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The Woelfel World of Sports
April 2009
Saturday April 25, 2009
Posted by: gwoelfel at 6:10PM CST on April 25, 2009
BY GERY WOELFEL First things first: B.J. Raji is a heck of a football player. Just minutes after the Green Bay Packers made Raji, the behemoth nose tackle from Boston College, their No. 1 draft selection, I called a an NFL scout and asked for his opinion of the pick. The veteran scout, who has my utmost respect, immediately started raving about Raji. Suffice to say, he loved the pick. Indeed, it is difficult to argue with Packers general manager Ted Thompson's selection of Raji. The 6-foot-2, 337-pound Raji was the best player on the board, although fans of Michael Crabtree would undoubtedly beg to differ. But did the Packers really need Raji? I say no, especially considering Ryan Pickett, whom Thompson paid huge coin for in free agency a couple of years ago, is still a very serviceable player. What's more, the Packers still have Justin Harrell, whom Thompson used a premium first-round pick on a couple of years ago. Apparently, defensive tackles are to Thompson what wide receivers were to former Detroit Lions GM Matt Millen. Thompson should have traded up and drafted an offensive tackle. With injured free agent Mark Tauscher unlikely back next season and Chad Clifton clearly on the downside of his career, the Packers desperately need a quality offensive tackle. By moving up just one measly spot, the Packers could have gotten Eugene Monroe of Virginia, arguably the best all-around offensive tackle in the draft, and taken a major step toward ensuring the safety of franchise quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Packers ready to put it on the line
Posted by: gwoelfel at 12:16AM CST on April 25, 2009
BY GERY WOELFEL For almost two months now, I've contended the Green Bay Packers will use their No. 1 draft pick -- the ninth overall selection -- on an offensive tackle: either Andre Smith of Alabama or Michael Oher of Mississippi. With the NFL draft just hours away, I'm sticking by my prediction. The gargantuan Smith, whose stock took a hit after a couple of bone-head mistakes at the draft combine and pro-day workout, isn't likely to get to the Packers, though. Several teams drafting in front of Green Bay have Smith on their hit list, including Cincinnati, at No. 6. While Smith isn't likely to be on the board when the Packers pick, there's a reasonably good chance Oher will be. Oher can play on both the left and right side of the offensive line and that would certainly be beneficial for the Packers, whose left tackle, Chad Clifton, is on the downside of his wonderful career and whose right tackle, Mark Tauscher, is a free agent and injured. It would be almost shocking if Tauscher is still donning a Packer uni next season. * While I believe Oher is bound for Green Bay, I have my own personal choice for the Packers and that's Chris "Beanie'' Wells. I know most mock drafts have the talented Ohio State halfback being drafted in the middle to late first round, but there are still some NFL scouts who firmly believe Wells is a top 10 talent. It can be argued the Packers don't need a running back, considering Ryan Grant has been fairly productive. Yet, Grant is injury prone and doesn't have the breakaway burst so many of the elite backs possess. Furthermore, Ryan's backup, Brandon Jackson, has been a bust. If Ryan would get injured again, and is sidelined for any length of time, it's highly unlikely Jackson could fill the void. Wells, who Some NFL scouts have favorably compared to St. Louis' terrific back Steven Jackson with his size and quickness, would be the perfect complement to Grant and, most importantly, take considerable pressure off talented young quarterback Aaron Rodgers. * The New England Patriots, always one of the best and most active teams in drafts, want to move up. I'm hearing the Pats, picking 23rd for now, wouldn't mind sliding into Jacksonville's spot at eight ... or the Packers' spot at nine. Another team looking to move up is Denver, which is in the 12 hole. The Broncos have their eyes on SoCal QB Mark Sanchez, although the St. Louis Rams, at 2, and Cleveland Browns, at 5, are entertaining serious thoughts of taking him. * My sleeper pick for the Packers: linebacker Brian Cushing of SoCal. * According to an NFL official I spoke with Friday, if the Packers would pick either wide receiver Michael Crabtree of Texas Tech or Jeremy Maclin of Missouri, they may deal veteran Donald Driver for possiblly a fourth-round draft choice. * Conspicuous by his absence on the NFL Network's coverage of the draft is Adam Schefter. Schefter, in my humble opinion, is the best pro football reporter in the land. A spokesperson for the NFL Network told me Schefter, who has broken countless stories for the network, hasn't be working because of a contract situation. Talk about terrible timing. * P.J. Hill's decision to leave the University of Wisconsin early for the draft could be a horrendous one. Hill, who has had some off-the-field issues, will be lucky to be drafted. * Suffice to say, there is a wide-range of opinions on who the Packers will pick. Consider: -- Pat Kirwan of the NFL Network: Brian Orakpo, defensive end from Texas. -- Michael Lombardi of the NFL Network: Michael Oher, offensive tackle from Mississippi. -- Todd McShay of ESPN: Andre Smith, offensive tackle from Alabama. -- Mel Kiper of ESPN: B.J. Raji, defensive tackle from Boston College. -- John McClain of the Houston chronicle: Oher. -- Nolan Nawrocki, Pro Football Weekly: Michael Crabtree, wide receiver from Texas Tech. -- Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times: Raji.
Friday April 24, 2009
Posted by: gwoelfel at 12:03AM CST on April 24, 2009
BY GERY WOELFEL Some news and views on this weekend's NFL draft: * There are some NFL officials and observers who believe the Green Bay Packers are seriously thinking about choosing Tyson Jackson of Louisiana State University with their first draft pick. Certainly, Jackson would be a viable candidate. After all, he is run-stuffer and would fit nicely in the Packers' new 3-4 defense as a defensive end. But most NFL draftniks didn't think Jackson would go any higher than No. 9, which is the Packers' pick. But Jackson's stock is apparently on the rise. In fact, Charley Casserly, a former NFL general manager who now works for the NFL Network, said he expects the Kansas City Chiefs -- with the third overall pick -- to draft Jackson. * The Packers could get some help if the rumors swirling about quarterback Mark Sanchez of Southern California are true. While there has been ample speculation the Seattle Seahawks could select Sanchez with the fourth pick, there now appears to be several other teams picking in front of Green Bay that are considering him as well. One of them is St. Louis, which has the No. 2 pick, and No. 5 Cleveland. The Cleveland scenario is surprising because they already have Brady Quinn, whom they selected in the first round two years ago. But the Browns have a new head coach in Eric Mangini, fueling speculation he wants his own quarterback. Before the Sanchez chatter, most observers had projected the Browns possibly picking nose tackle B.J. Raji of Boston College. Raji is generally regarded as the Packers' top target. * While the Packers supposedly covet Raji, they also have a keen interest in offensive tackle Andre Smith of Alabama. However, some NFL scouts have told me that the Cincinnati Bengals, picking sixth, also have Smith on their short list of draft candidates. n * While the Packers have shown interest in offensive tackles Andre Smith and Michael Oher of Mississippi, they certainly wouldn't mind seeing Eugene Monroe of Virginia drop to them. The Packers had an in-depth interview with Monroe at the NFL combine in Indianapolis Another player who has more than piqued their curiosity is Brandon Pettigrew of Oklahoma. Pettigrew, who is generally considered the only tight end worth drafting in the first round, also was interviewed by the Packers' brass at the combine. Pettigrew is expected to be drafted between 11 and 20 with Buffalo, at 11, having shown much interest. * Speaking of tight ends, Sportingnews.com's "War Room'' has the Packers picking Chase Coffman of Missouri in the fourth round. Coffman is the son of former Packers tight end Paul Coffman. * To show you how crazy this draft could be, an NFL scout told me had had a scenario in which linebacker Aaron Curry fell to the Packers. * Kraig Urbick is expected to be the first University of Wisconsin player drafted. Urbick, a guard, could go late in the second round. * There are still some player personnel people who are convinced Al Davis will take wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey of Maryland at No. 8 -- even if two other more highly-touted receivers -- Crabtree and Missouri's Jeremy Macklin -- are on still on the board. * Packers general manager Ted Thompson hasn't shied away from drafting players from small colleges, one being strong safety Nick Collins of Bethune-Cookman. The Packers, if they trade down in the first round, could take Larry English, a defensive end/linebacker from Northern Illinois. English is a solid all-around player and quality person. Denver, which picks 12th, has more than a passing interest in English, who was a teammate of former St. Catherine's High School standout Dan Keller. New England, with the 23rd pick, has also thoroughly checked out English. Wednesday April 22, 2009
Posted by: gwoelfel at 2:16PM CST on April 22, 2009
BY GERY WOELFEL
Nobody has to tell Everette Brown the Jamal Reynolds’ story.
“”I’ve heard quite a few of those stories,’’ Brown said.
Many of the Reynolds’ stories have been brought up in recent weeks. That’s because the NFL draft will be held Saturday and Sunday and Brown’s name is being linked to Reynolds’.
To many observers, Brown is a clone of Reynolds as a football player. And that is hardly a compliment.
Reynolds was the Packers' top selection in the 2001 draft. He played at Florida State, just like Brown.
And, as a pass-rushing defensive end, Reynolds compiled staggering numbers for the Seminoles, just like Brown did.
But Reynolds couldn’t cut it with the Packers. He was one of the biggest draft busts in franchise history.
In an injury-plaqued rookie season, Reynolds had a paltry four tackles and two sacks. He lasted just two more seasons in Green Bay before the Packers flat-out released him.
Because of Reynolds’ failures as a Packer, cynics are now envisioning Brown being a bust in the NFL, too.
Brown doesn’t see that happening, however.
"We've had some good defensive linemen here (at Florida State) and we were all different in some way,'' Brown said. "I can't control how people think.
“I can control only what I do. And I know I play with dedication and a passion for the game.’’
While Brown is keenly aware of how he is perceived by some in PackersNation, but he hopes that’s not the case with Packers general manager Ted Thompson and his scouts.Brown said he met with Thompson and other Packers officials at the NFL combine in Indianapolis.
Brown, who registered 21 ½ tackle and 13 ½ sacks for the Seminoles last season, said his face-to-face interview with Thompson and Co. went exceptionally well.
“After that interview, I felt really good about the Packers and their organization,’’ Brown said. “I got a clear picture that they were really interested in me playing outside linebacker for them.
“I got the impression they were very interested in me. I felt we had a great meeting.’’
While Brown was a defensive end in college, he frequently dropped back in pass coverage like an outside linebacker.
What’s more, Brown has the athleticism of an outside linebacker. He has excellent speed for someone who is 6-foot-2, 256-pounds, having been clocked at 4.73 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
What’s more, while growing up in Stantonsburg, N.C., he played four years on the varsity high school basketball team and was a huge fan of former University of North Carolina linebacker Lawrence Taylor, arguably the best ever at his craft.
“I really like how L.T. played the game,’’ Brown said. “You could see he played with a chip on his shoulder and wasn’t going to be denied.
“And that’s how I try to play.’’
Where Brown will play in the NFL is one of the bigger mysteries of the draft. Some NFL officials believe he could be a serious candidate for the Packers, who have the ninth overall pick.
Others project Brown as a mid- to late-first round pick.
Brown said he’ll be thrilled just to be drafted, but would be ecstatic to wind up with the Packers.
"I'd love to play for Green Bay,'' Brown said. "They have a whole lot of tradition and they have a great fan base. “Who wouldn’t want to play for the Packers?’’
Saturday April 18, 2009
Posted by: gwoelfel at 9:26PM CST on April 18, 2009
BY GERY WOELEL When Ron Wolf was the Green Bay Packers general manager, you had a fairly good idea about the type of player he would select in the NFL draft. While Wolf would utter the standard “We’ll take the best player available’’ line, he usually ended up drafting someone who could immediately fill a need. Wolf’s successor, Ted Thompson, isn’t nearly as predictable. Armed with a long-term contract, Thompson has generally focused on drafting players who’ll contribute in the future more so than the present. Last year’s draft was vintage Thompson. The prevailing sentiment going into the 2008 draft was that Thompson would shore up the defense and select an outside linebacker or a safety. Instead, Thompson traded out of the first round and then used his first pick in the second round on Jordy Nelson, a wide receiver -- even though the Packers already had two outstanding ones in Greg Jennings and Donald Driver. Thompson’s second selection in last year’s draft was just as perplexing. He chose Brian Brohm, a quarterback -- even though the Packers already had a talented, young signal-caller in Aaron Rodgers. Heading into this year’s draft, which commences Saturday, the Packers have three major needs: a nose tackle, a defensive end/linebacker and an offensive tackle. As I wrote in a column last month, I believe Thompson will tab an offensive tackle, especially with Chad Clifton in the twilight of his stellar career and the uncertainty surrounding Mark Tauscher, who is injured and who is a free agent. Jason Smith of Baylor or Eugene Monroe of Virginia would be the ideal candidates, but neither of them will likely be available when the Packers make their first pick -- the ninth overall. That could leave Thompson to select either Andre Smith of Alabama or Michael Oher of Mississippi. Both are physically-gifted offensive tackles, although both have their warts. Yet, based on Thompson’s track record as the Packers’ GM, I wouldn’t be shocked if he drafted a running back like Chris Wells of Ohio State or a tight end like Brandon Pettigrew of Oklahoma State or a cornerback like Malcolm Jenkins of Ohio State. Drafts are always intriguing, but especially so when Thompson is involved.
Here are some projected Packers picks by other news outlets:
Friday April 17, 2009
Posted by: gwoelfel at 12:20PM CST on April 17, 2009
BY GERY WOELFEL
Zach Davidson isn’t unlike any other college football player: He would love to play in the NFL.
That’s why Davidson is hoping to hear his name called during the NFL draft on April 25-26.
"Hopefully, someone will give me a shot,'' said Davidson, a former Park High school standout who went on to excel at Western Michigan Univerity.
You would think some NFL team would be interested in the 6-foot-2 240-pound Davidson. After all, he fashioned an impressive resume at Western Michigan, earning all-Mid-American Conference second-team honors last season.
He also piqued the curiosity of some NFL scouts who recently attended Western Michigan's pro day.
"There were a bunch of scouts there and a couple of them came over and talked to me,'' Davidson said. "One was with the (Jacksonville) Jaguars and another was with the (Detroit) Lions.''
Interestingly, Davidson didn’t audition at his usual spot. Instead of going through defensive end drills, Davidson went through outside linebacking drills.
With so many NFL teams, including the Green Bay Packers, now switching from a 4-3 to 3-4 defensive alignment, players like Davidson have become a hotter commodity.
Davidson, an excellent pass rusher at Western Michigan, showed scouts in attendance that he had the athleticism and quckness to drop back in pass coverage.
“It was different,’’ Davidson said. “It was the first time I had ever worked out as an outside linebacker.
“But I thought I did a pretty good job.’’
If NFL scouts have any reservations that Davidson can play the game, they should talk to Nate Davis. Davis was a standout quarterback at Ball State and played against Davidson twice the last two seasons in MAC competition.
At the recent NFL combine in Indianapolis, I asked Davis, who is expected to be a late-first or early-second round draft pick, if he was familiar with Davidson.
"I sure am,'' Davis said, smiling. "He's a tough player. He's really good.''
Davidson is also smart. While many NFL prospects are leaving school without their diplomas, Davidson has his, having graduated in December.
Davidson obtained a degree in criminal justice with dual minors in sociology and alcohol and substance treatment.
Suffice to say, Davidson has put himself in position to make a nice living.
If he had his druthers, though, it would be as professional football player.
“If I got drafted it would be dream come true,’’ Davidon said. “Ever since I was little, I had always hoped for this and talked about it with friends.
“It would be a surreal situation if that happened.’’
But even if Davidson is bypassed in the draft, he doesn’t intend to quit pursuing his dream. Growing up in Racine, Davidson saw two other ex-Racine County prep stars get shunned int he draft and still make it to the pros.
One of those was former Burlington High School standout Tony Romo, now the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys..
The other was former Park High standout Kevin Barry, who went on to be a part-time starter for the Green Bay Packers.
“I followed those guys and I know where they came from is basically where I’m coming from,’’ Davidson said. “Those people proved they could do it, and that’s what I want to do now.
“I’m going to try and see how far I can go with my football career.’’ Tuesday April 14, 2009
Posted by: gwoelfel at 12:15PM CST on April 14, 2009
BY GERY WOELFEL
PORTSMOUTH, Va. -- The Milwaukee Bucks won't be in the NBA playoffs, but they will be in the Draft Lottery -- for the third straight year.
The Bucks, who wrap up their season Wednesday night on the road against the Indiana Pacers, would have 10th overall pick if the draft was held today.
With that in mind, nine NBA general managers and player personnel officials attending the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament last week were asked to select their top 10 draft prospects.
A total of 18 players received votes, although only five of them were unanimous selections.
They were power forward Blake Griffin of Oklahoma, center Hasheem Thabeet of Connecticut, point guard Ricky Rubio of DKV Joventut, shooting guard James Harden of Arizona State and power forward Jordan Hill of Arizona.
Guard Tyreke Evans of Memphis also came close to being a unanimous choice. While a Western Conference scout felt Evans was a top 10 talent, he left him off his ballot because he felt Evans wouldn't fit in well with his team's style of play and couldn't make a perimeter shot on a consistent basis.
Of those aforementioned six players, Griffin was a unanimous choice as the best player. Rubio and Thabeet were regarded as the second- and third-best draft prospects.
Rounding out the top 10 best players were forward Al-Farouq Aminu of Wake Forest and guards Stephen Curry of Davidson, Jeff Teague of Wake Forest and Ty Lawson of North Carolina.
Each received five votes. Just missing being a top 10 selection was forward Earl Clark of Louisville, who had four votes..
Seven other players drew top 10 votes, led by point guard Jonny Flynn of Syracuse, who has yet to declare for the draft, with three votes.
The other players were power forward DeJuan Blair of Pittsburgh, combo forward James Johnson of Wake Forest, center B.J Mullens of Ohio State and point guard Brandon Jennings, who is playing for Virtus Roma in Italy – all with two votes – along with shooting guard Gerald Henderson of Duke and shooting guard DeMar DeRozan of Southern California – with one vote each.
* Guard Wesley Matthews of Marquette University seemingly solidified his chances of being drafted in the second round with a quality showing at the PIT.
Matthews was one of 12 players chosen to the All-PIT team.
* PIT officials were hardly happy about Marquette's Dominic James' absence.
PIT officials were told James wanted to compete in the event and were willing to find a spot for him.
According to Mahlon Parker, the chairman of PIT, he and other tournament officials made repeated calls to Marquette coaching office concerning James but didn’t have any of their calls returned.
* The prevailing feeling among NBA officials in attendance was that James’ chances of being drafted now were slim to none.
* Another Marquette draft prospect, Jerel McNeal, declined an invitation to play in the PIT.
McNeal is generally regarded as a mid-second-round pick, although there are a couple of teams that have him rated as a late first-round selection.
* While Wisconsin forwrd Marcus Landy didn't make the all-tournament team at Portsmouth, he did acquit himself well.
Landry exhibited a nice all-around game and showed he’s capable of hitting the outside shot, something some NBA scouts had questioned.
Landry said the Houston Rockets have already talked to him about a pre-draft workout. Landry’s brother, Carl, is currently a backup forward for the Rockets.
* The Bucks were well represented at the PIT with general manager John Hammond, assistant general manager Jeff Weltman and player personnel director Dave Babcock in attendance. |
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