Packers 2010 2nd Round Draft Choice, Purdue DE Mike Neal
by Brandon on Apr 23, 2010 8:40 PM CDT
in Green Bay Packers Draft
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PrintI'm sure everyone was expecting the Green Bay Packers to draft a defensive lineman in the 2nd round. Right? Well I wasn't and everything I know about Purdue DE Mike Neal I've learned in the past 15 minutes.
It wasn't something I had written about, but defensive line was somewhat of a need. It might really become a need if DE Johnny Jolly's legal troubles turn out to be serious (last word, the trial's set for May 21). There is little depth behind the starters and DE B.J. Raji (and DE Justin Harrell doesn't count), but defensive coordinator Dom Capers went with two defensive lineman so often last season that depth isn't as big a need as in past seasons. I think there is more going on here then I had expected and we'll have to see what happens on May 21 and with the defensive scheme next season.
Besides all that, Neal sounds like a heck of player. He played tackle in a 4-3 defense at Purdue, but at 294 lbs. he makes an ideal 3-4 defensive end. More on Neal from the fans at Purdue that knew him best at Hammer and Rails:
#92 Mike Neal - DT - Possibly the strongest guy on the team, Neal has drawn the attention of every team we have faced. Part of the reason Ryan Kerrigan is performing like a beast is because Mike Neal is drawing so much attention at defensive tackle. He is a damn good defensive tackle that will soon be drafted. He makes everyone around him better because he is so good and draws so much attention.
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So this improves our pass rush
just not from the position we expected
RIP Jim Thome 1-25-2010
an AL team not having a DH is like a giraffe fucking a mule. - larry
Jolly
Fills his gaps wonderfully, but isn’t the push the pocket guy like jenkins, raji, and sometimes pickett. Now do I know who Mike Neal is??? haha, I don’t think a lot of us do. But looking at his stats and overall size I hope he turns into a second cullen jenkins. What this means more than anything is our faith in Brad Jones. We’ll see how this develops. .. .
by Jeremy Eddins on Apr 23, 2010 10:40 PM CDT up reply actions
Brad Jones
I think Jones will be alot better than people think because of Kevin Greene. We are lucky to have him as our coach. Every rookie needs time to develop, which is why you draft based on raw talent rather than need. Some fall right into place (ie: Clay Mathews), some need some time to develop like Jermichael Finley, who took a year, and Donald Driver, another 7th rounder, who took a couple.
by PackerD on Apr 26, 2010 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
It does,
but, only in the sense that Neal (when he plays) will occupy blockers so that the pass rushers will have an easier time getting free to the quarterbacks.
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The glass is more than half-full.
Actually I think their looking for more from Neal. All of our DL we played last year did a good job filling the gaps, and that’s the job of the 3-4 DL. The better 3-4 DL, like Darnell Docket, or even like Cullen Jenkins can not only fill gaps but they can provide a bit of a pass rush as well. Neal looks like he could be able to do this. From some reports I’ve read, he is really quick off the line, and is really strong. He had 5 sacks his senior season playing the DT position, which is pretty darn good.
by packallday555 on Apr 25, 2010 10:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Haha yeah, I read that too. He had some ridiculous number for squats too. I’m excited to see how he works out.
by packallday555 on Apr 26, 2010 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions
I might be wrong, Packallday555, but, I think that when you say,
provide a bit of a pass rush
what you are really talking about is an ability to push in the pocket, so that, when the quarterback tries to escape pressure from the edges by stepping up in the pocket, there is no place there for him to go, and the reuslt is that he steps up into the arms of the DL[s] who is[are] pushing the pocket in; hence, the sacks that you mention.
I think that ‘pushing in the pocket’ is what the better 3-4 DL do when they accomplish their job description of “filling the gaps.”
Maybe I am splitting fine hairs here, and there is little difference between the two, but, I think that there is just enough that getting penetration is something that 4-3 DTs do, while 3-4 DL push in the pocket, and sometimes sacks result.
All of this, of course, would mean that you are right about the Packers looking for more from Neal than just occupying blockers and filling gaps.
They want him to cave in the pocket!
Also, that sacks would be coming from other places than just the pass rushers and blitzers out of the back eight.
-
The glass is more than half-full.
what you are really talking about is an ability to push in the pocket, so that, when the quarterback tries to escape pressure from the edges by stepping up in the pocket, there is no place there for him to go, and the reuslt is that he steps up into the arms of the DL[s] who is[are] pushing the pocket in; hence, the sacks that you mention.
Exactly. We get this from Jenkins but we didn’t get it from either Pickett or Jolly. Having Raji and Neal who both are players that have the ability to collapse the pocket should help us out quite a bit. This is especially important for us because neither Matthews or Jones provide much of a bull rush. Their not really guys who are going to collapse a pocket by pushing an OT back into the Qb (at least they weren’t last year.)
They both provide speed rushes off the edge. Matthews obviously was excellent doing this and Jones was solid as well. Where it seemed like we ran into problems was Qb’s just simply stepping up in the pocket when they felt a little pressure coming off the edges. This was noticeable to me in our games against the Vikings (2x) and the Cardinals.
by packallday555 on Apr 27, 2010 12:21 AM CDT up reply actions
He seems to be pretty quick for his size...
…and a solid build for 294. Very little bad weight from the little bit of video I saw after the pick. He could probably put on 10-15 ponds of muscle without affecting his speed. NFL.com says a weakness is his “narrow base” but he looks solid to me…
He better not add weight
That’d be bad, he’s the perfect size for a 3-4 DE.
"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi
Pass rush?
I thought that’s what OLB’s were for in this D. Don’t get me wrong, every place we can get a rush from is good in this scheme, but still…this is very curious for me.
It is, but once in a while you get a gem where a DE can help
think of the Patrios in the mid 00’s for this reference. Mike Vrabel from the left side and Richard Seymour on the right side. That was their pass rush most times.
The 3-4 DE’s primary role is to occupy blockers and hold their ground. That makes them around average. To be good, they need to be able to push the Offensive Lineman or getting to the QB which makes them great. Are the Packers content with having an average DE in Jolly? I hope not when you have a chance to get a great DE.
This of Neal as another version of Cullen Jenkins. Very similar. Those are the kind of guys we need at the DE position.
"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi
Well I can buy into that vision of the future
The other thing that might be fueling this is that Jolly and Jenkins are in contract years this year. Having Neal around lightens the load for next year as well, in addition for helping out this year.
by PackApologist on Apr 23, 2010 9:30 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't like Jolly, so I hope he along with his headaches are gone soon.
Cullen Jenkins better be resigned.
"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi
not exactly a sexy pick
and might have gone a bit high, but it looks like a decent fit. I’d give it a B- at first blush.
Would’ve been interesting if they’d have grabbed OT Charles Brown instead, though. Still, I’d not consider this a blown pick, despite what the yahoos on the Journal Sentinel’s boards are saying, LOL.
I like this MORE than grabbing another OT. While we will need one here eventually, using both of of first two picks on the same position AND a position that isn’t of immediate need would be a mistake. It also would have ignored the D in the first two rounds which is still the area of the most need for the team.
JSOnline rejects
I read the comments there whenever my view of human nature gets too high. I’ve seen some echo-chambers of idiocy before, but that site takes the cake. It was okay for a couple months when it first started up, but then it slowly devolved. Now the trolls just camp out and piss each other off all day. It’s amazing.
I always get nervous everytime the writers reference and/or link to sites that I like, because I’m worried that all their knucklehead followers will flock over and destroy the value of the comments. …like leading the ants to the picnic.
But anyway, enough about that. Suffice it to say that I appreciate established-yet-still-under-the-radar sites like this one. …which is weird considering that I found it through SI…
by Curly Lambeau on Apr 24, 2010 1:46 AM CDT up reply actions
+1
I feel most users here including yourself all saying something of importance, thus making this site one to DISCUSS our beloved Packers. Other sites….well, it’s all, “I hate TT, he sucks. I don’t know why, I can’t rationalize on it, but he sucks and you’re and idiot if you like him or don’t chear for Brett Favre.”
"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi
I'm not buying this bs that's being shoveled...
it makes sense, but not at the price.
If the reports are accurate I don't think he would of lasted that long
At this point it’s hard to argue value vs getting the player you want. If he can help us out and get pressure on the QB while maintaining a good rotation along the D Line then all is well in Packerland.
by PackApologist on Apr 23, 2010 10:54 PM CDT up reply actions
pressure?
it’s one thing to get pressure against 19-21 year old kids in college, than it is to get pressure on 25-30 year old grown men that have been in the league. afterall he only had 5 sacks his senior season, so to expect this kid to contribute from day 1 is unrealistic.
imo—-this is a pick for depth for next year. jenkins and jolly’s contracts will be up.
if this kid can get any pressure on the qb on a consistent basis, well, he would be better than any of the packs de’s.
eh…you can’t trust those mock drafts…especially in later rounds. All it takes is ONE other team to like the guy and you miss out on him.
you can’t trust those mock drafts
I like getting more depth on the Dline
I didn’t expect to get into that position so early in the draft though. The more I read on this guy though, I really like him. Jolly has been okay but I don’t trust him anymore. He’s got some issues and while he’s good, he’s not great. Seems like this guy has the potential to be great!!
He might work out fine
Time will tell, but he DID draw a lot of doubles last yr.
by bigbill992001 on Apr 24, 2010 12:36 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I don't like this guy
I think that we shoulda picked Charles Brown and solidify our depth at OT. Then we coulda drafted a saftey in the 3rd like Burnett and draft this guy in the second… Who the heck is this guy… Hopefully Everson Griffen comes down to us in the 4th… Or we should trade our picks for him
2 tackles in 2 picks? Nope…I don’t like it. I wouldn’t have bee pissed if he did it but there are too many other areas we need to improve to spend our top 2 picks on the same position. Maybe if we didn’t sign one of our two from last year I would be on board but we’d have both our first and second on the bench to start the year. At least with this scenario both of them can fight to earn a starting gig.
I thought about that too, heck, we could have had both Hughes and Brown
but the fact is, Brown slid all the way to the end of the 2nd Round. Was there a red flag? Is there something we aren’t aware of? I wasn’t aware until halfway through the draft that Sergio Kindle probably won’t play at all this season. It could come back to haunt us or it could be more beneficial. To our benefit, we can gradually get Neal involved to NFL game speed and when Jolly’s time is up after this season, Neal will be ready next season.
"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi
the eyeball test
I remember seeing Reggie White in person and noticing how his arms were easily the size of my thighs and his thighs were easily the size of my waste.
Looking at this guy, I don’t see much for biceps. A picture is worth only so much though.
But judging just from the clips they showed during the draft broadcast, I wouldn’t say he looked super-impressive. There were no “wow” plays. It’s good that we have a good d-line coach in Trgovaczxk. Hopefully he’ll be able to coach him up. In the 3-4, we really only need him to be a space-eater. …and it never hurts to have a bunch of those guys that we can rotate in so that the d-line is fresh in the 4th quarter.
So, in the final analysis, d-line… never a bad pick. To paraphrase Mammy from Gone With the Wind, “Oh, da’ happiest days is when defensive linemans is drafted!” And, if that was the best value on the board, then fine.
I mean, we got a tackle and a safety, our two biggest needs in my opinion. It would’ve been nice to get a CB and an OLB, but… we’ll live.
…it’d be nice if we pick up Westbrook at this point.
by Curly Lambeau on Apr 24, 2010 12:43 AM CDT up reply actions
I like the Neal pick. He brings a dimension that none of our other DE’s do, and could help the pass rush. Haha and has anyone else noticed the size of the guys thighs? Holy shit. I don’t think both my thighs put together would be as big as one of his.
And here I am complaining about adding a little bit of weight....and his thighs are bigger than my belly!
That can’t be a bad thing!
"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi
Well
Jolly was a 6th and Jenkins was a FA, so I have high hopes for this guy. I hope he does well. With contracts and legal issues etc…. in the NFL, like the old saying goes " You can never have enough big guys"
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