So.

The Packers' picks go DT, OLB, OT, FB, OT, DE, CB, and OLB. Looks to me like they addressed their greatest need - defense, especially needing more players who can man the 3-4 scheme - and got some prospects for the offensive line.

Hey, Clifton and Tauscher are getting older, and Tauscher's coming off knee surgery. Let's not forget: they both started as rookies, and Tauscher was a 7th round pick.

As usual, it'll take some years before we really know how good/bad this draft was, but I'm pleased. Disappointed that I wasn't in front of my computer for the whole thing, but pleased.

Next year I'm spending the weekend at my computer for sure.

As expected, a surprise move

Wow, the Packers traded up to get another first round pick. Kid better be worth it.

Clay Matthews, LB, USC. 6'3, 240 pounds. Long blond hair. But we've already got a long-haired linebacker!

They're gonna start calling them the Barbie defense.

He was a walk-on with the Trojans and worked his way up to a starting spot. Must have a pretty good work ethic.

Huh, a third-generation NFL player. Wonder how many of those there are.

JSOnline's blog has a round-up of opinions. Some good, some bad. All guessing.

Let's go to the tape:



CBS Sports has another highlight video.

I like Ted Thompson's usual policy of hoarding draft picks - nobody really knows which pick is going to pan out and which isn't, so you're doing yourself a favor by having more.

Still, trading up like that is bold, it's exciting, it gives Green Bay not one, but two headliner picks. The cold analytical part of me wishes he hadn't done it, but the rest of me likes it.

Putting out a Fire before it Starts

In case you hear something in the grapevine about Raji and Drugs at the Combine...

ProFootballTalk.com is now reporting that the positive drug test for B.J. Raji--one of several potential first-round NFL draft picks named in an NFL Draft Bible report two weeks ago--was bogus intel, and that Raji came through the draft's screens clean as a whistle, as Raji and his agents claimed from the start.

Sports Illustrated's Tony Pauline reported the same news using unnamed sources, and has refused to retract his story...

SI later did retract the story.

An SI.com report posted earlier this month incorrectly stated that Boston College defensive tackle B.J. Raji's name would appear on the NFL's list of players who tested positive for drugs at the NFL Scouting Combine in February. We regret the error.

Indeed.

A Thing of Beauty

Just drool if this is the Vikings, Bears, or Cowboys offensive line.

With the 9th Pick of the NFL Draft...

the Green Bay Packers select, B.J. Raji, Defensive Tackle from Boston College.

Here's YouTube of his college highlight from last year. Guy plays much like a young (thin) Gilbert Brown.

The Picks So Far...

Your NFL Draft to Date Packers Fans.

1. Lions - Matthew Staffard, QB - Georgia
2. Rams - Jason Smith, OT - Baylor
3. Chiefs - Tyson Jackson, DE - Louisiana State
4. Seahawks - Aaron Curry, LB - Wake Forest
5. Jets (In Trade from Browns) - Mark Sanchez, QB - Southern Cal
6. Bengals - Andre Smith, OT - Alabama
7. Raiders - Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR - Maryland
8. Jaguars - Eugene Monroe, OT - Virginia
9. Packers -
   

Live BBA Coverage of NFL Draft

As is an annual 'tradition' of sorts here at the Badger Blog Alliance, Lance Burri and I will be likely live-blogging the NFL Draft today, which starts at 3 PM CT.

Early things we know for sure:

1. The Lions will draft Matt Stafford, QB-Georgia, No. 1 Overall. ESPN is reporting he will be paid an ungodly amount of money ($78 million for 6 years, $41.7M guaranteed) even though he hasn't played a down in the league.
2. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel is reporting Texas Tech WR Michael Crabtree is the Packers #1 guy they'd like to draft. This is highly unlikely, since most boards have him going in the top 5 easily. That will be well past the Packers pick at #9.
3. Expect the Pack to go with Boston College DT B.J. Raji is your likely 1st Round Pick by your Green Bay Packers. So says the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
   

Expect more updates and discussion, as well as check Twitter for both me, Lance, and any other BBA-ers on it. Lord only knows what we might be talking Draft-related there.

Franchise Players

ESPN is running a poll through August 18 in which you can vote for the All-Time Franchise players of all 32 NFL franchises.

Go here to vote.

The Packers' choices are: Willie Davis, DE; Brett Favre, QB; Paul Hornung, RB ; Don Hutson, WR; Ray Nitschke, LB; Bart Starr, QB; Jim Taylor, FB; Reggie White, DE; Willie Wood, DB; and Herb Adderley, CB.

The Over Under Is....?

It will take

??

1. Days
2. Weeks
3. Months
4. Games
5. Seasons

until the Green Bay Packers retire Brett Favre's number Four?

Place your answer in a comment or into a new post!

Re: Re: Favre to retire?

Aaron,

I do you one better, I blame President George W Bush for Brett retiring!

Re: Favre to retire?

I blame Scott Walker.




Brett Favre should've made this announcement on the day before the Wisconsin primaries. That would've been awesome!

Re: Favre to retire?

WTMJ is reporting it, too.

Lots of stuff on that page. They've been holding onto that for a while.

Remember the game against Cincinatti, when Favre took over for Majkowski? My daughter - a sophomore in high school now - was 143 days old. Her whole life, the Packers have played exactly two three games in which Favre was not the starter.

Re: Favre to retire?

ESPN confirms:

Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre has decided to retire.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported that according to Favre's agent, Buss Cook, Favre informed Packers coach Mike McCarthy of his decision Monday night.

The story indicates they heard Brett was talking with Randy Moss and was willing to commit to multiple years provided Randy Moss come, but no dice on that.

Thanks for the 17 years Brett!

He's Gone

Max McGee, former Packer, former Packer broadcaster and the man who scored the first Super Bowl touchdown is dead.

We'll get to hear him today with the WTMJ rebroadcast of Brett Favre's first game. Not just a tribute to a great quarterback, but a tribute to Max McGee as well.

Re: Miller Goes Blaze Orange

I'll support a blaze orange game if they ban foam cheeseheads from Lambeau Field. If we have one new stereotype to publicize on national tv they should take one away.