The NFL draft springs hope eternal, but new reports in that the Cleveland Browns will pass on "can't miss" WR Michael Crabtree. This probably leaves him to the Packers. No B.J. Raji, no Tyson Jackson, no help for the undersized undermanned defensive front. Just play the "Justin Harrell Polka" one more time.
The selection of Crabtree, who according to Bob McGinn left unfavorable impressions on visits this month to Cleveland, St. Louis and Oakland, would lead to the premature departure of 34 year old lionheart Donald Driver and contentious contact negations with Greg Jennings.
This Crabtree scenario will have some fans tuning out, and others cheering for Thompson to trade down. Is Bob McGinn in a state of depression? I know I am. Why did TT pick Jordy Nelson last year and James Jones the year before? Is Ruvell Martin so undervalued that they would cut him? The Bears will grab him in a second! The guy is 6'5, catches everything thrown to him, and blocks!
The state of the Packers defensive line is approaching that of complete break down. When a team can't even contest the line of scrimmage they are looking at 4-12 season or worse. Alfred Malone? Anthony Toribio? Fred Bledsoe? These guys are next on the depth chart - three unrestricted free agents!
Defensive linemen get injured and tired to the point of ineffectiveness when on the field too long. Last year the Lions gave up 2754 yards on the ground for a 5.1 per carry average. The Raiders where next worst with 2555 and 4.7. The Packers ranked 26th in stopping the run giving up 2,105 yards for a 4.6 average, so they are already not far behind.
Sure Thompson could address DL, LB, and OT with other high picks, but I fear he will take a punter and a swarm of 250 lbs speed-rushers instead. Maybe we should all just go back to bed?
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Bears getting a QB doubles down Packers draft
So the Bears have a legit QB in Jay Culter. Sure he owns a 17-20 career record, but his stats and his play shows he's got a better arm than Orton. The price was high but the chances that the Cutler gets hurt or underperforms are probably less than than mid-first round picks ending up being of the ilk of Ahmad Carroll or Justin Harrell. Culter could be a thorn in the Packers' side as long as Favre was in the Bears.
One of the unintended consequences of giving up on Brett Favre a year before Brett Favre himself through in the towel was to give Bus Cook some experience extricating unhappy and unwanted QBs from their contracts. Comments on Sportsbubbler and the J/S Packer Plus site show that some Packer fans now deplore Cook more than the agent we all use to agree was Jerk Agent #1, Drew Rosenhaus. How long was it that peace & harmony reigned between Cook, Favre, and the Packer management?
Am I saying that the Bears wouldn't have Culter if Favre hadn't been retired? Of course not. Heck, who knows what Aaron Rodgers would have done if he didn't play last year? Maybe he would have hired a Rosenhaus type and made a run for it? What really matters is that Ted Thompson must hit on some of his high draft picks or any of his draft picks (past, present, and fewture) and put some distance between the Packers and the Bears & Vikings.
However, just because there is no provable causation between the Favre and Cutler trades, it's a fact that Bus Cook had to have acquired some confidence in his ability to move a star QB. There is no denying the law of unintended consequences. Less the Packers fans acquire the former organizational attitude toward QBs of the Bears, let's review the lesson of Jay Cutler and other NFL star QBs. The chances of talks leaking is too great to risk losing a top QB. Sure, I'd love to trade Aaron Rodgers to the Vikings for their next 10 drafts, but only Ditkas and McMillians do that, so why risk disaster? I am glad this has never happened to the Packers in recent history and hope that continues.
Culter cost the Bears 1st rounders this year (#18), next year's 3rd rounder. They will need to hit on a Greg Jennings type #2 pick to fully capitalize. From the Bear's perspective, it's the move they should have made years ago while their defense was still young and receiving corps slightly more serviceable. The Vikings are still hoping they will have a good enough QB.
So while it's likely a good deal for the Bears, but there is a feeling here in Chicago that it's probably too late... "the defense is too old and maybe too rich to be hungry... but maybe not... wait until football season and we will see... how bout those Cub / Sox?" It has the "fresh air" feel to it that should help the Bears a lot. Yet, to keep things in perspective Culter's QB rating last year, his best so far ranked #23 in the NFL. Aaron Rodgers was #12. Who will be better in the long run is clearly an open question.
Quantitatively, the Bears and the Vikings now have to hit more often on their remaining draft picks and the Packers need to hit too but they can afford a few misses. The stakes on the Packers' next few draft, or more accurately their on going player development efforts, have been exponentially raised by these two trades. Love or hate the current GM, if you care about the Packers next ten years or so, we better hope for the best.
If the Packers hold serve in the draft, meaning that they get a few very good starters, a few servicable players, and only a few busts. The Packers could be competative in 2009-10 and pull ahead as the impact of the lost draft choices begin to be more accutely felt in Chicago and Minnesota.
One of the unintended consequences of giving up on Brett Favre a year before Brett Favre himself through in the towel was to give Bus Cook some experience extricating unhappy and unwanted QBs from their contracts. Comments on Sportsbubbler and the J/S Packer Plus site show that some Packer fans now deplore Cook more than the agent we all use to agree was Jerk Agent #1, Drew Rosenhaus. How long was it that peace & harmony reigned between Cook, Favre, and the Packer management?
Am I saying that the Bears wouldn't have Culter if Favre hadn't been retired? Of course not. Heck, who knows what Aaron Rodgers would have done if he didn't play last year? Maybe he would have hired a Rosenhaus type and made a run for it? What really matters is that Ted Thompson must hit on some of his high draft picks or any of his draft picks (past, present, and fewture) and put some distance between the Packers and the Bears & Vikings.
However, just because there is no provable causation between the Favre and Cutler trades, it's a fact that Bus Cook had to have acquired some confidence in his ability to move a star QB. There is no denying the law of unintended consequences. Less the Packers fans acquire the former organizational attitude toward QBs of the Bears, let's review the lesson of Jay Cutler and other NFL star QBs. The chances of talks leaking is too great to risk losing a top QB. Sure, I'd love to trade Aaron Rodgers to the Vikings for their next 10 drafts, but only Ditkas and McMillians do that, so why risk disaster? I am glad this has never happened to the Packers in recent history and hope that continues.
Culter cost the Bears 1st rounders this year (#18), next year's 3rd rounder. They will need to hit on a Greg Jennings type #2 pick to fully capitalize. From the Bear's perspective, it's the move they should have made years ago while their defense was still young and receiving corps slightly more serviceable. The Vikings are still hoping they will have a good enough QB.
So while it's likely a good deal for the Bears, but there is a feeling here in Chicago that it's probably too late... "the defense is too old and maybe too rich to be hungry... but maybe not... wait until football season and we will see... how bout those Cub / Sox?" It has the "fresh air" feel to it that should help the Bears a lot. Yet, to keep things in perspective Culter's QB rating last year, his best so far ranked #23 in the NFL. Aaron Rodgers was #12. Who will be better in the long run is clearly an open question.
Quantitatively, the Bears and the Vikings now have to hit more often on their remaining draft picks and the Packers need to hit too but they can afford a few misses. The stakes on the Packers' next few draft, or more accurately their on going player development efforts, have been exponentially raised by these two trades. Love or hate the current GM, if you care about the Packers next ten years or so, we better hope for the best.
If the Packers hold serve in the draft, meaning that they get a few very good starters, a few servicable players, and only a few busts. The Packers could be competative in 2009-10 and pull ahead as the impact of the lost draft choices begin to be more accutely felt in Chicago and Minnesota.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
O. Lineman Duke Preston Signed
So the Packers have signed 6-foot-5, 326-pound guard/center Duke Preston. He's played in 59 games with 20 starts. News reports say he was shaky vs. guys like Shaun Rogers, Kris Jenkins, and Vince Wilfork. Why else would would the Bills have let him go? But that's the name of the game in today's free agency. Can this guy get better? Is "shaky against elite competition" better than what is on the current roster?
Given the injuries and the shaky performances against non-elite competition of the current O-line, it can't be a bad signing and with Tightwad Ted, we can be pretty sure that the price was right. If there is a fault with Ted Thompson, it's that too many of his draft picks are under-achieving, not failing to sign free agents.
My frustrated blog entry for last year's week 3 game at Dallas focused on the Packers undersized interior O-line getting folded as Rodgers struggled to get the ball out fast enough. In pass protection, they gave ground and fought to keep their guy in front of them. Rodgers threw from an uncomfortably narrow pocket. They gave up five sacks for 40 yards. It was a mugging unworthy of the Lombardi Legacy.
The Packers ground game was no better. Ryan Grant ran 13 times for 54 yards. The tone was set early when he fumbled on the second play. Only Donald Driver showed athleticism competitive with the Cowboys. Maybe Duke Preston can bang some guys around. Let's give him time to learn what he's doing. It would be wise to resign Tauscher to show him what he needs to do.
With Josh Sitton and Preston the Packers have two guards with size. This could take tons of pressure off Scott Wells or compliment Spitz at center if he takes over for Wells at some point. Regardless, some outside experience from a cold climate team could really help the cause.
It will likely take some time for Preston to learn the offense and their ZBS. Who knows who will emerge at RT or the two guard positions? Can Preston, Barbe, or Sitton displace any of the usual suspects like Tony Moll, Spitz at guard? Darryl Colledge seems entrenched at LG. Some times I wonder why, but he does seem to "get" the ZBS better than anyone or at least he gets some chances to make some blocks that key break-a-way runs and he pulls some of them off.
I think the ZBS allows more exposure to injury than Mike Sherman's power-gap scheme. The Packer O-line can no longer be considered young developing players. Neither can Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson. They have got to do the job this year or it's a coffin nail for the Thompson / McCarthy team. With some healthy veteran bulk added there is a little more hope for improvement.
Given the injuries and the shaky performances against non-elite competition of the current O-line, it can't be a bad signing and with Tightwad Ted, we can be pretty sure that the price was right. If there is a fault with Ted Thompson, it's that too many of his draft picks are under-achieving, not failing to sign free agents.
My frustrated blog entry for last year's week 3 game at Dallas focused on the Packers undersized interior O-line getting folded as Rodgers struggled to get the ball out fast enough. In pass protection, they gave ground and fought to keep their guy in front of them. Rodgers threw from an uncomfortably narrow pocket. They gave up five sacks for 40 yards. It was a mugging unworthy of the Lombardi Legacy.
The Packers ground game was no better. Ryan Grant ran 13 times for 54 yards. The tone was set early when he fumbled on the second play. Only Donald Driver showed athleticism competitive with the Cowboys. Maybe Duke Preston can bang some guys around. Let's give him time to learn what he's doing. It would be wise to resign Tauscher to show him what he needs to do.
With Josh Sitton and Preston the Packers have two guards with size. This could take tons of pressure off Scott Wells or compliment Spitz at center if he takes over for Wells at some point. Regardless, some outside experience from a cold climate team could really help the cause.
It will likely take some time for Preston to learn the offense and their ZBS. Who knows who will emerge at RT or the two guard positions? Can Preston, Barbe, or Sitton displace any of the usual suspects like Tony Moll, Spitz at guard? Darryl Colledge seems entrenched at LG. Some times I wonder why, but he does seem to "get" the ZBS better than anyone or at least he gets some chances to make some blocks that key break-a-way runs and he pulls some of them off.
I think the ZBS allows more exposure to injury than Mike Sherman's power-gap scheme. The Packer O-line can no longer be considered young developing players. Neither can Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson. They have got to do the job this year or it's a coffin nail for the Thompson / McCarthy team. With some healthy veteran bulk added there is a little more hope for improvement.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Defense still wins playoff games...
Turned out to be quite the game. Two good teams went at it. Surprisingly, the Steelers managed that last drive. I started out cheering for Pittsburgh a little, but I liked Darnell Docket and the Cardinal defense. When they got the safety, I started hoping the Cardinals would score and they did.
Pittsburgh answered, but the Cardinals still had 2 minutes left, but they couldn't win a shoot out.
The old Maxim "defense wins playoff games" carried the day in the end.
Pittsburgh answered, but the Cardinals still had 2 minutes left, but they couldn't win a shoot out.
The old Maxim "defense wins playoff games" carried the day in the end.
How the Cardinals Win...
Q: How do the Cardinals win this game?
A: They get in their time machine and go back and draft Adrian Peterson instead of RT Levi Brown.
Let's hope the Packers draft board makers take note of that. Game changers before roll players in the first round.
A: They get in their time machine and go back and draft Adrian Peterson instead of RT Levi Brown.
Let's hope the Packers draft board makers take note of that. Game changers before roll players in the first round.
Cardinals DTs
Pittsburgh's defense vs. Arizona's offense is the main story, but sometimes things can go the other way despite all predictions. What about the Cardinal's defense?
Line watchers may recognize NT Bryan Robinson from his days with the Bears in 2004 & 2005. Robinson entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 1997 with the St. Louis Cardinals and as been with the Bengals, Bears, and Dolphins. When he was with the Bears I thought he was a come down from Ted Washington and Keith Traylor who were the equivalent of the Pat and Kevin Williams. Don't even try to run at them.
The most amazing thing is that the Cardinals have drafted 14 DTs since 1997 including the two guys listed behind him in the Cardinal's depth chart Alan Branch and Gabe Watson. This includes two coveted former Badgers Wendell Bryant the 12th pick in the 2002 draft and Tom Burke taken in the 3rd round in 1999. That's quite a story that I would be surprised gets a mention on today's fluffy TV coverage.
I would expect the Steelers to blast some plays up Robinson's gut and try to wear him down. McGinn says, at 300, former Bear Bryan Robinson is one of the smallest nose tackles in the game, and is a decent technician and plays with adequate strength at the point.
The other DT was the Cardinal's 3rd round pick in 2004, Darnell Docket. He is considered the stronger and quicker of the two DTs.
Line watchers may recognize NT Bryan Robinson from his days with the Bears in 2004 & 2005. Robinson entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 1997 with the St. Louis Cardinals and as been with the Bengals, Bears, and Dolphins. When he was with the Bears I thought he was a come down from Ted Washington and Keith Traylor who were the equivalent of the Pat and Kevin Williams. Don't even try to run at them.
The most amazing thing is that the Cardinals have drafted 14 DTs since 1997 including the two guys listed behind him in the Cardinal's depth chart Alan Branch and Gabe Watson. This includes two coveted former Badgers Wendell Bryant the 12th pick in the 2002 draft and Tom Burke taken in the 3rd round in 1999. That's quite a story that I would be surprised gets a mention on today's fluffy TV coverage.
I would expect the Steelers to blast some plays up Robinson's gut and try to wear him down. McGinn says, at 300, former Bear Bryan Robinson is one of the smallest nose tackles in the game, and is a decent technician and plays with adequate strength at the point.
The other DT was the Cardinal's 3rd round pick in 2004, Darnell Docket. He is considered the stronger and quicker of the two DTs.
Eagles vs. Cardinals Aftermath.
You got to hand it to Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald for putting the Eagles on their back and not letting come back for the win. Anyone one from a distance can see if you put Larry Fitzgerald on the Eagles, the Eagles win that game. Reminded me of Antonio Freeman in 1998 in the way he goes and gets the ball. Fitzgerald was the 3rd pick in the 2004 draft.
I just took a peak at philly.com and was surprised. Lead columnist Phil Sheridan has led with the headline "Lessons to be learned from this? Not really." He writes, "The Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers are testaments to randomness, good fortune and supernatural forces overcoming logic and intent."
Anger is muted throughout the pages of the Philly Inquirer. Defensive Coordinator Jim Johnson has cancer and is undergoing radiation therapy. This has thrown some cold water on an temper tantrums by players or journalists. Dawkins and McNabb want to come back and try again. There is love and concern for Brian Westbrook's knee.
But one has to wonder if the Eagles can find the talent to put them over the top after having drafted at the bottom as long as the Packers did. It would be easy to write the Eagles off as a team now on decline because of age, disappointment, and uncertainity that Westbrook can return to form. Running backs tend to be a disposalable lot. But they do come back strong sometimes and a team running out of Super Bowl chances ala the Denver Broncos can be a dangerous one. For more on that see Bud Lea's poinient recollections of "The Game that Got Away".
I just took a peak at philly.com and was surprised. Lead columnist Phil Sheridan has led with the headline "Lessons to be learned from this? Not really." He writes, "The Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers are testaments to randomness, good fortune and supernatural forces overcoming logic and intent."
Anger is muted throughout the pages of the Philly Inquirer. Defensive Coordinator Jim Johnson has cancer and is undergoing radiation therapy. This has thrown some cold water on an temper tantrums by players or journalists. Dawkins and McNabb want to come back and try again. There is love and concern for Brian Westbrook's knee.
But one has to wonder if the Eagles can find the talent to put them over the top after having drafted at the bottom as long as the Packers did. It would be easy to write the Eagles off as a team now on decline because of age, disappointment, and uncertainity that Westbrook can return to form. Running backs tend to be a disposalable lot. But they do come back strong sometimes and a team running out of Super Bowl chances ala the Denver Broncos can be a dangerous one. For more on that see Bud Lea's poinient recollections of "The Game that Got Away".
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