- 4,104
- 10
Why did Cinci take another TE
Chase Coffman
Are they planning on running a 2 TE base?
Chase Coffman
Are they planning on running a 2 TE base?
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[h1]2010 NFL Free Agency: Should Green Bay Consider Pacman Jones?[/h1]
by
Ryan Cook
Written on April 26, 2010
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
[h5]Vote Now! - Author Poll[/h5]
Is Pacman Jones to Green Bay a move you'd like to see happen?
vote to see results
- Yes, he could be a great signing.
- No, he has too much of a bad name.
Controversy creates cash, or so it does for Pacman Jones anyway. Now that the NFL Draft is a mere distant memory and the Green Bay Packers have weighed in with absolutely great draft picks, it's time to focus on free agency and what we all hope to be a successful remainder of the offseason for the Green Bay Packers.
Many big names emerge straight off the bat, including the likes of Darren Sharper, Terrell Owens and, Marc Bulger. However, when considering the Green Bay Packers and their possible link to a free agent signing, only one name makes sense, and it is one that we are all way to familiar with: Adam 'Pacman' Jones.
Now before I begin, I am aware that many Packer fans will be sitting behind their computers with a plain taste in their mouth thinking "No thanks, I'd rather the Packers didn't sign a jerk", but before you totally make up your minds just think of the possibilities that Pacman could bring to the Packers, along with what this man truly can do.
1. Pacman's Covering Ability
Throughout all that Pacman is criticized of doing wrong, funnily enough what he does right has kept his career alive and well in the NFL. When watching Pacman Jones, he has an uncanny ability to stick to wide receivers. Whether it's a deep ball or a short hook pass, Pacman Jones is often right on top of a wide receiver, and when he's not he's within the vicinity to make a touchdown saving tackle.
It wouldn't be fair to call Pacman "Charles Woodson like", but he is pretty damn close to being on that level. The other point to make about Pacman's covering ability is the way in which he watches the quarterback. Al Michaels is fond of describing defensive backs when they are in a zone defense and his famous line of "he's just watching the eyes of the quarterback" describes Pacman to a tee.
Some may argue that Pacman has no talent at all, and his play with the Dallas Cowboys leaves a lot to be desired. While this is true, he does have the potential to succeed like he did with the Tennessee Titans.
2. Pacman's Kick Return Ability
Most people forget that Pacman Jones can also return quite a decent kickoff or two during a game. Although he is a fantastic cornerback, he also has a tremendous amount of burst and speed that allows him to read special teams coverage and find a hole or two to break out of.
Is this something Green Bay could use? You can just about bet your house on it, as Green Bay's return specialist Jordy Nelson has struggled lately returning kicks, and did manage to fumble four times in 2008.
Pacman's kick return ability would be more than welcomed in Green Bay. Touchdowns off of kickoffs aren't as casual for Green Bay as they are for teams such as Chicago, and given the fact that Pacman could give Aaron Rodgers the chance to possibly win that overtime game against Arizona in the playoffs with a little better field position, his presence at this position would be definitely appreciated.
3. Pacman's Affect on the NFC North
Right now there are only a handful of teams interested in Pacman Jones. Leading the speculation is the Detroit Lions, as they too could do with a cornerback to add to their now impressive looking defense.
Therefore, it is important that if the opportunity arises for Green Bay to nab Pacman Jones, they take it, as he could be a force in the North when Green Bay meets Detroit twice next season.
Chicago and Minnesota already have impressive looking defenses, and although the Packers' is among the best in the nation, the cornerback position could be exposed at times next season.
4. Green Bay's Lack of Cornerback Addition in the Draft
This is perhaps the biggest one, as Green Bay failed to answer one of their biggest needs in the draft. Although gaining Bryan Bulaga and Morgan Burnett was more than just nice, a cornerback to go with this talented duo certainly would have made Green Bay fans just that little bit happier.
With this said, there is of course a massive opportunity in the free agency game, if Green Bay wishes to add a cornerback to their already No. 2 ranked defense. Not a whole range of options do appear for Green Bay, but Pacman Jones is certainly one of the suitable targets.
Perhaps Green Bay did themselves a favor by not drafting a rookie, and instead could benefit from a more experienced player. But we'll have to just wait and see.
Conclusion
With these points made, I'm not stating that Pacman Jones would be a great fit for Green Bay, after all the Packers are one of the least featured teams in the media, and adding a guy such as Pacman may only shine a bad light on the Packers organization.
Talent wise though, Pacman would be such a great signing. He is young, he still has a ton of potential and his ability to make plays is duly noted. If Al Harris returns, Green Bay may not need another cornerback just yet, but for the majority the Packers cornerback position is growing a little long in the tooth.
Father time is the Packers biggest threat, especially in a few defensive positions and with no Super Bowl to show for such a great roster it is time that the Packers got a bit of a move on. Is Pacman the answer? He could be, but I assure you Packer fans will have something to say about it.
He is talented, yes, but he is controversial. It's a mix for either good or bad, and either way Green Bay may or may not benefit from it. However, it is still a decent option to fill a need that is ever so present.
Should Pacman be wearing green and yellow next season, the only thing Pacman may be seeing "rain" is a chorus of boos at Lambeau Field. But this could be a great signing for the Green Bay Packers.
Wheres he gonna make it rain?
Originally Posted by GUNNA GET IT
so instead of having one TE on the roster who cant block, now there's 2... *shrugs. hope it works out
Please show me who Jermaine Gresham has blocked?Originally Posted by DaComeUP
Chase still has a long way to go blocking in the AFC North. I do expect to see some 2 TE formations though, and seeing Chase split out this year also.
Originally Posted by h3at23
Adam_Schefter
Wow: Seahawks already have retired Walter Jones' No. 71 and Gov. Christine Gregoire has declared April 30 Walter Jones Day
On 5,703 pass attempts over 13 seasons, according to coaches stats, Walter Jones was called for holding 9 times and surrendered 23 sacks
Originally Posted by Proshares
I don't know if anyone has mentioned it, but Eminem mentioned Ben in his new single is a story on the ESPN front page
Originally Posted by h3at23
Adam_Schefter
Wow: Seahawks already have retired Walter Jones' No. 71 and Gov. Christine Gregoire has declared April 30 Walter Jones Day
On 5,703 pass attempts over 13 seasons, according to coaches stats, Walter Jones was called for holding 9 times and surrendered 23 sacks
And those numbers are skewed, because I heard today that in his last game ever, he gave up 4.Originally Posted by h3at23
Adam_Schefter
Wow: Seahawks already have retired Walter Jones' No. 71 and Gov. Christine Gregoire has declared April 30 Walter Jones Day
On 5,703 pass attempts over 13 seasons, according to coaches stats, Walter Jones was called for holding 9 times and surrendered 23 sacks
By Mel Kiper Jr.
ESPN Insider
[h3] [/h3]
The late rounds of the 2009 NFL draft produced some immediate help in several offenses. Austin Collie caught 60 passes for Indianapolis after being picked No. 127 overall out of BYU. Three picks before that, Oakland almost made up for its first-round gaffe by plucking Louis Murphy out of Florida. Even in that anemic passing offense, Murphy caught 34 passes for more than 500 yards. It didn't end there.
Getty ImagesAaron Hernandez fell in the draft, but not because he can't be a really good NFL tight end.
Johnny Knox was pick No. 140, but became one of Jay Cutler's favorite targets, and guys like Mike Thomas, Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson all got into their respective offenses. On defense, guys like Al Afalava, Kevin Ellison and Victor Butler jumped into starting roles or key supporting roles on the defensive side of the ball from day one. We've reviewed early impact players from Round 1 of the draft, as well as players from Rounds 2 and 3. Now, let's look at guys from the later rounds (4 through 7) who have a chance to make an early impact.
1. Aaron Hernandez
I'm familiar with the off-the-field questions that surround Hernandez, and they certainly played a role in his presence as a possible impact player from the draft's third day, as opposed to the first, but if the Patriots get Hernandez focused on the field and integrated into their offense, they're getting a steal. With Rob Gronkowski and Jermaine Gresham sidelined, Hernandez was the best tight end in college football last season, and by far Tim Tebow's favorite target. He could become a favorite target for Tom Brady, as a 250-pound player who you could mistake for a good wideout.
Hernandez catches the ball away from his body, is a threat to run with it after he does, and what you lose from him in blocking, he makes up for as a matchup nightmare as a likely H-back. The deep threats for Brady certainly aren't what they were a few years ago, and Hernandez and Gronkowski could be used creatively both as targets, and -- when well-covered -- as decoys to open up deep lanes for Randy Moss that his diminished speed won't do by itself.
2. Dennis Pitta
Another player who was drafted too late considering his skills and production, the flag on Pitta isn't off the field, it's on his birth certificate. Already 25, Pitta lost some draft standing because of his age, but he also might be ready to contribute sooner than a tight end the Ravens took earlier, Ed Dickson. Pitta has the best hands of any tight end in the draft, and could see the field sooner because even if he's not blessed with significant bulk on a 6-foot-4-plus frame, he's extremely willing to hit people. Oddly, the same reason Pitta may have fallen (age) is the same reason he should see the field quickly (maturity) as an understudy to Todd Heap and a favorite target of Joe Flacco.
3. Cam Thomas
Thomas lost points because as a 6-4, 330-pound nose tackle, he'll probably never get near opposing quarterbacks. But that's not why San Diego got such exceptional value from the 15th pick in the fifth round. What Thomas does do is eat up blockers and stuff the run. Graded on that area alone, he's not at all distant from guys like Dan Williams and Terrence Cody, who went much earlier. But San Diego plays a 3-4, and Thomas is the ideal centerpiece for early depth, and possibly as a starter if health concerns continue to pop up along the interior of that line. You don't have to coach up what Thomas already offers, which is good, old-fashioned, run-stuffing bulk. With Jamal Williams now in Denver, Thomas can help fill the void.
Getty ImagesCarlton Mitchell could provide the deep threat the Browns need.
4. Carlton Mitchell
Right now the options the Browns have at wide receiver, while not without promise, certainly don't make you think a flat-out burner like Mitchell couldn't get into the mix early. Right now Cleveland has the young but promising Mohamed Massaquoi as a top option. But Massaquoi looks more like a possession guy than a really explosive, down-the-field threat. Same can be said of Brian Robiskie, who has polish, but a low ceiling. Enter Mitchell, who is at his best when he's going deep. The track star could face a battle in learning the nuances of catching passes at the NFL level, but as a guy that can stretch the field, he gives Cleveland something it really doesn't have much of on its roster.
5. Kyle Calloway
This is more a reflection of Buffalo's weakness on the offensive line than of Calloway being a total steal with the No. 216 pick. But Calloway did go lower than I think his talent indicates, and as a smart player with adequate size and measurables, he could pick things up quickly and get into the mix for that offensive line. The Bills are counting on Demetrius Bell to stay healthy so he can hold down the left side, and they're counting on either Kirk Chambers, Cornell Green or rookie Ed Wang handling the right. None of those names make me think an underrated tackle from a good program doesn't have a chance to crack the rotation.
Again, I can't help myself. Let's do one more.
6. Corey Wootton
I gave the Bears a pretty good grade (B) considering they didn't have a single pick until No. 75 overall. But they got a good, needed safety in Major Wright, and may have added a steal in Corey Wootton with the No. 109 pick. This is a defensive end who was a fantastic, emerging junior in 2008 until he got his knee rolled up on at the end of the 2009 Alamo Bowl, tearing his ACL. He simply wasn't the same player during the 2009 regular season, because he wasn't playing at 100 percent. Wootton has the size, diagnostic skills and motor to thrive in Chicago's 4-3, and could be a camp surprise as a guy fully healthy for the first time since 2008. The Bears added Julius Peppers, but defensive end depth is always a key in that system.
4. Carlton Mitchell
Right now the options the Browns have at wide receiver, while not without promise, certainly don't make you think a flat-out burner like Mitchell couldn't get into the mix early. Right now Cleveland has the young but promising Mohamed Massaquoi as a top option. But Massaquoi looks more like a possession guy than a really explosive, down-the-field threat. Same can be said of Brian Robiskie, who has polish, but a low ceiling. Enter Mitchell, who is at his best when he's going deep. The track star could face a battle in learning the nuances of catching passes at the NFL level, but as a guy that can stretch the field, he gives Cleveland something it really doesn't have much of on its roster.
Originally Posted by h3at23
Adam_Schefter
Wow: Seahawks already have retired Walter Jones' No. 71 and Gov. Christine Gregoire has declared April 30 Walter Jones Day
On 5,703 pass attempts over 13 seasons, according to coaches stats, Walter Jones was called for holding 9 times and surrendered 23 sacks