Green Bay Update
by Jeff Ash, jeffash@netnet.net
Wednesday, January 24, 2001
"Postseason grades summary, Wednesday 1/24"
Greetings from Green Bay at the end of a sunny, mild winter day just right
for wasting a little time on a day off.
Today's update brings back an offseason feature I haven't done for a couple
of years. It's a compilation of the postseason grades issued for the Packers
by the beat writers who regularly cover the team. In years past, there have
been as many as 5 writers in the mix. This year, there are only 3 -- Pete
Dougherty and Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette and Bob McGinn of
the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel -- but they are the primary writers on the
Packers beat.
Hope you'll find it useful in understanding how the Packers' talent rates
-- the coaches' grades usually aren't much different -- particularly as
tough free-agent decisions must be made and as the April 21-22 draft draws
near.
Barring trades, the Packers will have 6 picks in the draft: a 1st, a 2nd,
two 3rds (1 from the Saints for QB Aaron Brooks), a 6th and a 7th (from the
Rams for QB Steve Bono). They've traded their 4th to the Broncos for LB Nate
Wayne, their 5th to the Eagles for KR Allen Rossum and their 7th to the
Broncos for DE David Bowens.
Now the grades, with selected comments from the writers. It's the familiar A
to F system, with I for incomplete.
QB
Brett Favre (B+, B): Wear and tear has robbed him of the ability to
consistenly make astounding plays and throws, but still does it at times and
ranks among the game's top 4 or 5 QBs. ... He's still the Packers' MVP.
Matt Hasselbeck (I, C): He's obligated to the Packers for 2 more years. (If
traded,) replacing him adequately would take money or a fairly high draft
choice, plus luck. GM Ron Wolf might turn down an offer of a No. 1 pick from
(No.) 20 on down, but probably not one (No.) 18 or higher. ... He had a good
year as a holder.
Danny Wuerffel (I, I): Has too little physical ability and needs to be
replaced. ... Just another in the long line of 3rd-string QBs that will
never make an impact in this league.
RB
Ahman Green (B-, B+): No showboating. Just hit the hole hard, take on
tacklers with a punishing fury and hand the ball to the official after 13
TDs. Played in a knee brace for 11 games. Fumbled 6 times (losing 4),
dropped 10 passes and had some assignment errors, but most of that cleaned
up down the stretch. Well coached by Kippy Brown, who will be missed.
William Henderson (C+, B-): Played special teams for the first time since
1995 and performed well. Perhaps it put him in an even more physical
mind-set because his blocking picked up this year, too. Reliable and
durable, having not missed a game since 1995 opener. ... He deserves some of
the credit for Green's success.
De'Mond Parker (D+, D+): A small but relatively tough speed back that didn't
regain his speed (after knee surgery) and will have to in 2001.
Matt Snider (D+, D): Showed marked improvement on special teams in his 2nd
season and became a student of the game under assistant coach Frank Novak.
Dorsey Levens (I, C-): Turns 31 this spring and is finished as a big-money
back. His cap salary of $7.4 million for 2001 must be slashed or he's long
gone. A resourceful runner-receiver-blocker who lacks Green's acceleration
but still has value if healthy. It's a big if. ... The only way he'll be
back with the Packers is if he takes a major pay cut.
Rondell Mealey (I, I): Built along the lines of Edgar Bennett and might
double as a FB.
Herbert Goodman (I, D): A spring season in NFL Europe probably would do him
a world of good. Green and still a liability in pass protection, but runs
fast and can run hard.
WR
Antonio Freeman (C, D+): Just another run-of-the-mill WR the last 2 years.
Almost never caught a pass when he was isolated wide by himself on 1 side of
the field. Deep dimension disappeared. Displayed a me-first attitude off
the field that disrupted the team and affected some young players. Was
telling his coaches and teammates to butt out and had to be benched for last
game after pulling one last brazen stunt. Returns for 1 reason: He's too
expensive to dump.
Bill Schroeder (C, C-): The Packers would prefer not having to start him. By
NFL standards, a low-level No. 2 WR who would fit nicely as a No. 3 and on
special teams. Improved hands to adequate level through repetition and hard
work. Isn't a natural after the catch or courageous venturing into no-man's
land.
Donald Driver (D+, D+): No more than a No. 4 WR on a good team. Too small
for steady workload. ... The Packers needed more production than the 21
catches, 322 yards and 1 TD he provided.
Charles Lee (D, D): Should get every chance to start in 2001. At times, the
game seemed a little too big for him, but with maturity his talent should
show. Proved his moxie in Detroit by returning punts well when called upon
for the 1st time in his career.
Corey Bradford (I, I): Deep threat who gets one more chance in 2001.
Anthony Lucas (I, I): (Even after missing a year to injury,) he couldn't be
with a better team, given how weak this corps of WRs is.
TE
Bubba Franks (D+, C-): Played like a beginner all season. Sky's the limit.
Hands were a disappointment. Blocking was so-so. Needs off-season in weight
room for more lower- and upper-body strength. ... Experienced some growing
pains all season. He struggled to be consistent and had some games that were
awful. His good games were good enough to make the Packers think he might
turn out fine.
Tyrone Davis (D+, D+): Coaches don't seem prepared to get rid of him and
market value at an all-time low, so expect his return at minimum salary.
Gentle giant. Probably staff's wishful thinking to expect much more in terms
of development from him. ... Was inconsistent and dropped too many passes.
Ryan Wetnight (D, D): Probably won't be back unless Davis leaves and coaches
want at least 1 veteran in the mix. ... A decent receiver, but a
below-average blocker.
OL
Chad Clifton (C+, B): Massive, yet light on his feet. Poised, yet has a mean
streak. Works to finish. Moves well enough to play G. Unlimited potential.
Ross Verba (C+, C+): Really struggled in 1st half of season (after moving to
LG from LT) Had a tremendous last month. Increased his free-agent market
value and, to the Packers' dismay, probably priced him out of their range.
Still figures as an LT in the minds of some scouts. ... Got better as the
year went along. Almost certainly won't be back.
Frank Winters (C-, C+): Regarded by personnel men as the poorest C in the
NFC Central but not by Packers, who still value his unflappability on calls
and his uncompromising nastiness. Cap salary jumps to $1.89 million, and if
he digs in, his career in Green Bay likely is over. ... Age appeared to
catch up with him. At 36, his level of play dropped considerably. Will have
to win back his job next summer in training camp.
Marco Rivera (B-, B): Continued to find ways to get better in 3rd season as
starter. Rugged, no-nonsense kind of player has overcome athletic
deficiencies with nose-to-the-grindstone approach. Was used much more than
Verba to pull on a successful counter play because staff preferred how he
hit on the move. ... The most consistent lineman of the year.
Mark Tauscher (C-, B-): Stunning success story. Looks like a plodder but
performs with excellent balance, strength and toughness. Just a football
player.
Mike Wahle (D-, D-): Much better run blocker than pass blocker. Showed
almost no stopping power early. If Dotson and Winters depart, he's the next
best lineman and gets first shot at LG. Didn't play well at G in 1999 and
has said his preference is T. Needs to grow up. ... The Packers have to
decide whether his future is at T or G.
Earl Dotson (I, I): Might have been rendered obsolete by performances of
rookie Ts. ... The emergence of the young Ts may make Dotson expendable.
Mike Flanagan (I, C): Enters final year of his contract with $935,000 cap
salary and almost has to play. Ability to pull would provide another
dimension for run game. ... Is expected to push Winters for a starting spot
next season and could contend at G as well.
Barry Stokes (I, I): Fun-loving journeyman who backs up equally well at T or
G. Not good enough to be a starter but ought to be in the league.
Scott Curry (I, I): Faces uphill battle in crowded T corps.
Richard Mercier (I, no grade): Tough, squatty rookie who started for four
seasons at Miami. The new young G prospect for camp.
DL
Vonnie Holliday (C+, B): Turned in probably the best performances of his
3-year career in the final month. The team's finest DL. Needs prodding and
isn't always the toughest of players. A DE all the way, not a DT. Can stack
the point and sort through bodies to find the ball. ... Hasn't been a star
in his 3 years but probably is the team's best DL.
Russell Maryland (C, C): Began finding the football in the last 3 games
after doing little more than absorbing shock for 3 months. All-world
hustler, worker and dignified role model. Better athlete than most men in
the middle but tends to wear down. Packers would like him back, but perhaps
not as a starter or at his $1.95 million cap number.
Santana Dotson (C+, B-): Rated by scouts as 4th best at his position in the
NFC Central. Coming off a serious quadriceps tear and might not be ready for
1st game. Nevertheless, the Packers view him as an integral part of their
plans for 2001 and beyond. ... Serious knee injury at age 31 makes his
future a little uncertain.
John Thierry (C, B-): Most productive year of his career even though he had
to play hurt for 16 games. Couldn't lift weights during the season and was
manhandled at times at the point of attack, but never caved in. Will never
be a polished, instinctive rusher but accelerates like a LB Cap figure
increases by about $1 million but figures to return for what the Packers
hope is a diminished role.
Cletidus Hunt (C-, C+): An intriguing 300-pounder with quickness, power and
an ability to slip blocks and make plays. Too often allows himself to get
wired to blocks and then doesn't always fight to get off. Best when used
inside, but plays too much like Dotson to start alongside him. ... A
starting-caliber player by the end of the year. Probably will play
exclusively at DT next season because of Dotson's injury.
Billy Lyon (D+, D): Didn't have nearly as much impact as 1999,. He had to
play mostly DE, and DT is his best position; the 1-gap scheme isn't
best-suited for him; and a knee injury limited him all year. Ideal for 15 to
20 snaps a game inside when his knee's right.
Steve Warren (D, C-): Thick, squat rookie uses quick feet to stay off the
ground and scramble into throwing lanes. Didn't show starter's ability but
should be a contributor. ... Might be the NT of the future if he recovers
will from (quadriceps) surgery.
David Bowens (C-, C-): Most of his damage came in the first 2 months.
Weighed 266 in early August but was below 250 by the last game and
struggling to hold up against the run. Possesses some natural pass-rush
skills but isn't overly fast and doesn't always play the defense correctly.
... Not a dominating pass rusher, but good enough to help the cause.
Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (D, C-): Classic "tweener" who added 12 to 15 pounds
during the season and then it wasn't so easy for Ts to shove him off course.
Left positive final-game impression by thoroughly outplaying Bucs T George
Hegamin. Really goes all out. ... Needs to add to his 245-pound frame, but
shows pass-rush talent.
Austin Robbins (I, I): Isn't expected back.
LB
Na'il Diggs (C, C+): Didn't make nearly enough plays, but has the athletic
ability to do that in a year or two. A smart, confident, with-it individual.
Needs strength but not necessarily more weight for improvement at point of
attack. ... Tailor-made for Packers' quickness-oriented scheme.
Bernardo Harris (B-, B): Fit better in 1-gap system. His play-by-the-numbers
mentality lends itself to dependability but not necessarily big plays. Runs
well but doesn't exhibit much feel in coverage. ... He became a leader who
helped hold defense together.
Nate Wayne (C, C+): Undersized tough guy who plays with just the right
temperament. Fast, fly-around type who overpursued early but then stayed
home. Has the speed to excel in coverage but tends to blow assignments.
Missed a team-leading 24 tackles, but part of that is he's so instinctive
and gets to plays others don't. ... Proved he's a player Packers can win
with.
K.D. Williams (D+, D+): High-energy , but strictly a backup, only on the
strong side. Needs to be more reliable.
Mike Morton (D+, D): Good special teams player who can swing easily among
all three LB positions. Has lost some athleticism in 6 seasons and is a
fringe player,
Chris Gizzi (D, I): MLB only. Gets by more on smarts than ability.
Eugene McCaslin (I, I): Room to grow because this was just his second season
as a LB. Needs to add 5 more pounds and be 230-plus.
Brian Williams (I, D+): (Irritated) some within the organization by going to
California for 2nd surgery on torn patellar tendon. Didn't play well in 4
games before a knee infection ended his season. A better player than Wayne
but also more expensive and possibly a medical risk, too. ... Packers have
to be especially upset because he probably didn't need the 2nd surgery in
June after visiting a doctor outside the organization on advice of his
agent.
DB
Tyrone Williams (C+, B): Gaining respect as 1 of the better cover CBs in the
NFL. Pattern reading gets better all the time, almost always in the right
place and loves to compete. Still could be more physical with WRs but
tackled a bit better this year and improved adjustments to the ball. A
player who took the big money and was inspired to new heights. ... Probably
the Packers' best natural cover man, but doesn't play the deep ball great
and is a weak tackler.
Mike McKenzie (C, C): Was more vulnerable to deep speed than as a rookie,
perhaps because of knee (injury). Didn't tackle as well or compete as hard,
inexplicably loafing at times.
Darren Sharper (A-, A-): Turned his sagging career around and deserved to
make the Pro Bowl. Worked hard to improve his weaknesses and it paid off
handsomely. Covered well in the flat and downfield and delivered some
punishing hits. ... His tackling improved tremendously. His talent finally
showed through.
LeRoy Butler (B-, B): Maybe not an elite player anymore but still a good
one. Adapted well to more time in center field and helped free Darren
Sharper to find the ball. Bedrock leader who cares deeply about winning and
helping young players become pros. Accepted a paycut and plans to start at
SS for 2 more years. Superior instincts and toughness. ... Physical skills
are declining, but he made sure everyone was lined up right and communicated
well in pre-snap reads. That helped free up Sharper to make plays.
Tod McBride (C-, C-): Has better deep-cover ability than Edwards but isn't
nearly as polished or alert. Possesses excellent size and tackles crisply.
Dropped almost 10 pounds to play CB and finished close to 195. ... Surpassed
Edwards as the top backup at CB. (An) adequate fill-in for McKenzie and
dependable nickel and dime back.
Antuan Edwards (D+, C-): Can't cover outside and hasn't demonstrated the
capacity to intimidate from S. Average tackler. Best part of his game is
sorting out formations, being in the right place and breaking on the ball.
... A man without a position. Played mostly as a backup CB and in dime
situations. Future probably is at S. Has tons of talent, but hasn't played
up to it down-in, down-out so far.
Scott McGarrahan (C-, C+): Rated by scouts as 1 of the 2 best special-teams
players in the NFC Central. A pleasure to watch covering kickoffs. Doesn't
seem to grasp the full picture on defense and probably isn't equipped to be
a starting S. ... The Packers' best special-teams cover man.
Chris Akins (I, I): Is not the good young S that the club badly needs.
Gary Berry (I, D): His career in Green Bay appears finished (after a neck
injury). ... Career probably is over because of neck injury.
Specialists
Ryan Longwell (B+, A-): Came through under fire for the 1st time with 3
game-winning kicks. Made a lot more long FGs than ever before, too. Kickoffs
were average. ... One of the top Ks in the league. He may be he best
outdoor, cold-weather K in the league. He will command top dollar in free
agency.
Josh Bidwell (D+, D): Tied for 29th in gross average at 38.5 yards, worst by
a Packers punter since Don Bracken (38 yards) in 1990. The coaches can't
live with another year like this, but they think Bidwell, with another
offseason of health since his bout with testicular cancer, will improve. ...
Has a big leg but didn't show it because he was terribly inconsistent. Needs
to take big step in offseason to keep job.
Rob Davis (C, B): Has never really had a horrible snap during 4 seasons in
Green Bay. Almost surely will be re-signed. ... The Packers had only 1
snap-related problem on a FG all season.
Allen Rossum (B-, B+): NFL's 4th-ranked KR and 17th-ranked PR. Filled in for
about 10 games as the dime back. An outstanding gunner on the punt team,
too. A tough little man who knows no fear. ... Probably the 2nd-best PR and
KR in the NFC behind (the Lions') Desmond Howard. Also took a few snaps on
offense as a WR.
That said, here are some quick headlines, to be addressed in future updates:
-- The Packers' talks on re-signing K Ryan Longwell aren't going well, and
it seems increasingly likely that he'll sign elsewhere.
-- Unless he's offered a coordinator's job elsewhere, look for former Lions
offensive coordinator Sylvester Croom to become the Packers' RB coach. He
was fired by Lions coach Gary Moeller after the season.
-- LB Nate Wayne has signed a cap-friendly, 4-year, $8.05 million contract
with a $1.125 million signing bonus. He counts $650,000 against this year's
salary cap.
-- SS LeRoy Butler also agreed to a cap-friendly pay cut. He'll get $1.75
million this year, down from $2.73 million. In 2002, he'll get $2.25
million, down from $3.3 million.
-- The Packers will have to send 6 players to NFL Europe this spring, up
from 3 or 4 in past years. The talent pool is thinner because of the arrival
of the XFL.
-- Jury selection in former TE Mark Chmura's trial on sexual assault charges
started Tuesday in Janesville. The trial could start today in Waukesha. I'm
not going to cover it in the updates, but it's being carried on Court TV.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel also has extensive coverage, including live
Internet video, at jsonline.com
That's it. As always, your questions and comments are welcome at the new
address: jeffash@new.rr.com
Adventures with Evan: He turns 6 a week from today, and he seems to be going
through a growth spurt. He's eating everything in sight. We decided on soup
for supper on our way home from the library this afternoon. When we got
home, he saw a can of chicken noodle soup on the kitchen counter and said
"That's exactly what I was thinking." So he wolfed down a bowl of soup, a
side of peaches, 4 slices of extra crispy bacon and a glass of milk. Over
the course of the next couple of hours, he also polished off 2
salami-and-mustard sandwiches, a snack of cheese and pretzel Goldfish
crackers and a glass of water. ... When we're on the road, Evan often is
subjected to "Dad's music," which runs heavily toward popular FM radio from
the '70s to today, and "Mom's music," which runs heavily toward classical.
Over the weekend, he and I were going somewhere, and he was cranky. I tried
to perk him up, doing a little groove thing to Santana's "Oje Como Va."
Didn't work. From the back seat, I heard an insistent "Dad! Snap out of it!"
When I tried to ask whether he liked the music, he just got louder. "Dad!
Snap out of it!" So it goes.
This week's soundtrack: I've been exploring Internet radio and music now
that we have a computer capable of doing so. Tonight, it was a mix of
Americana and the tropical, the former on KPIG radio out of Freedom, Calif.
(http://www.kpig.com/menu.htm) and the latter on Radio Margaritaville
(http://radiomargaritaville.com/).
This week's sources: Green Bay Press-Gazette (http://www.packersnews.com),
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (http://www.jsonline.com/packer/news/) and
Packers (http://www.packers.com) web pages. Check the Packers' current
roster at packers.com
-- If you wish to show your appreciation for these Packers updates,
volunteer or make a donation to the charity of your choice. 'Tis the season
for that, you know.
Thanks as always to Janet for saving the papers and to Scott for providing
the mail service and the web space on South End Zone.
Thanks, Jeff
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