I'm with you on this one. The Packer have so much invested in Rodgers, they have got to (1) keep him upright and (2) give him a better running game.

I've been firmly in the camp of taking a lineman with that first pick (either offensive or defensive) You build from the inside out in this league, and we have needs on both lines.

You are right Aaron. OT is a position that could be a serious problem this year. It is highly likely there will be no Tauscher and Clifto9n had "minor knee surgery" on both knees this off-season. The KGB comparison is valid. Oher would be a good risk at that position. The O-line strategy TT had has not paid off. I know you think highly of College, I don't have your confidence in him. MM had to switch him around or sit him down for awhile last season. The rest, Moll, Barbre, Spitiz, Sitton, Breno Giacomoni and Wells (post injury) (sp?)are, shall we say, less than proven (I'm trying to be nice).

If Oher is the choice, I think a "sleeper" selction in the second might be USC NT FB Moala (6'2" 316#) might be worth a shot. Of course, if a way to get one of the USC LB's comes up later in the draft they could take a chance there.

The only way the Packers can trade down is if Sanchez is still there at #9. This seems to suggest the trade won't be anounced until the Packers are on the board. After that there is a whole lot of similarly skilled choices. For every player selected there is a player of similar talent still available in the same position.

Great teams are built though the offensive and defensive lines. Just please not Crabtree.

I have no problem with picking Michael Oher. Both lines are where the needs are, then maybe a linebacker.

Any other position will be a questionable pick in my mind (not that I know anything about it).

Bedard just did a Andre Smith vs. Michael Oher article over at PackerInsider.

I think that Oher offers more "upside" (I hate that word). Oher is a raw talent in need of coaching. Clifton is a technician on his last legs. Ideally, Oher could learn technique from Clifton.

The one time Smith was given the opportunity to prove himself on his own, he shows up unprepared and out of shape.

Maybe I'm unfairly infatuated but if Raji is available I say we take him. If he isn't available I would say Oher or Smith (I'll trust TT to grade them better then I can) would be a good pick for the reasons you mention.

I agree that great teams are built through the offensive & defensive lines. Most GM's will do that through the draft, selective free agents, and the occasional shrewd trades.

While our GM has made some successful free agent signings, these past two years have been very weak. I do not see any big trades on the horizon so that leaves the draft.

I do not subscribe to the school of thought that Don Capers can work miracles with the current roster. While there will definitely be major improvements to the overall defensive scheme talent will always be needed to put pressure on the quarterback and stopping the run. If you look at the successful teams right now with outstanding defensive coordinators i.e. Giants, Steelers, Ravens, they have talented pash rushers and run stoppers.

Our GM seems to have problems bringing outstanding talent to both lines. We need help on both sides of the ball. We probably all agree we can't afford another Justin Harrell episode.

This is a crucial draft for our GM.

Aaron.. I'm with you 100%. There is a plethora of talent at the 3-4 OLB spot this year. If TT has the chance to get an elite prospect at the #9 spot, I'm good with either Smith/Oher.

Aaron, I appreciate your overall positive tone on this site. It's good to read about the good and positive possibilities amidst disgruntled fans and a long offseason.

I like the Oher pick, but I think Colledge is a much better tackle prospect than a player at guard.

He naturally plays high and has trouble picking up stunts on the inside where they come from both sides. He has decent footwork and with him playing on the edge, his blitz reads should be minimized to a great extent.

Oher gets some prep time behind Cliffy, and if we resign Tausch, we have protection at the right side in case Colledge can't play any more consistent than he does on the interior.

"...I can be as miserable and disagreeable as the rest of the doom merchants when it is warranted."
This is kind of like Ox in the movie Stripes...
Ox: You probably noticed I have a weight problem
Everyone Else: No! No way! Not at all!

I guess he needs to improve his drafting skills for the D Line.

His picks:

Montgomery, Hunter, Jolly, Harrell,Tollefson,and Thompson. Only one, Jolly, can be rated as an average NFL player. And we won't have him for probably four games next season. Let's hope it will be the first four.

Try this.

GB trades up (#9 + a 3rd rounder) & takes Jason Smith at #3.

Might as well take the best OL if you're going 1st rounder.

I am praying for an OT in this years draft. If we can't protect Rodgers, we can't win. Without Tauscher on the right side, pressure will be coming right into Rodger's face.

If everyone says Oher is a project, I don't want him. Anyone we pick at 9 has to dominate his peers, and hold his own against NFL draft competition.

As for Thompson, this is a make or break year, but the draft has nothing to do with it. The Packers won't take another 6-8 win season. That will depend on young players he has already drafted. The players he takes this year won't contribute.

I Like TTs approach to building a team, I like building through the draft, being selective with Free agents.

He drafted young players at the guard spots a couple of years ago. I recognize it takes young players a couple of years to get physically strong enough to compete in the NFL. Spitz and College have had those couple of years, and we need both of them to stay healthy and play well. They showed signs last year, this year we need consistency.

AJ Hawk started off great last year, got hurt, and never showed the same burst. I believe he is healthy, and he needs to show he is a play-maker this year.

Cullen Jenkins is coming off a very serious injury, and Nick Barnett hurt his knee late in the year. Niether of those players will be back at full speed this year. AJ needs to cover for Barnett. Someone needs to cover for Jenkins

Next to Driver, Tauscher was my favorite current packer. I hope/wish the team does something with him, but I know he wont be back.

Fatkid,

I agree with most of your post, but I think you need to make a decision on which you want. You say in the beginning that you don't want us to pick Oher because he is a project, but in the next paragraph you admit that the players he takes this year won't contribute. If you don't expect this years drafted players to contribute then why not take a player that is rough around the edges, but everyone agrees may have an enormous upside. Wouldn't you agree that 2 years of training is far outwayed if he turns out to be an Orlando Pace?
There is probably one guy this year that can start competently this year. Other than that, you have a few guys who are skilled and will become good starters in the league. We are not going to get Jason Smith. TT won't give away his picks and the Packers don't want to pay the amount it takes for a #3 pick if they don't have to. That leaves about 3 other guys to pick from. Of those players, Oher has the largest upside and looks to be a major talent once he has been properly coached.
I would love this selection.

I may have been drunk when I wrote that, but I had a point in there.

I don't want a project at 9. You need to draft a player who dominated in college.

If they dominated in College, it is very unlikely they come in and play well right away in the NFL, it will still take a while.

Specifically on Oher, I did some more reading, and I am now in his corner. I like the consecutive game starting streak in the 40s, and he was a 1st team All American at OT. Doesn't sound like a project to me.

I did read some negatives questioning his intelligence, and I have to say that is way off base. A LT basically needs to remember if the call is a run or a pass, the direction of the play, and the snap count. Any All American Candidate at Tackle can handle that just fine.