Packers still prime-time material

Today’s announcement by the NFL that the Packers and Bears will kick off the league’s Sunday night showcase at Lambeau Field shows the power of the team’s fans. Not only did the Packers get the opening Sunday night contest they also will play at Detroit on Thanksgiving Day for the second time in three years. The rest of the national TV schedule has not been announced but I could see the Packers getting at least a road Monday night game and a couple of 3:15s.

Yes, the Bears are certainly part of the draw, and the rivalry is one of the NFL’s best, but bottom line is other than Hester and Urlacher, the Bears don’t have much star power. The Packers aren’t the Patriots but do have Aaron Rodgers, Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Charles Woodson, A.J. Hawk, and Nick Barnett. Not to mention Lambeau Field, which is why once again the Packers will be at home on opening day. One thing you can always be sure of is the Packers will open at home. Every few years the league has to throw the rest of the league a bone and put the Packers on the road, but normally they are few and far between. That is a credit to the organization for making sure Lambeau Field remains the mecca of NFL fans. You still haven’t been to a game if you haven’t been to a game at Lambeau.

I think the Packers are primed for a turnaround from last year’s 6-10 record and the networks might be thinking the same way. I would like to say a win over the Bears would be the catalyst for a good season, but I thought that would happen last year after the Packers whipped the Vikings on opening day in Rodgers’ first start. We all saw what happened after that. The defense became a sieve and Rodgers went through his growing pains and result was what it was. The fact that the Bears are also part of the opening weekend package for the second straight year like the Packers is pretty funny. What happened to the division champion Vikings? They were no where to be found in the opening announcements. I love it. My guess is they get the maximum three Monday night games and probably a pair of Sunday night games.

The thing is, the Vikings are and always will be third fiddle in the NFC North. The Packers and Bears will always be the better draws. The Vikings haven’t meant a thing since Bud Grant left and his only claim to fame is losing four Super Bowls. Adrian Peterson is their only draw now. At least they do have Peterson, last I heard the league was trying to remove Detroit from the TV schedule completely.

I don’t know about you, but the news today was good for me. I think it shows confidence in the organization as a whole, and as an owner, I will be there that Sunday night supporting my team. I will make my prediction right now, Packers 31, Bears 13.

This entry was posted on Monday, March 23rd, 2009 at 8:03 pm and is filed under Al Davis. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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  • Lew

    Ron Wolf had Favre as the #1 player on his board, but fortunately the Jets did not have a 1st rd draft pick. Every team passed on Brohm last year, many twice. Are we really comparing Brohm to Favre? We can do better than that guys. When the rumor is that Julius Peppers is going for a 2nd rounder how do you figure Brohm is worth anywhere near this? And to pretend like the trade market is the same now as in 1991 is silly. NFL trades involving players are rare compared to other sports and the compensation is usually small.

    Players simply aren’t traded for high draft picks. If we could get a 3rd rounder for Brohm I would say trade him as fast as you can get the pen to the paper, but it’s not going to happen guys.

  • Devil’s Advocate…

    So, how does this Raji guy rate. He may be the best available this year but would he rate that high in a deep draft or would he more of a mid to late first rounder in different year?

  • Roy Jamison

    It would be nice to have a statistical breakdown how many 1st rounders make it (start) vs. 2nd rounders etc. Seems like the qb position is the biggest crap shoot. Lots of teams have lost with number one qb picks. Guys like Akili Smith, may get a second chance even if they don’t deserve it. After 3 years, guys in the second round that don’t make it are selling insurance.

  • Lew

    DA you bring up a good point. By all accounts the number of big-time prospects is much smaller this year and Raji is the only DT. I hope the Pack gets him (unless orakpo is there), but he is probably not a top 10 pick most years.

  • JeffN

    On depth charts Raji is rated for example #2 on NationalFootBallPost.com top 100 chart. He is rated at least in the top 4 on all other depth charts I have looked at. These depth charts do not take position into account only best player available. After the senior bowl he slid from like 25 all the way up to the top 10 on mock drafts.

    I think the reason so many 1st round QBs are busts is because they are developmental players treated as day 1 starters and they never get caught up. Instead they are running for their lives behind bad offensive lines and are out of the league within 5 years. Very few teams have the patience or the personel to develop a QB like Green Bay did with Favre and with Rodgers.

  • JeffN

    Damn looks like Tyson Jackson and Jaron Gilbert are both sliding up the draft boards, especially Jackson. Ron Brace NT has slid down a bit. If we get 1 of those 3 with our Round 2 pick I’ll be happy.

    Maybin is starting to look like the likely Packers 1st rounder instead of Everette Brown. Who knows what else is all going to change before draft day. Going to be one hell of a fun day when it finally get’s here.

  • Matt Hayton

    And as others have mentioned…it is to everyone but Matt Flynn’s benefit, that Brohm, plays well in training camp, beats him out this year and is the #2 behind AR.

  • iccyfan

    Lew Says: Are we really comparing Brohm to Favre?

    You’re right. In terms of college accolades, Brohm was the more decorated of the two. Had he left Louisville after his junior season, he was a consensus high first round pick. Favre never had that going for him, especially after the car accident.

    As for your comparison of a Julius Peppers trade to a Brohm trade, I’ll agree that it’s ludicrous. Peppers won’t be traded for a first rounder because he comes with a guaranteed $50M price tag. Brohm comes with a second round rookie contract, which would probably be attractive to a team wishful of grooming a young QB for the future.

    I don’t believe the Packers will trade Brohm at this time, but your rationale is grievously flawed. Nobody knows how he’ll turn out at this point. He might be the next coming of Dan McGwire, Todd Marinovich or Browning Nagle, the two QB’s selected ahead of Favre and the one immediately after. David Klingler was the overall #6 selection in 1992 and Tommy Maddox was the other first rounder that year. Or he might turn out to be the next Favre. All it takes is one GM who remembers his magical junior season and thinks he’s better than Josh Freeman. It’s not as far-fetched as you seem to believe…

  • Lew

    iccyfan, you are the one flawed. If it was all about college stats then Stafford would not be the #1 QB this year and the dude from Hawaii would have been the first pick in the draft last year.

    College stats don’t mean a whole lot. It is about how the skill set is projected to transfer to the next level. Brohm, like a lot of people before him, was looked at by many as a system QB. Give me a comparison of the last 5 years bro. And you don’t even have to only include QB’s. Good luck.

    Hasselbeck was an established backup with several years of work to look at (granted mostly preseason) but all he was worth was moving from #17 to #10 in the draft.

    You are right that no one, including me knows how Brohm will turn out. He might turn out to be good. But he trade value as of 03-30-2009 is absolutely nothing. Deal with it

  • JeffN

    Everyone has hit the nail on the head when they say “We don’t know how Brohm will turn out” Although in MM QB camp I would expect him to be pretty good in the long run.

    Whether or not he has trade value we can argue about until we are blue in the face. However it only takes 1 team to pull the trigger and think he worth a #1 pick right now. I really don’t think he’s a #1 as of now.

    I would agree that Brohm would have to go through his 2 to 3 year hump process before a team will actually offer a higher pick than what he was drafted as. It’s a better deal for whoever needs a QB to let MM train the guy into an AR then trading a #1 for him rather than trying to do spend that #1 in the draft and try to train a guy themselves.

  • iccyfan

    Lew,
    I did not mention statistics nor did I reference any. Where are you getting this “system quarterback” drivel? He ran a pro-style offense at Louisville! I did a one-step web-search and opened the first draft bio on the list:
    ==========
    ” Update: In 2007 Steve Kragenthorpe took over for Bobby Petrino as head coach, and the Cardinals struggled. Their defense was horrible and they didn’t even get a post season bowl invitation. Due to Louisville’s struggles and his higher than normal interceptions (12), some NFL Draft analysts have downgraded his stock. Not me, Brian Brohm is still an elite quarterback and he has excellent upside for the NFL. Brohm is probably the most developed QB in the 2008 NFL Draft and looks to be a franchise quarterback. He is big, strong and has a powerful, accurate arm. He finished 2007 ranked 8th in pass efficiency with a 65.12 completion percentage. He amassed 4,024 yards and an amazing 30 touchdowns. His completion percentage improved from 2006 (63.4) to 2007 (65.1). I still look for Brohm to be a first round selection in the 2008 NFL Draft. I don’t think he will get past Baltimore, Minnesota or Chicago.

    QB Brian Brohm (6-3 3/8, 232): Ran the 40 in 4.69 and 4.70, had a 4.41 short shuttle, ran position drills and kept everything else from the combine. Reportedly he looked very good in his passing workout throwing 75 passes with the ball rarely touching the ground.”
    ==========================
    I guess you know better based on a rookie training camp and a year spent on the bench….

    I long ago decided there is a certain contingent on the board, and you’re definitely party to it, that views EVERY issue thru the prism of their hatred for TT. You really need to deal with that as he’s not going anywhere and many Packer fans think he’s doing a pretty good job.

    In closing, what type of a five-year comparison are you looking for?

  • JeffN

    icy, I totally agree on prism theory. Very well put.

  • Lew

    Dude, this has and has had NOTHING to do with TT. I have not mentioned this. Last year, with the durability questions surrounding ARod I was fine with the draft pick. But he couldn’t beat out Flynn. My point is that he has no current trade value. Read the posts and quit being so stupid. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t like TT but that was not a part of this conversation until you made it so. And WHEN Brohm would have been a high draft pick, (jr year), he was part of the Petrino system QB.

    And yes I think I know better than whatever anonymous draft blog you pulled the above quote from. Because guess what- he was wrong-Brohm was not a 1st rounder.

    I want you to tell me a player who has not played his first several years and then was traded for the same round or higher than when they were drafted.

    Want to talk about a prism…man, I try to move away from the TT thing and here you are again. Brohm might be good, who knows. This was never my point. Don’t bother responding to the player request. I could really care less. I will be proven correct in time and since I know that I really don’t care what you say.

  • Rocky70

    iccyfan,

    You couldn’t be more accurrate & with the facts to support your point of view.
    The truth in NFL circles is that if Brohm were a 2009 draftee, he would fall somewhere in the top 4 QBs selected. It’s laughable that some of these posters draw conclusions from Brohn’s 1st year in the NFL. That certain contingent you speak of very rarely can support their claims. Most are too busy playing Madden football or fantasy football to do proper research when posting about ‘real’ football.

    I’ve said it once but will do so again.

    Brohm would be considered the next franchise QB on the following teams: Lions, Bears, Vikings, Jets, Bills, Jacksonville, Bucs, Cardinals, 49′ers, Seahawks & Rams. These eleven teams would love to have Brohm coming into their TC in 2009.

  • JeffN

    I’m going to dream here a bit. Wouldn’t it be awesome if Raji fell to 9. We get Raji. Then we trade brohm and Popinga to Denver for their 12th pick and we get Maybin with that pick. Then Gilbert is there is the 2nd. Damn I must be off my rocker.

  • Devil’s Advocate…

    If your going to dream………………………. dream big!!! What did Cassel go to KC for? 1st or 2nd?

    I think, like most QB’s, alot depends on when and where they go. Had Cassel had to go in for Detroit instead of the Cheaters last year, his future would probably be alot different, after having his confidence beat out of him. Had AR gone to SF and needed to start right away, he’d probably been Smith and Smith might have been him given the opportunity to learn behind Farve and be on a decent team.

  • Roy Jamison

    Here’s the illustrious list of number ones in Packers history.
    When I boil it down to knockdown great picks, the pickings are really slim. I’d like to include John Brockington but after 3 great years in a row, the Packers unfortunately used him too much. Willie Buchanon is close. Ezra Johnson may be borderline but doesn’t cut it. So, I’m going to stick with James Lofton, Ken Ruetgers, and Sterling Sharpe. The jury is still out on Barnett, A-Rod and Hawk. The biggest shame is Javon Walker who wasted a pretty good career. I’ll take Rich Campbell as biggest miss. Rich McGeorge get a star for extra effort.

    1970 16 McGeorge, RichRich McGeorge Tight end Elon
    1971 9 Brockington, JohnJohn Brockington Running back Ohio State [a][l]
    1972 7 Buchanon, WillieWillie Buchanon Cornerback San Diego State [a][m]
    1972 11 Tagge, JerryJerry Tagge Quarterback Nebraska [n]
    1973 21 Smith, BarryBarry Smith Wide receiver Florida State
    1974 12 Smith, BartyBarty Smith Running back Richmond
    1975 — No pick — — [o]
    1976 23 Koncar, MarkMark Koncar Offensive tackle Colorado [p]
    1977 9 Butler, MikeMike Butler Defensive end Kansas
    1977 28 Johnson, EzraEzra Johnson Defensive end Morris Brown [a][q]
    1978 6 Lofton, JamesJames Lofton Wide receiver Stanford [c]
    1978 26 Anderson, JohnJohn Anderson Linebacker Michigan [a][r]
    1979 15 Ivery, Eddie LeeEddie Lee Ivery Running back Georgia Tech
    1980 4 Clark, BruceBruce Clark Defensive tackle Penn State [s]
    1980 26 Cumby, GeorgeGeorge Cumby Linebacker Oklahoma
    1981 6 Campbell, RichRich Campbell Quarterback California
    1982 22 Hallstrom, RonRon Hallstrom Guard Iowa [t]
    1983 11 Lewis, TimTim Lewis Cornerback Pittsburgh [u]
    1984 12 Carreker, AlphonsoAlphonso Carreker Defensive end Florida State
    1985 7 Ruettgers, KenKen Ruettgers Offensive tackle Southern California [v]
    1986 — No pick — — [w]
    1987 4 Fullwood, BrentBrent Fullwood Running back Auburn
    1988 7 Sharpe, SterlingSterling Sharpe Wide receiver South Carolina [a]
    1989 2 Mandarich, TonyTony Mandarich Offensive tackle Michigan State
    1990 18 Bennett, TonyTony Bennett Linebacker Mississippi [x]
    1990 19 Thompson, DarrellDarrell Thompson Running Back Minnesota
    1991 19 Clark, VinnieVinnie Clark Cornerback Ohio State [y]
    1992 5 Buckley, TerrellTerrell Buckley Cornerback Florida State [z]
    1993 15 Simmons, WayneWayne Simmons Linebacker Clemson
    1993 29 Teague, GeorgeGeorge Teague Safety Alabama [aa]
    1994 16 Taylor, AaronAaron Taylor Guard Notre Dame [bb]
    1995 32 Newsome, CraigCraig Newsome Cornerback Arizona State [cc]
    1996 27 Michels, JohnJohn Michels Offensive tackle Southern California
    1997 30 Verba, RossRoss Verba Guard Iowa
    1998 19 Holliday, VonnieVonnie Holliday Defensive end North Carolina [dd]
    1999 25 Edwards, AntuanAntuan Edwards Safety Clemson
    2000 14 Franks, BubbaBubba Franks Tight end Miami
    2001 10 Reynolds, JamalJamal Reynolds Defensive end Florida State [ee]
    2002 20 Walker, JavonJavon Walker Wide receiver Florida State [ff]
    2003 29 Barnett, NickNick Barnett Linebacker Oregon State
    2004 25 Carroll, AhmadAhmad Carroll Cornerback Arkansas
    2005 24 Rodgers, AaronAaron Rodgers Quarterback California
    2006 5 Hawk, A. J.A. J. Hawk Linebacker Ohio State
    2007 16 Harrell, JustinJustin Harrell Defensive tackle

  • Roy Jamison

    Has any other team done better in number one than the Packers? I’d have to concede that to one of my favorite competitors. The Minnesota Vikings… Think what they would have had if they hadn’t traded with Dallas! LOL
    25 John Ward OT Oklahoma State
    1971 24 Leo Hayden RB Ohio State
    1972 10 Jeff Siemon LB Stanford [7]
    1973 12 Chuck Foreman RB Miami (Florida)
    1974 17 Fred McNeill LB UCLA [8]
    25 Steve Riley OT USC
    1975 25 Mark Mullaney DE Colorado State
    1976 25 James White DT Oklahoma State
    1977 27 Tommy Kramer QB Rice
    1978 21 Randy Holloway DE Pittsburgh
    1979 16 Ted Brown RB North Carolina State
    1980 9 Doug Martin DT Washington
    1981 No draft pick [9]
    1982 7 Darrin Nelson RB Stanford
    1983 19 Joey Browner DB USC
    1984 13 Keith Millard DE Washington State
    1985 4 Chris Doleman LB Pittsburgh [10]
    1986 14 Gerald Robinson DE Auburn [11]
    1987 14 D. J. Dozier RB Penn State [12]
    1988 19 Randall McDaniel OG Arizona State
    1989 No draft pick [13]
    1990 No draft pick [14]
    1991 No draft pick [14]
    1992 No draft pick [14]
    1993 21 Robert Smith RB Ohio State
    1994 18 Dewayne Washington CB North Carolina State [15]
    19 Todd Steussie OT California
    1995 11 Derrick Alexander DE Florida State [16]
    24 Korey Stringer OT Ohio State
    1996 16 Duane Clemons LB California
    1997 20 Dwayne Rudd LB Alabama
    1998 21 Randy Moss WR Marshall
    1999 11 Daunte Culpepper QB Central Florida [17]
    29 Dimitrius Underwood DE Michigan State
    2000 25 Chris Hovan DT Boston College
    2001 27 Michael Bennett RB Wisconsin
    2002 7 Bryant McKinnie OT Miami (Florida)
    2003 9 Kevin Williams DT Oklahoma State [18]
    2004 20 Kenechi Udeze DE USC [19]
    2005 7 Troy Williamson WR South Carolina [20]
    18 Erasmus James DE Wisconsin
    2006 17 Chad Greenway LB Iowa
    2007 7 Adrian Peterson RB Oklahoma

  • Larry

    Wow, JeffN you and I dont disagree much but…………I wouldnt trade either Brohm or Flynn because I want them to work with McCarthy for another couple of years, unless………..that offer you cant refuse comes along. Now, to the meat of my post, I DONT WANT RAJI! After being unimpressed with the film clips of his workouts I started looking at the recent +/- comments of the draft “experts” and came to the conclusion that hes only even in the top 10 (or 1st rnd for that matter) is because of a lack of talent at the position this year. He’s a run stuffer because he cant rush! Only 6-2 and not going to knock any passes down from a 6-2 or over QB. No latteral movement, only quick in the OG-OG zone. Was only two-teamed in college because of a lack of talent on the other side of scrimige, wont be in the pros. Had a hell of a time staying eligable and his backup in college is highly thought of because the backup played so much. Short arms, no speed and cannot slide. Hes a rotation guy in the pros at best. Has ballooned to over 350 and has a lack of maturity. 3 yrs a starter and what 8 sacks and 42 tackles last year, or was that for 3 years? In any case a DE or OLB looks a lot better to me. I haven’t given up on the top CB either! There take your best shot!!!!

  • Rocky70

    Some of those guys played a long time & were at least solid. Anderson, Hallstrom, Holliday, Ruettgers all at least were solid.
    But I agree. No HOFs from that list except Lofton.
    That’s why trading down in the NFL isn’t that great of a risk. I’d go for a lower 1st & a 2nd for the #9 pick. Two high draftees for the price of one.

  • JeffN

    Raji has made a living in the opposing teams back fields all while being double teamed. He get’s penetration into the back field moving the QB out of the pocket. Maybe not fast enough to run down the QB but taking the QB out of the pocket limits the QBs passing options to one half of the field. Find me a nose tackle that is fast enough to run down a QB. Coaches look for NT to move the QB out of the pocket (not necessarily get a lot of sacks) and we don’t have an interior D-lineman that can do that right now. He is awesome at eating up 2 blockers which is the biggest pre-requisite for a NT.

    He dominated the line of scrimmage at the Senior Bowl and that was playing against all the top talent from all the different colleges.

    I strongly encourage you to do a youtube search on BJ Raji and you will be impressed with the footage you see.

    If you watch him in drills he turns corners very well often taking one less step on corners than other D-lineman. He maintains his massive body while turning. This is hard to find with a D-lineman. When the QB moves or the RB cuts he can turn and stay with them when he is head on to them or in front of them. These are the kind of movements you look for in a D-lineman not straight ahead speed or lateral movement like with a LB or DB.

    Also yes he did balloon up to over 350 but his best playing weight is around 325. Find me a defensive lineman that doesn’t have weight gain problems. The good ones keep in check and when the season starts they are at their playing weight. I give Raji a lot of credit for coming into the season at his playing weight. This says a lot about his good character and self control off the field.

    The guy did struggle with his grades. Took a year off of football, got his grades back into order and came back to football at a very high level. Takes a lot of mental toughness to fail at one thing that prevents you from playing football, then not get discouraged and then come back and win at both. I gotta credit this to Raji’s character as well.

  • JeffN

    BTW the 8 sacks was his senior year. That’s amazing for a guy who is noted to be a run stuffer that eats up 2 blockers.

    Those 8 sacks also don’t count all the times he moved the QB outside of the pocket and caused problems for whatever passing lane the offense was depending on for their pass play to work.

  • Larry

    I’m just saying, it is not going to happen at the next level, and I like Harrell much better if he can get healthy. Mark my words, he will not command double team in the NFL.

  • JeffN

    We can agree to disagree on this one.

    Maybe not his rookie season, but as soon as he get’s his feet wet for a season or so he will command a double team.

    I wouldn’t count on Harrell for anything until he proves otherwise. Besides Harrell is more likely playing DE in the 3-4.

  • http://www.packernet.com admin

    The last mock I saw has us taking DE Aaron Maybin from Penn State. Maybe others have him too, but after a little (very little, I might add) research, I would not be unhappy with that pick. I’d take a Penn State pass rusher over a Florida State pass rusher any day…

  • Boothie

    Every mock draft that I’ve seen is that RAJI is gone by the 9th pick.

  • Devil’s Advocate…

    Roy Jamison, Larry and JeffN……………….. Some good stuff there! Loved seeing four years of no #1′s for the Vikings. Didn’t realize they sold out that bad for H. Walker. Brings back memories of E. Campbell and the Oilers though Hershel was no Earl Campbell. I sure do miss real football!!!!

  • Devil’s Advocate…

    Ummm……. While I’ll was reading about Jolly………………. What ever happened on the illegal substance suspensions for the Viking’s two D-linemen and the other four or five players that tested possitive???? I know a federal judge from Minnesota got things delayed last year, but did they ever bother with it again?

  • JeffN

    I would settle for Maybin if Raji is not there. He may also be a special player. We already have 2 first round picks at LB. We will have Kampman plus 3 R1 picks on the field if Maybin get’s hired. Damn!

  • Pack4life

    The Williams will miss the first 4 games this year. That makes it vital that Pack start strong. I cant see the Vikes winning two games without the Williams. Watch both Viking games will be after week 4 just watch.

  • Devil’s Advocate…

    Thanks!!! Yeah, it’d be nice to get one of our games played w/them druing that suspension.

  • Matt Hayton

    Larry-

    read up before you knock Raji next time:
    Eligibility issue:
    B.J. Raji stood outside the Boston College Sports Complex and cried. Just two days before the end of training camp in 2007, he had just been told he was academically ineligible to play football in the 2007 season.

    It wasn’t because of his grades. An academic advisor had miscalculated his credits, and through no fault of his own, he was three credits short of the NCAA’s requirements. It would become a test of his character, and one that he would pass with an A+.

    “The first week or two, I said to myself, “Man, this is going to be tough,” Raji told The Boston Globe before the 2008 season. “But then I decided that I could use this for better or worse, depending on what I did. I made the decision to make things better by turning my attention to my schoolwork and trying to make the best of it.”

    He also decided to help out however he could. He participated in every practice, playing for the scout team and handing out pointers to the guys actually playing in games.

    “There wasn’t any sulking about it,” his defensive-line coach Jeff Comissiong said. “It helped him to understand that he needed to prioritize things in his life. It helped him mature quite a bit. And his teammates had more respect for him because of it. He was doing everything he can to help out. It was fun having him around because it was like having another coach around.”

    Resume as a top shelf D-Lineman:
    For much of 2008, Raji was unblockable and showed what a truly dominant force he can be when in shape and motivated. He played in 13 games and recorded 42 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and eight sacks from the defensive tackle position.

    Raji was invited and played in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. He had a superb week of practice and game play. He often outworked, and was practically unblockable against some of the best guard and center prospects in the draft. That showing safely moved Raji into the top half of the first round.

    Next, at the NFL Scouting Combine, Raji bench pressed 225lbs., 33 times, which was fifth best amongst all 53 defensive lineman and ran the 40-yard dash in 5.13 seconds, not bad for someone who weighs 337 pounds. He raised some eyebrows when he displayed more quickness than expected.

    Here is a link if you wnat to read the rest of the article:
    http://www.packerchatters.com/op-ed/view.php?id=6198

    Dude is a beast and will be long gone by the time we are on the board at #9. Lucky for you I guess, since you’d rather Ah-my-back-still hurts 3 years later Harrell.

    I’d take Raji in a heart-beat over Harrell…me and every other pro-scout in the business. Due to his injury history, no one had Harrell ranked in the top 15 the year he came out, EVERYONE has Raji ranked in the top 10, most have him going top 5. Raji is a bonified blue-chipper, Harrell at his best was 4-star talent.

  • Matt Hayton

    Al-

    I think we actually agree on something…I like Maybin too…He’s a boom or bust pick, but some think he could be one of the top 3 prospects in this entire draft when it’s all said and done…He’s just a little raw, but could an all-pro force in a couple of years.

    It’s a crapshoot anyways, so why not take your chances at #9 on someone you think can be all-pro versus just solid (i.e. – Tyson Jackson or a 3rd-4th best OT prospect)…

  • Matt Hayton

    I think in a realistic perfect world, we’d get to trade down in this draft…assuming Raji is off the board, our best case is that the Lions pass on a QB…and one or both are sitting on the board at #9, making our slot very coveted by anyone looking at QB. I think it is a very good possibility someone would want to move ahead of the 49ers…to get either Sanchez or Stafford, possibly even the Lions themselves.

    I see both Denver and Detroit as potential suitors, depending on what happens with Cutler, also 49ers might want to move up a spot to ensure they get their guy, also Tampa might be in the action, as well…

  • JeffN

    If we trade down with Denver we could still get Maybin at #12

  • jonnyfootballhero

    Did anyone read the Rob Demovsky chat transcript?? What a bunch of effin’ garbage!! I’m trying to figure out why the guy has these chat’s every week when it seems painfully obvious that he doesn’t really want to answer many questions with any real deep thought or conviction. He says he doesn’t want to answer any draft questions until maybe a week before the draft. He won’t speculate on what he thinks TT or MM will do or think. What the hell kind of questions will he answer? What else is there to talk about now except for the draft and more possible FA pickups?! I don’t know, I feel like maybe the guy is forced to do the chats and doesn’t really have his heart into it. If this is the case, let someone else do these type of things, someone with some inthusiasm and and some actual thoughts and speculations on what the fans and readers of his rag think. Wow, the guy really p****d me off this week! What a jacka**!

  • Larry

    My post re Raji based on two factors: I was less than impressed with what I saw on film and a healthy Harrell. If I go for need I go edge or CB on D.+

  • iccyfan

    Matt Hayton Says: “I’d take Raji in a heart-beat over Harrell…me and every other pro-scout in the business.”

    Are you informing us you’re a professional scout or suggesting that one of every two pro scouts prefers Raji to Harrell? :)

    It’s hard to predict the NFL draft, doubly so for a BPA GM like TT, but there should be two options that fit both need and BPA. With Tauscher looking less and less likely to return and Breno being unproven, some experts had Andre Smith #1 overall in January. If not him, Malcolm Jenkins (though I’m still bristling over the Vinnie Clark pick of years past). I’d love an immediate impact guy but the NT or edge rusher guys might be selected in the second round (Brace, Gilbert, etc.). It might not ever happen, but I’m with Larry in that TT believes Harrell will be a DL force….

  • Larry

    Hey, the negs on Raji didn’t just come out of my head; I started reading up on him after I was unimpressed with the film. I’d sure not be the one you’d go to for draft advice (I’m a BPA guy) with my lack of credentials. As to Harrell, I’m turning the clock back to the fact that he’s basically a rookie with maturity at yesterday’s price. TT/MM and med staff know a heck of a lot more than I about the situation so I’ll go along w/ what they decide. What really brought me to the tube this AM, however, was when I openned the sports pages and page 1 all about Aggies as usual, but page 2 was Cutler, Burress, and Vick. Man, what a pleasure to be able to root, discuss, rant, and rave about the Packers knowing full well that those types don’t belong in our locker room no matter how good they are. I know what we went through last year but at least I’m assured that character counts more in GB than most other places.

  • Oconomowockid

    This blind belief that because TT can see potential in Harrell, so we should go along with that thought process is just rediculous!! TT can’t stand to admit he was wrong, so Packer fans have to continue to put up with this mistake on our team. Yea, I know we have to defer to the drafting and management genius of TT. We have no choice but to go along with what Ted and Mike decide.

    Harrell is a waste of money and a Packers uniform!! He has been a disgrace as a Packer draft pick. As any good investor knows sometimes you just have to suck it up and sell a bad pick at a loss. Ted should have been selling this bad pick long ago!!!!!!

  • Pack4life

    Anyone who is knocking Raji please answer this question. What happens if Ryan Picket goes down? We dont need just one quality NT we need at least 2.

  • Roy Jamison

    I think the draft is going to end up scrambled eggs if Cutler is really traded.

  • Larry

    Pack4, I’m not knocking Raji, I just don’t like him and gave my reasons. If Picket goes down we plug the hole with whomever is available, on the roster or not. I would guess it would be Harrell if Harrell didn’t beat him out at nose. I don”t think Harrell will play outside because of his size. Further, Capers has already said we’re not going to play a “conventional” 3-4 but rather a “hybrid” based on talent on hand. I’m optimistic because we now have a coaching staff that recognizes flexibility and can coach it. O-kid, update, TT still here, live with it! Roy, you’re probably right. Cook made a living off of Favre and now its Cutler in the stall.

  • Devil’s Advocate…

    I’ve gotta wonder if Raji and Orapko are gone by #9 and one of those top two left tackles are still left on the board, if TT dare pick him. I could see alot of unhappy fans if Clifton’s playing and our first rounder is sitting on the bench…… what’s a guy to do then.

  • Larry

    DA, I’d be willing to bet that 1 or 2 rated (on the Packer board) OLB, DE, or CB are there at 9 and they grab ‘em. If not I think they slide w/ more picks and go OT in later RNDs. I think they bend over backwards to give C and T another chance. From what I gather the injuries were not that serious, just the kind that take a long time to heal.

  • Rocky70

    Maybin will be drafted at #9 by GB.
    R. Brace will be drafted in the 2nd round by GB.

    Raji is considered a top 10 pick only because of the weak DT class entering the 2009 draft. He’s over-rated because he’s generally considered the best of just a few good DTs. -Same with Craptree. He’s the best of just a handful of WRs. As a result, his draft position is inflated. -Same with Stafford or Sanchez. In a QB rich draft, neither would be high 1st rounders.

    It happens every year. The best of generally weak positions get drafted higher than their true abilities.

  • iccyfan

    Oconomowockid Says: “This blind belief that because TT can see potential in Harrell, so we should go along with that thought process is just rediculous!!”

    We’re having some fun in predicting who the Packers might draft at #9. While on-line draft experts might see Raji as a need for the Packers, I’m doubtful that TT sees him as a need or BPA. Agree or disagree with TT’s appraisal, it will promulgate who he selects. Given his position that the roster is solid and he’s building for the long-term, I think his view of BPA at #9 will be a CB or OT. That’s my guess – nothing more and nothing less…

  • JeffN

    I like the idea of Maybin as a pass rusher. He isn’t big enough to play DE in the 3-4 for sure. Even in the 4-3 he is undersized at DE. Do you guys think he will he make the transition to OLB?

  • Roy Jamison

    Iccy, I’m starting to lean with the CB or OT pick. I got a sneaky feelin’ Clifton is just about out of gas. There’s a ton of “guys” you can find at linebacker. It’ll be interesting who is left at OT when TT picks. I wouldn’t be surprised if Beanie Wells moves up into the top 10 either.

  • JeffN

    I meant to ask: how well do you guys think Maybin will make the transition to OLB?

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