Packers Load Up On Playmakers
Ted Thompson gave his franchise quarterback a pair of weapons to add to an already potent offense.
By PackerAaron
After a 2010 draft that many regarded as a meat and potatoes affair, Ted Thompson seems to be putting together a draft class with a little more sizzle in 2011.
Ted Thompson, once again, watched as a couple of electrifying players fell into his lap in Randall Cobb, a wide receiver out of Kentucky, and Alex Green, a running back out of Hawaii. Both players project to fill roles that could come open with the impending departures of James Jones and Brandon Jackson. (Unless the league ends up operating under 2010 rules, in which case both players would most likely be back with the Packers.)
Cobb could also fill a glaring need in the return game, something he did very well at Kentucky.
I loved this from Doug Farrar over at #mce_temp_url#on Cobb:
He's probably not big or strong enough to become an A-level receiver at the NFL level, but in a system that uses a lot of three- and four-wise sets with a specific need for a burner underneath, Cobb could really thrive. He will encounter more difficulty in blasting through tacklers with his sheer speed in the NFL, but this is the type of player who will always look for ways to succeed. Randall Cobb is not a jack of all trades and master of none; his versatility translated into impressive overall production in college, and there's no reason to believe that he can't do the same one level up.
As for Green, his experience playing out of the shotgun and catching swing passes out of the backfield should at least make him the top candidate to take over as the 3rd down back, another area that will need addressing if Jackson leaves.
After spending a pick to protect Aaron Rodgers in Derek Sherrod, Thompson gave his franchise quarterback two more weapons to add to an already stocked cupboard.
Thompson is letting the draft come to him and I love it.
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Comments (22)
April 29, 2011 at 10:37 pm
Agreed, Cobb is gonna be a classic third down RB. Dude can (gasp) CATCH the ball and has enough speed (unlike Kuhn) to make it to the first down down marker before the defense converges upon him. I like this pick alot.
Between Starks and Green it looks like we might actually start seeing some effective screens coming out of this offense. That will make us unstoppable.
As for Cobb, he fills our biggest need, one that we've had for years. He's gonna be our version of DeSean Jackson.
April 29, 2011 at 10:43 pm
I like the Cobb pick. I also like the Green pick, but it looks like he could have been had at the end of the fourth round. Might be TT's Daryn Coledge pick of this draft (good enough pick, but arguably a round or two too early). I might have preferred a OLB prospect in the third, but you have to trust that TT didn't think that there was anyone there worth grabbing.
Looked at a listing of TT's first round picks today. The only miss has been Harrell, and but for injury that may not have been a miss. Nice to see him pass on Bowers at the end of the first. Lesson learned. I suppose you could quibble about Hawk not being worthy of the fifth pick, but the guys been absolutely constant, and last year with Barnett out he really stepped up.
Pick for pick, TT has a better first round record than Ron Wolf. If he pulls a rabbit out of his hat in the later rounds or FA again, this will be another "A" draft, no matter what the pundits say. It's good to be a Packer fan right now.
April 30, 2011 at 07:39 am
Even though I like Green I thought he was taken too early until I came across this piece from Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com.
"Every now and then players start to move up the board simply because teams are dedicating more time to watching the film. Hawaii running back Alex Green could be the latest prospect to get this late, preferential treatment...The 6-0, 225 pound Green, however, gave the Warriors' their first 1,000 yard rusher since 1992 and surprised scouts with his natural running skills at the East-West Shrine Game and speed (4.45) at the Combine. Teams are starting to look at Green as a legitimate middle round possibility, ahead of some very big names at the running back position."
Being at Hawaii, it's likely a lot of personnel people didn't see him often. CBSSports has him rated 90th overall, so for them TT taking Green at 96 is spot on.
April 30, 2011 at 07:44 am
Thanks for the piece Bubba. Everything I had seen had Green looking like a 5th rounder, or lower. Back to the chorus, "in TT we trust."
April 29, 2011 at 11:03 pm
I still we should have taken Von Miller
April 29, 2011 at 11:14 pm
Yeah! and Marcell Darius, AJ Green and Patrick Peterson too! What was TT thinking?
April 30, 2011 at 06:16 am
what planet are u from stan
April 29, 2011 at 11:25 pm
Lesson in Green pick; if you hire Drew Rosenhaus as your agent, we will find your replacement.
April 30, 2011 at 07:46 am
LOL. Rosenhaus is becoming a millstone. Hiring him is getting to be a sure sign that your expectations are matching your ego, not your performance.
April 30, 2011 at 12:25 am
I hope the new CBA bans Drew Rosenhaus from breathing. Why Brandon Jackson would ever think that hiring that punk would make him more marketable is beyond me. If I were him, I'd be begging to come back to GB or be doomed to fading into obscurity.
I like both picks and especially Cobb. Lets load up on a couple big boys and maybe an outside LB in the later rounds.
April 30, 2011 at 12:37 am
Couldn't be happier with the way this draft is falling in our laps...
Sherrod = Our future LT. When we drafted BB, I, along with many others wondered if he would/could be Clifton's successor... looks like that may not be a problem. If Sherod works out at LT, the right side of our line with BB and Sitton could be downright filthy. I think the left could as well if TJ turns into the LG I think he is.
Cobb = Our Percy Harvin without the migraines and drama?!?!
Green = The sturdily built back we've so needed that has great hands coming out of the backfield. Mayock and Ted love him... good enough for me.
Now all we need is a legit TE... WAIT...
Our Offense just got stupid... in a good way. Thanks again Ted. I only hope these buffoons can get something worked out so these promising rookies have a chance to contribute THIS SEASON, they need OTA's and mini-camps.
GBP 4 LIFE
April 30, 2011 at 05:41 am
i'd keep jackson and cut grant.
April 30, 2011 at 06:18 am
yep,and get rid of jenning and keep jones......hellooooooo
April 30, 2011 at 08:08 am
This draft looks like a free agent insurance policy. Sherrod covers a tackle, freeing the whole bench to compete to replace Colledge. Cobb replaces Jones as the fourth receiver. (a LITTLE tounge-in-cheeck there). Green replaces Jackson as the third down back.
What probable FAs don't the Packers have fill-ins for? Replacement for Jenkins, but the bench and a very creative DC got by when he was out with injuries last year. Replacement for Crosby, but he'll probably sign at a reasonable price, or a competitor could be picked up in the late rounds or FA. The Packers aren't New England, but then again, the way they seem built to get by without any single individual it sure reminds me of NE.
April 30, 2011 at 07:47 am
Just a thought: w/ the new kickoff rules it's been suggested teams may kick high and to the goal line to pin teams inside the 20. If this is the case, it's possible Green, w/ his excellent hands and solid build could be returning kickoffs.
April 30, 2011 at 07:52 am
Anyone else pick up on the irony of a RB taken w/ our 3rd round pick.
Alex Green or Marshawn Lynch...I'll take Green and a SB Championship.
April 30, 2011 at 08:22 am
Yeah, but, spending a 3rd when your roster consits of a hope for B-Jax and the unknowns v. spending a 3rd just to replace B-Jax, you could argue there was more value to the trade at the time. (And it's a little ironic too, that Hawk looked so expendible then but not so much now.) If TT had pulled the trigger on Lynch, and if Lynch had performed in GB like he did in Seattle, I would not have criticized TT for taking the chance to improve the team. But I'm sure we're all glad TT is getting paid to do this, not me.
April 30, 2011 at 08:48 am
I'm surprised that Christian Ballard (DE, Iowa) is still on the board. I really liked his effort and production for Iowa. I'm reading that teams are looking to load up on late round picks because of the uncertainty with FA. Given how deep the roster is, I wouldn't mind seeing the Packers spend a few picks to move up and get Ballard. That would help fill the hole created by Jenkins' probable FA departure, IMHO. At a minimum, Ballard would be a solid 34 DE rotation guy.
April 30, 2011 at 09:45 am
Positive drug test at Combine for Ballard. Well, that explains that.
April 30, 2011 at 10:33 am
Yup.
Here's some DE names in rounds 4-6. Lawrence Guy, Cedric Thorton, and Martin Parker.
BTW-One of my reasons for mentioning Lynch is fans are so willing to give up draft choices in season but they sure do like having them in the draft.
April 30, 2011 at 06:59 pm
IN TED WE TRUST!!!
May 01, 2011 at 10:22 am
I think Ted's emphasis on high character self motivated players this draft was genius. With the lockout continuing for some time you need motivated coachable players.
This group of players should work to keep themselves in shape and prepare on there own.
When the lockout ends this group will respond to coaching well. I love that Cobb is trying to get with ARod as soon as possible. I hope Cobb and Rodgers get to work together soon.
No "Ryan Leaf" types in the group.
Ted great job