News From The Pack

The Green Bay Packers have welcomed their seven draft choices, collection of undrafted free agents and a handful of players in for a weekend tryout to their rookie orientation camp.   It's far more administrative in design than x's and o's although the players will get on the field for a couple of workouts.  They'll be given the introduction to the Green Bay Packers handbook, including the basics of the offensive and defensive systems with a terminology glossary.   They will also get the Lambeau Field tour, here's the locker room, the weight room, meeting facilities, mess hall, bathrooms, mail box and don't forget to stop by the Atrium for a tour of the Hall of Fame and catch a burger at Curley's Pub.  The camp is really a prelude to the organized team activities which begin next month when the veterans work out.  First round pick Brian Bulaga and the rest of the draft class arrived Thursday but it was Bulaga who was paraded into the media auditorium for a press conference.  You can listen to the highlights and check back on the block for more on the first impressions weekend.

It was unsually mild last December 4 as Mike McCarthy took his Packers out on to Ray Nitschke field for practice.  In a team drill, running back Kregg Lumpkin veered off tackle and collided with linebacker Jeremy Thompson.  Thompson didn't get up. It would be his last play as a professional football player.  An ambulance had to be called and Jeremy was taken to the hospital where doctors found a narrower than normal spinal column.  The diagnosis of "stenosis" led to Thompson being placed on injured reserve for the rest of the season.  While he never lost consciousness, or suffered even the slightest form of paralysis, Thompson knew his career might be in jeopardy.  He consulted several other specialists and they all came to the same conclusion.  Furthering his NFL career could put him at risk for more serious damage.  On Monday, the Packers announced they were releasing Thompson who in turn said he will retire from football.  The former 4th round pick out of Wake Forest appeared ready to become a contributor to the Packers defense.  He had an oustanding spring and mini-camp season but when the pads were put on in training camp, his production waned.  While he played in 15 games, mostly on special teams, Thompson was never able to match his promise.  In a statement, Thompson said, "I am thankful to the Packers organization and to the fans for their support during my time in Green Bay.  The Packers are a first-class organization and I want to thank them for the opportunity to play in the NFL.  There truly is no team I would have rather played for."  Neck injuries are the scourge of the NFL and Thompson joins a Packers list that includes Tim Lewis and Sterling Sharpe who had their careers cut short by spinal cord injuries or deficiencies.

The Packers have resigned safety Charlie Peprah.  He spent three years with Green Bay but was cut last summer after suffering a knee injury in camp.  He was picked up by Atlanta and played in two games for the Falcons last season.  Green Bay also released tight end Devin Frischknecht, an undrafted free agent who spent the entire regular season on injured reserve after breaking his leg in a pre-season game against the Buffalo Bills.

What struck me about the Packers draft is that they went big on 4 of their 7 choices.  2 offensive lineman and two defensive ends.   The class is headlined by Brian Bulaga of Iowa at number 23 in the first round.   If he can man the left tackle position the way Chad Clifton has over the past decade, the draft will be deemed a success.  But he's going to start as the backup to Clifton as he learns the ropes.  Who among the draft picks has the best chance to get on the field early?  My guess is Morgan Burnett, the safety from Georgia Tech taken in round three.   General Manager Ted Thompson sacrificed his 4th round pick to move up 15 spots to get him.  He could not only push Atari Bigby for the starting job but jump into the mix quickly in the nickel and dime packages.  The two defensive ends could also join the defensive line rotation early.  Mike Neal of Purdue and C.J. Wilson of East Carolina will pressure Justin Harrell into perhaps his one last stand and at the very least, spell starters Cullen Jenkins and Johnny Jolly.  Running back James Starks may make Ahman Green expendable, he still hasn't signed a contract for 2010.   His pass catching ability could also get him even with Brandon Jackson in the backfield rotation.   Marshall Newhouse and Andrew Quarless may have the hardest time getting snaps in their rookie year.  The draft added 7 players to the 61 already on the roster.  NFL teams can carry 80 into training camp so Saturday night and Sunday kept the personel staff busy signing undrafted free agents to fill out the roster.   Here's the list, which includes three linebackers, a position ignored over the draft.  Frank Zombo, an outside backer from Central Michigan, Tim Knicky, an outside linebacker from Stephen F. Austin and linebacker Alex Joseph of Temple.  The team added a quarterback, Noah Shepard of South Dakota who set school records in passing yards, passing touchdowns and rushing touchdowns.  Two more offensive lineman were signed, Chris Campbell of Eastern Illinois and Nick McDonald of Grand Valley State.   Also signed were wide receivers Jeff Moturi of UTEP and Chastin West of Fresno State, running back Quinn Porter of Stillman College, cornerback  Sam Shields of Miami and safety Robert Vaughn of Connecticut.   Defensive end John Russell of Wake Forest rounded out the free agent group.

....and that's a wrap.  The 75th annual NFL and Green Bay Packers draft covered three days, 7 rounds and 255 players.  It was a long weekend but the Packers hope they hit on a lucky 7 and here they are:

Brian Bulaga  OT  Iowa  Round 1 (pick 23)

The first rounder may not make an immediate impact but General Manager Ted Thompson hopes he has an impact that lasts a decade at left tackle as the heir apparent for Chad Clifton, a former 2nd rounder who protected both Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers' blind side very well.   Sure, he's missed some games and a lot of practice time with mounting injuries, the most severe was when Warren Sapp blew out his pelvis in 2002.  But since Clifton's first start in 2000, only the Indianapolis Colts have allowed fewer sacks, despite the 56 suffered by the offense last year.   At 6-5 and 312 pounds, Bulaga has the size and the skill to handle the torch passing with ease.  It may come sooner than you think.

Mike Neal  DE  Purdue  Round 2 (56)

I thought this might be a bit of a reach for late in the second round but this kid just keeps getting bigger and stronger.   He entered Purdueat 245 pounds and is leaving as a 295 pounder who started his final two years and 11 sacks and 21 tackles for losses in those two seasons.  He can also lift a house, bench pressing 510 pounds and squatting 615.   He played defensive tackle and end for the Boilermakers and the Packers like his ability to thump blockers in the run game and his quickness to apply pressure from the edge.  He should immediately get into the rotation with Johnny Jolly and Cullen Jenkins, two players with contracts coming due after 2010 and Jolly has that little law and order episode to deal with in Houston next month.

Morgan Burnett  S Georgia Tech  Round 3 (71)

Thompson thought so highly of this kid he moved up 15 spots to get him, giving the Eagles his 4th round pick in the process.  At 6-1 and 209 pounds he has very good size and Burnett was extremely productive for the Yellow Jackets.  He left after his junior season but still finished his career with 235 tackles as a two year starter and 14 interceptions.   The Packers love his ball skills and believe he will push Atari Bigby for the starting job and certainly supplant the likes of Derrick Martin and Jarrett Bush in the nickel and dime packages.

Andrew Quarless  TE  Penn State  Round 5 (154)

Quarless is a fluid, 6-4 target who caught 87 passes at Penn State, 8 for touchdowns but he was surrounded by red flags.   An underage drinking citation as a sophomore, a DUI the next spring which directed him into a rehab program and then a house party raid by police where marijuana was found.  Quarless was one of many Nitnay Lions who got into trouble off the field under Joe Paterno's declining vision watch over the past few years.  2 suspensions and nearly getting kicked off the team scared him straight according to Andrew.  He said he made mistakes and paid the price and is now ready to become a professional.    If he does, he could add another downfield threat in the passing game and make the two tight end formation with Jermichael Finley hard to stop.

Marshall Newhouse  OL   TCU   Round 5 (169)

This is a very thick lineman at 6-4 and 320 pounds who manned the left tackle position for the resurgent Horned Frogs program over the past three years, missing only one start during that time.   He was a first team All Mountain West performer who knows how to handle speed rushers, practicing every day against Jerry Hughes, a linebacker the Packers loved, but passed on in the first round.  Newhouse has a football blood line, his father John played at the University of Houston and his cousin, Robert Newhouse was a Dallas Cowboys fullback in the 1970's.   He could move to guard for the Packers. 

James Starks  RB  Buffalo  Round 6 (193)

An interesting pick because he disappeared in his senior season.  After piling up a school record 3140 yards with 34 touchdowns and 222 points in his three seasons for the Bulls, Starks was dealing with a sore shoulder in the spring of 2009.  Doctors found a labral tear that eventually needed surgery and he missed his final year of eligibility.  As a junior, he had back to back 200 plus yard games and he proved very adept at running routes, catching 127 passes out of the backfield.  He's 6-2, tall for a running back, and 218 pounds.   Aside from the injury, one of the knocks against him is that he runs high and takes shots.   With Ahman Green's future in doubt, Starks could find himself the number three running back behind Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson fairly easily.

CJ Wilson  DE  East Carolina   Round 7 (230)

Clifford James Wilson was a model player and team leader for the Pirates.  He's 6-2 and 290 pounds, starting 44 games in his 54 game career, including all 28 in his junior and senior seasons.  He put up very impressive numbers, 192 tackles, 45 tackles for losses, 27 sacks and 35 pressures.  He also blocked three kicks.  So how did he fall to the 7th round?  Even Wilson has no idea.   This could be a solid insurance policy at defensive end if Justin Harrell can't shake off his chronic back problems and becomes a disappointing bust as a former number one.

I'll get asked a lot over the next several weeks, what do you think of these guys?  I wish I could answer it,  you just never know.   They all were outstanding players in college stadiums over the past few years, now they move to the professional arena and there are no guarantees.   We'll get our first look at the draft picks at the Pack's rookie orientation camp this weekend.  So what did Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy think of the draft?  Here's the highlights of their post-draft news conferences.

The Pack's final pick in the 2010 draft is a big defensive end from East Carolina University.   Clifford James "C.J." Wilson put up big numbers as a 6-3, 290 pound lineman who was one of the most productive and popular players on the team.  He started the final two seasons without missing a game at defensive end and finished his career with 192 tackles, 45 and a half tackles for losses and 27 sacks.  He also blocked three kicks, more evidence he was simply hard to block.  Wilson was the Conference USA defensive player of the year as a junior and was named first team all conference his senior year.  CJ grew up in Bellhaven, North Carolina where two of his older brothers played Division 1 football.  He's never had a serious injury and takes a break from the punishment of football by tinkling the ivory as an accomplished piano player.   Wilson entered ECU on academic probation and worked his way toward the Athletic Director's Honor Roll his final three years in school as a communications major.   Wilson told reporters in Green Bay this evening that he was hoping to get drafted between the third and 6th rounds and it was a long wait before the Packers called in the 7th, but he's thrilled to get picked and is eagerly anticipating the next challenge, making an NFL roster.  With a solid background and even better play for East Carolina, Wilson just might turn out to be a 300 pound sleeper for the Pack.

Green Bay has selected a running back in the 6th round who set school records in yards gained and touchdowns, without ever taking a snap last fall.  James Starks from the University of Buffalo was chosen by the Packers as the 193rd player overall. Starks is a tall 6-2 and 218 pounds who piled up 3140 yards on the ground in his career with the Bulls, catching an impressive 127 passes out of the backfield and scoring a whopping 34 touchdowns and 222 points.   The numbers were put up in his first three years because last summer at spring practice he developed shoulder pain.  Upon further examination, doctors found a labral tear in his left shoulder and the medical staff convinced him to have season ending surgery.  The operation took place in August and Starks was able to rehab the shoulder in time to participate in the scouting combine in February.  He tested well with speed and agility but benched only 1 reps which likely scared off scouts and was the reason he lasted to late in the 6th round.  Starks was coached the Packers former director of player development Turner Gill, who turned around the fledgling program in the Mid-American Conference and he eventually accepted the Kansas head coaching job this winter.  Starks was an all-around athlete at Niagara Falls High School, playing on a nationally ranked basketball team that featured former Syracuse standout and Minnesota Timberwolves number one draft choice Johnny Flynn.  He arrived at Buffalo as a quarterback, but was converted to defensive back until Gill arrived on the scene and made him a running back.    Starks made the change pay off with  12 games of more than 100 yards and as a junior, had back to back 200 yard efforts.  Packers running back coach Edgar Bennett says Starks is a wiry runner with good hips and solid pop in his game.  His athleticism pays off while running routes and he's a capable blocker in blitz protection.  Bennett says he's a bit inconsistent with his pad level but that's understandable for his height, at 6-2, taller than the average back. Green Bay has no issues with starter Ryan Grant, coming off a 1200 yard season where he ranked third in the NFC and 7th in the league.  Primary backup Brandon Jackson made strides last year but the Packers aren't likely to bring back veteran Ahman Green and they've already parted ways with DeShawn Wynn.  Starks could come in and earn a job as the number three back fairly easily.

The pride of Iola-Scandanavia High School has found work.  Defensive End Austin Lane of Murray State and a former I-S Warrior was drafted in the 5th round by the Jacksonville Jaguars.  Lane set school sack records at Murray was taken one pick ahead of Green Bay's selection of tight end Andrew Quarless.

The Packers went back on the offensive with their first two choices of the NFL's final day of the draft, selecting Penn State tight end Andrew Quarless with the first of 2, fifth round selections, and 15 picks later, added offensive lineman Marshall Newhouse of TCU.  Quarless is an athletic, 6-4, 254 pound receiving tight end with very good speed, clocked by the Packers at 4.58 in the 40.   He caught 87 passes in his Nitnay Lion career, scoring 8 touchdowns.  He stated 29 of 47 games played after arriving on campus from Uniondale High School in New York.  So much for the good news.  Now for the bad news.  Quarless got caught up in the rampant off-field issues that infected Penn State over the past few years under head coach Joe Paterno. In 2007, Quarless was suspended for the first two games of the year following a citation for underage drinking.  In 2008, Quarless was ticketed for DUI after running a red light in a borrowed BMW.   Quarless entered a 15 day rehabilitaton program after the alchohol related incidents.  In September of 2008, a party was raided at house where Quarless rented a room with several other players.  Marijuana was found at the home and while Quarless was not charged with posession, he, along with 2 other players were suspended again by Paterno for the Oregon State game.  Quarless said today he had a face to face meeting with Paterno, pleading with him to keep him on the squad.  Paterno did, and Quarless said he realized his poor choices were adversely affecting his future.  He told reporters in Green Bay on a conference call that he stopped drinking nearly 2 years ago, he's matured and now ready to begin his professional life in football.  Last week, Packers general manager Ted Thompson answered several questions about character risks in the draft and he said the Packers take it very seriously.  This is one of the lengthiest character reports on a player ever drafted by Thompson.  Tight Ends coach Ben McAdoo said he met with Quarless at the combine and it was Andrew who initiated the conversation about his past.  McAdoo felt reassured that Quarless had put the incidents behind him and was ready to move forward.   He will join a position group that features an up and coming star in Jermichael Finley, veteran Donald Lee, called the rock of the group by McAdoo and Spencer Havner, himself coming off an incident this off-season where he crashed his motorcycle while reportedly under the influence and separating his shoulder.  With the second 5th round choice, the Packers selected Newhouse, a three year starter and all Mountain West first term player who started 38 consecutive games at left tackle for the Horned Frogs.  Newhouse is a very thick, 6-4, 320 pounder who said he can play any position along the offensive line.  The Dallas native who played at Lake Highlands High School has a cousin who made his mark with the Dallas Cowboys in the 1970's, fullback Robert Newhouse, and his father John played collegiately at the University of Houston.  Offensive line coach James Campen said the competition in his group has been upgraded this weekend, adding number one pick Brian Bulaga to the mix.  As to where these additions will fit it, time will tell beginning with the rookie orientation camp next weekend.

Any Donald Driver's out there? A Scott Wells? Brad Jones?  The final day of the 2010 draft is underway and don't underestimate the importance of the final round selections.  First year contributors, solid starters and yes, even Pro Bowlers can be found.  The Packers, after trading up in round three last night to get safety Morgan Burnett of Georgia Tech, gave up their fourth round choice to the Eagles to climb 15 spots.  They have 4 picks remaining, two in the 5th round, their own and a compensatory pick for losing free agent Colin Cole last year.  Single choices in rounds 6 and 7 will finish it up later today.   This is a day to build depth at thin positions while trying to find a player who can grow into a starting job in a year or two. The Packers will likely want to find an outside, pass rushing linebacker, perhaps a tight end to compliment Jermichael Finley and Donald Lee, possibly a running back to add to the mix.   After signing Australian Football player Chris Bryan as a punter, a late round pick on another leg to provide competition is also a thought.  The first Wisconsin Badger has been drafted, with the 118th pick overall, the Houston Texans selected tight end Garrett Graham in round 4.  It's the second time in the past 6 years the Texans tabbed a tight end from Madison, the first one worked out pretty good with Owen Daniels.  Make regular checks on your station's home page for the 2010 NFL Draft page updates for video's and more analysis of the Green Bay Packers picks as they come in on this final Sunday.

The Packers went defense with both choices in this weekend's NFL draft, a defensive end in round 2 and a safety in round 3.  Here's more on the picks with quotes from the principals at Lambeau Field on Friday night.

Day two of the NFL draft ended unexpectedly early for the Packers as General Manager Ted Thompson traded up for the third year in a row.   Sensing what he called a "soft" board with the 86th overall choice in round 3 tonight, Thompson pulled off a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles for the 71st overall pick to select Georgia Tech safety Morgan Burnett.  Burnett is a 21 year old junior who piled up some very impressive numbers with the Yellow Jackets.  After playing extensively as a freshman, Burnett started the final 27 games of his career, posting 235 tackles, 5th most among defensive backs in school history, with and eye opening 14 interceptions.  He picked off 7 passes as a sophomore, returning one for a touchdown and 4 more last fall.  Burnett is a shade over 6-1 and 209 pounds.  To climb up the board to get him, Thompson gave the Eagles Green Bay's original third round pick (86) plus their 4th round choice (122).  Thompson and secondary coach Darren Perry both said tonight they believe Burnett has a great chance to contribute right away, if not as the starter replacing the injury prone Atari Bigby, but in the sub-packages of a defense that produced tons of big plays the past two season.  Perry said Burnett has excellent ball skills, evidenced by his interception totals, yet has the ability to play aggressively against the run.  Green Bay now has 4 picks remaining on the final day of the draft, two in round five, one each in the 6th and 7th rounds.   Head to the 2010 NFL draft coverage page to see interviews and analysis of the Packers choices so far.

The Packers went big in the Big Ten for a second straight draft choice, selecting defensive end Michael Neal of Purdue in the second round tonight.  Neal is 6-3 and 294 pounds and bulked up during his entire career in West Lafayette.  He arrived on campus as a 245 pounder and never left the weight room.  By the end of his college career he posted some very impressive numbers with the weights.  A bench press of 510 pounds, 615 on the squat and a 385 pound clean lift.  Neal played primarily inside as a defensive tackle at Purdue but the Packers see him as a big defensive end in the 3-4 front, joining the likes of fellow 300 pounders Cullen Jenkins and Johnny Jolly.  Defensive line coach Mike Trgovac says while Neal may not have been rated as highly as some other front line defenders (some scouting services projected him as no higher than a third round pick), he showed outstanding ability to punch inside and quickness to slip underneath protection and get to the quarterback.  In his junior and senior seasons, Neal recorded 21 and a half tackles for losses and 11 of his career 13 sacks.  Boilermaker head coach Danny Hope said "Michael can be a great player, not only at his position, but in this league.  He may be the best defensive lineman to come out of Purdue since Jeff Zgonia, the Big Ten defensive player of the year in 1992 who had a 15 year run in the NFL.  As for the Merrillville, Indiana native, Neal said he had no idea the Packers were interested in him after having minimal contact at the NFL Scouting Combine in February.  The NFL draft report listed Neal as a Super Sleeper Team member.  As the 56th overall pick, Neal joins Iowa offensive tackle Brian Bulaga as the big two on the Packers 2010 Big Ten draft board.

The Packers addressed a clear need with the selection of Iowa offensive tackle Brian Bulaga with their first round draft choice.  Let's hear how General Manager Ted Thompson, offensive coordinator Joe Philbin and the man of the hour addressed the media on draft night.