Green Bay Packers 2010 NFL Draft, Day 3 – Backwards Thinking

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As day 3 of the 2010 NFL Draft came to a close, I  thought about the the selections the Packers made and quickly realized one thing:  I like these picks better in the reverse order of which they were taken.

5A) TE, Andrew Quarless, Penn State, 6’4″ – 252 lbs.

5B) T/G, Marshall Newhouse, TCU, 6’4″ – 319 lbs.

6) RB, James Starks, Buffalo, 6’2″ – 218 lbs.

7) DE, C.J. Wilson, East Carolina, 6’3″ – 290 lbs.

If Ted Thompson makes these selections on the planet Htrae, also known as Bizzaro World, where everything is opposite as it is on Earth, then they make perfect sense to me. But in our reality, I like them better backwards. Let me explain.

Prior to the draft, I had done some research on C.J. Wilson and really, really liked what I had seen on tape and read about him. He was a very productive player in college, with with 27 sacks, 45½ tackles for loss, and 35 quarterback pressures. He was also a good student, good citizen and a team leader. I had him down as a mid-round sleeper.

I had also come across the name James Starks in my pursuit of possible late round running backs for the Packers and found him quite intriguing at the time.  Starks has top-notch athletic skills, and is his school’s record-holder for rushing yardage (3,140), rushing touchdowns (34) and points scored (222), despite playing in just 36 games. Injuries are a concern, but he seems to be a very well rounded player – speed, bounces off of tacklers, gains positive yardage, a good receiver. Starks could be a great find for the Pack.

Newhouse I’ll admit to knowing very little about before today, but already the Packers plan to use him in the God-forsaken dual G/T role, so I’m automatically not that enthused. I do see that he made a few third-team and honorable mention All-American teams as a tackle, so that’s encouraging. He also had the pleasure of competing against Jerry Hughes every day in practice, which he says helped make him a better player.

And finally Quarless; with a son graduating from Penn State this semester, I’ve become quite familiar with PSU football over the last four years and know all about Quarless. Extremely immature, Quarless is a perfect example of wasted athletic ability (of which he has plenty, I’ll admit). Add to that the fact that he is not a compliment to Jermichael Finley, but rather a duplication of style, and it’s just not the type of pick I would have made until garbage time (7th round).

Now mind you, I’m not really complaining about these selections. In fact, I’m just as pleased overall with the picks on day three as either of the other two days.

All I’m saying is, Bizzaro Ted Thompson would have done it in the right order.

Click here for detailed information about all the Packers Draft Picks.

PLAYER VIDEOS:

5A) TE, Andrew Quarless, Penn State, 6’4″ – 252 lbs.

5B) T/G, Marshall Newhouse, TCU, 6’4″ – 319 lbs.


Draft Preview: Marshall Newhouse – Watch more top selected videos about: Football, Texas_Christian_(team), Marshall_Newhouse, NFL, CFB

6) RB, James Starks, Buffalo, 6’2″ – 218 lbs.

7) DE, C.J. Wilson, East Carolina, 6’3″ – 290 lbs.

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Jersey Al Bracco is the Green Bay Packers Draft Analyst for Drafttek.com.

33 thoughts on “Green Bay Packers 2010 NFL Draft, Day 3 – Backwards Thinking

  1. Even when taking the decline of Donald Lee into consideration, I still find drafting a TE a puzzling move. Seems we could have picked someone who addressed our needs more fully. A return specialist, punter, WR, or OLB, CB might have been more near the mark in regards to our needs. But what do I know?

    1. I don’t have a problem with taking a tight end, but I would have expected more of a blocking tight end than what Quarless is. But, they just went with their value chart and TT said he was by far the highest rated player to them in that spot.

  2. Right about after they drafted Quarless, i think it was you Al, who said this guy was strictly a pass guy.

    Now that we are in Bizzaro world, would it be a possibility that he sheds some pounds away (say 10-15) and works exclusively at WR?

    1. Funny you mention that. He reminds me of a slightly bigger version of James Jones. He doesn’t have WR speed, so it more likely they try to add pounds to him and teach him how to block.

  3. In the end, it really doesn’t matter where a guy is picked (after the 1st round, that is, where the money is absurd…)

    I still don’t like the TE, but the rest is a very good draft.

    1. They look great on film, actually, but you have to keep in mind they were not playing against great competition. Still, there is hope they can take the next step up.

  4. The big thing I noticed in Wilson’s films is how he isn’t run out of the play deep. He fills the middle nicely when he sees the qb trying to step up. That, to me, is more instinct than training. A good thing – a very good thing. Very good for #7
    _____
    Starks – surprised me with his break away speed. I know these films don’t show any warts but he, on more than one occasion ran away from the DB pursuit. And, he shows a cut back ability that already exceeds that of Grant. Very good for #6
    _____
    Newhouse – The film isn’t as good as those for Wilson and Starks but it looks like he attaches to a defender holds his block well. I’m hoping he is a clone of our last # 5 compensatory pick, Josh Sitton. Sitton and Newhouse have similar bodies when Josh showed up at camp.
    Could be a surprise and be a nice addition to the line. He would have some time to learn.

    Quarless – No way this guy is 250. I don’t see that body up against Peppers et. al. on the line. I see him more as a 3rd down possession reciever. Didn’t see blocking shots so I may be too harsh, he may be outside but not a TE. A risk, but worth taking at # 5
    ____
    Overall, it was a good draft for the Packers. I’m as happy as a clam with two Olinemen. I think they got a couple of steals at the bottom of the draft, Starks and Wilson.

    Something about Neal scares me, but TT and MM must have seen something in him. Hunter will probably be a good choice at #3. Although, if they took the Safety at #2 they could have done better and I’m convinced Neal would have still been available at #3. Then GB would have had their #4 and made the draft even better.

    Oh well, they had more info than me and that’s what they get paid to do. This was a good draft and really shored up some key areas.

    1. Good observation. He adjusts well and seems to always have the QB in his sights.

      The thing about Starks pulling away from DBs – he won’t be doing that against NFL caliber DBs… But I’m not being negative – I really like what I see from him.

      I think Newhouse fits better at guard…

      Quarless – only problem I have is that his skill set is not what what needed in a backup tight end. But he has the ability to become another Finley, if he ever grows up.

      Neal is still the man of mystery to me. I can’t find film on him, so I don’t know what to say.

  5. I think it’s interesting that both Neal and Wilson are both mentioned as being DEs who (hopefully) can generate some pass rush. This version of the Capers 34 is evidently not the one where DEs just squat and take up space/blocks. I hope it’s not just wishful thinking on the part of the staff.

    One of my favorite things about this draft was the selections of a safety and 2 OL…because hopefully that will pave the way for Jarrett Bush and Breno Giacomini to soon be unemployed.

    I have to take this opportunity to throw out the opinion that I cannot stand the new draft format. I don’t mind the fact that it’s 3 days long; I mind the fact that it starts on Thursday. They could at least start on Friday. I’m curious to see what the TV ratings were, to see if it was worth it for the league.

    1. I said in one of my pre-draft articles that pass rush doesn’t have to come from the OLB. If you can get your DLs to create a push into the quarterback’s face, that can be as effective as rushing off the edge, but with fewer sacks. It’s obvious they have faith in Jones, so better to get more typical 3-4 DEs for their defense. We all should have seen this coming…

      Poor Bush and Breno.

      A Thursday start – said from day one I didn’t like that. Fri, Sat and Sun would be much better for the fans, but that would mean only 1 prime time night for advertising $$$.

  6. Hi Al,

    Thanks for redirecting me to this.

    Interesting to read your assessment which was rather more positive than I feared. If this year’s draft is as deep (quality wise) as most suggest these look like useful players, particularly the running back (although he has injury concerns, I read Edgar Bennett rates him). I still worry that the defensive backfield is under strength (God forbid more injuries) and can’t understand the need for another Tight End. Perhaps TT is thinking of a couple of free agency deals down the line. Who knows?

    Best wishes,

    Andrew

    1. Andrew – Thanks for stopping in. The title was purposefully deceptive – I’m mischievous that way.

      If all the cornerbacks return healthy, it should be good enough, as long as Capers can find a way to improve the pass rush. But that’s a big IF.

  7. Al –
    Nice article as always. My biggest disappointment with the draft was the fact that the Packers didn’t feel the need to draft a cornerback. While I have the utmost confidence in Woodson and Harris, will Harris be able to pull off his superman impersonation and be ready for game 1? And while I like Tramon Williams, he is not a shut-down corner IMO at least not yet.
    I did read an article earlier today which quoted Thompson as saying he thought Pat Lee and Brandon Underwood were better than any of the corners that were available in the draft. I am assuming he meant after the first couple of rounds but Pat Lee is starting to become Harrell-lite. Can he stay on the field? Who knows but other than Cornerback I liked this draft. Not overly sexy but we have stocked cupboards for the O-line and D-line.
    One thought – Colledge traded for a cornerback prospect? Be still my heart . . .

    1. I can’t say much about Lee, but I liked the drafting of Underwood last year. He was pretty raw, but has the attributes to make a good corner. Supposedly he has dedicated himself to the game and is showing lots of improvement.

      A Colledge trade might be something that happens at the end of pre-season, like the Tony Moll trade. Assuming the Packers are satisfied with their OL depth after camp…

  8. With Jeremy Thompson gone, the OLB position is in need of immediate help. Maybe the Bears are stupid enough to trade one of their younger LB’s for Colledge. They need a guard desperately. Hey Lovie’s done crazier things before.

      1. Here’s your answer:

        The last trade between the two longtime rivals occurred on Aug. 29, 1998 when the Bears dealt a seventh-round draft pick to Green Bay in exchange for return specialist Glyn Milburn. The deal was a good one for both teams. Milburn, who in 1999 became the first Bears player voted to the Pro Bowl in six years, played four seasons in Chicago and remains the franchise’s all-time leader with 4,596 kickoff return yards. The Packers spent the pick they acquired in the trade on wide receiver Donald Driver, a three-time Pro Bowler who ranks third on Green Bay’s all-time list with 503 career receptions.

        1. Holy crap! I was impressed with the article, but being able to pull that trade out, that is truly impressive.

      2. I remember a lot of Packer signings with the Bears and vice versa. A trade is not jumping out. I think the Packers got Bratkowski from the Bears directly but I’m not sure if it was a trade. I’ll have to check that out tomorrow.

  9. TV ratings: I heard today that TV ratings for the Thursday night round 1 were up something like almost 33% over last year. So I guess we’ll get to watch a Thursday night draft forever.

    Good question about a Packers/Bears trade. I don’t remember any, but I wonder if there wasn’t one back in the dark ages some time. I don’t know.

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