Joseph Zarr

Notice: Joey Wiemer update and reflecting on 2021 and bringing it into this season… https://www.mlb.com/brewers/video/ethan-small-on-his-progression

I don't know who Aaron Wilson is or was before he came on at Pro Football Network but he has been, in my estimations, the best Rumors and News guy this early off-season. He has been announcing nearly everything before anyone else. Clearly using those connections from earlier in his career (?) and those tossed his way within the PFN team. Anyhow, for anyone looking for info and gossip in the FA lull etc. he seems to be 'the guy'. Find him here:https://twitter.com/AaronWilson_NFL And here: https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-news-rumor-mill/

Another meeting that should've been an email? I went to "read" this earlier and saw it was a podcast. I've not listened to one of this in a long time, but beat writers that fancy themselves as TV journalists are painful to listen to... I actually don't dislike Mosqueda whatsoever. He is a really good guy at analyzing Edges. Just offering it up in the Draft Thread - tis why I made the asterisk...I'll go back and bold it tho so it is more discernible.

To our TE discussion (and bringing in WR's of which there is clearly also a lot of depth - add this group to OL and Edge): https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2022/2/24/22949442/nfl-draft-2022-theres-a-lot-of-hurt-receivers-and-not-many-tight-ends-justyn-ross-chris-olave * This is a link to what is essentially strictly a podcast listen. Entire listen is an hour and ten minutes.

LOL. Yeah, I tend to honor "I'll only accept a trade offer that actually makes sense". There tends to be quite a bit of future Draft Capital offered so I typically go 2 routes and do 2 Mocks a day - one where I explore and accept or counter meaningful trades and one where I reject all trades and just make my picks. EDIT to ADD: I forgot to mention I do enjoy Fan Speak when Ross Uglem’s Packer tilted Draft Board is up. He generally goes very RAS heavy at the positions the Packers historically apply that metric etc A fun way to draft Packers in a mock.

Also, for those who are unaware, this is One of my most enjoyable 'approaching the Draft' morning rituals: https://www.profootballnetwork.com/mockdraft/ Entirely too fun. I typically route myself to Packers (obviously, lol); 4 Rd Draft; Fast speed. As the draft approaches I probably do 5-6/day. LOL. Regardless, just a great and FREE tool - I don't need to pay extra for trade proposals. A real bonus as TDN charges you for any perks or, heck, I think they charge you just to use their Simulator now?

I definitely think Ferguson is a value pick for sure. I would classify him in the 'just a solid player' group. Probably underrated and we honestly probably don't know what we have there - as you point to, there is a definitive Mertz factor at play here. It will be interesting to see where his draft stock is perceived as we get closer to the draft. Personally, I see him landing in that Rd 3-4 range. Decent value there for a solid player.

It would certainly appear: The TE group in this year's draft is interesting. Not top heavy by any measure at all BUT there are intriguing projects with tools to develop. And, if we couple that with the Packers TE situation and current TE room, it will be a position group we 'should' keep following. I'll report any Pro Day or Combine infos as I get them and hope you all do the same. As per usual: Going to be a fun draft season!

Yuppers. I thought this might be the case (post above) but it's definitely a funny turn of events - Bucks pick up the 2 best defenders on Brooklyn's perdy turrible defensive squad. Which version of Jevon Carter are we going to get? The Phoenix version? He was a serviceable rotation guard in Phoenix and I found him quite enjoyable to watch. OR, the Brooklyn version? He was near unplayable for Brooklyn with his shooting percentages falling off a cliff. He's always going to give you great defense - at least, guarding the 1...he lacks the size to meaningfully guard any sizable 2's. BUT, if he can't knock down the open shots that will be coming his way, I don't know what he's providing other than garbage time minutes. Considering what was out there, I guess we'll have to wait and see. I haven't disliked what I've seen from Wigginton in the games leading up to the ASG. He was hustling and getting to the FT line and improving. He clearly lacked size and any meaningful impact defensively. Anywho, time will tell.

In addition to QB and TE, the other position that might not get picked in the first round is running back. The Athletic recently released their Top 100 prospects. Top QB was #31 (although there were four quarterbacks between 31-41 - so borderline first rounders each). Top RB was at #41. Top TE was at #60. A note - this was their rankings - not a mock draft. So nothing on need of the team anything like that. Tony Pauline, who I tend to lean on during this time of year, has Jalen Wydermyer as a Top 10 overall prospect. I definitely noticed this, fwiw. EDIT to ADD: Just for perspective (and I know you know this), on the same PFN site: Oliver Hodgkinson has Wydermyer as his #2 overall TE at 62 overall ( he has Isaiah Likely out of Coastal Carolina his #1 and current #43 overall) Ian Cummings also has Isaiah Likely his #1 and 48th overall BUT has Trey McBride out of CSU his #2 and #57 overall with Wydermyer coming in his TE #3 and #79 overall. Tony also has Jeremy Ruckert his #2 TE and #52 overall. I LOVE Ruckert's game and think he is vastly underrated so I tend to lean Tony Pauline...once again. Now, keep in mind, Tony also loved Jace coming out of Texas A&M and felt he had very reasonable upside in the NFL. Something I didn't disagree with. Unfortunately, it was quite obvious Jace never had the mental part of his life or game down in any way.

Yeah, at this point, a Bakh restructure has to be a near certainty. The man hasn't played in over a year and, well, his injuries probably cost them 2 trips to the SB. Ugh.

I'm going to substitute OT for TE. Kelly is a FA. Nijman is a RFA (not exclusive rights) and I think he played well enough at LT that someone will make an offer that the Packers won't be able to fit under their cap. Turner is in the last year of his deal and might have to be a cap casualty if they manage to retain Nijman. And Bakh has questions surrounding his health and ability to get back on the field. Point being, Kelly and I think one of Nijman or Turner aren't back. I don't know if the Packers view Newman as having RT potential, but if they lose Nijman they will need to draft a tackle to develop. As for TE, they have Deguara who was for all intents and purposes still a rookie last year plus Dafney and Davis. I think Tonyan will be back because coming off of the injury and starting the season on the PUP there won't be a strong demand for him as a FA; I think he'll be back relatively cheap on a one-year deal. I get the viewpoint of needing more lineman, and agree - but I still feel TE is a bigger immediate roster hole than OL with the uncertainty of how soon Tonyan is back healthy with that knee. I'm basing that off an assumption that Bakh is ready for the 2022 regular season - a big assumption but frankly one the Packers have to also make considering his huge contract. Also hoping Jenkins is able to be back at some point next season. I do hope Deguara takes that next step, but I'm anticipating Lewis is gone, and they need another TE that is an effective run blocker on the roster. My favorite 'Packers' TE in this draft is Jeremy Ruckert out of Ohio State. I absolutely love his game. We probably would need to consider spending a 2nd or, in the very least, trade up in the 3rd for him. I think he is extremely underrated, personally.

The Packers, historically, take OL/Edge/DL in the First. The likelihood they change that philosophy is slim but if they did...this is how I see your list: Wilson and Olave are both gone by the Packers. Olave is the closest thing I've seen - routewise and footwork wise - to Davante Adams. He has an incredible release and deceptive speed and great great hands at the catch point. As much as I love Olvae (and, I would be thrilled to pair him with Adams - that would be a dream scenario), scouts might grade Wilson even higher. IF the Pack want either, they are going to have to trade up - not likely. Burks and Williams 'could' be there but most likely are nabbed just before the Packers pick. Of the two, Williams even with his ACL is most likely to go first. Which leaves, in my view, the most likely WR's available at the Packers selection to be: (1) Drake London (2) Treylon Burks And, that's muh take currently.

Devil is in the Details: They absolutely must fill one roster spot (Bembry signed to fill Monroe's 10 Day who is temporarily not on the roster at least) before the end of this week. It's a stipulation of the NBA rules whereby a team is allowed to dip below the roster Limit for a maximum of 2 weeks at a time during the regular season. The Bucks dipped below on 2/10/22 with the deadline deal for Ibaka. Hence, a 10 Day makes a lotttttta more sense to fill that need of the rule mandates. Now, this being said, if they saw a FA or a Buy-Out suddenly within this same 3 day period? Sure. BUT, there's not need to do anything other than spot fill with a 10 Day while they wait for a more serious signing. Your sentiment is right - agreed there. BUT, the way the rules work it isn't necessarily going to work out that way.

Goran Dragic, predictably, signs with a bigger Market and the Nets forming what just might be the absolute worst defensive backcourt in the entire NBA. This being said, Dragic would have been a nice depth addition. Curious to see what moves the Bucks will make to ensure they meet the roster requirements. I imagine, for the time being, they'll just add a 10 day. The Nets did waive Jevon Carter to make room for Dragic - will the Bucks kick the tires there?

Apparently, Mr. Campbell is at Lambeau Field tonight. This could mean they are trying to get a new deal done before his contract expires in 3 hours or so as this would apparently provide some Savings to the Packers' cap. We shall see.

I see we are losing Mike Smith and potentially to work w Pettine in Minnesota? Yuck. His replacement appears to have a decent resume. Here’s hoping the solid play continues.

I never have a problem with a early pick addressing either the offensive or defensive line, no matter of need. Edge defenders are extremely deep in this draft. The Pack are lucky - they need more talent there and they will have a very very deep pool to choose from. I never complain when we add more defensive talent. They seem to finally have that Baseline of talent. A couple more swings and hits and we really could see a Top 10 defense if healthy. I’ll be following Tony Pauline as usual, this year, over on Pro Football Network. He is spot on more often than not. He raved about the Elgton Jenkins pick at the time…loved Jaire. In general, he is just really good.

I miss baseball. I miss Brewers baseball. And, that is all I have to say.

Yeah, really fun game tonight with the playoff atmosphere. Even if we get Brook back in some capacity before the playoffs, Philly will definitely be a tough out. East is going to be a bloodbath. Really isn't an easy match up out there. MIA/TOR always play us tough, CLE has Allen/Mobley to slow down Giannis, BOS is the hottest team in the league right now, PHI has Embiid/Harden, BRK will be a threat as long as they have Durant, obviously bad blood with CHI after Grayson's foul on Caruso. 100% agreed. I was actually clapping hands into this One unlike any other game this year. A couple real boneheaded TO’s in crucial junctures and just the inability to hit those open looks was the game. Refs are going to ref but, actually, all in all I felt they called a fair game. I really just want to see this team with a full and healthy roster. That’d be really neat and fun too (I think).

Missing open shots by millimeters. Rimming in and out. Turning it over in a 1 possession game. Not getting foul calls from the officials. That's a recipe to lose a close game at home. Still a minute left but not looking good. Embiid has been a Monster tonight. Incredible offensive performance.

This Sixers/Bucks game is awesome. This is Playoff basketball. Both teams missing guys. Both hitting tough shots in the 4th.

It truly is the offseason. LOL. Good times.

If you are willing to let the programs off the hook (and, frankly, I don't care about the optics of this entire topic one bit. It's ridiculous that the Feds suddenly pretend policed this to begin with and made it such an ordeal. This stuff has been going on for decadesssss). And, absolutely, the NCCA establishment at large is a machine that enables institutions to profit off student athletes. Just very very recently they have allowed student athletes the ability to make monies off their own image and talents - tho, as Merl points out they still must be granted permission. The issue in this case, is really Merl and the retinue of convicted individuals were made to fall on the sword of 'justice' for essentially just doing their jobs...and, then there is the reality what they were convicted of and found guilty of is now legal and, really, wasn't some type of terrible offense in the first place. The coaches and the institutions themselves were once again left completely unscathed. It's just a gross commentary on the reality of power dynamics. I'm looking forward to reading his book when it comes out in March. I think he has a very compelling story to tell.

VERY good defensive wing. He can handle tough assignments and slow guys down which will be incredibly important in the post-season. Decent court vision and passer. Not guard handles but his handle is decent. This season, he has inexplicably hit the corner 3 at a decent percentage tho this is on very low attempts. Historically he is a 28-29% shooter from behind the arc. It appears to me, the universal sentiment among Nets diehards is they really lament losing him for nothing and they especially don't understand how they just waived him and now he is on the Bucks. This is a good signing and a real bargain at that. It really isn't often you find a guy this versatile, playing this well as a glue guy, on the street.