Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers spent a lot of time on his back last season. Packers fan Jared Sandler believes the team needs to address that issue with their first pick - and a few more down the road.
Watching the Green Bay Packers for the first eight weeks of the season was absolutely one of the most frustrating experiences for any Packers fan. No matter the team, every defensive end or edge rusher had a field day on Aaron Rodgers because of the Packers’ horrendous offensive line play.
The problems, which existed due to injuries (read: Chad Clifton) and inexperience (read: T.J. Lang) and players playing out of position (read: Darryn Colledge and Scott Wells), were still inexcusable. The Packers have one of the brightest stars in the league in Aaron Rodgers and they damn sure better do everything they can to protect him. Chad Clifton is back but is not getting any younger or healthier. Mark Tauscher is also not getting any younger or healthier.
With the wealth of talented offensive linemen, now might be the best time for Green Bay to grab an impact offensive tackle in the first round, like a Trent Williams or Bryan Bulaga (because neither Russell Okung or Anthony Davis will fall) and add a few interior offensive linemen as the draft progresses.
If Green Bay did not draft an offensive lineman in the first round, they need to try add depth and youth to their secondary, particularly their cornerbacks. While they had one of the best secondary groups in 2009—a group that single-handedly won them a game or two— their corners, the feature part of their secondary, are getting up there in age. Charles Woodson is 33 and still looking good, but for how much longer? Al Harris is 35 and missed most of last season due to injury. Tramont Williams and Jarrett Bush are both young, but proved to be very inconsistent as starting cornerbacks.
Green Bay won’t get a guy like Joe Haden, but maybe they will get a guy like Kyle Wilson or Devin McCourty. Maybe the answer isn’t in the first round, but the secondary positions, specifically on the outside, present a few needs for Green Bay.
Next on the agenda for Green Bay is finding young players who fit the role of Dom Capers’ 3-4 scheme on defense. They let Aaron Kampman go because he simply did not fit that mold. They got better as the season progressed, but it was very evident early on that they did not quite have the best personnel. In order to do this, Green Bay needs to grab a young nose tackle to clog up the middle, and some athletic defensive tackles to play on either side of the line. There were rumors Green Bay was interested in Taylor Mays as an edge rusher. And while he might not be the answer, they need a force off the edge—someone with size and speed.
The final need, although not one that needs to be addressed in the first round, is the running back position. Ryan Grant has been very inconsistent since his breakout 2008 season. He isn’t great in the passing game and is only okay as a pass blocker. A more consistent running game would open up the Green Bay offense, which is most effective when they can use the run to open up holes downfield.
Showing posts with label Anthony Davis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anthony Davis. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Will Silver and Black be Back?
Last year, the Oakland Raiders turned heads with their first round pick. Will it be the same this year? Raiders fan Alejandro Madrid tries to make sense of what should happen.
Following a record seventh straight season of losing at least eleven games, the Oakland Raiders head in to the 2010 NFL Draft with the eighth overall pick. The draft has not been kind to Oakland in recent years. Since 2001, the Raiders have made eleven first-round selections, and only one of them had a noticeable impact—Nnamdi Asomugha.
Looking ahead, it is nearly impossible to project the Raiders’ direction, considering owner Al Davis’s penchant for head-scratching picks. On April 22 at Radio City Music Hall, the Raiders must avoid a first round debacle similar to last year’s. Davis sent a hush over the usually boisterous crowd as he inexplicably selected Darrius Heyward-Bey—projected to be a late first-round pick—with the seventh overall selection. Davis cited Heyward-Bey’s impressive 40-yard dash time as the rationale for the pick. Without a doubt, Davis is aware of safety Taylor Mays’ jaw-dropping performance at the NFL Combine a few weeks ago in Indianapolis. However, Davis must resist drafting Mays. Despite his impressive numbers at the combine, scouts are mixed on how his skills will translate to the NFL, and he fails to address the Raiders’ most considerable needs.
Unfortunately, the Raiders need upgrades at every position except kicker, punter, and tight end. In the first round, Oakland’s wisest route would be to select a quarterback or an offensive tackle.
Oakland desperately needs a QB. JaMarcus Russell has failed to prove he is an NFL-caliber player, and journeyman Bruce Gradkowski, who played well at times in relief of Russell, is not a permanent answer. Neither of the top two quarterbacks, Jimmy Clausen or Sam Bradford, appears to fit with Oakland. Clausen’s arrogant mentality, similar to that of Russell, will only irritate fans and alienate teammates. As for Bradford, he is coming off of a serious injury, and the Raiders cannot afford to gamble on another quarterback after Russell proved to be a bust as the first overall selection in 2007.
Despite the mismatch, Oakland may be forced to select one of these two highly touted prospects if they are still available when the Raiders pick. 2011 is filled with quality quarterbacks like Jake Locker and Ryan Mallet, who would fit in nicely with the Raiders. However, the Raiders don’t have a first round pick in 2011 after trading it away to New England for Richard Seymour last off-season. In the absence of a first-round pick next year, the Raiders need to either select a quarterback this year or wait until 2012.
Even though two years is a considerable amount of time to wait, the Raiders are not going to instantly become a title contender and should be patient. Following this logic, the best use of their first-round pick is to draft a solid offensive tackle. During 2009, Oakland’s offensive line allowed the 3rd most sacks with 49. At tackle, Oakland is depleted, and 2010 offers a crop of very athletic offensive tackles that can make an instant impact. Russell Okung and Anthony Davis both possess impressive size and blocking ability that would not only protect the quarterback—whether it is Russell or Gradkowski—but also create bigger holes for running backs Michael Bush and Darren McFadden. While Okung and Davis are clearly the top two offensive tackles, Bryan Bulaga would be a major upgrade, and the Raiders would be wise to draft him.
In the later rounds, Oakland should address needs on the defensive side of the ball. The Raiders could use a speedy, physical linebacker as well as a cornerback with above average cover skills to complement one of the league’s top cornerbacks in Asomugha. Although the receiving corps was underwhelming in 2009, the Raiders should stay away from drafting a WR. The group showed occasional signs of brilliance and will be much improved in 2010 as Chaz Schillens, Johnnie Lee Higgins, and Louis Murphy gained valuable experience last season.
After years of futility, Raiders fans cling to the hope that Draft Day 2010 will turn the franchise around.
Following a record seventh straight season of losing at least eleven games, the Oakland Raiders head in to the 2010 NFL Draft with the eighth overall pick. The draft has not been kind to Oakland in recent years. Since 2001, the Raiders have made eleven first-round selections, and only one of them had a noticeable impact—Nnamdi Asomugha.
Looking ahead, it is nearly impossible to project the Raiders’ direction, considering owner Al Davis’s penchant for head-scratching picks. On April 22 at Radio City Music Hall, the Raiders must avoid a first round debacle similar to last year’s. Davis sent a hush over the usually boisterous crowd as he inexplicably selected Darrius Heyward-Bey—projected to be a late first-round pick—with the seventh overall selection. Davis cited Heyward-Bey’s impressive 40-yard dash time as the rationale for the pick. Without a doubt, Davis is aware of safety Taylor Mays’ jaw-dropping performance at the NFL Combine a few weeks ago in Indianapolis. However, Davis must resist drafting Mays. Despite his impressive numbers at the combine, scouts are mixed on how his skills will translate to the NFL, and he fails to address the Raiders’ most considerable needs.
Unfortunately, the Raiders need upgrades at every position except kicker, punter, and tight end. In the first round, Oakland’s wisest route would be to select a quarterback or an offensive tackle.
Oakland desperately needs a QB. JaMarcus Russell has failed to prove he is an NFL-caliber player, and journeyman Bruce Gradkowski, who played well at times in relief of Russell, is not a permanent answer. Neither of the top two quarterbacks, Jimmy Clausen or Sam Bradford, appears to fit with Oakland. Clausen’s arrogant mentality, similar to that of Russell, will only irritate fans and alienate teammates. As for Bradford, he is coming off of a serious injury, and the Raiders cannot afford to gamble on another quarterback after Russell proved to be a bust as the first overall selection in 2007.
Despite the mismatch, Oakland may be forced to select one of these two highly touted prospects if they are still available when the Raiders pick. 2011 is filled with quality quarterbacks like Jake Locker and Ryan Mallet, who would fit in nicely with the Raiders. However, the Raiders don’t have a first round pick in 2011 after trading it away to New England for Richard Seymour last off-season. In the absence of a first-round pick next year, the Raiders need to either select a quarterback this year or wait until 2012.
Even though two years is a considerable amount of time to wait, the Raiders are not going to instantly become a title contender and should be patient. Following this logic, the best use of their first-round pick is to draft a solid offensive tackle. During 2009, Oakland’s offensive line allowed the 3rd most sacks with 49. At tackle, Oakland is depleted, and 2010 offers a crop of very athletic offensive tackles that can make an instant impact. Russell Okung and Anthony Davis both possess impressive size and blocking ability that would not only protect the quarterback—whether it is Russell or Gradkowski—but also create bigger holes for running backs Michael Bush and Darren McFadden. While Okung and Davis are clearly the top two offensive tackles, Bryan Bulaga would be a major upgrade, and the Raiders would be wise to draft him.
In the later rounds, Oakland should address needs on the defensive side of the ball. The Raiders could use a speedy, physical linebacker as well as a cornerback with above average cover skills to complement one of the league’s top cornerbacks in Asomugha. Although the receiving corps was underwhelming in 2009, the Raiders should stay away from drafting a WR. The group showed occasional signs of brilliance and will be much improved in 2010 as Chaz Schillens, Johnnie Lee Higgins, and Louis Murphy gained valuable experience last season.
After years of futility, Raiders fans cling to the hope that Draft Day 2010 will turn the franchise around.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
The Blind Side
OK, sorry, I had to. Call it a cop out.
But when it comes to the NFL Draft, offensive tackles are on every team's radar. You can never have enough depth on the offensive line, especially at OT. Last year was an exceptionally strong class of tackles, with three going in the first eight picks and four in the first round. Each tackle had a case to be the first one off the board.
This year's class is on par with last year's in terms of depth. It's not as talented as last year's, at least in my opinion, but there are some excellent players available. First, the rankings. Then, the explanation.
1) Russell Okung, Oklahoma State
2) Anthony Davis, Rutgers
3a) Bryan Bulaga, Iowa
3b) Trent Williams, Oklahoma
There are two clear tiers in this year's class. Okung and Davis are the top tier tackles, both worthy of top 10 picks. Bulaga and Williams are the second tier tackles, and could go anywhere from 11-25. Some believe Bruce Campbell (Maryland) is worthy of joining that second tier, but on my board, he's just outside the top 25 and possibly outside the top 32.
Okung is the tallest and smallest of the group at 6-8, 299. He has tremendous overall athletic ability and is a well-rounded blocker. Davis is slightly behind on my board because of a couple of red flags. Make no mistake, he's a monster at 6-5, 323, and he can block. But he has dealt with some weight issues in the past. The Seattle Times' Danny O'Neil wrote about how Davis showed up to Rutgers weighing 360 pounds, but worked his way down to a manageable weight with hard work. Still, that is a slight concern. He's only a shade below Okung.
Bulaga and Williams are even on my board in the second tier. The former checks in at 6-6, 311, while the latter is 6-5, 306. The biggest question about Bulaga is his injury history. He missed a few games in 2009 with a thyroid condition, and suffered a shoulder injury a couple of years ago. They're both solid blockers, but a notch below Okung and Davis.
But when it comes to the NFL Draft, offensive tackles are on every team's radar. You can never have enough depth on the offensive line, especially at OT. Last year was an exceptionally strong class of tackles, with three going in the first eight picks and four in the first round. Each tackle had a case to be the first one off the board.
This year's class is on par with last year's in terms of depth. It's not as talented as last year's, at least in my opinion, but there are some excellent players available. First, the rankings. Then, the explanation.
1) Russell Okung, Oklahoma State
2) Anthony Davis, Rutgers
3a) Bryan Bulaga, Iowa
3b) Trent Williams, Oklahoma
There are two clear tiers in this year's class. Okung and Davis are the top tier tackles, both worthy of top 10 picks. Bulaga and Williams are the second tier tackles, and could go anywhere from 11-25. Some believe Bruce Campbell (Maryland) is worthy of joining that second tier, but on my board, he's just outside the top 25 and possibly outside the top 32.
Okung is the tallest and smallest of the group at 6-8, 299. He has tremendous overall athletic ability and is a well-rounded blocker. Davis is slightly behind on my board because of a couple of red flags. Make no mistake, he's a monster at 6-5, 323, and he can block. But he has dealt with some weight issues in the past. The Seattle Times' Danny O'Neil wrote about how Davis showed up to Rutgers weighing 360 pounds, but worked his way down to a manageable weight with hard work. Still, that is a slight concern. He's only a shade below Okung.
Bulaga and Williams are even on my board in the second tier. The former checks in at 6-6, 311, while the latter is 6-5, 306. The biggest question about Bulaga is his injury history. He missed a few games in 2009 with a thyroid condition, and suffered a shoulder injury a couple of years ago. They're both solid blockers, but a notch below Okung and Davis.
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