First Day Aftermath

So I think, as a Packer fan, you have to like what happened, although the order in which things happened was a little off-putting. I mean, trading down again? I thought we had decent depth finally and didn't need to stockpile picks? And a receiver with our first pick? With the emergence of James Jones, it looked like receiver was the most stocked position on the team.

But then you look around for K-State highlights, and Jordy Nelson seems like a serious stud-- a guy who carried his team's offense, a high school sprint champion, big, strong, great hands, fast enough, big plays against other good opponents. And then you remember that Jennings missed several games with his hamstring problem last year, and that Driver is getting pretty darn long in the tooth, and you start to feel better about the pick. Especially when you think about how Thompson's other receiver picks have turned out-- those are Jennings and Jones, folks.

Then Brian Brohm-- again, not instinctively a position of need, but A-Rodg hasn't proven he can stay healthy and the team hasn't signed a decent veteran back up. And Brohm was a stud in college when not injured-- precise, accurate, savy. The commander of a Louisville offense that just annihilated opposing defenses. Plus, Brohm excels in the two college stats that are the most reliable predictors of NFL success-- number of starts and completion percentage. Brohm has been playing since he was a true freshman, and he completed two-thirds of his passes. Accuracy, durability and experience; attributes that can't be taught, folks. Now it's true he's been, you might say, in an odd type of coddling bubble since he was a high-schooler-- he's from Louisville, was coached by his dad, treated along with Michael Bush like a local celebrity for years, and most worrying of all got Louisville to agree to hire his brother as a coach. But he's a smart kid, and has been a great QB. The only rap on him is he doesn't operate that well when pressured, and that he's not that mobile. Well, that's certainly a big change from Favre, for sure. But Favre spoiled us for his entire career with his uncanny ability to avoid pressure and still make big plays. That's a rare attribute for a QB. Also, the West Coast offense, with short drops and quick throws, is designed to reduce pressure. Brohm will be a fascinating guy to watch, and you have to feel good about McCarthy having another talented guy to develop at that position.

And wrapping up the first day, Patrick Lee-- finally the corner everyone was waiting for. Lee is a physical specimen (over six feet, under a 4.4 forty), is used to playing physical man on man coverage, and was great last fall for Auburn. The only worry is that he just started one and a half seasons. But sometimes it takes a while for the light to come on. He should be a good addition to the understudies for Al and Woodson.

So a corner, a legitimate QB prospect, and a dynamic wideout-- all in the first two rounds. At the end of the day, I approve. But, as a fan, the order threw you off. Memo to TT-- "quit playing games with my heart."