Packers 2020 team discussion

[LouisEly]

Again, 10 draft picks, no obvious real major pressing "needs" so BPA for me at OT/DL/CB, and if there is a WR'er who can help, throw them in there. Then likely 2-4ths, 2-5ths and 2-6ths, though possibly 3 picks in the 4th round when comp picks are officially awarded.

That's pretty much where I'm at. There is one other position that I wouldn't be surprised if they draft a guy on day 2 and that is OLB, assuming that Preston Smith is a cap casualty. If he's gone, they have no depth. I'm looking at Cincinnati's Mijay Sanders, if he's still available in round 3.

 

Assuming that Kirksey is also a cap casualty and that Oren Burks is running out of time, an ILB on day 3 would be a good investment. I don't think they bring back Josh Jackson at $2M to sit on the bench if the cap goes down; I think they double up at CB with one in rounds 1-3 and then another in rounds 5-7.

 

Unfortunately, this looks to be a lean year for DL. Barmore is more of a run-stuffer, and you can find those guys later in the draft. Not many 3-4 DL types projected to go in the top three rounds; lots of undersized guys this year.

[SomewhereInTime]

I don't think enough people realize just how bad the special teams really were. They had a kicker that literally made every single field goal all season including playoffs and yet they still ranked near the bottom in special teams overall. They were the worst team at punt return, likely the worst punt team giving up two touchdowns and a blocked punt this year, terrible on kickoff, kick return, and I can't even remember the last time they blocked a field goal.

[yourout]

I don't think enough people realize just how bad the special teams really were. They had a kicker that literally made every single field goal all season including playoffs and yet they still ranked near the bottom in special teams overall. They were the worst team at punt return, likely the worst punt team giving up two touchdowns and a blocked punt this year, terrible on kickoff, kick return, and I can't even remember the last time they blocked a field goal.

 

+1... If not for Crosby they would have lapped the field in the sucky department.

[HiAndTight]

Again, 10 draft picks, no obvious real major pressing "needs" so BPA for me at OT/DL/CB, and if there is a WR'er who can help, throw them in there. Then likely 2-4ths, 2-5ths and 2-6ths, though possibly 3 picks in the 4th round when comp picks are officially awarded.

That's pretty much where I'm at. There is one other position that I wouldn't be surprised if they draft a guy on day 2 and that is OLB, assuming that Preston Smith is a cap casualty. If he's gone, they have no depth. I'm looking at Cincinnati's Mijay Sanders, if he's still available in round 3.

 

Assuming that Kirksey is also a cap casualty and that Oren Burks is running out of time, an ILB on day 3 would be a good investment. I don't think they bring back Josh Jackson at $2M to sit on the bench if the cap goes down; I think they double up at CB with one in rounds 1-3 and then another in rounds 5-7.

 

Unfortunately, this looks to be a lean year for DL. Barmore is more of a run-stuffer, and you can find those guys later in the draft. Not many 3-4 DL types projected to go in the top three rounds; lots of undersized guys this year.

 

He's young though and if he went back for another year, I think he'd be a top 10 pick. He's explosive and has a really violent first step. But you'd be hoping he could develop on the fly. Which may not be a bad thing, but I think he will be a really good pass rusher relative to his position as he develops. He can definitely get into the backfield.

 

But I think we're pretty much in agreement. Focus first on shoring up the pass rush and stopping the pass rush and then address other positions as the board dictates.

 

I'm really kinda lost on what to do with Preston Smith. Ideally, I'd like to see them keep him and still draft a guy who can replace him. If he can get back to how he played last year and Gary takes another step, we could really develop a dominant pass rush. If you add another threat on the DL and you bring back Keke, that's a pretty dominant front. I realize there are a lot of if's in there, but that's all we have right now. Guessing, projecting, and anything to forget that we should but won't be playing in a week and a half.

 

 

As for Oren Burks, I guess I might bring him back as he was one of the few guys I thought played well on STs, but you can't count on anything else out of him. He's Josh Jones basically. Also, time to admit that Raven Green is just not durable enough. No fault of his own, he's tough, but he's just not that nickel LB'er we need.

 

So I'd prefer a safety-LB'er hybrid. A Jeremy Chinn type(who was taken one pick after Dillon).

 

At CB, it'd seem like they'd move on from Jackson. They didn't think he was worthy of playing at all vs Tampa. King was awful, but I don't know how much of that was the injury. I'd be fine with bringing him back as he is at least the type of guy you don't mind opposite of Alexander, a bigger ball hawk type. But he'd have to be cheap and I agree, they should still double up. Pass rushers, corners...you're really never set at either.

 

With the extra picks and the ability to trade comp picks, if there's someone they think can start in as a rookie, I definitely wouldn't be against them being aggressive again and trying to move up. It's worked with Alexander and Savage, but you're usually chasing Corners at the end of the 1st.

[brewcrewdue80]

This next draft GB had better find a Randall Cobb type Kick-Punt returner smaller bodied slot type WR. Is Cobb the last flashy KR GB had? May want to announce this because who in their right mind would want to take GBs Special Teams Coach opening?

I don't pay attention to all who's on the field during kickoffs or punts but that right there hasn't had that "guy" who seems to make big tackles for awhile to. I guess when you have more passing TDs than punts it's easy to not have one on punts. But we did lead the league in offense and I couldn't name one for kickoffs.

[CheezWizHed]

I agree on the WR that can be a PR/KR, but don't think we need to specify the body type. Cordarrelle Patterson is one of the best KR/PRs in the league (though terrible WR) in a big body type. I get the feeling that the Packers tend to avoid the smaller WRs for run blocking reasons.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

MVS is 6'4, Lazard is 6'5, Funchess is 6'4. A shifty slot WR like Tavon Austin but without the fumblitis would look nice.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

Watson has predictably asked out of HOU with Watt almost sure to follow eventually and make that public/official.

[PeaveyFury]

Is there any actual speculation out there as to what it would cost to acquire Watt? You'd HAVE to think the Packers would have an interest depending on price...

[OldSchoolSnapper]

The Athletic did an article on that exact thing yesterday but it's paywalled obviously. I don't think any team will give up a 1st. Given that the Packers pick late, #62 would be my guess, maybe #62 and a 4th or something and even that sounds hefty to me. If they're interested there's no way they can't find a way to do that. It's one season with a $17 million cap hit.

 

I would not be totally shocked if it ends just being a 3rd. All it takes is one other team to raise the price and I can't believe there would be fewer than 5 teams interested in a dice roll on Watt. Of course he wants to go to a winner, so the teams are limited.

 

I'd guess it's unlikely because it's just not the sort of thing the Packers do. I won't blame them if they'd rather stay away, but it's one of those moves that if it works...and you get one great 8-game stretch, he can be a difference maker. I'd be tempted to really limit his snap count until later in the year.

[homer]

Packers promoting Maurice Drayton to special teams coordinator.

[adambr2]

Meh...don't know anything about the guy but it doesn't really seem like a great situation for an in-house promotion. If he had any insights to offer to improve our coverage and return units I would have liked to see it the last two seasons.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Meh...don't know anything about the guy but it doesn't really seem like a great situation for an in-house promotion. If he had any insights to offer to improve our coverage and return units I would have liked to see it the last two seasons.

 

I get that argument, but he was very well thought-of as the assistant ST coordinator with the Colts, and was actually the runner-up to Menninga for the Packers job a couple years ago. Colts had very good special teams units while he was there.

[PeaveyFury]

It's one season with a $17 million cap hit.

 

Probably won't even be that. They'd sign him to a small extension and turn that $17 million into $2 million next year and a $15mil bonus to spread out over 3 years.

 

I'd guess it's unlikely because it's just not the sort of thing the Packers do.

 

This is probably accurate. He's no guarantee to stay on the field based on recent history, but he's a mighty good bet to replace a stiff like Lowry and produce much higher. When you factor in that a Lowry cut would save them $3.3 million in cap space, it effectively takes Watt's salary down to $14 million just from that....

[OldSchoolSnapper]

Is there a big trick to ST besides run down the field and converge, and block and make a wedge? I think it's more players than 'scheme' but someone's head has to roll. I always thought the challenge of ST is that you're usually dealing with borderline roster types, undrafted FAs, etc. And the job is really getting the most out of marginally talented players. Could be someone with a knack for motivating younger players and just hasn't had the opportunity yet.

[yourout]

Meh...don't know anything about the guy but it doesn't really seem like a great situation for an in-house promotion. If he had any insights to offer to improve our coverage and return units I would have liked to see it the last two seasons.

 

I get that argument, but he was very well thought-of as the assistant ST coordinator with the Colts, and was actually the runner-up to Menninga for the Packers job a couple years ago. Colts had very good special teams units while he was there.

 

And he's had a great example of how NOT to do things with special teams.

[OldHeidelberg]

Biggest Packer playoff coaching blunder ever, Sherman punts on 4th and 1 or Pettine's single high man coverage on hail mary? Is there another candidate?

 

 

I have to think Pettine won't be back, I mean without being bound by a contract does even he want to come back with that play behind him? Fans will never forget that.

[OldSchoolSnapper]

Pettine by far. You can still blame the players for giving up points after a punt. I guess you can still directly blame King, but Pettine directly gave up points.

[CheezWizHed]

4th and 26 still looms pretty large in my book.

[OldHeidelberg]

4th and 26 still looms pretty large in my book.

 

Was that a coaching blunder or just bad defense? I was so steamed about 4th and 1 the rest of the game was blur, I knew we had already lost.

[CheezWizHed]

4th and 26 still looms pretty large in my book.

 

Was that a coaching blunder or just bad defense? I was so steamed about 4th and 1 the rest of the game was blur, I knew we had already lost.

 

Yes. Both. Similar to King and Pettine - bad play call, bad play execution.

[PinaMadness]

Bad play call and I believe Nick Barnett was way out of position and Sharper playing too deep.

[adambr2]

The Miller TD was a worse playcall than 4th and 26 and it's not close.

 

4th and 26 was probably 5% playcalling and 95% terrible execution. It was a cover 2 with help over the top on both sides and it took multiple guys including Barnett and Sharper doing their jobs poorly for it to happen.

 

Pettine left King out on an island when there was no reason to. There's no comparison. There were probably better schemes for the situation on 4th and 26 but it wasn't just an unfathomably terrible situational play design like the Miller TD.

[HiAndTight]

4th and 26 still looms pretty large in my book.

 

Was that a coaching blunder or just bad defense? I was so steamed about 4th and 1 the rest of the game was blur, I knew we had already lost.

 

Yes. Both. Similar to King and Pettine - bad play call, bad play execution.

 

 

I don't think the play call was bad. They were in a cover 2...and if Barnett just drops and doesn't bite on that underneath route their TE ran or Sharper drives on the ball, they're fine.

 

Terrible execution and Donatell was scapegoated after the season...IMO. Sheman lost them that game by not going for it...and then of course Favre by throwing that ridiculous pick.

[HiAndTight]

The Miller TD was a worse playcall than 4th and 26 and it's not close.

 

4th and 26 was probably 5% playcalling and 95% terrible execution. It was a cover 2 with help over the top on both sides and it took multiple guys including Barnett and Sharper doing their jobs poorly for it to happen.

 

Pettine left King out on an island when there was no reason to. There's no comparison. There were probably better schemes for the situation on 4th and 26 but it wasn't just an unfathomably terrible situational play design like the Miller TD.

 

 

Agreed. I guess if you go back and you need to nitpick, it might have made more sense to send Diggs rather than have him spy McNabb or cover Staley out of the backfield, but the Packers had been abusing the Eagles OL all game long to the tune of 8 sacks. Reasonable to think they'd get pressure and that McNabb would try to extend the play.

 

Funny enough, Pettine's play call with 8 seconds and no TO's remaining could have also worked. Man across the board with Savage playing that robber, trying to take away the middle(absolutely no clue why, other than Pettine thought they had one TO left).

 

Pettine's call was so-so much worse. That might be one of the worst calls in league history.