Interested in the Green Bay Packers? The Green Bay Packers will be playing their 90th season in 2008, and if 2007 was any indication, the Packers are on a roll. They finished their season 13-3, scoring one of the best records of the year, and advanced to the playoffs, ultimately losing to the Super Bowl champion New York Giants. This will be the first season without beloved quarterback Brett Favre, who retired last year. There have been a few notable departures from the team other than Favre, including Koren Robinson, Bubba Franks and Rob Davis. Head Coach Mike McCarthy hopes that what was once lost is now found thanks to some solid picks from the 2008 NFL Draft.
The Packers traded their number one pick to the New York Jets in exchange for two additional picks later on. His second pick was Kansas State wide receiver Jordy Nelson, followed by Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm and Auburn cornerback Patrick Lee. During the second day, the team chose Jermichael Finley from Texas. For the fourth round, the Packers traded two more picks to the New York Jets for the 4-102 pick. What is the strategy? So they could draft defensive end Jeremy Thompson out of Wake Forest. They traded a few more early picks for double picks and ended up selecting offensive shooting guard Josh Sitton from Central Florida and offensive tackle Breno Giacomini from Louisville. They rounded out the roster (nine players total) by selecting quarterback Matt Flynn from LSU and wide receiver Brett Swain from San Diego State. (What happened to the last draft pick? They’re saving it for 2009, maybe they know something we don’t?)
What was the reaction from Packers pundits and fans? Fans are devoted to the Packers and Mike McCarthy in particular as he has done a tremendous job rebuilding the once ridiculous 1970s, 1980s and 1990s Green Bay Packers into a 2000 championship contender. Unlike other successful teams focused on polishing an already bloated roster, the Packers take a lot of risks in signing new talent. This is evident again in 2008, as the Packers drafted nine players. Many experts question whether this is an example of quantity over quality. Others, however, defend the Packers by stating that with Favre gone, the team was essentially exploring new territory and needed all the help it could get.
Jordy Nelson was a surprise, especially since the Packers already have several starting wide receivers they’re very proud of. However, Nelson has received rave reviews for his speed and excellent hands. As a rookie, don’t expect Nelson to top Donald Driver and Greg Jennings, who are already reliable starters. Nelson received enthusiastic if subdued praise, while quarterback Brian Brohm received an unfriendly welcome. Some considered Brohm to be a reach and that he was infringing on Aaron Rodgers’ position. Patrick Lee was actually a favorite of some pundits, as the cornerback position was truly a necessity, and the first two drafts could be argued as luxury picks. Still, Green Bay fans are nervously waiting to see if these risky picks will push Green Bay to the brink of Super Bowl success or keep it second-best for a few more years.