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.

Quinton Coples - the Next Great NC Pass Rusher?

North Carolina has produced a variety of good NFL defensive line prospects and talents in the past decade, ranging from Vonnie Holliday, to Julius Peppers, to Robert Quinn. Now, can Quinton Coples be added to that list?

At 6-6, 285, Coples has the size of an elite pass rusher and had an outstanding season last year, his first as a starter. Even with 2011 NFL Draft picks Quinn and Marvin Austin suspended for the entire season, Coples managed to build on a five-sack sophomore season by leading the Tar Heels with 10 sacks and recording 59 tackles and 13 tackles for a loss, including a forced fumble in the Music City Bowl against Tennessee.

Though I'm not quite sure yet if Coples is a more elite sack artist than Da'Quan Bowers, he does possess a good motor and delivers some big hits. He is able to get around the edge of the offensive line with his speed and also has surprisingly great strength to bull rush and push his way past lineman both as a rusher and in run support. Even if he does not get the sack, Coples is seemingly always around the play, applying quarterback pressure. However, he does not have one special move as a rusher and will need to improve that aspect of his game as a senior this next season.

I believe Coples fits best in a 4-3 scheme, but perhaps could play in a 3-4 if he can bulk up a bit due to his strength. With another double-digit sack season, he surely has the ability to become a top 10 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft and become an even better prospect than 2011's Quinn, Ryan Kerrigan, and Aldon Smith. However, his production could fall because teammate Donte Paige-Moss has the ability to steal some sacks and build on his own first round potential.

Looking at Alfonzo Dennard

Dennard (5'10, 205) is the next big Nebraska cornerback this season. In the wake of the Giants selecting Prince Amukamara's with the 19th pick of the first round in the 2011 NFL Draft, Dennard will be looking to hear his own name get called by the commissioner in the first round in 2012.

A second-team All-Big 12 selection in 2010, Alfonzo shows the ability to play well in both man and zone coverage and has a certain physicality at the line of scrimmage. He sticks with receivers like glue and has made his share of plays for the Cornhusker defense with four interceptions and seven passes defended this past season. Along with Amukamara, Dennard helped Nebraska's defense rank in the top five nationally in pass and efficiency defense.

However, a big knock on Dennard is the way he shies away from contact in run support and can get bullied downfield by blocking from receivers; he needs to work a little harder on his upper body strength before hitting the Combine. In addition, he sometimes takes bad angles in coverage that allow separation for the receiver and can get caught making contact with receivers before the ball arrives.

Dennard does, however, have the ability to be a solid pro prospect considering his awareness and the fact that he has only been a starter for a year and a half. He could be the top corner in the draft.

Scouting Montee Ball

Yes, I am a Badger fan, but Wisconsin running back Montee Ball will be one of my favorite NFL Draft prospects to watch for over the course of the next two seasons for other reasons than fan loyalty.

In a Badger backfield that featured the bruising John Clay and the speedy James White last season, Ball was a tweener with the size and brute strength of a power runner (5-11, 236), but also deceptive speed to get to the corner and turn up field. He doesn't have breakaway speed, but he can break tackles and get to the second level by making quick decisions and using the one-cut style of a zone blocking scheme. Another attribute that stood out to me towards the end of the season was how well Ball can catch the ball out of the backfield; he is proficient in the screen game.

It can be debated how much of his stats were aided by a huge, athletic offensive line, but Ball did contribute. He rushed for 996 yards as a sophomore after running for 461 as a true freshman. He increased his scoring totals from eight touchdowns to 18 and has averaged over six yards per carry both seasons. Ball started the final five games of the season and rushed for 127, 163, 173, 178, and 132 yards, respectively.

One of my favorite running back prospects in a few years, Ball has convinced me that he has the ability to succeed in the NFL and become a solid starting back. I believe he is a top five prospect already as a true junior next season and would compare him to Brandon Jacobs, but with more speed and cutting ability.

2012: The Year of the Tall Receiver

With taller, athletic wide receivers becoming a premium in the NFL Draft (AJ Green, Julio Jones, Jonathan Baldwin this past draft), the 2012 Draft should be a dream for many NFL teams. While 2011 saw many smaller slot receivers in the early rounds - Randall Cobb, Jerrel Jernigan, Titus Young -this year's depth will be much taller. So without further adieu, here are next year's big targets.

South Carolina's Alshon Jeffery (6'4, 233, 4.50) may be the best of next year's class, though he will only be a true junior. Jeffery had a 46 catch, 763-yard freshman season, but became the go-to-man his senior season, as he caught 88 passes for 1,517 yards and 9 TDs. Jeffery caught my eye in an early season game against Southern Miss last season in the way he could catch sideline routes, the deep pass, and stepped up on third down. Doesn't have amazing speed, but Jeffery has soft hands and made top cornerback prospect Alabama's Dre Kirkpatrick look silly last year. Look for Jeffery to sneak into the top 10 after another great season in the SEC.

Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon (6'1, 207, 4.48) was a relative non-factor during his freshman season, as Dez Bryant stole the spotlight. However, without Bryant, Blackmon stepped up and had an amazing season, totaling a whopping 111 catches for 1,782 yards, and 20 TDs. Similar to Bryant in speed, size, and athletic ability, Blackmon is unmatched in college football in the way he can track the deep pass (similar to Randy Moss) and stepped up against good competition (see game against Prince Amukamura, the 19th pick of the 2011 Draft). Justin could have been a first round pick this year and almost surely will hear his name called within the first 15 picks next season.

Notre Dame's senior Michael Floyd (6'3, 227, 4.51) has had great seasons throughout his college career, but he broke out his junior year with 79 catches for 1,025 yards and 12 TDs. Injury-riddled in his first two seasons, Floyd stayed healthy this past year and has great hands and the ability to go up for the jump ball. Works the middle of the field with the slant route and can also be a downfield threat, though he is not a burner. Floyd looked the part of a first round pick from a talent and size perspective, but it is unknown how a DUI and team suspension on May 19th will affect his draft status.

Senior Jeff Fuller (6'3, 215, 4.49, Texas A&M) could develop into a solid late first round, early second round pick by the end of next season if he continues to be a presence like last season. Last year, Fuller put up 72 catches for 1,066 yards, and 12 TDs, a great improvement from his second to third season. A well-built physical possession receiver, Fuller can also stretch the field with decent, but unspectacular speed. He plays a similar style to the Saints' Marques Colston, who can go over the middle while working the sidelines.

Going into his junior season, Rutgers's Mohamad Sanu (6'2, 218, 4.54) has had two productive, but non-stellar seasons. Sanu had a great freshman year with 51 catches for 639 yards and 3 TDs, but his numbers dropped this past season, as he played with a struggling freshman quarterback. Sanu  possesses the same type of ability of Anquan Boldin, but has to prove that he is worthy of a first round pick.

Let the Barkley-Luck Debate Begin

VS

Back in 2009, Mel Kiper predicted that USC QB Matt Barkley (coming in as a freshman at the time) would be the 1st overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Fast forward 3 years and Barkley has put together two solid seasons as starter for the Trojans. This past year, he managed to slightly improve several passing statistics, putting up 2,791 yards through the air (2,735 in 2010) with a 62.6% (59.9% in 2010) completion percentage. But the statistic that jumps out from year one to year two is his TD to INT ratio. Barkley improved from 15:14 to 26:12 over the course of a year.

There is little doubt he is beginning to reach the lofty height as the #1 overall prospect in the 2009 recruiting class, but he has only scratched the surface of his potential and is already being compared to Ben Roethlisberger in the way he can make plays outside the pocket and is cool under pressure. However, he is more athletic than Roethlisberger with more speed, though he is not a burner. He also possesses outstanding arm strength and accuracy. The aspect of Barkley's passing that can be criticized is the way he throws off his back foot and almost in a jumping form on many of his passes. Nevertheless, he is accurate and finds a way to complete them.

Barkley, however, is currently the underdog to be the top pick this coming year because of the play of Andrew Luck, a redshirt junior who was the 7th best QB in his recruiting class back in 2008. Luck is the son of Oliver Luck, who played quarterback for the Houston Oilers. Andrew's intangibles are what separates him from Barkley at this point. He displays the ability to outsmart defenses and call audibles at the line of scrimmage based on what he sees that most other collegiate quarterbacks do not do (comparable to Peyton Manning). Luck burst onto the scene as a freshman, passing for 2,575 yards, 13 TDs, and 4 INTs with a 56.3% completion percentage.

But he drastically improved his statistics in his sophomore season this past year when he threw for 3,338 yards on a completion percentage of 70.7. His TD to INT ratio was an incredible 32:8 as he helped Stanford to a BCS Bowl victory and became a Heisman Trophy contender.  Luck can scramble a bit (with power - check his hit on Shareece Wright), has excellent accuracy, and possesses good enough arm strength to become a perennial Pro Bowl QB and perhaps even one of the best all time if he can continue his success this season without his coach Jim Harbaugh and three of his starting offensive lineman from last season.

Whichever quarterback becomes the first overall pick, both rank ahead of every quarterback in this past year's draft, with the exception of Cam Newton, whose athleticism could make him a freak at the QB position and make him a dangerous weapon ranking right up there with this year's draft class. I firmly believe that all of the teams that picked one of the average QBs in this past year's draft in the top two rounds will regret their decisions when they have a terrible record again and have the option of landing a future Pro Bowl talent in either Luck or Barkley.