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Packers Seeking Cornerbacks in NFL Draft '08
Photo - CB Reggie Smith - Oklahoma
Frank Coyle - Draft Insiders/Publisher
Frank welcome back to the 2008 PackerChatters Draft Chats this evening. Tonights Chat as usual will run approximately 1 hour. Frank when you are ready we will start posting questions from our the fans with us tonight.
You ready Frank?
From FrankCoyle draftinsiders]I am ready
From FrankCoyle draftinsiders]First of all Brett Favre deserves all the praises he has received this week. What a great player and person. He is one of the top 5 QB of all-time in my opinion.
From Jeff]What are some of the names that Packer fans should look for come draft day? Do you feel that Braden Albert could fit in well in the ZBS that Green Bay runs?
From FrankCoyle draftinsiders]OG Albert is a terrific looking prospect Big mobile athletic Played guard but is so athletic that he could project to tackle though totally inexperience in that role. He probably is available for the Packer at #30
From GBP4EVER]Brad Cottam of Tennessee - Can he be Rodgers new Mark Churma?
From FrankCoyle draftinsiders]Cottam is a guy clubs are doing a lot of work on now after he missed most of the season. He is a huge athlete with sure hands and he will block which virtually none of the other prospects other than John Carlson know is part of the job description.
From mike]Calais Campbell was regarded as the premier defensive end in college football entering the 2007 season. The defense struggled all year,as did Campbell. Would he be a good fit for the Packers at #30. Would Campbell be the B.P.A. at 30. If not who would be ????? THANKS
From FrankCoyle draftinsiders]Campbell has no business of lasting to the #30 pick but we know stranger things have happened in the draft. DE will have a run from the middle of the first round on. I see Packers looking at corners at the #30 pick. Maybe Brandon Flowers or DRC.
From a fan in mourning]Obviously, with Favre retiring (but shouldn't) it's going to change the Pack's need for quality depth behind Rogers. What decent Qb's are out there in FA that the Pack could pursue, if any, and do you see them taking a flyer in the draft with a mid-round pick for a Josh Johnson or Eric Ainge?
From FrankCoyle draftinsiders]This is the worst class of FA QBs I have seen. Usually not a lot to pick from but this year is a joke. I like Aaron Rodgers I was the only analyst in the country that ranked him ahead of Alex Smith. Rodgers looked great vs Cowboys but needs to show he can do that consistently as a starter.
From sdn40]Seems like Cason has jumped ahead of Talib in the cornerback ratings -- is this how you see it ??? Cason may not even make it to our pick ??
Frank's latest Mock has the Packers picking Felix Jones - RB - Arkansas
From FrankCoyle draftinsiders]Both Ainge and Johnson are 5th thru 7th round guys and strictly #3 passers.
From Marc]With Favre gone, I believe Packers need to establish run game better - even though Grant looks good. Do you see them drafting a RB with picks in 1st or 2nd round? Who do you think they have eye on? Round?
From FrankCoyle draftinsiders]CB Cason had a nice week in Indy and will not be there at #30. Like I said Cason will not be there at #30. Brandon Flowers, Cromartie, Talib at least one of them will be on the board and a good fit for GB
From FrankCoyle draftinsiders]RB class is a talented and deep group. You can land a good back in the 2nd thru 4th rounds this year. I like the 1 1A system teams use and GB could follow. Kevin Smith, Matt Forte and Ray Rice would be good late 2nd round picks.
From Juano]Do you think that Tommy Blake - DE - TCU is draftable? And if so, in what round would you expect him to be selected?
From FrankCoyle draftinsiders]Tommy Blake is a sad story. He weighed 281 lbs in Indy after conditioning. If he gets drafted he is only a marginal top 200 prospect. He was ranked by NFL scouting service National and Blesto as a top 10/20 prospect. What a fall from grace. Hope the kid gets his mental and physical problems corrected. He can still recover and be an NFL player but his current condition makes it difficult to draft him even late in the process.
From GBP4EVER]Have you heard if the Pack have any interest in Ian Gold?
7:19 [Comment From FrankCoyle draftinsiders]It all comes down to money. Packers have talented LB so adding a vet would have to fit under salary cap situation.
From mike]Matt Forte could be the steal of the draft. YOUR THOUGHTS
From FrankCoyle draftinsiders]Forte had a big Senior bowl game and workout in Indy. He moved up the rankings nicely and is probably the #2 senior back behind Chris Johnson. He can run between the tackles and catches the ball well. He probably goes in the late 2nd or early 3rd rounds.
From GBP4EVER]What do you think of this first day. Cason in the first and then Bennett and Cottam in the second
From FrankCoyle draftinsiders]I like Cason very much and it would be great pick but probably not available for GB at #30.
From GBP4EVER]I think Sam Baker could be a sleeper pick for the Pack. He can play tackle or move to guard if the want to move Colledge over to tackle. What do you think
From FrankCoyle draftinsiders]I assume you mean WR Earl Bennett and TE Cottam. Bennett would be a fine addition with big upside. Cottam in late 2nd might be too rich but a fast rising prospect at this point.
From Juano]What are your thoughts on RB Chris Johnson from East Carolina? When do you see him being drafted?
From FrankCoyle draftinsiders] Sam Baker is getting lost in this talented and deep OT class. He figures in the late first early 2nd round. I think he is a starting guard early in career and may move outside later.
From FrankCoyle draftinsiders]Chris Johnson burned up the Indy course. He probably goes in the mid 2nd round area. He brings a lot to the table and is a great 1A back with the right starter who can pound between the tackles.
From sdn40]With the Giants showing all of the NFL that a stronger than average defensive line with strong rotations are the only way to stop the offensive powerhouses, will this cause some defensive tackles and ends go higher than usual - therefore pushing value picks farther down the board ???
From FrankCoyle draftinsiders]DL is always a high priority . Pass rushers drive Mercedes. Great group of DE this year. DT is decent but will go early. DE is always a big bust position like QB and WR, Every one is looking for one regardless of their current roster.
From packfan67]What are the chances that Dustin Keller will be available to us in the second round, and if not can you see us using the 30th pick
From FrankCoyle draftinsiders]By the way How about those Giants. They took those cheating Patriots to the wood shed.
From FrankCoyle draftinsiders]I love Dustin Keller. I have in the top 75 since Oct. He should be available on 2nd round though someone may see him as a difference maker like the Colts viewed Dallas Clark. All you need is one team to love someone and he is off the board.
From GBP4EVER]I have been high on Josh Johnson all year. Can the packers get him in the 4th round?
From FrankCoyle draftinsiders]Josh Johnson will be available from the 5th round on. He is an interesting prospect but still developmental in many respects. Good #3 with upside but he needs vital time and reps in a system.
From GBP#1]What player in the draft or in free agency do you feel would best fill the strongside linebacker position for us?
From FrankCoyle draftinsiders]How about Victor Hobson of the Jets in FA? He would be a steady player who would fit in nicely. How about Stanford Kegler of Purdue in the late 3rd round.
From a fan in mourning]Frank, DRC seems to be an absolute freak and great in nickel and dime coverage, but do you think he would be good in the man bump coverage the Pack uses?
From FrankCoyle draftinsiders]I love this kid. He still needs development in other techniques though and needs a little time to settle into a scheme. He probably wins nickel as rookie and can start late in season or 2nd season with a huge upside to play all the coverage responsibilities he is asked. Great looking prospect and similar to his cousin A Cromartie.
From GBP4EVER]Craig Stevens is my mid to late round gem. What do you think of him?
From FrankCoyle draftinsiders]Stevens is a guy who grows on you. He is a good blocker who catches the ball well. He figures in the 4th round on and has the development to play immediately.
From mike]I think Owen Schmitt will be a STUD in the NFL. He is everything that T.T. looks for in a football player.What round will Owen be selected in.
Frank Coyle's Latest Mock View
From FrankCoyle draftinsiders]Owens is a beast. He is a throwback player and the ideal complimentary fullback with enough athleticism to fill an H back role and catch the ball well. He figures in the 4th round on our board and a good value there.
From GBP#1]Every year a highly rated player falls to the bottom of the first round. Who do you see being that player this year?
From FrankCoyle draftinsiders]It's difficult to project which players will be available. I think you have to slot players in tiers and be prepared for all scenarios. There are almost as many Pro bowl players taken in the 2nd round as the 1st round. Ted Thompson does his homework.
From lambeausdad]Zack Bowman ,what round?
From FrankCoyle draftinsiders]Zack Bowman is a wild card player. Huge upside if you are right. Medical issues linger over past few years. After the top corners are off the board he will be on the next tier of cover men. It's a risk reward situation. He could be a fine starter if he proves healthy. Say late 3rd round early 4th round
From GBP4EVER]Do you think Mike Hart is a bust? I think he is just too short and injury prone to be a good NFL back
From FrankCoyle draftinsiders]Hart may come up short (no pun intended) athletically in the NFL He is also not as developed as needed as a receiver or blocker. He is a falling prospect in a deep class and could be in for a shock this April.
From Marc]With sad news of Favre retiring, do you see the Packers going after a QB? What round and player do you see as a fit? I think it is important to have another good QB with Rodgers - seems like he could be injury prone.
From FrankCoyle draftinsiders]I like Rodgers a lot and had him the #1 prospect ahead of Alex Smith. You have to be prepared for injuries so bring in a veteran #2 and a developing #3 is essential. I love Joe Flacco of Delaware and did a lot of work on him. He probably goes late 2nd or 3rd round area. GB should focus more on a reliable vet than use a top 100 pick. Get DL, CB and RB Then they could face the G Men again in the NFC title game.
From a fan in mourning]Frank, I love Tom Zbikowski's attitude and toughness. When do you think he'll go in the draft, and do you think he would fit in with the Pack's scheme?
From FrankCoyle draftinsiders]Zbik is a tough kid who should excel on special teams. He carries a marginal starting grade. He lacks elite size and speed and his coverage skills are only adequate but I love the intensity and fire. That always means a kid plays up to his ability . He figures in the middle rounds maybe as early as the 3rd
From b0ss24]what do you think of TE Kellen Davis of Mich st.
From FrankCoyle draftinsiders]Kellen Davis is an awesome looking athlete. If the right coach pushes the right button. He will be in Hawaii in Feb at the Pro Bowl. Still raw in many aspects but a fast rising kid with the sky the limit if he grows up maturity wise.
From GBP4EVER]I think there is no way the Packers take a QB in the first two rounds. Rodgers is TT guy and if they did not take Quinn last year I see no way they take a worse QB in the first or second this year.
From FrankCoyle draftinsiders]We have a FREE NFL Email service at www.draftinsiders.com
Last question goes to Mike. Sorry we could not get to all the questions tonight in our 1 hour time frame.
From mike]As all Packer fans know T.T. will select the B.P.A. on his board. Rank these players from 1-5 keeping in mind B.P.A. Dan Connor, Reggie Smith, Antoine Cason, Aqib Talib & Branden Albert. THANKS
From FrankCoyle draftinsiders]QB is not a high priority for GB like I said earlier.
From FrankCoyle draftinsiders]I rank them Cason, Smith, Albert, Connor, Talib.The top two will not be available at #30, the next three have a good chance.
This concludes tonights Draft Chat and we thank Frank for being with us here in PackerChatters Draft Chat. Be sure to stop by The Draft Insiders.com http://www.draftinsiders.com/ and check out all the great Draft information which is updated daily. We will have a complete Chat
Thanks to all for coming with some great questions and answers.
Frank Coyle - Draft Insiders/Publisher
Thanks Frank.
From FrankCoyle draftinsiders]Nice being with Packer Chat again Good night.