Cheesehead
Well-known member
- Mar 19, 2019
- 2,854
- 0
Jeffrey from Wauwatosa, WI
Hi guys, of late I've been hearing a lot of talk about the Packers moving Darnell Savage to the slot position. If they are planning on doing that it would certainly make safety a possibility in the first round. Have you heard anything about this and what do you think about the idea?
I have not, other than reading the same stories you have. Much like the receiver position, though, we should learn quite a bit about the Packers' plans in the secondary through this draft.
Brian from Moncks Corner, SC
Other than the Packers, in your opinion, which team has the most interesting draft upcoming, and which team has the most urgent draft upcoming?
Atlanta and Miami. What the Falcons do at No. 4 will have a ripple effect for the rest of the first round. Meanwhile, the Dolphins have a golden opportunity with all their draft capitol. They must capitalize on this window.
Al from Green Bay, WI
Following up on the question from Bruce in GB (ideal size for a return specialist) I believe the answer varies by punt returner vs. kickoff returner. Some of the best punt returners (Devin Hester, Deion Sanders, Billy "White Shoes" Johnson and others) have been the shorter, shiftier guys. Cordarrelle Patterson is an explosive kickoff returner, but he lacks the wiggle to be an effective punt returner. There are specialists within the "return specialist" designation.
That's an interesting point. Jeff Janis, for example, was a solid, explosive kickoff returner but wasn't an option on punts. On the other hand, Micah Hyde is a gifted punt returner but his finesse didn't translate as well to kickoffs.
Will from Rochester, MN
Who do you believe the Packers would have taken all those years ago had Aaron Rodgers not been available?
I'm guessing they trade back. I think it's well-established Rodgers was the last player with a first-round grade on the Packers' draft board.
Bob from Racine, WI
Gentlemen: The scouts play a vital part in the draft process. Based on your knowledge, are the Packers' scouts full-time employees, or do they work, say, half of the year or some other fraction? Thanks. Bob
Oh, it's a full-time job all right. There are a few spots in the calendar where scouts can burn some PTO but otherwise it's all-systems go. There are campuses to visit, film to crunch and Marriott points to accrue.
Fred from La Crosse, WI
The Draft Digest about Liam Eichenberg leads me to questions about OT arm length. What is the big deal about an inch of arm length that couldn't be overcome by a strong, quick body and mind? And a follow-up, what is the success rate of short-arm tackles?
Eichenberg is a great athlete but there isn't a great track record with NFL offensive tackles with sub-33-inch arms. It's not a deal-breaker. Eric Winston (32¼) had a great career but it takes talent and discipline to do it. Eichenberg has both. But the name of the game is getting hands on pass rushers. That's why arm length matters to scouts.
Adam from Scroggins, TX
I saw the article on packers.com about Rashan Gary announcing the picks on Day 2 for the Packers. Is it normal for an active player to announce picks for his team? Has it happened before? I would appreciate your insight.
It has. Sam Barrington, the Packers' Man of the Year at the time, read a draft pick in 2014.
Dean from Leavenworth, IN
A salute to #30
Before we move forward. A look back.
The smile. The ever-present smile. Always a smile.
The joyful dance. A dance to warm our hearts and the hearts of your teammates.
Though others star may shine brighter on the battlefield, you will not be forgotten in Titletown
Jamaal Williams, we wish you the best and hope your path one day returns you to the green and gold.
A special poem for a special player. I caught heck from a dude on Twitter for saying on "Unscripted" that I think Jamaal Williams could be the Lions' lead back. First, all I said is they need to give him a fair shot at it. Secondly, take a look at the Lions' backfield over the past decade and tell me Williams isn't an improvement.
Ronald from Panabo, Philippines
Insiders, in your opinion, what position is the hardest to scout? I would imagine quarterback, receiver and running back would be the easiest because you have a lot of stats.
It's QB because of all the variables and the investment required into the position. It's nearly impossible to get the perfect player and his flaws are difficult to hide under that spotlight. My honorable mention would be defensive tackle – I don't know how scouts determine which guys can dominate at this level. Perhaps the best to ever play the game, Aaron Donald, wasn't even a "sure thing."
Robert from Salem, WI
Do you see any free-agency activity for the Pack prior to the draft? With some solid, experienced FAs still available at DB and WR, what your thoughts on supplementing in those areas?
It's always possible the Packers could still sign someone before the draft (Jahri Evans signed on April 26), but it's unlikely given we're already a month into free agency and the unrestricted window closes in two weeks.
Bob from Oconomowoc, WI
The new rule changes for the 2021 season are out. As is pretty par for the course, I was more interested in a rule that didn't pass. The Eagles and Ravens proposed a new "spot and choose" rule to overtime. The choices for the coin flip would become possession of the ball and where on the field the possession starts. If that rule were to pass, it feels as if every team would start overtime on the 1-yard line. That doesn't sound great for the first team to get the ball. Thoughts?
Well, one team would pick where the ball is spotted and the other decides whether it wants to play offense or defense. Either way…all I have to say is oy vey. Every year, I feel the need for more clarity with the rules and procedures during offseason meetings. Instead, we get the old "one sibling cuts the sandwich and the other picks which half they want" response to overtime.
Wags from Marinette, WI
If all the players of your Draft Digest are available at 29, who do you pick?
Teven Jenkins, out of Oklahoma State, is my guy this year. And before anyone asks, my previous picks were Datone Jones (2013), Ryan Shazier ('14), Byron Jones ('15), A'Shawn Robinson ('16), T.J. Watt ('17), Derwin James ('18), Brian Burns ('19) and Ross Blacklock ('20). Let's see how I do.
Scott from Lincoln City, OR
Every year someone comes out of this looking like a donkey.
…and it could be you if you trade the No. 6 pick for three second-round picks.
Dar from Mansfield, TX
Wes, when you took the Wonderlic did you finish? I've taken it twice and didn't, even though finishing was my only goal the second time. With 50 questions in only 12 minutes, that average of 14 seconds to read, understand and answer each item is really intense! The choices do get tougher toward the end. That said, I feel the Wonderlic is less a general intelligence test than it is an evaluation of one's ability to quickly process complex info. I see why QBs need higher scores. What's your take?
I didn't finish it. I think I had like 10 questions left. It's incredible Ryan Fitz Magic scored a 48. I'd love to see the question he either got wrong or didn't answer.
Scott from Albertville, MN
Who was the individual that had the shortest tenure as the Green Bay Packers head coach?
As far as the 15 individuals the Packers recognize as head coach with no interim tags, it would be Ray "Scooter" McLean. While both McLean and Ray Rhodes only coached the Packers for one season, McLean coached fewer games (12) than Rhodes (16).
Darrin from Sparta, WI
No question, just a comment related to all the questions you've fielded regarding the draft. I'm an everyday II reader and honestly, how are you not pulling your hair out with the constant onslaught of questions you've already answered, many, many times? I guess I did have a question. Reading comprehension is obviously a thing of the past. Sad!
Who said I wasn't?
Laura from Pittsburgh, PA
What do you think about the new jersey number system?
Sure, why not? I don't think it changes much, though. With Nos. 3 and 4 retired and 1-5 unofficially retired, that leaves only 6, 7, 8 and 9 for available single digits. The rest is window dressing.
Ross from Roswell, GA
Gents, good to see and hear that "Unscripted" is back. Like the new intro music. But to more important matters. With the advent of single-digit numbers being allowed more judiciously, if the Packers signed Ty Montgomery, would he be assigned number…Never mind, I'll see myself out.
The "Unscripted" plug saved you from Inbox oblivion, Ross. So, this is where I close today's Inbox, but before doing so, I just wanted to share a few quick words about my good friend and colleague, Mike Atkinson, our extraordinarily talented producer whose last day with the Packers was on Friday. When I came over from the Press-Gazette in April 2016, I didn't know Ax all that well but nobody made me feel more comfortable in this building than he did. During the NFL season, we often spend more time with each other than our own families. Mike is someone who always made your day better and a road trip more interesting. I could tell a million stories about Mike as both a friend and a coworker, but I just want to say this: Thank you, Ax. Thank you for supporting my writing and making me a better on-air talent. Thank you for challenging me to push the envelope on stories and videos. As an employee, you are unrivaled. Your hard work and dedication made Packers digital/broadcast better every day you came into the building. As a friend, you are legendary. The memories do indeed make us rich and all of us here will cherish each one we made with you. I love you, brother. Enjoy your weekend, everyone.
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