Wisconsin Football 2023

[Oxy]

40 minutes ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

That's the straw that stirs the drink. It's become less about being an end-of-season reward & more about creating another 3-hour window for selling ad space, and maybe getting enough handfuls of fans on site to get the local hotels, restaurants & golf courses some extra holiday coin.

Throw in the guys who decide to bail on their teams (I understand why it's done & it's hard to argue against it, but I'll never respect it), and it makes bowl season much harder to get excited about.

Who cares if there are more bowls?  You don't have to watch them.  It's great for the kids and hardcore fans of any program that gets to practice more and play more games.  It doesn't water down the better bowls in the least, as they still exist and still face off against the same teams they would be facing off against if the lesser bowls didn't exist.

Of course the Motor City Bowl isn't a national event...but what would be on TV instead? Re-runs? bowling? Shrug.  I say let them all play, but If you aren't .500 you can only play 1st, 2nd and 3rd year players🙃

[BrewerFan]

23 hours ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

Don't follow the NFL so I'll take your word for it on a projected round. For sure, unless he wants to be a REEEEEAAL longshot coming back would make sense for him.

He's gonna be an older back. I don't know if another year of school matters or not. I think he's an UDFA if it's this year or next year. I don't see a scenario in which he goes in the 4th rd. There are really good, proven backs who will go later. 

Corum and Edwards from Michigan are in that 4th rd range(in most projections, some have Edwards higher) and Davis from UK or Watson from Memphis, both are in the 6th rd range. I don't see Mellusi being able to elevate himself to that level. 

[Fear The Chorizo]

Unfortunately for him, the one thing Mellusi has proven to be consistently good at is getting injured - I doubt he has an NFL career ahead of him whether he tries to latch on as an UDFA this year or finds another year of eligibility at UW and is an UDFA in the 2025 draft.  Guys that are on the NFL fringe to begin with don't get many opportunities to find a NFL career, and guys in that talent level who are frequently injured are given even less rope.

 

I think the best case for Mellusi would be to roll the dice on having a healthy and productive 6th collegiate season to at least boost his profile and guarantee an opportunity to make a team's practice squad if he stays healthy.

 

[CheezWizHed]

14 hours ago, Fear The Chorizo said:

Unfortunately for him, the one thing Mellusi has proven to be consistently good at is getting injured - I doubt he has an NFL career ahead of him whether he tries to latch on as an UDFA this year or finds another year of eligibility at UW and is an UDFA in the 2025 draft.  Guys that are on the NFL fringe to begin with don't get many opportunities to find a NFL career, and guys in that talent level who are frequently injured are given even less rope.

 

I think the best case for Mellusi would be to roll the dice on having a healthy and productive 6th collegiate season to at least boost his profile and guarantee an opportunity to make a team's practice squad if he stays healthy.

 

And probably has a better chance to make more money next year in college than as an UDFA (assuming signing bonus only and getting cut).

[BrewerFan]

1 hour ago, CheezWizHed said:

And probably has a better chance to make more money next year in college than as an UDFA (assuming signing bonus only and getting cut).

Ya think? Are we giving that type of money out to a guy like Mellusi?

I'm curious how much the staff even wants him back given the young guys we have coming in. Then I remember he did look like an ideal fit in this offense, so maybe they want him back more than I do. 

Your comment was likely more about how little an UDFA makes more than anything.

[CheezWizHed]

21 hours ago, BrewerFan said:

Ya think? Are we giving that type of money out to a guy like Mellusi?

I'm curious how much the staff even wants him back given the young guys we have coming in. Then I remember he did look like an ideal fit in this offense, so maybe they want him back more than I do. 

Your comment was likely more about how little an UDFA makes more than anything.

Yes, average signing bonus for a Packer UDFA last year was $6,250.  I'm honestly not sure how much NIL money the typical player gets, but I'll wager more than that? 

They clearly like Mellusi when he was healthy and getting more snaps than Allen. And no matter how good the incoming freshman RBs are, I'm sure having a vet ahead of them the first year is a good thing.  Even if he gets hurt again, he is there through TC to be the example.  And if he stays healthy, you still need a 2nd and 3rd RB that will get snaps.

[nate82]

7 hours ago, CheezWizHed said:

They clearly like Mellusi when he was healthy and getting more snaps than Allen.

Not to mention Mellusi is just a better RB for the scheme they are running offensively.  

[BrewerFan]

8 hours ago, CheezWizHed said:

Yes, average signing bonus for a Packer UDFA last year was $6,250.  I'm honestly not sure how much NIL money the typical player gets, but I'll wager more than that? 

They clearly like Mellusi when he was healthy and getting more snaps than Allen. And no matter how good the incoming freshman RBs are, I'm sure having a vet ahead of them the first year is a good thing.  Even if he gets hurt again, he is there through TC to be the example.  And if he stays healthy, you still need a 2nd and 3rd RB that will get snaps.

The Packers actually had a self-imposed limit due to their cap situation. Some teams were spending 150K on an UDFA, but that's a kicker or a priority edge(I'd say a guy like Brenton Cox Jr, but he still came here). I don't believe we spent over 15K on anyone.

But, I take your point. A veteran leader who's bought in is always important. Haven't seen Allen say he's not playing in the Bowl game yet, but I assume that's coming soon. 

 

[BrewerFan]

1 hour ago, nate82 said:

Not to mention Mellusi is just a better RB for the scheme they are running offensively.  

Mellusi was not the better RB for any scheme. 

The scheme may fit Mellusi better, Allen was clearly the superior back and it's incredible it took them as long to realize that as it did. They finally started just giving Allen the ball after the loss to WSU and he started dominating...and Mellusi was injured late in that Purdue game.

 

He's a nice back and he's good out of the backfield, but he's not on the level of Allen in a WingT, a Veer, or a spread. Give me Allen in every scheme. 

[nate82]

26 minutes ago, BrewerFan said:

Mellusi was not the better RB for any scheme. 

The scheme may fit Mellusi better, Allen was clearly the superior back and it's incredible it took them as long to realize that as it did. They finally started just giving Allen the ball after the loss to WSU and he started dominating...and Mellusi was injured late in that Purdue game.

 

He's a nice back and he's good out of the backfield, but he's not on the level of Allen in a WingT, a Veer, or a spread. Give me Allen in every scheme. 

No, Allen is a poor RB in the spread offense.  He is not quick enough to be in the spread.  He is far better in a pro scheme.

Allen will be the better NFL RB because of this. 

[BrewerFan]

4 minutes ago, nate82 said:

No, Allen is a poor RB in the spread offense.  He is not quick enough to be in the spread.  He is far better in a pro scheme.

Allen will be the better NFL RB because of this. 

I get it doesn't suit his style as well as it suits Mellusi, but I still think he's better back irrespective of the scheme. 

[Jim French Stepstool]

13 hours ago, CheezWizHed said:

Yes, average signing bonus for a Packer UDFA last year was $6,250.  I'm honestly not sure how much NIL money the typical player gets, but I'll wager more than that?

I think some fans would be surprised at how many college FB & basketball players get no NIL money at all. Not necessarily attaching that statement to Mellusi as I don't know whether he was getting anything.

He's had injury issues to deal with on multiple occasions. I'm not saying he'll ashcan the whole thing & simply look to get on with his life, but that DOES happen sometimes. Selfishly, I hope he gives it a try as I agree that he seems like a great fit as a veteran to combine with the incoming TBs.

[Jim French Stepstool]

4 hours ago, BrewerFan said:

Haven't seen Allen say he's not playing in the Bowl game yet, but I assume that's coming soon. 

 

He announced Tuesday late afternoon/early evening that he's not playing.

[yourout]

1 hour ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

He announced Tuesday late afternoon/early evening that he's not playing.

Bummer. I get it.

He only needed like 17 yards to join the three 1000 yd seasons club

[CheezWizHed]

Allen vs. Dillon: Which is the better back?  Are they the same back? 

I hate to say it, but I see a lot of similarities here.  Or even Ron Dayne and Allen.  Big bully backs that succeeded in college because of their size, but struggled in the NFL because they lacked elusiveness.  When I watch Allen, I don't see him with great feet or bounce to change directions. Seems like his big runs are more from running through people than around them. 

Any guesses on what round Allen is drafted?

[yourout]

1 hour ago, CheezWizHed said:

Allen vs. Dillon: Which is the better back?  Are they the same back? 

I hate to say it, but I see a lot of similarities here.  Or even Ron Dayne and Allen.  Big bully backs that succeeded in college because of their size, but struggled in the NFL because they lacked elusiveness.  When I watch Allen, I don't see him with great feet or bounce to change directions. Seems like his big runs are more from running through people than around them. 

Any guesses on what round Allen is drafted?

I'm guessing fourth round at the earliest.

Probably later.

If he was a tight end he'd probably go earlier.

[Playing Catch]

I think it stinks he won't play the bowl game. He makes them so much better.

This will sound like sour grapes, but it's not... I don't think I'll miss him next season, and I don't think he'll make it in the pros. He's simply hurt too often. I think his lack of availability will also crush his draft stock. When he's 100% he's a stud, but he's NEVER 100%.

[Playing Catch]

In terms of the bowl season conversation, I've always felt they should have kept the traditional bowl system perfectly intact. Just add the playoff afterwards. But the kicker would be if you LOSE your bowl, you are OUT of the playoff.

Michigan goes to Rose Bowl, loses to Washington? They are ineligible for the playoff.

[CheezWizHed]

34 minutes ago, Playing Catch said:

In terms of the bowl season conversation, I've always felt they should have kept the traditional bowl system perfectly intact. Just add the playoff afterwards. But the kicker would be if you LOSE your bowl, you are OUT of the playoff.

Michigan goes to Rose Bowl, loses to Washington? They are ineligible for the playoff.

The Big10 playing the Pac10 in the Rose Bowl wouldn't be very interesting 95.6% of the time. The Pac10 is a shell of itself with most of the good teams already left.  Oregon is pretty much the only one left to push into the top 10 every so often.

If we grabbed Oregon and Washington, the BIG10 championship could be held in the Rose Bowl! 😂

[Jim French Stepstool]

28 minutes ago, Playing Catch said:

In terms of the bowl season conversation, I've always felt they should have kept the traditional bowl system perfectly intact. Just add the playoff afterwards. But the kicker would be if you LOSE your bowl, you are OUT of the playoff.

Michigan goes to Rose Bowl, loses to Washington? They are ineligible for the playoff.

Knowing Michigan, if that were the case they'd turn down the Rose Bowl & accept a bid to the Looneytunes' Donald Duck Bowl vs Sacramento State just to assure the playoff spot.

Seriously, since they push the playoff back as far as they do it's not a bad idea. But once they expand the playoff it's undoable.

[BrewerFan]

4 hours ago, CheezWizHed said:

Allen vs. Dillon: Which is the better back?  Are they the same back? 

I hate to say it, but I see a lot of similarities here.  Or even Ron Dayne and Allen.  Big bully backs that succeeded in college because of their size, but struggled in the NFL because they lacked elusiveness.  When I watch Allen, I don't see him with great feet or bounce to change directions. Seems like his big runs are more from running through people than around them. 

Any guesses on what round Allen is drafted?

Dillon is Rd 2-3 from what I've seen. Then again, you know how these mocks work. There are 100 guys who are 1st rounders in mock drafts. 

I think Allen is a little better than Dillon the last 2 seasons. So I'll just compare him to the Dillon we have now, I'd take Allen. I think he's got much better feet, I think he's shown he can catch the ball well enough(turned into a strength of Dillon's game).

The problem to me is that Dillon started to try and make guys miss. He there was a play this past week where the DL crossed Jenkins face, he kinda blows up the play, but Dillon still had a chance to lower his shoulder and get 2-3 and instead, he tried to bounce it outside like Jones and lose 2-3.

I think Allen makes better reads, is more patient, and has better feet. 

I'll predict he is taken in the early 3rd and by a team that has solid backs(The Eagles are the type of team he'd really excel playing for). As a Packers fan, I'd MUCH rather see the Packers go out and get two guys like...Blake Corum(probably a 4th due to age, use, and injury) and another guy like Ray Davis(Kentucky). A couple of good backs, I don't need "Lightening and Thunder." Just backs who can pick up an LBer in pass pro, hit the hole, catch the ball. 

Hell, Blake Corum is thought of as a short yardage back. The "short yardage back," is antiquated. 

I know this is an Allen thread, but I think it's still 50/50 Jones is back another year(probably taking another haircut on his base). Wilson is a big back at 230 and he's got all the physical tools. They may want him to lose a couple of pounds, but I like him. And then there are a lot of good, solid backs who fit our scheme. If Allen does fall into the middle of Day3, I'd consider that, but I THINK @youroutmight be underestimating his value. Though It's so hard to tell before the combine and everything.

I don't totally get the "if he were a TE he'd go earlier," comment. But as long as I made this about the Packers and the RB position, Jaheim Bell is SUCH a perfect fit for the Packers. He's a ~6'3 240 TE who's played FB, who's gotten carries, who's really good after the catch(relative to most guys his size). He could be a major weapon in our system and replace Deguara...who never really developed as a blocker or as a pass catcher.

 

[BrewerFan]

2 hours ago, CheezWizHed said:

The Big10 playing the Pac10 in the Rose Bowl wouldn't be very interesting 95.6% of the time. The Pac10 is a shell of itself with most of the good teams already left.  Oregon is pretty much the only one left to push into the top 10 every so often.

If we grabbed Oregon and Washington, the BIG10 championship could be held in the Rose Bowl! 😂

I disagree. USC is a sleeping giant and with Lincoln Riley, they're going to be a good team that should hold the Pac-12 up in the futu-....what's that? They're also jumping ship?

Damn, forgot that. Yeah, the Pac12 sucks and is gonna be awful. 

[Jim French Stepstool]

32 minutes ago, BrewerFan said:

I disagree. USC is a sleeping giant and with Lincoln Riley, they're going to be a good team that should hold the Pac-12 up in the futu-....what's that? They're also jumping ship?

Damn, forgot that. Yeah, the Pac12 sucks and is gonna be awful. 

The two remaining schools are talking a brave game. From what I understand they have a two-year waiver to attract at least six new members (you need eight total), San Diego State & UNLV sound iffy at best. SMU decided to go with the ACC. Gonzaga last played football in the 1940s, and even as a basketball-only member they'd have to ask themselves, "why?".

Wazzou & Oregon State might wind up having to join the Mountain West, which I think they view as a last resort. Perhaps a "merger" with the MWC, which I suppose the MWC could consider for branding purposes if nothing else.

[BrewerFan]

2 minutes ago, Jim French Stepstool said:

The two remaining schools are talking a brave game. From what I understand they have a two-year waiver to attract at least six new members (you need eight total), San Diego State & UNLV sound iffy at best. SMU decided to go with the ACC. Gonzaga last played football in the 1940s, and even as a basketball-only member they'd have to ask themselves, "why?".

Wazzou & Oregon State might wind up having to join the Mountain West, which I think they view as a last resort. Perhaps a "merger" with the MWC, which I suppose the MWC could consider for branding purposes if nothing else.

Damn...I knew the Pac-12 was hurting, but I don't think I realized it was THAT bad. I just haven't really paid attention that closely I guess. 

That's kinda sad though. That was a great conference. WE were all better off, IMO, when you had a strong SEC, B1G, SEC, B12, Pac12 and ACC. You could pick a year and the best team in CFB could legitimately come from any of those. Now it's really just the two and MAYBE a Clemson or FSU will have a big year, but it's too bad.

Of course the Ivy League was once one of those dominant conferences. Things change and evolve. 

[LouisEly]

7 hours ago, CheezWizHed said:

Allen vs. Dillon: Which is the better back?  Are they the same back? 

I hate to say it, but I see a lot of similarities here.  Or even Ron Dayne and Allen.  Big bully backs that succeeded in college because of their size, but struggled in the NFL because they lacked elusiveness.  When I watch Allen, I don't see him with great feet or bounce to change directions. Seems like his big runs are more from running through people than around them. 

Any guesses on what round Allen is drafted?

James Conner has had a nice career in the pros and he's 6'1", 233, and ran a 4.65 at the combine.  He was a late 3rd round pick.

As other have said, Allen's biggest issue is staying healthy.  In the right system with the right blocking scheme, he can be an effective one-cut back similar to Conner.

Dayne didn't not succeed because of a lack of elusiveness.  He didn't stay in shape, Fassel first wanted him to lose weight but then turn him into a goal-line back, and he got demotivated being stuck behind Tiki Barber.  Dayne had 1400 rushing yards combined his first two seasons playing 2nd string to Barber.