Starting to think that GB will be taking OLB with one of their first 2 picks. Have more shallow positions that need help(ILB and TE specifically) but there's a reason why edge rushers get paid a ton. Peppers is old, Clay is entering his age 30 season, and Perry or Neal or perhaps even both won't be back(and both are average players as it is). They need to find another young high upside option for that group.
Ted seems to look beyond the current year with the draft. Look at the 2017 free agents: Julius Peppers, Josh Sitton, TJ Lang, Datone Jones, Eddie Lacy, Davis Bahktiari, JC Tretter, Micah Hyde, Jayrone Elliot (RFA), Mike Pennel (RFA), John Crockett, Josh Walker, etc.
They can't wait to replace two starting Guards and their primary backups next year. Same thing for OLB with Neal and Perry being FAs this year...4 of our top 5 OLBs will be FAs over over this offseason and next. Same thing with the DL, Raji and Guion are FAs, Jones is an FA next year and Pennel is an RFA, theoretically we could also lose 4 of our 5 top DL in the coming off seasons.
Tough road ahead for TT.
TE and ILB cannot be ignored. Period. So, if not through the draft, then Ted has to look at FA. Lack of speed is a big issue on both sides. These 2 positions have been ignored far too long.
Agreed on TE and ILB. We'll probably see a couple more WRs and maybe a late round OLB to switch positions though. Overall I think TT does a great job but it almost seems like he has a bias against these positions.
That said, I am not totally against a stud OLB so Clay can stay inside more. Clay has been very disruptive inside, especially on stunts where he blitzes. And I never saw him lose contain while playing ILB. ;-)
So if Ted doesn't pick an ILB or TE or sign any Free Agents, that meet your expectations, what will happen?
The Packers likely once again fall short of a Lombardi Trophy.
After Ragland I think Joe Schobert is the second best ILB in the draft. I know he was an OLB at Wisconsin, but I see the instincts, the aggressive/attacking mentality, and the athleticism to get the job done. I think he could easily make the conversion. I'd like to see a veteran LB signed, like one of the guys from Denver, but I would double down and bring this guy to GB. He has the versatility to slide down to OLB and pressure off the edge also.
GBFanForLife posted:So if Ted doesn't pick an ILB or TE or sign any Free Agents, that meet your expectations, what will happen?
Gnashing of teeth and pulling of hair. Kind of like any other day in Packers fan land.
Grave Digger posted:After Ragland I think Joe Schobert is the second best ILB in the draft. I know he was an OLB at Wisconsin, but I see the instincts, the aggressive/attacking mentality, and the athleticism to get the job done. I think he could easily make the conversion. I'd like to see a veteran LB signed, like one of the guys from Denver, but I would double down and bring this guy to GB. He has the versatility to slide down to OLB and pressure off the edge also.
They were talking about Schobert on NFL Radio yesterday & also liked his athleticism. They too thought he could play on the inside.
Packers not expected to select linebacker early in draft
Matt Miller says that TT doesn't feel that ILB is a very important position.
TT playing poker. Misleading the other 31 teams. Congrats.
I'd be very surprised if we took a CB in the first round.
Inside linebacker not imporant? Is that a joke? He needs to watch Carolina, where decent ILBs cover up other deficiencies....
pduck posted:Packers not expected to select linebacker early in draft
Matt Miller says that TT doesn't feel that ILB is a very important position.
I think that's a pretty safe assumption considering his track record. He has more history taking UDFA OLBs and undersized DEs for conversion projects.
My money is on a D-Tackle or edge rusher. TT has said he's fond of big bodies early and shown pass rushers and secondary defenders also.
There are a few interesting TEs at the Senior Bowl who could be awfully tempting in Round3, maybe even 2.
His premise that Ted doesn't value the ILB position as highly as some others is certainly hard to argue. He hasnât spent an R1-3 pick on the spot in ten years. Hopefully a decade of mediocre play at what the rest of the league views as a premier position has changed his thinking some.
My favorite part of the Miller video was that âThompsonâ doesnât hang on to his players. Is there a GM in the league with a better track record at this? Doesnât he do this to a fault according to the masses clamoring for more outside FAs?
It's both, really, with TT's system because every schlub he dumps is someone he picked and every Hawkstiff he keeps is also his pick. It's awfully hard to dump a guy you didn't sign in the first place.
YATittle posted:Inside linebacker not imporant? Is that a joke? He needs to watch Carolina, where decent ILBs cover up other deficiencies....
I agree, but they are much more than decent. Thomas Davis is a Pro Bowl level player and Luke Kuechly is on track to be a Hall of Famer (DROY and a defensive player of the year award in his first 4 years).