Bell claimed off waivers
To anyone who fretted for Dalton Bell's career after his second release from the Packers, feel free to breathe again. The former West Texas A&M quarterback has been claimed off waivers by the Seattle Seahawks. He'll have an uphill battle there, too. Behind starter Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle has two other veterans, Seneca Wallace and Charlie Frye. -- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
Brohm for rookie of the year?
As usual, the betting site BodogLife.com wasted little time e-mailing us some obscure odds after the NFL draft. Plunk down $10 on Packers quarterback Brian Brohm to win the offensive rookie of the year award, and you could make off with $400. If you prefer the Packers' top pick, receiver Jordy Nelson, you can bet the field, which is at 10:1. There also are odds on whether Brohm or Minnesota's John David Booty will start a game first. Brohm is going off at even money, Booty at -130. Odds to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year:Darren McFadden 3/1 Jonathan Stewart 6/1 Matt Ryan 8/1 Kevin Smith 9/1 Rashard Mendenhall 10/1 Felix Jones 12/1 Matt Forte 13/1 Devin Thomas 16/1 Chris Johnson 18/1 Joe Flacco 18/1 Ray Rice 20/1 Jamaal Charles 20/1 James Hardy 20/1 DeSean Jackson 20/1 Chad Henne 25/1 Limas Sweed 25/1 Dustin Keller 25/1 Malcolm Kelly 30/1 Donnie Avery 30/1 John Carlson 30/1 Jacob Hester 35/1 Eddie Royal 40/1 Steve Slaton 40/1 Tashard Choice 40/1 Brian Brohm 40/1 John David Booty 50/1 Jerome Simpson 50/1 Early Doucet 50/1 Mario Manningham 50/1 Earl Bennett 100/1 Field 10/1 -- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
The draft picks, by the numbers
The Packers have assigned uniform numbers to the players they drafted over the weekend. Remember that they're subject to change. No. 10 -- QB Matt Flynn. (He wore No. 15 at LSU. Retired long ago for Bart Starr.) No. 11 -- QB Brian Brohm. (He wore No. 12 at Louisville. Already taken by Aaron Rodgers.) No. 16 -- WR Brett Swain. (That was his number at San Diego State.) No. 22 -- CB Patrick Lee. (He wore No. 20 at Auburn. Already taken by Atari Bigby.) No. 68 -- T Breno Giacomini. (He wore No. 78 at Louisville. Already taken by Allen Barbre.) No. 71 -- G Josh Sitton. (He wore No. 70 at Central Florida. Already taken by Joe Toledo.) No. 87 -- WR Jordy Nelson. (He wore No. 27 at Kansas State. Already taken by Will Blackmon.) No. 88 -- TE Jermichael Finley. (He wore No. 16 at Texas. Tight ends must have numbers in the 80s if available.) No. 99 -- DE Jeremy Thompson. (He wore No. 98 at Wake Forest. Already taken by Alfred Malone.) -- Jeff Ash, jash@greenbaypressgazette.com
Rookie free agent update
Today's Press-Gazette had a list of some of the Packers' rookie free agent signings and invitations. The Packers haven't announced who's coming to this weekend's rookie orientation camp, so we'll continue to watch the Web for more names. Among them: -- Michigan safety Brandent Englemon, 5-11, 208. He was a fifth-year senior for the Wolverines who graduated in December. He earned all-Big Ten honorable mention. -- Arkansas defensive tackle Fred Bledsoe, 6-3, 305.-- Louisiana-Lafayette cornerback Kyle Ward, 6-1, 191. He ran track at Alcorn State before transferring to Louisiana-Lafayette to play football, according to The Daily Advertiser of Lafayette. He had 15 tackles as a senior.
-- Louisiana-Monroe center Adam Hill, 6-1, 325. He started all 46 games during his career, according to the Monroe News Star.
-- Louisiana Tech offensive lineman Ryan Considine, 6-6, 297. He started 36 consecutive games over three seasons, according to the Monroe News Star.
Also worth noting: Nebraska safety Tierre Green is the cousin of former Packers running back Ahman Green. "It's a good deal for me,” he told the Lincoln Journal Star. "I can call Ahman and have him talk to some of those guys he knows up there to kind of look after me." (If you're wondering, Tierre is pronounced tee-AIR.) -- Jeff Ash, jash@greenbaypressgazette.com
Two quarterbacks and a punter released
The Packers haven't announced any roster moves, but it appears that quarterbacks Jerry Babb and Dalton Bell have been released. The same goes for punter Ryan Dougherty. None of the three appeared on the latest roster listed on the Packers' official website. It's no surprise given that the Packers drafted two quarterbacks -- Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn -- and then signed free-agent punter Ken DeBauche. -- Rob Demovsky, rdemovsk@greenbaypressgazette.com
After the draft, Packers add more rookies
UPDATE: Here's one more undrafted free agent the Packers have signed: TE Joey Haynos of Maryland. Also, RB Justin Beaver from UW-Whitewater is just a tryout guy. He has not yet been signed. He will work out with the rest of the rookies at this weekend's minicamp. OK, here's one more, and I think this will be all of them: WR Rod Harper, Murray State. Also, I've been told there's going to be at least 20 rookies in on tryouts this weekend. -- Rob Demovsky, rdemovsk@greenbaypressgazette.comWe reported earlier today that the Packers signed two rookie free agents from Wisconsin -- punter Ken DeBauche and running back Justin Beaver -- but that's just the tip of the iceberg. The Packers haven't announced any of their free-agent signings or minicamp invitees, but here's a list compiled from a variety of sources on the Web: P Ken DeBauche, Wisconsin, 6-1, 218.RB Justin Beaver, UW-Whitewater, 5-9, 200.TE Mike Peterson, Northwest Missouri State, 6-2, 247.LB Danny Lansanah, Connecticut, 6-1, 251.RB Kregg Lumpkin, Georgia, 6-0, 224.WR Taj Smith, Syracuse, 6-1, 180.LS J.J. Jansen, Notre Dame, 6-3, 242.C Brennen Carvalho, Portland State, 6-1, 310.LB Marcus Riley, Fresno State, 6-0, 220.WR Jake Allen, Mississippi College, 6-4, 185.LB Durell Mapp, North Carolina, 6-2, 228.S Tierre Green, Nebraska, 6-1, 200.TE Joey Haynos, Maryland, 6-8, 260.-- Jeff Ash, jash@greenbaypressgazette.com
Draft day is shopping day, too
 Seen on the Web in the wake of last weekend's NFL draft: -- Central Florida offensive lineman Josh Sitton, one of the Packers' fourth-round selections, watched the draft at his parents' home in Pensacola, Fla. As soon as word came that Sitton had been picked by Green Bay, his dad, George, dashed out to a sporting goods store to buy some Packers gear, according to the Pensacola News-Journal. There's the proof at right. Guess they didn't have any Packers T-shirts that would fit someone who's 6-foot-3 and weighs 324 pounds. He eventually put on a pink polo shirt. -- Suzanne O'Connell went on much the same errand as George Sitton. According to the North County Times, she went out before the draft and bought one cap for every NFL team, so her son, San Diego State quarterback Kevin O'Connell would be properly attired when selected. When his name was called in the third round, O'Connell put on a New England Patriots cap. His mom handed out one more cap, to SDSU wide receiver Brett Swain, after he was chosen by the Packers in the seventh round. Suzanne O'Connell is a savvy shopper. When she bought all those caps, she told the store she'd be returning all but one of them. Thanks to the Packers, she'll be returning all but two of them. -- Louisville tackle Breno Giacomini, the Packers' fifth-round pick, said he's looking forward to joining the Packers, even though he says "I've heard there is nothing to do in Green Bay," according to his hometown paper, the Malden (Mass.) Observer. However, he adds: "That might be a good thing that there is nothing to do there, because I'm totally going to concentrate on football and getting better." -- Brigham Young linebacker Kelly Poppinga, the younger brother of Packers linebacker Brady Poppinga, wasn't drafted. He signed a free-agent deal with the Miami Dolphins, according to the Deseret News. -- Jeff Ash, jash@greenbaypressgazette.com
Favre: 'I am retired'
 Brett Favre just can't let it rest. He did it again Sunday, confessing on ESPN's "Sunday Conversation" that he expects to have second thoughts about retiring when football season rolls around. In the segment, taped Friday in New York with old pals Steve Mariucci, Sterling Sharpe and Matt Hasselbeck, Favre had this to say, according to the Gulfport (Miss.) SunHerald: Asked about his recent comments on what would happen if the Packers asked him to come out of retirement in an emergency, Favre said: "I feel guilty, but that was in a conversation (with Al Jones of the SunHerald), that if something would happen to Aaron, what would you do? But I was being honest. I second-guess my decision every day. I second-guessed it last year. "From a team standpoint, and the way the team is, why wouldn't I play? But that's a decision I had to make at that time. And that's the one I had to live with.” Favre added this about retirement: "I’m retired, I made my decision. Not to stir the pot, but sometimes I second-guess my decision. I say to myself, 'Are you crazy?' "But I am retired." -- Jeff Ash, jash@greenbaypressgazette.com
Thompson's post-draft press conference: The blow-by-blow
Packers GM Ted Thompson is about to speak to reporters before beginning final preparations for undrafted free agency. I'll update his remarks here as he goes ... * On trading up in the fourth round: "We did that just for you guys. ... We liked the player a lot, and we felt like it was prudent to do that." * On drafting QB Matt Flynn: "We were in the seventh round, and we liked Matt quite a bit. He's a gamer. ... We just like him. He's the kind of guy that you just, he kind of grows on you. We think he has a chance." * On signing a veteran QB: He says they'll still look. "If something happened where we could sign another guy, we would, but at least now" they have options. * On Flynn's arm strength: "It's pretty good." * On whether this ends the Brett Favre rumors: "I doubt it." (laughs) "I dont think you can ever say never. ... Anything can happen, sure. But we have to deal with the present. ... I wouldn't anticipate that, no." He also doesn't see Craig Nall coming back. * On offense-heavy draft: "It's just the way it worked out." * On how many spots for undrafted free agents: "It's a little bit nebulous." He isn't sure whether they'll go to the 80-man maximum immediately or wait. * On Jermichael Finley's inexperience: "Sometimes, you have to be careful about that. But we felt like he's a talented kid who can get up the field. He has excellent hands, is very athletic." * On how many times guys fell where expected to: "It's always a little bit of a mixed bag. There's always surprises (both ways). ... I don't think it was any different than in previous years." * On Finley again: "Athletically, he's good to go." He says he needs to mature physically, add weight. * On whether it's more difficult for this year's draft picks to make the team: "We think as a group this is a very group, but the bar has been raised, and it will be a little bit more difficult. ... We could have had more picks" but at some point there is a point of diminishing returns. * On Brett Swain: Swain caught the Packers' eye late. "We just felt like that was a good pick for us at that time." * On whether he feels they filled their holes: They added depth at QB. They wanted a TE. They weren't looking for DE but liked Thompson, same for receiver. "In some instances, I think we just added quality to our team." * On whether Swain could have value on returns: He could. They concentrated more on him as a receiver. * On how he felt about the first day of the draft: "I think all in all, I think we picked good players that are going to be on our team. ... Given where we were picking in the draft, I thought that worked out pretty good." * On Josh Sitton: Thinks he could play all four positions except center. Brought him in for a visit, had physical. Loves football. Was wearing Hawaiian shirt and shorts when visited. "He's one of those guys that maybe isn't always the prettiest guy in the world, but we think he'll fit in pretty good with our group." * On Breno Giacomini: Saw him while scouting Brian Brohm. "We liked his competitiveness." He could play on either side. Did not see Louisville play live. * On trades on Day 2: "We weren't really intending to do much trading, but all of the sudden at the end of the fourth" they felt they could get Sitton, so they moved back. Then felt could get Breno later. "Quite frankly, I was hoping to do a couple of deals like we did with New Orleans and get next year picks." * On trading with Minnesota: "Kind of weird." ... "We thought it was an appropriate trade for the Packers. * On emotions after draft: "We feel good right now. Sometimes (you don't). I think they're good investments in the team, both in the short haul and the long term." * On not drafting RB: "There were some people there that we liked" but there was a run in Round 1, and later, other guys were gone where they had them on the board. * On whether there are positions lack depth: Not really, but need training camp depth. "It looks better today on paper. ... That's as brave as I can be in terms of expressing that." * On sped-up draft process: Thinks most personnel people would rather start earlier Saturday and do third round. But did like shorter time. * On how it sits that RB Ryan Grant hasn't signed his tender: "It sits fine. That's a business thing that we'll eventually work out. ... That's his choice. He's not under contract." And that's it. Thompson retreats to the war room. Stories will start being posted shortly on the PackersNews.com homepage. Rob Demovsky will be chatting tomorrow afternoon. Good night, folks. -- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
Packers draft two, trade another pick for 6th next year
With the 209th overall pick, the Packers have drafted another quarterback -- LSU's Matt Flynn. Flynn, 6-2 and 227 pounds, was the MVP of the BCS championship game in January. He becomes a Packer a day after Brian Brohm, a second-round pick, was added as a backup for new starter Aaron Rodgers. Like all seventh-round picks, Flynn is a long shot to make the roster. * UPDATE: At No. 217, the Packers have selected Brett Swain, a 6-1, 200-pound receiver from San Diego State. It's the fourth time in as many drafts under GM Ted Thompson the Packers have drafted two receivers; they took Jordy Nelson with their first pick in the second round Saturday. The second receiver picked has been cut every year. The Packers have yet to produce a bio, but Swain said he ran the 40 in 4.41 seconds and did 10 bench reps at his pro day. * UPDATE II: The Packers concluded their draft by trading the 237th overall pick to New Orleans for the Saints' sixth-round pick next year. The seventh round tends to be a crapshoot, and accordingly, Thompson's results in the round haven't been great. Of his five selections in three drafts, only guard Will Whitticker (2005) and running back DeShawn Wynn (2007) appeared in a game for the Packers, and Whitticker since has been cut. -- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
Two more Badgers drafted
Catching up with the Wisconsin prospects, two more Badgers were selected within a four-pick span in the sixth round -- kicker Taylor Mehlhaff (by New Orleans at No. 178) and defensive tackle Nick Hayden (by Carolina at No. 181). They join cornerback Jack Ikegwuonu, who went to Philadelphia in the fourth round. UPDATE: Receiver Paul Hubbard goes to Cleveland at No. 191. State college prospects who visited the Packers and remain on the board include UW receiver Luke Swan and punter Ken DeBauche and UW-Whitewater running back Justin Beaver. Gilman native Owen Schmitt, a fullback out of West Virginia, went to Seattle in the fifth round (163rd overall). -- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
Will Packers regret trading with Vikings?
The Packers better hope that John David Booty doesn't turn into a Pro Bowl quarterback with the Minnesota Vikings. If he does, the Packers might have only themselves to blame. In a rare intra-division trade, the Packers sent their fifth-round pick (No. 137) to the Vikings in exchange for a fifth-rounder (No. 150) and seventh-rounder (No. 209). The Vikings grabbed Booty with that pick. The USC quarterback was the sixth quarterback taken in this weekend's draft. If he becomes a world beater in the NFC North -- scouts aren't expecting that to happen -- the Packers will be kicking themselves for making that trade. -- Mike Vandermause, mvandermause@greenbaypressgazette.com
Trader Ted strikes again and again
Ted Thompson has pulled off four trades this weekend, which brings his total in four drafts as Packers general manager to a whopping 13 trades. When it comes to the draft, we should refer to Thompson as Trader Ted. Thompson has traded down 12 of 13 times. In a break with tradition, Thompson traded up for the first time in his draft history today. Thomas acquired a fourth-round pick (No. 102) in exchange for fourth- (No. 113) and fifth-round (No. 162) picks. Thompson then selected defensive end Jeremy Thompson with the 102nd selection. Assuming Trader Ted makes no other transactions, his four-year draft totals look like this: he has taken 31 original picks and parlayed them into 44 draft choices. -- Mike Vandermause, mvandermause@greenbaypressgazette.com
Packers at No. 150: Louisville OT Breno Giacomini
The Packers went offensive line again, drafting Louisville tackle Breno Giacomini 150th overall. Giacomini, 6-foot-7 1/8 and 303 pounds, began his career as a 240-pound tight end and had four catches and a touchdown over his first two seasons. He moved to left tackle as a junior, starting two games, and then started 12 games at left tackle as a senior. Giacomini said the Packers have told him he will work at tackle but haven't specified a side. He had two negative incidents in the past year -- he had to apologize after being photographed giving the finger to fans at Kentucky, and he was charged with drunk driving last month. He said the legal issue has been resolved but didn't disclose specifics. The Packers don't have another pick until the seventh round, when they have three: Nos. 209, 217 and 237. It's possible they could package two of those picks to try to move into the sixth round, but expecting Ted Thompson to trade up twice in one day probably is unrealistic. UPDATE: Upon closer examination, the three picks are worth a combined 16.1 points on the value chart, which only could get the Packers into the bottom few picks of the sixth round. So, they'll probably stay put and take three bites at the apple.-- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
Packers trade down again
Ted Thompson isn't done, either. The Packers traded the 137st overall pick, acquired from St. Louis a bit ago, to Minnesota for the Nos. 150 and 209 pick. That gives the Packers three seventh-round picks (209, 217 and 237) in addition to a fifth-rounder (150). The Vikings used the pick to select Southern Cal quarterback John David Booty. -- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
Packers at No. 135: Central Florida tackle Josh Sitton
The Packers have drafted an offensive lineman, grabbing Central Florida right tackle Josh Sitton with the 135th overall pick. Sitton is notably short for a tackle -- he's listed at 6-foot-3 and 324 pounds -- and also played both guard spots during his four-year career at CFU. The Packers have told him he'll get a look at center and guard. It's the second straight year the Packers have drafted an offensive lineman in Round 4. They grabbed Allen Barbre last year. On an aside, a Badger finally is off the board -- cornerback Jack Ikegwuonu, who went 131st to Philadelphia. -- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
Packers trade down, get 7th-rounder
And Ted Thompson's back in form. The Packers have traded the No. 128 pick to St. Louis, moving back nine spots to No. 137 -- the second pick of the fifth round -- and adding a seventh-round pick (No. 217). St. Louis used the 128th pick on Kentucky WR Keenan Burton. The Packers' next pick is the compensatory selection at No. 135. -- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
Will Packers trade down again?
The odds have to be strong the Packers will trade down from their next pick, at No. 128 overall. Their only other remaining selections are at No. 135 -- a compensatory pick that cannot be traded -- and in the seventh round, No. 237. Ted Thompson bucked history by trading up earlier in this, the fourth round, and now has no fifth- or sixth-rounders. If the phone rings, look for him to move down and pick up a pick in one of those rounds, rather than having no selection for 101 picks. Then again, the trade up was a shocker, so maybe Thompson pulls another surprise and stands pat at 128. -- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
Packers move up, take DE Thompson
The Packers traded up 11 spots and gave up their fifth-round pick to select Wake Forest end Jeremy Thompson 102nd overall. They gave up the No. 113 pick -- acquired from the Jets in a deal Saturday -- back to the Jets and also gave up their fifth-round pick, No. 162. Thompson, 6-foot-5 and 264 pounds, is the brother of Packers tackle Orrin Thompson. In 46 career games (32 starts), Thompson had 112 tackles, including 73 solo, 20.5 for loss and 8.5 sacks. His biggest season came as a senior, when he started all 13 games and recorded 46 tackles, including 35 solo, 11 for loss and 6.5 sacks. He played mostly right end. -- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
Packers at No. 91: Texas TE Jermichael Finley
The Packers addressed one of their most glaring needs with their first pick on the draft's second day, selecting Texas tight end Jermichael Finley 91st overall. Finley, 6-foot-4 and 243 pounds, played only two seasons and started only 17 games for the Longhorns before leaving after his redshirt sophomore season. He had 76 receptions for 947 yards and five touchdowns, including 45-575-2 in 2007, when he was an all-Big 12 honorable mention pick. According to this story from The Dallas Morning News, he left school in part because he has one child and another on the way. UPDATE: In an interview with Wisconsin reporters, Finley said his children were not a factor and he simply was ready for a new challenge. His children now are 3 years and 3 months old.He ran the 40 in 4.76 seconds at his campus workout and 4.82 at the combine. His vertical ranged from 27 1/2 to 29 inches. He was offered a dual scholarship to Arizona to play football and basketball but gave up the latter. Finley immediately becomes the favorite to be the Packers' No. 2 tight end behind starter Donald Lee. The only other tight end on the roster is Tory Humphrey, who spent last season on injured reserve. -- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
Thinking out loud
We're to the point in the draft where players blend together a little more and need starts being a more active tiebreaker in the Packers' war room. So, what positions do the Packers need to address in some way today? 1. Tight end. Donald Lee and Tory Humphrey are the only ones on the roster. The Packers need bodies, and the mid-to-late rounds are where to find either a productive college tight end with underwhelming measurables or a raw physical specimen. 2. Offensive line. Getting another big body to develop here is crucial. They've had luck finding competitive players in the fifth round under Ted Thompson (Junius Coston in 2005, Tony Moll in 2006). 3. Running back. The Packers expect to get more from Brandon Jackson this season and DeShawn Wynn is an X-factor, but they need all the options they can get to ease the load on Ryan Grant. 4. Defensive end. KGB won't be around forever, so at some point, the Packers need to find someone else who can rush the passer. Cullen Jenkins didn't get it done last season. -- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
... And we're back
Day 2 of the draft (the new Day 2, which involves Round 3) is underway. The Packers enter the day with six picks: one in Round 3 (91st overall), three in Round 4 (113th, 128th and 135th), one in Round 5 (162nd) and one in Round 7 (237th). Given Ted Thompson's history, it wouldn't be a surprise if they end the day with seven or eight. We'll have all the latest Packers-related items and anything else that's particularly newsworthy. For live pick-by-pick updates, click here. -- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
That's a wrap (for now)
Day 1 of the draft is over. I'd blog more, but there will be more stories posted on this site by the end of the night than any normal person could read in one sitting, so I'm signing off. The Packers are back on the clock tomorrow in the third round at No. 91 overall. Back here at 9 a.m., rain or shine. -- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
McCarthy on Rodgers: 'He is our quarterback'
Packers coach Mike McCarthy echoed Ted Thompson's statements that Aaron Rodgers has no reason to look over his shoulder after the drafting of Brian Brohm. "He is our quarterback, and that is his focus," McCarthy said of Rodgers, who McCarthy said is in Texas attending to a personal matter. McCarthy did say he hopes the position group will be competitive. Asked whether he'd like to have a veteran quarterback in camp, McCarthy said "time will tell." On other matters ... * He said top pick Jordy Nelson stood out because of his versatility and could contribute on special teams. He said it's too soon to know how the addition will affect the offense. "We'll customize that like we do every year to our players." * He sees Patrick Lee as strictly a corner and not a part-time safety, noting Lee has the attitude and temperament to fit the Packers' physical man coverage scheme. * He said the shorter format of Day 1 of the draft was "great." -- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
Thompson says Packers tried to trade up in 2nd
Ted Thompson said the Packers considered Brian Brohm worthy of their No. 30 pick and tried hard to trade up in the second round to get him before Brohm fell into their laps at No. 56. But Thompson is reiterating throughout his address to reporters that Brohm won't compete with Aaron Rodgers for the starting job this season. "Aaron's the guy," Thompson said, adding that he told Brohm the same thing when they spoke on the phone. Asked why he preferred Brohm to Michigan's Chad Henne, Thompson declined to answer the question but said, "It was close." Thompson said Brohm could be the No. 2 quarterback as a rookie. -- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
Packers at No. 60: Patrick Lee, CB, Auburn
And then Ted Thompson gets his cornerback. With their second second-round pick, the Packers grabbed Auburn's Patrick Lee at No. 60 overall. At a hair over 6-foot and 192 pounds, Lee fits the physical mold the Packers like in their corners, but he isn't known for being technically sound. He had 10 pass breakups and four interceptions as a senior last season. He also averaged 25.4 yards on 11 kickoff returns. He ran the 40 in 4.53 seconds. -- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
Packers select QB Brohm 56th overall
Aaron Rodgers has his backup. At least one of them. The Packers selected Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm with the 56th overall pick. Brohm had been projected as a first-round lock last year, but he returned to school for another season and nearly slid all the way through Round 2. Some projected the Packers would take Brohm, 6-foot-3 and 227 pounds, at No. 30. "I don't regret it," Brohm said of staying in school. "It's a decision that I made kind of with my heart. ... I felt like I got better as a player, felt like I matured as a player." Last season, Brohm completed 308 of 473 passes for 4,024 yards and 30 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. In 44 career games (33 starts), Brohm was 780-of-1,185 fo 10,775 yards with 71 touchdowns and 24 interceptions. -- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
Packers on the clock again
It's been a whirlwind around here -- which is better than it dragging, I guess -- and the Packers are back on the clock at No. 56. They hold two of the next five picks. -- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
Robinson on Nelson: 'He just fit us'
Packers receivers coach Jimmy Robinson said the Packers preferred Kansas State's Jordy Nelson to some of the higher-profile receivers in the draft because he fit the team's scheme. "This guy's just a solid all-around football player," Robinson said. "We felt like for what we do, that he just fit us really, really well. ... I'm very, very high on this young man." Nelson played in a spread offense at Kansas State, but Robinson said some of the West Coast Offense terminology is the same to what the Packers use. "He seemed like a pretty right kid in terms of football intelligene and talking the game," said Robinson, who spoke with Nelson at the scouting combine in February. Asked whether Nelson would play, given the deep group at the position, Robinson said: "I expect him to come in and compete. If he proves he's worthy of playing time, then he'll get it." Packers scout Lenny McGill, who covers the Central Plains region, said Nelson's speed -- he ran the 40 in 4.59 seconds at his campus workout -- isn't a concern. "The important thing about him is he has functional quickness," McGill said. McGill also referred to him as a "program kid." "This kid has no holes character-wise," McGill said. -- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
Your newest Packer: Jordy Nelson
Once again, Ted Thompson proves he won't draft for need. The Packers have selected Kansas State receiver Jordy Nelson with the 36th overall pick. He joins a Packers receiver corps that at times last season had five members on the field -- Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, James Jones, Ruvell Martin and Koren Robinson -- and also had Shaun Bodiford on the roster. Nelson, 6-foot-3 and 217 pounds, was a former walk-on who worked himself into the lineup and then shattered school and Big 12 receiving records as a senior in 2007. A knee injury slowed Nelson in 2006, when he had 39 recptions for 547 yards and one touchdown. He rebounded last season to post 122 receptions for 1,606 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also scored on two punt returns and threw for two touchdowns. In 36 career games (32 starts), Nelson had 206 catches for 2,822 yards and 20 touchdowns. -- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
No first-rounder a rarity for Packers
This marks the first time since 1986 the Packers didn't select a first-round draft choice. It was 22 years ago the Packers traded their first-round pick (No. 14 overall) to San Diego for cornerback Mossy Cade. This year, the Packers traded their first-rounder to the New York Jets and received in return the Jets' second-rounder (No. 36) and fourth-rounder (No. 113). The only other year the Packers didn't have a first-round pick was in 1975, when their top pick was dealth to the Los Angeles Rams in the John Hadl trade. So just twice in the past 72 years, dating to the first draft in 1936, have the Packers been without a first-rounder. Other notable facts from the first round: * This is the first draft since 1990 that no wide receiver was chosen in the first round. * This was the fastest first round since 1990. This year only 10 minutes was alloted between picks, down 5 minutes from previous years. * The first-round breakdown goes like this, in terms of number of players by position: Offensive tackle 7 Defensive end 5 Cornerback 5 Running back 5 Defensive tackle 2 Quarterback 2 Linebacker 2 Safety 1 Tight end 1 Guard 1 -- Mike Vandermause, mvandermause@greenbaypressgazette.com
Packers deal down
The Packers won't make a first-round pick after all. They've traded down from No. 30 to No. 36 with the New York Jets, who likely will grab a quarterback. According to the draft value chart, that's an 80-point difference, meaning the Packers likely received one of New York's fourth-round picks. UPDATE: The Packers got the later of the Jets' two fourth-round picks, No. 113 overall. That pick -- originally property of New Orleans -- is worth 68 points.
UPDATE 2: The Jets used the No. 30 pick to take Purdue TE Dustin Keller.It's the first time since 1986 the Packers won't draft in the first round. We'll pick up the pick-by-pick (too many picks?) here until the Packers select (or will they?) at No. 36. 5:34 p.m.: The Super Bowl champs close out Round 1 by selecting Miami S Kenny Phillips. 5:39 p.m.: Miami opens Round 2 with Clemson DE Phillip Merling, who I thought would have been the guy if the Packers stayed at No. 30. St. Louis, Washington and Kansas City now pick before Green Bay. 5:40 p.m.: It remains anyone's guess who the Packers are hoping to land at No. 36, though one of the remaining corners -- perhaps Oklahoma's Reggie Smith or Auburn's Patrick Lee, who fit the physical mold -- could be the guy. 5:42 p.m.: St. Louis takes makes Houston's Donnie Avery the first receiver taken. Donnie Avery? Really? One of the four receivers projected as potential first-round picks -- Devin Thomas, Malcolm Kelly, Limas Sweed and DeSean Jackson -- could tempt the Packers at No. 36, too. 5:45 p.m.: Strike Thomas from that list. Washington takes him at No. 34. 5:46 p.m.: There goes the last of the Round 1 corners, too. Virginia Tech CB Brandon Flowers goes to Kansas City at No. 35. The Packers are on the clock. Scroll up ... -- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
Could Packers snag first-round cornerback?
Five cornerbacks have been chosen now in the first round, with the San Diego Chargers grabbing Antoine Cason with the No. 27 overall pick. If the Packers still want a cornerback in the first round, Brandon Flowers of Virginia Tech is the highest-ranked player at that posiion still on the board. However, Flowers stands under 5-10, which obviously has turned some teams off. Despite his size, some scouts like his strength and quickness. In his two years as a starter, Flowers had 35 pass breakups and eight interceptions. He also showed a willingness to be physical. Another cornerback still available is Penn State's Justin King, although he was rated as a Round 2 pick by many scouts. -- Mike Vandermause, mvandermause@greenbaypressgazette.com
Thompson's favorite position: wide receiver
Based on quantity, Ted Thompson has paid the most attention to the wide receiver position during his three years heading up the Packers' drafts. That has been followed closely by linebacker and guard. Here is a breakdown, by position, of the number of players drafted among Thompson's 34 overall draft choices from 2005-'07. Receivers 6 Guards 5 Linebackers 5 Safeties 4 Defensive tackles 2 Defensive ends 2 Cornerbacks 2 Quarterbacks 2 Running backs 2 Fullbacks 1 Tight ends 1 Tackles 1 Place-kickers 1 -- Mike Vandermause, mvandermause@greenbaypressgazette.com
running pick-by-pick thoughts, part 2
3:50 p.m.: Details of the Lions-Chiefs trade are in. For moving down two spots in Round 1, from No. 15 to No. 17, Detroit moved up 10 spots in the third round (from 76th to 66th) and also got a fifth-round pick. 3:52 p.m.: Two corners gone. At No. 16, Arizona selected Tennessee State's Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. At one time, DRC was the popular pick for the Packers at No. 30. His stock began rising at the Senior Bowl and culminated with him being selected in the top half of the first round. Not bad for a guy who played in college against Division I-AA/Championship Subdivision receivers. 3:58 p.m.: Matt Millen finally drafts an offensive lineman in Round 1, grabbing Boston College's big right tackle Gosder Cherilus at No. 17. 4:00 p.m.: Baltimore is busy. The Ravens have traded up to No. 18 -- and it appears they did so to get Delaware QB Joe Flacco. Houston presumably moves back to 26th, the pick the Ravens got from Jacksonville when they traded down earlier. 4:11 p.m.: Now the Panthers have someone to block for Jonathan Stewart, too. Carolina traded back into Round 1, grabbed Philadelphia's No. 19 pick and took Pittsburgh OT Jeff Otah. 4:20 p.m.: Tampa Bay takes the plunge and drafts Kansas CB Aqib Talib at No. 20. Talib might have been a top-10 pick had he not tested positive for marijuana three times in college. 4:29 p.m.: Atlanta's back in the first round, too, having traded with Washington to get the No. 21 pick. It's a 16-slot jump for Atlanta, which owned the 37th pick. 4:30 p.m.: The Falcons moved to get Southern Cal OL Sam Baker, another played widely speculated as an option for the Packers at No. 30. That's six offensive tackles off the board in Round 1, and there's almost no chance any of the others would be worth the 30th overall pick. 4:38 p.m.: With Julius Jones gone and Marion Barber perhaps playing on a one-year deal, the Cowboys went with a running back at No. 22 -- Arkansas' Felix Jones. Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall is officially one of this draft's "sliders." 4:44 p.m.: ... But not anymore. Pittsburgh rescues Mendenhall at No. 23. How does he mesh with Willie Parker? We'll find out this fall. 4:50 p.m.: The running backs are flying off the board now, with Tennessee grabbing East Carolina's Chris Johnson at No. 24. 4:52 p.m.: Quick programming note: The pick-by-pick analysis will cut off after the Packers' first-round selection, but keep checking back to the blog for periodic updates. 4:53 p.m.: If you're looking for the Packers to fill a need, the board would seem to be favorable right now. Cornerbacks Mike Jenkins, Antoine Cason and Brandon Flowers remain available (though I think Flowers' 5-9 frame would preclude the Packers from taking him). No tight ends or safeties have been selected, and my dark horse -- Clemson end Phillip Merling -- remains on the board as well. 4:59 p.m.: Cross one off the list. Dallas moved up from No. 28 to No. 25, replacing Seattle, to select Jenkins. 5:06 p.m.: Houston, which dealt down earlier with Baltimore, selected the seventh tackle in Round 1 -- Virginia Tech's Duane Brown. That leaves San Diego, Seattle and San Francisco before the Packers pick at No. 30. Of that group, San Diego seems most likely to take a corner. 5:10 p.m.: And there goes Cason, to San Diego at No. 27. The Arizona cornerback's 6-foot frame made him a popular projection for the Packers at No. 30. But the Chargers got him first. Per Pete Dougherty's rankings, the remaining of the top 10 corners are: Penn State's Justin King, Oklahoma's Reggie Smith, Indiana's Tracy Porter and Auburn's Patrick Lee. Only King and Smith are even projected as certain second-rounders. 5:16 p.m.: Seattle take Southern Cal end Lawrence Jackson at No. 28. It's San Francisco, then the Packers. At this point, my guess is the Packers would take Merling, but really, it's anyone's guess. 5:19 p.m.: The 49ers take Kentwan Balmer at No. 29. That's it for this post. The Packers are on the clock. -- Tom Pelissero, tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com
No risk, no reward?
Wondering why Ted Thompson has never traded up while working the draft with both the Packers and Seahawks? One reason is that the cost of doing so can sometimes be extremely pricey. Take the Jacksonville Jaguars, for example, who moved up from the No. 26 spot in the first round to No. 8 in a trade with the Ravens. The Jaguars selected defensive end Derrick Harvey of Florida. But in order to snare him, the Jaguars gave up their first-round pick, two third-round picks and a fourth-rounder. Had the Packers wanted to move that far up in the first round, it would have cost them their first-round pick (No. 30), and likely both second-round picks (Nos. 56 and 60). Is any unproven college player all that? If, and only if, Harvey becomes a sure-fire NFL star, the Jaguars' move will prove to be worth it. They obviously believe in the no-risk, no-reward theory. Still, giving up four picks for one is a gamble that could have negative long-term ramifications if Harvey is only a so-so player. Obviously the Jaguars are sold on Harvey. But if he doesn't become a major playmaker, it will go down as a bad move. Thompson's play-it-safe approach seems wise in comparison. -- Mike Vandermause, mvandermause@greenbaypressgazette.com
Thompson's tendency is to stockpile picks
In trying to guess Packers General Manager Ted Thompson's tendencies, he has been remarkably consistent in trading down in the NFL draft. In three drafts with the Packers, Thompson has made a whopping nine trades. In every single case he has moved down to accumulate extra picks. In 2005 Thompson parlayed seven picks into 11 with three trades. In 2006 Thompson turned seven picks into 12 with four trades. In 2007 Thompson slowed down his pace somewhat by converting nine picks into 11 with two trades. All told, Thompson took his original 23 draft picks over the past three years and transformed that total to 34. Thus, if you're trying to guess what Thompson might do this weekend in the draft, the best hunch is that he would trade down and increase his current total of eight picks. As for the theory Thoompson's roster has solid depth and he doesn't need additional picks, don't put a lot of stock in that. Sitting at No. 30 in today's first round, the Packers are in perfect position to move down a few spots, get an additional pick, and still land the player they want. -- Mike Vandermause, mvandermause@greenbaypressgazette.com
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