Draft Blog

The Detroit Lions at least spared us the 10 minute wait to announce the pick we already knew was coming. Thanks. So the Lions have a quarterback of the future, ditto the Bears and Packers. Will the Vikings join the party by trying to get a quarterback today? I doubt it, they would have to move to the mid-teens probably to get a guy like Josh Freeman, and I don’t think the Vikings have the ammo to do that, so there are pretty much stuck with T-Jack and Sage. Good luck with that. Rams are on the clock.

3:17 PM: Rams take Jason Smith, no surprise there. Solid safe pick. Chiefs are on the clock, we could get the first trade here.

3:30 PM: Tyson Jackson to the Chiefs at three. This guy soared up the draft boards recently. Amazing, one guy had him the 48th best player in the draft. I thought he would be there for the Packers at nine for sure. Shows how much I know.

3:34 PM: Geez, we moving right along. Seahawks take linebacker Aaron Curry. Another safe pick.

3:39 PM: The Jets trade up. Got to be the quarterback.

3:41 PM: So the Jets replace Brett Favre with Mark Sanchez. This could be big for the Jets, I like Sanchez better than Matthew Stafford. The Jets are going all-in this offseason since firing Eric Mangini.

3:55 PM: Andre Smith is gone. Good, I sure as heck didn’t want him in Green Bay. Good luck in Cincinnati.

3:58 PM: Darrius Heyward-Bey goes to the Raiders. I heard rumors of that happening. Now it’s looking like Crabtree might be there at nine. If he is, I think the Packers will take him.

4:05 PM: The Jags take Eugene Monroe. Packers are on the clock and Crabtree has got to be the pick. Raji is still there, though. The Packers have a tough decision to make. I would have loved had Monroe slid one more spot.

4:14 PM: It’s B.J. Raji! I have to say I am not unhappy with Raji. I just thought Crabtree would have been a great addition and given Aaron Rodgers some unbelievable weapons with Greg Jenning and Jordy Nelson. Now Crabtree just went to the 49ers. Good pick for the Packers. If Justin Harrell can pull off a miracle and actually get healthy, the Packers have the makings of young, strong defensive line that so lacking last year when the Packers couldn’t stop anybody.

I loved it when the pick was announced you could hear the Packers fight song playing in the background – Go Pack Go!

5:32 PM: The Lions added tight end Brandon Pettigrew and the Vikings wide receiver Percy Harven. The NFC North is stocking up on playmakers, good thing the Packers did take Raji, they might be thinking defense again when they pick at 41. Seeing what the Lions and Vikings are doing on offense has to factor in a little. Thank God the Vikings don’t have a quarterback. The Lions are doing things the right way today, a far cry form the days of Matt Millen. While they are probably a year or two away from competing in the division, the Lions are raising a few eyebrows today.

5:53 PM: Ted Thompson trades for a first-round pick? What is the world coming to? This is amazing. Who does he want that bad?

6:01 PM: Now we know why Thompson doesn’t trade down. Wow, a second and two thirds for Clay Matthews? I’ve seen Matthews rated anywhere from 90th best in the draft all the way down to 12th, the later by Bob McGinn of the Journal-Sentinel. Very interesting. The joy of Raji now brings bewilderment. Not saying I don’t like the move, apparently Thompson doesn’t see value in rounds two and three. Maybe there is more wheeling and dealing to be done too, but this was an out-of-character move for Ted Thompson, that is for sure.

This entry was posted on Saturday, April 25th, 2009 at 3:12 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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  • JeffN

    Wow, Raji is looking like he might slide to us.

  • roy jamison

    Ol’ butterbean and lean mean Crabapple. Who will fall from the tree?

  • Michael Legat

    Love this pick!

  • CheesyD

    Raji was the logical pick. Much more of a need than Crabtree.

  • JeffN

    Raji coming to Green Bay, been hoping for this 4 months now!!!

  • JeffN

    for months I meant

  • Michael Legat

    Works either way, JeffN. For a second, I thought you were Prince.

  • paul

    TT got it right this time.

  • Matt Hayton

    Wooooooooooohooooooooooooooo!!!!!!! Love me some, Raji!!!! Nice pick, TT! Thanks for not screwing it up this time!

    Hey, Larry…Malcolm Jenkins went #14, right where I said he would go…I’m not saying I’m just saying…

  • Matt Hayton

    Hoping for an OLB or OT in round #2…would love to see us move back into low round one and get Oher if he lasts much longer, but highly doubt TT will stone up to make that move…

  • Mark T

    I’m happy with Raji.
    Whew.
    I’m not so stressed now about our D-line. We still need another Defensive end though.

  • Dan

    Raji was a great pick.

    Not too happy with the Matthews pick and giving up so many picks to get him. The guy struggled with college TEs blocking him.

  • Mark T

    He could have gotten Matthews at 41

  • Michael Legat

    Love this pick too! Clay Matthews was maybe the most underrated player on USC’d defense.

  • Doug R

    Was Clay Matthews the guy with the ponytail sitting on the couch with his buddies in matching “muscle…” t-shirts”? What?

  • packer_bob

    Does anyone think not taking Crabtree was a mistake? I’m not saying it was as Raji is clearly the better need pick, but if a guy like Crabtree is stll available at 9 isn’t there at least a case to be made to take him? I’d love to know what the conversations were in the war room!

    And I am shocked that TT moved up for Matthews, mostly because it doesn’t seem to be his M.O. If this is a guy they were really that interested in then I gave him credit for going and getting him but it seems like a bit of a reach.

    Still, I’m pretty happy with Raji–let’s hope he is as advertised!

  • Greg

    Ditto Mark T.

    Matthews would have been there at 41 and if he hadn’t there are better LBs out there. A good player but will be lucky to seen any playing time other than ST for the first year.

    Did Sherman sneak back in the building and engineer this trade?

  • iccyfan

    I’m a little dismayed with the trade-up for Matthews; not that I don’t like him but a high second and two thirds is a steep price to move up fifteen spots. I guess this is a sign that Ted really does like his roster and thinks we’re only an impact player away from serious contention. I’d have been ecstatic with Conner Barwin at 41 and two thirds tomorrow morning…

  • Lew

    At some point you have to be aggressive. Nice to see that TT’s testes finally dropped.

    Hope we don’t regret passing on crabtree.

  • Mel e Mel

    TT did his job There should be no excuse for the front 7. Pro Football weekly had Matthews ranked as the # 28 player available in the entire draft. If he is somewhere between his dad (Clay) and his uncle (Bruce) I am a happy camper. The Vikes screwed up. I live in FL even the mighty Patriots screwed up on a FL WR. He comes from a gimmic offense and he is a doper. Go to MPLS weed is everywhere.
    The are no big splashes to be had later in rd 3 So TT got out. I hate to say it but TT did very well. Who will win the battle at OLB Matthews, Thompson or Hunter?

  • Matt Hayton

    Well…I must give TT props for balling up to go and get Matthews. Before I saw the trade details I thought it would be a 2nd and a 3rd, but 2 3rds was WAY overpaying for this pick…the trade value chart, says NE picks were worth 726.6 (41, 162) and ours (41, 73, 83) were worth 890…Wow! TT doesn’t want to overpay in FA but he just did so bigtime in the draft…

    That being said, if you would have told me that at the end of the day we would have had Raji and Matthews…I would have said there isn’t a chance in hell! So I am thrilled…just wish it would have been for only one of the 3rds…

    What I do like about this is that the Favre pick was traded….but too bad we ended up not getting anything for Favre. TT pretty much gave that pick away. #26 = 700; #41 and #73 = 715…#83 =175…he literally gave it away.

    Happy we got rid of the pick, not happy that we gave it away!

    Here’s to hoping that we just got 2 pro-bowl starters…if so, giving up the extra 3rd is fine by me!

    I feel MUCH better about this team than I did at 4pm EST…much better!

  • snyz

    two starters on our front 7. awesome. lotta picks for moving up to get matthews but they all say this draft isn’t very deep so maybe this year having a ton of pics doesn’t mean as much. also matthews tested positive for ‘roids so he’ll have that shruken-balls-mean-streak going.

  • Larry

    Raji probably more ready to play given position requirements while Matthews will either surprise by being ready to start or push existing roster. Both should be STs bonus. IF…they are both starters you couldn’t ask for more out of a 1st RND choice. We can play the what if game through tomorrow, and we still have picks left for the OT. Matthews is light on experience but what blood-lines. There goes at least half of our 30M but I’m thinking worth it. As to Jenkins, Matt, I can’t be too disappointed with Raji. Can you imagine the front 7 we will have if Harrell, Barnett, and Jenkins come back strong? Its going to be confusing, I think, because this group looks like a bunch of specialists that will be on the field every other play depending on down and distance. And I’m totally at sea wondering whats going to happen with Kampman. Does he beef up, or slim down? Does he really play LOLB? Here again, I see a lot of switching between 3-4 and 4-3. Hope they don’t get tired running on and off the field.

  • jonnyfootballhero

    Does the Pack bring Tausher back now? I’m fairly concerned about the O-line and not just the Tackles. I really wish the Pack would abandon their small guy O-line and go back to the beefy guys who can actually open some holes and let Grant do his thing.

  • snyz

    yeah, larry, you have to think a lot of situational packages going on. kampman move to end in the nickel or dime? not knowing capers we’ll have to wait and see. hard to say if tausch is back. thing is he might not even be ready to go with the acl tear but i’m thinking TT brings him in at the veteran minimum. just a hunch.

  • Larry

    snyz, do the Wiliams boys come to mind? Also, both Raji and Matthews have the same agents as Rodgers. I think I’m going to like this locker room.

  • Larry

    Matt Hayton, you remember how high I was on Jenkins. I didn’t really like Raji’s workout tapes and all the other crap that was floating around. But I have been won over; especially when it was brought to my attention that some of these D lineups will have Pickett and Raji side by side. Thats what I meant in my comment to snyz. Oh, man, if only Harrell were to prove out – blows my mind. Nobody in GB seems to think we have a DB problem with the backups and starters we have so D could be set. Today should be just as interesting as yesterday.

  • Matt Hayton

    agreed Larry…here’s to hoping Harrell can turn it around! I’m pulling for the kid…man that could be a helluva line if both Raji and Harrell can produce.

    DB’s…again I think the issue here is Jarrett Bush, bet they draft a flyer DB in the 5th or 6th round…bottom line Woodson has 2 years, Harris is one and done. better sign T. Williams, not sure if I’m sold yet on him, as he wore down towards the end of the year and gave up a lot of big plays…

    I am concerned about the DBs, just not as much as I was about the front 7, but they just got some nice horses there…so now they can move on and address some 2nd tier areas, yet still go BPA.

    TT may have saved his job yesterday in my mind…

  • Mark T

    Do you guys sense that TT felt that he needed two impact players (on defense) for THIS year to save his job?
    I like both players (a lot), just like most of you, felt he overpaid for Matthews.

  • http://Orlando Mark

    Mixed feelings, love getting defensive help but I can’t help feeling that the Pats front office proved again why they’re really good. TT believes in the draft but it’s going to take more than one year to get everything in place. We have to be patient, even me, for once. As long as I see improvement I’ll be happy. Go Pack!

  • Mark T

    I’m pretty dang stoked about our D.
    More so than in a long time!
    I give TT props for going after what he wanted.

  • Larry

    Right is right, of course, but this has all the makings of a boring site. Damn, what if the Pack comes out of the chute 4-0; what the hell will we argue about?

  • JeffN

    The trade most certainly shocks me. However if TT thinks Clay Mathews is awesome enough to trade that many picks away then that’s good enough for me.

  • Larry

    Thinking back to our reaction to MIN DL last yr and Cutler and Stafford this year, what must others in our Div. be thinking today? Sure looks awesome on paper.

  • Devil’s Advocate…

    My guess…………… I expect TT to take a CB at 4, RB and OLB at 5′s, P and DL at 6′s, and CB again at 7. Doesn’t look as if Peppers will be headed to GB now, I thoght he’d been a fine addition.

  • JeffN

    O-tackle in the 4th. NT and OLB in the 1st. I’d say they are drafting for need. At some point you have to fill out your rostor. The philosophy has changed and I can’t say I’m surprised.

  • Larry

    Its need for sure, Lang could start on the right side……….if need be.

  • Mel e Mel

    We cant have it both ways. I complained that TT was as active as a 3 toed sloth. I am not going to whine over 3rd rounders when we got 2 #1 picks. I’m not as concerned about the o line as they just drafted a big tackle. The offense only has 3 things to work on. Run the ball, Run the Ball and oh yeah run the *&#!! ball! Seriously that will fix the red zone issues. Case in point Cardinals suspect running game cost them the Super Bowl this year.

  • Larry

    Talk about sloths, which scout pushed for Johnson? Short, slow, can barely reach the 2nd line of defenders. If on Special Teams can he get down the field? Can’t find one good thing about him other than he was willing to switch from LB(was too small anyway) to FB/HB. This one baffles me.

  • Larry

    Oh, TT, Jamon Meredith was still out there!

  • http://www.packernet.com admin

    I like the first two picks today, Lang could easily start, and Quinn Johnson beefs up a pedestrian at best fullback position.

  • Larry

    Hey, Al, by pedestrian do you mean walking? I’m going to go against the grain on this one.

  • jonnyfootballhero

    I’m surprised they haven’t taken a TE or a CB yet. Also, are the Packers still using a Zone Blocking scheme, or is that being kicked to the curb?

  • Larry

    Big, Ha-Ha on me, TT came back and got my man……….!

  • http://www.packernet.com admin

    Sure is looking like a need draft to me. Who is this new GM?

  • Lew

    Two guards? What the hell is that?

  • Mel e Mel

    Just Think back to the TEN,CAR,HOU games among others. We needed critical touchdowns to seal those games yet we were physically overpowered and had to settle for field goals. NEVER AGAIN!! Johnson,Lang,Meredith and the offseason pickup of Preston makes the Pack a power team again. No more John Kuhn at the goaline. Now the only real weakness is a downfield threat at TE.

  • jonnyfootballhero

    How about some competition at Punter?

  • Larry
  • snyz

    i think johnson is our new blocker on short yardage, if anything. our current guys aren’t built for short yardage and it was an obvious weakness in our team last year. as for TE, i think they’re hoping that big white guy who got hurt last year in camp may be a factor. also appears that we’re going to move colledge to tackle and continue to play the guard guessing game.

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