Was that really Ted Thompson pulling the strings for the Green Bay Packers this past weekend? Even the Thompson bashers have to be fairly happy with what transpired in 2009 NFL Draft. The Packers ended up with two first-round picks who in my opinion will be starters on opening day. In B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews the Packers have the cornerstones for their transition to a 34 defense and when you add in Nick Barnett, A.J. Hawk and Aaron Kampman, the Packers’ linebackers are looking pretty damn good. With Raji, Ryan Pickett and Cullen Jenkins up front, the Packers are ready to make the switch with immediate results. Of course , improving over last year’s sieve won’t be hard to do.
I think Thompson was just doing what he always said he would do. He used the draft to build the core of the team and when that was done he was ready to make a bold move like the one to get Matthews. One thing about Thompson is he believes in what he is doing, he doesn’t BS you and he is not afraid of the consequences of his beliefs. Thompson believes last year’s record was not because of a lack of talent on the team and thinks the Packers are going to be a contender. Thompson won’t say it, but we all know last year’s Brett Favre fiasco was a huge distraction and I directly contribute it to the team’s record. This offseason is the complete opposite.
Sure there are question marks about both Raji and Matthews, but there are question marks about all first-round picks. If you dig that deep into somebody’s history, you will almost always find something. Nobody is perfect. I like these guys and I think they both have Pro Bowl potential and will be with the Packers for a long time. One thing is sure, the Packers, Thompson, and head coach Mike McCarthy need them to be just that or the later two will likely both be looking for jobs in a year or two. I think they got it right this time and I can’t wait to see them on the field.
Day two of the draft was even more a sign that Thompson has changed his thinking toward this team and the draft. It was all need picks. Offensive lineman T.J. Lang will be given every opportunity to replace Mark Tauscher at right guard and I think he might even be the front-runner based solely on his competition. I think the same can be said for fullback Quinn Johnson, a bruiser who is unselfish and is a good fit for the west coast offense the Packers use. He loves to block and is a much more physical presence than any of the fullbacks currently on the roster.
A couple of other guys I like are Jamon Meredith, the offensive tackle from South Carolina and the d-back from Cincinnati, Brandon Underwood, just a hunch on the later. Nonetheless, it was a good weekend for the Green Bay Packers. Their NFC North rivals shored up on offense and the Packers shored up on defense. I like it. Hopefully some of the venom for Thompson will wane a little bit in the next few months so we can focus on the team and get ready for the 2009 season.
Even with rookie camp this weekend and OTAs and minicamp still to come, it is going to be a long three months waiting for training camp. But all of a sudden things aren’t so glum in Titletown. The offense is already in place with a young soon-to-be star quarterback in Aaron Rodgers and superstar in the making in Greg Jennings at wide receiver, a good running game and an improving offensive line. If the defense follows suit, good things are ahead for this team. You gotta’ believe.