In 2022, Darnell Savage, 2019 first round pick and All-Rookie team selection missed 12 tackles. He lost his starting position midway through the season. PFF listed his tackling efficiency at 78th out of 81 safeties. Since only 64 safeties start on a weekend in the NFL, that number tells you all you need to know. Adrian Amos is a free agent and the Packers are out of money. So safety has to be a priority in this draft.
With ten current picks, don’t be surprised to see the Packers pick two safeties before the draft concludes. One problem the Packers will face is a lack of safety talent in this draft. CBS sports lists 20 safety prospects with draft worthy grades. Only 5 in the first three rounds. ESPN lists 18, with 6 in the first three rounds. Safety draft grades need speed documentation, which is why the combine and pro days are important. This review will break down the top 6+ safeties listed by ESPN and CBS and then give a synopsis on the late round options.
Packers Top Safety Prospects for 2023 Draft
Brian Branch: Alabama: (6’0”/190) Branch has been the consensus pundit number one safety in the 2023 draft. Then he went to the combine. He ran a 4.58 forty with a 1.56 split. His arms are short. (30 ¾”). Those are not great first round safety numbers. The last time the Packers picked a safety that ran a 4.58 forty, it was Ha-Ha Clinton Dix and he was an inch taller and 20 lbs heavier.
Savage was 8 pounds heavier than Branch and ran 4.36. He was picked 21st. Some draft outlets list Branch as a slot safety. So why is he rated so high? He tackles. He is known for being a hard hitter. Branch had 90 tackles with 7 passes defensed in 2022 and PFF listed him as the best tackler in college football, with a 91.8 rating. How nice would that be to see a Packer safety tackle with authority…
Antonio Johnson: Texas A&M: (6’2”/198) Johnson has the size and speed to be an NFL safety. His 4.52 forty and 1.57 split keeps him on the field and his arm size (32 1/8”) will help keep tight ends off his frame. Johnson was right behind Branch on PFF’s tackling rating at 89.5 and had a better coverage rating at 88.7 compared to Branch’s 86.4.
He did not produce interceptions, but did receive the Defensive Playmaker Award for his team in 2021 compiling 79 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 1 interception, and five pass breakups. In 2022 he missed two games but still posted 71 tackles, 5 TFL, one pass breakup and 3 forced fumbles. He does struggle a bit with open field tackling, which contributes to Branch being rated higher. He also struggles on tracking deep balls. Never a trait you want in a centerfielder.
After these top two safeties, the pundits are split as to the rankings and it demonstrates the debates that are reverberating in draft rooms. CBS ranks J.L. Skinner as the 3rd best safety. ESPN ranks him 12th. ESPN ranks JiAyir Brown third while CBS lists him as a corner and ranks him the 15th corner and a #150 overall ranking. That tells you more about the depth at safety vs. corner in this draft than it does about Brown. Corner has more depth in the 2023 draft.
J.L. Skinner: Boise State: (6’4”/209) long and lean, Skinner can play both safety positions. His arms are average (32”) and he is a decent tackler. He did not run at the combine, so his pro day will affect his ranking. As most tall safeties do, Skinner struggles to flip his hips and needs to learn to take better angles to the ball in pass coverage. Decent open field tackler. Skinner tallied 62 tackles, 4 interceptions and 5 passes defended. He had 92 tackles in 2021 with 2 interceptions and 2 forced fumbles.
Sydney Brown: Illinois: (5’10”/211) all Big Ten safety from the national top scoring defense. He ran a 4.47 forty with a 1.51 split. His vertical jump is 40.5 inches. He has played since his freshman year, so has a lot of game experience and he improved every year. He is also too short to match up against big tight ends and tall receivers and he misses tackles.
His short arms ( 31 ½”)will make it tough for him to win near the line of scrimmage in the NFL. He is from London, Ontario, Canada so cold weather is not a problem. 31 missed tackles in two years is a problem.
Jordan Battle: Alabama: (6’1”/209) Besides having the best last name you could hang on an NFL defender’s uniform, Battle has some good numbers. His 4.55 forty with a 1.56 split kept him in the conversation. During the Crimson Tides’s 2020 championship run, Battle was the heart of the defense, totaling 66 tackles, 3 TFL, one interception that was a pick six, and 4 passes defensed.
In 2021 he had 84 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 3 passes defensed. He followed that in 2022 with 71 tackles, 1 interception and 2 passes defensed. He has played a lot of football at a high level which will help his NFL transition. His only major knock is a struggle to tackle in the open field.
Jartavius Martin: Illinois: (5’11”/194) Martin ran a 4.46 forty with a 1.47 split. He posted a 44” vertical jump and an 11’1” broad jump. He has 31 1/8” arms. While he posted great numbers, his film leaves questions. Angles to the ball need improvement. Tracking and coverage targets needs improvement. He can get out-muscled and bumped off coverage.
Martin played a lot of slot coverage for Illinois and showed good instincts attacking the run both coming at him and in pursuit. He made plays attacking wide receiver screens and in one on one man coverage he can flip is his head quickly and locate the ball for a pick, as he did against Minnesota. The more I watched the more I was impressed. He does not have experience as a true free safety. His 2022 season included 64 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 sack, 3 interceptions and 11 passes defensed.
Ji’Ayir Brown: Penn State: (5’11”/203) Ran a slow forty and split at the combine that will drop him on boards. If he bounces back at a pro day he may recover, but 4.65 forty and a 1.56 split won’t cut it in the NFL. Brown was a hero in the Rose Bowl in 2022 with an interception, 1.5 sacks and 8 tackles.
He was a thorn in the side against Wisconsin in 2021 with an interception to seal the victory along with 5 tackles and another pass break up that was very close to a pick. His 2022 season numbers, 74 tackles, 4 interceptions, 7 TFL, and 4.5 sacks. His 2021 stats, 67 tackles, 4 interceptions with a pick 6, 1 forced fumble and 5 passes defensed show he has experience and lots of good film. He is also good at filling at the line of scrimmage in run support from either a safety or slot corner position as he has experience at both positions. His film shows good anticipation and decent burst.
The rest of the Safety prospect bunch:
Brandon Joseph: Notre Dame: (6’/202) Short armed (30 7/8”) has a knack for big hits combined with a knock for missing tackles, especially in the open field. Joseph has experience as a free safety against high caliber competition and has good film in the pass game. He needs to earn how to play with his back to the ball, his main flaw. He ran a 4.62 forty with a 1.56 split. Joseph totaled 30 tackles, 1 forced fumble, and 1 interception in 2022 in seven games, down from 79 tackles and 3 interceptions in 12 games in 2021.
Christopher Smith: Georgia: (5’11”/192) Ran a 4.62 forty and 1.56 split. Vertical jump was 33 inches. Pundits like his coverage and toughness but question his reaction time and diagnosis. (Seems to be a repeated concern for many Georgia defenders. Is it how they are coached?) Major concerns are a bit slow and a bit small. Had 61 tackles, 5 TFL, a sack and three interceptions in 2022. Combined in 2021 and 2022, he had 9 passes defensed.
Daniel Scott: California: (6’1”/208) Ran a 4.45 forty with a 1.55 split at the combine. Add in a 39.5 vertical jump and some decent practices at the Senior Bowl and Scott moved up some draft boards. Cal had a poor year but Scott was a team captain and has six years of college experience.
In the actual Senior Bowl game Scott was given a head fake that left him in another county and allowed a big play. There is more of that on film. He blew assignments multiple times against Oregon. He is also 24 years old. Against the run it did not get better. He was faked out of his uniform by the Oregon QB on a naked bootleg, allowing a touchdown. In his multiple tackle attempts against Oregon I never saw him try to wrap up the ball carrier, just happy to stick his head in and hope the runner goes down.
Jammie Robinson: Florida State: (5’11”/191) Robinson ran a 4.59 forty with a 1.58 split. His arms (29 5/8”) are the shortest in the group. Too small with short arms to line up against tight ends. His strength is tackling and quick feet (although that is on film, not his combine testing) and it might give him a chance as a nickel corner. His 2022 stats: 99 tackles, 5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 interception, 5 passes defensed.
Marte Mapu: Sacramento State: (6’2”/216) Listed as a safety he played linebacker, safety and corner at Sacramento State. He was the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year. He played in 41 games for the Hornets and amassed 165 tackles, 13 TFL, 7 interceptions and 22 pass deflections.
Has potential as a 5th or 6th DB on runnings downs or against run heavy teams. Will be interesting to see how fast he is. Not invited to the NFL Combine. He impressed coaches at NFLPA and Senior Bowls. May end up as a passing game inside linebacker.
Jay Ward: LSU: (6’1”/188) Ran a 4.55 forty with a 1.53 split. Frame is rail thin for the NFL. For his size he is tough. Will fill in run support. Better at nickel/slot than free safety. Committed seven penalties in 2022. Needs to get stronger. 60 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 interception and 4 passes defensed. Was a leader on LSU’s defense.
Jason Taylor II: Oklahoma State: (6’/204) ran a 4.5 flat forty with a 1.52 split. Add a 43 inch vertical and those numbers impress. Good sized arms for the position (32”) he has a highlight real that shows he makes big plays in key moments in games. NFL’s Lance Zierlein says he tracks the long ball like an outfielder. In 2022, he had 48 tackles, 6.5 TFL, and 2 interceptions and 4 passes defensed. He played in 13 games in 2022 and 13 combined in 2020 and 2021.
Concerns pre draft was he sometimes looked slow on tape, but his combine now does not match that tape. He has good marks as a tackler. Wisconsin fans may remember his 12 tackles against them in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl. They might also remember him being beaten for a touchdown just before the half when he was fooled on a run-fake roll-out pass. He also made a poor read on Braelon Allen’s 3rd quarter 20 yard touchdown run.
Ronnie Hickman Jr.: Ohio State U.: (6’ 1/2’”/203) Did not run at combine. Has long arms for position (33”) and can cover near the line of scrimmage but struggles with change of direction and tackling in space. In 2021 Hickman Jr. amassed 99 tackles, 1TFL, 2 interceptions and zero passes defensed. In 2022 that dropped to 53 tackles, 1 interception and 1.5 TFL’s. He upped his passes defensed to 7. He has gotten better every year as his QB Rating shows (2020 QBR= 110.8/2022 QBR = 34.7)
Quindell Johnson: Memphis: (6’1/2”/194) No combine numbers. 54 tackles, 4 interceptions and 5 passes defensed in 2022. Has started multiple years and has 226 tackles over 49 games; 77 in 2022 and 104 in 2021. In the last two years he has 10 TFL’s and 5 interceptions and 15 passes defensed. If he runs a fast time at his pro day he may jump up some boards. He has experience at nickel corner, safety and linebacker. Strong and willing tackler.
Trey Dean III: Florida: (6’2”/200) Ran a 4.75 forty with a 1.6 split. Not safety speed. His lack of speed did not cripple him in college, he ran with tight ends down the field. But it was noticeable. His decent tackling make him a potential special teamer. 2022 stats: 81 tackles, 4.5 TFL, .5 sack, 4 passes defensed. In 5 seasons and 57 games he totaled 4 interceptions.
DeMarco Hellams: Alabama: (6’1”/203) ran a 4.57 forty with a 1.57 split and a 31 inch vertical jump. Willing tackler that has good understanding of boundary safety responsibilities. Can get beat over the top and struggles to recover when he missteps. Collected 108 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 interception and seven passes defensed and a forced fumble in 2022. He snagged 3 interceptions in 2021.
Gervarrius Owens: Houston: (6’/195) Did not run at combine but did post a 37.5 vertical. Owens has corner and high safety experience as 4 year starter at Houston. His film has good and bad. He missed a high number of open field tackles and occasionally took bad angles to balls. In 2022, he had 74 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 interception and 8 passes defensed.
Kendrick Duncan Jr.: Louisville: (6’3”/225) Did not have stats from combine. Duncan Jr. accumulated 44 tackles, 1 TFL, no interceptions with no passes defensed in 9 games in 2022. In 2021 he played in 12 games, he had 76 tackles, 4 TFL, 1 sack, 1 interception and 4 passes defensed. Five-year college player splitting time at Louisville and his first three years at Georgia Southern. His QBR, when targeted his final season, was a troubling 118.8. Film indicates he is not fast enough to mirror quicker receivers.
Kaveon Merriweather: Iowa: (6’/205) ran a 4.62 forty with a 1.58 split. 2022 season included 47 tackles and 3 interceptions. A better zone and short field player than a back end free safety. His lack of speed and tight hips turning and running show up on tape. Decent tackler but sometimes can’t wrap up. Lost his starting job in 2019 after an injury and some poor play but bounced back in 2020.
An interesting comparison is the difference in ranking of Branch and Hellams. Both from Alabama. Both ran basically the same forty time. Hellams had 18 more tackles. Branch is listed as a top 20 pick. Hellams is ranked 179. That is the middle of the 5th round. For a team in need of two safeties, drafting two that have worked together in college could bring added benefits to the safety room.
Rest of the 2023 NFL Draft Safety Pack
Chamarri Conner: Virginia Tech: (6’/202) 4 year starter that played corner, slot, and safety in different years. Ran a speedy 4.51 forty with a 1.56 split and a 40.5 vertical at combine. Also played specials teams in college. In 2022, had 67 tackles, 2TFL, and 2 passes defensed, no interceptions. He has 4 interceptions and 19 passes defensed in his 5 year college career. The knock on Conner is missed tackles but he gets plus grades on ball skills.
Brandon Hill: Pittsburgh: (5’10”/193) Ran an impressive 4.43 forty with a 1.50 split. If only Hill has 3 inches taller… just a bit short to line up against tight ends. In 2022 he collected 67 tackles, and two passes defensed. Played strong safety at Pitt. Can get too aggressive and miss tackles and overrun plays. Might convert to slot corner and special teams.
Jordan Howden: Minnesota: (6’/203) ran a 4.49 forty and 1.55 split. Team captain who started 49 games. Played free safety. His tackling is suspect and his film makes you question his speed when he is initially beaten in coverage but he is a smart player. His 2022 season stats included 58 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 2 interceptions and 5 passes defensed. Four interceptions and 20 passes defensed in his 5 years as a Gopher.
Anthony Johnson Jr. :Iowa State: (6’/205) ran a solid 4.54 forty and 1.55 split. Has impressed scouts with his toughness and hitting. Experience as corner and safety. He excels changing direction. His 2022 campaign had 60 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 interceptions and 4 passes defensed. The knock on Johnson Jr. is he is still learning the proper angles and schemes of the safety position.
Tyreque Jones: Boise State: (6’2”/195) ran a 4.52 forty with a 1.61 split. Played box safety at Boise and showed good skills when the play is in front of him but faltered if forced to match up vertically. 34 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 1 interception and 3 passes defensed in 2022. His best stat year was 2021 (52 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 interceptions and 6 passes defensed)
Rashad Torrence II: Florida: (6’/193) True Junior ran a 4.73 forty with a 1.59 split. He is a free safety with out good speed or instincts and could improve his tackling.
This safety class is interesting because speed from the top of the class is limited, but a number of low draft/free agent prospects have the tools necessary to compete on an NFL stage. Tackling is what will separate these prospects. Every Packers fan saw the results of poor safety tackling in 2022. Can Gutekunst and company find one or two safeties that will improve that hole in the defense? Stay tuned.
I thought missing tackles was a Packer pre-requisite. Most of these guys will fit right in.
Thanks Paul. A bunch of work went into that and you delivered another good article to TP. Now the commenters can take the discussion far afield and off topic.
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I particularly liked your observation of the Georgia players and their recognition skills maybe being something due to their coaching. Could very well be. It seems to repeat.
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Yes indeed, tackling. I remember posts on this forum from several years ago that spoke of, the Tramon Williams school of tackling. Your write up forced me to go back and read a scouting profile of a past Packer safety and one of the issues was – Ankle biter willing to engage in too many arm tackles and blind shoulder rolls. Spot on, care to guess?
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Yes, find the willing tackler who can read angles and track the ball in space and let’s hope the speed issue isn’t the only impressive thing they covet. The free agency signing of Tavarius Moore does not solve much. With him losing an entire season to a torn Achilles and his previous limited play he’s just a rotational piece.
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Maybe Darnell Savage can rebound a bit. Maybe he should have gone out with Jordan, Christian, Romeo, and Aaron to play catch with those guys. He could have practiced defending. By the way, why wasn’t Samori along for that trip?
It’s going to take far more than a safety to fix this mess.
Although it’s definitely a position of need.
Who is our #1 tight end?
Seriously…someone tell me.
Lets see, they let Lazard go..
After rookies Doubs, Watson, and Toure, they have receivers Jeff Cotton and Bo Melton.
What could go wrong?
After losing Robert Tonyan, the Packers have Dequara and Tyler Davis featured at tight end. Yes…i said featured 🤔
Fear not!!…They combined for 17 catches last season and i’m confident they can do it again
Tight end position should be fine…What say you Gute?
At this point, i start to feel sorry for Jordan Love.
The Packers lost Reed and Lowry, not exactly game changers, but it does create need up front.
Middle linebacker “should be” ok. Hopefully Quay is now smart enough to finally have learned that he can’t shove anyone unless they are wearing a NFL uniform and only, before the play is whistled dead.
Walker was asked recently, what he would do if a player was hurt and trainers were coming on the field to assist.
Quay answered “walk away?”
Stokes is a concern after his knee injury. Problem is, he was a bigger concern even before the knee injury.
That should be enough, without even mentioning the right side of the O line or the salary cap.
Enjoy the ride Packer Nation, buckle up, safety first…she may get a bit bumpy.
I guess it’s back to relying on another draft class of rookies.
I’ll call the 2023 Packer season at 7-10 (If healthy).
But that’s just me, i’m optimistic 🙂
From down the hall…
Written by just another damn fool, who thinks he “knows everything”.
There are only 2 reasons you draft BPA….
1) A team is a true draft and develop team, which the Packers haven’t been for years.
2) You have so many positions to fill, taking BPA is absolutely prudent.
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Sometimes you have a strong enough team where you are just one or two players away from taking you where you want to go.
Which reminds me of the 2020 receiver rich draft. Gute didn’t agree..
Hats off to Ken Lass, taking a truthful, somewhat painful look at the state of the team as of today.
One thing is for sure…..this team is not one or two players away…..that window recently closed.
But we got a future QB!!
Well, we’ll see what we have there.
Forget all the protective talk coming from MLF concerning expecations for Love.
He sat for 3 years behind one of the best.
Lets find out what he’s learned, and if he can handle defenses in real games.
The praise of looking good in shorts and no contact in training camp and practice is over.
There comes a time a play has to prove himself in real games, against real competition.
Nobody should be crowned in camp or practices.
Bring on Jordon Love i say….show me why it was more important to draft him, then trying to add talent (on the field) when we got so close to the SB.
At least you finally put a number on it Kevin! Good for you! 7-10? I’m more in the 9-8 to 10-7 range. More importantly, we’ll finally find out if Jordan Love can play. That will be the key next season. Rodgers went 6-10 his first year as starter missing the playoffs but you knew he was a franchise QB. Jordan Love will have a better roster. All eyes will be on Love. If he’s the real deal, the future will be bright regardless of any won/loss record next season. Any predictions for your beloved Aaron Rodgers and the Jets? This is where it gets tricky. If he plays like he did last year then a repeat of the Jets 7-10 season seems likely. However, even if he plays only marginally better, you’re still looking at 9-8 or 10-7. Since future draft compensation will likely be based on his performance then I hope he has a good year and makes the playoffs. Once in the playoffs, he’ll shoot himself in the foot as usual. It’s telling that none of you Aaron Rodgers fanboys are predicting a SB for the Jets. Now that Rodgers has supposedly a superior front office and a better roster. I’m only now starting to look into the draft and none of these safeties gets my panties wet. Don’t really see one I have to have early in the draft. The player I’m starting to get excited about is Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Normally I’m not in favor of drafting a WR in the first round. But you put this kid in the slot with Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs on the outside and you could have something special. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s the pick. Gutekunst will give Love whatever it takes to succeed. You can win in the NFL with average safeties.
Oh, i c…..
So now we need receivers?
Lol…whatever you say little man 🥱
Tom M 24 hours ago
I’m only now starting to look into the draft and none of these safeties gets my panties wet.
What gets your panties wet Princess?
Maybe we can find you a partner in here.
Rebel, Kato?
LOL…
Listen Nancy…..
Why would you question if Jordan Love can be a player in the NFL, after having told us about a dozen times he’s our franchise QB of the future?
Is this the depth of your intellect?
Is he a franchise QB….until he isn’t? 🤔
Never lose that sense of humor.
Rodgers went 6-10 his first year as starter (good job Princess)…didn’t he also throw for 4,000 yards, with 28TD’s and 13 picks. 63% completion % and a 93 passer rating. Not bad for a rookie season.
So why were the Packers only 6-10?
Rodgers poor play?
OR……Did it have anything to do with the Packers 20th ranked defense?…or is just Rodgers fault in your tiny little mind?
Out of their 10 losses…
1 loss was by 1 point
4 losses were by 3 points
2 losses were by 4 points.
We’d ask you to understand how that relates to the season record, but we learned long ago…..you can’t fix stupid.
Being a viking fan, you probably didn’t know that Bob Sanders was fired after that 2008 season, and Dom Capers was hired for the 2009 season.
Capers improved the defense from 20th, to 2nd in the league his first season.
I know what your thinking Tommi….” tell me how the defense has anything to do with the teams win/loss record?”
My answer to that would be for you to scroll up to the part where i wrote, you can’t fix stupid.
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What’s the prediction for the Jets record with Rodgers?
Boy lol, it doesn’t stop with you does it? Dumb question, after dumb question.
Fantasyland.
Isn’t Rodgers the property of the Green Bay Packers?
Did i miss something?
1) I don’t make predictions in hypotheticals
2) The Jets last got into the playoffs 12 years ago. They are losers, like your vikings.
Championship are won, from the top down ( like i’ve always said)
I give no fuck what their record is next season with Zach Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, Wile E. Coyote, or the Easter Bunny under center.
I’m a PackerFan4Life.
Take some time off Princess, rest your head.
Maybe by accident, you can think of something intelligent to say.
SKOL!!
That didn’t take long for you to turn on your boyfriend, Kevin. You don’t care about Aaron Rodgers now? He means nothing to you? After all these years of gleefully quoting his stats. You’re just going to kick him out of bed like that? Did someone get their little heart broken because he wants to be a Jet? And now you’re on a pity trip badmouthing the roster? What I’ve said Kevin, is I’ve seen steady progress from Jordan Love. While you’ve deemed Jordan Love inferior to both Tim Boyle and Kurt Benkert. Regardless of our win loss record, next season is all about Jordan Love. If he turns out to be the QB you can build a franchise around then we’re set a QB for the next decade. Your inept roster analysis not withstanding, many of pieces are already in place with more players coming with 10 draft picks in next months draft. Plus whatever the little diva fetches us in trade. Free from the shackles of Mark Murphy and Brian Gutekunst, little Erin will be free to do many, many great things! Winning a SB won’t be on the list, but with draft compensation likely tied to his performance it’s in Packers fans best interest that Rodgers has a good season. I understand such thinking might be a little deep for you.
Little man….Do i have to show every quote from you, declaring Love our next franchise QB?
No i don’t, because we’ve all seen them.
You keep pretending you didn’t say that, if it makes you sleep better.
Take some time off Princess, rest your head.
Maybe by accident, you can think of something intelligent to say.
SKOL!!
I seem to recall a certain Tom M guarantee the Packers would have a top 5 defense last year with all the talent they had. How did that work out?
Then famously puffing out his chest last season saying..”we don’t need receivers”….lol
Now, of course, even after the Packers drafting of Watson, Doubs and Toure’s, he’s talking about drafting yet another receiver in the first round this year.
I guess this year we can’t get enough receivers for Jordan Love.
Tommi’s problem is he is so simple minded he reads like a book…but acts as if he’s got it all together and never misses taking his meds.
You’re good at two things Kevin. Fawning over Aaron Rodgers stats and blaming others when he fails. Talent evaluation isn’t your strong suit. Which makes your state of the franchise roster evaluation meaningless. With your boyfriend now gone, you’re left to react to whatever I say rather than contribute anything meaningful. Jordan Love’s physical talent is undeniable. With the young QB, it was always could he process the game at the NFL level, make his reads, and deliver the ball on time. Most people, yourself not included, saw signs of Love starting to put everything together in the Philadelphia game. A close game by a team that would eventually go to the SB. Jordan Love looked poised and confident. He knew the offense, made his drops, and the ball was out and on time. A far cry from the Kansas City game the year before. All this gives Packer fans hope. It took Jalen Hurts three years to get the Eagles to the SB. It took Patrick Mahomes two. I don’t expect a SB this year with Jordan Love but I never expected a SB with Aaron Rodgers as a Packer or a Jet. I expect Jordan Love to be an NFL QB. How good remains to be seen. But with the talent on this roster and his continued growth. I see 9 or 10 wins and a playoff appearance achievable. Which is all you get from Rodgers. It was time to get off the Aaron Rodgers treadmill. So grovel in your negativity. We’ll see which one of us is right.
Tom M 42 mins ago
Talent evaluation isn’t your strong suit.
Leave the talent evaluation to me, like when i said how well Kevin King was doing, and when i said that Royce Newman is a 10 year starter.
We’ll see which one of us is right, because, i’m always right.
Kevin….I know talent, not you.
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Take some time off Princess, rest your head.
Maybe by accident, you can think of something intelligent to say.
SKOL!!
Random quips 😏……
Tom M 4 days ago
If you’ve been paying attention, and evidently no one who posts here has the mental capacity to do so, the Packers want a first round pick and change for Aaron Rodgers.
New York Post: Packers’ Brian Gutekunst says first-rounder not ‘necessary’ for Aaron Rodgers trade
By Joseph Staszewski
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Tom M 2 months ago
Cheese, all I can do is go by what I see. With Jordan Love, I see growth, I see progress, I see maturity. I see none of that with Trey Lance.
You don’t see shit Scooter, you see one QB in shorts and a red shirt in practice, on the news, who can’t be hit.
On the rare occasion he does get into a game, nobody gives a shit, because they are waiting for the clock to bleed out.
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Tom M 3 weeks ago
Can anyone imagine, what a trainwreck this turns out to be for the Packers, if Jordan Love turns out to be a bust.
3 years of brain damage, for nothing.
I don’t have a good feeling about this.
I’m a bit peeved, but it has nothing to do with a game.
American Journalist Evan Gershkovich, has been detained in Russia for spying.
His friends are on TV saying he isn’t a spy.
Biden is talking tough saying “Let him go!!”
I’m saying…..WHAT DID HE EXPECT?
So now he’s international news because why?
He’s stubborn? He’s arrogant? He’s stupid and selfish?
Or all of the above?
What happened 6 weeks ago?
The U S. Government told any Americans in Russia to leave immediately, so they are not falsely detained.
If he deemed his job assignment more important than his freedom, what should we do now?
Give up an arms dealer/mass murderer for a trade?
I’m so pissed off, as far as i’m concerned…..he should get comfortable and find a good attorney.
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If your Doctor warns you to stop smoking or you’ll die within a year. Then you keep smoking anyway and die in 10 months….is it the Doctors fault?
It was a train wreck last year Kevin. And that’s with your beloved Aaron Rodgers at QB. It’s hard to imagine Jordan Love plays worse. There’s no doubt the defense was a disappointment Arch. No one could have predicted season ending injuries to Rashan Gary and Eric Stokes. But the defense did get better by seasons end, finishing 17th. That’s one notch below Kansas City’s SB winning defensive at 16. The high light of the season when the defense completely dominated and shut down the Minnesota Vikings NFC leading offense in week 17. While Aaron Rodgers never got better. He was consistently bad all season long. Aaron Rodgers was so godawful that you never hear Kevin quote his stats. I say 80 percent of last years problems were due to piss poor QB play. The rest on the defense. We get not great, but just adequate QB play, we win both those Detroit games and finish 10-7 and make the playoffs. That’s why I think 10-7 next season is achievable. If Jordan Love is just efficient running his HC offense I think 9 or 10 wins are attainable. I expect year two jumps from Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Quay Walker, and Davante Wyatt. I think we get a safety, TE, WR, and an edge rusher in the draft. I think the OL is finally healthy with Bakhtiari and Jenkins. I think Josh Nijman is an NFL tackle. Jordan Love will not be Justin Fields. Thrown to the wolves with a roster full of nothing. I see reason for optimism. While Kevin will tell you this roster is so poor, it’s no better than an expansion team and it’s all because Brian Gutekunst. Kevin surmises, Gutekunst plays checkers while everyone else plays chess. Oh, how history would be so different, Kevin laments, if the Packers had just drafted Chase Claypool over Jordan Love. With Rodgers gone, Kevin is still living the fantasy.
“No one could have predicted season ending injuries to Rashan Gary and Eric Stokes” – Princess
Yep, because Stokes was playing so well before he got hurt.
“I say 80 percent of last years problems were due to piss poor QB play. The rest on the defense. None on the O line or the empty receiver room.
They were perfect all season.
Even Doubs 6 drops were probably Rodgers fault anyway” – Corn Cob
So now, Rob Debufoonsky finally writes about the Packers receiving room as a problem.
Way to stay on top of things Rob!!
Let me comment on the receiver room 😁
“We don’t need any receivers, we have an elite top 5 defense and the best rb duo in the league!!”
What say you Tommi?
Tom M 2 days ago
“I’m only now starting to look into the draft. The player who gets my panties wet is Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Draft him in the first round and put this kid in the slot with Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs on the outside and you could have something special.”
Tom M 3 months ago
You never draft a wide receiver in the first round. Wide receivers are a dime a dozen, they can be found anywhere. i’ve been saying that all last season, but then again, Rodgers was the QB.
So you’re blaming Aaron Rodgers piss poor play on a rookie WR’s 6 drops? This kind bull shit has to stop, Kevin. Little Erin was paid 50 million last season, man up and take responsibility. Just because a select few Packer fans coddle Aaron Rodgers doesn’t mean he’ll get such treatment in New York where they will eat him alive if shows up and plays like shit. And with that horrendous OL, there’s a real possibility Rodgers crashes and burns. I wouldn’t want to be Joe Douglas. This could go either way with his job hanging in the balance. You’re right Kevin, I wouldn’t normally go a WR in the first round. However, Brian Gutekunst will give Jordan Love every opportunity to succeed and if the talented Ohio St WR helps Love’s transition to NFL starter then I won’t complain if he’s the pick. Also several scouts have only 4 WR making their top 50. Typically there are 10 or more. Not a great year for WR’s and we’ll need one. Let me put it this way, I’d take Jaxon Smith-Njigba at 15 over these ridiculous TE projections in these mock drafts. I wouldn’t take a TE before the second round.
Besides the decades of failure that envelopes this Jets franchise, the OL is yet another reason i didn’t think this was a good lateral move for Rodgers.
If he still had his wheels, maybe.
I’m not so sure there are going to be any winners involved here, if this trade happens. Not the Jets, Rodgers, and maybe even the Packers.
In Rodgers rookie starting season, he passed for over 4,000 yards.
TRIVIA: Who was the last New York Jet QB to pass for 4,000 yards?
Tom M 9 hours ago
“You’re right Kevin as usual, I wouldn’t normally go WR in the first round. However, Brian Gutekunst will give Jordan Love every opportunity to succeed, a lot more than the hodge podge of piss poor receivers he gave Rodgers. Which makes sense, because if Love doesn’t succeed, Brian Gutekunst will end up looking like a bigger corn cob than i look.”
Let’s talk about Aaron Rodgers and his 4,000 yards you say he had as a first year starter. He also had Jordy Nelson, James Jones, and Donald Driver while the defense was a work in progress. It was more important for Ted to give a young Aaron Rodgers the tools to be successful and build his confidence. That’s why I could see Gutekunst doing the same and take Jaxon Smith-Nijiba at 15. Not saying he will, but I can follow the logic. It seems to me Brian is following Ted’s blueprint. The way Ted drafted Rodgers and set him up for success. Now consider Justin Fields who you’ve already proclaimed a bust. On most Sunday’s last fall his best WR was Equanimeous St Brown. It’s hard to make chicken salad out of chicken shit even if you’re an elite NFL QB. Let alone a second year QB trying to find his way. Still Bears GM Ryan Poles saw enough to stick with Fields and build a team around him. I like what they’ve done in FA and trading the first pick in the draft. If they have a strong draft, they could be one of the most improved teams in all of football. And it all started with real NFL WR’s for Fields to throw to. As far as the constant whining about Rodgers never having enough weapons. That’s total bullshit and always has been. Rodgers always had Davante Adams who was the best WR in the NFL. He was always going to get 10 to 15 attempts a game. They were always going to pad their stats together. You girls love to tell each other how Aaron Rodgers is the best QB ever. Then get defensive when I compare Rodgers to Brady and Mahomes. I’m going to do it again. Brady or Mahomes never had a Davante Adams to throw to. If they had they’d have won even more championships. The truly great QB’s elevate those around them. Brady and Mahomes won championships with average WR’s. Rodgers could never do that with the best WR in the game. The NFL is a hard business. It’s not surprising then most of these young QB fail. Is it enough then to change you’re draft philosophy and draft a WR in the first round when you normally would not to help your young QB succeed? Possibly.
Gonna go off script. I know this thread is supposed to be about Green Bay’s needs at the safety position but I seen the news of the passing of John Brockington at age 74.
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For those of us who suffered through the 70s and 80s, John Brockington was one of the bright spots with the Packers. He currently ranks fourth overall in rushing for the Packers putting up 5024 yards from 1971 to 1977.
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Rest in peace #42. One hell of a Green Bay Packer.
Couldn’t agree more Mitch. Derrick Henry has got nothing on Big Bad John! He and MacArthur Lane. Now that’s a running back tandem for the ages! If we only had a viable QB after Bart Starr. Unfortunately Scott Hunter was not up to the task. It wasn’t until Lynn Dickey showed up we finally solved the QB problem. By then Brockington and Lane were gone. And so was the defense…..
Derrick Henry has nothing on Big Bad John Brockington?
(Pause for laughter)
NOTHING!!
Whoever would saye something that stupid, would either…
A) Have no clue wtf they are talking about.
B) Be a viking fan, masquerading as a Packer fan in a desperate, pathetic attempt to woo the acceptance of somebody, anybody.
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Gee…i know!!
I’m going to go on a Viking forum and say….
” Adrian Peterson had nothing on Dorsey Levens”
I’d probably stop myself from saying something so stupid to viking fans, but then again, i’m not desperate for attention.
Plus, as much as i don’t like AP, i could never say anything so stupid.
*Packer fans all loved Brockington back in the losing decades. I remember dragging around my case of NFL trading cards to school, friends houses, and my cousins (who had season tickets, and still do).
Trivia: If you added up all the vikings SB rings, who has more Super Bowl rings than the vikings over the last 57 seasons?
Answer: Aaron Rodgers
Chuckle…Chuckle
http://www.si.com/nfl/packers/news/on-april-fools-day-rodgers-trade-talks-continue
After the 1971 season, the greatest Packer QB of all time, Bart Starr, retired. Because of John Brockington, MacArthur Lane, and a great defense the Packers went 10-4 in 1972 and won the NFC north. By 1973, you could no longer hide the fact that Scott Hunter couldn’t play QB and the wheels fell off. Desperate to find a QB and keep his job, Dan Devine made a deal with the devil and traded away the future for 34 year old, washed up John Hadl and things went from bad to worse. The Packers had no plan at QB after Bart Starr and everything snowballed from there. Fortunately 50 years later we have a GM with a plan. Jordan Love is no Scott Hunter. They’ll be no desperation trades for a veteran QB’s either see the Colts and the Saints. Yes, we’ve had drama transitioning from Favre to Rodgers, and now Rodgers to Love. But I’ll take that any day of the week rather than repeat the 70’s and 80’s. Instead of being optimistic, it’s all gloom and doom with you Kevin. Clearly someone who doesn’t understand history.
Exactly…because you (obviously) know the future.
Do you want to give your psychic a free plug Princess?
I want to understand Packer history, but as we all know, i’m a bit slow.
Now, who the hell is John Hadl and what does he have to do with the Packers?
Any help is appreciated and i’m ready to take notes and study the history of the Packers and learn as i go, because i’m clueless 😀
SKOL!!
Tom M. May 4th, 2023
Fortunately 20 years later we had 2 GM’s with a plan to execute, and build a Championship Team worthy of winning a Super Bowl.
Ron Wolf, and Ted Thompson, after building their own roster. both won the Super Bowl in their 6th season as GM.
2023 is Brian Gutekunst/Mark Murphy’s 6th season as GM.
TICK TOCK.
(FIXED)
Tom M.
Instead of being optimistic, it’s all gloom and doom with you Kevin.
Show some positive thoughts and optimism Kevin, show the kind of respect i’ve shown Rodgers all these years.
Be more like me!!
(Pause for laughter)
“Dan Devine made a deal with the devil and traded away the future for 34 year old…….” – Princess
And tell us, ol’ basement dweller…..
Who hired Dan Devine and why did they hire him?
HINT: It’s one of the main reasons Ron Wolf demanded that the Packer by-laws be changed, to put all football operations control, into the hands of the General Manager.
There ya have it, take notes you stupid POS.
Did you learn something new?
You’re welcome Lettuce Head.
No one knows the future Kevin. But by studying the past, you can learn from your previous mistakes. The disaster that was 70’s and 80’s resulted in a multitude of errors. From not having a successor to Bart Starr in the wings, to making a woefully unprepared local football hero HC and GM. Think Jeff Saturday HC of the Colts for a modern comparison. To compounding that same problem by replacing Starr with Forrest Gregg. Fortunately, the Packers finally figured it out. They hired football people to run the football side of the organization. Wolf traded for Favre. Thompson drafted Rodgers. And now Gutekunst has drafted and developed Jordan Love. What I’m saying Kevin is to trust the process before you start your bullshit about the roster and Jordan Love being a bust. Because no one saw a bust in that Philadelphia game. No one can predict exactly when you need a QB. You only know when it actually happens. And by then it’s too late. If unprepared, you’re stuck with the Tim Boyle’s or Kurt Benkert’s of the world. In 1973 it was Scott Hunter. Both Boyle and Benkert who you’ve proclaimed superior to Jordan Love. Or out of desperation you’re trading for the Carson Wentz’s or Matt Ryan’s of the NFL. Or in 1974 trading for John Hadl. Let’s see what we have before you start running your mouth. I know, that’s impossible for you.
“Fortunately, the Packers finally figured it out.” – Corn Cob
The Packers didn’t figure anything out. Ron Wolf figured it out, and strong armed the Packers into changing how they operated their franchise, as a non negotiable condition of Wolf working for the Packers.
(Put down the cheetos and learn something)
Again….
You’re welcome Princess
It’s now being reported that the 49ers could be interested in Aaron Rodgers if the Jets deal falls through. This can’t be good news for Joe Douglas. Rodgers and the 49ers have always had a hard on for each other. And this is why you don’t rush to trade Aaron Rodgers. It’s also being reported that Bill Belichick is shopping Mac Jones. I’ve said from the very beginning to offer Rodgers to Belichick if Joe Douglas doesn’t come around. The longer this waits, the more likely additional teams are added to the mix. Uncle Joe’s leverage is way over played here. If I’m Gutekunst I’m in no hurry to cut a deal.
The 49ers rumor is nothing but click bait. Fake news, fake leverage. The deal supposedly involves multiple third round picks in 23, of which the 49ers have three (99, 101, 102). Depending on what trade value chart you use – all those picks added together are worth the same value as pick 61 at the end of second round. Not likely it would be all three since SF does not even have a first and second rounder so the 23 value isn’t all that high. The other part of it is a possible first rounder the next year which would very likely be at the end of the first because the 49ers aren’t tanking, with or without an addition of Rodgers.
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The big part though is again, third rounders. C’mon man, this is GM Brian G were talking about drafting in the third round. That’s like getting absolutely nothing in trade value if he drafts those picks at their assigned position. You could only use those picks as chess pieces to try and move up and bundle to get OUT of the third round and away from the third round curse. An example would be 101+102+15 which is a fair trade value to move up to 12. Or the one I like even better, 101+102+78 gets you out of the third and up to around 51/52 in the second. But GB does need young players because they are drafting and developing so picks are picks.
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Most obviously though is the ridiculous idea that GB would trade within the conference to a year in year out nemesis team like the 49ers. They are deep and stacked up in their roster and an addition of Rodgers would instantly make them an odds on favorite to go very deep in the post season.
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I’m a never say never kind of guy but this one makes me want to go walk off a bullshit cramp.
You are most likely correct Mitch…click bait (as is most articles)
If there was anything to this, we would have heard the 49ers and the Packers are talking.
There is not one shred of evidence.
If there has been no conversation between the two teams, it is clickbait from some nobody who wants his name out there.
*****
Just because Purdy is injured, or Lance hasn’t played enough games, is no indication of whether there is any truth to this.
For someone to calculate it like that, he/him must be a damn fool.
“Not so fast Mitch” fucking Corn Cob can be funny once in awhile.
Don’t ever lose that sense of humor Princess.
SKOL!!
Not so fast Mitch. Brock Purdy could take up to a year to recover from Tommy John surgery. Trey Lance hasn’t played any meaningful football in over three years. And Sam Darnold has been a bust. With a roster ready to win now, and their previous connections to Rodgers trade rumors. It makes perfect sense. As far as compensation, that’s all speculation at this point. Joe Douglas cannot walk away from this without Aaron Rodgers and if there’s another horse in the race, no matter how unlikely, it weakens him from a negotiating stand point. Right now, it doesn’t hurt to wait.
It doesn’t matter what you think Kevin. It’s what Joe Douglas thinks that counts. And if he thinks there’s another rooster in the hen house after little Erin’s sweet ass, then big daddy has to put out to get his prom queen. No one says Rodgers has to go to the Jets. If I’m Gutekunst and Joe Douglas low balls me, then I send Erin anywhere but the Jets regardless of compensation. And make no mistake Rodgers has always wanted play for the 49ers.
49ers suck
If i’m Gutekunst,,,
I’m ripping off Murphy’s training wheels, throwing them into Murphy’s office and telling him to stay out of football operations where he has absolutely no experience.
The packers are the best