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Sunday Snapshot: Ryan Taylor

Posted by Michael Rodney at 10:00 am No Responses »

Feb 232013

Tight end Ryan Taylor has played almost exclusively on special teams

The Packers’ roster is filled with stars, but there are just as many little-known backups whose dreams are a lot bigger than their current roles. I’ll be focusing on those players in this new weekly feature.

How did he get to Green Bay? Ryan Taylor was picked by the Packers in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL draft. His selection was a bit of a surprise considering that he played linebacker for his first three years at North Carolina. A productive senior season at tight end (36 receptions and 2 TDs) and a surprisingly good 40 time (4.65) obviously caught the attention of general manager Ted Thompson and his scouts.

What has he done in Green Bay? Taylor showed enough in his first training camp with the Packers to earn praise from Aaron Rodgers, but his work at tight end hasn’t been as appreciated by the coaches. He received 30 snaps on offense in 2011 and that number only increased to 138 last season – even though Andrew Quarless didn’t play a down and neither Tom Crabtree nor D.J. Williams distinguished themselves.

What can we expect in 2013? If Jermichael Finley stays and Quarless is healthy, Taylor will have his work cut out just trying to make the final 53. Crabtree and Williams are still around (I think Taylor is a better player than both, but the people that matter don’t seem to agree), and Thompson will probably bolster the position in the draft. What will keep Taylor in the mix is his outstanding work on special teams.

“The thought definitely crossed my mind (of not getting draft). I was out playing golf with my dad and about seven of my friends and as I watched the draft go by, it definitely started crossing my mind and I can’t tell you how excited I am just to get the opportunity to play on a team like the Green Bay Packers. That’s one of the best opportunities I’ve ever had.” [Green Bay Press-Gazette]

Jones Is A Good No. 2 Receiver

Posted by Michael Rodney at 11:38 am 6 Responses »

Feb 222013

James Jones led all wide receivers in touchdown catches in 2012

Veteran James Jones led all wide receivers in touchdown catches last season

During a Tuesday morning appearance on the NFL Network’s NFL AM, James Jones said he was prepared to take on the role as Green Bay’s No. 1 wide receiver. ”I’m ready,” opined the six-year vet from San Jose State. “I work very hard every year. I’m ready to take in that role if we don’t get Greg Jennings back. Hopefully, I can continue to have some success, make some plays and help my team win.”

I’ve been a big Jones supporter for years. In 2008, I predicted Pro Bowls in his future. In 2011, I urged GM Ted Thompson to re-sign him – even if it meant getting rid of Donald Driver. And just last spring, I argued against the idea of trading him. But as much as I admire Jones, I also know that he’s not a No. 1 receiver.

Jones enjoyed his best season in 2012. He established personal highs in receptions (65), yards (784) and touchdowns (14), which led the league. But even in a career year, the only number that screamed No. 1 receiver was the 14 touchdowns. The other numbers were more befitting of what Jones is – an excellent No. 3 and a good No. 2. He simply doesn’t have the physical skills between the 20s to be a No. 1. He takes too much time to get into his routes and he struggles to separate in the middle of the field.

If anybody is going to replace Jennings, it’ll be Jordy Nelson. But truth be told, the Packers probably don’t have a true No. 1 receiver under contract. That’s why it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Thompson use an early draft pick on a wide receiver. In the meantime, it’s not so bad having three No. 2s. In fact, it sure as heck beats having a No. 1 and absolutely nothing else (I’m talking about you Chicago and Detroit).

Ranking The Rookies: Mike Daniels

Posted by Michael Rodney at 9:17 am 1 Response »

Feb 212013

Small fifth-round draft pick made some big plays for the Packers in 2012

Undersized fourth-round draft pick made some big plays for the Packers in 2012

The Green Bay Packers began the season with 10 rookies on the 53-man roster. That’s a pretty high number – especially for a team than won 15 games the previous year. But GM Ted Thompson didn’t hang on to all those rookies to save money or to make himself look good. He kept them because they could play. In fact, seven have played significant roles in the team’s march to its second straight NFC North title.

I’ll be ranking the rookies – from least productive to most productive – over the next couple of weeks. Here’s #5:

Story of 2012: Jerel Worthy came to the Packers with a lot more fanfare, but Mike Daniels outplayed him from day one. The undersized former Iowa star was drafted to get after the quarterback, and he did that fairly well in 2012. That’s because he uses his hands like a veteran and has a non-stop motor. The real surprise is how he didn’t embarrass himself against the run. At 6’0, 290, he’s about four inches and 30 pounds smaller than most 3-4 ends. But there’s no measuring heart, and Daniels is plenty big in that area.

What to expect in 2013: Daniels and veterans B.J. Raji and Mike Neal are the top three inside pass rushers entering the offseason. Of that trio, Daniels is the one most likely to take his play to the next level in 2013. Unlike a year ago when he was rehabilitating his right shoulder following surgery, he’ll have the entire spring to work on improving his game. And while Daniels probably lacks the size to ever be an impact player at this level, he should be a useful part of the defensive line rotation for years.

Packers Will Restrict Shields’ Movement

Posted by Michael Rodney at 10:13 am 9 Responses »

Feb 192013

Cornerback Sam Shields is set to become a restricted free agent next month

With all due respect to the Journal Sentinel’s Tom Silverstein, I really don’t think the decision facing general manager Ted Thompson when it comes to restricted free agent corner Sam Shields is all that tough.

Thompson will have to offer a tender to Shields prior to the start of free agency in March. The highest tender costs roughly $2.88 million and sets compensation at a first-round pick, the middle tender costs $2.02 million and sets compensation at a second-round pick and the low tender costs $1.32 million and sets compensation at the round in which the player was drafted. Since Shields was not drafted, there would be no compensation. Regardless of the tender used, the Packers would have the right to match any offer.

The obvious move would be to use the middle tender on Shields. No general manager is going to give up a second-round pick for an undersized cornerback who still has a lot to prove. As well as the former college wide receiver played late last season, he’s still only seven months removed from being Jarrett Bush’s backup. The low tender, however, is far too risky. I could see any number of teams – especially the ones currently being run by former Green Bay executives – making a strong play for Shields in that scenario.

The Packers other restricted free agents are offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith, tight end Tom Crabtree and linebackers Robert Francois and Frank Zombo. None of the four were drafted into the league.

Dietrich-Smith did a decent job after taking over at center for Jeff Saturday in December, but he lacks the size and the athleticism that most teams are looking for in an interior offensive lineman these days. I’d slap the low tender on him and see what happens. In the highly unlikely event that EDS signs an offer sheet (no RFA has signed an offer sheet since 2009), Thompson would always have the right to match.

I would expect Crabtree to receive the low tender. Francois could also get the low tender, but it might make more sense to let him become a free agent and then attempt to bring him back for less money. The injury-plagued Zombo, who has missed 23 games in three seasons, almost certainly won’t be tendered.

Ted Unlikely To Play Tag With Greg

Posted by Michael Rodney at 12:49 pm 4 Responses »

Feb 182013

Free agent receiver Greg Jennings hasn't been able to stay healthy recently

Free agent wide receiver Greg Jennings hasn’t been able to stay healthy recently

Teams are allowed to begin using the franchise tag today, but don’t look for the Packers to employ that mechanism to ensure keeping Greg Jennings around for another season. Here are some reasons why GM Ted Thompson might be reluctant to guarantee the two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver $10 million for 2013:

MONEY- Green Bay is $17 million under the salary cap, but that’s not as much cushion as it would seem. Remember, the team still has a handful of restricted free agents to deal with and a trio of star players to extend. Tenders to Sam Shields, Evan Dietrich-Smith, Tom Crabtree and Robert Francois could cost as much as $5 million. Add in a new contract for either Aaron Rodgers, Clay Matthews or B.J. Raji, and Thompson would quickly find himself pretty tight against the cap heading into April’s draft.

AGE/HEALTH- Jennings will turn 30 in September, and since taking over as GM 8 years ago, you can count on one hand the number of players over the age of 29 that Thompson has extended. And none of those players were coming off back-to-back seasons marred by injuries. After playing in 75 of his first 80 games, Jennings has missed 11 of the last 19. When a previously durable veteran suddenly begins to spend almost as much time on the sideline as he does on the field, it’s often the start of a troubling trend.

DEPTH AT WR- The offense missed Jennings this past season, but it still managed to score enough points to lead the Packers to another NFC North title. And even without its top wide receiver, this corps is still among the very best. Jordy Nelson is one year removed from gaining 1,263 yards, James Jones led the NFL in TD catches with 14 and Randall Cobb is a budding star. Just as importantly, Thompson has proven to be as adept at drafting quality receivers as singer John Mayer is at finding incredibly hot girlfriends.

Is it possible that Jennings could return to the Packers if he doesn’t get what he wants on the open market? Anything’s possible, but it’s highly unlikely. As was the case with defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins in 2011 and center Scott Wells a year ago, you get the sense that Jennings is upset with the organization for not making more of an effort to extend him. You also get the sense that he’s ready to move on – even if that means accepting a deal with another team that isn’t quite what he was looking for.

Sunday Snapshot: Greg Van Roten

Posted by Michael Rodney at 10:34 am 1 Response »

Feb 172013

Van Roten made the long and difficult journey from the Ivy League to the NFL

Second-year offensive lineman Greg Van Roten took the road less traveled to the NFL

How did he get to Green Bay? Greg Van Roten’s journey to Titletown was unique. After a stellar career as an offensive tackle at Penn (that’s Penn and not Penn State), he was ignored during last year’s draft. After being told “thanks but no thanks” by the Jets and the Chargers in May, he sat at home in Long Island, New York until the Packers called in late July and offered him a spot on the 80-man roster.

What has he done in Green Bay? Van Roten impressed enough people during training camp to earn a spot on the practice squad. He then impressed enough people on the practice squad to earn a spot on the 53-man roster when starting running back Cedric Benson was placed on injured reserve after week 5. He spent the rest of the season as a backup at both center and guard and as part of the kick return unit.

What can we expect in 2013? Unless a center is drafted in the early rounds, veteran Evan Dietrich-Smith figures to enter camp as the starter. But that doesn’t mean Van Roten can’t steal the job away. He doesn’t have EDS’ experience, but he’s a much better athlete. And let’s be honest, playing center isn’t exactly rocket science – especially for a guy who’s probably bright enough to actually be a rocket scientist.

“A few months ago, I was sitting on my couch, and now I’m playing for one of the best franchises in NFL history with one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history [Aaron Rodgers],” he said. “Sometimes I ask myself, ‘Why am I here? How am I here?’ But I’ll do everything I can to stay here.” [Newsday]

Packers Part Ways With Woodson

Posted by Michael Rodney at 1:00 am 5 Responses »

Feb 162013

Defensive back Charles Woodson helped the Packers win the Super Bowl two years ago

Charles Woodson was due a base salary of $6.5 million with a roster bonus of $2.5 million the first day of training camp, so it was only a matter of time before the Packers either renegotiated the future Hall of Famer’s contract or simply moved on without him. GM Ted Thompson opted for choice No. 2 on Friday.

“We are grateful for all that Charles has given to the Green Bay Packers over the past seven years,” Thompson said. “He has been an integral part of the Packers’ success and our Super Bowl title in 2010 would not have been possible without his contributions. A once-in-a-generation talent as a player, he is also a great leader and ambassador for the organization off the field. Charles will always be a member of the Packers family and we look forward to his eventual induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”

How do I feel about this decision? Well, here’s the first paragraph of a post I starting writing a few days ago: ”Charles Woodson and A.J. Hawk need to be released, and it’s not because of the $16 million the two veterans are scheduled to make in 2013. Truth is, I would advocate getting rid of both players even if their combined salaries were $1.6 million. Why? Because the defense won’t get substantially better next season by holding on to a slightly above-average inside linebacker and a clearly descending safety.”

Woodson played in only 7 games this past season due to a broken right collarbone. Prior to the injury, the 36-year-old was performing decently in his first stint at safety, but even the change in positions couldn’t hide his rapidly diminishing physical skills. While Woodson was still physical against the run, he had little explosiveness as a blitzer, his range was just adequate and his man-cover skills were limited.

As of today, M.D. Jennings and Jerron McMillian are the front-runners to replace Woodson at safety in 2013. Of the two, McMillian has the much bigger upside. While the former Maine star made too many mental mistakes in an up-and-down rookie season, he did flash intriguing potential. He runs well and he loves to hit, and those are two things you can’t say about many other members of the defense. The position could also be bolstered in the next couple of months by either a veteran free agent or a draft choice.

Looking Back At The 2010 Draft

Posted by Michael Rodney at 7:17 am 10 Responses »

Feb 152013

Defensive lineman C.J. Wilson was a steal in the seventh round of the draft

They (whoever “they” are) say it takes three years to fairly judge an NFL draft. By that way of thinking, it’s now OK to look back and judge the class of 2010. GM Ted Thompson selected seven players that April. Nearly three years later, all seven remain with the Packers – each enjoying varying degrees of success.

KEY

9: Great pick based on where the player was drafted and how the player has performed.

8: Very good pick based on where the player was drafted and how the player has performed.

7: Good pick based on where the player was drafted and how the player has performed.

6: Above-average pick based on where the player was drafted and how the player has performed.

5: Average pick based on where the player was drafted and how the player has performed.

4: Below-average pick based on where the player was drafted and how the player has performed.

3: Poor pick based on where the player was drafted and how the player has performed.

2: Wasted pick based on where the player was drafted and how the player has performed.

BRYAN BULAGA – Picked in the first round, the former Iowa star has been a starter at right tackle since the middle of his rookie season. He played at a Pro Bowl level in 2011, but tailed off a bit this season before fracturing a hip and going on IR. (7)

MIKE NEAL – Picked in the second round, the former Purdue star has played in only 20 of 48 games due to injuries and a suspension. He finally stayed relatively healthy this season and recorded 4.5 sacks as a part-time defensive lineman. (4)

MORGAN BURNETT – Picked in the third round, the former Georgia Tech star has been a starter since the first game of his rookie season. He has the physical skills to be a star, but right now he’s probably no better than the seventh-best safety in the NFC. (7.5)

ANDREW QUARLESS – Picked in the fifth round, the former Penn State star developed into the team’s best blocking tight end before suffering a knee injury late in the 2011 season. He didn’t play a single down this season and his future is uncertain. (5)

MARSHALL NEWHOUSE – Picked in the fifth round, the former TCU star has started the past 29 games at left tackle. He hasn’t been great at the line’s most important position, but he’s been competent enough to allow the offense to function at a high level. (8)

JAMES STARKS – Picked in the sixth round, the former Buffalo star exploded onto the scene at the end of his rookie season and helped lead the Packers to the Super Bowl. He has been unable to build upon that early success due to injuries. (6)

C.J. WILSON – Picked in the seventh round, the former East Carolina star has started 11 games at defensive end, including 7 this season. He works hard and will usually hold his own as a starter, but he’s clearly best-suited for a backup role. (7)

OVERALL: This draft has yet to produce a blue-chip player, but four starters and three backups is nothing to sneeze at. Drafts like this are why the Packers are one of the deepest teams in the league and why they’re able to keep winning games despite so many key injuries. Based on my subjective rating system, this draft averaged out to a grade of 6.36 - which means it was above average. It can be a lot better than that if Bulaga and Burnett take the leap from solid starters to stars in the next two or three years.

Packers Need Upgrade At Fullback

Posted by Michael Rodney at 12:03 am 3 Responses »

Feb 142013

Veteran fullback John Kuhn isn't a very physical lead blocker

Veteran fullback John Kuhn has never been a very physical lead blocker

It’s really easy to complain about the halfbacks and the offensive linemen when it comes to Green Bay’s often anemic ground game, but fullback John Kuhn shouldn’t be given a pass. After watching Baltimore’s Vonta Leach and San Francisco’s Bruce Miller steamroll would-be tacklers in the Super Bowl, it became obvious that general manager Ted Thompson needs to upgrade the position in the offseason.

The 250-pound Kuhn was never a particularly bruising lead blocker, but nowadays he gets in the way of linebackers and safeties more than he actually hits them. That’s not the way to get a ground game going – especially when the O-line consists of players who are clearly better pass protectors than run blockers.

This isn’t to say Kuhn has to be released in the offseason (although he does need to take a pay cut). Even at age 31, he would still have value to the Packers as a backup. The former Shippensburg star was the player coach Mike McCarthy trusted most when it came to protecting franchise quarterback Aaron Rodgers on third down in 2012, and he also threw his body around on numerous special teams units.

Finding a new starting fullback shouldn’t be very difficult. Most of the players at that position, including Kuhn, entered the NFL as either late-round picks or undrafted free agents. And while I’m not suggesting that a new fullback will instantly make Green Bay the 49ers of the Midwest, it would be a move in the right direction.

Ranking The Rookies: Jerel Worthy

Posted by Michael Rodney at 1:45 am 3 Responses »

Feb 122013

Packers needed more plays like this from their rookie defensive end

The Packers needed more plays like this from their rookie defensive lineman

I’ll be ranking the rookies – from least productive to most productive – over the next couple of weeks. Here’s #6:

Story of 2012: Second-round draft pick Jerel Worthy wasn’t terrible, but he was easily the biggest disappointment among all the rookies. Coordinator Dom Capers gave the former Michigan State star every opportunity to make an impact, but his positive plays were few and far between. Worthy has better size and strength than fellow first-year defensive lineman Mike Daniels, but his technique isn’t as good as he doesn’t play as consistently hard. The 22-year-old quickly learned that the NFL isn’t the Big 10.

What to expect in 2013: A torn ACL suffered in week 17 could sideline Worthy for all of next season. At best, he’ll return around Halloween after spending September and October on the Physically Unable to Perform list. The Packers will prepare to play without Worthy and anything they get from him in 2013 would be a bonus. This injury will not only affect the team come the fall, but it will also affect the team this spring. Look for general manager Ted Thompson to select another defensive end fairly high in the draft.

‘Quarlstick’ Could Be Finley’s Replacement

Posted by Michael Rodney at 10:44 pm 15 Responses »

Feb 102013

Young Brandon Bostick could be part of a two-headed monster at tight end in 2013

If the Green Bay Packers decide to part ways with tight end Jermichael Finley, the assumption is that GM Ted Thompson would either sign a replacement in free agency or draft one in April. But I’m not so sure about that. I think Finley’s successor, or should I say successors, might already be on the roster.

The more video I watch from the 2010 and 2011 seasons and the more I study my notes from last summer’s training camp, the more I’m starting to believe that the combination of veteran Andrew Quarless and young Brandon Bostick might be the answer at tight end. Let’s call this player Andron Quarlstick.

Quarless missed all of this past season while recovering from a torn ACL suffered in December 2011, but he’s expected to be fully healthy come July. If so, the former Penn State standout would provide the running game with a tight end capable of whipping a defender at the line of scrimmage – something neither Finley nor Tom Crabtree were able to do on a consistent basis in 2012. Quarless did that time after time prior to his injury. He’s also an adequate receiver, but catching passes wouldn’t be his top priority.

That’s where Bostick would come in. The former college wide receiver spent this past season on the practice squad after flashing intriguing raw potential on the practice field last summer. Bostick wasn’t ready for the NFL then, and there’s no guarantee he’ll be ready in six months, but he certainly has the physical skills needed to catch passes at this level. He runs well (4.6), and unlike D.J. Williams, he seems to have a knack for getting open. Bostick dropped some balls, but that might’ve been a result of thinking too much. He made enough difficult catches look easy to make me believe his hands won’t be an issue.

Would it be a gamble to release Finley and rely on a player coming off a serious injury and a player coming off the practice squad? Of course, but remember, the Packers raced to the Super Bowl in 2010 without a major presence at tight end. That offense was able to score plenty of points by running the ball, protecting the quarterback and relying on its three quality wide receivers. That formula could work again.

Plus, it’s not as if the Packers would be bereft of talent at the position should Finley be sent packing next month. Besides Quarless and Bostick, youngsters Crabtree, Williams and Ryan Taylor would still be around. And the draft is loaded with interesting tight ends who figure to be available on days two and three.

Former GM Likes Walden’s Upside

Posted by Michael Rodney at 3:41 pm 1 Response »

Feb 092013

Former GM Bill Poilan must've missed Erik Walden's performance vs. 49ers

Bill Polian must’ve missed Erik Walden’s awful performance against the 49ers

Former Colts general manager and current ESPN talking head Bill Polian utilizes a tier system to rank the top free agents, and somehow wide receiver Greg Jennings and linebacker Erik Walden wound up in the same class. He considers both to be B Players – “guys he would sign but only if the value made sense.”

According to Polian, who served as a GM for three NFL teams, an A Player is a “guy worth paying big, starter-caliber money” and a C Player is a “guy he’d sign for a low-salary, short-term value, with low bonuses.”

Here’s a bit more from Polian on his three-tier system: “Within each of those groups, there are further considerations, particularly injuries, age and character. The concern with injury is obvious, as that player might never recapture his previous level of performance or even see the field. Age is a concern for anyone older than 26 because a five-year contract would take the player past age 30, a precipice after which players usually decline rapidly. This is a concern for some positions more than others, however, and must account for how much a player has been used to that point. An every-down running back at age 26 might have less tread on his tires than a 28-year-old who has seen limited carries to this point.”

OK, I have absolutely no problem placing Jennings in the middle tier. Pushing 30 and coming off two consecutive injury-plagued seasons, it would be a big risk to pay the two-time Pro Bowler $40 or $50 million (although some desperate/clueless team like the Vikings or the Dolphins may very well do just that).

But putting a journeyman like Walden in the same tier as Jennings is perplexing to say the least. Even more perplexing is what Polian wrote about the five-year vet from Middle Tennessee State: ”He’s an up-and-coming guy. He flies around the field and is tough. He’s well suited to the 3-4, young and with upside.”

I’m guessing Polian must’ve based his opinion on this story and not on actually seeing Walden play. There’s nothing “up-and-coming” about him. He’s been around since 2008 and he’ll be 28 prior to the start of next season. And while he does “fly around the field,” he’d be a lot better off staying home and taking care of his responsibilities. I will agree that he’s tough. Unfortunately, so will his (former?) girlfriend.

I can’t tell you more about Polian’s thoughts on free agency because I refuse to pay for the honor of being an ESPN Insider. This snippet is more than enough to convince me that I’m not missing out on anything.

Finley’s Return Would Not Be ‘Shocking’

Posted by Michael Rodney at 6:01 am 8 Responses »

Feb 082013

The Packers owe tight end Jermichael Finley a hefty roster bonus in March

The Packers owe veteran tight end Jermichael Finley a hefty roster bonus in March

Bob McGinn of the Journal Sentinel opined that Jermichael Finley would not return in 2013 “barring a shocking turn of events in the next month or so.” Well, if one of the country’s most respected football writers was correct in December, then the enigmatic tight end will no longer be a Packer by the middle of March.

Truth be told, there was no shocking turn of events when it came to Finley in the final few months of the season. The 25-year-old simply looked like a guy who suddenly realized that he was on the verge of blowing millions of dollars. So he kept his mouth shut and caught 31 passes in the final 7 games. Good for him, but would that classify as a shocking turn of events? More importantly, is that worth $8 million?

When I re-watched those 7 games, I saw better effort out of Finley, but I also saw a player who really struggled to block and who really struggled to separate from very ordinary safeties and linebackers. The majority of his 31 receptions came in the flat, and many were uncontested. Rarely did Finley make a play down the field. To be fair, Aaron Rodgers missed him a number of times, but that happens to all receivers.

Finley supporters argue that his numbers will never be eye-popping because he has to share the ball with so many other quality receivers. There’s some truth to that, but it’s not all about numbers when it comes to the former Texas star. It’s about making the most of opportunities – something he didn’t do nearly enough in 2012. His Ed West-like yards per catch average (10.9) and measly 2 TDs would attest to that.

So what will happen between now and the middle of March, when Finley is due a $3.5 million roster bonus? Probably nothing. With star wide receiver Greg Jennings on his way out of town, it’s difficult to imagine GM Ted Thompson allowing another weapon – albeit more a pop gun than a cannon – to leave as well.

And if Finley does return for another season, it won’t be due to a shocking turn of events. It’ll be due to his improved performance, his improved attitude, and most importantly, his good fortune to be playing for a team that will be losing its best wide receiver in a few months and has no proven backup plan at tight end.

Packers Add Young Tackle

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

Feb 062013

Packers signed former Rams and Chargers offensive lineman Kevin Hughes

Green Bay signed former Rams and Chargers offensive lineman Kevin Hughes

The Green Bay Packers entered the offseason with only nine healthy offensive linemen on the roster, so it’s no surprise that the front office is already bolstering the position. After flirting with but ultimately not signing CFL star Jovan Olafioye, GM Ted Thompson inked free agent Kevin Hughes on Tuesday.

Hughes entered the league with St. Louis as an undrafted free agent in 2011. The former Southeastern Louisiana star played in three games (44 total snaps) for the Rams as a rookie, but he was released at the conclusion of training camp last August. He ended this past season as a member of the Chargers’ practice squad.

Thanks to NFL Rewind (the best $50 I ever spent), I got a chance to watch Hughes play against the Seahawks in week 11 of the 2011 season. He was brutal with a capital B. Lined up at left tackle, he couldn’t lay a hand on Chris Clemons in pass protection. As a run blocker, he spent more time on all fours than an actress in a porn movie. To be fair, the Rams didn’t expect Hughes to play as a rookie, but injuries to Rodger Saffold and his replacement, Mark LeVior, forced him into the lineup. He wasn’t ready.

I wish I could say that Hughes showed significant improvement in his second season, but I can’t. He struggled at both tackle and guard last summer. While the 24-year-old moves pretty well, he isn’t very big and he isn’t very strong. The lack of size is a problem outside and the lack of strength is a problem inside.

Hughes will probably line up a tackle in Green Bay. With Bryan Bulaga and Derek Sherrod banged up, Marshall Newhouse, Don Barclay and Andrew Datko are the only healthy players at that position on the roster. Based on what I saw on video, I’d be very surprised if Hughes is part of the final 53 come early September, but his decent feet and long arms should give him a chance to compete for a spot on the practice squad.

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?

Ranking The Rookies: Nick Perry

Posted by Michael Rodney at 7:53 am 3 Responses »

Feb 042013

Green Bay's first-round pick played in only six games this season

Green Bay’s first-round draft pick played in only six games before going on IR

I’ll be ranking the rookies – from least productive to most productive – over the next couple of weeks. Here’s #7:

Story of 2012: I actually thought Nick Perry was playing fairly well prior to going on IR with a wrist injury. The former USC star was physical at the point of attack and he was improving as a pass rusher. True, he looked lost in space, but that was to be expected from a rookie who played defensive end in college. Perry is No. 7 on this list because he played in only six games, and he split snaps with Erik Walden in most of them. He probably would’ve been a lot higher had his season not ended in early November.

What to expect in 2013: I expect Perry to make a much bigger impact in 2013. He looks the way a 3-4 outside linebacker is supposed to look, and at times, he played the way a 3-4 outside linebacker is supposed to play. Scouts questioned his intensity, but I didn’t see effort as a major issue – either in camp or during the season. If Perry can expand his repertoire of pass rush moves, he has a chance to be the playmaking partner that Clay Matthews has been missing since he arrived in Green Bay three years ago.

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