Packers 1st Round Draft Choice: Iowa OT Bryan Bulaga
by Brandon on Apr 22, 2010 9:04 PM CDT
in Green Bay Packers Draft
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PrintThe Green Bay Packers selected Iowa OT Bryan Bulaga with their 1st round pick. From NFL.com:
Bulaga is a good, not a great, talent as a left tackle. Like most Iowa linemen he will come into the league with a good understanding of the game as well as the position he plays. He understands angles and blocking schemes and is quick to recognize and adjust to games up front. He is quick to set the edge and knows how to get a good fit with his hands but will struggle when speed rushers transfer that speed into power. He can be inconsistent with his footwork and is not an elite athlete for the position but there is enough there to make an eventual starter at left tackle.
While I'm disappointed they didn't draft a pass rusher (yet) to replace DE Aaron Kampman, offensive tackle is obviously a need position. He provides depth now and a left tackle for the future. I haven't written about him since the NFL combine because he seemed certain to be drafted in the top 10. I don't know why he slid down. Mocking The Draft says he's a top 10 prospect but "he lacks the upside and potential of other prospects." He's not a project, but maybe his ceiling was too low for many teams.
He's a great value for the draft slot and he certainly fills a need for a young tackle. He'll also improves the odds that QB Aaron Rodgers will avoid getting hit in the future which is something the team should always be focused on.
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I'm very upset
that we did not draft Kyle Wilson, I think bulaga is going to be a bust but I hope not.
Friends don't let friends be cub fans
I love this pick. Glad he fell to the Packers.
As for B. Jones, I sez wait til he starts for a full year before judging him.
So you're willing to risk the 2010 season to see if our former 7th Round pick will make an impact in his 2nd season?
We need a pass rusher to compliment Clay Matthews. I hope Buluga is as good as lot of my fellow Packer fans say he is. I am happy he fell to our lap, so I aint going to complain. Considering I haven’t watched him play, I’ll have to go with many others’ words in that he will be a successfull LT.
LT was a position that needed to be addressed early in the draft and we did just that. I hope this pick works out and we get a great player in the 2nd Round.
"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi
Every draft pick is a risk. A highly touted draftee could turn out to be a bust. It’s hit or miss. At least Jones has playing time under his belt in the NFL.
Brad Jones=
good run stopper, but below average pass rusher. considering we have a far more difficult schedule this season, if we don’t get a pass rusher soon….well, I quite frankly don’t want to hear what the sad results will be.
"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi
Can you prove a rookie drafted this year would be better? That’s the whole point here. You can’t. If we got Kindle, he might be a great player…. or might be a bust. However, Jones has played at the NFL level. Getting practice, more reps, more experience, he has just as much chance to become an impact player too. He knows what he has to train for. He’s already added some weight. I am sure Kevin Greene will be working with him on pass-rush technique, etc.
by Darrell L on Apr 23, 2010 1:35 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
You raise a good point Darrell L, but...
while Jones may have a year under his belt, he hasn’t really shown anything by means of generating a pass rush. Yes, I’ve heard he’s added weight, but w/ that weight will most surely come a loss of speed. Greatly needed speed on the edge might I add.
That's an excellent point and it's hard to say much to counter that
Experience is valuable. However, in my eyes I haven’t seen any potential in him as a pass rusher. I know many fans beg to differ, and that’s fine. I hope I eat my words on this one. As I said earlier, I don’t want to trade up for Kindle. If Kindle somehow falls to us or Ricky Sapp is available at our pick, I want one of them. They would be excellent for a rotation at LOLB and Special Teams.
"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi
shocked he fell this far
It was around 15 or 16 that I realized he might make it all the way to 23. It might not be a sexy pick, but it’s definitely the best value and fills a big need.
I wonder if he’ll start out at guard in 2010.
by shaftr on Apr 22, 2010 9:22 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
let's hope
he works out as well as aaron rodgers…another first round dropper.
This pick made me really happy
Bulaga, Lang, Spitz, Sitton, Tauscher makes Rodgers a happy boy too
RIP Jim Thome 1-25-2010
an AL team not having a DH is like a giraffe fucking a mule. - larry
no its not
unless we really need six oline men starting at once, I doubt Clifton will last three games without another injury and then Bulaga can step in
RIP Jim Thome 1-25-2010
an AL team not having a DH is like a giraffe fucking a mule. - larry
Lang is important to mention
Potentially, Lang & Baluga are the future bookeneds. For now though, you can move Lang to Guard and Baluga is ready for the inevitable Clifton/Tauscher injury.
true enough
Well need another Lang/Sitton type pick in the 4th again though so we dont completely rearrange the entire line yet again
RIP Jim Thome 1-25-2010
an AL team not having a DH is like a giraffe fucking a mule. - larry
What about...
Bulaga, Spitz, Wells, Sitton, Lange
by PackApologist on Apr 22, 2010 10:32 PM CDT up reply actions
That would be nice. I’m almost rather see Buluga-Lang-Spitz-Sitton-Tauscher though. Spitz is bigger and a better run blocker then Wells (who isn’t a very good run blocker.). Tauscher was good last year, and will probably be healthier this year being that most ACL injuries don’t fully heal until 2 years after.
by packallday555 on Apr 22, 2010 10:35 PM CDT up reply actions
hmmm...
Maybe for all my “we’re tripping over o-linemen” talk we might need one more guard/right tackle. I guess I’m still in the habit of looking past both Cliffy and Tausch. That interior is going to be critical now that Suh, and whatever the Vikings throw out there (I’m going to stop calling it the Williams wall because after this year the wall will be torn down). Bears interior isn’t scary, but Peppers sure as s*** is. Spitz would be great at center to anchor against those huge dudes, but then what happens at LG? Lang? Then what happens at RT? Breno? Maybe I’m just freaking out too much….this year should be fine and other years will work themselves out.
by PackApologist on Apr 22, 2010 10:44 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think Lang at LG and Tausch at RT would be ok. Tausch probably only has 1-2 years left, which is enough time for us to find a RT. If Tausch goes down, we move Lang to RT, Spitz to LG, and Wells to C.
by packallday555 on Apr 22, 2010 10:49 PM CDT up reply actions
That's a great point...
…I like Wilson and McCourty as well, but with the DL acquisitions made by our division rivals, OL is the biggest need. I thought Iupati might slip here or we’d reach for Charles Brown but Bulaga falling to us was a no-brainer…
I'm disappointed
I wanted Wilson, Hughes, or Kindle. Hopefully Thompson is willing to trade back up for one of them. Also, from what I’ve hear, Buluga is more set for right tackle than left.
As a Viking fan, I can say I’m extremely glad you didn’t take Kindle. I saw him available and was having brief nightmares of seeing the combo blitzes you could cook up with him and Matthews. Whew!
Crap! You're right.
It’s like a Nightmare on Elm Street movie. I wake up thinking it was all a dream only to find it’s actually reality.
That would be my reaction to the trade as well
I know the Ravens were higher in the draft, but the Vikings didn’t seem to get much compared to them for the first round pick… basically moving up in the 4 and adding a 7
by PackApologist on Apr 23, 2010 8:38 AM CDT up reply actions
The Vikings trade
Actually, from a value standpoint, the Vikings trade was phenomenal, if you ask me. They moved back 4 spots (with none of the teams between them needing the QB they want) to move up 28 spots later and add another pick in the high 7th. And from a strategic standpoint, it also gives the Vikings the 2nd pick of the day on both Friday and Saturday. With all the added downtime to swing trades, readjust boards, ect, this is an extra advantageous position to be in.
That's a good point Jay
Hadn’t figured that into the picture. Do you really think they would make more moves down? Do they need that many players?
by PackApologist on Apr 23, 2010 9:44 AM CDT up reply actions
Nope
They now have 9 total picks, which is about 4 more spots than are currently available on the roster. I guarantee you they’ll be trading up at some point. Or, if you believe Mark Clayton, trading picks for Albert Haynesworth.
For where we got him this is a good pick. Not great but very good. I feel like its hit or miss with this guy and I feel like we hit!
True
But if this guy misses he becomes a good RT or Guard which has a small amount of value at least.
Small?
Having scrubs in those two positions cost us 2-3 games last year.
by PackApologist on Apr 23, 2010 8:39 AM CDT up reply actions
No, no we won't.
You said it earlier this week Sproo, it’s time to protect Mr. Rodgers neighborhood. We were all set to pull out Charlie Brown and reach for it. Instead we got one of the top 4 tackles in the draft, and a guy to groom into place. Not to mention he can fill in if the worst happens. That’s huge.
by PackApologist on Apr 22, 2010 10:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Buluga!!
The season of Oz is upon us, be afraid.
by OznCoop on Apr 22, 2010 10:01 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs
Good 1st...
but would the Pack have to move up to get T.Mays? and who thinks that’d be a good idea? I certainly do.
Great pick
His ceiling may not be as high as some other players but many other players aren’t at the level he is now. Also keep in mind he was a little rusty early on his senior year coming off of injury. By the end of the year he was playing some really good football, and looked darn good against Derrick Morgan who was a 1st round pick tonight.
I’m really excited about this pick. Not as worried about Clifton going down now.
Ditto
We just needed a tackle to solidify our future. He should be somewhere along the line for the next ten or so years, and gives the Pack lots of breathing room.
Mean in the running game and solid pass protector, he’s just what the doctor ordered.
by PackApologist on Apr 22, 2010 10:22 PM CDT up reply actions
Seriously. I love that he is a really good run blocker. Having him, Sitton, and Lang on the OL could open up some holes for our Rb’s.
by packallday555 on Apr 22, 2010 10:27 PM CDT up reply actions
He’s the OT version of Jimmy Clausen. Well versed in an NFL system but lacking upside. A very good value pick though. Excellent job, TT.
On a side note
Who should we target round 2? There are a lot of guys who were expected to go round 1 that did not. Anyone think it’d be worth it to trade up for a Mays or Kindle?
Kindle maybe
if he makes it past the first 5 picks or so in the second round it might be a good idea
Bulaga will be a damn good OT for years to come.
above average run blocking, great pass blocking, and big man can move. Nate Allen in the 2nd round, Chris Cook in the 3rd round.
They want power. We want respect...
I was thinking Cook in the second
Nice big corner. It would be good to be sure and get him and make the second round pick.
by PackApologist on Apr 22, 2010 10:23 PM CDT up reply actions
still a bounty of CBs: Perrish Cox, Jerome Murphy, Myron Lewis, Devin Ross, Sherrick McManis, Donovan Warren, Marshay Green, Dominique Franks, Brandon Ghee.
They want power. We want respect...
by SenorChuckles on Apr 22, 2010 10:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, plenty for us to choose from. I’m kinda hoping we can move up 10-15 spots to try and take Kindle.
by packallday555 on Apr 22, 2010 10:28 PM CDT up reply actions
I'd be very happy with Murphy
Cook seems to fit the mold too with his size, but Murphy is one physical corner.
most defiantly, dudes got swagger.
They want power. We want respect...
by SenorChuckles on Apr 22, 2010 10:56 PM CDT up reply actions
Kindle is still around
who knows…maybe TT will pull out some magical trade to get up in the upward half of the second round and get Kindle or a different pass rusher.
by PackApologist on Apr 22, 2010 10:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Maybe
I’m shocked he dropped out of the 1st. But then again the Jaguars did draft Tyson Alaulala (or whatever the hell his name is).
Yeah I laughed at that.
And by laugh I mean I laughed alot.
Same with what the Bills did.
We really should write those teams Christmas cards this year with notes of how thankful we are they drafted those guys and let the guys we needed fall to us.
by PackApologist on Apr 22, 2010 10:27 PM CDT up reply actions
That I expected
The way GM’s were falling for him I figured there would be someone out there who thought they could teach him the fundamentals. After the first pick coaches start to take chances and think they can coach a guy yup. Tebow is the ultimate coaching project and there would be at least one team willing to take a chance on him. Turns out it was the turn and burn Broncos.
by PackApologist on Apr 22, 2010 10:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah that was a bit surprising
But where was Clausen really going to fall?
Redskins got their QB
Bills decided Brohm & Co. was good enough I guess
Jags are still riding the Gerrard train (he did make the pro bowl wink)
Then you have lots of teams that have QB’s….hell, Denver really didn’t need Tebow, I think McyD has the same big boy crush on him that the Hoodie has.
The last team in line for a QB is Minny and they decided to not show up tonight.
by PackApologist on Apr 22, 2010 10:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Can’t believe the Bills pick! Spiller looks like a great prospect but they have Fred Jackson who is more then capable, and played really well last year. Maybe Spiller will turn into the next Chris Johnson but I don’t see it. I thought for sure Clausen was the pick, and if not him, Buluga or Davis.
by packallday555 on Apr 22, 2010 10:39 PM CDT up reply actions
ME TOO!
The bills are suckers for 1st round RBs and then they always end up hating them:
- Travis Henry
- Willis McGahee
- Marshawn Lynch
When will this stop??
Good point. They need to address their Qb situation and OL.
by packallday555 on Apr 23, 2010 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions
No, hell no haha. I think that’s crazy. I personally like Clausen more then Bradford. He’s the most pro ready, and has handled big time pressure playing at Notre Dame. I hope the Vikings don’t get him at 34.
by packallday555 on Apr 22, 2010 10:36 PM CDT up reply actions
I think its inevitable. The move they did was a no brainer if he’s their guy. The move back a few picks with the Lions, Saints, colts, and Rams who all have franchise QBs in place and then they get to move up to the top of the 4th.
:( think your right. Well here’s to hoping I’m wrong about Clausen being good.
by packallday555 on Apr 23, 2010 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions
If we don't go Cook here's a different idea...
That RB McCluster. He would be a great change of pace running back as well as dynamic return guy.
yes, yes, yes
a thousand times yes. i was just about to comment that mccluster is the best “game changing” rb left in the draft. we need a dynamic threat on offense to complement rodgers and the passing game. grant is a good one cut runner, but someone like mccluster could turn our offense into a top echelon unit.
The Crawfish Boxes, Astros blogging at its finest.
by Evan Hochschild on Apr 22, 2010 10:34 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed
If not him, then maybe a Joe McKnight.
by packallday555 on Apr 22, 2010 10:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Can McCluster play RB in the pros though?
Most sites say he projects as a WR in the NFL because he’s just too small to run between the tackles
dickie_thon: Third baseman Bill Hall / Watches the third strike go by / Gamel grabs his glove
Pretty sure...
McCluster will fall past the 2nd and probably beyond. Dwyer is still available if we’re talking RB’s. A few folks like Gerhart in the 3rd. I wouldn’t be opposed.
Yeah but he wouldn't fall to us in the third
He’s worth it in our 2nd round pick. He won’t fall to our third and he would answer so many areas on special teams and in the offense. He would be a great compliment to Grant. Good guy to swing out of the back field to create mismatches in the passing game. Great dump off guy for Rodgers. Another return guy.
All in all, a playmaker who can get that homerun anytime he touches the ball. Well worth a 2nd round pick.
by PackApologist on Apr 22, 2010 10:38 PM CDT up reply actions
might not be the WR they get.
Mike Williams from Syracuse.
They want power. We want respect...
by SenorChuckles on Apr 22, 2010 10:43 PM CDT up reply actions
oh yeah thats right.
I forgot he was a RB.
They want power. We want respect...
by SenorChuckles on Apr 22, 2010 11:06 PM CDT up reply actions
I throw Ben Tate in there too
I’d love to see us look RB somewhere in the mid rounds. We have a lot of pass rushers in the division. We’re taking care of O Line depth. It would be nice to have another guy who can handle double digit carries. One great way to neutralize guys like Allen and Peppers is to pound them with 30+ carries.
I'm happy with this pick.
I think this one is a bit like the Rodgers pick. A top-rated guy unexpectedly falls to a team further down the list. It’s a good bet, good value — which doesn’t mean its a sure thing.
by uglyfatpimplynerd on Apr 22, 2010 10:45 PM CDT reply actions
The O-Line was an obvious area that needed help
his ceiling might not be as high as other picks but I could really careless as long as he does his job. Kinda curious who they are going to target for the 2nd and 3rd round
Yeah, several notable guys fell into the 2nd Round...Kind of makes me wonder if we should trade up higher into the 2nd Round
There’s S Taylor Mays, OLB Sergio Kindle, and OT Charles Brown still on the board. Mays has a ton of potential, but he is a HUGE risk. Even his former college coach Pete Carrell preferred S Earl Thomas over him. Charles Brown sounds like a pick that will firmly solidify our offensive line. Sounds good, right? But do we want our top 2 picks on the offensive line alone? It wouldn’t bother me whatsoever if this happens. Last but not least, there is Sergio Kindle. Kindle was though to be the best all around 3-4 OLB prospect. He’s not the best pass rusher, but he’s the most complete. One notable thing is both Brandon Graham and Jerry Hughes went to 4-3 teams to play DE. The more I think about it now, the more I don’t want Kindle. I think we can get a better pass rusher to compliment Brad Jones instead of just replace him in the 3rd Round. I hope…. If Kindle is available where we are at and we don’t need to trade up for him, then it’s a no brainer and we pick Kindle though. Just not worth trading up for.
Positions of Need: CB, S, OLB, and the wildcard…OT.
"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi
We need to come away with a S or CB tomorrow...
and go ahead and add RB and DE to the position needs. I Wouldn’t mind taking Everson Griffen, but doubt he’ll be there at 56. Believe it or not there are other OLBs with great pass-rush abilities: Thaddeus Gibson, Ricky Sapp, Jermaine Cunningham, Koa Misi, Dekoda Watson, Arthur Moats, Sedric Griffin—not as talented as Kindle, but can contribute; most of those kids has motors on them.
They want power. We want respect...
by SenorChuckles on Apr 23, 2010 12:39 AM CDT up reply actions
Everson Griffen...
for sure. He’s a beast. You’re probably right about him not being there at 56 though:(
Everson Griffen is Vernon Gholston 2.0
I’d pass on him in a heartbeat. He’s not Willie McGinest or even Chris Claiborne good. The man is all hype.
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Apr 23, 2010 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions
he does not play every down as hard. Let him slid and maybe it puts a lil’ fire in his belly.
They want power. We want respect...
by SenorChuckles on Apr 23, 2010 4:35 PM CDT up reply actions
There are still plenty of Safeties on the board that will surely fall to us in the 2nd Round
The drop off in talent at the CB position now is pretty significant in my opinion. One thing to note is Bigby will be returning. The question is for how long?
Scenario #1- we trade our 2nd and 3rd Round pick to move up in the 2nd Round and select Sergio Kindle
Scenario #2- wait for our pick and see who falls to us. There are a couple Safeties that will surely be there, how far will OT Charles Brown fall? I voted against the idea of getting Bruce Campbell in Round 1, but how about a freak like him falling into our lap in Round 2? Saffold and Veldheer will also still be available. The only 3-4 OLB I see falling to us is the guy from Clemson. He’d be an excellent compliment with Brad Jones at LOLB. Therefore I say Round 2 is either Safety or Outside Linebacker.
"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi
One way or the other...
we most def gotta get immediate help at corner and saftey. Seriously, behind Bigby, who’s there? Bums. Mays is a freak of nature. Risky? Yes. Upside to great to turn down. Also, I think we all well know how badly our secondary got torched last season v.s. elite(and not so elite, see: Tampa Bay)competion. Behind Woodson, Harris, and the serviceable Williams… Blackmon? Lee? and dare I say, JARRETT BUSH!?! Of course pass rush will help that greatly. So where to next?
Need a return guy too...
I hope we land LSU’s Holliday in the mid to late rounds for a return specialist. He’s quick and could provide that spark returning kicks! Come on TED!
Koa Misi
I think he will be better than Kindle
"I agree but dont agree"
Looks like Kindle may fall anyway
He might have to have surgery and miss the year: http://www.sbnation.com/2010/4/23/1439213/sergio-kindle-injury-2010-nfl-draft
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