The Packers drafted Mike Neal in the second round because he was the highest-rated player on their board and not because of the situation surrounding Johnny Jolly. In fact, up until about six weeks ago, the team was fairly confident that the troubled defensive end would be available for most if not all of the upcoming season….. Scot McCloughan chose to work for the Seahawks because he wanted to be closer to his kids. All things being equal, the ex-49ers GM would’ve preferred coming to Green Bay. He would’ve had far more input under Ted Thompson than he’ll have under GM Pete Carroll John Schneider in Seattle….. We continue to hear that Charles Woodson did in fact approach the Packers about his contract a few months ago. The All-Pro cornerback didn’t make any threats and the two sides apparently agreed to continue talking at a later date….. Third-string quarterback Graham Harrell looked OK at the recent mini-camp, but we’ve yet to find a single scout who thinks the former Texas Tech star has a future in the NFL….. A person very close to the Penn State football program told us that rookie tight end Andrew Quarless was “not the hardest worker in college” and that’s what really got under the skin of legendary coach Joe Paterno - even more than the multiple arrests….. And finally, tackle Mark Tauscher looks at least five years younger than he did at the end of last season. That’s what a healthy offseason and another six months removed from major knee surgery can do for a veteran player.
I’m so pleased with Mark Tauscher….lunch pail pro who quietly goes about protecting our million $ man (actually several millions). He came back last year and , in short order, was able to help stabilize the right side. Now, he returns in even better shape to help us reach the big one. Quiet but very effective….not many of those around, is there?
Neal and Quarless comments are most interesting to me. Quarless is a young kid and may mature etc., and I am intrigued by hi skill set and athleticism but if I want to realistic I know, once a dog always a dog. Laziness is a character flaw that usually wins out in the end. Too bad, otherwise the kid has what it takes to have a nice career in GB alongside JF.
Neal, taken at about pick 50, when most were expecting him to go closer to pick 100, and TT had him as the best player on his board. Hmmmm…..let’s hope this turns out to be another Nick Collins and not one of the many others who TT was higher on than others who never made it. I really thing that this deep into his tenure, TT can’t afford another horrible draft year ala the Hawk and Harrell drafts. If Neal and Bulaga disappoint (i.e., if Bulaga can’t play LT well) that will give TT three horrible drafts in six. To me, that’s a failing grade. For now, I’m hoping that TT is proven right and Neal really was the 50th best player in this rich draft, that Bulaga really can be a quality NFL LT and Morgan Burnett is our S of the future and possibly present. Right now, Burnett is looking like an A. Bulaga, even if he fails at LT, looks like he can be a quality OL somewhere else on the line. It’s still way too early even to have an educated guess re: Neal. Should Neal become a stud DL, as a top 50 pick can be reasonably expected to be, TT should be given his due. But, if he’s another Brian Brohm type pick, TT will be in trouble.
Thompson MAY have reached a little to get Neal. But Neal was the 9th highest rated 34 DE in the draft. And of the other ahead of him, 7 were taken before Thompson took Neal. The other 2 were projects that were going to need a minimum of a couple years to get alot stronger to compete. Neal is plenty strong already and can help w/ the interior pass rush. He had to get a 34 DE to protect himself due to Jolly’s trouble and Harrells back problems!!!
Also, Don’t know what your talking about it regard to the Hawk draft!!! Thompson got FIVE (5) STARTERS in that draft!!! Most around the country think thats outstanding production and give Thompson an “A” for that draft!!! Hawk, Jennings, Colledge, Spitz, Jolly? being the other starters!!! Hawk hasn’t lived up to the #5 pick in the draft but he’s been alot more productive than most of the other 1st rd picks in that draft. Of which the majority have been abject failures! Jennings is very good and our #1 WR, Colledge has been a solid starter. Same w/ Spitz. And Jolly’s been very good for a 6th rd pick! You simply don’t have a clue what makes a good draft!!! 5 starters?!!! Thats extremely hard to do…
BTW – Curious what happened to my comment that I posted back on the 9th or early on the 10th??? Why was it removed?
stroh- Your comment definitely wasn’t removed. Not sure what happened to it.
Was Neal really a reach? For all we know, there may have been three teams right behind the Packers who were going to draft him. I’d be very surprised if he isn’t a solid player. You judge 3-4 ends by how they stop the run and Neal seems to have the size and strength to do that. Sure it would be nice if he also gets pressure on the QB, but that’s not something 99% of 3-4 ends do anyway.