Poll # 9 Pick

[Flames24Rulz]

I would trade down slightly in the first and hope to acquire another second round pick.

That's what I'd like to do now as well with the switch to the 3-4.

Really, you have five positions, maybe six to go after. DE, NT, OLB, ILB, OL, possibly CB. I'd obviously go defense first and OL later in the draft. Everett Brown really intrigues me, but so does Maulauga. This may be a little bit of a homer pick, but I believe Larry English could be the perfect OLB in a 3-4 system for us as well. He'd be there later in the first round, but trust me. The guy's a baller. I know he was only going against lowly MAC schools, but he played this season with a messed up right arm the whole season and he was double teamed every single game because of the poorer players on NIU's defensive line. He still came away with a pretty good season. He's one guy that I think we should look at in the Senior Bowl.

Signing Bart Scott sure would help a lot of things as well. I think TT's going to make that move this year, I'm actually fairly confident about that.

[El Duderino]

After more deliberation, I think Aaron Curry is potentially the best player left at #9. I like him more than Maualuga and Everette Brown. Brown is an elite pass rusher but I'm afraid he's a one trick pony. As for Maualuga, who I like, I don't think he'd be getting as much buzz had he gone to Wake Forest. I think Malcolm Jenkins will be gone.

Even if Jenkins is there at nine, i just can't see Ted drafting a corner that high given the huge needs on the front seven and at offensive tackle. I understand that TT says the best player on the board deal all the time and for the most part believes in it, but he has to know how important it is for his future that the Packers have a good season and the need at corner is down on the list unless Harris is traded.

[LUKE23]

I want Brown, then Maualuga in that order. One of those will be there so no other options need apply.

I like Maualuga better than Curry, but Curry will likely go ahead of him.

[Ill-yasova]

I am an advocate of trading down slightly and taking a DT, but if we decide to stay at 9 Orakpo or Brown will make me happy.

[eagle13]

I would trade down slightly in the first and hope to acquire another second round pick.

As in other thread I agree.

[eagle13]

Signing Bart Scott sure would help a lot of things as well. I think TT's going to make that move this year, I'm actually fairly confident about that.

I don't know if it will be Scott but I agree that it seems right that TT will be more aggressive in FA this year.

[ReasonablySober]

I could be talked into Mualuga or Curry if and only if one of two things happen:

1 - Free agency brings the Packers an elite pass rusher. Not an average or inexperienced OLB/DE, but a legit guy you can pencil in for 10+ sacks. That means Suggs or Peppers.

or

2 - Thompson and Capers are convinced than one of Hawk, Barnett, Curry or Maualuga can play the roll of the rushing OLB. Here are the sizes for some guys that play the position:

Kamerion Wimbley - 6'3", 255
Demarcus Ware - 6'4", 262
Shawn Marriman - 6'4", 272
James Harrison - 6'0", 242
LaMarr Woodley - 6'2", 265
Terrell Suggs, 6'3", 260

The size of the guys in question:

AJ Hawk - 6'1", 247
Nick Barnett - 6'2", 236
Aaron Curry, 6'3", 246
Rey Maualuga, 6'2", 255

The issue I would have is the concept of taking a square peg and trying to fit it into a round hole. Everyone on that first list was a DE in college. The guys above are/were ILBs or weakside OLBs in a 4-3. Being good on a blitz is quite different than being able to consistently get pass rush when an offensive tackle knows you're coming.

I don't see #2 as a legit option, though again, I'll trust Capers and Thompson on this one.

[eagle13]

I
Kamerion Wimbley - 6'3", 255
Demarcus Ware - 6'4", 262
Shawn Marriman - 6'4", 272
James Harrison - 6'0", 242
LaMarr Woodley - 6'2", 265
Terrell Suggs, 6'3", 260

The size of the guys in question:

AJ Hawk - 6'1", 247
Nick Barnett - 6'2", 236
Aaron Curry, 6'3", 246
Rey Maualuga, 6'2", 255

The issue I would have is the concept of taking a square peg and trying to fit it into a round hole. Everyone on that first list was a DE in college. The guys above are/were ILBs or weakside OLBs in a 4-3. Being good on a blitz is quite different than being able to consistently get pass rush when an offensive tackle knows you're coming.

I don't see #2 as a legit option, though again, I'll trust Capers and Thompson on this one.

Kampman 6'4" 265

from JS article
Kampman slimmed down to 265 pounds to fit the previous scheme and it's unclear whether he would be asked to bulk up to play end or stay slim to play linebacker/end.

[WRau1]

Trade for Suggs.

[MikeIsGood]

I could be talked into Mualuga or Curry if and only if one of two things happen:

1 - Free agency brings the Packers an elite pass rusher. Not an average or inexperienced OLB/DE, but a legit guy you can pencil in for 10+ sacks. That means Suggs or Peppers.

Why can Peppers be penciled in for 10+ sacks? Because he did it as a DE?

Let's keep in mind that we'd be the scientists experimenting with a 6'8, 290lb OLB. Even with his athleticism, and even if he drops weight, nothing is a given.

I really hope we stay away from him, especially given the likely cost.

[ReasonablySober]

I'm not saying I hope we go after either Suggs or Peppers. I'm just saying that's the only reason I think you could justify taking an ILB at #9.

[Ryan5UW]

I'd be cool with Brown. He kind of reminds me of Suggs coming out of college. Suggs coming out was 6'3.5" and weighed 262 and ran a 4.61. Brown is 6'4" weighs 252 and has a 40 time around 4.65. He's the same size but faster than Maualuga.

Mays is another guy who intrigues me, even though the front 7 on defense is a more pressing need. The guy allegedly ran 3 straight 4.28 40s. He's 6'4" and weighs 240. He could be one hell of a force in the secondary. He's bigger and faster than Troy Polamalu and Ed Reed, and those guys are beasts.

[automatic44]

I could be talked into Mualuga or Curry if and only if one of two things happen:

1 - Free agency brings the Packers an elite pass rusher. Not an average or inexperienced OLB/DE, but a legit guy you can pencil in for 10+ sacks. That means Suggs or Peppers.

or

2 - Thompson and Capers are convinced than one of Hawk, Barnett, Curry or Maualuga can play the roll of the rushing OLB. Here are the sizes for some guys that play the position:

Kamerion Wimbley - 6'3", 255
Demarcus Ware - 6'4", 262
Shawn Marriman - 6'4", 272
James Harrison - 6'0", 242
LaMarr Woodley - 6'2", 265
Terrell Suggs, 6'3", 260

The size of the guys in question:

AJ Hawk - 6'1", 247
Nick Barnett - 6'2", 236
Aaron Curry, 6'3", 246
Rey Maualuga, 6'2", 255

The issue I would have is the concept of taking a square peg and trying to fit it into a round hole. Everyone on that first list was a DE in college. The guys above are/were ILBs or weakside OLBs in a 4-3. Being good on a blitz is quite different than being able to consistently get pass rush when an offensive tackle knows you're coming.

I don't see #2 as a legit option, though again, I'll trust Capers and Thompson on this one.

Don't forget poppinga: 6'3", 247. He may not be the sexy pick for a 3-4 olb, but he used to be a DE in college, and even lined up there a few times this season.

[automatic44]

Mays is another guy who intrigues me, even though the front 7 on defense is a more pressing need. The guy allegedly ran 3 straight 4.28 40s. He's 6'4" and weighs 240. He could be one hell of a force in the secondary. He's bigger and faster than Troy Polamalu and Ed Reed, and those guys are beasts.

Mays is returning to USC

[ReasonablySober]

I could be talked into Mualuga or Curry if and only if one of two things happen:

1 - Free agency brings the Packers an elite pass rusher. Not an average or inexperienced OLB/DE, but a legit guy you can pencil in for 10+ sacks. That means Suggs or Peppers.

or

2 - Thompson and Capers are convinced than one of Hawk, Barnett, Curry or Maualuga can play the roll of the rushing OLB. Here are the sizes for some guys that play the position:

Kamerion Wimbley - 6'3", 255
Demarcus Ware - 6'4", 262
Shawn Marriman - 6'4", 272
James Harrison - 6'0", 242
LaMarr Woodley - 6'2", 265
Terrell Suggs, 6'3", 260

The size of the guys in question:

AJ Hawk - 6'1", 247
Nick Barnett - 6'2", 236
Aaron Curry, 6'3", 246
Rey Maualuga, 6'2", 255

The issue I would have is the concept of taking a square peg and trying to fit it into a round hole. Everyone on that first list was a DE in college. The guys above are/were ILBs or weakside OLBs in a 4-3. Being good on a blitz is quite different than being able to consistently get pass rush when an offensive tackle knows you're coming.

I don't see #2 as a legit option, though again, I'll trust Capers and Thompson on this one.

Don't forget poppinga: 6'3", 247. He may not be the sexy pick for a 3-4 olb, but he used to be a DE in college, and even lined up there a few times this season.

If for some ridiculous reason they don't land an OLB in the draft and go with what they have, I'm sure he'd be given an OLB spot with Kampman.

[automatic44]

Even if we did find an OLB via free agency or the draft, I actually still see poppinga getting significant playing time. off all the current players we have projecting at lb in the 3-4, he is the most sure thing out of any of them. Kampman will get his shot at olb, but it's not a sure thing that he will make a natural transition, especially having to deal with dropping into coverage.

[Ryan5UW]

Mays is another guy who intrigues me, even though the front 7 on defense is a more pressing need. The guy allegedly ran 3 straight 4.28 40s. He's 6'4" and weighs 240. He could be one hell of a force in the secondary. He's bigger and faster than Troy Polamalu and Ed Reed, and those guys are beasts.

Mays is returning to USC

Oh yeah, I suppose he would be hard to draft then, wouldn't he? I forgot about that. Sign me up for drafting him next year then