Dezman Moses » Packer Update

McMillian Was Worth The Money

Posted by Michael Rodney at 7:27 am No Responses »

Feb 052013

Rookie safety Jerron McMillian played more than expected this season

We all know that cornerback Casey Hayward was the best player among this season’s draft choices, but do you know who was the best bargain? According to an interesting article by Eric Oehler of the National Football Post, the answer is safety Jerron McMillian. The fourth-round pick from Maine was paid $465,146 in 2012 and played 765 snaps for Green Bay. That means he cost the team only $608 per snap.

Conversely, fifth-round pick Terrell Manning provided the least bang for the buck. The former North Carolina State standout, who was plagued by a serious stomach illness throughout training camp, was paid $9,838 per snap. The team is obviously hoping to get a much better return on its investment next season.

The best bargain among all the draft picks in the league was Oakland linebacker Miles Burriss. The fourth-rounder from San Diego State cost the Raiders a mere $446 per snap. The player who proved to be the biggest waste of money was San Francisco receiver A.J. Jenkins. The first-rounder from Illinois played only 37 snaps, but was paid $1.26 million. That’s a whopping $34,140 for every time he stepped on the field.

Oehler’s list didn’t include undrafted rookies, but if it did, linebacker Dezman Moses and tackle Don Barclay would’ve ranked as two of the better bargains. Moses cost $608 per snap and Barclay came in at $876. Is it any wonder the front office puts so much time and effort into finding and then signing UDFAs?

Packers Need Young Players To Grow Up

Posted by Michael Rodney at 12:50 pm 3 Responses »

Dec 082012

Rookie linebacker Dezman Moses has started the past three games for the Packers

With Cedric Benson, Bryan Bulaga, Nick Perry, Desmond Bishop and D.J. Smith out for the season, to win the Super Bowl, the Green Bay Packers will have to overcome even more than they did two years ago. In order for that to happen, a number of rookies will have to step up late in the season. Bulaga, James Starks and Frank Zombo did just that in 2010. Here’s hoping the following players can follow suit:

DON BARCLAY: The undrafted rookie saw his first action of the season last week against the Vikings, and while he didn’t play particularly well at right tackle, he didn’t embarrass himself either. That in itself is encouraging. I’ve been saying for weeks that the Packers can’t win a Super Bowl with T.J. Lang at right tackle and Evan Dietrich-Smith at left guard, and I’m pretty sure the front office and the coaching staff agrees. That means Barclay has to play competently enough to allow Lang to move back to his natural position.

JEREL WORTHY: While fellow second-round pick Casey Hayward has been a stud at corner, Worthy has been a relative non-factor on the defensive line. The former Michigan State star was supposed to add juice to the pass rush, but he’s been less effective in that regard than both Mike Neal and Mike Daniels – neither of whom have exactly set the world on fire. Without a bona fide pass rusher opposite Clay Matthews, the defense desperately needs Worthy to morph into a poor man’s Cullen Jenkins ASAP.

DEZMAN MOSES: The undrafted rookie will probably lose his starting job when Matthews returns, but he won’t fade into oblivion. Not with Erik Walden beginning his annual post-Thanksgiving slide. Moses needs to do a better job at the point of attack, but he hustles and he has enough edge speed to give certain tackles a difficult time. Like I said before, the defense desperately needs a second rusher to emerge. If it’s not Worthy, it has to be Moses. Otherwise, this journey isn’t ending in the Promised Land.

JERRON McMILLIAN: I don’t want to see Charles Woodson in the slot when he returns, but I have a feeling that’s where the future Hall of Famer will line up in the dime. If that’s the case, either McMillian or M.D. Jennings will have to play opposite Morgan Burnett. Both youngsters have taken a lot of snaps this season, and both have done a decent job. But decent won’t be good enough come January. One of the two will have to elevate his game a notch, and I think McMillian has the better chance of doing just that.

New-Look Defense Bounces Back

Posted by Michael Rodney at 2:54 pm 10 Responses »

Sep 152012

Rookie Jerron McMillian was part of a revamped and improved secondary on Thursday

The Bears’ porous offensive line and bewildered quarterback made the Packers’ newly configured defense look like the Steel Curtain on Thursday night. Don’t expect to see that kind of performance every week, but with Jerron McMillian and Casey Hayward in and M.D. Jennings and Jarrett Bush out, you also shouldn’t expect to see too many repeats of what happened versus the 49ers. Look for the D to settle in somewhere in between – and that should be good enough to keep Green Bay atop the NFC North.

Here are 3 thoughts on the defense following the Packers’ 23-10 beat down of the Bears:

1) The pass rush was awesome, but don’t get too excited. After re-watching the first two games, I still see only one player (Clay Matthews) with the ability to consistently win one-on-one battles. And let’s be honest, very few teams are going to let CMIII dominate the way Chicago did. A second threat will have to emerge. It could be top picks Nick Perry or Jerel Worthy, but neither has shown that type of ability yet. Interestingly, the second and third most effective pass rushers against the Bears were probably Mike Daniels and Dezman Moses. Both unheralded rookies deserve more snaps against Seattle next Sunday.

2) I don’t know who was wearing No. 37 in August, but it wasn’t Sam Shields. Fortunately, the real Sam Shields showed up when the calendar flipped to September. The third-year pro from Miami was solid in a limited role versus the 49ers and very good as the starting right corner on Thursday night. Shields has regained the swagger he exhibited as a rookie in 2010. Just as importantly, he’s also showing a willingness to be physical. With Morgan Burnett giving Tramon Williams help over the top against Brandon Marshall, the coaches trusted Shields to handle Chicago’s impressive rookie Alshon Jeffery all by himself. He was up to the challenge. Jeffery caught only 1 pass for 7 yards. Give some credit to the pass rush that didn’t allow Cutler to get the ball down the field, but give most of the credit to Shields. He covered like white on rice and he never allowed his size disadvantage to become an issue.

3) Defending the middle of the field is still going to be a problem. Jay Cutler didn’t have the time, or in some cases, the vision to find open receivers, but they were there most of the night. D.J. Smith was much improved against the run and he showed explosiveness as a blitzer, but his cover skills leave a lot to be desired. The former Appalachian State star lacks the height to cover tight ends and the speed to stay with backs. You can be sure that he’ll be exploited by any QB who’s given the time to find that matchup. I begged coordinator Dom Capers to replace Bush and Jennings. That worked out pretty well. My next suggestion is to replace Smith. Give Robert Francois or Brad Jones a chance. They’re not speedy either, but they’re taller and more fluid. Both players can flip their hips and get good depth in their coverage drops.

Notes On A Preseason Game

Posted by Michael Rodney at 10:02 am 6 Responses »

Aug 312012

Backup quarterback Graham Harrell played very well versus Kansas City

The title of this post pays homage to Notes On a Scandal - one of the most underrated movies in recent years. Anyway, here are 6 thoughts from the Packers’ 24-3 win over the Chiefs on Thursday night:

1) While cornerback Sam Shields has been playing better as of late, it’s important to realize that most of his success in coverage last night came against a backup QB and backup receivers. He won’t be facing Brady Quinn and Jamar Newsome in the regular season. That said, the third-year player from Miami is definitely playing with more confidence and more physicality - a pair of very encouraging signs.

2) I don’t know if Sean Richardson has the cover skills to be a starter in the National Football League, but I do know he deserves a spot on the 53-man roster. Unlike M.D. Jennings and Anthony Levine, the former Vanderbilt star has an upside that’s worth developing. Richardson reminds me of Taylor Mays, another oversized safety with some coverage limitations who’s on the verge of winning a starting job in Cincy.

3) I still don’t think Graham Harrell can win games in the NFL, but he certainly played well against KC. He was helped by good protection and receivers who got terrific separation, but he also stepped into his throws and put the ball where it needed to be. While Harrell was probably safe going into the game, he needed to complete passes and put points on the board in order to secure his roster spot. He did just that.

4) Wide receivers Tori Gurley, Diondre Borel and Jarrett Boykin all made plays last night, but of the three, only Boykin was a consistent presence throughout camp. If the Packers decide to keep a sixth player at the position, the former Virginia Tech star deserves the spot. That said, I’m not sure he’s all that much better than Chastin West, who didn’t make it a year ago and was recently cut by the woeful Jaguars.

5) Jerel Worthy has played ahead of Mike Daniels in the nickel all summer, but that could change in the coming weeks. Both rookies flashed at times as pass rushers, but at this point, Daniels seems to be slightly more consistent. The former Iowa star isn’t as big or as strong as Worthy, but he’s very quick and his motor never stops. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Daniels have the bigger impact this season.

6) Rookie outside linebacker Dezman Moses has gotten plenty of accolades this summer, but Erik Walden has been the better player – and it hasn’t been close. While Moses is an intriguing prospect, he’s simply not ready for prime time just yet. The former Tulane star needs to do a much better job against the run. He lacks discipline. He does not play assignment-sound football or attack gaps at proper angles.

3 Questions For Tonight’s Game

Posted by Michael Rodney at 2:03 pm 1 Response »

Aug 092012

Graham Harrell begins his first preseason as the Packers’ backup quarterback

The Packers open the preseason tonight at San Diego. Here are 3 questions to ponder while you watch the game:

1) Can backup quarterback Graham Harrell stretch the field vertically?

The former record-setter from Texas Tech is having a decent training camp. He looks much more comfortable in the pocket and his arm is noticeably stronger, but he still does an awful lot of dinking and dunking. The majority of his completions have come within 12 yards of the line of scrimmage. Unless he can drive downfield throws on a line, opposing cornerbacks will squat on routes and make completing any pass very difficult. We’ll start to find out whether he’s capable of keeping a defense honest tonight, as long as the inexperienced second-string offensive line is able to provide adequate protection.

2) Can the rookie pass rushers win one-on-one battles?

Clay Matthews was the only player able to get consistent pressure on the quarterback last season. That prompted general manager Ted Thompson to draft outside linebacker Nick Perry and defensive end Jerel Worthy. Both players have flashed at times in training camp, but Worthy has been the more impressive of the two. He has a quick first step and surprising power. Perry is beginning to come on after a sluggish start. He has all kinds of talent, but the transition from defensive end is seldom easy. How these youngsters fare against an experienced Chargers’ offensive line will be very interesting to watch.

3) Can the impressive long shots take it from practice to the game?

It’s one thing to impress on the practice field, but it’s a whole other thing to impress in a game. Tight end Brandon Bostick, wide receiver Curenski Gilleylen and outside linebacker Dezman Moses will get their chance tonight to prove the big stage isn’t too big for them. Bostick is undersized, but he runs well and seems to have built a nice rapport with the backup quarterbacks. Curkendyl makes at least one impressive catch every day. And Moses has been a headline grabber since the minicamps in the spring. Now’s their chance to start turning what seemed like an impossible dream a few months ago into a reality.

Likes And Dislikes From Practice

Posted by Michael Rodney at 12:17 am 17 Responses »

Aug 032012

Third-year safety Morgan Burnett is having an outstanding training camp

GREEN BAY- Here are my 7 likes and dislikes from Thursday’s practice (the first I’ve seen in person this summer):

1) I liked watching a young quarterback who can really sling the ball. Seventh-round pick B.J. Coleman has a lot to learn and his accuracy is hit or miss, but his physical skills are obvious. Mike McCarthy has made decent quarterbacks out of players with a lot less ability.

2) I liked watching second-year running back Alex Green turn it loose. He doesn’t look like a player less than nine months removed from major knee surgery. He’s going to make an impact this season.

3) I liked watching the right side of the offensive line dominate. A completely healthy Josh Sitton looks as good as ever and Bryan Bulaga looks like he’s ready to go from being very good to being great.

4) I liked watching the energy defensive lineman Daniel Muir and cornerback Davon House bring to the defense. That side of the ball often looked like the walking dead last season. They often played that way too.

5) I liked watching three-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker Clay Matthews hustle all over the field like a free agent trying to make the team. That’s why he’s so special. Of course, the immense natural talent also helps a bit.

6) I liked watching Dezman Moses get physical with running backs. I’m still not sure if he has the physical skills to ever be a starter, but he’s a better prospect than Vic So’oto, last summer’s rookie sensation.

7) I liked watching safety Morgan Burnett mature before my very eyes. This isn’t the same timid player who often went unnoticed on the practice field a year ago. This player appears destined for big things.

1) I disliked watching new No. 2 quarterback Graham Harrell too often settle for check downs when wide receivers were open down the field. He’s definitely improved from a year ago, but he’s nowhere near as impressive as Matt Flynn was in his third training camp.

2) I disliked watching undersized right defensive ends C.J. Wilson and Jerel Worthy get pushed around at times. Offenses are going to run a lot to the left against the Packers, and there’s a good chance they’ll find success. It would be nice to see Lawrence Guy step up. He has ideal size for the position.

3) I disliked watching backup right guard Ray Dominguez leave practice with an ankle injury. The offensive line was extremely thin even before arguably the group’s seventh-best player got carted off the field.

4) I disliked watching inside linebacker A.J. Hawk continue to hold down a starting position. He gives 100%, but he’s exactly the type of marginal veteran player that coaches are almost always looking to replace.

5) I disliked watching cornerback Sam Shields struggle to defend some of the same receivers he blanketed two summers ago. He wasn’t bad, but he’s definitely a young player who needs a boost in confidence.

6) I disliked watching the coaches waste precious snaps on Jarrett Bush at right corner. He’s not the answer, and based on what I saw, Shields, House and rookie Casey Hayward need all the reps they can get.

7) I didn’t like watching practice come to an end. There’s few better things to do on a beautiful summer night than watch the Packers play – even when it’s against themselves. Family Night should be a real blast!

Moses Still Has Mountains To Climb

Posted by Michael Rodney at 1:49 pm 6 Responses »

Jul 102012

It’s no surprise that Packers outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene is raving about one of his rookies. The surprise is that the player getting all the accolades is Dezman Moses. While first-round pick and projected starter Nick Perry made minimal noise at last month’s minicamp, the undrafted free agent from Tulane was making plays all over the practice field.

“I think Moses has a natural feel for the position,” Greene said recently. “He does things that just absolutely look natural in his movement for the position. He sees things at an early stage. In the scheme implementation of our defense, he’s starting to see things early, and that’s always a positive. He was a linebacker (in college), so he’s not making too far of a transition playing this position. He has some good, natural feel about him.”

And Green wasn’t the only one raving about Moses. Some of his teammates were just as enthusiastic. ”He’s been earning all his playing time,” said Pro Bowler Clay Matthews, who knows a thing or two about playing the position. “Obviously, this is OTAs, but he has shown some athleticism out there. He’s shown he can get after the quarterback, drop into coverage, be a natural athlete. He’s got good size and strength. We’ll see when the pads come on, but he’s been doing well. He’s shown the coaches everything he needs to at the outside linebacker position.”

After reading all these superlatives, I wouldn’t be surprised to find out that Moses was last seen parting Lake Michigan. But seriously, while all this sounds promising, it’s way too soon to get excited. Analyzing a football player during a minicamp practice is akin to critiquing an actor during a dress rehearsal. Neither makes a lot of sense. There’s a reason Moses wasn’t drafted. He’s not very big (6’2, 248) and he’s not very fast (4.82 and 4.85 at his pro day in March). Does that mean he can’t play in the NFL? Of course not. What it means is that the odds are very much stacked against him. And to his credit, he seems to know it. He also doesn’t seem to care.

“Even in high school, I wasn’t the fastest. I wasn’t the biggest player, but I worked the hardest, and it’s gotten me to where I am now,” Moses said in an interview with The Times-Picayune. “So even when people say, ‘Oh well, he’s just not big enough, or he’s just not fast enough,’ I say I work hard enough, and that’s always my answer. That’s the answer for anything, really.”

Moses does appear to be one of those guys who plays bigger than he looks and faster than he times, but after watching a few Tulane games, I just don’t see a future NFL starter. While he may have looked like Superman in shorts last month, he looked more like Clark Kent in pads. Moses plays hard on every snap, but I didn’t see a particularly explosive first step off the ball. That, along with his below-average speed, makes me question how effective a pass rusher he’ll be at the next level. I also saw a player who lacks take-on strength, stands too tall at times and can be run at.

That’s not to say I didn’t see some positive things. Along with giving maximum effort at all times, Moses has quick feet, fluid hips and good body control. Because of these traits, I can see him developing into a pretty effective cover linebacker. He also shows the ability to locate the ball.

I feel kind of silly contradicting experts like Greene and Matthews, but I just don’t see anything special about Moses. That said, I could definitely see him making the final 53-man roster. He’ll be competing with returning veterans Erik Walden, Frank Zombo, Vic So’oto, D.J. Smith, Robert Francois, Brad Jones and Jamari Lattimore and fellow freshman Terrell Manning for what figures to be five or six backup spots. Green Bay kept 10 linebackers last season.

I like Moses’ chances against that competition. Based on what I’ve seen on video, he has more upside than Walden, Zombo, Francois and Jones and he’s a more natural fit at linebacker than So’oto and Lattimore. So if I had to pick which backup linebackers will make the final 53-man roster, I’d probably go with Moses, Zombo, Smith, Jones and Manning. And if he makes the team, who knows what the future will hold. Maybe he’ll be the next Matthews. Or maybe he’ll be the next Cyril Obiozor. Or maybe he’ll fit somewhere in between. That would be my guess.