• Articles
  • News
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Website Terms of Use
  • Contact
Total Packers - Green Bay Packers Blogs and News
  • Home
  • Analysis
  • Packers News
  • Contact
  • Disclaimer
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Analysis
  • Packers News
  • Contact
  • Disclaimer
No Result
View All Result
Total Packers
No Result
View All Result

Several New Packers Rate High on Toughness

Rob Born by Rob Born
May 24, 2017
in Uncategorized
1

When I went over the Green Bay Packers’ 2017 draft class, with few exceptions, most of the 10 players had outstanding athleticism. In fact, as a group, these players were so athletic it figured into my theory that Green Bay draft selections have become a group affair – when Ted Thompson was clearly the guy in charge, the Packers didn’t place as much attention on NFL combine testing.

As I’m getting better acquainted with the new team members, I’m noticing another mini-trend: toughness. Toughness is more than being big, more than being strong – it’s all about hitting the other guy harder than he hits you. Legendary middle linebacker Ray Nitschke was toughness!

Of the 10 draftees, I would rate six as better than average in this regard. Let’s look at these players through this prism.

Josh Jones – Round 2 (61st) – Grade: A

At 6’1” and 220 pounds, Jones is bigger than your average safety. The Packers obviously feel he’s a tough guy, as they immediately projected him as a hybrid safety-linebacker. His 109 tackles in his final year at N.C. State could not have been achieved without aggressiveness and the ability to put people on the ground. His 20 bench press reps further indicates a strong physique.

Scouting Report: “He’s another one that will hit you. He’s a real physical football player… He’s a tremendous athlete and the Packers love cross-training guys, corners and safeties. Here’s another one.”

“Extremely aggressive. Bouncy feet can’t wait to fire downhill and hit something.” (nfl.com)

Montravius Adams – Round 3 (93rd) – Grade: B-

For a guy weighing 304 pounds, 22 bench press reps are not impressive, but at age 21 he might still be developing physically. This defensive tackle looks like a development project.

Scouting Report: “First and foremost, a powerful football player… He doesn’t spend a lot of time wrestling with blockers. He’s a collapser. More of a power-type pass rusher than he is finesse… There’s some dormant talent there and it can be developed.” (anonymous NFL scout)

Vince Biegel – Round 4 (108th) – Grade B

The Badgers’ linebacker has good size, but his 21 bench press reps are below average. Based on his manic and reckless pursuit style, however, I think it compensates for his average strength.

Scouting Report: “He’s a tough, aggressive player with upside as a linebacker or situational pass-rusher in the pros.” (Bleacher Report)

“Biegel is as intense as they come and plays with passion. He’s an effective blitzer who powers through the smallest of creases to arrive in the backfield… His country farm strength is evident at the line of scrimmage.” (scout.com)

DeAngelo Yancey – Round 5 (175th) – Grade: B-

He has good size (6’ 1-5/8”, 220 pounds) and he’s in the 93rd percentile among receivers with 21 bench press reps. Maybe he’ll surprise me, and prove to be adept at breaking tackles and as a blocker. But I doubt he’ll ever get enough playing time for us to find out.

Scouting Report: “At 6-2, 220, Yancey has NFL-ready size, and he looked considerably thicker through the upper body than most receivers at the Packers’ rookie orientation.” (Packers.com)

Kofi Amichia – Round 6 (212th) – Grade: B+

At his pro day, the big offensive lineman recorded 32 bench press reps – a fine number. Amichia could have more potential than your typical sixth-round choice.

Scouting Report: At 6′ 3-5/8″ and 302 pounds, he put up 32 reps on the bench press. He’s up to 308 now… about 15 pounds from what he weighed as a senior… He was a superb pass protector. According to Pro Football Focus, he was the fifth-best pass-protecting tackle in this draft class. (scout.com)

Devante Mays – Round 7 (247th) – Grade: A

At 5’11’ and 230 pounds, his size and running style is reminiscent of Eddie Lacy. We know he has the lower body strength and his 22 bench press reps means he also has fine upper body development.

Scouting Report: “Built like a truck with muscular legs and a powerful, broad chest. Has a 420-pound bench press to his name. Physical runner with a penchant for finishing with a bowed neck and heavy pads. Looks to accelerate through contact and can create additional yardage with his power through contact.” (nfl.com)

Sorry fans, I can’t manage to make any kind of a case that cornerback Kevin King, running backs Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones, or receiver Malachi Dupre possess more than an average amount of toughness or physicality. But six out of 10 ain’t bad, and probably no more than six or seven of these draftees will likely make the final roster anyway. While I’m very pleased with this year’s draft bounty, I also view three or four of the latter picks as throwaways.

What About the Other New Acquisitions?

Defensively, strong cases can be made that linebacker Jordan Tripp and defensive lineman Ricky Jean Francois will add toughness and ruggedness to the team’s defensive unit. On offense, tight ends Martellus Bennett and Lance Kendricks are also physical players, as is veteran guard Jahri Evans.

Along with other fairly recent additions such as Kentrell Brice, LaDarius Gunter and Aaron Ripkowski, the Packers personnel department seems to be assigning more value to toughness than in the past. I think the Packers learned a valuable lesson with the drafting of Damarious Randall – it appears his reluctance to engage in contact will prove more damaging to his career than any difficulty he has maintaining tight coverage.

It also can hardly be an accident that since 2013 the Packers have acquired these heavyweight running backs: Eddie Lacy, Aaron Ripkowski, Joe Kerridge (the 249-pounder joined the active roster in November) and now Devante Mays.

Following the 2012 season, coach Mike McCarthy was constantly on the defense when questioned about the toughness of his team. In one act, the selection of Eddie Lacy, those concerns were quieted – and for his first two years Lacy’s bruising running style came to personify the Packers’ physicality.

Though Lacy has departed, I think the team’s efforts to add toughness throughout the roster continues to be a point of emphasis for the entire Green Bay front office.

Tags: DeAngelo YanceyDevante MaysFeaturedGreen Bay PackersJosh JonesKofi AmichiaMontravius AdamsTed ThompsonVince Biegel
Previous Post

Packers’ Opening DB Group Was Interesting

Next Post

Someone Asked Aaron Rodgers If He Dates Harry Styles

Has Aaron Rodgers Put himself In the MVP Race?

Not If, …When

November 20, 2022
Brian Gutekunst with Ted Thompson

Is There Enough History to Compare Gutekunst, Wolf, and Thompson?

December 1, 2021
Former GM Ted Thompson Has Passed at 68

Former GM Ted Thompson Has Passed at 68

January 21, 2021
Brian Gutekunst with Ted Thompson

Brian Gutekunst vs. Ted Thompson: The First Three Draft Strategies

June 4, 2020
Next Post
Harry Styles

Someone Asked Aaron Rodgers If He Dates Harry Styles

Comments 1

  1. Avatar for Ledi the Jodi Ledi the Jodi says:
    6 years ago

    If you can’t find evidence of Jamaal William’s toughness, then we obviously don’t speak the same language. guy was one of the best in the nation at breaking tackles. Right after the draft the talk was about his “intestinal fortitude” goung back to BYU. Guy has a vicious stiff arm, and is almost reckless in pass blocking. What more do you want?

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Total Packers - Green Bay Packers News and Rumors

Subscribe to Packers News Updates

100% Spam Free - Unsubscribe at any time.

Find It!

No Result
View All Result

Recent Posts

  • 2023 Packer Draft: What We Learned
  • Packers Choose TE Tucker Kraft with 78th Pick in Round 3 NFL Draft
  • Packers Select TE Luke Musgrave & WR Jayden Reed in 2nd Round NFL Draft
  • Packers Draft Lukas Van Ness
  • Packers 2023 Draft Brings Opportunity
  • TV-Drama “As the Packers Turn” Cancelled as Star Diva Aaron Rodgers Traded to Jets
  • Packer Potential Draft Strategies
  • A Fan’s Farewell to John Brockington
  • Packer Draft Needs: Safety
  • An Aaron Rodgers Farewell
  • Packer Draft Needs: Edge
  • Inside the Packers’ Insane Ticket Situation

Popular Tags

A.J. Hawk Aaron Rodgers Brett Favre Brian Gutekunst Bryan Bulaga Charles Woodson Chicago Bears Chicago Bears Clay Matthews Clay Matthews III Dallas Cowboys Davante Adams Detroit Lions Eddie Lacy fans Featured free agents game analysis Green Bay Packers Green Bay Packers Greg Jennings injuries Jay Cutler Jermichael Finley Jordy Nelson Julius Peppers Mike McCarthy Mike McCarthy Minnesota Vikings Morgan Burnett New England Patriots New Orleans Saints NFL Oakland Raiders Philadelphia Eagles predictions Randall Cobb Sam Shields San Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks T.J. Lang Ted Thompson Ted Thompson Tramon Williams Ty Montgomery
No Result
View All Result
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Articles
  • News
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Website Terms of Use
  • Contact

© 2022 Total Packers -- This site is not affiliated with the Green Bay Packers or Packers.com

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Analysis
  • Packers News
  • Contact
  • Disclaimer

© 2022 Total Packers -- This site is not affiliated with the Green Bay Packers or Packers.com