LouisEly

First Vikings game the Packers were within 6 points with 10 minutes left: How is that "garbage time"? Second Lions game the Packers had the lead with 14 minutes left in the 4th quarter: How is that "garbage time"?

The only team that got "run out of the building" was the Chiefs in the Super Bowl, so I don't see how anyone can say that Buffalo - who lost to the Chiefs - and Baltimore - who lost to Buffalo - are better than the Packers. The Packers played the Eagles a helluva lot closer than the Chiefs did. And last I checked, the 4th quarter counts just as much as the first three quarters. And last I checked, the Eagles got the last two scores in that playoff game, not the Packers in "garbage time".

I stopped counting at ten.

Lovely, but we still won 5-0 on a 1-hitter.

This is one of the hardest ones to predict because it seems like there are a ton of guys at positions of need projected to go in that 20-60 range. I could see a dozen guys going to the Packers with their 2nd round pick who could realistically be available. One of the biggest things that this draft hinges on is their perception of the CB room. Do they really want Jaire to stay, or is he just there if GB gets skunked out of the CBs they like in the draft? What do they think of Kalen King and Kamal Hadden, two late round picks in the draft last year? Do they consider any late day 3 CBs to be significantly better than King or Hadden? Here we go… 1st Round (#23): Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon – The Packers want to improve their pass rush, and there is no better interior rusher than Harmon who led the nation with 55 pressures among IDL and his 10.7% pressure rate was 2nd among all IDL. He also had one of the best rush defense grades, and was the only IDL with a PFF grade >80 for both pass rush and run stopping. Checks all the boxes, and has been compared by some to a young but larger Cameron Heyward, but does have some bad weight on him. The Packers sent everyone but the janitor to Oregon’s pro day for a reason. DT is a need as Slaton left in free agency, they have a 5th year option decision on Wyatt, and Clark is due $20M in cash in 2026 with the Packers already up to $270M in cap obligations for 2026. (Replaces T.J. Slaton) If he’s still available: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State – You know a guy is a good WR when he finishes his career as Ohio State’s all-time leader in receptions and yards considering not just the talent that has come through there but the talent he had to beat out just to get on the field. Has a master’s degree in route running and consistently creates separation with crisp routes and varying his route tempo to keep DBs off-balance. Ohio State demands that their WRs be good run blockers, and Egbuka demanded that from himself as well as the younger guys in the WR room. Team leader who put the team’s needs above himself. 4x All-Big Ten. He’s as pro-ready as any WR in the draft. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Nic Scourton, DE, Texas A&M – at first glance, the numbers last season weren’t super impressive (5 sacks, 14 TFLs). But then you look deeper, and see that A&Ms scheme was designed to stop the run first. And that Scourton was a teenager a week before the 2024 season started. And that the film shows a lot of chipping and doubling. And that the reason he was chipped and doubled so much was because the year before he was wrecking shop in the Big Ten as a legit teenager, leading the conference in sacks as a true sophomore. He did what the A&M coaches asked – he was asked to stop the run first, and he did that and was disruptive in the backfield with 14 TFLs. Physical, electric rusher with tremendous change of direction who can create havoc on all three downs. I think he’s one of those players who was held back by the system that he played in; the tape at Purdue the year before tells a more accurate story. Finalist for the Lott IMPACT trophy, and at his pro day was seen talking extensively with Packers personnel. 2nd Round (#54): Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State – Porter only has one year of starting experience, but that’s because he started as a WR at ISU before moving to CB in 2022. He brings that WR experience to the position though, along with a jaw-dropping amount of size and athleticism. At 6’3”, 195, Porter has WR size and length that could make an OL blush (33+” arms, 80” wingspan) and ran a 4.30 40 with a 1.49 10-yard split, a 6.71 3-cone (2nd among all players at the combine), and 4.04 short shuttle, agility numbers you rarely see from someone his height. As for production, he blanketed receivers to the point where, despite his lack of experience, he was only targeted 17 times and allowed only 5 receptions while snagging 3 INTs. Yes, he had almost as many INTs as completions given up. Showed excellent instincts in zone coverage, which Hafley primarily employs, and also excelled on special teams with five career blocked kicks. Older than ideal, and tackling was a bit inconsistent, but he’s a rare specimen at CB with an overall RAS of 9.99; only three CBs since 1987 have had a higher RAS. Signing Hobbs means that the Packers don’t need an immediate starter, so they can let someone with the extremely high upside of Porter develop for a year. (Replaces Eric Stokes) If he’s still available: Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State – Higgins might be the ideal WR for what the Packers are looking for. Has the size (6’4’, 214”) they like, and showed his athleticism at the combine (4.47 40, 39” vertical, 9.61 RAS). Productive, too, accumulating almost 3,000 career yards and fared well against both zone (top 8%) and man (top 13%) coverage, and stood out at the Senior Bowl. Smooth but physical in his routes and creates separation with force and strength, and is a menace on contested catches and jump balls. Doesn’t sink his hips well for sudden stops and cuts, and operated on a limited route tree. WRs have tended to get drafted higher than ranked lately, and if the Packers trade down and out of the first round to the early 2nd he could definitely be the target. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Jordan Burch, DE, Oregon – Big DE (6’4”, 279) with long arms who can line up all along the DL and play a big end on running downs and slide inside on passing downs. Has excellent bend for a bigger end with good get-off as well as the strength to bull rush and cave in pockets. Knows when and how to get his hands up, knocking down six passes last season and 10 in the last three years. Finally put things together his senior year after reshaping his body before getting injured, recording 8.5 sacks, 11 TFLs, and 32 pressures in only 10 games. Basketball background, moves extremely well for his size (watch the clip of him running a fake punt), and was #10 on Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List. Needs to play with better decisiveness and urgency as a run defender. 3rd Round (#87): Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State – Horton was 1st team all Mountain West and fifth in FBS with 96 receptions to go along with 1,183 receiving yards in 2023 and then became a cautionary tale about going back to school as he injured his knee and played in only 6 games in 2024. Has proven he’s recovered showing good speed at the combine (4.41) with a 37.5” vertical. Instinctive route runner with a feel for burst timing, and he rarely drops what is thrown his way. Natural deep ball tracker from his experience playing centerfield in baseball. Also an accomplished punt returner, and despite playing 5 years in college is still only 22 years old. Not the strongest WR, as press corners are likely to slow him and take a bite out of his effectiveness. I remember watching him back in 2023 and being very impressed with his ability to get open… and very confused as to why he went back to school. (Replaces Christian Watson) If he’s still available: Nohl Williams, CB, Cal – long CB with big INT totals, Williams snagged 7 INTs in 2024 and 14 for his career. Excellent instincts with eagerness from zone, able to make breaks on the throw. Also physical at the line of scrimmage, leveraging his size to play good press man and disrupt WRs off the line. Has returned kicks and punts and scored TDs in three ways in 2024 – INT return, fumble return, and kickoff return. Not explosive, adequate athleticism, missed 14 tackles in 2023 (but cleaned that up to only 3 in 2024), but can be a ballhawk in Hafley’s heavy zone scheme. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Dylan Fairchild, OG, Georgia – Second team All American, member of Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List, and former high school wrestler who went 67-0, Fairchild’s wrestling background shows in him consistently winning the leverage battle and welcoming anyone who wants to meet him in a phone booth. Excels at both run and pass blocking and was charged with only one sack and one hit the last two seasons in over 800 pass block snaps, with the sack due to him not picking up a blitz; he was never beaten one-on-one. As a run blocker, he’s quick off the snap and has great grip strength, and when he gets his hands on you you’re likely going for a ride; just ask Kentucky’s top DT prospect Deone Walker, who Fairchild relocated to a different zip code. Can play too high out of his stance and needs to improve footwork and hand placement, but is still only 21 years old and has plenty of room to develop. With the Packers investing heavily in Banks it makes this pick less likely, but Fairchild has played both sides of the line and with Rhyan a free agent after 2025, with Elgton Jenkins set to make $20M in cash in 2026, and with the poor performance of Telfort and Glover in the playoffs, the Pack may want better depth in 2025 with someone ready to step in and start in 2026. 4th Round (#124): Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville – Riley transferred up from Middle Tennessee State and in his three years at Louisville notched eight INTs, defensed 27 passes, and was second team All-ACC in 2024. Gave up only 43% completion rate in those three seasons, highlighted by a 37 passer rating against in 2023 and a 23 passer rating against in 2022. Average height, but good length (31” arms) and good recovery speed. Needs to be more physical and better in run support, but he’s a ball hawk and Hafley likes guys who can take the ball away. Packers had success with the last CB they drafted from Louisville, and unless the Packers really like Kalen King and Kamal Hadden, I think they double-dip at CB so that they feel more comfortable moving on from Jaire Alexander and the $17.5M in cash he’s due. (Replaces Corey Ballentine/potentially Jaire Alexander) If he’s still available: Ty Robinson, DT, Nebraska – Bully built for the trenches, Robinson was a force in the middle of Nebraska’s line and took a big step forward with his production in 2024 with 7 sacks and 12 TFLs. Hot motor who is quick off the line with a bull rush that has put many guards in the QB’s lap. Played everywhere along the line from 0-tech to 5-tech and helped anchor Nebraska’s best rushing defense since joining the Big Ten. Can struggle to maintain his pad level at his height (6’5”), has somewhat short arms, and came in surprisingly light at the combine (288 lbs) which could create questions about if he can still be that anchor in the middle of the DL. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Isaac TeSlaa, WR, Arkansas – former 0-star wing-T QB at a small Christian high school in Michigan, TeSlaa followed in his father’s footsteps and went to Hillsdale College where he transitioned to WR and became the 2022 Great Midwest Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year. He then hit the portal and had no shortage of offers to choose from (including Wisconsin) and went to Arkansas. His athleticism stood out from day one, earning a spot on Bruce Feldman’s Freaks list, and he backed it up at the combine, running a 4.43 with a 39.5” vertical, 6.85 3-cone, and 4.05 shuttle – at 6’4”, 214, good for a 9.97 RAS and the 11th best RAS score among 3,441 WRs. Wasn’t the most productive WR at Arkansas, but averaged 19 ypc, has huge hands and a big catch radius, and was willing to do the dirty work as a blocker; he does not shy away from contact and puts safeties, LBs, and corners on notice. Didn’t develop the route tree and route-running nuances at Hillsdale and Arkansas, and while he can bench 315 he was primarily used in the slot and thus defeating press with hands into his frame is not an area he’s been developed in. Looked really good at the Senior Bowl – and the Packers tend to pick players who looked good at the Senior Bowl – and he has the skill set that a creative offensive mind could turn into a star with his run game assets and building quick targets against conflict defenders off of it. 5th Round (#159): Dalton Cooper, OT, Oklahoma State – Cooper spent four years at Texas State before transferring to Oklahoma State where he started at LT the last two years with two starts at RT and played RT at the Shrine Bowl. 57-game starter in his career who didn’t allow a sack in 285 pass block snaps in 2024, but missed three games with injury. Showed excellent athleticism at their pro day, running a sub-5.00 40 with a good short-shuttle time for a 9.07 RAS. Good pass blocker, understands footwork, team leader, and held his own against some talented rushers, but an older prospect and not as good of a run blocker. (Replaces Andre Dillard) If he’s still available: Elijah Roberts, DE, SMU – another Miami transfer who went to SMU, Roberts flourished in two season there accumulating 17.5 sacks, 24 TFLs, 4 forced fumbles, and over 130 pressures. Great size and length (6’4”, 285, 82” wingspan), Roberts played standing up on the edge but does not have the athleticism to play standing up in the NFL. Effectively sets the edge with good technique including good knee bend and a wide base. Elite pass rush win rate of 22%, but doesn’t show good change of direction or bend. Can be a good rotational player playing DE on run downs and moving inside on passing downs, especially if the Packers draft a smaller situational edge rusher. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Seth McLaughlin, OC, Ohio State – first team consensus All-American and Rimington Trophy winner, McLaughlin has started for two powerhouse programs at both Ohio State and Alabama. Highly intelligent (graduated Summa *** Laude in 2.5 years from Alabama with a 4.00 grade point average), good grit and core strength, and has the range and radar to pull effectively. In three seasons was credited with only one sack and five hits, likely because he went up against NFL-caliber DTs in practice every day at two different schools. Tore his Achilles late in the season and will likely miss most if not all of 2025, but that’s OK – Green Bay has plenty of options for center in 2024 (Jenkins, Rhyan, Monk, and even a HOF-caliber emergency option in Tom), but Tom and Rhyan will be free agents after 2025 and Jenkins is due $20M in cash in 2026, so McLaughlin can go on IR and rehab/develop for a year before he is needed. The Packers like centers from Ohio State. 6th Round (#198): John Williams, T/G, Cincinnati – two year starter at LT with below-average height but good length (34” arms) and huge hands (11”). Adequate athleticism, and only gave up one sack and one hit in 460 pass block snaps last season. Better pass blocker than run blocker and has some questions about holding up against a bull rush, but quieted some of those concerns with 29 reps on the bench. Looked good at the Shrine Bowl. Most are projecting to guard, but the Packers have done very well with OTs who have below-average height and they also like interior OLs who have experience at LT. (Competes with Telfort and Glover for roster spot) If he’s still available: Jared Harrison-Hunte, DT, SMU - 6th year senior who followed Rhett Lashlee to SMU from Miami and blossomed into a 1st team all-ACC season with 6.5 sacks and 8.5 TFLs. Uses the feet of a former basketball player with an unpredictable rush tempo and relentless motor to be a menace for guards in pass protection. A bit undersized, but does not get pushed around a lot in the run game. Doesn’t have the ideal size or length and is likely confined to a 3-tech, but can be a rotational pass rusher with the ability to penetrate and create chaos inside. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Jackson Hawes, TE, Georgia Tech – former 2nd Team All-Ivy Leaguer at Yale, Hawes spent his final year at Georgia Tech as a thump-and-drive TE and lead/move blocker. Salty demeanor with a steady diet of physicality, Hawes is basically an extension of the OL who can explode into targets and dig them out as well as provide solid technique in pass protection. Limited route runner and pass catcher, not the most athletic, but could make a very good blocking TE in the Packers run offense. 7th round (#237): Teddye Buchanan, LB, Cal – former transfer from UC-Davis, Buchanan showed he belonged in the P-4 as he was selected 1st team All ACC. Athletic in space, Buchanan can be a good cover LB in man or zone but, despite leading the team in tackles, has below-average play recognition and has a tendency to get covered up and stuck in the trees. Can be a good special teams player and cover LB, with some of the Packers current LBs not strong in pass coverage. (Competes with Kristian Welch for roster spot) If he’s still available – Jason Marshall Jr., CB, Florida – 39-game starter in the SEC with good size, length, and athleticism, Marshall had his 2024 season cut short by a shoulder injury. Lots of PBUs on tape, gave up less than 50% completions when targeted in his career, but only two INTs in his career and gave up a lot of big plays with over 24 yards per completion in 2023 and over 17 in 2024. Boom or bust, and has a tendency to get suckered in by play fakes and misdirection. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Cam Horsley, DT, Boston College – one of the better run-stoppers in college football this past season, there is familiarity as Hafley was Horsley’s DC back at BC. Showed good athleticism at their pro day, running a 5.04 with a 3-cone of 7.67. Strong at the point of attack, has a wide, strong base to anchor, and gets off the line with good violence. Doesn’t offer much for pass rush. 7th Round (#250): Bryson Green, WR, Wisconsin – perhaps no player in college football helped himself more on his pro day than Green did when he checked in at 6’3”, 213, and ran a 4.48 40, had a 39” vertical and a 10’11” broad jump, and made an impressive one-handed leaping catch in pass drills. No agility info, but his measurables translated into a 9.97 RAS and on size & athletic testing is eerily similar to Jayden Higgins. Lack of production is easily explained by two years of a backup QB in a dysfunctional offense directed by an OC who was fired before the end of last season, and Green missed four games with injuries last season. (Competes with Bo Melton/Malik Heath for roster spot) If he’s still available: Jalin Conyers, TE, Texas Tech – multi-faceted athlete who can run, catch, and throw, Conyers has experience as both a TE as well as operating out of the wildcat at both Arizona State and Texas Tech. Second Team All-Big 12, Conyers had 5 receiving TDs, 2 rushing TDs, and a passing TD last season. Has good build-up speed, ball skills, and size for a TE, but the run blocking runs hot and cold and conditioning has been an issue at times. MLF has used Tucker Kraft in some creative ways, and Conyers could be another weapon to use in multiple roles. Don’t be surprised if it’s: Addison West, OG/C, Western Michigan – raise your hand if you have ever heard of Addison West. Now, raise your other hand if you knew that he was a consensus first-team All American this past season. Western Michigan’s first ever Walter Camp first team All-American and anchor of an OL that cleared lanes for over 2,200 rushing yards from three backs. Brings an old-school nastiness to the run game and works combo blocks like a 10-year veteran. Not only a good run blocker, West didn't surrender a single sack during his senior season while earning PFF's highest guard grade in college football. Biggest issue is lack of length and mass as he’s only 6’3”, 300; he has started games at OC and may have to move to OC permanently to make it in the NFL and even then there are questions if he can hold up to big NFL nose tackle bull rushes. Could try to stash on the practice squad for a year to see if he can make it at center with the ability to play guard if needed. UDFAs: Esa Pole, OT, Washington State Tyler Elsbury, OG, Iowa Jacob Bayer, OC, Arkansas State Avery Boyd, TE/H-Back, Georgia Tech Taylor Elgersma, QB, Wilfrid Laurier (Canada) Peny Boone, RB/FB, UCF Dalevon Campbell, WR, South Carolina Landon Parker, WR, Troy Coziah Izzard, DT, Penn State Johnny Walker II, Edge, Missouri Ty Wise, LB, Miami (OH) Nick Jackson, LB, Iowa Jack Henderson, S, Minnesota Micah Robinson, CB, Tulane

We're winning 5-0 throwing a 1-hitter and all people are doing is b******* about Oliver Dunn.

And Rodriguez. I think we see why they kept him up and sent Peguero down.

I think that they fired their DL coach for a reason. There were rumblings during the season that the players weren't happy with him and what he was coaching. Rashan Gary went from 5 sacks his 2nd year to 9.5 his third year. LVN has the same number of sacks after his first two seasons as Rashan Gary did. I also think that the draft is very deep with edge rushers, and that GMs will say anything before the draft to throw off the scent of who they are really targeting. And I also think that interior pass rush is just as important and edge rushing. Edge rushers get a lot of sacks cleaning up interior pressure that flushes the QB out of the pocket.

I don't know how someone could have watched the playoff game against the Eagles and said that we didn't need an interior lineman. Especially after losing an interior OL and moving the LG to a different position, forcing one of the two subs at LG in that game to start if they didn't get an interior lineman. I sure as hell wouldn't have felt good about going into the season with Glover or Telfort penciled in as the starter at LG.

I think that Bobby Portis is more important to this team than most think. Record without Portis: 16-15 Record with Portis: 31-19 Debate what a "3rd scorer" is, but if they can get Lillard back a top 5 of Giannis - Lillard - Portis - Porter Jr - Kuzma/Lopez can run with just about anyone.

Almost as nostalgic as that wood paneling!

They needed to be the last two years because of all of the dead cap from Rodgers, Bakhtiari, and all of the creative ways that Gutey tried to improve the roster in order to go for it in 2021 and 2022.

I think that most if not all of the 1st/2nd round projected players they bring in for official visits are backup plans so that they don't get caught with their pants down if the guys who they really want in those rounds aren't available. I think that after the first round there is a big dropoff in DT talent. I would consider Tyleik Williams at #54 but I would not move up from #54 to take him. My guess is that he's a backup plan if they get skunked out of Harmon/Nolen in the 1st. I read that they've only drafted something like 2 of the 26 players they've brought in who ended up getting selected in the first round. One of them was Love who was a virtual visit in 2020 when the combine and pro days got shut down by COVID, so I'm not sure if that really counts. Wyatt is the only player they've drafted who they have physically brought to Green Bay on an official visit and then drafted in the first round. Fun fact - Devonte Wyatt has 4.5 more sacks than any other DT taken in the entire 2022 draft. In fact, between the entire 2022 and 2021 drafts, the only DTs with more sacks than Wyatt (12) are Christian Barmore (13.5) and Osa Odighizuwa (13.5) and both were a part of the 2021 draft.

For the most part, yes. If you sign a kid when he's 16, you should know by the time he's 18 or 19 if he's going to be a superstar. If not, then he becomes available just like any other player in the system.

Just like when last year people said to DFA Payamps. Then he had a 1.11 ERA the 2nd half of the season.

Did you watch last night?

Baby steps...

Coors Field, 4/9/25 There's a Wisconsin bar a block south of Coors Field - Swanky's. Full of Brewers fans. Coors Field has a rooftop party terrace in right field. Before games they have happy hour with $3 12oz Coors Light, but tonight there were six lines and each one was 20 people deep. Swankys is your better bet. Using SpotHero I found underground garage parking about 8 blocks away for $6.

And the answer to "Where am I?" is Swanky's, a Wisconsin bar a block from Coors Field. The answer to "What am I eating?" is Swanky's mac & cheese topped with a sliced Johnsonville brat.

When the Brewers score more runs than the cost of your 16oz craft beer, you know it probably was a really good game.

There's a rooftop party deck in right field. Cheap seats, a few bars, a Smashburger, and they have pre-game happy hour with $3 Coors Lights. Lots of fans up there instead of the stands.

LouisEly reporting for duty

Where am I and what am I eating?

Kelly Evans on CNBC just made an interesting point about how the US and Mexico could become the next US and China, with manufacturing moving from China to Mexico because of tariffs and to eliminate the time and cost of trans-oceanic transportation. Manufacturing costs in Mexico can be higher due to higher transportation costs (time and money) coming from China and still allow tariffs on imports from China. That being said, the main reason companies manufacture in China is so that they can easily sell in China.

He finished his career as Ohio State's all time leader in receptions and receiving yards. Think about that for a minute. Cris Carter, Harrison Jr., Olave, Garrett Wilson, Smith-Njigba, David Boston, Joey Galloway, Michael Thomas, Terry Glenn, Ted Ginn, Santonio Holmes... Then think about who he shared time with and had to beat out just to get on the field.