Mike Daniels » Packer Update

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 Come Up Short At End

Posted by Michael Rodney at 8:10 am 11 Responses »

Jan 222013

At 6’4 and 325 pounds, Johnny Jolly looked and played like a 3-4 defensive end

Johnny Jolly hasn’t played a game for the Packers since January 2010, but his absence on the D-line is still being felt. That’s because GM Ted Thompson hasn’t drafted or signed a legitimate 3-4 end in the past three offseasons. To be fair, he did draft Lawrence Guy in 2011 and he did sign Phillip Merling as a free agent last spring, but both players were long shots to stick on the 53-man roster, and ultimately neither did.

The average starting 3-4 defensive end in 2011 stood 6’3 1/4 and weighed 319 pounds. I’m familiar with the numbers because I wrote about this very subject back then (for some reason, it took most of the local media another two years to even address the issue). The current ends on the Packers average 6’2 and 304.

An end in a 3-4 defense has two main responsibilities – stuff the run and disrupt passing lanes. That’s what Aaron Smith did for a dozen years in Pittsburgh; it’s what Haloti Ngata has done for seven years in Baltimore; it’s what Jolly did in Green Bay in ’09; and it’s what none of the current ends are capable of doing.

B.J. Raji and Ryan Pickett have the bulk to stop the run, but neither has the length nor the leaping ability to disrupt passing lanes. Mike Neal has the length and the athleticism needed to bat down the occasional pass, but he can’t hold up versus the run. Jerel Worthy and Mike Daniels are ill-equipped to do either.

The closest thing the current defense has to a legitimate 3-4 end is C.J. Wilson, who stands 6’3 and weighs about 300 pounds. But even he’s a bit undersized, and to be perfectly honest, he’s not very talented.

The current roster is filled with defensive linemen built to play in a 4-3, but forced to line up in a 3-4. It isn’t working. It’s time for Thompson to finally address the problem. Jolly isn’t walking through the door. And you want to know what’s really sad? If he did, he’d immediately be the best defensive end on the team.

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.

Durability The Question With Daniels

Posted by Michael Rodney at 8:15 pm 2 Responses »

Jul 312012

Rookie defensive lineman Mike Daniels left Tuesday’s practice with an injury

While it’s probably unfair to compare Mike Daniels to Mike Neal, that won’t stop some fans from making the analogy after the rookie from Iowa left Tuesday’s practice with a groin and/or knee injury. Neal has played in only 10 games since joining the Packers in 2010. Daniels, whose durability was questioned by scouts prior to the draft, lasted less than three padded practices before being forced to the sideline.

Hopefully, Daniels’ injury is minor and he’ll be back practicing shortly. The undersized defensive end was off to a very good start in training camp. His quickness and relentless motor have made him tough to block. Then again, few questioned his ability to play. Most of the questions surrounded his ability to stay healthy.

“Durability needs to be considered – is not built to withstand a 16-week pounding and has been dinged up, including multiple concussions,” wrote Pro Football Weekly’s Nolan Nawrocki.

Coordinator Dom Capers doesn’t plan on playing Daniels more than 25 snaps a game, so the wear and tear on his body should be minimized. Still, he’s coming into the league with a history of injuries and he’ll be facing offensive linemen who outweigh him by 20 to 50 pounds on a weekly basis. That combo hasn’t worked out well for Neal so far. The Packers are hoping that history doesn’t repeat itself with Daniels.

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.

D-line Still Comes Up Short In Base

Posted by Michael Rodney at 7:41 am 18 Responses »

May 102012

Rookie Worthy is another undersized defensive end

Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Anthony Hargrove for 8 games last week for his part in the Saints bounty scandal, and just like that the Packers are in danger of lacking sufficient depth on the defensive line for the second year in a row. As of now, Ryan Pickett, B.J. Raji and second-round pick Jerel Worthy figure to be the starters when the season opens in September, with C.J. Wilson, Jarius Wynn, Daniel Muir, Lawrence Guy, Johnny Jones and fourth-round pick Mike Daniels fighting for backup spots.

That’s not exactly a plethora of talent. So unless one or two of the young returnees make great strides in the next few months, general manager Ted Thompson would be wise to get on the phone and see if he can procure a proven veteran to, at the very least, help out until either Mike Neal returns from his own suspension (for PEDs) in week 5 or until Hargrove re-emerges sometime in November. If not, we could be in store for more Wynn and Wilson in 2012.

Besides a lack of depth, there’s one other thing that sticks out about the current group of defensive linemen. Besides Guy and Jones – neither of whom was on the active roster for a single game in 2011 – there’s not a legitimate 3-4 end to be found. In fact, the last legitimate 3-4 end to play for the Packers was Johnny Jolly. The former Texas A&M star and current inmate had the prototypical size (6’4, 325) and power to do what 3-4 ends are supposed to do – stuff the run and disrupt passing lanes. Remember how tough it was to move the ball on the ground against the defense in ’09? Remember how many balls were batted down at the line of scrimmage? A lot of that was due to Jolly’s presence.

Raji and Worthy would make a great 1-2 punch at tackle in a 4-3, but I don’t love either one at end in a 3-4. Raji’s best season as a pro came in 2010, which was not coincidentally the one season he played nose tackle. The further he gets away from the football, the less effective he becomes. As for Worthy, his struggles with double teams and penchant for wearing down will only be exacerbated at end. Wilson, Wynn and Daniels are also better suited to play tackle in a 4-3.

Thompson could’ve added a more prototypical 3-4 end in round two, but he chose Worthy over Devon Still, the former Penn State standout who stands nearly three inches taller and played the run far more consistently in college. But Still isn’t much of a pass rusher, and after watching Wynn, Wilson, an overused Raji and an injured Neal feebly attempt to rush the QB in 2011, it’s obvious Thompson’s No. 1 priority this offseason was to add players who could create pressure in obvious passing situations. Worthy and Daniels should be able to do just that. Thompson couldn’t solve all the problems on defense in one offseason. Ideally, he’ll be able to beef up the base with the 32nd pick next April.

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.

Daniels Should Make Quick Impact

Posted by Michael Rodney at 5:04 pm 7 Responses »

Apr 282012

Small defensive lineman has big potential as a pass rusher

Watch Mike Daniels play against Oklahoma in last December’s Insight Bowl and you’ll immediately know why GM Ted Thompson spent a fourth-round pick on a defensive lineman who will probably never see more than 30 snaps in a game. The former Iowa star won’t be a starter because he’s too short (6’0) to play end in a 3-4 and too light (290) to play nose tackle. What he will be, however, is a disruptive pass rusher. And that’s why he could be to the Packers what Steve Kerr was to the Bulls in the 1980s – a specialist who helped turn an already great team into a dynasty.

I became enamored with Daniels while watching him dominate the Sooners. He was far and away the best defensive player on the field that night, but I never considered him as a possibility for the Packers because of his size. That was my mistake – and it’s why I’m not a GM. Thompson always talks about drafting good players regardless of where they project in the National Football League. By selecting Daniels, he put his money (or in this case, the team’s money), where his mouth is.

Daniels ran an eye-opening 4.86 at the NFL Combine in February, but he’s not just extremely fast for a player his size. He also has a lightning quick first step and natural explosion. That, along with a non-stop motor, is what should make him an effective pass rusher at the next level. One scout compared him to Drake Nevis, who was drafted out of LSU in the third round by the Indianapolis Colts a year ago. I can see the similarities. Both players were very productive at big-time colleges, both players are very quick and both players were devalued by scouts because of their size. However, I see Daniels as a better overall prospect. He’s slightly more athletic and he’s more explosive.

So why was such a talented prospect still available at the end of the fourth round? There are two main reasons. The first is his lack of size and strength. He’s simply not big or strong enough to start in a 3-4, and over half the teams in the league are currently using that scheme. This obviously didn’t dissuade Thompson, but most general managers wouldn’t be willing to use a pick that high on a part-time player. And as any regular person knows, the smaller the group of prospective employers, the smaller the chance of getting a job. The other reason is his history of injuries. Daniels suffered a number of concussions while at Iowa and he underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum after the bowl game.

With Daniels, second-round pick Jerel Worthy, free agent Anthony Hargrove and holdover B.J. Raji, the defense should be able to generate consistent pressure up the middle in 2012. That didn’t happen last season when Jarius Wynn, C.J. Wilson and Mike Neal all struggled to get within five feet of the quarterback. This new foursome may not be fearsome, but it should be pretty good. And if first-round pick Nick Perry plays up to his enormous potential at outside linebacker, the days of quarterbacks sitting in the pocket all day and picking apart the secondary should be over. That’s why the only people more pumped-up about this pick than me are named Woodson, Williams and Shields.