Post by ptisme on May 6, 2022 18:02:19 GMT -6
MP wanted my thoughts on the Packers draft and I didn't want to hijack Bears talk in the shoutbox so here it is. Disclosure: I'm NOT a green and gold goggles wearer as you know. I'm capable of seeing the flaws in my team as well as possible. First an overview.
Listening to the talking heads at ESPN that don't know WTF they are talking about you'd think the Pack will back in to the playoffs this year after this draft and be one and done. Fact is this 2022 team "should" be better and much more equipped to get to the super bowl. The one thing in common every time we get eliminated from the playoffs is we play a team with a defense that shuts down our offense. And with the exception of this year the Packers couldn't stop the run. In other words they were a finesse team and that doesn't play at Lambeau in the playoffs. The Packers, on the back end of Rodgers career need to be a team with a stout defense and a strong running game. Let's get into 3rd and 2 and then let Rodgers cook. With that in mind:
Rd 1: Walker and Wyatt: Wyatt gives Kenny Clark help. Finally. Wyatt is a friggin' stud and I think will form an amazing Dline next to Clark, FA Jarran Reed, TJ Slayton, Dean Lowry and massive run stuffer Jonathon Ford (rookie).
One of the problems the Packers had last year was they had no athletic ILB's outside Campbell. Walker gives them the ability to have two ILB's on the field on all three downs that can exel against the run and the pass. I'm seeing a big defensive line and speedy linebackers behind them. Good luck running up the middle or to the outside. Watching Walker run down running backs on tape looks like the Jurassic Park T-Rex chasing down that car.
As far as defending the pass: The Packers now have an inside pass rush to match the outside pass rush provided by Smith and Gary. And if you have time to pass good luck finding an open receiver with a secondary that includes Alexander, Stokes, Douglass and two very good veteran safeties.
Add to this defense 5th rounder Kingsley Enagbar that some mocked in the second. He should provide depth at edge.
What is this defense still lacking? Well the starters are set but they need some veteran depth at safety, defensive back and Edge.
Which brings me to second rounder Christian Watson. I got cranky initially with the pick of Walker, partially because I felt our biggest need was WR. Well no WR was taken between 22 and 34 where they took Watson. Watson is a freak and many had him going to GB in rd one. I don't know if he'll be a star or a bust but they addressed the position in the draft with Watson and highly regarded 4th round steal Romeo Doubs. They drafted a 3rd receiver in the 7th that I know nothing about other than they say he'll be a beast on special teams to start. Obviously the receiver position took a step down with Adams leaving but they never won in the playoffs with him. And without his salary the team has multiple other FA's and draft picks that can help the team in other areas.
Where I really am excited about this coming season is the offensive line. Last year there were games where GB literally had five backups at offensive line playing. Rodgers didn't get killed because he got rid of the ball quick but there were few rushing lanes (unlike 2020). Returning this year will be pro bowl tackles David Bakhtiari and Elton Jenkins. Two snow plows in the running game. Talented center Josh Myers will also be back and join talented second year man Jon Runyan at LG. Those four are all outstanding run blockers. Added to the mix will be 3rd round pick Sean Rhyan who many had mocked in the second. He gave up 2 sacks his entire career at UCLA. He's short armed so a move from LT to RG for this run blocking road grader will be the transition. He'll compete with last years RG Royce Newman. Stud running backs AJ Dillon and Aaron Jones should see lots of green open space ahead this year. Zach Tom in the forth provides versatility as he can play every position on the line. He's NFL pass protector ready but needs to add some beef to be an effective run blocker.
Where the offense still needs help is a young TE to groom. Otherwise they are now set at every position.
Lastly the special teams. Make no mistake, the Packers lost that game to the niners directly due to special teams mistakes. The Packers added one of the best special teams coaches in the league in Rich Bisaccia. They gave him a punter (from the Bears) that excels at holding and punting in cold whether. Crosby struggled making field goals last year due to inconsistent holds. They gave Bisaccia a bevy of draft picks with special teams history in college and high RAS scores. This team should be much improved in this facet of the game and I wouldn't expect to lose two games next year due to the special teams like we did this year.
Listening to the talking heads at ESPN that don't know WTF they are talking about you'd think the Pack will back in to the playoffs this year after this draft and be one and done. Fact is this 2022 team "should" be better and much more equipped to get to the super bowl. The one thing in common every time we get eliminated from the playoffs is we play a team with a defense that shuts down our offense. And with the exception of this year the Packers couldn't stop the run. In other words they were a finesse team and that doesn't play at Lambeau in the playoffs. The Packers, on the back end of Rodgers career need to be a team with a stout defense and a strong running game. Let's get into 3rd and 2 and then let Rodgers cook. With that in mind:
Rd 1: Walker and Wyatt: Wyatt gives Kenny Clark help. Finally. Wyatt is a friggin' stud and I think will form an amazing Dline next to Clark, FA Jarran Reed, TJ Slayton, Dean Lowry and massive run stuffer Jonathon Ford (rookie).
One of the problems the Packers had last year was they had no athletic ILB's outside Campbell. Walker gives them the ability to have two ILB's on the field on all three downs that can exel against the run and the pass. I'm seeing a big defensive line and speedy linebackers behind them. Good luck running up the middle or to the outside. Watching Walker run down running backs on tape looks like the Jurassic Park T-Rex chasing down that car.
As far as defending the pass: The Packers now have an inside pass rush to match the outside pass rush provided by Smith and Gary. And if you have time to pass good luck finding an open receiver with a secondary that includes Alexander, Stokes, Douglass and two very good veteran safeties.
Add to this defense 5th rounder Kingsley Enagbar that some mocked in the second. He should provide depth at edge.
What is this defense still lacking? Well the starters are set but they need some veteran depth at safety, defensive back and Edge.
Which brings me to second rounder Christian Watson. I got cranky initially with the pick of Walker, partially because I felt our biggest need was WR. Well no WR was taken between 22 and 34 where they took Watson. Watson is a freak and many had him going to GB in rd one. I don't know if he'll be a star or a bust but they addressed the position in the draft with Watson and highly regarded 4th round steal Romeo Doubs. They drafted a 3rd receiver in the 7th that I know nothing about other than they say he'll be a beast on special teams to start. Obviously the receiver position took a step down with Adams leaving but they never won in the playoffs with him. And without his salary the team has multiple other FA's and draft picks that can help the team in other areas.
Where I really am excited about this coming season is the offensive line. Last year there were games where GB literally had five backups at offensive line playing. Rodgers didn't get killed because he got rid of the ball quick but there were few rushing lanes (unlike 2020). Returning this year will be pro bowl tackles David Bakhtiari and Elton Jenkins. Two snow plows in the running game. Talented center Josh Myers will also be back and join talented second year man Jon Runyan at LG. Those four are all outstanding run blockers. Added to the mix will be 3rd round pick Sean Rhyan who many had mocked in the second. He gave up 2 sacks his entire career at UCLA. He's short armed so a move from LT to RG for this run blocking road grader will be the transition. He'll compete with last years RG Royce Newman. Stud running backs AJ Dillon and Aaron Jones should see lots of green open space ahead this year. Zach Tom in the forth provides versatility as he can play every position on the line. He's NFL pass protector ready but needs to add some beef to be an effective run blocker.
Where the offense still needs help is a young TE to groom. Otherwise they are now set at every position.
Lastly the special teams. Make no mistake, the Packers lost that game to the niners directly due to special teams mistakes. The Packers added one of the best special teams coaches in the league in Rich Bisaccia. They gave him a punter (from the Bears) that excels at holding and punting in cold whether. Crosby struggled making field goals last year due to inconsistent holds. They gave Bisaccia a bevy of draft picks with special teams history in college and high RAS scores. This team should be much improved in this facet of the game and I wouldn't expect to lose two games next year due to the special teams like we did this year.
