/OLB Aaron Maybin of Penn State

Here the Broncos get a steal at 18, much like the Redskins got at 13 with Orakpo. With Maybin they get to add another piece to the complex and hard to fit puzzle of the 3-4 defensive scheme.

Maybin plays light, but he plays fast and he plays through the whistle. He's got an incredible first step, allowing him to gain the edge when rushing from the end of the line of scrimmage.

As far as playing the run goes, or getting engaged with an offensive lineman, there's not much Maybin will be able to do besides get dominated until he can add more weight, keep the weight, and play with the weight while still retaining that explosion he has.

Some might be worried that he was a one-year wonder, but he's also coming out as a redshirt sophomore. I think one-year wonders become the case more so in a player like Robert Ayers, who had a great senior season but did nothing before that.

Maybin simply hasn't played that much, which is a little concerning in itself, but that shouldn't give him the label of a one-year wonder.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - LB Brian Cushing of USC

With their guy Freeman gone at this point, Cushing would be a smart pick up after letting their former star linebacker Brooks go. Coach Morris is now in charge, and I'm sure the defensive-minded coach would like to add a young stud to his defense that now is merely a shell of what it once was.

The Bucs' age really showed on defense during its primetime matchup against division rival Carolina when the tandem of Williams and Stewart just ran all over the Tampa defense, highlighted by a wicked stiff arm on former All-Pro Ronde Barber by rookie running back Jonathan Stewart.

Cushing would not only bring talent to the linebacking unit, as well as to the pass rush, but he'd bring an attitude, an attitude he acquired from the Trojan defense that no one would embarrass his team, the defense he is playing for like that ever, ever.

Playing the run isn't always a numbers game, a technique thing, or everyone knowing their assignment. It's a mentality, and Tampa's defense needs Cushing to bring that mentality with him to Florida.

20. Detroit Lions - DE Robert Ayers of Tennesse

Trying to copy the Atlanta Falcons last year by getting their quarterback early and then coming back to the offense with their second first rounder and selecting a tackle is probably what Detroit would like to do, but reaching for one here would not be reasonable. More likely, they'll use their 33rd overall pick to address the line.

Instead, they'll try to provide themselves a pass rush, which I don't recall them ever having.

Ayers was a fast riser once the college season ended, but he only had one productive season in college, that being the 2008 season. That being said, he did participate in the Senior Bowl and performed very well against his fellow college seniors. That was enough for some scouts to believe this guy was the real deal.

Ayers has a lot more size than most of the defensive ends coming out these days. He can anchor against the run and penetrate the backfield to take ballcarriers down for losses.

He also is quite effective as a pass rusher, making him a great addition for Detroit as he can be left on the field on every down in every scenario. He's even big enough that he might be kicked inside on obvious passing downs to provide pressure from the interior.

21. Philadelphia Eagles - RB Knowshon Moreno of Georgia

If Moreno is available to the Eagles with their first pick, I think they have to take him. He's a well-known player, Knowshon is, and will immediately please those always stubborn fans of Philadelphia who've been begging for years for the Eagles to add someone to compliment/spell Westbrook.

Moreno is a tough, physical runner who loves to dish out punishment to defenders and his style of play will really be appreciated by the fans. Even though it's not advisable to pick a player based on the needs of the fans, in this case, I think it would be acceptable.

After the very unpopular move of letting Brian Dawkins go to Denver via free agency, the Eagles need to grab someone who will please the fans.

Running backs are contributors early in their careers, so an immediate return on the money and pick they use to get Moreno should be satisfying to not only the fans but to the organization as well.

Running backs are also likely offensive rookie of the year picks so again, getting Moreno could potentially be a very popular move.

Not only would Moreno provide the Eagles a tough runner between the tackles but he's an excellent receiver out of the backfield with superior quickness and flashy moves that allow him to make the first defender miss almost every time.

Flashy moves also mean SportsCenter highlights so again, popular pick here. Andy Reid can get his lineman later. This pick should definitely be reserved for Moreno.

22. Minnesota Vikings - RT Eben Britton of Arizona

Instead of wide receiver, which is what everyone thinks they should get, I think Minnesota will go after Britton to play right tackle for them and maximize the talent they have in the backfield with Adrian Peterson and Taylor.

The Vikings have been looking for a right tackle for a while and have failed miserably finding one. Cook isn't the answer and will probably be tried at center now. Johnson isn't going to cut it either. They must inject the position with some new talent, a new prospect.

Britton, many feel, is a good fit for the right side because he's not that athletic or quick on tape, but in recent workouts he has shown surprisingly quick feet and has impressed scouts with his mobility.

An underclassman, Britton might have a rough go at it if he is thrown in as a starter right away, but within a year or two he could learn and improve to become a solid contributor for Minnesota and help anchor one of the top running games in the league.

23. New England Patriots - DE/OLB Michael Johnson of Georgia Tech

With the interest New England seemingly has in Julius Peppers, I think they might try to gamble with the supremely talented but notoriously underachieving Johnson.

I don't think they give up what Carolina wants for Peppers, mostly because the Panthers really don't want to get rid of Peppers to begin with and have therefore jacked the asking price for his services.

It is not for a lack of effort or discipline that explains why Johnson didn't produce like his talent shows he could. His coaches praised his ability but also his work ethic and his desire to contribute to the team. Maybe it's just a lack of good coaching that has stunted Johnson's progression.

If the Patriots believe at all that something like that is the case with Johnson, you better believe they go after him, what with the mindset that Belichick can coach anyone.

It seems to me, though, that they would just like to add a freakish athlete to team with Adalius Thomas to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks. It's not like Peppers has proved himself as a rush linebacker, but he has proved himself as one hell of a freakish athlete.

24. Atlanta Falcons - TE Brandon Pettigrew of Oklahoma State

Matt Ryan turned this franchise around in a single season, along with Michael Turner. The best way to thank both of those guys is to take Pettigrew at number 24 if he's still available.

He can provide a big, athletic target for Ryan or give Matty Ice more time in the pocket as he has held his own against defensive ends like some of those being drafted ahead of him so far in this mock draft (either Orakpo or Ayers I think he held at bay one-on-one several times in a game last season).

Pettigrew can block with the best of them and Turner would love to be carrying the ball with a tight end like him dominating his assignment play-in and play-out.

His abilities to separate from coverage and effectively block will also allow for Pettigrew to remain on the field for as long as his stamina holds up, which is a great return on a first-round investment at the tight end position.

An offensive coordinator won't be limited to certain play packages as some are with tight ends who are merely undersized pass-catching tight ends or unathletic blocking tight ends who either can't separate from defenders or can't catch the ball, or both.

25. Miami Dolphins - CB Vonte Davis of Illinois

Miami has to come out of this draft with a cornerback, so why not take a chance on the troubled but talented Davis? If anyone can coach this guy, it's the guys Parcells brought in.

I think man-to-man coverage is the best scenario for this guy, and if he's allowed to solely focus on one receiver, then he could shut his assignment down once he improves his technique.

He has also got the size to be very effective in run support, which I'm sure would please Parcells.

Watching him play against Wisconsin early in his career, I saw him get burnt on a double move but caught back up to the play on a slightly underthrown ball and make the interception. His talent is undeniable. If he can get coached up he could be great.

26. Baltimore Ravens - WR Kenny Britt of Rutgers

Baltimore likes what they have gotten initially from Ray Rice, so why wouldn't the Ravens go back to the program that produced Rice to get their deep threat for Joe Flacco?

Britt has great speed for his size, and with his size he can easily out-muscle or out-jump defensive backs for the ball downfield. Being a deep threat isn't just about being fast, it's about being able to separate from the defender and being able to make a play for the ball in a position where the defensive back can't.

Britt's height and long arms allow for this. He made a living at Rutgers catching the long ball from Teel.

27. Indianapolis Colts - WR Hakeem Nicks of North Carolina

This team loves its quarterback. That is why this pick will be Nicks. Indy will get all that it can from its future Hall-of-Famer by providing him with as much talent as possible.

With Marvin Harrison gone, the team could use another wide receiver to play the flanker position so that Gonzo can slide back into the slot and Dallas Clark isn't forced to play there.

Nicks would also provide a receiver for Peyton that he hasn't really had before, a possession wide receiver.

Nicks will run those unpopular routes over the middle without hesitation, clearly the opposite to what Harrison would run, hugging the sideline most of the time or going down as soon as he caught the ball if he ever strayed from the sideline.

Manning could really enjoy having a wide receiver of Nicks' skill set and body type and will find ways to make him excel, just as he has done with every first round draft pick the Colts have given him at the skill positions.

28. Philadelphia Eagles - LT William Beatty of Connecticut

Well, we knew this was coming eventually. Andy Reid just can't help himself. He must draft a lineman every year. Of course, in this case, the Eagles desperately need some youth at the tackle spot.

They let Tra Thomas sign with Jacksonville and haven't brought back Runyan. All the while, they have floated Winston Justice around in trade offers, though I don't know who would want a tackle that got whipped for six sacks in a single game.

The Eagles could also look at Phil Loadholt here too, but Beatty is the more athletic of the two and the better fit for the left side. They have a temporary fix for the right side in Stacey Andrews, but they need to address the left side fast.

With Reid loving the big guys and Peria Jerry starting to drop a bit, I thought about making him the pick here, but the offensive line is more of an issue and the Eagles are stacked at defensive tackle right now with Patterson, Bunkley, and Laws.

29. New York Giants - TE Jared Cook of South Carolina

Here the Giants were probably hoping Britt would drop to them, because let's face it, Burress not being there anymore hurts more than anyone on that team would like to admit. With Brian Robiskie from OSU, you have a similar body type to what you had with Plaxico, but not the speed and certainly not the ability to threaten a defense deep.

So, why not take Jared Cook? He's an undersized tight end with incredible athleticism and speed for his size and was split out wide a lot for the Gamecocks. He also averaged something like 16 yards a catch I heard?

Maybe Cook doesn't fill exactly what the Giants had in Burress, but no one really will because Plaxico was a special player. Cook will at least present similar mismatches for the Giants and give Eli another big target to throw to.

30. Tennessee Titans - WR Percy Harvin of Florida

Still in the bidding for Tory Holt, the Titans could go for Perry here if they do indeed land the former Ram since they have a huge hole to fill after letting Haynesworth go.

However, Harvin is exactly what they are looking for, a playmaker at the wide receiver position, and even if they do land Holt they still might take Harvin if he falls to the number 30 pick in the draft.

Though he still has to learn how to run a route tree, he has incredible skills for the position. He is fast and explosive out of his cuts and has great hands for someone who never really hunkered down as a wide receiver in college, mostly just receiving pitches and shovels from teammate Tim Tebow.

He does come with quite a bit of baggage, but so did Haynesworth and so did Pacman. Fisher will take a chance on a player if he feels he can be a tremendous addition to his team, which Harvin can be for the Titans.

As he did in college, Harvin can also handle the ball out of the backfield and potentially could serve as a return man for Tennessee. His versatility is a plus and the Titans will find ways to use him effectively.

31. Arizona Cardinals - DE/OLB Everette Brown of Florida State

Here the Cards get a potential steal considering some feel Brown should be a top-10 pick, but I think this is more where he belongs. He has exceptional character and dominated in certain games with multiple sacks in those outings, but the big knock on him is that he's short, does not have elite speed, and he's a Florida State pass rusher.

Florida State is well-known for producing busts at the defensive end/pass rusher position. The most obvious example is Jamal Reynolds who, sadly, Ron Wolf of the Packers selected fairly high back in the early part of this decade. He didn't last too long.

There's a tendency at Florida State to allow their pass rushers to simply rush the passer and do nothing else. No responsibilities defending the run. No attention paid to running backs running open in the flats.

Just find the guy who starts with his hands under the ass of the guy who starts with the ball and go get 'em. That kind of stuff just doesn't fly in the NFL.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers - C Alex Mack of California

I have no doubt in my mind that the Steelers will be taking an offensive lineman with their pick, most likely one of the top three centers in this draft. The problem is, I can't figure out which one.

Alex Mack and Max Unger went one-on-one at the Senior Bowl with the likes of players like BJ Raji, who basically man-handled them both. But Mack was at least man-handled to a lesser extent than Unger was.

Unger, however, offers the versatility of playing every position on the line aside from left tackle. That kind of versatility could be very valuable for Pittsburgh with the injuries they've had along the line as well as their inability to retain the better players they've had at those positions.

Eric Wood of Louisville, the third center in this mix, is an underclassman I believe, but he is arguably the toughest and most physical of the three who likes to play with a mean streak and has shown the ability to play through injury throughout his career.

One of these three guys should be with the Steelers by the end of the month, but it's anyone's guess as to which one it will be.

Well, that does it for this final mock draft for the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft. I would just like to note that if the Packers do not get Raji with their first pick, they must do everything in their power to make his teammate at Boston College, Ron Brace, a Green Bay Packer.

As of now, there is only one true player on the team who projects to playing the all important position of nose tackle and he's got two bad knees and one year left on his contract.

Another possibility for Green Bay in the second round is Larry English who projects nicely to the rush linebacker position opposite Kampman. He has all the physical tools to excel at the next level at that position and graded out very well at the Senior Bowl when he was asked to play that spot.

I'm also expecting to see a lot of action between teams in the top-ten and those picking in the middle of the first for the rights to draft quarterback Mark Sanchez and/or one of the top tackle prospects in this year's draft. Got about 12.5 days to go! Who's psyched!?!

Matt Konkle's Second 2009 NFL Mock Draft

Matt Konkle — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 19:26:16 -0500

Now that the first week of free agency has come and gone, and the NFL Scouting Combine has passed, we have a little better of an idea to how the 2009 NFL Draft will shape up this April:

1. Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford, QB from Georgia

As much as the Lions might not want to, they have to make this pick a quarterback. And even though I think Mark Sanchez will be the better pro, the talent and potential of Stafford makes this an appropriate pick.

One of the first things their new GM came out and stated was that the Lions need to get a quarterback. They know no team will want to trade up to the No. 1 overall pick, so there should be no smokescreening about their plans with their first pick.

Some think Detroit might go Aaron Curry or Jason Smith with this pick, but really, they have a gaping hole at a number of positions, including quarterback.

The league's first 0-16 team must go quarterback because, simply put, that's the most important and impactful position on the team, hands down.

2. St. Louis Rams - Jason Smith, LT from Baylor

For the some of the same reasons just mentioned for why Detroit should pick Stafford, this has to be the way to go for the Rams. Left tackle is a position widely agreed to be the second most important position on a football team, behind quarterback.

During the better years in St. Louis, when Orlando Pace was young and dominating, both Kurt Warner and Marc Bulger had all day to pass.

They never had to worry about their backside because they knew Pace was there, handling whomever was rushing from his side.

Having that talent and that presence on the offensive line does much more than simply keeping defenders off the quarterback, it gives the signal-caller peace of mind when he drops back to pass. That can make all the difference.

3. Kansas City Chiefs - Andre Smith, LT from Alabama

This pick could end up being any number of players, though I believe it will be an offensive player. I think Kansas City, with the acquisition of Matt Cassel, would like to surround their new franchise quarterback with as much help as they can and as soon as possible.

Deciding what kind of help Cassel needs most is the challenge, though. Smith would tremendously help out Larry Johnson, in fact, who would in turn lighten the load on Cassel's shoulders, forcing teams to once again give extra attention to the brilliant running talent of Johnson.

Eugene Monroe would certainly help the most as a blindside protector at the left tackle position. That's an area where Smith has been criticized, but no tackle in this draft can give a team the boost in the run game that the Crimson Tide mauler can.

The other option here is Michael Crabtree. Cassel did well for his former team and for himself, but look at who he had to throw to: Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Ben Watson, and a slew of serviceable backs.

The Chiefs do have Gonzo and Bowe, but adding a top talent like Crabtree could really put that offense over the top.

Still, I think Andre Smith is the guy after he rebounds from his combine experience with a satisfying pro day workout and encouraging team interviews.

4. Seattle Seahawks - Eugene Monroe, LT from Virginia

With the signing of former Packer's defensive tackle Colin Cole and former Bengals wide receiver TJ Houshsyomamma, I don't see BJ Raji or Crabtree being taken by the Seahawks here.

Instead, they will follow the decisions of the Rams and the Chiefs by filling a position of need, the second most important position on a team aside from quarterback (which they have in Hasselbeck) which again would be left tackle.

Like Pace, Walter Jones is getting up there in age and down in production, ability, and availability. Seattle had trouble keeping Hasselbeck clean who had trouble staying healthy, and in turn, Seattle had trouble winning games because of the lack of production at the quarterback position.

Jim Mora Jr. could've gotten away with lesser talent at the blindside protector for his quarterback back in Atlanta when he had the elusive Michael Vick playing for him, but that won't fly with a statue like Hasselbeck.

5. Cleveland Browns - Aaron Curry, LB from Wake Forest

The Browns desperately need some help on defense and after the first four picks showcase the offensive side of the ball in this draft class, Cleveland gets the opportunity to take the top defensive prospect.

Not only will he produce tackles and big plays in the NFL, but Curry will lead. His intensity is infectious and he will make the men around him better, play harder, and turn the Browns defense from laughable into intimidating.

6. Cincinnati Bengals - Michael Crabtree, WR from Texas Tech

With the uncertainty that Chad Johnson will be there in Cincinnati, let alone be productive again, and with the loss of Houshsyomamma, Carson Palmer could really use this guy catching his passes.

When you have a talent like Palmer, you have to maximize that treasure your team has by giving him an equally talented gem at wide receiver. A duo of Carson and Crabtree could be historic, much like Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison were.

Crabtree, at this point, would be a steal anyways, so getting him would be smart in that sense.

7. Oakland Raiders - Jeremy Maclin, WR from Missouri

Al Davis is too predictable. A speedy wide receiver? Duh. Hello, Raider country.

The pick itself, however, would not be too bad considering Maclin's versatility as both a decently polished wide receiver and an electric return man.

I'm sure he can add another dimension in the offense on a few reverses and maybe team with McFadden in some wildcat formations.

8. Jacksonville Jaguars - Mark Sanchez, QB from USC

With many believing Sanchez would have ended up as the first overall pick in the 2010 draft if he had stayed one more year at USC, getting him a year early at the No. 8 overall pick could be worthwhile.

Jacksonville would be a good situation for Sanchez. They already have an established starter in quarterback David Garrard, and they are paying him as such. This would allow Sanchez, a one year starter in college, to sit the bench, learn and absorb the system.

Three years down the line, he'll be more than ready to start and produce, much like Aaron Rodgers did for the Packers last year.

This is how a top quarterback prospect should be handled.

9. Green Bay Packers - BJ Raji, DT from Boston College

This should be a no-brainer if he's still available at No. 9. The Packers have only one player projected to play the all-important nose tackle position in Ryan Pickett, and his knees don't instill a lot of confidence that he'll be able to hold up playing more than half the snaps at that position this upcoming season.

There is absolutely no one behind Pickett. The only player we had that possibly could have assumed that role, though he wasn't see as a good fit for the position, was Colin Cole, whom we allowed to go sign with Seattle for a pretty hefty contract.

Add to that the lack of depth at the defensive tackle position in the draft, especially a tackle with the size and ability to play the nose tackle in a 3-4, the Packers must get Raji.

The only other player Green Bay could try to target to play that position is Ron Brace, Raji's teammate at Boston College. But to pass on Raji and hope to land Brace later on in the draft is too risky.

Besides the obvious skill set Raji brings to the table, he also brings tremendous versatility, playing both defensive tackle and defensive end in not only the 3-4 but the 4-3 as well. The Packers will most certainly be switching between the two defenses during the season as a result of the lack of personnel they will have to man the 3-4 scheme.

Raji also has an incredible personality, and I'm sure he'll impress during the interview process, much like he impressed when he more or less invited himself onto the set of NFL Network during the NFL combine.

Raji would be a great addition and would fill a huge need for the Packers. He has to be the pick if he hasn't been drafted up to that point.

10. San Francisco 49ers - Tyson Jackson, DT from LSU

Jackson came out of the college season with a solid resume, and many believed he was going to be a top-15 pick even before the season started.

He definitely solidified that projection by season's end, but after his combine performance, he might have boosted his stock enough to land him in the top-10 with the 49ers at number 10.

The big guy from LSU projects very well to the 5-technique defensive end in a 3-4 defense, which San Fran plays. They have their pass-rushing outside 'backers in Manny Lawson and last year's addition from the Bengals, Aaron Smith.

Jackson would do well to keep linemen at bay and allow Lawson and Smith an open lane to the quarterback, much like Chris Canty had done for Demarcus Ware in Dallas.

He looked a lot quicker during the combine position drills than people thought he was, so he might have added value as a pass rusher from the 3-4 end spot as well as shifting inside in some 4-3 looks during obvious passing situations.

11. Buffalo Bills - Brandon Pettigrew, TE from Oklahoma State

Though many believe Pettigrew has dropped significantly in draft standings after running disappointing 40 times during the NFL Scouting Combine, I think Buffalo was ready to make him their pick after the end of the college season.

The Bills desperately need a presence like Pettigrew on offense to take some attention away from Lee Evans and increase production in the red zone. Pettigrew is a great talent who can also block with the best of them, so he should never have to come off the field except for a breather.

Any team would tell you they'd love to have that option in a tight end, the option to keep a guy in for any play in any situation during any point of the game.

Pettigrew will prove his worth from Day 1.

12. Denver Broncos - Rey Maualuga, LB from USC

Brian Orakpo could easily be the pick here too, but I think Denver would rather a presence inside, a real thumper to help sew up the year-in year-out defensive woes the team has had against the run.

Maualuga is a big, intimidating, downhill defender and will make it known to opposing teams' backs that the middle is no place to run while he's back there defending it.

The USC 'backer almost can't be defined as a defender at times because he is constantly around the line of scrimmage, attacking and laying the lumber on anyone in his way.

He'll make a defense better, that's for sure.

13. Washington Redskins - Brian Orakpo, DE from Texas

The Redskins luck out a bit here in this mock draft, getting a player like Orakpo to drop to them when really, he should go a lot higher.

Orakpo is an intense, versatile, relentless pass rusher and his physical skills are up there with the top football players in this draft. He has tremendous quickness and speed to disrupt plays in the backfield and get to the quarterback. He also will speak up and be a leader.

The Texas pass rusher would replace what Washington let go in Jason Taylor, or really, what they never had to begin with in the former "Dancing With the Stars" participant.

14. New Orleans Saints - Malcolm Jenkins, CB from Ohio State

Based purely upon game film, this is an absolute steal. Jenkins was widely considered a top-5 talent and by far and away the best at his position in the draft, that is, before running his 40 yard dash at the combine where he couldn't even get into the low 4.5's.

The Saints, though, need help at both corner and safety so the versatility Jenkins brings in being able to play either position will warrant picking him up in this spot.

15. Houston Texans - Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR from Maryland

Having an explosive playmaker across from their own explosive playmaker Andre Johnson, along with Steve Slaton running the ball and Owen Daniels hauling in passes over the middle from Matt Schaub, and look at that Houston offense!

DHB was projected near the end of the first round, if that, but with his size and running a 4.3 flat at the combine, he will almost certainly be drafted before the 20th overall pick with teams in the teens looking for wide receivers.

16. San Diego Chargers - Brian Cushing, LB from USC

The versatility and overall great play by this blue-collar football player would be a smart pick for a team with questions remaining on defense, mainly whether Shawn Merriman will be able to play at the level he did before and whether the team plans to pay him for the long haul.

If Merriman ends up not being in the picture, Cushing can fill his role on the outside, and if Merriman does play, Cushing can just as easily man the inside.

A football player's versatility is often overlooked and way undervalued in the NFL, but some team will recognize Cushing's worth and take him with a high-mid first round selection.

17. New York Jets - Hakeem Nicks, WR from North Carolina

After losing Coles in free agency, the Jets really have no true No. 1 wideout, and arguably, lack a solid No. 2 as well. They might have to go wide receiver with this pick and then go back to the position later on in the draft with the position having such great depth this year.

Some might think Percy Harvin is the better talent, but New York already has a similar player in Leon Washington, who made the Pro Bowl this past year. This team needs a legitimate wide receiver who can run all the routes and start from day one. That will be Nicks.

18. Chicago Bears - Clay Matthews, LB from USC

Brian Urlacher isn't what he once was, and he's a bit pricey for what he is now, which is a scapegoat. Upper management and fans alike did not like their long-time linebacker demanding a pay raise during last off-season, a situation that got as far as Urlacher threatening to hold out.

The old Bear might still have a few more good seasons, but Chicago needs to start planning for life after Urlacher and Matthews will be able to pick up where Urlacher leaves off, or left off a couple years ago.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Peria Jerry, DT from Mississippi

The Bucs really have no one making a name for themselves on the interior of their defensive line. They could really use a disrupting, one-gap penetrater like Jerry.

Their new, young head coach Raheem Morris knows the importance of defense, the importance of disrupting the backfield, and having been promoted from within, he should know they currently lack that on their roster.

20. Detroit Lions - Michael Oher, OT from Mississippi

Back-to-back picks from Mississippi in the first round of the NFL draft. Has that ever happened before? Well, it'll happen now, at least in this mock draft.

The Lions should follow the Atlanta Falcons by getting someone to protect their new investment at quarterback. Unlike the Falcons though, they should not throw Stafford into the fire. He simply is not Matt Ryan, and they shouldn't expect him to be.

Oher, however, should be thrown in right away so that by the time Stafford is ready to go, Oher is too. He's immensely talented, but the big guy is incredibly inconsistent.

A few years in the NFL, playing against supreme talent and being mentored by NFL coaches should be enough to determine what kind of player the Lions got with the 20th overall pick.

21. Philadelphia Eagles - Knowshon Moreno, RB from Georgia

Finally, a popular pick. Westbrook is never healthy for a full season, and he's getting old. Moreno is a very talented back and he would not only take pressure off McNabb on the field, but off the field too because the fans will shift their focus (somewhat) to the excitement Moreno brings to the game.

22. Minnesota Vikings - Percy Harvin, RB/WR from Florida

Harvin gives the Vikings an intriguing complement to Peterson and Berrian. He'll also spark the return game.

It might take a year or two, but he could really blossom in an NFL offense once he settles into a position and gets coached up.

23. New England Patriots - Vonte Davis, CB from Illinois

The Patriots realize now that they can't get by with so-so players at cornerback and let their scheme hide their deficiencies. They'll roll the dice with Davis and see what they get.

24. Atlanta Falcons - William Moore, S from Missouri

I don't really think a safety in this class deserves to go in the first round, but Atlanta might reach as they did last year at offensive tackle with Sam Baker.

They are not afraid to fill needs over taking the best player available, and releasing Milloy leaves a spot open for Moore to come in and fill right away.

To his credit, Moore had an excellent junior year which he followed with a poor senior year, but he was hurt for much the season and has recently shown at the combine and his pro day that he is healthy and is very fluid for his size. He might end up warranting a first round grade after all is said and done.

25. Miami Dolphins - James Laurinaitis, LB from USC

Bill Parcells loves players of Laurinatis' makeup: tough, blue-collar, and play to the whistle. Once thought of as a top-10 pick, he won't slide past 25.

26. Baltimore Ravens - Michael Johnson, DE from Georgia Tech

At this point in the draft, taking a shot on a player like Johnson is worth it. He's blessed with outstanding physical size and ability, but he hasn't played up to his potential...yet. I think a team like Baltimore could get a lot more out of him than the coaches at Georgia Tech could.

27. Indianapolis Colts - LeSean McCoy, RB from Pittsburgh

It would not surprise me one bit to see Indy go with an offensive skill position, and McCoy would be a better fit for them than Chris Wells. With Addai being hurt as much as he is, it would be a good idea to add McCoy to their team.

28. Philadelphia Eagles - Kenny Britt, WR from Rutgers

With McNabb steaming a bit still with Dawkins being essentially let go by the team, getting him Moreno and a big, talented wide receiver like Britt would do wonders to make him reconsider a contract extension with the team.

Britt showed in his combine workout that he has the speed to go deep and with his size he could dominate teams' corners, much the way Plaxico Burress would burn the Eagles' defensive backs.

29. New York Giants - Brian Robiskie, WR from Ohio State

With Britt off the board, Robiskie would be the next best option for New York. They have to know they are not getting Plaxico back anytime soon and need someone to replace the production he brought to the team.

Robiskie is a coach's son and has a work ethic that you would expect from such a player. Coughlin will love this kid for the kind of player he is, basically, the opposite of Burress personality-wise.

He also ran well at the combine, ensuring that he can be more than just a possession wide receiver.

30. Tennessee Titans - Sean Smith, CB from Utah

Smith brings size to a position that is tested regularly in the AFC South. He can push around the smaller wide receivers, disrupting their routes and timing with their quarterbacks, as well as match up nicely with some of the bigger wide receivers, such as Andre Johnson.

31. Arizona Cardinals - Robert Ayers, DE from Tennessee

As far as a pass-rusher from the defensive end position, the Cardinals are lacking. Ayers will be able to get after the quarterback and play the run very well with his 270-pound body. Ayers' stock is on the rise though, so he might not even make it this far down the draft.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers - Alex Mack, C for California

This is pretty easy. Pittsburgh needs offensive linemen. It's that simple. Who they take at this point is anyone's guess, though. They could get Mack, the best center in the draft, or Eben Britton, a left tackle, or Duke Robinson, the best guard in the draft.

Phew. A lot of possibilities exist with each and every one of these picks. I will most likely write up one more mock draft before the commencement of the 2009 draft, once all the pro day workouts are in the books. Can't wait! And GO PACK GO!!!

Some Thoughts on What Green Bay Needs to Do in Free Agency and the Draft

Matt Konkle — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 23:06:54 -0500

Another swing and a miss from the Green Bay Packers. Chris Canty, the former defensive end of the Dallas Cowboys, has signed with the New York Giants.

Though it's not surprising the Packers didn't land a marquee free agent within the first few days of free agency, it is disappointing knowing that it came down to the Packers and the Giants as the landing spot for Canty, meaning the Packers had a legitimate shot at signing him.

It's disappointing knowing we had a shot at an impact player and one who would be a perfect fit for our new defensive scheme.

Not only that, but Canty would have been a great addition to a defense that will be transitioning to a 3-4 scheme over the course of a few years.

Canty can play the five-technique to a T. He can also kick inside and provide a presence from a pass-rushing standpoint when the Packers go back to the 4-3 during a game.

Canty is young, has incredible size at 6-7 and 304 lbs, and has been heralded for never quitting on a play, a trait not all big men have. And even though he was one of the bigger names on the free agent market, 17.25 million dollars guaranteed is not a whole lot for a player of Canty's caliber.

Yes the Packers have to re-sign Greg Jennings, Nick Collins, Aaron Kampan, and others set to hit the market after the '09 season. But Green Bay has over 30 million to work with under this year's salary cap, which I think was enough to make a play AND LAND the former Dallas defensive end.

I've backed Ted Thompson and his decisions ever since he arrived in Green Bay, but c'mon Ted, get somebody!

So what now? I think the Packers need to make a strong play for Igor Olshansky, formerly of the Chargers, whom also played the 5-technique for a 3-4 defense. He, at least, will come cheaper and should help by providing some much needed experience in the new defensive scheme Green Bay is trying to employ.

As for the draft, with the Packers losing Colin Cole to Seattle, it's a no-brainer that TT has to go get a defensive tackle to back up Ryan Pickett, or start for that matter.

Pickett is the only player we have that has the physical make-up to play the very important nose tackle position. He is getting old, however, and his knees are becoming a concern, so depth at that position is questionable, to say the least.

I'm hoping the Packers acquire either defensive tackle from Boston College in the upcoming draft: B.J. Raji or Ron Brace. Both have the size and strength to play the nose tackle position in the 3-4, though Raji is by far the more athletic and talented of the two.

If Raji slips to the 9th pick, it should be an easy decision for Ted Thompson. To me, it looks like the only competition we will have for Raji is Seattle and Cinncinati. But with Seattle signing Cole, their need for a defensive tackle is no longer as great.

The Bengals were poised to pick Seddrick Ellis last year in the draft before the Saints leap-frogged them to take the defensive tackle out of USC, so they might have their eyes set on Raji.

Losing Houshyomamma though, and the possibility of trading Ocho-cinco might force the Bengals to consider Michael Crabtree with their pick, leaving a clear path for Raji to fall to us.

If for whatever reason the Packers don't land Raji, I believe we could pick Brace up with our second round pick, or trade back into the first round in order to secure him for sure.

It actually wouldn't be a terrible idea to possibly draft both of these guys, Raji and Brace. I have a feeling, for reasons already mentioned, that the Packers won't be re-signing Pickett once his contract is up, so having two talented, young, big men rotating at the center of our defense could really set the foundation for a successful switch to the 3-4 defense.

It's also imperative that we find a defensive end/linebacker 'tweener to rush the quarterback from opposite Kampman, but those players can always be found later in the draft and this draft in particular has a lot of depth in that position.

The Packer offense should improve upon it's productive '08 performance ,in which they ranked 5th in the league, as Aaron Rodgers leads the way with a year's worth of starting experience under his belt.

The special teams play will hopefully improve with increased attention being paid to it by Mike McCarthey and Teddy.

Other than that, I think the Packers will be alright.

Julius Peppers to the Green Bay Packers? Yes, Please.

Matt Konkle — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 00:21:38 -0500

For anyone out there who is a true Green Bay Packers fan, you and I both know that the team we love is merely an addition or two away on defense from being a Super Bowl contender.

The offense is excellent and will only be better this year now that Aaron Rodgers has a year's experience to fall back on and once players like Jermichael Finley and Jordy Nelson have an NFL offseason to help them make that huge jump from their first year to their second year in pro football. The offensive line is solid and improving. Our playmakers are skilled and numerous. Our offensive scheme, under the direction of Mike McCarthy, works. The arrow is pointing up for Green Bay's offense.

The special teams weren't so special last year, but they have some things that worked well for them. Will Blackmon was able to stay healthy and play in every game last season and he proved to be simply electrifying on the return. We got rid of Derrick Frost, our punter, who was awful, and got a guy who isn't Frost, so there's an improvement. And for all the struggles our coverage units had on kickoffs, we did not allow a runback for a score all season long.

Defense was the real enigma last year. Some games, our defense played lights out, like in the Chicago game (the first matchup) or the game against the Colts. Unfortunately, that's as long as that list gets.

It wasn't so much that the defense was that awful, though at times they really were (MNF versus the Saints), but they just could not show up when we really needed them to, i.e. the end of a game when the Packers were trying to hold onto a lead, or merely on third down. What's so hard about defending the pass in situations like these when you know the team is throwing the ball? Well, doing it without a pass rush makes it fairly difficult.

The Packers have Aaron Kampman, but double-teams can eliminate a good player. We have Cullen Jenkins, but a season-ending injury he sustained during a Week 4 game against the Bucs could hinder him entering the '09 season as he continues to rehab. We have...oh wait, that's it I think.

That's right, no one else besides those two guys can consistently pressure the quarterback. We currently have no one who can push the pocket and prevent the quarterback from stepping up when our edge rushers actually make it around their blockers. How do we fix this? Easy. We sign Julius Peppers. And trust me, the stars are aligning in a way that this might just be possible.

First off, Peppers has publicly stated that he wishes to leave Carolina via free agency and would like to not be franchised by the organization that drafted him second overall. It seems unlikely that the Panthers would franchise him anyway because they also have another high-profile player, Jordan Gross, set to hit free agency. The team franchised Gross last year to prevent him from leaving, and with the run game being so productive last season, I would think the higher priority would be to keep that production intact.

Peppers has also announced that he would like to play in a 3-4 scheme, which Green Bay happens to be switching to this coming season. Not only that, but coaching the defensive line this year for the Packers will be none other then Mike Trgovac, who was Carolina's defensive coordinator and whom has a good working relationship with the defensive end.

Green Bay has strongly hinted at the '09 season being a must-win season. After going to overtime in the NFC Championship game and losing just two seasons ago, the realization is that, with last year's finish, this team underachieved. It has the talent to win, so this year should be big in the wins department or Coach McCarthy and GM Ted Thompson will be under fire.

The urgency is clearly evident in the dramatic and surprising firing of almost the entire defensive staff and the implementation of the very popular 3-4 defensive scheme. McCarthy hired Dom Capers to lead the changeover because Capers is an experienced defensive coach and the Packers need results now.

On the flip side, the team just hired Kevin Greene, a former player who excelled in the 3-4 defense but has never coached in the NFL regular season. He will coach the outside linebackers and hopefully bring an energy to the Green Bay linebacking corps that seemed to never show up during games last year.

With the team being under fire as a whole for the shortcomings of the '08 season, it makes sense that Thompson will go against his normal tendencies and take a plunge into free agency. Getting Peppers would be a move similar to the one former-Green-Bay-GM Ron Wolf made when he landed the best free agent signing in Packers history, Reggie White.

Thompson previously worked in Green Bay under the direction of Wolf and such a huge signing really would be reminiscent of the Packers acquiring White. Peppers definitely has the size to handle the 5-technique end in the 3-4, but he also has the athleticism to play linebacker. My guess would be that he would play the end position, but with Capers' creativity, Peppers would be dropping into zone coverage pretty frequently.

Merely the presence of Peppers on the Packers defense would force teams to game plan against him, allowing other Packers defenders to get single-block looks from the opposition. I'm sure though, that double team or no double team, Peppers will be wreaking havoc of his own. Peppers realizes he is a great player, but he wants to be elite. That kind of mind-set is what I want on our defense.

The Packers have managed the salary cap well over the years, front-loading contracts so to avoid cap trouble in later years from big-time player signings/extensions. That means we have the money to spend on Peppers.

Peppers a Packer...it just makes sense, and the dominoes are falling.

Matt Konkle's First Mock Draft for the 2009 NFL Draft

Matt Konkle — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:34:53 -0500

This coming NFL draft has become quite intriguing with the large number of underclassmen declaring early and becoming eligible draft prospects. I will present a first mock draft, a very rough mock draft mind you, and try to determine what player will be selected by what organization.

I will then continue to write updated mock drafts as information on the senior bowl, scouting combine, pro days, and speculation throughout become readily available to me.

Now, let's see what the first round is going to look like.

Detroit Lions

I would like to think with Matt Millen gone that Detroit would not go and pick a wide receiver with this pick, even though Michael Crabtree from Texas Tech looks intriguing. The simple fact, though, is that this team needs a quarterback.

They need a lot of things really, but with only two sure-fire first round talents at QB (Matthew Stafford of Georgia and Mark Sanchez of USC), they should get one with this pick.

I'm hoping they go with Stafford, since I'm a Packers fan, and of the two, I think Sanchez is the better pro prospect. Both played with a good supporting cast, but Stafford comes in with a number of questions about his decision-making and accuracy, while Sanchez is riding the wave from a huge bowl win where he was just excellent.

Sanchez also has the athletic ability to scramble effectively and is being praised by Mel Kiper Jr. as being ridiculously good at throwing on the run. With the shape of the Lions' offense line, that quality alone that Sanchez possesses might be enough to convince the organization to go with the USC product.

St. Louis Rams

The Rams are in a familiar spot, picking second overall for the second consecutive year. A lot of people think they should go with an offensive tackle, Andre Smith of Alabama, if Detroit passes on him. I disagree, though.

With the overall depth at the position very good for the second consecutive year, I think the Rams could wait until the second round or possibly trade back up into the first round and still get a great, young tackle.

And with questions about Smith's ability to handle the speed rush from defensive ends with a quick first step, I wouldn't go with Smith that high if there's any question about his overall game, even if he is dominate in just about everything else he does.

When picking second overall, the guy should be an elite prospect with no flaws whatsoever, and with their defense still awful and in need of leadership, St. Louis should make the pick Aaron Curry from Wake Forest.

The guy has everything a team could need in a linebacker, and his presence in the locker room should have a very positive effect on a team with no one on the roster really filling that role right now.

Kansas City Chiefs

Now, I think would be a good time to pick up the big guy Smith. Yes, it still is high for a guy with questions about his ability to pass protect against speed rushers, but the Chiefs need to continue to rebuild their offensive line.

Having Smith run-blocking for Larry Johnson would shore up all sorts of problems for that offense. It's a waste for them to have a great back like Johnson still in his prime with no one blocking for him.

Getting Smith could produce huge dividends, turning the run game around in a heartbeat and improving the offense all around as a result.

Seattle Seahawks

I would definitely go Michael Crabtree with this pick if I was Seattle. They've been desperately searching for that top-flight wide receiver for a whiles now.

Koren Robinson was it for a year, then flamed out. They acquired Deon Branch who hasn't yet been worth the money or the first round pick given up for him. Nate Burelson has been more of a No. 2 wideout and really, picking him up was just a vengeful move by management after still steaming from the "poison pill" contract the Vikes signed him to.

The tight end from Notre Dame was a good pick up in the draft last year, and getting Crabtree for Hasselbeck could really ignite that offense of theirs. Maybe getting a good back in one of the later rounds as well would be a good idea.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns have their offense, but they still need a defense. Possibly another hyrbid linebacker-defensive end would be the way to go. Aaron Maybin from Penn State would fit that bill, but he is a very young player, so he might need time to develop. Of course, with Mangini starting his first year there, he's got a few years to let that happen.

Cincinnati Bengals

Levi Jones is still doing okay, right? If the Bengals are serious about letting Houshyomomma leave and trading Chad, then they might want to get a playmaker at wide receiver. Hello Jermey Maclin from Missouri. His big-play ability would help ease the pain of the whole Chad Johnson headache of the past year and a half.

Oakland Raiders

This one is easy. The Oakland offense still needs some more O-lineman, so obviously Al Davis will go with cornerback Malcom Jenkins from Ohio State. He seems determined to find a complement for Nnamdi Asomugha after trading and paying for Dante Hall, just to release him midway through the year.

Jacksonville Jaguars

This one is actually easy. With three starting offensive lineman going down early in the season, the Jaguars need to draft offensive lineman pretty frequently throughout this draft. Eugene Monroe of Virginia would be a good pick for them.

Green Bay Packers

I would think the Packers might go Jason Smith from Baylor with this pick, since our offensive tackle right now, Chad Clifton, is quickly starting to show his age. But with the hiring of Capers as our defensive coordinator and coach MM announcing a switch to the 3-4 scheme, I'm thinking the pick might be geared towards finding the personnel to fit that scheme.

Now, the most important position in a 3-4 scheme is the nose tackle, a true nose tackle, which in my mind we don't currently have on our team so we might need to draft one. But, is there one worth taking that high?

Interestingly enough, the two biggest tackles entering this draft (according to ESPN) are both from Boston College, B.J. Raji and Ron Brace, both weighing in the 330 range. Raji is being projected to go in the first round as of now, and Brace is up there in the rankings.

That being said, I think Everrette Brown of Florida State will wow at the combine and his pro day and will end up shooting up draft boards and going to the Packers. We desperately need a pass rush opposite Aaron Kampman.

San Fransisco 49ers

The 49ers need some help on offense and Percy Harvin of Florida could help them out. Issac Bruce? C'mon. Bryant Johnson? Nuh-huh. Percy Harvin? Yes, more please.

Those are my thoughts on the top 10 picks in the draft. For the rest, I'll just say who I think will be picked and write just a thought or two about the pick.

Buffalo - No. 11 - Brian Cushing linebacker USC

Cushing's versatility as both a 'backer and pass rusher could intrigue Buffalo enough to take him this high.

Denver - No. 12 - Rey Maulauga linebacker USC

Switching to the 3-4 under D-coordinator Mike Nolan makes Maulauga a good pick here. The guy is huge and moves well running downhill. Shoring up that awful run defense Denver has had the past few years has to be the top priority on defense, and Maulauga will excel in that department.

Washington - No. 13 - Brian Orakpo defensive end Texas

Jason Taylor will probably be cut, and then the Redskins will again have a void at defensive end. Orakpo had plenty of production at Texas and, coming out after his senior year, should be ready more than most to make the transition to the NFL.

New Orleans - No. 14 - Chris Wells running back Ohio State

Goodbye Deuce. Hello Beanie. This makes perfect sense. The Saints win with lots of offense and a sprinkle of defense every now and then. Getting a back like Wells will give the Saints the production from their run game that they got when they went to the championship game, when Deuce was healthy and running well.

This will also benefit Reggie Bush as Wells will easily be able to carry the load so that Bush won't be overused in the run game and wear down late in the game/season.

Houston - No. 15 - Alex Mack center Cal

This might be a reach, and maybe the guy from the Ducks would be a better fit with his athleticism and Houston's zone-blocking run scheme, but something tells me Mack is going to surprise. Either way, the Texans need to protect both Schaub, who gets hurt way too often, and Slaton, who's small enough to get hurt way too often.

San Diego - No. 16 - BJ Raji defensive tackle Boston College

Toddy McShay is raving about this guy in Senior Bowl practices right now, so Raji lasting this late might not happen. If the Chargers are lucky enough to get him here, though, they'd be smart to get him with Jamal Williams' durability being an issue the last few seasons. Raji is definitely big enough to man the middle in a 3-4, but as talented as he is it'd almost be a shame to put him in as the nose tackle in a 3-4 where such a player is asked to just occupy lineman.

NYJ - No. 17 - Matthew Stafford quarterback Georgia

Some team will probably trade up if Stafford starts to slip, and maybe that team would be the Jets anyways, but for them to get Stafford would be great for New York. Favre (love that man) is probably calling it quits for good (HA!, yea right) so drafting a quarterback for the future, or the present even, would be realistic.

Chicago - No. 18 - Vonte Davis cornerback Illinois

With speculation that Vasher might be released, Chicago will be in the market for a corner and after seeing Davis play in some Wisconsin-Illinois games, I can tell he's the real deal. No way this guy is a bust. Hopefully the Bears don't just have him play that Tampa-2 crap though, because he looked awesome in man-to-man in college.

Tampa Bay - No. 19 - Brandon Pettigrew tight end Oklahoma State

They've got Alex Smith, but Pettigrew could really open up that offense. It would also allow them to get rid of Jeremy Stevens, who I just don't like.

Detroit - No. 20 - Jason Smith offensive tackle Baylor

They do have two former first rounders at the book ends, but neither is great.

Minnesota - No. 21 - James Laurenitis linebacker Ohio State

Losing Henderson hurt Minny, but getting this guy would sure help.

New England - No. 22 - DJ Moore cornerback Vandy

Letting Samuel go was a gamble, and it backfired. Look what he's done for Philly, and look what his absence has done to New England.

Atlanta - No. 23 - Peria Jerry defensive tackle Mississippi

I also think the guy from Auburn would be a good pick here. Atlanta just needs a presence in the middle, period.

Miami - No. 24 - Tyson Jackson defensive end LSU

Parcells missed on a 5-technique end from LSU he picked in the first round when back with Dallas, but I'm sure he goes after this guy if he's available.

Philly - No. 25 - Michael Oher offensive tackle Mississippi

Tra Thomas and Jon Rungyen are pretty old. The Eagles are well overdue taking an offensive tackle high in the draft, but lucky for them this draft is stacked with tackles.

Indy - No. 26 - Taylor Mays safety/linebacker USC

Depending on how he works out at the combine and his pro day, Mays' stock could end up fluctuating the most. His potential is immense, and the new Indy coach wants to beef up his defensive players.

NYG - No. 27 - Britt wide receiver Rutgers

Either this early or maybe the second round, I feel the Giants are going to try to find a replacement for Plaxico. Britt is a big receiver, like Plaxico, but some are calling him a prima dona, like Plaxico. Hopefully he won't shoot himself, though.

Tennesse - No. 28 - Darrius Heyward-Bey wide receiver Maryland

I think Jeff Fisher would like to add another dynamic player to his offense and have him make the same impact that Chris Johnson has made. Heyward-Bey has speed to burn.

Philly - No. 29 - William Moore safety Missouri

The Eagles were really hoping, and expecting to land one of the four safeties selected in the first round a few years ago, but New England took the last of the four just before Philly picked. Now, they have a chance to get a pretty good safety to replace Dawkins whenever he decides to slow down, if ever.

Baltimore - No. 30 - Rashad Johnson safety Alabama

Even though I love Leonard being back there with Ed Reed, my boy from Wisconsin has his limitations, as does Landry who was the regular starter before going down for the season. Johnson could really make that safety tandem a scary one for the Ravens.

Pittsburg - No. 31 - Eben Britton offensive tackle Arizona

Lineman lineman lineman!!! Every pick they make this year should be a lineman. Big Ben needs protecting.

Arizona - No. 32 - Knowshon Moreno running back Georgia

A great value at this point, the Cards could really use Moreno if James does decide to bolt the desert. He could make the offense even more potent.

Packers' Defense, Please, Pick it up Already!

Matt Konkle — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:11:13 -0500

So you say the Packers aren't that good? Well, that's only half right. When your team is No. 5 in the league in points scored and are holding a head-scratching 5-7 record, the blame needs to go to the defense.

Not to say the Packers haven't had their struggles elsewhere (two long fourth quarter kick returns by the Panthers, a too-little-too-late decision to finally cut the punter that's been struggling all season, untimely offensive turnovers and stalled drives, etc.), but the defense just hasn't been able to step up with the game on the line.

The Packers' ability to stop the run varies week-to-week. One week they are bad stopping the run and the next week, they are awful.

Gap discipline is nonexistent when it comes to the big men upfront. They are too easily forced out of the way, or simply abandon their gap responsibilities chasing after the running back, opening up the cutback lane.

That wouldn't be as big of a problem if the linebackers would just take good angles to the guy with the ball, but they don't always do that. Too often a linebacker will look to attack, running downhill, but end up chasing. And the secondary, they can't get off those wide receiver blocks or they will just flat out miss the tackle.

Stopping the pass is the Packers' strength on defense, except when it's third down or when the game's on the line. Too many times, especially on third and long, and especially on third and long, the opponent will convert.

The secondary can't be blamed much for that because really, it's the lack of a pass rush that's hurting the team.

Aaron Kampman did a good job getting two sacks against Carolina last Sunday, but those were legitimate coverage sacks. Rushing four doesn't get the job done, and when the Packers blitz, the extra guys usually don't get there either. Kampman has done a decent job getting 9.5 sacks on the season.

However, the Packers only have 20 sacks total on the season, which ranks 26th in the NFL. It's not hard for the opponent to realize doubling up on one guy will cut the Packer's sack production in half.

However, the biggest problem facing the Packers' defense, as previously mentioned, is the ability to close out a game. Green Bay had the lead late in the game versus Minnesota, Carolina, and Tampa Bay, yet they allowed the opposition to score, take the lead, and win the game.

They were tied late against Tennessee, allowed the Titans to drive from inside their own 10-yard line into field goal range, where they would miss the field goal, only to again allow the Titans to drive down the field in overtime for the game-winning field goal.

And against the Falcons, the Green Bay offense managed to tie the game in the fourth quarter only to have the defense allow Atlanta to score 10 consecutive points thereafter.

Protecting a lead is something good defenses can do. If a defense can't stop an offense when it really matters, then 5-7 is what you get.