Meet Aaron Rouse

by Brandon on Apr 29, 2007 2:42 AM CDT in Green Bay Packers News

I hate this pick. I really hope he proves me wrong, but I don't see any reason to be excited about Virginia Tech S Aaron Rouse.

Watching the draft on ESPN, Mel Kiper only said that Rouse struggles in pass coverage. As if the Packers needed S Marquand Manuel's twin. Yahoo occasionally lists him as a safety while other times as a linebacker, while John Murphy describes him as "a combination safety/linebacker." NFL Draft Scout says he looks inconsistent. Maybe he is a jack-of-all-trades and a master of none.

It sounds like Rouse is a future linebacker, but he might be on the small side for a linebacker and there really isn't a need to add depth at the position. Maybe he will become valuable on special teams. Unfortunately GM Ted Thompson seemed determined to give him a chance at safety:

"Like most Virginia Tech players, he's a very dynamic special-teams player," Thompson said. "He's a heavy hitter. In our opinion, the coaches say he's going to be fine in coverage."

It would have been great to have seen someone like South Carolina CB Fred Bennett or Delaware TE Ben Patrick drafted with this pick. Both Bennett and Patrick are projects, but at least they have shown something on the college field that gives you hope that it will translate into the NFL.

Unfortunately Rouse sounds like he might become the next S Pat Watkins. Hopefully the Packers don't have any plans for him in 2007 and he can remain on the end of the depth chart for a couple of seasons before the Packers release him. Although it sounds ridiculously early to give up on someone, if it is obvious to everyone that has watched him that he can't cover receivers deep, then it will be next to impossible to give him too many chances as receivers keep running past him. Even your linebackers have to be good in coverage to prevent the tight ends from running deep down the middle. There doesn't seem to be a place for him in the NFL.

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Comments

hmmm....

I agree with you mostly, Brandon. Rouse is not the kind of safety that the Packers need. If the coaching staff is creative enough, though, maybe they'll use him as a safety-linebacker hybrid, situationally, and not just try to plug him into the system and watch him get burned. I'm not sure if the coaching staff is that creative or confident, or if this young team can be spared some 'fundamentals' in favor of adding exotic elements to their defensive package.

Like the Jones pick earlier in round 3, this is a pick that is encouraging on the special teams front. Special teams killed the Packers last year, and it seems that the team is working on fixing it with solid guys who can contribute and won't gripe about being used on kick coverages and blocking units.

Rouse is the 3rd player who has gotten good marks for being a solid citizen and excellent leader, joining Harrell and Jones as players who other guys respect and follow.

Still, I am not sold on Rouse being an improvement for the Packers' secondary. Hopefully Marviel Underwood turns into the second coming of Leroy Butler.

by NiceGuyJoey on Apr 29, 2007 10:53 AM CDT reply actions

Special Teams

Good point about Rouse on special teams. He is one of those guys who delivers thundering hits. He could become a terror on special teams, but I would prefer they didn't draft special teams players in the 3rd round. Thompson did much better grabbing guys for special teams on day 2.

I'm really hoping Underwood comes back 100% and can become the starter too.

by Brandon on Apr 30, 2007 1:08 AM CDT up reply actions