Andrew Datko » Packer Update

Ex-Steeler Completes Practice Squad

Posted by Michael Rodney at 7:08 pm 3 Responses »

Sep 032012

Offensive lineman Chris Scott (right) played in 2 games for Pittsburgh last season

The Green Bay Packers completed their practice squad by signing offensive lineman Chris Scott. The former Tennessee star was selected by Pittsburgh in the fifth round of the 2010 draft. He played in only two games for the Steelers – battling injuries, weight and inconsistency. He was released over the weekend.

At his post-practice press conference on Monday, Coach Mike McCarthy said that Scott played his best game of the preseason last week. So I decided to take a look. The 25-year-old played right guard in the second half against the Panthers. What I saw was a huge man who lumbered in space. He also wasn’t very physical and he didn’t finish blocks like someone his size should. He was more impressive in pass protection, but he was also going up against deep reserves – many of whom are no longer in the league.

One half of one game isn’t much of a sample, but Scott didn’t strike me as a player with a long-term future in Green Bay. In fact, I was much more impressed with Ray Dominguez, who was waived by the team a few days ago after reaching an injury settlement. The fact that Scott was let go by the Steelers is also a bright red flag. That organization simply doesn’t make a lot of mistakes when it comes to personnel.

Here’s a look at the seven familiar faces who make up the rest of this season’s “B” team:

DIONDRE BOREL – The young wide receiver had bigger aspirations than spending another season on the practice squad when training camp started, but he got injured, dropped too many passes and was ultimately outplayed by undrafted rookie Jarrett Boykin. The converted quarterback from Utah State is still learning how to play the position, and the Packers still think there’s something worth developing. I agree.

BRANDON BOSTICK – He was the only tight end to stay healthy this summer, and he took advantage of his unexpectedly high number of snaps. The former college wide receiver will need to get stronger if he’s going to be able to block adequately at this level, but his athleticism and hands are already NFL caliber.

B.J. COLEMAN – The young quarterback has good size, plenty of confidence and a strong arm, but his accuracy will need to improve if he’s going to make it in the NFL. That could come with improved technique – something the coaches will undoubtedly be working on for the next 12 months. It would be a surprise if he’s not a much better player next summer – perhaps improved enough to win the backup job.

ANDREW DATKO – He was starting to show some improvement prior to suffering a concussion that ended his camp. He’ll now have plenty of time to work on his technique and to strengthen his shoulder. I’m not sure if he’s athletic enough to start in the NFL, but he certainly has the skills to be an effective swing tackle.

LAWRENCE GUY – The sixth spot on the D-line was his for the taking, but he didn’t play well enough to beat out Phillip Merling. He has talent, but there just seems to be something missing. It doesn’t hurt to keep him around for another year, but I’d be surprised if next summer ends any differently than this summer.

MARC TYLER – The young running back talked about losing weight and increasing his speed while on the practice squad. That makes sense because it’s very hard to have a future at this position when you’re slower than most linebackers. Another option would be to put on some pounds and become a fullback.

GREG VAN ROTEN – Not many players go from the Ivy League to the National Football League, but that’s exactly what he did. Size will be his biggest problem at this level. At 303, he’s about 15 pounds lighter than most guards. That’s why I could see him moving to center at some point in the future. The Packers need to develop a player behind Jeff Saturday, and GVR’s measurables are more suited to that position.

Notes On A Preseason Game

Posted by Michael Rodney at 2:12 pm 9 Responses »

Aug 172012

Rookie wide receiver Jarrett Boykin caught 5 passes against Cleveland

The title of this post pays homage to Notes On a Scandal - one of the most underrated movies in recent years (in fact, I should’ve watched it again rather than waste over three hours of my life on whatever that mess was last night). Anyway, here are 5 thoughts from the Packers’ 35-10 loss to Cleveland:

1) Rookie receiver Jarrett Boykin did what neither Diondre Borel nor Tori Gurley has been able to do this summer – he stepped up. The former Virginia Tech star does not have explosive top-end speed, but he has reliable hands, tracks the ball well and can adjust to off-line throws. If any young receiver deserves a spot on the final 53, it’s Boykin. That said, I still expect him to start the season on the practice squad.

2) There’s no question Andrew Datko is getting better. He gave up the inside a few times in the second quarter, but for the most part, he did a solid job at left tackle. If the rookie keeps improving, he should find a spot on the final roster. But he won’t play this season unless there’s an emergency. He needs a year in the weight room before he’s ready to contend with some of the stud pass rushers in the NFC North.

3) It’s still very early, but so far the inside pass rush doesn’t look much better than it did a year ago. Rookie Jerel Worthy has plateaued after a fast start. The former Michigan State star has a really quick first step, but he’s been far more effective in one-on-one drills at Nitchke Field than he’s been in the first two exhibition games. He’s been slow to shed blocks and he needs to use his hands a lot better. It’s a lot of pressure to put on a 22-year-old kid, but the Packers really need him to come through this season.

4) I hate to compare any second-year player with three career starts to five-time Pro Bowler Sam Mills, but I think it’s warranted in the case of D.J. Smith. He’s one of the most instinctive inside linebackers I’ve seen in a long time. He reads his keys fast and is quick to make zone drops. Whether he’s athletic enough to keep up with quality backs and tight ends in coverage remains to be seen, but I wouldn’t bet against it.

5) After watching Jerron McMillian at practice a few weeks ago, I praised the hard-hitting rookie safety. He then proceeded to struggle in the preseason opener in San Diego. But last night against Cleveland, the former Maine star looked like the player I saw earlier this month. He was a physical presence near the line of scrimmage, blowing up a pair of runs in the second quarter. That’s clearly the strength of his game right now, but he has the athletic ability to be a complete safety. It’s just going to take some time.

Packers Are Thin On Offensive Line

Posted by Michael Rodney at 11:03 am 2 Responses »

Aug 022012

Evan Dietrich-Smith is the only proven backup offensive lineman on the roster

Nobody’s really talking about it, but the Packers are dangerously thin on the offensive line. After the five starters and Evan Dietrich-Smith, the most battle-tested backup on the roster is journeyman Herb Taylor, who has started one game since 2007. Everyone else is either an undrafted free agent or a late draft pick.

Going into next week’s preseason opener against the Chargers, Taylor and Andrew Datko figure to be the second-string tackles. They’ll be joined by center Sampson Genus and guards Ray Dominguez and who the heck knows. A healthy Derek Sherrod would improve the situation, but last year’s first-round draft pick is still rehabbing a severely broken right leg and might not be back until later this month – if then.

Assuming Sherrod isn’t ready to play when the season opens and assuming GM Ted Thompson doesn’t add a veteran between now and then, left guard T.J. Lang would likely move to tackle in case of an injury and Dietrich-Smith would step into his spot. That wouldn’t be ideal, but the offense should be able to function. A second injury, however, could spell disaster. And that’s a word you never want to have associated with an offensive line – especially an offensive line that protects the league’s best player.

While the Packers are thin inside, the situation is actually worse outside. The coaches came into training camp expecting Datko to challenge for the No. 3 tackle spot, but the former Florida State star has done little to distinguish himself thus far. Taylor his been OK, but there’s a reason he was playing for the Las Vegas Locomotives less than two years ago. Unless either Sherrod comes back healthy or Datko improves significantly, Thompson will have to do something. I wonder what Chad Clifton’s up to these days?

Even Packers Have Some Concerns

Posted by Michael Rodney at 7:44 am 10 Responses »

May 222012

Unproven Graham Harrell figures to be the backup QB

The Packers have won 29 games, including a Super Bowl, in the past two seasons. They are also one of the youngest and deepest teams in the league. But that doesn’t mean the defending NFC North champs are without flaws. Here are five areas of concern heading into 2012:

Backup quarterback - While it’s true that most teams would be in big trouble if their starting quarterback got seriously injured, it’s also true that most teams have a more proven backup than Graham Harrell. Maybe the former Texas Tech star will develop into the next Matt Flynn, but I could see him just as easily performing like Caleb Hanie. In fact, I think that’s a more likely scenario. Harrell is a smart player, but his arm strength is extremely limited. Could the Packers win with him at quarterback? Well, Houston did OK with T.J. Yates at the end of last season. Then again, the Texans also had one of the NFL’s best rushing attacks and a very stout defense that gave up just over 17 points per game.

Pass rush - Outside linebacker Clay Matthews was the defense’s only consistent pass rusher last season, and even the three-time Pro Bowler had stretches of ineffectiveness. GM Ted Thompson drafted Nick Perry, Jerel Worthy and Mike Daniels in an effort to rectify the problem. And while those three young players should help, it remains to be seen just how much. It’s not like Green Bay added Mario Williams or even Kamerion Wimbley in the offseason. Defensive coordinator Dom Capers needs at least one of the rookies to step up and become an impact pass rusher. A wild card to keep an eye on is fifth-round pick Terrell Manning. The former North Carolina State star has natural blitz ability.

Safeties - After Nick Collins’ neck injury in week 2, Morgan Burnett and Charlie Peprah spent the next 15 games trading off missed tackles and blown assignments. I’ll cut Burnett some slack. He was coming off ACL surgery and he played with a broken hand for months. The former Georgia Tech star should be much improved in ’12, but that’s only wishful thinking at this point. Peprah regressed last season after holding his own in 2010. He really struggled without Collins opposite him and without a consistent pass rush in front of him. He also struggled because offensive coordinators did a better job of taking advantage of his physical limitations. Capers desperately needs Burnett to blossom in his third season and for a young player like Jerron McMillian or Anthony Levine to step in and replace Peprah. Both things could happen, but if they don’t, the last line of defense will be a major problem once again.

Defensive coordinator - The defense had no business being as bad as it was last season – even with the personnel issues. Capers was painfully slow to adjust on a weekly basis. To be honest, he looked like a guy who spent too much time basking in the glow of the Super Bowl win and not enough time figuring out ways to combat offensive coordinators who spent the entire offseason studying how to beat his schemes. This will be a very pivotal season for Capers. His defenses in Carolina, Houston and Miami peaked early and then regressed. We’ll soon find out whether this is a coincidence or a trend. If it’s the latter, Green Bay may be looking for a new DC a lot sooner than expected.

Left tackle - The Packers will have a new player protecting the quarterback’s blind side for the first time since 2000. Chad Clifton is out and either Marshall Newhouse, Derek Sherrod or Andrew Datko is in. All three young players have potential, but none is a proven commodity. Newhouse survived in 13 starts last season, but he wasn’t very good. The former TCU star gave up 10.5 sacks. Sherrod struggled mightily in training camp, but showed improvement later in the regular season. Unfortunately, his progress was halted by a severely broken leg. Datko is a natural pass protector, but he’s also a rookie with a shaky shoulder. The Packers don’t need a stud left tackle since Rodgers has such a quick release and such terrific mobility, but they can’t have a human turnstile at the position either.

Notes: Taylor’s Ready To Step Up

Posted by Michael Rodney at 12:00 am 9 Responses »

May 152012

Second-year tight end has a chance to contribute in '12

Second-year tight end has a chance to contribute in 2012

With Andrew Quarless (knee) not expected back until at least Halloween, the Packers will need one of their young tight ends to emerge as Jermichael Finley‘s backup. And while D.J. Williams and Tom Crabtree will certainly be in the mix, the feeling here is that Ryan Taylor will ultimately win the job. I was impressed by the former North Carolina star before he ever donned a Green Bay uniform, and he did nothing last summer to dampen my enthusiasm. Taylor has good size (6’3, 255) and deceptive athleticism. And since he’s still learning to play the position after spending the bulk of his college career at linebacker, he’s only scratched the surface of his potential.

Ted Thompson was very economical when it came to signing undrafted free agents last month. According to Bob McGinn of the Journal Sentinel, the Packers general manager spent $51,500 on 15 rookies – or about $3,400 per player. Under terms of the new collective bargaining agreement, Green Bay could’ve spent up to $75,000. Offensive lineman Tommie Draheim received the biggest signing bonus ($8,500) and three other players (Sean Richardson, Jaymes Brooks and Marc Tyler) got $5,000. Conversely, the Saints spent $30,000 on Appalachian State running back Travaris Cadet. Different strokes for different folks, but based on past history, something tells me Thompson will wind up getting more bang for the buck.

One of ESPN’s “experts” opined that Terrell Manning would’ve gone at least two rounds higher had he stayed in school and entered the draft a year from now. That’s probably true. The former North Carolina State star certainly didn’t play like a fifth-round pick last season. He posted 76 unassisted tackles (including an ACC leading 14.5 for loss), 5.5 sacks, 5 pass breakups, 3 interceptions and 4 forced fumbles in 11 starts. So why were over 160 prospects selected ahead of Manning? The biggest reason is a lack of ideal size and speed. He’s a little light (237 pounds) for the inside and a little slow (4.74) for the outside. What he is, however, is a good football player. It wouldn’t be a shock to see him push A.J. Hawk for playing time this summer and then push the veteran right out the door next offseason.

Mike McCarthy has put together an interesting offensive staff. He has a former tight ends coach (Ben McAdoo) working with the quarterbacks, a former quarterbacks coach (Alex Van Pelt) working with the running backs, a former running backs coach (Jerry Fontenot) working with the tight ends and another former running backs coach (Edgar Bennett) working with the wide receivers. And oh yeah, offensive assistant John Rushing worked with defensive backs for seven years at Utah State before joining the Packers. Is it just a matter of time before we see offensive line coach James Campen instructing a young quarterback on how to properly move his feet in the pocket?

Andrew Datko has the potential to be a starting tackle in the National Football League. That’s my opinion after watching a few Florida State games from early last season. The first of Green Bay’s two seventh-round picks impressed the heck out of me – even though he was playing with a badly injured left shoulder that would require surgery less than a month later. If not for the uncertainty over his shoulder, Datko almost certainly would’ve been among the first 100 players drafted. He’s a student of the game who understands angles, leverage and positioning. I think he has a chance to be a better pro than Marshall Newhouse, but only if his shoulder holds up. And that’s a big if.

These truly are Ted Thompson’s Packers. Of the 90 players on the roster, 89 were acquired by the current general manager. Only wide receiver Donald Driver was here prior to 2005 and his future with the organization is tenuous. Here are some more interesting numbers. Of the 90 players, only 15 have ever worn another professional uniform. And of those 15, only 8 played in a game for a team other than Green Bay. Thompson and McCarthy talk all the time about developing young players, and what better way to develop a young player than to get him straight out of college?

Post-Draft Pack Should Be Better On D

Posted by Michael Rodney at 2:43 pm 10 Responses »

Apr 302012

Second-round pick Hayward could be the No. 3 cornerback

Ted Thompson watched his defense go from good to historically bad in 12 months and he wasn’t going to sit back and do nothing. Green Bay’s normally conservative GM signed twice-suspended Anthony Hargrove as a free agent in March and then traded up two times in the draft to procure help for his team’s feeble pass rush and leaky secondary. It remains to be seen how these springtime moves play out in the fall, but at least on paper, the defense sure looks a lot better today than it did two months ago.

Here’s my position-by-position look at the post-draft Green Bay Packers:

QUARTERBACK- The Packers needed to draft a rookie to challenge Graham Harrell for the backup job. Seventh-round draft choice B.J. Coleman could be that player if he’s able to make a quick transition from Tennessee-Chattanooga to the National Football League. He has all the physical traits a team looks for in a young quarterback, but his numbers in college were surprisingly pedestrian. I have no idea whether that’s more a reflection on Coleman or on his supporting cast. Either way, his development under coach Mike McCarthy, offensive coordinator Tom Clements and quarterbacks coach Ben McAdoo will be fascinating to watch.

RUNNING BACK- Thompson didn’t draft at this position for the fourth time since taking over as GM in 2005. That leaves James Starks, Alex Green and Brandon Saine as the top three entering the first minicamp. It also leaves the door open for Ryan Grant’s return, but only if the former 1,200 yard rusher is willing to accept a deal for around the league minimum. If he’s not, the Packers should be fine without him. Remember, this team won a Super Bowl with John Kuhn and Brandon Jackson combining for nearly 300 carries. Speaking of Kuhn, he’ll return as the starting fullback.

TIGHT END- Even with Andrew Quarless likely to being the regular season on the PUP list, Thompson didn’t draft at this position. Perhaps that’s because he believes D.J. Williams and Ryan Taylor are ready to contribute on offense after spending the majority of their rookie seasons on special teams. Williams is the more natural receiver of the two, but Taylor showed better instincts and more toughness last summer. Another young player to keep an eye on is undrafted free agent Eric Flair. The athletic and versatile former Gopher figures to get a look at both tight end and fullback.

WIDE RECEIVER- Based on past history, it was a little surprising that Thompson didn’t draft a wide receiver. Then again, Tori Gurley and Diondre Borel probably have as much potential as any of the wide receivers picked on day 3. The Packers also added a pair of undrafted free agents. Marcus Rivers (Buffalo) and former basketball player turned football star Dale Moss (South Dakota St.) are intriguing prospects. Both measure in at 6’3 and run in the low 4.5s.

OFFENSIVE LINE- Thompson finally drafted an offensive lineman in the seventh round, but Andrew Datko isn’t going to add much-needed depth at guard and center. The former Florida State star is strictly a tackle. Right now, Evan Dietrich-Smith is the No. 1 backup at all three interior positions. He did OK in two starts at right guard last season, but this is the same player that was released by the Packers in September 2010. Second-year men Ray Dominguez and Sampson Genus will also be in the mix. The former is a college tackle who’s still learning to play inside. The latter has plenty of experience inside, but is barely six-feet tall. With such dubious depth, undrafted free agents Jaymes Brooks (Virginia Tech) and Don Barclay (West Virginia) figure to get long looks in the months to come.

DEFENSIVE LINE- If you think you were frustrated watching Jarius Wynn, C.J. Wilson and Mike Neal attempt to rush the quarterback last season, imagine how Thompson felt. Well, you don’t have to imagine. He told you exactly how frustrated he was by drafting two defensive linemen in the first four rounds. Second-round pick Jerel Worthy doesn’t have prototypical size to play end in a 3-4, but he has prototypical power and quickness to rush the QB. Fourth-round pick Mike Daniels doesn’t have prototypical size to play any position in a 3-4, but he also can rush the quarterback. See the pattern? Along with free agent Anthony Hargrove, the inside pass rush should be markedly better in 2012.

LINEBACKER- I may not be the biggest Nick Perry fan in the world, but after complaining for two years about Thompson’s refusal to draft a partner for Clay Matthews, I can’t complain too much. There’s no question the former USC star will make the Packers better at right outside linebacker; just how much better remains to be seen. Perry is a terrific athlete, but he ran hot and cold in college. It’ll be up to assistant coach Kevin Green to keep the heat turned up. Thompson traded up to get Terrell Manning in the fifth round. The former North Carolina State star projects inside. He probably won’t play much in the base defense, but he could be used as a rusher in certain packages. Along with returnees D.J. Smith, Jamari Lattimore and Vic So’oto, the competition at this position should be intense.

DEFENSIVE BACK- Thompson traded up to get Casey Hayward in the second round, and the former Vanderbilt star will be expected to challenge Sam Shields for the No. 3 cornerback job. Hayward doesn’t run nearly as well as Shields, but he’s a better tackler and a more cerebral player. That means an awful lot to coaches who had to watch corners miss tackles and blow assignments week after week in 2011. Last year’s fourth-round pick, Davon House, will also be in the picture. You wouldn’t normally give a rookie from Maine much of a chance to win a starting job, but that’s not the case with Jerron McMillian. The speedy fourth-round pick will be given every opportunity to unseat journeyman Charlie Peprah at safety. Young veterans M.D. Jennings and Anthony Levine will also be in the mix.

SPECIALISTS- The Packers are in very good shape with kicker Mason Crosby, punter Tim Masthay and long snapper Bret Goode. There was no need to draft a specialist, and any undrafted free agents signed will be camp bodies only.