Packer Related: News From The NFL Combine
by Brandon on Mar 1, 2010 9:00 AM CST
in Green Bay Packers Draft
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PrintThe first two days of the NFL Combine featured workouts at a few positions that the Green Bay Packers don't expect to use a high draft choice on: QB, RB, WR, and TE. But Saturday began with the offensive lineman, and no one stood out more than Maryland OT Bruce Campbell. Though I pointed out that his comparison to current Packer RT Allen Barbre may be a good reason to stay away from the workout warrior. This remains a great year for offensive lineman, so the Packers don't have to use their 1st round pick on a tackle.
While Campbell shined, none of the other top lineman hurt their standing, except for top rated tackle Russell Okung who literally hurt himself. He suffered a minor injury during his workout. Still it's likely Okung remains the top tackle this year, and he'll be long gone before the Packers pick. All the tackles should remain about where they are currently projected.
While a young offensive tackle probably remains their top priority, Monday and Tuesday feature their other two big need areas: linebackers, if they are looking for a pass rusher to replace LB Aaron Kampman, and defensive backs, if they are looking for better depth.
If you are looking for excellent coverage of the NFL combine, Rob Rang at CBSSports.com and the crew over at Arrowhead Pride are great.
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combine
imo, the combine is over-rated. 40 times, broad jump, verticle jump ect. the combine is mostly used for the teams to get to know the prospects. scouts,coaches go their to interview the players to see what they are like. are they good guys or nut jobs. sure a few players from smaller schools can improve their draft status, but overall all you have to do is do the eyeball test. watch film, watch film or go to a game in person and decide if that player can play.
the packers already have their board set for the draft. they go to the combine and might switch a couple players, but all in all, they already know who they want from the endless hours of watching film, otherwise why pay the scouts all year. teams should just go to the combine and draft accordingly through the results.
combine
THe reason the combine is VERY important is the medical checks… THats what it was originally set up for, so all the teams could do medical checks on all the players at the same time, instead of having to send the medical people all over gods green earth to do them seperately! After that the interview process is very important. Unfortunately, the combine has evolved into the whole workout process, which makes it more interesting for fans.
But your right, the whole workout part of the combine IS over-rated!!! Although still somewhat important.
Very good point. I think the interviews can really show a lot about the player. The numbers are overrated though, but i think they complete the profile and give you something to grasp onto more than “he looks fast” or “he seems to be quick”….this allows them to put a number to how speedy they are. But just looking at the numbers is foolish. Every year there is some whiz that just burns up the track (Troy Williamson) who flies up the charts though…
I have to say, from what I’ve read and seen on Charles Brown, I’d like to see the Packers pick him up at #23 if he’s available. I think TedCo will be attracted by the following:
(1) He’s a senior. With any luck and research, he’s got the emotional maturity that comes with that.
(2) He’s a converted tight end, displays the athleticism that comes with that background, and has room to grow.
(3) He’s played LT at USC in a pro-style offense. It wouldn’t be at all strange to go back to the well where TedCo got Clay Matthews last year.
(4) We’ve got to have an heir to Chad Clifton on hand. I know our secondary needs help too, but there’s no LT candidate on the roster. TJ Lang may work out at LG or RT, but he’s not cut out to face Jared Allen twice a year; neither is Breno Giacomini.
Veldheer and Ducasse and Saffold might be good options in later rounds, but gosh golly gee a ready-made LT candidate is a must-have for the Packers this year (and really was last year). We’ve got a bunch of developmental DBs on hand (Lee, Blackmon, Underwood), and Brad Jones manning LOLB adequately, but no LT.
I’d rather postpone the hunt for more defensive backs to the second and later rounds, and grab O’Brien Schofield late for LOLB. LT is such a crying need, I can’t see it moving off the list of first-round must-haves if the Packers feel a worthy candidate is available.
+10
Totally agree. The more I read on Brown, the more I like the guy. He even came in at 303 lbs. after scouts were iffy on whether or not he could any weight to his previously 285 lb. frame. I think this guy might have the most potential of all the LTs in the draft, and I would love to see us pick him up.
by packallday555 on Mar 1, 2010 11:37 AM CST up reply actions
Brown
Unfortunately the Packers and Ron Wolf went there for a LT project that was supposed to be #4’s backside protector… His name was John Michels… Remember him?!! He has similar questions about him… Could he gain enough wt to anchor vs the pass rush, could he ever become a good run blocker…
How did that work out for the Packers?!
Brown has similar questions and isn’t regarded as a dedicated student of the game. Hope Thompson doesn’t make the same mistake that his mentor did!!!
Not saying don’t draft him, but buyer beware!!!
Research is a wonderful thing, and I hope and trust that the Packers scouts have and will do it.
I remember John Michels. If we’re going back in history, we could also talk about Anthony Munoz and Tony Boselli as former USC tackles. Ken Ruettgers, Michels’ predecessor at LT, was a USC man. More recently Sam Baker (drafted #21 in 2008) seems to be working out pretty well for the Falcons.
I’m not saying draft him based on his program’s history, because that would be foolish. But to hold one Packer draft bust from nearly fifteen years ago against drafting another tackle from the same school would seem similarly unwise. It’s up to the Packers staff to do their homework on this player, now, and draft or pass on that basis – not what happened in 1980 or 1985 or 1995 or 1996 or 2008. Don’t you agree? :-)
USC OT
Big difference between Reuttgers, Boselli and Munoz whe were drafted in the top couple picks, and Baker and now Brown who are at the bottom end of the 1st rd. Those players left little doubt they were going to be excellent LT as compared to Brown, who has ALOT to prove! Baker has been good, about what you can expect from a LT drafted in the late 1st. I wasn’t bashing on USC OT either, just comparing Brown to Michels cuz they seem to have the same questions!
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