My Donald Driver Blog

Interested in the Green Bay Packers? The Green Bay Packers will be playing their 90th season in 2008, and if 2007 was any indication, the Packers are on a roll. They finished their season 13-3, scoring one of the best records of the year and advanced to the playoffs, eventually losing to the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants. This will be the first season without beloved quarterback Brett Favre, who retired last year. There have been some notable departures from the team in addition to Favre, including Koren Robinson, Bubba Franks and Rob Davis. Head coach Mike McCarthy is hoping what was once lost will now be found thanks to some solid 2008 NFL Draft picks.

The Packers traded their number one pick to the New York Jets in exchange for two addition picks later on. Their second pick was wide receiver Jordy Nelson of Kansas State, followed by quarterback Brian Brohm of Louisville and cornerback Patrick Lee of Auburn. During the second day, the team chose Jermichael Finley of Texas. For the fourth round the Packers traded two more picks to the New York Jets for pick 4-102. What is the strategy? So they could draft defensive end Jeremy Thompson of Wake Forest. They traded a few more early picks for dual picks and ended up drafting offensive guard Josh Sitton of Central Florida and offensive tackle Breno Giacomini of Louisville. They rounded out the list (nine total players) by selecting quarterback Matt Flynn of LSU and wide receiver Brett Swain of San Diego State. (What happened to that last draft pick? They're saving it for 2009-maybe they know something we don't?)

What was the reaction by experts and Packers fans? Fans are dedicated to the Packers and Mike McCarthy in particular, since he has done a tremendous job of rebuilding the once laughable Green Bay Packers of the 70s, 80s and 90s, into a 2000 championship contender. Unlike other successful teams that concentrate on polishing up an already bulging roster, the Packers take a lot of risks in signing new talent. This is evident again in 2008, as the Packers have chosen nine players. Many experts question whether this is an example of quantity over quality. However, others defend the Packers stating that with the departure of Favre, the team was essentially exploring new territory and needed all the help they could get.

Jordy Nelson came as a bit of a surprise, especially since the Packers already have several starting wide receivers they are quite proud of. However, Nelson has received rave reviews for his speed and great hands. As a rookie, don't expect Nelson to out-show Donald Driver and Greg Jennings, who are already reliable starters. Nelson received enthusiastic albeit restrained praise, while quarterback Brian Brohm received more of an unfriendly welcome. Brohm was considered by some to be a reach and one infringing upon Aaron Rodgers' position. Patrick Lee was actually the favorite of some experts, since the cornerback position was actually a need, and the first two drafts could be argued as luxury picks. All in all, Green Bay fans wait nervously to see if these risky picks will take Green Bay over the edge to Super Bowl success or keep that at a second best level for a few more years.

1st Round (#23) OT Bryan Bulaga, Iowa

Key Player(s) Passed On: CB Devin McCourty, DE/OLB Jerry Hughes

Analysis: Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher are both old and declining at left and right tackle. Bulaga has good feet and understands the importance of technique and working on his craft. He has an excellent chance to be a good left tackle with more strength work. The former Iowa standout represented value as a late 1st round selection. Green Bay needed to get younger at offensive tackle. Clifton and Tauscher may have another year in them. Bulaga can spend his rookie year getting stronger and adjusting to the NFL. Ideally, Bulaga will be ready to start in 2011 at left tackle. The Packers also could have used another pass rusher at outside linebacker to complement Clay Matthews. Jerry Hughes was an attractive option, but you cannot risk getting Aaron Rodgers hurt due to subpar offensive line play. Green Bay had to have been pleased that Bryan Bulaga was still available.

2nd Round (#56) DT Mike Neal, Purdue

Key Player(s) Passed On: WR Golden Tate, OT/OG Vladimir Ducasse

Analysis: Neal has talent (good size, strength and quickness), but never put it all together on the field for Purdue. Green Bay views him as a defensive end in their scheme. The Packers could use more depth on their defensive line with Justin Harrell's inability to stay healthy. PFDN had Golden Tate and Vladimir Ducasse rated higher than Neal. The Packers have wide receivers, but Donald Driver is 35 and cannot play forever. Ducasse would have given the Packers a powerful guard with substantial upside who also may be able to play right tackle. Neal has to improve his conditioning and his dedication to the game to justify the 2nd round selection.

3rd Round (#71) S Morgan Burnett, Georgia Tech

Key Player(s) Passed On: S Chad Jones

Analysis: Burnett represented excellent value in the 3rd round. He has a knack for making plays on the ball and is a willing hitter. Burnett can play strong safety. Atari Bigby has had his share of injuries the past two seasons. Burnett will provide serious competition for Bigby and is a likely future starter. Chad Jones also has a lot of upside, but the Pack preferred that Burnett had more starts and production in college.

5th Round (#154) TE Andrew Quarless, Penn State

Key Player(s) Passed On: DT Arthur Jones

Analysis: Quarless had some issues with alcohol in college, but he is a very talented tight end. He was an excellent selection in the 5th round. Quarless can block and catch the ball and represents little risk this late in the draft. He could be a fine complement to Jermichael Finley and an upgrade over Donald Lee and Spencer Havner. We also liked the potential of Arthur Jones as a 3-4 defensive end, but the Quarless pick made sense and could be a steal.

5th Round (#169) OT Marshall Newhouse, TCU

Key Player(s) Passed On: RB Jonathan Dwyer

Analysis: Newhouse has to play more aggressively and gain strength to have a chance of developing into a solid backup offensive tackle. His overall conditioning level also has to go to another level. Dwyer is a big back with surprising speed who Green Bay could have used to backup Ryan Grant. Dwyer is the better prospect compared to Newhouse and is not as big of a project.

6th Round (#193) RB James Starks, Buffalo

Key Player (s) Passed On: RB Charles Scott, QB Tony Pike

Analysis: Starks missed his senior season recovering from shoulder surgery. He had a number of injuries at Buffalo and never averaged more than 4.9 yards per carry. Starks is tall and takes a lot of direct hits. The Pack need more depth behind Ryan Grant, but why not select Charles Scott? The former LSU back was not having a good senior season prior to breaking his collarbone, but he is built to be a downhill runner in the NFL. Scott also played against much better competition than Starks did. Tony Pike is tall and has a good arm. He could have been added to the quarterback mix and really challenged Matt Flynn for the backup quarterback position in a year or two. Pike has better physical tools than Flynn does.

7th Round (#230) DE C.J. Wilson, East Carolina

Key Player(s) Passed On: S Kurt Coleman

Analysis: Wilson is stout against the run and was productive at East Carolina. He will compete to be a backup 3-4 defensive end. He was a decent pick-up in the 7th round. Coleman has the toughness to help a team on special teams. However, Green Bay went with the bigger man and further depth along their defensive line.

Bottom Line: The Packers found a couple of likely long-term starters (Bryan Bulaga and Morgan Burnett). Mike Neal was their most questionable selection in our opinion. Green Bay did not find another pass rushing outside linebacker, quality backup running back or a young cornerback. Overall, the Packers had a slightly above average draft.

Grade: B-

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