Questions about Aaron Rodgers led the Packers to
taking Brian Brohm in the second round. Brohm was a mild surprise, but adding
LSU QB Matt Flynn in the seventh round was just shocking. Almost as if they have
no faith at all in Rodgers. Receiver Jordy Nelson brings some talent to an
already talented receiving corps, but that wasn't a need for the Packers.
Jermichael Finley addresses the loss of Bubba Franks. Defensive back Patrick Lee
brings some much needed youth to the position, with Charles Woodson and Al
Harris in their 30s
Round 2, Pick 5 (36) (From Jets) Jordy Nelson WR 6'3" 217 Kansas State
After playing defense as a sophomore, Nelson moved to receiver and caught 122
passes in 2007. He can also be dangerous in the return game with track speed.
Round 2, Pick 25 (56) (From Browns) Brian Brohm QB 6'3" 227 Louisville
In his senior year at Louisville, Brohm improved his numbers from the season
before, which seems to bode well for his ability to improve going forward.
Round 2, Pick 29 (60) Patrick Lee DB 6'0" 200 Auburn
With some age on their cornerbacks, the Packers went with Lee. He will have a
chance to learn from veterans Charles Woodson and Al Harris, while slowly
working into the rotation.
Round 3, Pick 28 (91) Jermichael Finley TE 6'5" 243 Texas
Finley was an outstanding basketball player in high school and there is a
tradition of tight ends with a basketball past becoming great tight ends in the
NFL.
Round 4, Pick 3 (102) Jeremy Thompson DE 6'5" 264 Wake Forest
Thompson holds Wake Forest's record for an interception return at 86 yards.
Round 4, Pick 36 (135)
(Compensatory selection) Josh Sitton OT 6'4" 319 Central Florida
Sitton is a player that was discovered at Pro Day. There were a lot of scouts
down there at Central Florida to watch Kevin Smith and he really impressed the
teams.
Round 5, Pick 15 (150) (From Vikings) Breno Giacomini OT 6'7" 303 Louisville
Giacomini spent time at tight end and on the offensive line in college, which
you can see in his knee bend and athletic ability. He's a project but has a
great attitude and promising skills.
Round 7, Pick 2 (209)
(From Rams through Vikings) Matt Flynn QB 6'2" 228 LSU
Flynn is a good decision maker, who has played in a successful program at LSU.
With Brett Favre's departure, the Packers look to be stockpiling quarterbacks in
order to create some competition for Aaron Rodgers.
Round 7, Pick 10 (217)
(From Bengals through Rams) Brett Swain WR 6'0" 200 San Diego State
Swain has decent speed and size, but he's not particularly outstanding in any
particular area.
Green Bay Packers 2008 NFL Preview
Aaron
Rodgers is the quarterback of the now in Green Bay. He is good enough to
displace Brett Favre. Then can anyone tell us what the Packers are doing
adding Brian Brohm in the second round and Matt Flynn in the seventh
round? Is Jon Gruden suddenly the GM of the Packers? You have to
question the decision making in Green Bay at some point. The Packers
have a capable defense, and Ryan Grant has proven himself at running
back. They added Jordy Nelson to catch balls from their choice at
quarterback whoever that may really be down the road. With it being
Rodgers for this year at least, look for a transitional year on offense
as Rodgers didn't see much playing time up to now.
Offense: Donald Driver, Greg Hennings, Hames Hones, and Hordy
Nelson make great targets for Aaron Rodgers. The offensive line is going
to have to really protect the young starter to give him some time to get
the ball to his playmakers. The line has been spoiled for a long time
having Brett Favre moving around as needed back there and making things
happen, Rodgers is much more the pocket passer. The Packers version of
the West Coast Offense was retooled some to fit the skillset of Rodgers
over Favre, so everyone else will have to get on the same page. The
Packers are not going to turn into a run first team in any way so expect
Rodgers to dink and dunk a lot in the early season.
Defense: The Packers are one of the youngest teams in the NFL,
but Al Harris at 33 and 31 respectively are the keys to the defense. The
bump and run corners have lost a step, and the Packers will be in for a
long season if they cannot prevent the long ball. The defensive line
will remain solid as they only lost Corey Williams from the starting
lineup.
Overall: Rodgers has some giant shoes to fill. If he succeeds in
any kind of a manner under the incredible pressure of replacing Brett
Favre, the Packers have a shot at contending for the playoffs, but
should he falter a little which is most likely, it should be a
transitional type year.
Very rarely does a
Super Bowl contending team undergo such a dramatic change at such a
dramatic position. If Rodgers doesn’t perform well right away, it will
be almost impossible for the Packers to establish championship-caliber
unity in 2008
