A number of 2009 NFL draft projections are out which to me is kind of pointless until all the underclassmen declare and even then these things are rarely close - especially when Ted "Best Available" Thompson is running the show for Green Bay. NFL Draft Countdown even goes out to three rounds. Talk about an exercise in futility. But they are interesting to look at and generate discussion on potential draft picks.
Below is a list of various draft projections from various websites profiling various potential Packer picks. We'll revisit this as the draft draws closer and maybe even do a retrospective to see if any of these jokers are close on their predictions.
Fantasy Football Toolbox
Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech Packers need help stuffing the run, but with the lack of highly rated defensive tackles at this point in the draft, they grab the 6-' 7 pass rusher to help DE Aaron Kampman
Walter Football
Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State If there's one thing we learned about Packers GM Ted Thompson, it's that he loves to take the best player available, no matter what position he plays. Luckily for Thompson, that strategy matches up with a position of need - and not another signal caller. Green Bay has major problems in its secondary. Charles Woodson had to move to safety this season, and it appears as though he's staying there. Meanwhile, Al Harris, who's owed $5 million next year, probably won't be back. Tramon Williams played well, but the Packers don't really have anything else at corner, unless you want to count Patrick Lee, who couldn't even get on to the field in 2008.
Footballs Future
Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech Johnson has tremendous upside as a pass rusher, and his presence could upgrade the entire level of the D. Teams have to keep an eye on him every snap because of his explosive pass rush ability.
Fantasy Football Jungle
*This Pick is Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama* The Packers porous run defense is one of the many things that made them a third place NFC North team compared to a team with home field in the NFC Championship Game a year ago. The Pack felt the loss of Corey Williams this season, along with the continued struggles of Justin Harrell. Cody would team with Johnny Jolly, Ryan Pickett, and Colin Cole to plug the run. A rotation of those four men would be dominant in a division with Adrian Peterson and Matt Forte, and would making running the ball against them about as difficult as running against the Williams wall from Minnesota.
New NFL Draft
Brian Orakpo, DE, UT
The Packers are getting older in their secondary as well as along their defensive line. Brian Orakpo is a steal with this pick because I believe he could go as high as three to the Chiefs in the 2009 NFL Draft.
Draft King
Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State Consider this: Charles Woodson is 32 and Al Harris (who suffered a ruptured spleen earlier this year) is 34. The Packers need youth at corner in a major way. Jenkins might have been a top 15 pick had he come out last year, but with another year of seasoning on the college level he looks like the clear top cornerback prospect.
Scout.com
Everette Brown, DE Florida St The Packers have to improve their pass rush after a down year and the selection of Brown provides Green Bay with a relentless defender with huge potential (Yikes - DE from Florida St? Anyone else having a Jamal Reynolds flashback? AH)
12/31/08
12/30/08
And then depression set in...
"Now is the winter of our discontent..."
William Shakespeare, King Richard III
"And then depression set in...."
Bill Murray, Stripes
Winter in the Midwest sucks. In the last week or so we've had 1) over a foot of snow 2) sub zero temperatures 3) 60 degree temperatures 4) rain. More snow is expected tonight to replace all the snow that melted the other day. This is the basic cycle of events (minus the 60 degree weather) we can expect for the next three months or so. But for most Midwesterners (outside of the occasional transplant) we usually just shrug it off and go about our business. We shuttle from our homes to our cars to work and back again without too much complaint. One reason could be we are just bred for the weather. Much like a Malamute is born with a thick layer of fur, we might be born with thick skin and thicker blood. While that theory sounds good, a more likely explanation probably resides in the social sciences rather than the biological (my apologies, Mr. Darwin).
Typically there is one common event that ties the people of Wisconsin together come January - the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs. The last 16 years that's been almost as sure a thing as my dad voting democrat. But this year there is no joy in Mudville - or Titletown (even though I'm pretty sure my dad still voted democrat). The Packers are out of the playoffs this year. That makes getting along the rest of the winter a little - er, a LOT more difficult. It's the mental equivalent of the groundhog seeing it's shadow. Winter just drags on and on and on, angry letters to editors increase ten fold, grumpiness goes unabated, etc. etc. Even a wild card loss is good for shrinking the season a good two weeks. And a playoff win is guaranteed to bring spring by early March. I'm surprised the Farmer's Almanac hasn't picked up on this yet.
But much like Midwest weather, the Packers more or less sucked this season. As such we are stuck with a full season of winter and just as likely a full off-season of complaining and second guessing about the 2008 season. That will likely spill over into spring - right about the time Teddy trades out of the #9 slot and picks up a receiver and a quarterback in round three. Also about the time we get our last snowfall of the year.
William Shakespeare, King Richard III
"And then depression set in...."
Bill Murray, Stripes
Winter in the Midwest sucks. In the last week or so we've had 1) over a foot of snow 2) sub zero temperatures 3) 60 degree temperatures 4) rain. More snow is expected tonight to replace all the snow that melted the other day. This is the basic cycle of events (minus the 60 degree weather) we can expect for the next three months or so. But for most Midwesterners (outside of the occasional transplant) we usually just shrug it off and go about our business. We shuttle from our homes to our cars to work and back again without too much complaint. One reason could be we are just bred for the weather. Much like a Malamute is born with a thick layer of fur, we might be born with thick skin and thicker blood. While that theory sounds good, a more likely explanation probably resides in the social sciences rather than the biological (my apologies, Mr. Darwin).
Typically there is one common event that ties the people of Wisconsin together come January - the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs. The last 16 years that's been almost as sure a thing as my dad voting democrat. But this year there is no joy in Mudville - or Titletown (even though I'm pretty sure my dad still voted democrat). The Packers are out of the playoffs this year. That makes getting along the rest of the winter a little - er, a LOT more difficult. It's the mental equivalent of the groundhog seeing it's shadow. Winter just drags on and on and on, angry letters to editors increase ten fold, grumpiness goes unabated, etc. etc. Even a wild card loss is good for shrinking the season a good two weeks. And a playoff win is guaranteed to bring spring by early March. I'm surprised the Farmer's Almanac hasn't picked up on this yet.
But much like Midwest weather, the Packers more or less sucked this season. As such we are stuck with a full season of winter and just as likely a full off-season of complaining and second guessing about the 2008 season. That will likely spill over into spring - right about the time Teddy trades out of the #9 slot and picks up a receiver and a quarterback in round three. Also about the time we get our last snowfall of the year.
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