The NFL Combine Is Going On
by Brandon on Feb 23, 2009 1:06 AM CST
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The first two days of the NFL Combine got underway over the weekend. From a Packers' fan standpoint, it wasn't a very interesting first two days which focused primarily on offensive players.
It seems unlikely the Packers would draft an offensive player in the 1st round. With the switch to a 3-4 defense this offseason, the priority would appear to be adding depth on the defensive line or a top flight outside linebacker. Although there is a lot of talk of drafting Ohio State's CB Malcolm Jenkins, but I hope that is just talk.
If the Packers did think offense first, they might take a look at the depth of talent available on the offensive line. RT Mark Tauscher is currently an unrestricted free agent and rehabbing from a torn ACL. LT Chad Clifton should be fine despite surgery on both knees this offseason, and he should be starting in 2009, but he might not have that many seasons left in the tank. That said, Football's Future says there is no Jake Long in this draft, so there will be some risk with any offensive tackle drafted at 9th overall.
One guy that might be falling is Texas Tech's WR Michael Crabtree. He's been projected to go in the top 5 for the last couple months, at least, but now he might need surgery. It shouldn't keep him out of training camp, but some teams might take an injured player right off their board. GM Ted Thompson showed with his selection of DT Justin Harrell in the 2007 1st round that he'll take an injured player. Although, so far, Harrell's been a bust, so that might not be a good thing either. Another reason I bring up a WR is that Thompson has drafted a WR in the 2nd or 3rd round in all four drafts that he's run as Packers' GM. Maybe he is always looking to upgrade at WR and Crabtree is too good to pass up.
By the way, this entry was written while under the influence of a domestic micro "superbier". So it's to blame for any inaccuracy, typos, or wild speculation. Although the triple ale in question is out of California, I would gladly substitute any brew from my favorite New Glarus brewery (Coffee Stout...yum).
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Ale in Dubuque
I went to a local bar and they said “The only fancy beer we have here is Amber Bock”. Frickin Pilsner town…
Anyway, although Madden says everything starts with your big uglies upfront,, I really like the idea of snatching up young projects late in the draft and turning them into corner-stones. Position players that are worth anything are too important to pass up, so I really hope they don’t trade down and gather warm bodies. But I have to query on one point, why not Jenkins?
He has been extensively projected as the Packers pick (but remember when Mario Williams was too? Can you even imagine that now?) and I think he would be a good addition to the ball-hawkers we already have. He’s big, he’s fast, and he’s pretty good from what I read
If the coaches say they think they pretty much have what they need to make the transition, why not go with a defensive weapon like Jenkins?
by PackaCracka on Feb 23, 2009 10:14 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Jenkins
Of the talented players available, Jenkins is the one I hope they don’t go after. Not because of Jenkins, but because of the depth on the roster. Harris and Woodson were great again last season, I’m a big fan of nickel CB Tramon Williams, and rookie 2nd round CB Pat Lee showed some potential when he got some playing time while Harris was injured. Plus KR Will Blackmon provides some more depth at corner. There is talk of Jenkins moving to free safety, but Nick Collins is great there, and they would be better off with a bigger Bigby-type hitter at the other safety position.
At the moment, I hope they go after a pass rusher freak athlete to play at outside linebacker, such as Aaron Curry or Aaron Maybin.
by Brandon on Feb 24, 2009 12:17 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Curry...
Seemed to come out of no where and has done nothing but help himself! Running a 4.5 40 was incredible and even faster then some RBs. As I really didnt look at him too much until I saw him numbers at the combine but he seems like he could be a perfect fit for a OLB. But there is news that he could be going in the top 5 now….
by bizzle4 on Feb 24, 2009 11:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
the combine may have its impact on GB...
with Andre Smith (OT BAMA) avoiding the combine saying he wasnt ready and now Michael Crabtree (WR Tech) foot surgery both who were slotted to go well before the #9 pick may now slip down in the draft.
With Smith’s departure from the combine he may slip and now Monroe would most likely be the first OT taken so that would erase him from our possible picks. Which could mean if TT wanted to go OL he could maybe get Smith. But then comes the issue do we want someone that has had two months to prepare and is not ready for the big “try-out”?
With Crabtrees surgery I think he will now drop from the top 5 but still dont see the Pack going after him. We have too many other holes to fill first. But the impact on GB would be a team that was suspected to get Crabtree (Seattle) may go after D. Which then could hurt GB deeply if they go after Raji or Orkapo.
But if Raji or Orkapo both go head of our #9 pick we still do have some options. Maybin DE/OLB, Everette Brown DE/ OLB FSU, or if we are not sold on AJ Hawk being in the middle maybe Rey Maualuga MLB USC. or his teammate Brian Cushings who played LB/ DE and had a great combine.
by bizzle4 on Feb 23, 2009 5:45 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Brown or Maybin
I would be really high on Brown or Orkapo, but they would have to play outside linebacker and we have no way of knowing if they can convert from college DE to NFL OLB. If GM Ted Thompson think they can, then I hope he seriously considers either of them. I would be cooler on Maybin then either Brown or Orkapo since Maybin only started one season in college. It might have been a fluke season. But he can play linebacker while I’m not sure Brown or Orkapo can.
It’s funny reading about Smith’s total meltdown (his agent too) at the combine, but I can’t believe that guy will fall just because he flaked out at the combine. He’ll work out at Alabama’s pro day or in a private workout to do all the things he missed at the combine. Maybe he fell apart at the combine because he is trying to hide something. He was so good last season in college that NFL teams won’t let him free fall in the 1st round just because he had a brain fart last weekend. But he was initially projected to go as high as #2 to St. Louis. This might be enough to drop him to #9 because there are some other talented left tackle prospects that might climb ahead of him, he would have to be seriously considered.
by Brandon on Feb 24, 2009 12:33 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
We may be targeting a Smith at LT but I don’t think Andre should be the target. Jason Smith from Baylor would be a better fit for zone-blocking as he is a little smaller and more athletic and still did 33 reps on the bench. There is a chance he will be gone before #9 as well.
by juggernaut400 on Feb 24, 2009 12:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Forget about Jenkins… Reports are he ran a 4.6 40… Can you say Safety!!! Can’t draft a CB in the high 1st rd who runs 4.6! And as a Safety he is no Sean Taylor.
Maybin has real concerns about his abiltiy to maintain weight. he apparently weighed 225 during last season at Penn ST. I know he is up to 250 at the combine, but he won’t be able to maintain that during the course of an NFL season.
Lets hope that both QB’s go before us. Along w/ the top 3 OT. Thats 5 of 8 picks, along w/ Crabtree and Curry. Then we MIGHT have a shot at Raji!!! BTW – Raji ran an incredible 5.15 40 at 337!!! Most likely raising his draft stock further yet!!!
Sure hope we get to draft Raji!!!
by Strohman on Feb 24, 2009 3:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Jenkins' combine performance
should pretty much kill any talk about him being a CB in the NFL. It’s not just his speed (or lack thereof), either. His hips & footwork are less than stellar.
by mittens on Feb 25, 2009 12:10 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
we do not need jenkins last year was the year to take a cb as i think like 7 or 8 when in the first round. we still have harris and woodson and williams had an above average year, with pat lee showed alot of potential. we need to go with raji, orakpo, or brown. but i did just see a blog on yahoo about shaun rogers wanting out of cleveland, if that is true then i really hope TT will go after him b/c he is a proven run stopper and one of the best in the league at doing so. i think orakpo or everette brown will be the guys we end up taking as both have the speed and strength to be an OLB in the 3-4 scheme
by packallday555 on Feb 25, 2009 3:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
o and we certainly DO NOT need crabtree. jennings driver nelson had great seasons last year and jones is a very good wideout as he proved in his rookie year, he was just hampered by injuries this year
by packallday555 on Feb 25, 2009 3:39 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
i just realized that i forgot all about aaron curry!! if somehow he slips down to #9 or doesnt go in the top 3 i think we should trade up for him, he would make an immediate impact and thats something were going to need b/c of the transition to 3-4
by packallday555 on Feb 25, 2009 3:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
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