Some initial draft thoughts....

At this time, I'm thinking the Pack's #1 pick will be WR Jon Baldwin from Pit

36

4

Jon Baldwin

WR

Pittsburgh

6-5

230

1-2

4.4

I'd love for AR to have another 6'5" guy to throw too...and I think TT might be looking for J.Jones' replacement.

Wouldn't object to the following player w/ the first pick either:

33

5

Jimmy Smith

CB

Colorado

6-2

205

1-2

4.49

If they took Jimmy Smith, then I'd target this guy with the 2nd pick:

76

7

Titus Young

WR

Boise State

5-11

180

2-3

4.48

But if the Pack got Baldwin, then I have to go in this direction:

73

9

Curtis Brown

CB

Texas

6-0

185

2-3

4.4

67

8

Brandon Burton

CB

Utah

6-0

185

2-3

4.49

Yes, I'm saying CB/WR is our top two needs this off-season...& TT usually doesn't dabble w/ outside UFAs but ya never know...there's potentially two v.good/great CBs that could be available (Nnamdi Asomugha & Champ).


My 3rd target is OL...

92

10

Marcus Gilbert

OT

Florida

6-5

320

3

5.23

96

5

Stephen Schilling

OG

Michigan

6-5

308

3

5.14

115

6

John Moffitt

OG

Wisconsin

6-4

323

3-4

5.26

4th round take BPA...whoever that is...

Packers' Disparate formations

http://bleacherreport.com/tb/b7WVS

Return to Atlanta: Disparate formations

January, 14, 2011

JAN 14

10:00

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By Kevin Seifer

I'm typically not a big fan of Seifer because I think he's a vykings homer ;^> nonetheless, I really liked his article.

I think the O is more than capable of five TDs +...and I think the D will only give-up ~17 but the wild card is the ST coverage units because Atl's Weems is explosive!

BJ Raji, Clay Matthews picks could make 2009 draft one of Green Bay Packers most successful

BY PETE DOUGHERTY • PDOUGHERTY@GREENBAYPRESSGAZETTE.COM • JANUARY 7, 2011

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The Green Bay Packers have selected twice in the first round of plenty of NFL drafts, 14 times in fact.

Interesting article by Pete; & my perception of his main point (headline) is yeah, I think so too...especially since 1991-92.  IMO, TT is a better drafter than RW was but I'm not real sure why he is...just a gut feel I guess.  

What I feel WRT Raji & CM3 (plus Tramon & CW + NC & Shields)...is they've got the building blocks for a dominant D...(maybe why I took them for FFL).  Obviously CM3 is the key playmaker...but WOW are they loaded with other playmakers that it amazes me they didn't allow less PPG than they did.  I think it's obvious their strength (5-deep) is at DB but I most definitely like CM3 & his running mates.  If Zombo gets healthy, then the LBs are 5-deep & would be as strong or stronger than the DBs.  We really only have 3 (almost 4) DLmen but that's ok as long as BJ holds-up & Jenkins can contribute good PR (job #1)...However, Ryan Pickett might have to play more than Jenkins because of Michael Turner...in fact, on downs Dom plans on taking away the run I'd use Howard Green before Jenkins (obviously going 3-DL).

Back to the 2009 draft...

2009	1	1	9	9	B.J. Raji	DT	Boston College
	2	1	26	26	Clay Matthews Jr	LB	USC
	3	4	9	109	T.J. Lang	T	Eastern Michigan
	4	5	9	145	Quinn Johnson	RB	Louisiana State
	5	5	26	162	Jamon Meredith	T	South Carolina
	6	6	9	182	Jarius Wynn	DE	Georgia
	7	6	14	187	Brandon Underwood	DB	Cincinnati
	8	7	9	218	Brad Jones	LB	Colorado

Only guy not with the Pack is Meredith & no big loss there.  Not sure Wynn will be in the 2011 camp but I'd let him show & see how he does...but he's either got to get a lot bigger & stronger or shed 15-25 lbs and switch to LB.  Underwood has been an enigma this year but regardless, they will bring him back in 2011.  The mighty Quinn should be the starting FB and will definitely (IMO) have that job in 2011.  I think T.J. Lang will be starting in 2011 too...Brad Jones will be a reserve in 2011 but a valuable reserve & core ST player.  What a DRAFT by TT!  

My handwritten pre-game notes/thoughts

• Pack D + ST cannot allow >20 pts
• Pack O cannot turn ball over
• Pack D must pressure Vick - sic the dogs on him & need to get some TAs [defensive playmakers -CM3, CW, NC & the rest] must shine
• Pack O must look to control the game - ball control - only look for deep ball as 2nd option; must be effective w/ the RBs & TEs
• I like J.Kuhn

a.Nagler's "Gut Reactions"

Gut Reactions: Wild Card vs Eagles

By Aaron Nagler on Jan 09, 2011 with 99 Comments

• James Starks has arrived

I gave Starks my “PotG” (along w/ AR of course).

• Chad Clifton and Byran Bulaga quietly had good games
• Dom Capers did a nice job of mixing it up. As frustrating as the final Eagles touchdown drive was, Capers made them earn it and took a boatload of time off the clock.
• That said, I was throwing things at the TV when Dom went with his patented 3 man rush after he got the Eagles into a 1st and 25 situation. Three straight downs of three man rush = an Eagles first down.

Clifton deserved his PB award & while Bulaga certainly has his tough times BUT I just love the kid & think he’s going to be an outstanding OL after he gets a little stronger & bigger. 

I’m not a fan of the 3-man rush either especially when J.Bush is on the field…I’d rather see P.Lee out there instead.  I’m not even going to talk about B.Underweed!  Over-all though, I thought Dom’s game plan/play calling was outstanding and had Vick mostly confused.  I hope Dom remains in GB for a long time…he’s such a great DC.

• ·         Once again, the Packers' receivers were feast or famine

AR had a solid thing going w/ DD but other than that, no doubt there wasn’t a thing from the other WRs.  J.Jones sucks though & I hope they let him walk in FA.    Was bummed Jordy only got one targeted throw…and GJ needs to step it up vs Atlanta because he was a no-show vs Philly.

• McCarthy with his customary butchering of the clock there at the end of the first half.
• That said, I love how everyone hates it when he's aggressive, yet there people were on Twitter getting upset because he was running the ball on first and second down with less than 4 minutes to go. Can't have it both ways people - if Rodgers fumbles, throws an incomplete pass or is picked off, you're all howling about how McCarthy should have been running the ball.

I don’t buy into the clock management criticism of M3 @ end of 1^st half…J.Jones just dropped a SURE TD throw by AR & I think it deflated the offense…no need to take another play shot and really F it up with a turnover.  I wasn’t on Twitter during the game and haven’t read the comments yet…but I can only imagine the fuss…LMAO @ them.  M3 is a smart play caller, no doubt in my mind about that!  I think questioning M3’s play calling is …well, I’ll leave it at that. 

• Overall, this is an excellent win, on the road, against a Division Champion. Great job all around by McCarthy and his team.
• Packers play the Falcons next Saturday night in what is sure to be a much tougher test. Look for a much more balanced offensive attack from the Packers this time around with the emergence of James Starks as well as a healthy dose of Michael Turner from the Falcons. This promises to be a very physical game.
• Go Pack Go.

Without a doubt is was an excellent win!!!...GREAT TEAM VICTORY!  Go Pack!

cp

Woodson ready for the slot challenge

By Tom Silverstein of the Journal Sentinel

Jan. 5, 2011 |

Without reading the blog & just looking at the blog headline, it makes me think WTF?...of course CW is ready for the slot role...that's what he does!  I'm not sure the exact % the Dom calls nickel but it's a very high % and we all know that CW *is* the slot DB.  He's arguably a top 3 slot DB in NFL.  I'm not sure whether Polomalu is better in the box either...CW is that good there.  

I'll be shocked if the Pack doesn't play nickel at least 60-65% vs the Eagles.

"It won't be any different for me than any other week," Woodson said. "Any time I'm on the field, I'm getting pointed out for coming on blitzes. So, that won't change. We'll just have to do what we do."

Yes, the D will do what they have to do...and that's play v.good - great.  I think we need to score 21 to win and maybe the defense will score to make that score happen...it's been awhile for a Def TD.

Bishop contract tid-bits

Bishop agreed to a four-year contract extension worth $19 million, according toESPN’s Adam Schefter. That deal sets him up to replace either Barnett, who is due about $6 million in 2011, or A.J. Hawk, whose current contract balloons to $10 million next season.


I've convinced my mind that the Packers will keep AJ regardless of his contract (or lack of extension); AJ is probably the best ILB thumper.  No doubt TT signed Bishop to be a starter from here on...  I could see them cutting Barnett or moving him to ROLB (or Bishop there...)...things I like about Bishop: he can move around & play the flat to ~15yds deep + he's really a good blitzer/PR (especially on cross-dogs).