The 2012 NFL Draft is over... and I think things went fairly well for the Packers. I was a little disappointed they passed over on some of my projected picks especially with all the film, practices, interviews and combine events I attended.. oh wait. I'll go back through.. like usual and put my original pick and the Packers pick then do it with trades.. at the end of the season, I'll come back and check to see how I did.
28: Projected Pick: Janoris Jenkins
Packers Pick: OLB Nick Perry
My pick of who was available: CB Janoris Jenkins
Perry certainly fills a need and the Packers are excited about him. He's big around 270lbs and certainly fast with some straight line speed. It'll be interesting to see if they can take that size and put him into the edge of the 3-4 OLB opposite of Clay. It sounds like they're going to give it a shot, I hope it works.. but that's a big guy in a lot of space. I know Jenkins has obvious concerns.. but he's a top 10 talent at the end of the first round. Teams are pass happy, you either have to rush or cover.. Packers went with rush but with that talent, I woulda went to cover.
59: Projected Pick: Chris Polk
Packers Pick: Traded
My pick of who was available: OLB Vinny Curry
Okay, I didn't know that Chris Polk had some MAJOR injury concerns so you really can't blame me for that.. I did 100% miss that the Packers didn't even draft a RB though so you can fault me there. If the Packers didn't trade this original pick, I woulda kept it the same as is. Vinny Curry, a DE that can stand up in the 3-4. Look at that.. I've gotten a Top 10 CB AND an OLB for the 3-4.
90: Projected Pick: Cam Johnson
Packers Pick: Traded
My pick of who was available: DT Brandon Thompson
I guess CBS and so I was off on Cam Johnson.. but I don't need a DE anyway since I got one last round.. This was another Packers traded pick but one that I grabbed a DT at. My picks have ended up just like the real Packers picks but in a different order. Thompson, some thought, had late 1st round value so to get him at 90 was certainly a steal for me.
123: Projected Pick: FS Brandon Hardin
Packers Pick: Traded
My pick of who was available: DE Jared Crick
I know I shoulda gone safety here.. but Crick was available. I know he didn't have a big year or even a good year.. but he was also hurt. I like technicians and he's big and played inside. I think I'd give him a shot at a DE spot in the 3-4. Not a perfect fit for the defense, but the talent and technique is too good to pass up.
132: Projected Pick: Trevor Guyton
Packers Pick: Mike Daniels
My pick of who was available: S George Iloka
I didn't get a safety last round, but I got him this round. Fairly excited about getting the top rated, not Packers top rated, S left on the board. Packers went McMillian with the next pick. Iloka is proven.
133: Projected Pick: Senio Kelemente
Packers Pick: Jerron McMillian
My pick of who was available: OL Senio Kelemnte
Had the chance of Tank Carder or Senio.. I really like both. Senio can play inside and outside.. sounds like a Packers swing OL to me!
163: Projected Pick: Tank Carder
Packers Pick: Terrell Manning
My pick of who was available: RB Cyrus Gray
I don't not like Manning.. not that at all, I actually think that it's a solid pick. He has burst, he has energy, he certainly has confidence and he fills a need more than Gray does.. but I'm not picking him because I like a HR hitter at RB. Starks, Saine, Green none of those guys showed big burst last year from the run game. The game is different, yes, but I want a HR hitter in case they do run the ball.
197: Projected Pick: Jeff Adams
Packers Pick: Traded pick
My pick of who was available: DL Billy Winn is still available? Yessir.
224: Projected Pick: Micah Pellerin
Packers Pick: Traded
My pick of who was available: Alonzo Dennard
Yeap, again the same pick as at that slot but not by the Packers. Dennard isn't the best corner, and he's not smart (arrested 5 days before draft) but at this point.. some teams had him projected at late 1st, early 2nd around seasons start.. that's value.
235: Projected Pick: Akiem Hicks
Packers Pick: Traded
My pick of who was available: Cam Johnson
Look familiar?
241: Projected Pick: Chris Owusu
Packers Pick: Andrew Datko
My pick of who was available: Chris Owusu
Apparently he's an injury concern also. Whatever. He doesn't have to get tackled just run go patterns along the sideline for Rodgers to get.
243: Projected Pick: Case Keenum
Packers Pick: BJ Coleman
My pick of who was available: Kellen Moore
I don't care about his noodle arm. He's awesome.
April 30, 2012
April 26, 2012
Green Bay Packers 2012 Mock Draft
Again, using the same philosophy of last year I went to cbssports.com and found people ranked below the Packers pick. For instance, even if I think a player might be available at the Packers pick if CBS has them ranked 24th I couldn't take them.. because the Packers pick at 28. Without further ado:
28- CB Janoris Jenkins--Not sure he falls this far, not going to find a better CB at this spot ever. Elite athlete and cover guy, character concerns, but as long as he's not Johnny Jolly we're okay. Gives flexibility with Woodson. Also considering: Konz, Zeitler, Hightower (beautiful spot to be in.. should be quality players on the lines or DBs here.)
59- RB Chris Polk-- Seems more athletic than their other guys.. if the Packers wanted a real HR threat, I'd say LaMichael James here but I'm not sure that's their kinda guy. Also considering: Bruce Irvin, George Lloka, and LaMichael James
90- DE Cam Johnson-- Undersized right now, but reports are strong as an ox with long arms and some pass rush ability. Packers got NOTHING from their DEs last year and didn't even play a ton of base 3-4, so why not?
123- FS Brandon Hardin-- Also really looked at DE/OLB Jonathan Massquoi. Will I ever take an OL? Who knows.
132- DE Trevor Guyton- Taking the ol' draft 5 guys at one position and hope one of them sticks approach.
133- OL Senio Kelemete- I'm never convinced with the Packers OL and with a franchise QB back there you have to have him healthy. The Packers worry me but have done a good job with passing rules as are and A. Rodge's mobility to keep him healthy. Yet, the OL worries me and is not very good, ever. See: Short yardage.
163- ILB Tank Carder- Yessir, I remember this stiff and liked the way he played. Great defensive school, overachiever, love guys like this in the mid-rounds.
197- OT Jeff Adams- Small school, light, but gets after it. Athletic enough to get to the 2nd level and use angles to shield guys off. Sounds like a patsy Packers OL
224- CB Micah Pellerin- Never have enough DBs in the game today.. played CB and both S spots in college. Versatility.
235- DT Akiem Hicks- More D-end Packers size but should have potential if they can hide him on the practice squad for a season.
241- WR Chris Owusu- 4.36. I know we have 38 WRs. I don't care.
243- QB Case Keenum- Spread offense, smart, great leadership/intangibles. Is he athletic enough and does he have a strong enough arm? At 243, I'm willing to find out.
28- CB Janoris Jenkins--Not sure he falls this far, not going to find a better CB at this spot ever. Elite athlete and cover guy, character concerns, but as long as he's not Johnny Jolly we're okay. Gives flexibility with Woodson. Also considering: Konz, Zeitler, Hightower (beautiful spot to be in.. should be quality players on the lines or DBs here.)
59- RB Chris Polk-- Seems more athletic than their other guys.. if the Packers wanted a real HR threat, I'd say LaMichael James here but I'm not sure that's their kinda guy. Also considering: Bruce Irvin, George Lloka, and LaMichael James
90- DE Cam Johnson-- Undersized right now, but reports are strong as an ox with long arms and some pass rush ability. Packers got NOTHING from their DEs last year and didn't even play a ton of base 3-4, so why not?
123- FS Brandon Hardin-- Also really looked at DE/OLB Jonathan Massquoi. Will I ever take an OL? Who knows.
132- DE Trevor Guyton- Taking the ol' draft 5 guys at one position and hope one of them sticks approach.
133- OL Senio Kelemete- I'm never convinced with the Packers OL and with a franchise QB back there you have to have him healthy. The Packers worry me but have done a good job with passing rules as are and A. Rodge's mobility to keep him healthy. Yet, the OL worries me and is not very good, ever. See: Short yardage.
163- ILB Tank Carder- Yessir, I remember this stiff and liked the way he played. Great defensive school, overachiever, love guys like this in the mid-rounds.
197- OT Jeff Adams- Small school, light, but gets after it. Athletic enough to get to the 2nd level and use angles to shield guys off. Sounds like a patsy Packers OL
224- CB Micah Pellerin- Never have enough DBs in the game today.. played CB and both S spots in college. Versatility.
235- DT Akiem Hicks- More D-end Packers size but should have potential if they can hide him on the practice squad for a season.
241- WR Chris Owusu- 4.36. I know we have 38 WRs. I don't care.
243- QB Case Keenum- Spread offense, smart, great leadership/intangibles. Is he athletic enough and does he have a strong enough arm? At 243, I'm willing to find out.
April 1, 2012
All-Time NBA Reasoning
So.. you've had a chance to see both teams and now I'll go into my reasonsing. First, here's my starting line-up regardless of my opponent.
PG: Oscar Robertson
SG: LeBron James
SF: Larry Bird
PF: Bill Russell
C: Shaquille O'Neal
So what am I looking at? Arguably one of the greatest all around PGs in the history of the game.. Mr. Triple Double himself, The Big O running the show. Let me start off by saying.. yes, I read the Book of Basketball by Bill Simmons and yes, I understand there were more shots at that time period and more misses. Guess what.. I don't care. Oscar was a PG and a career 48% shooter, they said he could get to any spot on the floor that he wanted, whenever he wanted. He was 6'5. He got to the foul line 8+ times a game for his career.. those stats translate to ANY era.
He also had great court vision, could handle it and again.. he was 6'5. He put the ball in your shooting pocket besides his scoring ability. He was also, by all reports, a solid defender who didn't back down.
Here is the first "hmmm.." on my team.. not that I have LeBron but that I am starting him at... SG? Shockingly, he's not as bad of a shooter as you'd think.. he shoots 48% but just 33% from 3. That's okay, I don't need him to bomb away; I've got other guys that can do that. I need him to use his size and athletic ability to frustrate a certain Michael Jordan character that my opponent sports. On the other hand, hoping he can make MJ or somebody else work on the other end. Bron can slash and kick and is a great rebounder for me.. an excellent guy to have at the 2.. and the best part... he doesn't even have to think about taking the last shot! He can facilitate and let Oscar work from the 2 if needed. LOVE IT.
At the 3, my first selection. The Legend. This is going to be interesting because the way I see it.. LeBron has to guard Jordan. Oscar has to guard Kobe.. which leaves Larry attempting to guard a PG, yes, he has to try to guard Magic to start the game. Thankfully, he's one of the most underrated defenders of all-time.. and happens to have Bill Russell behind him. Whew. Either way, Magic has to guard Larry on the other end, which makes things fun both ways. Larry can obviously step out and hit the 3, can score on the move or on the block and is probably the best passing forward to ever play the game.
Bill Russell. The ultimate winner. Everything you read or see about the guy oozes with confidence and understanding of both people and the game of basketball. How can you have a chemistry problem with him on your squad? You can't. You also can't have a problem defending. Look, I'm not looking for ol 44% shooting from the field and 56% from the line to step up and knock down some shots. I am looking for him to defend the most fundamental big in the game, Tim Duncan, protect the rim.. defend Kareem/Wilt if need be and rebound whatever misses there happen to be. It's an all-time team.. you think I can't find people to score? Oh, and if you get lazy and leave him alone he'll just score off a lob from one of my distributors or crash the boards and score that way.
Shaq. Young Shaq had to be one of the most imposing players to ever play the game. Athletic and strong as an oxe, he was REALLY fun to watch in college, with the Magic and early Lakers. He could take over a game. 10x he led the league in shooting %. TEN, he shot 58% in his career! You think that he couldn't take creampuff Kareem on the block and abuse and discard him however he wanted? Child, please. How do you stop him? Foul him. Okay, foul out Kareem and Wilt, I'm fine with that. He was also an underrated passer and an intimidating defender averaging over 2 blocks a game 12 of his first 13 years in the league. He can score on Kareem all. day. long.
My bench is about roles:
Jerry West. 6'2 and by all accounts played bigger. 27 PPG, 47% shooter. 81% from the line. Over 5 rebounds and 6 assists a game. He can score, defend, distribute and play either guard spot.
Walt Frazier. Revolutionary. 6'4 and another very good defender. 19 PPG, 6 boards, 6 assists. I'd put him at the PG as my main back-up there and let West play the SG. 49% shooter, 79% from the line.
Hakeem. IMO one of the most underrated players to ever play the game. A nightmare at over 7' and freakishly athletic. 22 PPG, 11 RPG.. oh.. and 3 blocks per game for his career?! Several seasons over 4! 51% from the field and 71% from the line. You think with a lead late in the game I can't slide Hakeem in for Bill Russell get the same rebounding/defense with better FT%? Or put him in for Shaq and put Larry at the 4? He'd get major minutes since I basically have 3 bigs, and I wouldn't lose a beat with him in. BTW: Shaq said that Hakeem was probably the toughest match-up he ever faced in the game.. he might start by series end.
Pistol Pete. My favorite player in the NBA with The Legend. I want you to remember a few things here.. first, despite what many people believe, Pistol wanted to win more than anybody. He wasn't a circus show that played for himself, read the things his teammates said.. He hated to lose. With Bill, West, and Frazier I wouldn't be afraid of leadership being an issue. Pistol could come off the bench and do as he pleased.. by all accounts he had incredible NBA 3-pt range (10-15 career when they finally added the line) but he shot from out there a lot anyway. He was probably the best passer to ever play the game, yes, I said it. Imagine Russell with a rebound, outlet to Pistol with Shaq or Hakeem or LeBron running the floor and Bird/Ray Ray spotting up. He could push the tempo, he could come off the bench as my microwave, and he could get in the lane and distribute. He was built for a team like this.
Dr. J: Do I really get him to come off the bench? Is this some sort of sick joke? 30,000 career points, 50% career shooting percentage, 8.5 boards, 4 assists, 2 steals and almost 2 blocks a game. Freakishly athletic. 77% FT shooter, semi 3-pt range. He can defend and he can get out and go.. now, my first 5 come out.. Imagine Dr. J on the wing getting full court outlet passes from The Pistol? C'mon man. That's not fair!
Ray Allen: I wanted a 3-pt marksman and considered Reggie Miller, Dale Ellis and even Dell Curry. Those are my favorite 3 point shooters, but Ray Ray is my favorite of them all and probably can do more than the others combined. He's turned into a solid defender, can handle the ball, pass and is, of course, an absolute marksman and really effective on the break. With the passers and slashers this game has there figures to be a lot of help in the paint stopping the dunk/drives and why not have the NBA's all time 3 point leader standing around the line reading to snipe. 40% career from 3, 89% from the FT line and 20 PPG. A great bench player.
Dennis Rodman: Yup, The Worm. Chemistry matters, remember? So where does The Worm fit in? Easy, the bench just straight boards and defense. Do you think that Red Auerbach, William Russell, The Legend and company would let one guy ruin chemistry? I don't. That's why I'm not worried about it and looking forward to adding a guy that can defend the 1-4 and just get after it defensively. He is actually a 52% shooter because he never shot more than lay-ups except those random 3s he drained. He was only a 58% FT shooter. 7 PPG, 13 RPG.. 6 straight seasons of leading the league in boards and 14.9 was his lowest amount.. absurd in that era. Oh, by the way.. 10 times he was an ALL-NBA player, 7 of them 1st team. That's my 12th man, the modern eras best rebounder and a 10x All-NBA defender.
IR: Kevin Durant. 6'9 with like 7-4 wingspan. 26.6 PPG career and 2x leading scorer already.
IR: Kevin McHale. 55% and 80% FG and FT. More ways to score on the block than Jabbar.
IR: Bob Cousy. 37% FG, 80% FT. 8 straight leading league in assists. 18, 7, 4 career numbers. (BTW: This link is probably the first I've ever seen of him.. lets be for real, if I saw this earlier, he wouldn't be on my IR. He was WAY ahead of the rest of those clowns. My goodness.)
That gives my bench the chance to have a wing, PG, and post player in case of an injury.
I can go big, small, offensive, defensive, and rotate guys in and out. Don't think I wouldn't press and run and gun with these guys. I will.
Good luck, JD, you're gonna need it.
PG: Oscar Robertson
SG: LeBron James
SF: Larry Bird
PF: Bill Russell
C: Shaquille O'Neal
So what am I looking at? Arguably one of the greatest all around PGs in the history of the game.. Mr. Triple Double himself, The Big O running the show. Let me start off by saying.. yes, I read the Book of Basketball by Bill Simmons and yes, I understand there were more shots at that time period and more misses. Guess what.. I don't care. Oscar was a PG and a career 48% shooter, they said he could get to any spot on the floor that he wanted, whenever he wanted. He was 6'5. He got to the foul line 8+ times a game for his career.. those stats translate to ANY era.
He also had great court vision, could handle it and again.. he was 6'5. He put the ball in your shooting pocket besides his scoring ability. He was also, by all reports, a solid defender who didn't back down.
Here is the first "hmmm.." on my team.. not that I have LeBron but that I am starting him at... SG? Shockingly, he's not as bad of a shooter as you'd think.. he shoots 48% but just 33% from 3. That's okay, I don't need him to bomb away; I've got other guys that can do that. I need him to use his size and athletic ability to frustrate a certain Michael Jordan character that my opponent sports. On the other hand, hoping he can make MJ or somebody else work on the other end. Bron can slash and kick and is a great rebounder for me.. an excellent guy to have at the 2.. and the best part... he doesn't even have to think about taking the last shot! He can facilitate and let Oscar work from the 2 if needed. LOVE IT.
At the 3, my first selection. The Legend. This is going to be interesting because the way I see it.. LeBron has to guard Jordan. Oscar has to guard Kobe.. which leaves Larry attempting to guard a PG, yes, he has to try to guard Magic to start the game. Thankfully, he's one of the most underrated defenders of all-time.. and happens to have Bill Russell behind him. Whew. Either way, Magic has to guard Larry on the other end, which makes things fun both ways. Larry can obviously step out and hit the 3, can score on the move or on the block and is probably the best passing forward to ever play the game.
Bill Russell. The ultimate winner. Everything you read or see about the guy oozes with confidence and understanding of both people and the game of basketball. How can you have a chemistry problem with him on your squad? You can't. You also can't have a problem defending. Look, I'm not looking for ol 44% shooting from the field and 56% from the line to step up and knock down some shots. I am looking for him to defend the most fundamental big in the game, Tim Duncan, protect the rim.. defend Kareem/Wilt if need be and rebound whatever misses there happen to be. It's an all-time team.. you think I can't find people to score? Oh, and if you get lazy and leave him alone he'll just score off a lob from one of my distributors or crash the boards and score that way.
Shaq. Young Shaq had to be one of the most imposing players to ever play the game. Athletic and strong as an oxe, he was REALLY fun to watch in college, with the Magic and early Lakers. He could take over a game. 10x he led the league in shooting %. TEN, he shot 58% in his career! You think that he couldn't take creampuff Kareem on the block and abuse and discard him however he wanted? Child, please. How do you stop him? Foul him. Okay, foul out Kareem and Wilt, I'm fine with that. He was also an underrated passer and an intimidating defender averaging over 2 blocks a game 12 of his first 13 years in the league. He can score on Kareem all. day. long.
My bench is about roles:
Jerry West. 6'2 and by all accounts played bigger. 27 PPG, 47% shooter. 81% from the line. Over 5 rebounds and 6 assists a game. He can score, defend, distribute and play either guard spot.
Walt Frazier. Revolutionary. 6'4 and another very good defender. 19 PPG, 6 boards, 6 assists. I'd put him at the PG as my main back-up there and let West play the SG. 49% shooter, 79% from the line.
Hakeem. IMO one of the most underrated players to ever play the game. A nightmare at over 7' and freakishly athletic. 22 PPG, 11 RPG.. oh.. and 3 blocks per game for his career?! Several seasons over 4! 51% from the field and 71% from the line. You think with a lead late in the game I can't slide Hakeem in for Bill Russell get the same rebounding/defense with better FT%? Or put him in for Shaq and put Larry at the 4? He'd get major minutes since I basically have 3 bigs, and I wouldn't lose a beat with him in. BTW: Shaq said that Hakeem was probably the toughest match-up he ever faced in the game.. he might start by series end.
Pistol Pete. My favorite player in the NBA with The Legend. I want you to remember a few things here.. first, despite what many people believe, Pistol wanted to win more than anybody. He wasn't a circus show that played for himself, read the things his teammates said.. He hated to lose. With Bill, West, and Frazier I wouldn't be afraid of leadership being an issue. Pistol could come off the bench and do as he pleased.. by all accounts he had incredible NBA 3-pt range (10-15 career when they finally added the line) but he shot from out there a lot anyway. He was probably the best passer to ever play the game, yes, I said it. Imagine Russell with a rebound, outlet to Pistol with Shaq or Hakeem or LeBron running the floor and Bird/Ray Ray spotting up. He could push the tempo, he could come off the bench as my microwave, and he could get in the lane and distribute. He was built for a team like this.
Dr. J: Do I really get him to come off the bench? Is this some sort of sick joke? 30,000 career points, 50% career shooting percentage, 8.5 boards, 4 assists, 2 steals and almost 2 blocks a game. Freakishly athletic. 77% FT shooter, semi 3-pt range. He can defend and he can get out and go.. now, my first 5 come out.. Imagine Dr. J on the wing getting full court outlet passes from The Pistol? C'mon man. That's not fair!
Ray Allen: I wanted a 3-pt marksman and considered Reggie Miller, Dale Ellis and even Dell Curry. Those are my favorite 3 point shooters, but Ray Ray is my favorite of them all and probably can do more than the others combined. He's turned into a solid defender, can handle the ball, pass and is, of course, an absolute marksman and really effective on the break. With the passers and slashers this game has there figures to be a lot of help in the paint stopping the dunk/drives and why not have the NBA's all time 3 point leader standing around the line reading to snipe. 40% career from 3, 89% from the FT line and 20 PPG. A great bench player.
Dennis Rodman: Yup, The Worm. Chemistry matters, remember? So where does The Worm fit in? Easy, the bench just straight boards and defense. Do you think that Red Auerbach, William Russell, The Legend and company would let one guy ruin chemistry? I don't. That's why I'm not worried about it and looking forward to adding a guy that can defend the 1-4 and just get after it defensively. He is actually a 52% shooter because he never shot more than lay-ups except those random 3s he drained. He was only a 58% FT shooter. 7 PPG, 13 RPG.. 6 straight seasons of leading the league in boards and 14.9 was his lowest amount.. absurd in that era. Oh, by the way.. 10 times he was an ALL-NBA player, 7 of them 1st team. That's my 12th man, the modern eras best rebounder and a 10x All-NBA defender.
IR: Kevin Durant. 6'9 with like 7-4 wingspan. 26.6 PPG career and 2x leading scorer already.
IR: Kevin McHale. 55% and 80% FG and FT. More ways to score on the block than Jabbar.
IR: Bob Cousy. 37% FG, 80% FT. 8 straight leading league in assists. 18, 7, 4 career numbers. (BTW: This link is probably the first I've ever seen of him.. lets be for real, if I saw this earlier, he wouldn't be on my IR. He was WAY ahead of the rest of those clowns. My goodness.)
That gives my bench the chance to have a wing, PG, and post player in case of an injury.
I can go big, small, offensive, defensive, and rotate guys in and out. Don't think I wouldn't press and run and gun with these guys. I will.
Good luck, JD, you're gonna need it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)