Jamon Meredith thread

[trwi7]

Awesome pick.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

TT trying to make the fans happy tonight.
What a great draft getting BPA and Need.

[blueedwards]

A+ for TT.

[LUKE23]

Some had him as a 2nd rounder, everyone had him at least as a third. Great value pick at a position of need. Packers are killing it in this draft IMO.

[Sauce Boss]

All doubt is gone! I really wanted this guy in the 3rd round!!! This plus TJ Lang addresses the o-line and we can maybe pick up a C like AQ Shipley yet or focus on corner's and the d-line. Great draft TT!!

[ReasonablySober]

Pretty incredible value if the draft pundits were right about this guys ability. TT is really silencing a lot of naysayers with his picks. Now all they have to do is pan out.

[MikeIsGood]

Great value IMO.

Strengths:
Excellent athlete...Adequate height and bulk with long arms...Is quick and agile...Great balance and is a natural knee bender...Nimble feet and moves well laterally...Terrific pass blocker who can protect the edge...Good strength...Mobile with great range to get to the second level and pull...Offers positional versatility...Real smart..Experienced.

Weaknesses:
May be a bit of a 'tweener...Needs to be more tough and physical...Not real stout at the point of attack...Mediocre initial punch...Doesn't get a great push in the run game...Poor hand use...Not a finisher and lacks a killer instinct...Questionable awareness...Is not a fit for every scheme.

Notes:
Three-year starter in the SEC...A high school defensive end...Played in one game (three plays) in 2004 but was granted a redshirt as long as he sat out the first two games of the 2008 season...Earned four starts in 2005 then started the next three years for the Gamecocks...Hampered by an ankle injury as a senior...Has extensive experience at left tackle, right tackle and guard...Could project outside or inside...Best fit at the next level might come in a zone blocking scheme...Finesse type with shaky intangibles who some have labeled as soft...Has all the physical tools you look for..May be capable of starting at left tackle in the NFL.

[mnstinks]

Analysis

Positives: Good height with long arms and an athletic build, typical of top-tier left tackles. Adequate punch, and will extend his arms and get his hands on the numbers to keep defenders at bay. Gets to linebackers at the second level very well and hits the moving target. Able to adjust to oncoming defenders in space. Positions himself to seal the edge using quick feet and good hand placement. Can cut-block ends on his side to give the quarterback a lane on quick throws.

Negatives: A bit slow to move his feet at times, relying on his length too much. Other times he drops back too far, allowing the end to twist inside untouched. Plays a bit tall in pass protection. Struggles to reach down to block to the guard when he doesn't explode from his stance. Could sustain blocks better in space.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

Yeah i saw that ZBS comment earlier, and it may be the most important

[mnstinks]

2009 NFL Draft Prospect Scouting Report: #51 of top 100 prospects
person
Jamon Meredith, OL, South Carolina
If NFL teams are looking for an offensive lineman to come in and contribute immediately, they can look no further than this South Carolina Gamecock. To say Meredith is high on the experience factor would be an understatement. He redshirted as a freshman after playing in one game, and coming into 2008 he had started 28 consecutive games; 29 in total dating back to his freshman season. Meredith started 18 straight at left tackle protecting his quarterback's blind side, but recently he has been forced to show his versatility. He had to sit out two games at the start of this season due to having played during his 2005 redshirt year, and coach Steve Spurrier moved him to guard upon his return. In addition to his football skills (which include running under 5.0 in the 40-yard-dash despite his size), Meredith is outstanding in the classroom and will bring no off-the-field concerns with him into the next level. Right now he looks like a second-rounder in the 2009 draft. Meredith has the frame to get even bigger and he needs to show he can truly dominate a game up front before NFL brass will be convinced to go for him in round one.

[Ayt]

Why did he fall so far?

[Jollay]

You have got to be kidding me this guy was available here.

Could be our LT of the future, found late, late, late. Although there's gotta be a reason no one took him like three rounds ago.

So happy with our draft. Really feel like this has a fair chance to go down as a great one. Liked some of TT's others, but never had that feeling.

[trwi7]

Here's what Bob McGinn wrote about him before the draft. McGinn had him as his No. 7 tackle:

Made 38 starts, including 19 games at LT, 11 at RT and eight at RG. "His strengths are height, arm length (34½), foot quickness, leverage, speed, pulling, second level," one scout said. "He comes up short in production, compete and functional strength. The kid certainly has the look of an NFL starter. Then you dig and start to understand the inconsistencies. Noncompetitor. Very little passion for the game." Some of the Gamecocks' coaches told scouts he was a "locker room lawyer" who was hard to coach. "Probably the best athlete in this linemen group," another scout said. "They got on him saying he wasn't dedicated but he was one of the better workers there. Great kid."

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/43741692.html

"It was a very long wait."
"I'm just happy to be on a team."
On why he dropped: "I honestly don't know. I was hoping somebody could tell me. It's cool man because I'm already picked up."
I'm a natural left tackle. Left tackle is my best position.
I'm 302.
Played guard last season.
I didn't lose the job. I had to sit out the first two games. Coaches found a replacement. The guy they put in was probably the future."
It wasn't a suspension. I had to sit out because I played in two games as a true freshman.
I avoided the media a little bit because at the time the offensive line coach wanted us to avoid the media and stuff. I was trying to avoid negativity at that point.
Will it continue in Green Bay? "No."
On why he has the reputation for being difficult to coach: "I have no idea. I don't. I don't understand that. I guess the coach's opinion....that guy's not at our school anymore."

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/43742032.html

[mnstinks]

With Meredith we now have 14 lineman. Someone with potential might get cut. Good competition.

G/T 78 Allen Barbre 6-4 305 24 3 Missouri Southern State D4-07
C 64 Brennen Carvalho 6-1 300 22 1 Portland State FA-08
T 76 Chad Clifton 6-5 320 32 10 Tennessee D2-00
G/T 73 Daryn Colledge 6-4 308 27 4 Boise State D2a-06
T 68 Breno Giacomini 6-7 311 23 2 Louisville D5-08
G/T 70 T.J. Lang 6-4 316 21 R Eastern Michigan D4-09
G 67 Nevin McCaskill 6-4 315 25 1 Hampton FA-08
T/G 75 Tony Moll 6-5 306 25 4 Nevada D5b-06
C/G 60 Duke Preston 6-5 315 26 5 Illinois UFA-09 (Buf)
G 71 Josh Sitton 6-3 317 22 2 Central Florida D4b-08
C/G 72 Jason Spitz 6-3 302 26 4 Louisville D3b-06
T 65 Mark Tauscher 6-3 316 31 10 Wisconsin D7a-00
C 63 Scott Wells 6-2 303 28 6 Tennessee FA-04 (D7-04)

[trwi7]

Mark Tauscher isn't a Packer.

[Sauce Boss]

Do we have any reason yet why he fell? I wanted the Pack to take him with a 3rd rounder, then we traded them away for Matthews which made me concerned that we wouldn't be able to address the o-line. I wanted him at TJ's spot, really wanted him at Quinn's spot, and was the happiest man in Wauwatosa when we got him at the spot we did. Do you think he is a starter right away?

[blueedwards]

Theres two rumors floating around about Meredith. Not sure if there true or not. One is he has some injury or on steroids.

[automatic44]

Im thinking Moll gets cut. Unless Barbre really steps up and shows he's more than just potential, I think he's gone. I also think Wells may be gone. I've never had a problem with Wells, but he just hasn't been able to stay on the field the last few years, and I think his play is starting to slip a bit because of it. There have also been trade rumors surrounding him. I could see us letting Spitz and Preston fight for the C spot.

[eagle13]

With Meredith we now have 14 lineman. Someone with potential might get cut. Good competition.

G/T 78 Allen Barbre 6-4 305 24 3 Missouri Southern State D4-07
C 64 Brennen Carvalho 6-1 300 22 1 Portland State FA-08
T 76 Chad Clifton 6-5 320 32 10 Tennessee D2-00
G/T 73 Daryn Colledge 6-4 308 27 4 Boise State D2a-06
T 68 Breno Giacomini 6-7 311 23 2 Louisville D5-08
G/T 70 T.J. Lang 6-4 316 21 R Eastern Michigan D4-09
G 67 Nevin McCaskill 6-4 315 25 1 Hampton FA-08
T/G 75 Tony Moll 6-5 306 25 4 Nevada D5b-06
C/G 60 Duke Preston 6-5 315 26 5 Illinois UFA-09 (Buf)
G 71 Josh Sitton 6-3 317 22 2 Central Florida D4b-08
C/G 72 Jason Spitz 6-3 302 26 4 Louisville D3b-06
T 65 Mark Tauscher 6-3 316 31 10 Wisconsin D7a-00
C 63 Scott Wells 6-2 303 28 6 Tennessee FA-04 (D7-04)

Tauscher is not signed. May not be.
McCaskill & Carvalho are fodder
Moll has last chance. Since rookie year He's been crap.

That leaves 10.

Barbre has not done much yet. He will get chance this camp. Could start or get cut.
Preston is only adequate as backup unless he makes leap. Don't hold your breath.
Beno is nothing but potential so far. Still raw.
Lang & Meredith = ?
IF 2 of these guys can contribute big then Wells is history.

It will tell the story if Wells is starting this year.

[aaprigs311]

Meredith's facebook status..

I love being a part of the Green Bay Packer Family... They showin me so much love already!!! I cant wait to get to the cold and play my azz off!!! And to the Green Bay fans, Don't be suprised when my 300 lb azz jumps into the stands... Lambeau Leap!!! (Fat boy style).

And yesterdays..

Thanks everybody that watched and waited through 5 long rounds to hear my name called. I really appreciate. Even tho I didnt go when I was supposed to, I am still blessed. God works in mysterious ways anyway so its all good... And to the USC coach(s) who said I was "LAZY and UNCOACHABLE," which cost me a lot of money... KARMA is a B%#@$!!!! But anyway, I'm about to be one of the first lineman to Lambo Leap!! lol