Lombardi Ave » Pat Lee

Packers free agents: Who would you sign?

Raymond Rivard — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 15:34:23 +0000

Green Bay Packers defensive back Jarrett Bush is one of eight Packers free agents. Would you bring him back? Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE

The Packers have eight on the free agent list. We all know one of them will most likely be franchised, some will be allowed to walk and at least a couple of them will be re-signed.

Put yourself in Ted Thompson’s chair and tell who you would like to see back in the Packers fold.

Take the poll and let us know who is most important in your mind:

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Cobb shows the burst of a star in the making for the Packers

Raymond Rivard — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 13:57:10 +0000

The tandem of Rodgers and McCarthy will provide leadership and smarts to a team seeking to repeat as league champions. The team's quest continues this weekend when they take on the Arizona Cardinals in the second of four preseason games. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

How much should we take from the Packers first exhibition game Saturday night in Cleveland?

Well other than a 27-17 loss, there were probably more question marks, especially with the play of Packers cornerbacks Pat Lee and Jarrett Bush in the first couple of series, than exclamation points. However, if one is going to point to a positive, it’s got to be the initial look at second round pick Randall Cobb.

When he touched the ball heads turned and he made an immediate impact.

He will make the team, there’s no question about it. The question is how quickly Coach Mike McCarthy will implement him into the game plan when the regular season starts.

Cobb started the game with a kickoff return straight up the middle without hesitation and with courage for 32 yards.

His other return was similar, this time gaining him 26 yards. And while he showed his sure-handedness and his ability to catch the ball under pressure on his lone punt return, he also showed quickness of feet in eluding the initial tackler … that’s something Packers fans haven’t seen on special teams since Travis Williams and Willie Wood, and it’s a sure sign that the team should show improvement in special teams play over their dismal numbers last year.

Green Bay ranked 22nd in punt-return average and 26th in kickoff-return average last season.

On the offensive side of the ball, it wasn’t until the backups behind quarterback Matt Flynn hit the field that Cobb began to shine.

He made an impressive diving catch for 13 yards in tight coverage and then later in the first half caught a pass for 19 yards.

On the next play, Cobb caught another ball on a short route and then turned it impressively into a gain of 28. (more…)

T-Minus 5 Days: Defense

djlombardi — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 01:01:37 +0000

The NFL Draft is in five days (approximately). Millions everywhere are trying to predict the move their team will make and how that move will effect them in the future and not-so-distant future. Countless mock drafts are out there right now and while each one offers something different, they all offer the same thing: there is no sure thing. The thing is a crapshoot. If you can predict what’s happening, you get mad props. But for now, it’s up to us bloggers to try to predict what’s going to go down. And we’ll do our best.

The Packers find themselves back in the top ten for the first time since 2006 when they selected linebacker A.J. Hawk. It appears with the switch to the 3-4 defense, the Packers will go defense again in the top 10. With Ted Thompson calling the shots, I wouldn’t rule anything out. If I’m calling the shots, I go for Brian Orakpo and pick him if he’s available. It’s no secret (or it would be if I posted more…I apologize) that I love Orakpo. Even if he is a workout warrior, I feel his skill set could transition very well into Dom Capers‘ 3-4 scheme. He gives the Packers a body opposite Aaron Kampman that can do serious damage to the quarterback. He wants the sacks, and he’ll get them. It will obviously take him time to develop, but the defense will need time to develop too, creating a great match.

After Orakpo, having B.J. Raji drop into the Packers’ lap would be nearly as good. Picking up Raji would be great for a currently-overmatched defensive line. Throwing his big body down in the trenches would clog space and free up Nick Barnett and whoever else plays in the middle for the Packers next year (Desmond Bishop? Brandon Chillar? A.J. Hawk?). There is question about Raji’s character and reported failed drug test at the combine which could deter Thompson who loves his high character guys. Also, many mocks have Raji going #8 to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The sexy mock draft pick for the Packers is Ohio State cornerback Malcolm Jenkins. It seems like nearly every mock has the Packers picking up the Buckeye with the “Al Harris and Charles Woodson are old; they need fresh blood” reasoning, ignoring the fact Tramon Williams had a great season in 2008 filling in for an injured Harris and Thompson drafted Pat Lee last year. We all remember how everyone had the Packers picking one of a plethora of cornerbacks last year. And what did they do? Traded out of the first round and picked wide receiver Jordy Nelson. I didn’t see that one coming. At all. I don’t really see that big of a reason for the Packers to pick Jenkins. If Orakpo and Raji are gone, then sure, Ted, go for it. But please don’t take Jenkins over one of those two.

If all three of the aforementioned players are gone, I see the Packers taking Florida State defensive end Everette Brown. He’s shooting up draft boards. In the later rounds on defense, Georgia Tech defensive end Michael Johnson is an athletic freak and could definitely be a second round pick if his stock keeps dropping like I hear it is. At defensive tackle, Evander Hood, Ron Brace, and Sen’Derrick Marks are the top picks for the Packers, based on where they are projected to go, as late-first round or second-round picks. Tyson Jackson from LSU has had his name floated around the Packers due to his versatility on the defensive line, while Robert Ayers has been named as a possibility. Although with Ayers, we all remember what happened last time Thompson took a defensive lineman from Tennessee with a high pick…yeah, let’s not go there.

After Orakpo, none of the other highly touted linebackers (USC’s threesome, James Laurenaitis) really seem to fit the MO the Packers want to have their defense to have. Also, the secondary is ridiculously crowded, so I see Jenkins as the only legitimate pickup for that group. All of this being said, if the Packers go defense at #9, they better get a #98 jersey ready for Orakpo.

NoLogoNeeded NFL Mock Draft Pick 9: Packers Pick

djlombardi — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 16:25:43 +0000

The Packers are now on the clock. I put a lot of thought into making this pick, and after deliberating for awhile, looking at players that had already been taken and the players that were available, I came to my decision:

With the ninth pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers select:

***Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas***

With the new 3-4 scheme in town, the Packers desperately need a good outside pass rusher to play opposite Aaron Kampman. Orakpo provides that strong force from the outside to succeed. All of the great 3-4 defenses in the NFL have “that guy” that can make plays, from James Harrison in Pittsburgh to Terrell Suggs in Baltimore. Orakpo will be able to help anchor the Packers linebacking corps for a long, long time.

Most people have the Packers picking Ohio State corner Malcolm Jenkins with this pick, including most “experts.” While that makes sense given the age of starters Charles Woodson and Al Harris, there is still youth behind them. Tramon Williams (despite his contract situation) filled in admirably when Harris was out with the spleen injury in 2008 and the Packers drafted Pat Lee in the third round in 2008 as well. If they pick a corner, they’ll do it in the second, third, or fourth rounds. We don’t want another Ahmad Carroll on our hands.

The player I feel the Packers need the most is B.J. Raji from Boston College. Raji is big and strong, and can move decently. I feel he would provide a great anchor to the 3-4 scheme. None of the tackles the Packers have on the roster currently are the right type for Dom Capers‘ defense, and Raji could provide a Casey Hampton-like presence in the middle and be the nucleus of that defensive line and defense for years to come. However, I will take a terror from the outside in Orakpo as well.

The San Francisco 49ers are on the clock.

Your thoughts on this pick PackerNation?

Packers Draft Board, v.1

djlombardi — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 04:32:37 +0000

Every week I’ll rank the Top 5 to Top 10 prospects for the Packers first round pick, the ninth overall, in the 2009 NFL Draft. Also, there are no offensive players in here. Some more will probably work their way in when free agency sorts out some of the defensive question marks, but right now because of the 3-4 switch,

1. B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College – Raji is a big space-filling defensive tackle that the Packers need to anchor their 3-4 defense for years to come. Raji can move (5.13 40) for a big man and showed talent while in college. The 6-1, 337-pound defensive lineman also said he hoped he was on the Packers radar for the draft.

2. Brian Orakpo, DE/OLB, Texas – With the Packers looking for a hybrid DE/OLB, Orakpo could join a great linebacking corps. He is a menace to opposing tackles and his only goal is to get to the quarterback and take him down. This is the type of aggression the Packers need on their defense, a gamer that can team with Nick Barnett, A.J. Hawk, and Aaron Kampman.

3. Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State – I’m not too fond of the Packers drafting Jenkins at No. 9 as I feel there is enough depth in the defensive backfield and the Packers can probably pick up an additional corner later in the draft, much like what they did with Pat Lee last year. Also, Jenkins’ combine performance was disappointing, which raises some questions about him.

4. Everette Brown, DE/OLB, Florida State – Some say that Brown is a little too small for a 3-4 scheme, but he has shown he is smart enough to play in it. He is raw athletically and can make plays wherever he is lined up on the field and has been forecasted by some as a Top 5 talent.

5. Michael Johnson, DE/OLB, Georgia Tech – The first word that comes to mind when Johnson is mentioned is freak. At 6-7, 266, he has intimidating size that could definitely come in to play when playing in the 3-4. He is freakishly athletic, as I saw him make some amazing plays in college at Tech. He was the juggernaut of that defense, rushing the quarterback, stopping the run, and even dropping into coverage. His versatility could make him very desirable for the Packers at No. 9, even though I have seen some mock drafts without him in the first round.

Tune in next week for the revised top five, based on happenings, as free agency starts tomorrow!

Packers + Capers = Peppers?

djlombardi — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 17:37:09 +0000

This idea might sound crazy, but it’s crazy enough that it might work. But like any good idea, there’s multiple parts to it. I feel that this could turn around the Packers defense for years to come.

Step 1: Hire Dom Capers.

The vacancy Bob Sanders left at defensive coordinator is particularly glaring for the Packers. The defense, although ravaged by injuries, always seemed to be a step behind the offense in certain games, most notably the Packers 51-29 defeat against the New Orleans Saints. After a 2007 season where the defense was fantastic, the Packers defense looked old and out of sync in 2008. The schemes were stale and bringing in Capers would add a breath of fresh air.

But if the Packers want Capers, they will have to move quickly. The New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys also have interest in Capers as the Giants lost Steve Spagnoulo to the St. Louis Rams and Dallas fired Brian Stewart. The Cowboys could be an enticing option for Capers, as owner Jerry Jones has deep pockets and the Cowboys already run a 3-4, Capers’ preferred scheme. Capers also has ties with Giants head coach Tom Coughlin, making the Giants look like a good option to him. However, Dallas is currently a cesspool of unrest and the personnel in New York is more suited towards a 4-3 defense.

The Packers have been a 4-3 team for as long as I can remember, but head coach Mike McCarthy has said that he is open to changing the scheme to a 3-4. A 3-4 defense could work pretty successfully in Green Bay with the right personnel. Which brings us to…

Step 2: Sign Julius Peppers.

The Carolina Panthers freak athlete/defensive end wants out of Carolina. From a Toronto Star report:

Four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers has decided he won’t sign a long-term deal with the Carolina Panthers when he becomes an unrestricted free agent Feb.26.

Peppers, who grew up in tiny Bailey, N.C., starred in college at North Carolina and was the Panthers’ first-round pick in 2002, believes Carolina’s defensive system is not for him – even after recording a career-high 14 1/2 sacks this season.

Agent Carl Carey said Peppers wants to play in a 3-4 defence. The Panthers use a 4-3 alignment.

The key to this is that last line. “Peppers wants to play in a 3-4 defence.” Bringing Capers up to Green Bay and inserting the 3-4 would make an inviting situation for Peppers. The Packers had difficulty getting pressure on the quarterback this season. Aaron Kampman was steady as always, but Cullen Jenkins was ill-suited to be a defensive end before his season-ending shoulder injury, leaving the Packers with Jason Hunter, Michael Montgomery, and rookie Jeremy Thompson to get pressure on the quarterback, which was not too successful.

Signing Peppers would allow the team to move Jenkins back to defensive tackle, allowing him to team with Johnny Jolly, Ryan Pickett, and Colin Cole, and push injury-riddled super-bust Justin Harrell out of the lineup until the Packers can finally figure out what’s wrong with him. Teaming Peppers with Kampman would give opposing offensive lines and offensive coordinators headaches for weeks. Peppers, being the freak athlete he is, could be used as the fourth linebacker as well, adding more versatility to the defense. The Packers would be able to have their top four linebackers, Nick Barnett, A.J. Hawk, Brady Poppinga, and Brandon Chillar, on the field at the same time. Young Desmond Bishop would also get more time to see the field.

The catch to this is that I don’t see Peppers signing with the Packers unless Capers and the 3-4 is in place. This would mean that the Packers have to move fast on signing Capers, giving Peppers time to see that Green Bay would be a welcoming scenario for him.

Peppers will command a lot of money, but he would be a big splash for a team that has been quiet on the free agency market for the past few years. Even the signing of Charles Woodson was low-key, but has turned into a great move for the team. Ted Thompson can’t be afraid to make a move right now. It’s not the end of the world if the Packers miss out on Capers and Peppers, but it would most definitely turn the Packers into a contending defense.

Some of you will argue that the Packers need to shore up the secondary before they can focus on the front seven. Sure, Woodson and Al Harris are aging, and Tramon Williams, Jarrett Bush, and Pat Lee aren’t the best options out there, but teams in the past, most likely the Super Bowl XLII Champion New York Giants showed that a great pass rush can help cancel out shoddy defensive backs. Did you really think that Corey Webster and Sam Madison would be Super Bowl Champion corners against an the explosive New England Patriots offense? Not really. But the relentless pass rush of Michael Strahan, Osi Umenyiora, and Justin Tuck turned a decent defensive backfield into a Super Bowl Champion defensive backfield.

Don’t underestimate what the addition of Capers and Peppers could have on the Packers in 2009.

Final Injury Report: IND @ GB

djlombardi — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 14:47:43 +0000

The injury report as of 10:38 AM ET on October 19, for the Indianapolis Colts at the Green Bay Packers.

Indianapolis Colts

Out

Roy Hall, WR (knee)

Kelvin Hayden, CB (knee)

Bob Sanders, S (knee)

Doubtful

Joseph Addai, RB (hamstring)

Gijon Robinson, TE (ankle)

Questionable

Freddy Keiaho, LB (groin)

The Colts do not have as many players as the Packers on their injury report but they have major ones in Sanders, Hayden, and Addai. Sanders and Hayden out frees up the Packers passing game a bit, as they do not have to worry about coming across the middle on Sanders. Sanders’ injury also helps the running game, as they do not have to worry about the hard hitter coming up in run support.

Green Bay Packers

Out

Al Harris, CB (spleen)

Doubtful

Atari Bigby, S (hamstring)

Jason Hunter, DE (hamstring)

James Jones, WR (knee)

Michael Montgomery, DE (ankle)

Questionable

Ryan Pickett, DT (tricep)

Scott Wells, C (shoulder/chest)

Probable

Chad Clifton, T (hamstring)

A.J. Hawk, LB (groin)

Pat Lee, CB (back)

Aaron Rodgers, QB (shoulder)

Charles Woodson, CB (toe)

The thing that really stinks about the injury report is that eight of the players listed on the injury report are on defense, with four of them not expected to play. The Packers starters are going to have to stay healthy for all 60 minutes today and not dig the team into a deeper hole on its depth chart. They’re also really going to have to exploit the absences of Addai and Sanders to the maximum.

Indianapolis Colts (3-2) @ Green Bay Packers (3-3)

djlombardi — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 18:17:12 +0000

Sorry it’s been a while. I was on vacation last weekend and a miscommunication deprived all of my loyal readers a synopsis of the Packers 27-17 win against the Seattle Seahawks. This week the Packers face a much stiffer opponent in the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts 3-2 record is rather deceptive, and they have a momentum coming off of a 31-3 thrashing of the Baltimore Ravens. The Packers need to use the momentum from the Seattle game and parlay it into a great performance against the Colts.

Matchups To Watch

Colts Wide Receivers vs. Packers Defensive Backs

The Packers defensive backfield has been shaken up in recent weeks while Marvin Harrison has shown he is back, totally owning up on Chris McAlister in last week’s game. Charles Woodson better leave his McAlister-impression at home. Reggie Wayne is in the league’s top three receivers on any given week, while Anthony Gonzalez and Dallas Clark are dangerous out of the slot. Basically any wide receiver or tight end put out their by the Colts can easily be hit by Peyton Manning and should be considered dangerous. Atari Bigby is doubtful for the Packers while Woodson and rookie Pat Lee are listed as probable. They will need to be on top of their game to shut down this potent passing attack.

Packers Defensive Line vs. Colts Offensive Line

One of the best ways to get to Manning is to knock him around and harass him to force him to not get the ball if when he wants to. Baltimore could not get to him last week and he was given all day, so it is imperative that he does not get all day to stand around. This gets harder for the Packers, as Cullen Jenkins is done for the year, Jason Hunter is doubtful, Michael Montgomery is doubtful, and Ryan Pickett is questionable. This leaves it up to Aaron Kampman and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila to put the squeeze on Manning. And even then, KGB is not the sure thing he once was.

Packers Offensive Line vs. Colts Defense

Aaron Rodgers isn’t Joe Flacco, but the Packers need to keep Rodgers upright for good to happen. Rodgers will need time to get the ball to Greg Jennings and Donald Driver, but he can’t do that with Dwight Freeney in his face. He needs to be standing for the Packers to win.

My player to watch is rookie wide receiver Jordy Nelson. The Colts secondary is mildly banged up and James Jones is listed as doubtful for the game, giving the rookie from Kansas State a chance to shine.

The Verdict: Colts 27, Packers 24