Taking up your pessimistic tone, a faster linebacker who converted from a safety but may be raw is a step up from a linebacker who can neither cover nor keep up. Either way, I can’t see Burkes making us worse. How much better remains to be seen.

Give him time.

True, but I will take speed on a guy that appears to have his head screwed on straight any day. The guy has a Vanderbilt education, and his sister is a doctorial candidate at Stanford, where she played volleyball. Guys that have the capability of learning and understanding the system quickly gives him at least a fighting chance for success. My eggs are in Oren's basket.

I agree. Instead of having the slow inexperienced players that Thompson always seemed to prefer, now we have players that have the speed to make up for their lack of experience. Once they put it all together this should be a pretty good defense at some point.

And for Cousins to strain something.

Absolutely could not disagree more. We shouldn't be rooting for injuries. And regardless, that was a questionable hit, but it certainly was not Burfict level dirty.

I want to beat Minniesoda 90-0 both times we play them next year. I want them to go 0-20 (including preseason). I want them to be mentioned as the worst team of all time. I want their fans to shut up (they are obnoxious).

But I don't want that to happen via injuries. Let's not forget these are human beings. Yes, they're paid very well for the risks they are incurring playing such a violent game. And yes, no one is forcing them to play. But they are still humans.

He taught other defenders wrap your arms around Rodgers and drive him to the turf and your home free. Season over for the pack in one play. 15 yd Penalty, no problemo brother.

Yes sir. I'd like to see the whole team come out of the gate blazing. Now that I think about it, I can see the defense led by Pettine to do just that, and even carry the team if the O has it's usual warm up group of games. Hoping for both especially with Philbin back.

Consider our timbers shivered.
Like in seizure proportions, even.

Makes me want to watch a swashbuckler movie classic.

Martinez had an average year. He was neither good nor great. Sorry bro, but you put on your extreme homer glasses for that comment.

The offense in the Philbin era was far from stale. Let’s give the old new guy a chance.

I gave you a thumbs up simply because I agree 100% with your 2nd sentence. IMO Gutekunst put more speed, more athleticism on this roster in one draft than Thompson did in his last 3 or 4. Now that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but it's not that far off of a statement.

I'm also in a wait & see mode when it comes to McCarthy. Not only did McCarthy replace Bennett who I never thought was much of an OC with Philbin, but he also replaced several Offensive Coaches who all have new ideas. So McCarthy takes all these "New Ideas" and mixes it in with his ideas and takes the scrub brush to his playbook. I understand it's still going to be a McCarthy offense which if I remember correctly has pretty much ALWAYS been good enough, but now you have fresh ideas installed in the offense too. You also have the best RB group that they've had in years. I'll take Jones, Monty, and Williams and what they can do over Eddie Lacy all day. If one rookie WR steps up, Graham is used correctly, and Adams continues to improve like he has the last two seasons, and Cobb jut stays healthy to go with "12" behind center and you still have a top 5 offense.

I have a feeling the Packers are probably a year away from a SB, but IF the Packers had the same kind of production from this draft class as the Saints did last season anything is possible. I'm also a big believer in Pettine's defense. I think people are going to be surprised how dominate that Packers front will be. Daniels is made for a Mike Pettine defense and Clark is turning into a STUD right before our eyes. Wilkerson is playing for money so I think he'll be huge too. But the one I'm really curious about is Perry. Perry never wanted to switch to OLB when he was drafted and Thompson threw so much money at him there was no way he was going anywhere. He just might finally get a chance to pass rush with his hand in the dirt on passing downs with Pettine which might turn out to be a HUGE blessing.

Edit...And yes...Burks IS a good fit with GB. Especially when paired with the tackling machine Martinez.

I'm with you on passing on Edmund's and Davenport. Been so long since having a tenacious pass rush. Nothing excites me more than a fierce pass rush.

However, Gute seems to have a plan and I am liking what he did in the draft. Then throw in the extra first next year.

I sure hope Burks does more than replace a UDFA. And the reason expectations are high is that's he a 3rd round pick, not a 5th rounder.

Don't be surprised to see Burks take some snaps from Blake Martinez. DCs like to pay lip service to stopping the run first but they all know their paychecks depend on stopping the pass first. Martinez is not much help in doing that. You certainly expect that a 3rd round pick that was chosen specifically to cover does it better than a 4th rounder that was drafted with the understanding that he was probably going to be a coverage liability.

I think the Packers preferred front 6 on obvious pass downs will end up being Perry-Daniels-Clark-Wilkerson up front with Burks and Matthews standing up behind them. Maybe not in week 1. But before too long.

Actually he replaces Burnett and, last year, then Jones (who is being kept at safety)

With the popularity of NASCAR, the LV Knights and gambling,
will the NFL promote sponsorship on jerseys and inside betting?
Takes us to August...

i don't think Burks size will be an issue. he's 6'3" and 233 pounds. most of these guys add 10 to 15 pounds of good weight when they come in. so 243 with his athleticism would be ideal.

I agree’61, the young man looks a bit light in the britches per the eye test. Love the other metrics and football IQ though. To be honest though, Burks reminds me physically of Shazier quite a bit. We all know what a Packer draft crush and stud he ended up being! I still get choked up when watching the play he got hurt on. Man, life can be a real **tch!:(( Anyway, Burks will gain 15 lbs in a year or 2. He has the potential to become Willis or Bowman like as he matures. I think he has all the tools to be as impactful as R Smith for the Bears, despite draft position. Time will tell but I’m a big fan of Burks pick. He’s just young and looks a bit lite in the pants to play 3 down inside backer IMO.

Agree Since 61. And if his defined role is to help fix that gaping hole in the middle of the field, I'm all for it.

"New guys you must rely on to make your season. "

It's the modern NFL, brought to you by the CBA and largely unguaranteed contracts. Young guys on cheap contracts need to play and play well. Every team relies on it. The days of 20+ starters on offense and defense playing together more than a year or maybe two ended in the 1990s.

"This ain't draft and development this is draft and hope."

I don't think there's really any difference between those. It's the reason for the volatile nature of nfl performance and parity in the league.

He knew every assignment on Vandy’s defense. He made all the calls and lined everyone up. You think “HE” is the guy to worry about with assignment diagnosis? You mean Ryan would do better? Lol. I don’t understand that at all. This guy has Martinez smarts with Josh Jone’s size and athleticism. He’ll get bigger and stronger but I really like the young man’s demeanor and focus. He’s gonna be a gamer IMO.