Neal » Packer Update

Blueprint For Fixing The Defense

Posted by Michael Rodney at 12:13 am 3 Responses »

Dec 282011

Hawk is having a very disappointing season

Since writing about blueprints seems to be in vogue these days, I’ve decided to write my first post in months on that very subject. But instead of providing a blueprint on how teams can beat the Packers (that would be sacrilegious), I’ll be providing a blueprint on what needs to be done to fix the defense.

1) Draft an impact outside linebacker – I’ve begged for general manager Ted Thompson to upgrade the position opposite Clay Matthews for two years (I still cringe every time Antwan Barnes gets another sack for the Chargers. TT could’ve acquired him for next to nothing on any number of occasions over the past 18 months). Coordinator Dom Capers got by in 2010 with a motley collection of right outside linebackers, but that was only because of Cullen Jenkins. The former Packer and current Eagle was one of the top handful of pass rushing defensive linemen in the league last season and he essentially took the place of a second outside linebacker in passing situations. With Jenkins gone and Mike Neal unable to take his place, the Packers have played with only one legitimate pass rusher all season. And no matter how special Matthews is, that’s simply not enough. So unless Thompson can find a defensive lineman like Jenkins between now and the start of training camp next summer (and those guys are almost as hard to find these days as a Wisconsinite who still loves Brett Favre), he must use one of his first two draft picks on a playmaking outside linebacker.

2) Replace Hawk at inside linebacker - After watching his defense play so well en route to a Super Bowl championship, it came as no surprise when the Packers decided to re-sign A.J. Hawk and send Nick Barnett packing. After all, not only was Hawk one of Thompson’s first draft picks after taking over as GM in Green Bay, but more importantly, the former Ohio State star was coming off his finest season since joining the team in 2006. Unfortunately, the decision has proven to be a mistake – a $36 million mistake. Hawk’s play has clearly regressed. He’s only 27, but he appears to have lost a half step – a half step he couldn’t afford to lose. Even worse, he seems content to arm tackle rather than take on running backs and tight ends. As for Barnett, he hasn’t been a world beater in Buffalo, but he’s having a better season than Hawk. And while I didn’t criticize Thompson then and I won’t criticize him now for choosing Hawk, he has to admit his mistake and rectify things in the offseason. A tougher and more athletic inside linebacker must be found to pair with Desmond Bishop in 2012, and if that player is not on the current 53-man roster (maybe rookie D.J. Smith), then it’s up to Thompson to go out and get him.

3) Upgrade at safety – Regardless of whether Nick Collins returns in 2012 (I’d be shocked if he ever plays again), the Packers must add a quality safety in the offseason. Charlie Peprah obviously can’t be a starter next season, and truth be told, he shouldn’t even be third on the depth chart when training camp opens. The former Alabama star has been forced to start 24 games since October 2010, and that’s about 20 games too many. Capers was able to hide Peprah’s glaring lack of athleticism in 2010, but that hasn’t been the case this season. The difference? A year ago, the pass rush was consistently strong and Collins was playing at his usual Pro Bowl level. This year, the pass rush has been anemic and Collins has been replaced by struggling second-year pro Morgan Burnett. That leaves Peprah as an easy target for opposing offensive coordinators, who must spend the work week salivating over the chance to isolate a tight end, or god forbid, a wide receiver, on the slow-footed journeyman. I don’t know if Collins’ potential replacement is currently on the roster (maybe Charles Woodson), but I do know it’s up to Thompson to make sure the defense won’t have to turn to Peprah for a third time in 2012.

4) Draft at least one defensive end – The Packers can’t count on Neal to be the player he was prior to suffering serious shoulder and knee injuries and Howard Green, C.J. Wilson and Jarius Wynn have all proven to be – at best – deep reserves. Thompson needs to overhaul this group. While Green has the size to play in a 3-4, he’ll be 33 in a couple of weeks. Wilson and Wynn are both under 300 pounds, and neither has the physical ability to overcome their lack of bulk. There are a number of reasons why the run defense has been so porous this season, but one of the biggest is not a having a capable third lineman to play alongside B.J. Raji and Ryan Pickett. Johnny Jolly filled that role ideally in 2009 and Jenkins, while certainly no run stuffer, held his own a year ago. Thompson needs to find a player who can at least hold his own in 2012. Fortunately, those players are often available in the middle rounds of the draft.

5) Get veterans to play better – The final step in my plan to fix the defense isn’t up to Thompson, it’s up to the coaching staff and the players already on the roster. More specifically, Raji and cornerbacks Tramon Williams and Sam Shields simply have to play better in 2012. All three took a step back this season. Raji might’ve been the most disruptive interior defensive lineman in the league late last year and throughout the playoffs. Not only was he fairly stout at the point of attack, but he was making tackles for losses and getting consistent pressure on the quarterback. His relative lack of success as a pass rusher this season can probably be explained away by the loss of Jenkins and by having to play too many snaps. But his struggles against the run cannot be as easily excused. No player with his size, strength and athleticism should ever be pushed around as often as he’s been pushed around this season. As for Williams and Shields, neither is playing nearly as well as he did 10 months ago. The former deserves a lot of credit for playing through a painful shoulder injury, but he’s been healthy for the past month or so and he still hasn’t retuned to his previous form. The latter has steadily improved in coverage throughout the season, but his tackling has been pathetic. Capers fully expected these three players to be stars this season. Unfortunately, like the defense as a whole, they’ve come up short.

So there’s my five-step plan for fixing the defense (by the way, it also wouldn’t hurt to add another cornerback). Needless to say, I’m expecting Thompson to focus on defense in next April’s draft. The good news is that improving the defense in 2012 shouldn’t be a Herculean task. A few shrewd draft choices and the return to form of a few veterans is all it should take. The even better news is that the Packers, even with a defense that has more holes in it than a piece of Swiss cheese, are currently 14-1 and in great position to win their second consecutive Super Bowl. Hey, ain’t it a great time to be a fan?!

POSTCARD FROM TRAINING CAMP

Posted by Michael Rodney at 10:27 am 4 Responses »

Aug 082011

Starks is battling Grant for the starting halfback job

The one thing I’ve learned from watching Matt Flynn the past four summers is that he will always play better than he practices. Aaron Rodgers‘ backup is off to another relatively slow start, but there’s no reason to be concerned. He’ll find a way to move the offense as soon as the opposition is wearing different colored uniforms. I didn’t see what the coaches saw in Graham Harrell last summer and I still don’t see it. His arm is weak and his accuracy is average at best. The lockout is the only argument I can make for keeping him around. At least he knows the system.

I used to think James Starks looked like a poor man’s Eric Dickerson, but now I’m tempted to remove the words poor and man. That’s how terrific he’s looked in training camp. The playoff sensation is running with great power and decisiveness. While Ryan Grant appears fully recovered from the ankle injury that ended his 2010 season, he simply doesn’t possess Starks’ physical ability. The former 1,200 yard rusher may be the nominal starter when the Saints come to Lambeau, but I can’t imagine him getting the bulk of the carries. Rookie Alex Green hasn’t done much through the first week of practices.

Jermichael Finley is an absolute freak. His height, athletic ability and soft hands make him almost impossible to defend. He’s almost toying with the poor souls who are assigned to cover him. Barring injury or stupidity, there’s no way I can imagine general manager Ted Thompson letting this guy get away. Prior to Finley’s return to the practice field, the most impressive tight end was seventh-round pick Ryan Taylor. He isn’t as savvy a route runner as fellow rookie D.J. Williams or as strong a blocker as Tom Crabtree, but he’s a more complete player. He has a good chance of making the team.

The coaches are giving the young receivers plenty of snaps, and a few of them have taken advantage of the heavy workload. Second-round pick Randall Cobb has looked terrific. His incredible quickness makes him stand out from the crowd. I realize the Packers have the best quartet of veteran receivers in the league, but coach Mike McCarthy will find ways to get Cobb on the field. Count on it. If the team wasn’t so deep at this position, either Chastin West or Shaky Smithson would have a legitimate chance to stick. West isn’t flashy, but he runs good routes and catches almost everything. Smithson is a quick as a hiccup return specialist with enough raw skills to eventually develop into a useful NFL receiver.

Bryan Bulaga looks like the player ready to take the biggest leap from season one to season two. He’s so much more confident than he was a year ago. And why not? He now has 16 starts under his belt, and more importantly, the coaches are no longer asking him to learn multiple positions. First-round pick Derek Sherrod has struggled at left guard after spending his entire college career at tackle. Veteran T.J. Lang has been more impressive, but it’s early. If Sherrod doesn’t start, he might find himself backing up Bulaga. That’s because Marshall Newhouse will be hard to supplant as Chad Clifton‘s understudy. The quick-footed youngster been one of the most improved players in camp. I was surprised when Nick McDonald made the team last summer. I didn’t see anything to get excited about – and I still don’t. Right now, journeyman Evan Dietrich-Smith is the second-best center on the roster.

Anyone waiting for C.J. Wilson to flash big-time pass rushing skills had better get a chair. It’s going to be a very long wait. He’s not athletic enough to beat quality offensive linemen on a consistent basis. On the other hand, Jarius Wynn just might be. The undersized three-year veteran is enjoying his finest camp. He looks quicker than before and he seems to have added to his repertoire of moves. If he continues to improve, there will be a place for him on the final roster. Mike Neal has only practiced sparingly, but it doesn’t take long to see his potential. Assuming he can stay healthy, he’ll be a more than adequate replacement for Cullen Jenkins. Ryan Pickett and Howard Green look more like sumo wrestlers than defensive linemen, but extra pounds won’t be an issue as long as they can shut down the run.

Erik Walden has taken the early lead in the battle to start opposite Clay Matthews. The former street free agent is playing more like a high draft choice. He looks bigger, stronger and more explosive than he did last season. Frank Zombo and Brad Jones have been OK, but neither has flashed nearly as often as Walden. Sixth-round pick Ricky Elmore was a productive pass rusher in college, but he hasn’t gotten many sniffs of the quarterback yet. In fact, undrafted free agent Jamari Lattimore has probably been more impressive. He needs to get stronger, but he runs well and seems to pack a punch. Depth at inside linebacker is still a concern, but it isn’t quite as big a concern thanks to Robert Francois. The third-year player is much-improved now that he’s taking all of his snaps at one position. He isn’t a big hitter. but he’s smart and fairly athletic. Not surprisingly, sixth-round pick D.J. Smith is still thinking too much.

Davon House and Brandon Underwood were both enjoying solid camps before suffering injuries. The former was making a strong push to be the No. 4 corner and the latter was showing real promise at safety. Veteran Jarrett Bush is covering like a blanket so far, but I’m not getting carried away. He typically plays better in practice than he does in games. Sam Shields was the talk of camp at this time a year ago, but he’s been pretty unspectacular so far. He doesn’t seem to be playing with the same sense of urgency. I’m not worried, but it’s something to keep an eye on. There probably won’t be room for Josh Gordy, but he can play corner in this league. Morgan Burnett has been up-and-down in his return from knee surgery, but his potential is obvious. He has superior range. Brandion Ross and Anthony Levine are talented small-school players who don’t seem to be intimidated by the bright lights.

Mason Crosby is off to another slow start, but he’ll be OK. Tim Masthay, on the other hand, looks terrific. It’s amazing how much better he’s gotten since last summer. Cobb has a chance to be the team’s best returner since Allen Rossum. Under-appreciated long snapper Brett Goode is almost automatic.

-Special thanks to contributor Mike Tahan, who has been covering training camp for Packer Update. Mike wrote this post – all I had to do was edit his shaky spelling and atrocious grammar!

Neal’s off to an encouraging start

Posted by Michael Rodney at 10:44 am 3 Responses »

Aug 212010

Rookie is off to a good start

For whatever it’s worth, Mike Neal has made a better first impression with the Packers than did either Justin Harrell in 2007 or B.J. Raji a year ago. The rookie from Purdue is nearly as strong as the two much bigger former No. 1 picks and he’s unquestionably a lot quicker. So why was Neal still available late in the second round? Because for all of his physical skills – which include doing 31 reps and running 4.86 at the Combine – he was very rarely a dominant player in college. He was good, but players with his size, strength and athleticism are expected to be great at that level. And when they aren’t, general managers tend to worry.

The two most common criticisms of Neal prior to the draft were his inconsistent effort and his tendency to get blown off the ball by double teams, but neither has been the case in Green Bay. His energy level has been terrific and he’s more than held his own at the point of attack – even while learning a new position.

Here’s a play-by-play breakdown of Neal’s performance in last week’s preseason opener against the Browns:

Pass/Provided very little push against LG
Run/Slow off block on run up middle
Pass/Pushed LG into QB
Run/Play went wide right – away from him
Pass/Minimal push on 3-step drop
Pass/Decent push vs. LG on quick slant
Pass/One of 2 DL on 3rd & long; battled hard vs. 2 blockers
Run/Held his ground vs. double team on play away from him
Pass/Decent pressure vs LT. Was close to QB
Pass/One of 2 DL on 3rd & long; good pressure forced QB to scramble
Pass/QB threw on 1-step drop
Run/Blocked to the ground on short run up middle
Pass/Great job of sniffing out screen; hustled to make tackle
Pass/One of 2 DL; made minimal headway vs. LG
Run/Walled off on short run up middle
Pass/One of 2 DL; tried spin move, but got nowhere
Run/Blocked to his knee on short gain up middle
Run/Wasn’t able to disengage on wide run to his side
Pass/Just a fraction late getting off block; QB scrambled by him
Run/Held his ground vs. double team; play lost 5 yds.
Pass/ Dropped into coverage; looked nimble and alert
Pass/Only DL on 3rd & long; slipped niftly between two blockers
Pass/Minimal push on three-step drop
Run/QB scrambles away from him on busted play
Run/Held the point on short run up middle
Pass/Pushed the LG back about 5 yds; forced QB to unload early

Neal had more positive plays than negative ones against Cleveland, and that’s all you can ask of a rookie who had never lined up at defensive end in a 3-4 prior to three-and-a-half months ago. So which plays were most impressive? Ironically, they were the only two that didn’t require him to shed a block or cave the pocket. The first came on snap 13, when he not only recognized that a screen pass was coming but he was able to chase down the receiver just short of a first down. Not many rookies would be so instinctive, and even fewer would have the athletic ability to finish the play. The second came on snap 21, when he was asked to drop into coverage. Not only did the 295-pound Neal move like a player 30 or 40 pounds lighter, but he actually looked surprisingly comfortable in space.

It would be crazy to get overly excited about any rookie based on 20 practices and 26 snaps in a meaningless preseason game. And truth be told, Neal hasn’t been great in training camp and he wasn’t great last Saturday. But there’s just something about the young man that makes you believe he’s going to be a very solid player. General manager Ted Thompson has already struck gold with Nick Collins and Greg Jennings – two other surprising second-round picks. He might’ve just done it again.

Young DEs need to grow up fast

Posted by Michael Rodney at 10:12 am 6 Responses »

Jul 202010

Without Jolly, second-round pick Neal needs to contribute right away

With Johnny Jolly suspended for the season, converted nose tackle Ryan Pickett will likely move into the starting lineup at left defensive end. As far as depth is concerned, the Packers have four intriguing young players on the roster, but only one of them has started a game in the NFL. Here’s a brief look at the contenders for the backup jobs at end:

Justin Harrell – Chosen 16th overall in the 2007 draft, the former Tennessee star has missed 35 games in three seasons, including all 16 a year ago. He isn’t as big or as athletic as Jolly, but he’s every bit as strong. If – and it’s a gigantic if – his balky back holds up, he should be a more than adequate backup with the potential to eventually supplant Pickett in the starting lineup.

Mike Neal – Drafted 56th overall in April, Neal arrived in Green Bay with no experience playing outside – either in a 3-4 or a 4-3. And while he worked exclusively at end in the mini-camps and OTAs, he never looked completely comfortable. Jolly made a similar transition look easy, but it’s not. Neal has plenty of talent, but as is the case with most rookies – especially the ones being asked to change positions – he figures to be a lot better in November than he is in September.

C.J. Wilson – Wasn’t drafted until the seventh round because he’s not an ideal fit at any one position. What he is, however, is a good football player. Wilson looked more comfortable than Neal during the spring. This isn’t all that surprising since he lined up at defensive end in college – albeit in a 4-3 scheme. He’s a bit undersized and a little stiff, but he’s powerful and plays with outstanding balance – traits that should serve him well in the NFL.

Jarius Wynn – Had four tackles in 11 games after being selected in the fifth round of the ‘09 draft. He showed some potential last summer, but his lack of size was a problem once the regular season started. At just over 270 pounds, he got knocked around like pinball way too often. Wynn is up to 285 now, but it remains to be seen whether he can maintain that weight. If he can, there’s a chance he could surprise.

Another young defensive end to keep an eye on is Ronald Talley, who spent his entire rookie year on the practice squad. The former Delaware star did some positive things last summer and seemed poised to make a strong run at a roster spot in 2010. Unfortunately, a knee injury sidelined him for the entire off-season, so he’ll have an even bigger hill to climb come August.

Shhh…here’s what we’re hearing

Posted by Michael Rodney at 6:18 pm 5 Responses »

Jul 092010

The Packers drafted Mike Neal in the second round because he was the highest-rated player on their board and not because of the situation surrounding Johnny Jolly. In fact, up until about six weeks ago, the team was fairly confident that the troubled defensive end would be available for most if not all of the upcoming season….. Scot McCloughan chose to work for the Seahawks because he wanted to be closer to his kids. All things being equal, the ex-49ers GM would’ve preferred coming to Green Bay. He would’ve had far more input under Ted Thompson than he’ll have under GM ~~Pete Carroll~~ John Schneider in Seattle….. We continue to hear that Charles Woodson did in fact approach the Packers about his contract a few months ago. The All-Pro cornerback didn’t make any threats and the two sides apparently agreed to continue talking at a later date….. Third-string quarterback Graham Harrell looked OK at the recent mini-camp, but we’ve yet to find a single scout who thinks the former Texas Tech star has a future in the NFL….. A person very close to the Penn State football program told us that rookie tight end Andrew Quarless was “not the hardest worker in college” and that’s what really got under the skin of legendary coach Joe Paterno - even more than the multiple arrests….. And finally, tackle Mark Tauscher looks at least five years younger than he did at the end of last season. That’s what a healthy offseason and another six months removed from major knee surgery can do for a veteran player.

DRAFT’S OVER, BUT QUESTIONS REMAIN

Posted by Michael Rodney at 10:45 am No Responses »

Apr 252010

TALENTED TIGHT END

The Packers entered the draft with four major needs, and it’s safe to say that Ted Thompson filled two of them by drafting tackle Bryan Bulaga and safety Morgan Burnett. And while a number of cornerbacks and outside linebackers figure to be signed as undrafted free agents in the next few days, it’s fair to say that those two positions are every bit as troublesome now as they were three months ago. We wrote on Saturday about how much faith the organization has in Brad Jones, Pat Lee and Brandon Underwood, and after pretty much standing pat at corner and outside linebacker, they had better be right.

The following is a brief analysis of the last two days from the perspective of a former scout:

DE Mike Neal (Purdue): “He has great natural talent, but he’s very inconsistent – and not just from week to week. He’s inconsistent from series to series. I liked him more as a 3-4 end than I did as a 4-3 tackle. I think he’ll do well in Green Bay under an excellent position coach [Mike Trgovac] and as part of a strong rotation.”

S Morgan Burnett (Georgia Tech): “He had 14 picks in college, but he also gave up a lot of big plays by gambling too much in coverage. He can be overaggressive mirroring the quarterback, especially outside the pocket, and abandon his responsibilities. That has to stop in the NFL, and I think it will. He’s a bright kid and he’ll be coached in Green Bay by one of the best in the business [Darren Perry]. It would be a mild surprise if he doesn’t replace Atari Bigby at some point next season.”

TE Andrew Quarless (Penn State): “I wasn’t surprised that Thompson drafted a tight end, but I was surprised at which tight end he drafted. Mike McCarthy loves tight ends and Quarless is much more talented than Donald Lee and Spencer Havner. But the kid had all kinds of trouble off-the-field at Penn State and you have to wonder how he’ll react to the freedom and the money that the NFL affords a young person.”

OL Marshall Newhouse (TCU): “He won’t help right away, but unlike some other mid-round offensive lineman taken by the Packers in recent years, this young man has a lot of potential. He has good size and quick feet. Give him a year or two to work on his body and learn the pro game and he might be a pretty nice player down the road.”

RB James Starks (Buffalo): “He might’ve been drafted on Friday had he not missed his senior season with a shoulder injury. Similar size-wise to Ryan Grant, but he’s a little niftier as a runner and much better as a receiver. He couldn’t stay on the field in college and his height and upright running style will make durability a major issue at the next level. If he can stay healthy, he’ll wind up being a steal.”

DE C.J. Wilson (East Carolina): “He doesn’t have the physical skills of Neal, but he was a better football player in college. He’s stout against the run and not a bad pass rusher. I know he was picked five rounds lower than Neal, but I don’t think there’s that big of a difference between the two players.”

OVERVIEW: “I’m surprised that Thompson didn’t draft an outside linebacker and a cornerback, but it looks like he really committed to taking the best available player. I guess a GM can do that when he’s coming off an 11-win season and when he has faith in his coaches. We’ll see. If Green Bay still can’t rush the passer or cover receivers next January, then it’ll be fair to criticize this draft. Until then, I kind of like what the Packers did. They added two big bodies early, a playmaker in the middle and a number of talented prospects late.”