Last Minute Packers Draft Coverage

Biggest Needs (in no particular order)

Defensive Line- Well, this position has Ted Thompson written all over it. Hmm.. has he ever drafted DL in the draft? The answer. Try almost every year with multiple picks, which makes this one a no brainer because of ongoing struggles. If you don't agree then look up a recap from the the playoff game against San Francisco. They need to find a guy who can stop the run and they need to get him in the early rounds. 

Running Back- I hate this one. Do they really need a running back? The problem I have with running back is that I don't see a sleeper like Alfred Morris in this draft. I certainly don't think Green Bay should burn their first round pick on this one either. The Packers have seen some solid production out of Dejuan Harris recently and lets be honest, if Cedric Benson returns..he will be wearing Green and Gold again being paid the league minimum. Overall, I feel the Pack has plenty of options with so many RB's on their roster.

Cornerback/Safety- The Packers chose not to bring back Charles Woodson, but they still need to fill the role and bringing in young talent is the best way to do that.

Offensive Line- Green Bay allowed the most amount of sacks last season. Don't be to frightened by this fact because they also throw a lot more than the majority of the league. However, it is still a problem and the loss of six-time pro bowler, Jeff Saturday, loses a lot of leadership and depth. Look for the Pack to pick a OL with there third or fourth pick.

Overall Thoughts- This could be an ideal draft for Green Bay. They have plenty of needs to acquire, as does every team. With eight picks in the draft and a lot of quality players in the positions they need, the Packers have the opportunity to be very flexible.

Who will they pick first?- My guess is that they go with the best available. That is simply how Ted Thompson makes his decisions. It is also the reason that the Packers are year after year among one of the best teams in the NFL. Do you think Thompson had it planned out that he was going to pick Aaron Rodgers at 24 overall? Of course not! All you cheese heads need to respect the unpredictable man. If you were a fan of any other team,  you would realize how darn good of a GM you have.

Therefore, here is my projected picks at the 26 selection. Keep in mind that this is based on my thoughts of who will be picked before Green Bay is on the clock.

FS John Cyprien College: FIU 

FS Matt Elam College: Florida

DT Sylvester Williams College: North Carolina

DT Jesse Williams College: Alabama

RB Eddie Lacy (not sold on this but if he is the best available) College: Alabama

Packers Sleeper Pick- RB Marcus Lattimore College: South Carolina. This guy is the real deal. Sorry, what I meant to say is that he used to be the real deal. And then the terrifying knee injury happened. Green Bay has eight selections so they have the ability to take a risk with Lattimore in a later round.

Finally- who I actually go with if I am the Packers. NOBODY! There is going to be a ton of teams who want to trade for that pick. They could work out great for Green Bay if they consider some offers.

Bold Prediction of the Draft

The Chiefs take Eric Fisher instead of Luke Joeckel. Keep in mind no one outside of the public and media cares about where the kid went to college. The main difference between Fisher and Joeckel is that Joeckel played in the SEC and blocked for Johnny Football. Eric Fisher went to Central Michigan. Plus I know how Kansas City is and they would be the one to shock the world with their pick rather it be a good thing or bad thing.

The other thing I see happening is that they trade the first pick because of the high interest teams will have in Joeckel. I am not saying I want these things to happen. In fact as a Chiefs fan, I would like to see them draft a guy that can give Alex Smith time in the pocket. At the end of the day it is not my decision and these are just the things I could see occurring.

He Gone

                                  
 
    Another day, another Marquette University basketball player leaving. This time it was Vander Blue who has foregone his senior season to enter the NBA draft. 

    The buzz around campus has been whether or not this was the right move. While none of us are Vander Blue, we all have an opinion on if this was a logical choice. Well place me in the “What in the world are you doing Vander” category. 

    From a purely untainted perspective this move was not the best Blue could have made. He could have returned for his final year to be a part of one of the deepest teams in Marquette history. Blue could have risen his stock value even more by continuing to showcase his athleticism while tutoring the plethora of fresh faces that will be on the squad next season. Vander could have fine-tuned his average jump shot and added more bulk to fill out his frame. Of course these are what could have been instead of what actually will happen. 

    Blue has decided to do what is best for him personally rather than what is superior for the program, which may be his downfall. 

    Vander Blue, as of April 16^th, 2013 is not an NBA type player. He is too small to have a specific position, or even play a particular role on an NBA team. One year removed from a season that can be labeled as average (8.4 PPG), Blue still lacks a consistent perimeter shot. Yes, Vander is one of the most athletic guards in the draft. His scoring has risen significantly this season (14.8 PPG). Blue’s defense caused havoc for opposing teams all season long. However, he is still a work in progress. 

    Buzz attempted to convince him to stay but to now avail. Here is the problem. Vander Blue seems to be a guy that was just waiting to have one year of above average play. 

    He was a one and done in the making when he arrived on Marquette’s campus three years ago. After two years of not living up to expectations he shined on the big stage that is March Madness. One cannot blame a guy for chasing his dreams, but this announcement was a rush to judgment. An attempt to take advantage of a weak draft class. 

    This move is similar to Blue’s mindset when he was on the court his first two years at this school. The ball starts rolling his way so he makes a decision based on this temporary confidence. A baffling judgment, but not surprising. Good luck to Vander with his basketball career wherever it may take him. He should make sure he is stocked up on Rosetta Stone, you know just in case his journey lands him to Europe.

Follow Nick Kapetan on Twitter @KapN93

Tune in to The Sports ReKap Fridays 6:30-8PM CT on MarquetteRadio.org

Telling Him Where to Put His Money

 

 
    A refreshing occurrence transpired on Thursday night in San Diego, California. What happened needed to take place whether people think so or not. It was necessary for someone to take a stand against the changing landscape in sports, and Carlos Quentin rose to the occasion.

    The incident arose in an early season matchup between the high spending Los Angeles Dodgers and the financially strapped San Diego Padres. The Dodgers had their prize off-season signing Zack Greinke on the bump. In the sixth inning, with the Dodgers up by one run, Greinke hit Quentin with an 89 mile per hour pitch. Greinke’s fastball usually touches higher than that on the radar gun, especially on an out pitch with a 3-2 count.

    A benches clearing brawl ensued after Quentin rushed the mound like a middle linebacker hunting down a running back. At first glance this did not appear to be a headline story. However, once you consider the main characters in the narrative and the ill effects of the brawl, one realizes why this drew attention.

    First let us go back to 2009. The Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals are playing in an anything but pivotal midseason contest. Greinke, on the Royals, drills Quentin with a pitch. Quentin walked towards the mound, they exchange words, but that is the end of it. 

    In present time, it is difficult to remember that incident. Only one obsessed with one of those teams (guilty as charged) would remember such a non-prominent moment. 

    Fast-forward four years. Tensions between the two have not subsided. But why would the mainstream media pick up on the repercussion of something that took place four years ago? Well glance no further than the man on the mound and the name on the front of the jersey.

    When Zack Greinke signed his eye-opening six year one hundred and fifty nine million dollar contract with the Dodgers, he catapulted himself into an elite group. Let us label this illustrious assemblance of individuals as the sports’ version of “A-list” celebrities. Due to their mammoth salary, they become greater than the majority. 

    Calls get made for them. People overlook their flaws. Most importantly, if one were to be involved in a scuffle, every one else would run to his or her corner. 

    Do not believe me? Take a gander at the history of the national sports coverage of particular events on television. Kirk Hinrich became a villain for bear-hugging LeBron James to the ground. Dahntay Jones received hate messages for injuring the beloved Kobe Bryant. Tom Brady has a rule named after him following a season ending injury caused by a hit below the waist. 

    However, all of these instances are different than the Quentin-Greinke saga. None of the other incidents featured two individuals who had prior history. 

    This case was different. Quentin knew what he was doing and the repercussions he would face for his actions. Most media outlets labeled him as a monster for running into Greinke and causing him to be out for up to eight weeks with a broken left collarbone. 

    If it was a pitcher with a smaller paycheck, Quentin’s head would still be called for, but not at this extreme of a level. Quentin continues to receive an enormous amount of blame because he injured the Dodgers’ prime gem. I however, applaud him for what he did.

    Do I condone fighting? No. Did I want to see Greinke taken down to the ground causing injury? Absolutely not. But we should all at least pat Quentin on the back. 

    He took out a personal grudge when the unwritten rules of the hierarchy of sports would not allow it. Players are taught to not attack those with the largest bank accounts. He did it anyway. 

    Players on teams like the Padres, or those at the bottom of popularity, are not permitted to cause havoc to an individual on a media loving team like the Dodgers. He did it anyway. 

    When there is a fight between men, one should not take sides based on salary. Recognize that Greinke was in part responsible. Quentin stood up for what he believed was right.

    He broke through a wall, which stands around particular athletes, that was created by the media. For this he does not deserve to be chastised, but given respect.

Follow Nick Kapetan on Twitter @KapN93

Tune in to @TheSportsReKap on Fridays from 6:30-8 PM CT on MarquetteRadio.org