Posted by:
gwoelfel on
April 26, 2008 at
11:47PM CST
BY GERY WOELFEL
By now we’ve come expect the unexpected from Ted Thompson.
So the Packers general manager’s first two selections in Saturday’s NFL Draft shouldn’t have been surprising, right?
Right.
With the Packers’ first pick, Thompson took Kansas State’s Jordy Nelson, a wide receiver. Did you, did anyone, expect Thompson to take a wide receiver? I think not.
By all accounts, the Packers’ wide receiving corps is pretty darn good.
Donald Driver is a very good receiver.
Greg Jennings is a very good receiver.
James Jones showed flashes last season as a rookie that he could be very good.
Koren Robinson is a solid backup receiver. Ditto for Ruvell Martin.
Yet Thompson still took Nelson even though the Packers could have used a cornerback, or a safety, or an offensive lineman or a tight end.
And Thompson could have added a good tight or a good safety if he had just held on to the team’s first-round selection — No. 30 overall — instead of trading back.
Instead, at No. 30, the New York Jets took Purdue tight end Dustin Keller.
At No. 31, the New York Giants took the player I envisioned Thompson taking, Kenny Phillips of Miami. Phillips could have easily challenged wildy-erratic Atari Bigsby for the starting strong safety position.
But Thompson took Nelson who will likely be, at best, the fourth wide receiver on the depth chart.
Why?
Thompson’s second draft pick -- Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm -- wasn’t as baffling, but it was close.
Everyone expected Thompson to take a quarterback, especially since he has failed to acquire a decent one via a trade or free agency.
But for Thompson to use his second, second-round pick on Brohm wasn’t prudent. What's more, it could have adverse ramifications.
One can only imagine the myriad emotions rushing through Aaron Rodgers’ mind right now? Drafting a quarterback, especially with such a high pick, wasn’t exactly a ringing endorsement for him.
Thompson could have easily waited another couple of rounds to pick a quarterback like former Packers’ draft whiz Ron Wolf did on several occasions.
In the later rounds, Wolf consistently unearthed gems like Matt Hasselbeck and Aaron Brooks and Ty Detmer and Craig Nall.
Thompson insists Rodgers is the man. But what if Rodgers is shaky in preseason, and Brohm looks good?
Posted by: brewpackman on April 27, 2008 1:04AM CST
The Packers, and Mike McCarthy in particular, were incredibly innovative last year in going with the 4 and even 5 reciever sets as they were very hard to defend....they just got even better in that, Koren Robinson has a degenerative knee condition and is now likely done with the Packers and possibly football in general, and in steps a guy who runs great routes....catches everything thrown to him....and has an incredibly great work ethic....not to mention a 6'-2.5", 217 pound frame to put in the slot...try defending that with a nickel or dime back.....I am thinking Wes Welker with 3 more inches and 35 more pounds. To get Brohm at that spot, when he is well suited for the west coast offense (smart, makes fast reads, and accurate) is a pick he would have been nuts to pass on.....They also got the corner that you so desperately wanted them to get....not to mention a physical, bump and run type, that could very well play safety. I like the picks, but time will tell if they can play or not. BTW...no, i cannot say QB controversy as the Packers have made it clear that the job belongs to Aaron Rodgers and will continue to unless he gets hurt or doesn't do the job........Shouldn't Thompson have a guy they feel could be reliable behind Rodgers, and that is not Culpepper who has no business being in a west coast offense. Day 2 should be interesting...I still think they will end up taking Mike Hart from Michigan with one of those 4th rounders if he is still there. Keep boooing Thompson in April, and I'll keep on cheering Packer wins in the fall.
Posted by: brewpackman on April 27, 2008 1:23AM CST
Here is what is baffling to me.....Didn't you, in yesterdays column, write that you spoke with an NFL scout who was quoted as saying that Brian Brohm is better than Aaron Rodgers? If that is the case should the Packers have ignored the fact that Brohm could be better for their future as a football team and not selected him so that they don't hurt Aaron Rodgers feelings? Please tell me you are kidding with some of this stuff......
"In the later rounds, Wolf consistently unearthed gems like Matt Hasselbeck and Aaron Brooks and Ty Detmer and Craig Nall."
Hasselbeck was a gem. The rest were good backups.
Thompson took arguably the best WR and best QB in the draft versus a late 1st round safety with several weaknesses including durability and he did not have a great junior year. Obviously he has many strengths but this is not to say he is a better option than Bigsby who finally started to come around the 2nd half of the season.
Posted by: whiskey sour on April 27, 2008 5:32AM CST
But Thompson took Nelson who will likely be, at best, the fourth wide receiver on the depth chart.
Why?
Ever hear of improving depth and protecting the future? That is what competent GMs do. They protect the salary cap by doing this too.
And since when is Craig Nall a gem? He's a losewre and always will be. And the rest of those guys you mentioned have won how many Super Bowls? Yeah, that's what I thought, zero like you are.
Jordy Nelson WR 6-2 217 Kansas State I love this pick. Nelson, one of my "sleepers" all pre-draft season, is a giant target with hands of glue. The Kansas State kid caught 122 balls last season, saving his best for the Wildcats' biggest games. Another target for Aaron Rodgers to grow with in Green Bay.
Brian Brohm QB 6-3 228 Louisville The Packers scoop up Brohm, a guy many predicted to go in the top 20, at 56th overall. Brohm was a Sports Illustrated cover boy in high school and a star since his freshman year in college. A topsy turvy senior season bumps him to the second round — but the guy can play. Aaron Rodgers has some competition up in Green Bay.
Patrick Lee DB 6-0 200 Auburn Woodson and Harris aren't getting any younger. Patrick Lee was a ball hawk at Auburn, intercepting four passes last season. Pretty good size and plenty of potential--a solid pick at DB.
Gery - your Packer opinions are baffling.....please go back to reporting the "Buck's purge resumes" news. Funny how you think a new GM with a new Coach dismissing the asst. coaching staff is news. In most instances, that is a given. The Buck's have not won with those asst's, why would they remain?? Amazzzzzing.....
guys, I think Woeful just writes this type of garbage to get a rise out of you!
if not though, and if you're serious gery, you're way off base. For one, Bigby is a beast. That was basically his rookie year last year and you should know that safety's usually take a good 2 years to properly learn the mental side of the position (see Sean Taylor), but physically he's amazing and one of the top hitters in the league. Collins is the weak link back there, in my opinion. Also, why not bring Brohm in? It's not very baffling because you of all people should know by now that Thompson doesn't draft by need, he drafts the best player available. And Brohm was just that. In fact Brohm was projected to be a top 5 pick if he came out last year, but had a mediocre senior season. I see him being the Packers next starter some day, for sure. And Nelson is going to be a perfect west coast reciever. What better type of reciever to give to an unproven qb than a guy who's huge and NEVER drops any balls (see Randy Moss without the speed). Seriously Gery, I don't know why any of these picks should be baffling to you.
I like it so far.Picking up a fourth rd pick and still getting the 3rd WR picked.Getting the 3rd QB(some say 2nd best) picked right ahead of the fourth QB(had they waited he might not have been around for 58th overall pick).Then getting the cornerback they needed.Thompsen has shown in the past that he will take the best player available and I think he is being consistent with that history.
The thing that interests me is the position trading.
1-30 _ To NY Jets for Nos. 36 & 113. (this alone got us Jordy Nelson and Jeremy Thompson) 4-113 _ To NY Jets with No. 162 for No. 102. Originally acquired from NY Jets with No. 36 for No. 30. 4.126 _ To St. Louis Rams for Nos. 137 & 217 5.137 _ To Minnesota Vikings for Nos. 150 & 209. Originally from St. Louis Rams with No. 217 for No. 128. 5.162 _ To NY Jets with No. 113 for No. 102. 6.194 _ To NY Giants in 2007 trade for RB Ryan Grant.
My case is white guys are a reach at Wide Receiver. KEEP NUMBER 30 PICK TAKE BRANDON FLOWERS A SURE THING AT CB. Im Out!
Posted by: brewpackman on April 27, 2008 9:54PM CST
If he was black, fish would be saying how great he is, apparently........I guess a guy like Steve Largent would have been better than Jerry Rice and Randy Moss combined if he had been black. Fish, are you a 14 year old boy, or just plain stupid?.....If Brandon Flowers is such a "sure thing" why did 31 teams basically pass on him until the first round was over?....now on to the non mentally-challenged.....I thought the Pack did a good job addressing the needs of the team with this draft, if the guys they drafted can play well at the next level...we'll see.2 Qb's...2 OT's...2 WR's (both white fish, they must both suck then, huh)...TE...DE...CB......let's see how they do in the fall.
Now Im a racist for that comment! Geez you guys are brutal! And a retard? Wait who sits on this computer 24/7 responsding to my comments within minutes? You Raytown and that Brewpacmanjones. Case closed. Im Out!
I guess all the experts are wrong about Nelson, and TFTSP is right. Watching the hoghlight reel of Nelson, I will predict he we make an INSTANT contribution to this team. He appears to be a GREAT return specialist in addition to hiw receiving skills. This draft was better than average for the Packers.
Posted by: Wuzza Wuzza on April 28, 2008 8:21AM CST
Sigh.
All I can say is 13-3. Enough said. Give Teddy Boy some credit for crying out loud.
Posted by: crazy4cars on April 28, 2008 8:21AM CST
I'm pretty sure the reason these picks are "baffling" to Gery is that Gery knows nothing about football. Stick with the Sucks... I mean Bucks!
Hey Fish, don't get mad at me. You're the one that said white recievers suck. The only reason you think that isn't racist is because you're probably white too. And on your last comment, I replied almost 3 hours later, not within minutes. So again, you're the retard, yes. Sorry, but you were probably born that way. Stay out!
Posted by: Brett Favre on April 28, 2008 9:26AM CST
Fish, I won't call you a racist, just an idiot. So you are comparing Nelson to Schroeder? About the only thing they have in common is they are white. Scroeder was a 6th round pick and not much was expected of him. Nelson caught 122 passes last year at a D-1 school. Ya, I guess they are one in the same. That Wes Welker sure sucked it up last year at New England didn't he?
Posted by: Brett Favre on April 28, 2008 10:00AM CST
Gery, now you say that Jennings is a very good receiver. I guess you have changed your opinion since the time "Teddy" picked him a couple years ago. Remember when you wrote after the draft that he was nobody and they should have taken that bustoff from Florida? I remember it well. Once again let Ted stick to the drafting and you stick to your sorry columns.
Posted by: Brett Favre on April 28, 2008 11:32AM CST
One last thought Gery, how could any of the Packers choices be bad? Remember, you were the one who said the Packers are the definition of mediocrity. If they are so mediocre wouldn't they need help at any position? Hmmm. Let me refresh your memory in case you forgot. http://my.journaltimes.com/post/woelfel-world-of-sports/woelfel_packers_are_definition_of_mediocrity.html
hahahah I just went back and read that "packers are definition of mediocrity" article! That is pure genius! It's awesome how wrong this guy is. He writes that, then follows it up with 10 or 15 articles about how great the Bucks were gonna be this year.. Priceless
Ohhh Man this is WAY to easy it's like playing T-Ball against 1st graders.
Gery when aren't you baffled? Were you also drunk when you wrote this? "By now we’ve come expect the unexpected from Ted Thompson" Skip Grammar school Gery? Do you have Microsoft Word, it has a spell\grammar check:-)
First Driver is 33 years old, Jennings is due for a HUGE contract in 2 years...i'd say drafting a WR now would be essential to keeping the positions strong for years to come. Also did you see the highlight when he lit Talib from Kansas up like a Christmas Tree and ran right past him? You know the Tampa selection at #20 or where you sleeping on your couch?
The Packers other choice for Backup QB would be FumblePepper. Wouldn't you rather have a QB who fits a West Coast offense who will improve and cost almost nothing? Brohm will be better than FumblePepper before Training camp starts. If he would have come out after his JR. season he would have been a top 15 pick.
CB-They got the guy that fits their scheme.
If Aaron Rodgers can't handle the competiion he shouldn't be the QB then. He has 3 years in this offense to think that Brohm will unseat him is REDICULOUS. This is a professional sport not knitting, it's all about competition.
Funny you mention about all the QBs that Wolf picked when Favre was young...did that rattle his cage..no it created competition...pick up the book about Favre by Chris Havel and it would give you a good insight..but then that would be research and your AWFUL at that.
Have you seen Animal House Gery...remember the guy named Flounder? Remember what Dean Wormer said to Flounder before he horked in his face? "Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, son." I'm going to call you Flounder from now on:-)
Dear Brettfavre: Wes Welker had Randy Moss and Tom Brady playing with him! What did he do the year before in Miami?? Not much hey? Get my point you must be surronded by talent to succed in the NFL cant do it on your own. Im Out!
Posted by: brewpackman on April 28, 2008 9:53PM CST
TBV....I think you misunderstood TFTSP...he thinks Jordy is going to suck as he is a white WR....We were giving him a hard time about how idiotic he is...TFTSP was the one who said a month or so ago, that he had sources with the Packers who told him the Packers were going to move up in the draft and get McFadden or Mendenhall....how'd that work out for ya fish? You must be from Texas, fish....as everything is bigger there, including mental retardation....come to think of it...Are you Gery's son?
You guys are so right I am retarded and should be put away. I am just trying to be a part of this blog and state my opinions if you keep treating me like this I well be back. Im Out! ps: You would rather have Jordy Nelson and Patrick Lee than Mcfadden? Now whos the retard now?
Posted by: Brett Favre on April 29, 2008 6:19AM CST
"Ever hear of Bill Schroeder?? I rest my case on Jordy Nelson. Im Out!" Your point was you must be surrounded by talent? Where did you say that? People called you out for being wrong so now you change your story. What did Welker do the year before? Only lead his team in receptions with Joey Harrington as his QB at times. Want to keep trying, this is too easy. By the way, most of us know you have been "out" for years. Admitting it is the first step.
I know. I was being sarcastic. I think Nelson will have a fantastic career.
TFTSP,
We weren't going to GET either of those, were we? If we're going to play the fantasy game, then I would want Chris Long. We weren't going to get him, either.
Posted by: brewpackman on April 29, 2008 6:46AM CST
Sorry TBV...I missed that one
Actually fish, i would have rather had Mendenhall over McFadden....the opinion of experts was that Mendenhall was born to run in a zone blocking scheme, but that is a debate of a different color..... I actually would rather have a quality WR and CB than a RB, which the Packers already have pretty good quality players at the position...... I'll bet fish is one of those fans who would have booed Thompson, as if he knows more about running an NFL team than a man who is regarded as one of the best talent evaluators in the league. Keep coming up with these idiotic scenarios in your head, fish.......one day, one of them may actually happen, and you will finally feel like a genius......as they say in Canada...i'm oot
It is a bit surprising that the Packers took a WR with their first pick when then could have addressed a more pressing need with a DB or TE, but it was equally surprising when the Packers took Justin Harrell last year, yet the depth the Packers developed at that position made it one of the strongest on the team and a big reason that Packers made the playoffs. Remember how bad the Packers defense was in 2006? With Driver approaching 34 and James Jones and Ruvell Martin showing promise but not proving they are fulltime players, draft Jordy Nelson isn't that bad of an idea at all. He could very easi;y be starting within in a year or two at the most. Two QB's also seem a bit excessive, but Rodgers hasn't exactly showed the indestructable quality that Favre did and Craig Nall sure isn't the answer. Brohm will be #2 or #3 if the Packers bring in a veteran and Flynn will be either #3 or a practice team guy. You can never be too deep with the teams' most important position! I think that the Packers did address areas or need and concern in the draft, but with any football draft, it will take a couple of years to determine if the draft has been successful or not. In the meantime, the Packers are coming off a 13-3 season and a trip to the NFL Championship game despite being the second youngest team in the league. I believe Woelful needs to give Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy the credit they have coming. I don't understand Woelful's constant attacks of Thompson. What happened, did he refuse an interview request or the opportunity to exchange in the banal drivel that Gery refers to as a column and journalistic skills? The harder he tries to discredit Thompson, the better he makes him look while affirming his lack of knowledge on the subject. As they say, empty barrels make the most noise, and most of Woelful's columns are just that, a lot of empty barrels! If you can't make a point in one of your columns about the Packers without your self-indulgent, ill-advised attacks on Ted Thompson and the Packers front office, why not write about something you know about instead, whatever that might, because it certainly isn't football. If you are looking for Thompson bashers around here, I don't think you are going to find too many of them in this neck of the woods! Go pick on the Bears, they are a much easier target and much more fun to laugh at and you might actually develop some supporters around here if you did!
well said Mr. Mastermind I've never seen you post on here before, but this is what we've been saying for a long time and he just doesn't care or listen to us. it's mega-lame
Guys have you ever heard Flounder call into any of the local radio stations. It's pretty funny, he called into one of the Madison radio stations running his mouth about the Bucks during the Krystowiak signing. I'm pretty sure I could hear the pauses as the guys were putting their mics on mute and laughing. I think the reason Flounder backs the Bucks is because they are the only team that will allow him to interview them. The Brewers are trying to win so no reason to allow Flounder and his 70's stoosh in the room and the Packers are winners so again Flounder can't get a press pass. I bet when the Packers win the SuperBowl Flounder will be the first to have an article ripping on something they didn't do right. Next thing you know he'll be writing an article about how the BiQueens have really bridged the gap in the NFC North, after someone already writes it somewhere. Maybe he is a BiQueens fan:-)
I know you probably only have dialup but I found the play I was talking about as well as another video. I realize this pick was baffling and he'll probably suck but here's a couple highlights http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ek0ANQ8bRfo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIUu-nLx0lw
They have this neat thing called You Tube now..you should try it out someday. You can actually do RESEARCH on something before commenting on it, novel idea huh?
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