Lamar Miller Scouting Report

Running Back Lamar Miller is one of five Miami Hurricane players to declare early for the 2012 NFL Draft. At 5-11, 212 pounds, Miller ran 227 times for 1,272 yards (5.6 yard average) with nine touchdowns this past season.

Strengths:

• Has nice vision in finding the hole and makes one big cut to get out into space - used on a lot of toss plays 
• Great burst and top-notch acceleration when he finds the hole, often resulting in five to ten yard runs, and occasionally longer
• Has breakaway speed once he's in the open field - former track star who may run in the 4.3 range
• Size and experience in being an every-down back this past year
• Agile in making cuts and can stop on the dime 
• Shakes off arm tackles really well and is above average overall in breaking tackles
• Falls forward and always keeps his legs churning - high effort and good balance

Weaknesses:

• Can get happy feet at times and needs to show more patience in making cuts
• Has good hands, but is not overly elusive after the catch like he is on running plays
• Needs to show more consistency as a pass blocker
• Coming out after his redshirt sophomore season at Miami and may be a bit unproven over a long period of time

Overall:

Miller should be a second round pick and will be in the conversation of the second best running back in the draft behind Alabama's Trent Richardson. Could have proven himself a bit more with one more year in college to become a first round pick, but it is understandable for his leaving Miami after the school's allegations this year. Fits a zone-blocking scheme, has a lot of upside, and reminds a bit of a bigger Steve Slaton during his rookie season with Houston.

Vikings Can Go Multiple Ways In 1st Round

As we approach the final two games of the 2011 NFL regular season, the Minnesota Vikings are in prime position to secure a top four pick in the 2012 draft.  Minnesota can really go many different ways with their first pick due to many positions of need.

The Vikings still have a chance at the first overall pick and in that case, Minnesota should easily decide on Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, who figures to be an elite future NFL quarterback.  Though this year's eighth overall pick Christian Ponder has shown flashes of becoming a solid passer, I do not feel his ceiling is as high as Luck and it is difficult to pass up a once-every-ten-years type of prospect at the most crucial position in football. Luck's size, accuracy, and ability to read coverages at the line of scrimmage and pick apart a defense will make him an excellent NFL quarterback.

Even if Minnesota receives the second, third, or fourth overall pick, there should be a slew of elite talent available.  Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon is a tall, physical receiver with an uncanny ability to go up and catch the long ball. The Vikings have lacked a true home run threat since the departure of Randy Moss several years ago and Blackmon would complement Percy Harvin very well as both a possession receiver and one that can work the entire field with his soft hands.

The Vikings signed left tackle Charlie Johnson as a free agent this past offseason, but he disappointed in his first year with the club.  USC's Matt Kalil, the younger brother of Carolina Panthers center Ryan Kalil, would fill a big need on the offensive line and allow Johnson to move inside to guard where Stephen Herrera and Steve Hutchinson have been beat up and Hutchinson's age is catching up to him. Kalil is the reason Tyron Smith, the Cowboys' ninth overall pick in last year's draft, played right tackle at USC and has the ability to refine his skills at the next level to become an elite tackle.

The defensive backfield has many questions to answer next season, as well. Cornerback Antoine Winfield is nearing the end of his marvelous career, while Cedric Griffin has been highly inconsistent all season long. Asher Allen is only an average cover corner and is limited by his size, while former second round pick Chris Cook has been involved in several legal issues within the past two years. Therefore, LSU's Morris Claiborne would fit nicely in the Vikings' secondary. Claiborne has great size (6-1) and speed and his production has increased every year with the Tigers, posting six interceptions this season. Along the lines of former teammate and Arizona Cardinal Patrick Peterson, Claiborne might even be a better pure cover corner and would provide a big boost in defensive turnovers.

The Minnesota Vikings can really go in any direction they choose in the 2012 Draft, but I believe they would be incredibly "lucky" to land a quarterback of Andrew Luck's caliber. They would also benefit greatly from Justin Blackmon, who would provide Christian Ponder with a big, reliable target. The final two games will surely be a big step in determining the future success of the Vikes.

USC QB Matt Barkley Passes on 2012 Draft

Southern California quarterback Matt Barkley has decided not to enter the 2012 NFL Draft, choosing instead to lead the Trojans offense again next season on a quest for a National Championship.

While Barkley believes he is NFL-ready and would have probably been a top 10 pick in this upcoming draft, he also wants to help his team attend to "unfinished business." USC is bowl eligible again next season for the first time since the Reggie Bush scandal.

A 6-2, 220-pound true junior, Barkley threw for 3,528 yards, 39 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 2011. The former top recruit in the nation led the Trojans to a 10-2 record and a #5 ranking at the conclusion of the season. There is a very realistic chance Barkley could become, not only a Heisman Trophy winner, but the top pick in the 2013 draft with another season like this past year in which he played at a higher level towards the end of the season and moved from being a "solid" to a "great" college quarterback.  Barkley led an underdog team in games against Stanford, Oregon, and Notre Dame and threw 10 touchdowns to only 2 interceptions in those games - wins against Notre Dame and #4 Oregon and a triple overtime loss to #6 Stanford.

The question is if Barkley can duplicate the success he had this season under more intense scrutiny and a Senior Bowl performance added on at the end of the year. The pieces are place to do so with a top receiving corps in the nation, led by Robert Woods and Marqise Lee, but he will miss his left tackle Matt Kalil who declared for the draft earlier this week. However, should he not, Barkley does not have the great size or arm strength that other college quarterbacks do, which would surely impact his draft status.

Do you think Barkley should have entered the draft? Let us know by voting in the poll at the top right half of your screen.

Alabama S Mark Barron Scouting Report

Positives:

• Aggressive at the line as a blitzer and run stopper. Projects to strong safety at the NFL level.
• Good tackler, very physical player that is unafraid to add an extra pop
• Durable size (6-2, 218), above average speed, shows ability to go up for the ball in coverage and make a play
• Above average as a man-to-man defensive back
• Shows great awareness in coverage and makes smart decisions
• 12 interceptions over the past 3 1/2 seasons

Negatives:

• Can take bad angles to the ballcarrier when tackling
• Can be too aggressive and is susceptible to biting on the playaction
• Lack of great speed and range can hinder him when beat in coverage
• Played with a torn pectoral muscle in 2010
• Character questions after misdemeanor charge this past March and history of a torn pectoral.

NFL Comparison: Former Cowboys & Bengals Safety Roy Williams

Packers Could Seek D-Line Help in Draft

Midway through the 2011 NFL season, the Green Bay Packers injury bug and lack of pass rush at the defensive end position has added pressure to the secondary, which has, in turn, led to a rough start for the entire Packer defense.  It is safe to say that the loss of Mike Neal to injury in the first half of the season has been a disappointment, as the 2010 second round pick has gotten on the playing field only a handful of times in his first two seasons. With Howard Green, C.J. Wilson, and Ryan Pickett manning the end positions, the Green Bay line is stout against the run, but struggles to get to the quarterback. 

In analyzing this position of need, there are two players I have identified as possible help for the line via the draft. 

Nebraska's Crick (6'6, 285) is a prime candidate for the 3-4 DE position at the next level, having played as both a defensive end and tackle for the Cornhuskers. Crick's 2011 campaign has been cut short due to a torn pectoral injury, but he was coming off of two prior seasons in which he recorded 9.0 and 9.5 sacks, respectively. Crick shows a nonstop motor and appears to be a blue-collared type of lineman in the mold of Aaron Kampman.  Though Crick does not have the same elite sack artist skills that made Kampman so unique for his size, Jared does possess the ability to bull rush, as well as occasionally get around the tackle with his speed to rush the quarterback. One of the things Crick does especially well is his ability to diagnose and react to plays in both the run and pass. It was unfortunate that he went down with an injury this season, Jared Crick could still be a mid to late second round pick this upcoming draft.

Boise State's Billy Winn (6-4, 295) has experience on the inside and outside and stands out for his quick burst off the snap to penetrate the line and make stops in the backfield.  He has had a slower start to this season, but had a breakout season as a sophomore when he had 6.0 sacks and 12..5 tackles for a loss.  Though Winn can get caught up in blocks and sometimes disappears, he does seem to show a sense of energy play in and play out that could be molded into an effective part of a defensive line rotation at the NFL level. His numbers do not reflect the impact he makes on the Broncos line and I see Winn as a late second, early third round pick, with his stock on the rise.

Prospects on the Move

From NFL Draft Countdown: NFL prospects rising and one dropping thus far in the college football season.

http://www.draftcountdown.com/features/HotList/Hot-List.php

First Round RBs After First Game

• Oregon's LaMichael James was slowed down by LSU's defense in the Ducks' loss and was held to just 54 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. It was the second straight game against an SEC opponent, dating back to the 2010 BCS Title Game against Auburn, in which James struggled to get anything going. There's no doubt that James has speed and quickness, but how well will he be able to translate his talents to the next level against NFL defenses and will he ever be more than just a third down back?
  
  
  
• Likewise, Alabama's Trent Richardson had difficulty in terms of yardage yesterday against Kent St. He only rushed 13 times for 37 yards, but did manage to score three touchdowns. However, his limited number of carries could have been a result of the Tide's overwhelming 48-7 victory. Richardson has always had the blend of power and speed to be effective and without Mark Ingram this season to split carries, Trent should produce game in and game out. Mocks are starting to place him in the top five picks already....

Whose Bubble Will Burst?

With less than two weeks until the Green Bay Packers kick off the regular season against the New Orleans Saints on September 8th, it is the time of year where General Manager Ted Thompson and Coach Mike McCarthy are nearing their final cut-downs in reaching the 53-man roster that will hopefully re-punch Green Bay’s ticket to the Super Bowl.

But before those cut-downs take place on September 3rd, it is time to begin speculation on a few of the Packers on the bubble of making this year’s squad.

RB Dmitri Nance, 2nd season, Arizona State

Nance was picked up early in the 2010 season off the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad after Ryan Grant was placed on injured reserve. He played sparingly in 12 games, rushing 36 times for 95 yards (2.6 average) and catching three passes. Though he was not expected to make the team coming into training camp, Nance has had a very good camp and appears to be the best running back on the current Green Bay roster to fill in the void as a third-down back left by the departure of Brandon Jackson in free agency. Nance’s superior pass blocking and ability to catch screens just might help him make a squad that already features James Starks, Ryan Grant, and third-round pick Alex Green. Do not forget that the Packers will probably only keep one to two fullbacks this season, compared to three in 2010, so an additional roster spot in the backfield is open if needed.

QB Graham Harrell, 1st season, Texas Tech

Harrell was placed on the practice squad last season after signing as an undrafted free agent and was elevated to the 53-man roster for several games after Aaron Rodgers suffered concussion injuries. Harrell has arguably improved the most out of any second-year player and Coach McCarthy, a quarterback guru, must have seen enough last season to justify keeping him around on a team that already features an All-Pro in Rodgers and a top NFL backup in Matt Flynn. With Flynn’s contract up after this season and Matt almost certainly looking for a starting role elsewhere, is Harrell developing enough to become the number two quarterback spot next season? More importantly, if the Packers release him, is there any way they could hope to retain him for the practice squad among other NFL teams searching for a backup quarterback?

WR Chastin West, 1st season, Fresno State

A member of the Green Bay practice squad in 2010, West has impressed coaches and analysts alike with a strong camp and excellent performance last week against the Arizona Cardinals in which he caught five passes for 134 yards, including a 97-yard touchdown reception from Matt Flynn that got his name circulating in the Green Bay community. Last year, the Packers kept five wide receivers – Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson, James Jones, and Brett Swain – and have added Randall Cobb to the mix via a second-round pick this offseason. Swain has not stood out this preseason and will most likely not make the team, while Cobb is a lock and has looked promising this camp in five receiver sets. West could be a sixth receiver and, with his experience last season, could make the team depending upon whether or not Green Bay sees Jordy Nelson in its future after this season.

TE Andrew Quarless, 2nd season, Penn State

Quarless filled in as a starter for Jermichael Finley last season and had his share of ups and downs in terms of dropped passes, but also made some big catches. What did not seem to be his forte was catching the quick slant patterns that Finley excelled at and is a big part of the Packer offense. There is certainly a learning curve in a rookie season, but it was peculiar when Green Bay drafted two tight ends in the offseason – Ryan Taylor and D.J. Williams. Williams, who has stood out among all rookies in training camp, is a pass-catching tight end in the mold of a better Tory Humphrey of a few years ago. Taylor has shown the potential to be an H-back at some point and is on nearly all of the first team special teams units. With Finley a lock to start, the statuses of Quarless and Tom Crabtree are in doubt. Quarless showed up late to camp after failing his physical and struggled as a blocker last season. Meanwhile, Crabtree was valuable as a run blocker and special teams performer. How many tight ends will the Packers keep? Three, four, five? Though all are talented enough to make the opening day roster, my guess is only four will do so for the Green and Gold.

DB Pat Lee, 4th season, Auburn

The former second-round pick Lee has been injury prone throughout his tenure in Green Bay and is without a doubt in jeopardy of losing his spot on the roster. A fourth cornerback at best the past few seasons, he had a surprisingly solid Super Bowl performance when Charles Woodson and Sam Shields went down with injuries. However, Lee was burned badly against the Cleveland Browns this preseason and he has received competition in camp from Josh Gordy, who recorded a sack and interception against the Browns and was the fourth cornerback against the Cardinals last week. It seems almost certain that Lee will be released, especially since his value as a returner has diminished with Cobb’s emergence in training camp.

Who's the Real Terrelle Pryor?

Make no mistake about it, I'm not going to beat a dead horse on the offseason situation of Terrelle Pryor. What I am going to talk about is how well Pryor can play at the next level at the quarterback position, considering he should be picked in Monday's NFL Supplemental Draft (potentially between rounds 3 and 5).

Pryor might even be more athletic than 2011 #1 overall pick Cam Newton, but has three years of starting experience (and a 31-4 record) to Newton's one; he's also played in a pro style offense. Both are strong runners with big frames, but Pryor measures 6'6, 233 pounds and possesses 4.4 speed and a stiff arm that pummels defenders to the ground to go along with excellent arm strength; he quite possibly could develop into the best NFL quarterback in escaping pressure.

However, questions will always surround Pryor's character, accuracy, and inconsistency. In some games, Pryor will have a tight spiral and throw beautiful passes to open receivers after scanning the field. In some games, he will look to run before anticipating his receivers' routes. His accuracy is the same way. Sometimes the ball is right on the money, but sometimes the throw is forced or thrown into double or triple coverage when he's pressured. Below is analysis from two of Pryor's biggest games in his collegiate career with opposite impressions.


Analyzing the Rose Bowl vs. Oregon


Terrelle Pryor was impressive against the Ducks, who possessed a quality defense. Pryor broke some longer runs on third down and was able to escape pressure and run for the first down several times. But what was most impressive was the way his eyes were downfield before he looked to run. He found open receivers that turned into long gains, whether it was his running back or wide receiver. He did not force throws and made good reads with an incredibly tight spiral 20+ yards downfield. Pryor's decision making single-handedly won the BCS game for the Buckeyes.

Tale of Two Halves


In last year's Sugar Bowl vs. Arkansas, Pryor's game can best be described as a tale of two halves. In the first half, he was nearly unstoppable. He ran for huge gains, threw beautiful passes to the outside of the field, and collected a pair of amazing touchdown passes (15-yard out pass to Dane Sanzenbacher and 43-yard pass to DeVier Posey down the middle of the field). With a 28-10 lead at halftime and Pryor breaking down the Razorback defense, it looked as if OSU was in total control. But in the second half, Pryor began forcing throws and his accuracy suffered. He also struggled to run the ball as Arkansas started to bring the blitz and frustrated him after several failed possessions. Though Ohio State held on to win the ballgame, Pryor's performance left scouts wondering which Pryor they saw that evening.


Final Thoughts

So what do I think? The consistency from game to game just is not there to consider Pryor to be a bonafide potential NFL starter, but his athletic ability and "wow" plays just make you feel like he could develop into something special with a coach who really cares and wants to make him better. About 10 teams scouted Pryor at his pro day, but not all see him as an NFL quarterback. Some believe he could be a wide receiver or tight end with his freakish size and speed, much like Arkansas's Matt Jones a few years ago. I believe Pryor will struggle to be a starting quarterback, but could provide a threat as a 2nd-stringer. I wish I would have been able to see the progression Pryor could have made his senior season, as he had improved his raw quarterback skills each and every year with the Buckeyes. The next chapter of Pryor's career starts tomorrow.

Kellen Moore Scouting Report

Heading into his senior season at Boise State, quarterback Kellen Moore is a Heisman hopeful and one of the most well-known college players around the country. As he attempts to lead the Broncos to a national championship, Moore will also be looking to increase his stock for the 2012 NFL Draft. With that, here is my scouting report on Kellen Moore.

Positives:

• Three-year starter
• Has been highly productive as a passer, throwing for 3,400+ yards all three seasons. Threw for 3,845 yards last season, in addition to 35 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. As a junior in 2009, his numbers were astounding, throwing for 39 TDs to only 3 INTs.
• Has had big games against big competition, throwing for a combined 1,190 yards, 10 TDs, and 1 INT in 2010 against Virginia Tech, Oregon St., Nevada, and the bowl game against Utah.
• Spreads the ball around very well to receivers, tight ends, and backs.
• Good variance playing under center in the I-formation and in shotgun with 4-5 receiver sets.
• One of the most accurate passers in college football, especially when his feet are set and has time to throw. Possesses great touch on short to intermediate throws. Accurate over the middle and can zing it into tight spaces, even on the run.
• Has great awareness of where pass rush is coming from and anticipates receiver breaks. Has decent mobility to escape the rush.
• Has ice in his veins; almost flawless in clutch situations. Has led game-winning drives in big games versus Virginia Tech and Nevada the past two seasons.

Negatives:

• Appears a bit nervous under pressure and has the tendency to force throws into double coverage.
• Has the habit of throwing off of his back foot on occasion and has a mixture of a side arm and over the top delivery.
• Size is an issue (6'0, 190). Can he see the whole field and can his body hold up to hits by NFL lineman?
• Only above average arm strength to make long passes downfield.
• Has faced marginal conference opposition in the WAC.
• Has benefited greatly from his receivers, especially in 2010 with Lions 2nd round pick Titus Young and Rams 3rd rounder Austin Pettis.

Overall:

Moore possesses the ability to develop into a solid pro if he can develop more of a comfortable presence in the pocket under defensive pressure and continue his excellent accuracy.  Size and arm strength will always be questioned, but Moore has shown the leadership and moxy in win or lose situations that cannot be taught. Could really benefit from a year to study the game before being thrust into a starting role and should be a 3rd or 4th round pick who could make a jump to the 2nd round depending on how well he plays this season and whether he can lead Boise St. to a BCS bowl. 

Games to watch: vs. Georgia, Sept. 3 -- vs. Nevada, Oct. 1 -- vs. TCU, Nov. 12

Packers Impressions & Tidbits vs. Arizona

Offense

• The Packers first-team offense was forced to punt on their opening drive and did not attempt a running play during the drive for the second consecutive week. The lack of production and balance on the first series has to be a concern.

• T.J. Lang started the game at left guard over Derek Sherrod, who earned the reps last week. Meanwhile, Sherrod played too upright and gave up a sack to Calais Campbell in the first quarter. Lang is in position to earn the starting nod this season.

• The Packers’ first touchdown of the game, a 20-yard back-shoulder throw from Aaron Rodgers to Greg Jennings, was nearly an identical play to the first touchdown scored last week. 

• After giving up five sacks a week ago, the offensive line had another rough outing this week. Sherrod, Lang (at offensive tackle), and Josh Sitton each allowed sacks as Aaron Rodgers was not given much time to find open receivers and was hit more than he should have been.

• Jermichael Finley made three straight catches during a mid-second quarter scoring drive in his return to action.

• 3^rd-round pick Alex Green, seeing his first action as a Packer, gained 25 yards on a screen pass right before halftime and finished the drive with a 2-yard rushing touchdown.

• Matt Flynn completed a 97-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Chastin West, who was on the practice squad last season and is on the bubble of making the roster.

Defense

• After being torched last week against the Cleveland Browns, the first-team defense was able to force a three and out on the Cardinals first drive, aided by great pressure from B.J. Raji on third down.

• Without Cullen Jenkins on the defensive line, the Packers’ line has had a hard time pressuring the quarterback, evidenced by the time Kevin Kolb had to throw the ball on third down throughout the first half. Kolb finished with 80 yards on six completions.

• C.J. Wilson got the start at defensive end with Mike Neal’s recent sprained knee injury and tackled Beanie Wells in the backfield for a loss on the Cards’ second drive. However, he appeared to suffer a concussion in the game, hurting the already little depth along the defensive line.

• Defensive coordinator Dom Capers must be concerned with the way his defense allowed Beanie Wells to power his way to 44 yards on 11 carries in the first half. However, Howard Green entered the ballgame late in the second quarter and made several tackles around the line of scrimmage to slow down runners.

• Safety Morgan Burnett showed why he is en route to earning the starting role this season when he made a last second break on the ball and broke up a 30+ yard pass intended for Larry Fitzgerald.

• Defensive back Josh Gordy, who had an interception and sack last week, was used as the fourth cornerback in the first-team dime defense over both Pat Lee and Jarrett Bush. 

• Give this one to Larry Fitzgerald. After a long Cardinal drive on their second possession, he made an incredible diving, 15-yard one-handed catch, cradling the ball between his forearm and facemask in full extension on 3^rd and 23 to put the Cards in position for a Jay Feely field goal.

Special Teams

• Randall Cobb and Alex Green split first half kickoff return duties. Cobb fumbled a punt in the second quarter, while Diondre Borel fumbled the opening second half kickoff.
• Punter Tim Masthay has picked up where he left off at the end of last season. He had two non-returnable punts downed inside the 20 in the first half.
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Cardinals vs. Packers Preview

The Green Bay Packers (0-1) take the field for their home preseason opener Friday night at 7 p.m. (CST) as they take on the Arizona Cardinals (1-0) at Lambeau Field. The Packers will be looking to rebound after their 27-17 loss to the Cleveland Browns last weekend. Here are five things to watch for in Friday’s ballgame.

5 – Kevin Kolb

A great year is expected of Kolb, who was traded to Arizona by Philadelphia for stud cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a second round pick earlier this offseason. Kolb threw for 68 yards on 4 of 7 passing against Oakland last week, but will be looking for his first passing touchdown against the defending Super Bowl champs to leave a good impression for Cards fans early in the preseason and justify the price Arizona paid to bring him to Phoenix.

4 – Daryn Colledge Returns to Green Bay

Green Bay allowed Daryn Colledge to depart in free agency after starting at left guard for the Packers over the course of five seasons and helping them earn a Super Bowl title. Now, Colledge will be filling the hole left by Alan Faneca at guard on the Arizona interior. Though starters will probably only play the first half at the most, look for Colledge to show a mean streak against his former team.

3 – Battle at Left Guard

After letting Colledge walk, the Packers have been forced to find a replacement at left guard. In training camp, first round pick Derek Sherrod earned many of the repetitions with the first-team offense, even though he had no prior experience at guard and was drafted as a tackle. However, in the first preseason game, Sherrod split snaps with third-year pro T.J. Lang. Though Lang will receive the starting nod Friday evening, look for both players to share snaps again this week in their battle for the starting position.

2 – Gordy’s Play at Corner

After intercepting a pass against the Cleveland Browns last week, second-year pro Josh Gordy aided his cause to earn a roster spot in the secondary this season. Gordy spent most of last season on the Packers’ practice squad before being promoted to the 53-man roster in December and, at 5’11, has the size to be effective in Green Bay’s coverage schemes. A strong training camp has put Gordy in position to take Pat Lee’s spot after the injury-prone reserve has failed to live up to his billing as a second-round pick. Gordy will have his chance to shine in the second half again this week.

1 – Defensive Secondary

The first-team Packer defense struggled mightily against the Browns last week, allowing quarterback Colt McCoy to throw for 135 yards and a touchdown on 9 of 10 passing. The Browns offense also marched 71 yards on 8 plays in the opening drive.  The secondary looked out of place throughout the first half without Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams, and Sam Shields, who sat out due to injury precautions, while starting safety Morgan Burnett, coming off of a torn ACL last season, and last year’s fill-in Charlie Peprah each allowed big completions over the middle and will need to cut down on their mistakes this week against Kevin Kolb.

Packer Preseason Game #1

Here are some observations from the first Packers preseason game, a 27-17 loss to the Cleveland Browns.

CB Josh Gordy is going to give Pat Lee a run for his roster spot this preseason. Gordy played well against the Browns and recorded a second half interception, while Lee and Jarrett Bush were routinely burned in coverage against Colt McCoy and the first team Cleveland offense.

After a very discouraging first drive, the first team offense put together a spectacular drive, culminated by a back shoulder 21-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers to Greg Jennings. James Starks showed power and burst on the drive, while Ryan Grant seemed a little slow out of the gate after missing all but one game last season due to injury.

Matt Flynn led a two minute drill at the end of the first half that resulted in points when he connected with Spencer Havner on a 3-yard pass that was deflected into his hands. Flynn finished 11 of 18 for 126 yards and I think he will flourish in a starting role elsewhere next season.

Rookie receiver Randall Cobb led the team with 3 catches for 60 yards, including a 28-yard reception that stretched the middle of the field. Cobb also flourished in the return game during his first pro action, with a 29.0-yard average on two kick returns including a 32-yard return. You have the feeling Cobb will make an impact his first season.

Playing with a sprained ankle, newly re-signed kicker Mason Crosby knocked home a 31-yard field goal right down the middle on his only attempt of the night.

Packer Training Camp

I had the opportunity to attend a Packer practice last Thursday night for the first time since I was a wee little child (7-9 years old). Some observations:


Randall Cobb may be having a big training camp as a returner and route runner, but he had two drops and ran the wrong route on one occasion during passing drills. However, it is understandable since he is a young player and is still digesting a large NFL playbook.

Jermichael Finley reportedly has lost 10 pounds this offseason and he looks the part. He is a lean, athletic machine. If he is still big enough to hold blocks, he will be even more of a matchup nightmare in the passing game this season.

Whether or not he did or didn't, Josh Sitton also looks like he has lost considerable weight this offseason and will be looking to improve upon a Pro-Bowl caliber 2010 season.

With Chad Clifton nursing an injury, Marshall Newhouse earned reps at left tackle. Last year's 5th round pick made big improvements last season and has found himself in a key backup role. This year's first rounder Derek Sherrod lined up as the starting left guard, even though he has not played guard before and was drafted as a tackle of the future. One thing's for sure: you can never have enough solid lineman on your roster.

Matt Flynn impressed me with his accuracy in the passing drills (especially out patterns) and during quarterback agility drills. Looks the part of a starter in the coming seasons and is a free agent after this season.

Meanwhile, 3rd-string quarterback Graham Harrell was picked up as an undrafted free agent last season and looked impressive. Reporters raved about the strides he made during the season last year and Harrell showed his own agility skills during practice and decent accuracy, even though he threw too high to a receiver a few times.

Alex Green looks like a tough between the tackles runner with the ability to get to the outside. He has also been tried in the return game.

Packers in the Days of Free Agency

Through two days of free agency, here is our Packer report on where free agents have ended up:

K Mason Crosby: Signed 5-year, $14.75 million ($3 million guaranteed) contract with the Packers.

RB Brandon Jackson: Signed 2-year, $4.5 million contract with the Cleveland Browns.

OG Daryn Colledge: Signed 4-year, $27.5 million (just under $10 million guaranteed) contract with the Arizona Cardinals.

Cullen Jenkins: Still a free agent - interest from Washington Redskins.

James Jones: Still a free agent - serious interest from Minnesota Vikings.

Matt Wilhelm: Still a free agent - interest from the Packers.

Jason Spitz: Signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Details yet to be released.

Others: Atari Bigby, John Kuhn, Korey Hall, Anthony Smith.


The Packers have also released Nick Barnett, Brady Poppinga, and Justin Harrell.

Free Agency Thoughts

Check out my thoughts on free agency signings and trades under the 2012 Free Agency tab at the top of the page!

Packers Sign 15 Undrafted Free Agents

From Packers.com

The Green Bay Packers have signed 15 rookie free agents. The additions were announced Thursday by Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations.

Name	Pos	Ht	Wt	College	HS Hometown
Diondre Borel	WR	6-0	199	Utah State	Oakley, Calif.
Anthony Bratton	S	6-0	213	Delaware	Manassas, Va.
Ray Dominguez	T	6-4	334	Arkansas	Bainbridge, Ga.
Sampson Genus	C	6-1	315	South Florida	Lake City, Fla.
Tori Gurley	WR	6-4	216	South Carolina	Rock Hill, S.C.
Jon Hoese	FB	6-2	238	Minnesota	Glencoe, Minn.
M.D. Jennings	S	6-0	187	Arkansas State	Calhoun City, Miss.
Elijah Joseph	LB	6-1	243	Temple	Hartford, Conn.
Jamari Lattimore	LB	6-2	230	Middle Tennessee St.	Hialeah, Fla.
Brandian Ross	CB	6-0	191	Youngstown State	Richmond, Va.
Brandon Saine	RB	5-11	220	Ohio State	Piqua, Ohio
Theo Sherman	T	6-4	302	James Madison	Chatham, Va.
Shaky Smithson	WR	5-11	202	Utah	Baltimore, Md.
Vic So’oto	LB	6-3	263	BYU	Carlsbad, Calif.
Kerry Taylor	WR	6-0	200	Arizona State	Chandler, Ariz.

Borel (Dee-on-dre, Buh-rel), 22, was a three-year starter at quarterback for the Aggies. He finished his career with several school records, including the mark for single-season total offense (3,343 yards in 2009), single-season rushing yards by a quarterback (632 in 2008) and career rushing yards by a quarterback (1,362). Borel threw for 6,698 yards in his career, good for No. 2 in Utah State history, and rushed for 1,398 yards.

Bratton, 23, was named third-team All-America by The Associated Press in 2010 after posting 99 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a team-high 12 pass breakups. He earned first-team All-Colonial Athletic recognition as a senior and second-team honors as a junior. For his career, Bratton appeared in 44 games with 39 starts and recorded 269 tackles, 19 pass breakups and seven interceptions.

Dominguez, 23, appeared in 41 career games with 33 starts at tackle for the Razorbacks. As a senior in 2010, he was part of a line that helped the Arkansas offense break 24 season or single-game school records. The Razorbacks were the only team in the country to boast a 3,000-yard passer, a 1,000-yard rusher and five 600-yard receivers.

Genus (JEAN-us), 23, appeared in 44 games with 30 starts during his career and earned first-team All-Big East honors as a senior. As a junior in 2009, he earned second-team all-conference honors and was named USF’s Offensive Lineman of the Year by the coaches. In 2010, he was a finalist for the Wuerffel Trophy, an award given to the FBS player that best combines exemplary community service with academic and athletic achievement.

Gurley, 23, started all 14 contests as a sophomore in 2010 and finished second on the team with 44 receptions for 465 yards (10.6 avg.) and four TDs. He tied a school single-game record with 14 catches at Vanderbilt in ’10. As a redshirt freshman, Gurley played in all 13 games with five starts and ranked third on the squad with 440 yards receiving on 31 grabs (14.2 avg.) with two TDs.

Hoese (HAZE-ee), 22, appeared in 11 games with seven starts as a senior in 2010. He rushed for 53 yards and three TDs on 19 carries, and added 97 yards receiving on 12 catches. As a junior, Hoese posted 103 rushing yards and a TD on 29 attempts along with 11 catches for 87 yards and a score. He began his career as a walk-on safety before converting to fullback prior to his sophomore campaign.

Jennings, 23, earned first-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors as a senior when he posted a career-high 84 tackles and matched his career best with three interceptions. As a junior in 2009, he ranked second on the squad with 64 tackles and tied for the conference lead with three fumble recoveries. He finished his career with 241 tackles, eight interceptions, 15 pass breakups and two sacks.

Joseph, 23, was a second-team All-Mid-American Conference selection as a senior and also was the recipient of the team’s Carlos Diaz Award as the most improved player. He played in 11 games with eight starts at MLB and finished second on the team with 71 tackles. As a junior in 2009, Joseph recorded 63 tackles, including 6½ for a loss, two sacks and two forced fumbles on his way to earning first-team All-MAC honors.

Lattimore, 22, was named the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2010, recording 68 tackles, 15 tackles for loss11½ sacks, two forced fumbles, two blocked kicks and a fumble recovery. He earned second-team All-Sun Belt Conference recognition as a junior when he posted 47 tackles, including 9½ tackles for loss, and 5½ sacks. Lattimore finished his career ranked second in school history with 20½ sacks in three seasons, appearing in all 38 games with 26 starts.

Ross, 21, was a four-year letterwinner, appearing in 45 games with 33 starts during his career. He earned second-team All-Missouri Valley Conference recognition as a senior when he led the team with three interceptions and added 60 tackles (40 solo). Ross earned honorable mention all-conference honors at safety as a sophomore in 2008 before moving to cornerback for his final two seasons.

Saine, 22, (pictured) appeared in 49 games with 17 starts for the Buckeyes and finished his career with 1,408 rushing yards and 17 TDs. He was voted team captain as a senior and was a member of the Doak Walker Award preseason watch list. Saine posted a career-high 739 rushing yards and four TDs on 145 carries (5.1 avg.) as a junior in 2009. He added 616 receiving yards and eight TDs on 55 catches (11.2 avg.) during his career.

Sherman, 23, was a four-year starter at tackle for the Dukes and earned second-team All-Colonial Athletic Association honors as a senior. He earned third-team all-conference recognition as a sophomore and junior. In 2008, Sherman helped the Dukes average 38.1 points and 282.8 rushing yards per game.

Smithson, 23, was named a Walter Camp first-team All-America at punt returner as a senior in 2010 after leading the nation in punt return average (19.1) and punt return yards (572). He was named a first-team All-America all-purpose back by Scout/FoxSports.com as a senior and earned second-team All-America honors at punt returner from CBSSports.com and Phil Steele. Smithson added 383 receiving yards and three TDs on 25 catches (15.3 avg.) in 2010.

So’oto (so-OH-toe), 24, started all 13 games at defensive end as a senior and earned first-team All-Mountain West Conference honors. He paced the team with 11½ tackles for loss and five sacks, adding 45 tackles, eight QB hurries, an interception and a forced fumble. So’oto also saw action at tight end earlier in his collegiate career, posting 124 yards on 12 receptions (10.3 avg.) as a sophomore in 2007.

Taylor, 22, appeared in 46 games with 20 starts for the Sun Devils and finished his career with 112 receptions for 1,433 yards (12.8 avg.) and seven TDs. He led the team in receptions (54) and receiving yards (699) as a senior, posting career highs in each category. Taylor added three TD receptions in 2010, matching his career best, and registered five six-catch games on the season.