Let’s get ready for the biggest weekend to the start of the 2009 NFL season. You know it, the 2009 draft. Now’s the time when all of those hopeful college stars see what they’re really worth on this very weekend. It could be millions, tens of millions, a couple hundred thousand or absolutely nothing at all. On tomorrow and Sunday, we’ll see who’s going to help the Packers this season in their quest for a better record, at least. Maybe even the playoffs. However this all turns out, it starts tomorrow at 3pm.
In the ’09 draft, the Packers have a total of 9 picks, with 4 coming in the 1st 3 rounds. Their first overall pick is number 9, then in the 2nd round with the 41st pick. For the Packers, the first priorities they’re going to need to take care of are on the defensive side of the ball. With Dom Capers changing the defense to a 3-4 (3 down defensive linemen and 4 linebackers), it’s going to be imperative that the Packers pick up a good Outside Linebacker/Defensive End type that can make an impact immediately. Capers is in his 24th season, and has had some head coaching experience, so he knows what he’s doing. Underneath Capers, at the Outside Linebackers coaching position is Hall of Famer to be Kevin Greene. If you don’t remember Greene off hand, he helped lead the Pittsburgh Steelers to Super Bowl XXX with Greg Lloyd also under Capers. Expect the defense to well coached and execute on a dime, son.
As of right now the Packers have some what of a solid defensive line with Justin Harrell (6’4″, 320lbs), Cullen Jenkins (6’2″, 305lbs) and Ryan Pickett (6’2″, 330lbs). The linebackers Nick Barnett (6’2″, 236lbs) and AJ Hawk(6′, 248lbs) are of course solid players. Aaron Kampmann (6,4″, 265lbs) is going to be moved to a stand up defensive end on the rush side. It may not sound like a tough thing to do, but going from a 3 point stance to a 2 point stance isn’t easy, seeing as how you have to adjust all of your keys. With all of that right there you have a solid 6 players that you can go to battle with, which means the Packers are going to need to address the other linebacker position with the 1st pick in the draft tomorrow.
Many analyst, bloggers and sports writers covering the draft have Brain Orakpo out of Texas as being selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 9th position. Orakpo has the Takeo Spikes – Superman build at
6’3″, 263lbs which would make him a great fit into the strong side linebacker of the 3-4 defense. At the combine he put up some good numbers with a 4.7s 40 yard dash, 31 225lbs bench press and a 39.5″ vertical jump. Scout Inc. has Aaron Curry from Wake Forest ranked higher for outside linebackers and defensive ends. Curry put up a 4.56s in the 40 yard dash so he’s at least quick to getting to the ball. The defensive end out of Penn State, Aaron Maybin, seems to have the best fit playing style wise that would benefit the Packers though. Maybin’s 6’3″, 250lbs and has a Big Ten attitude like Levar Arrington, except exceptionally smart when playing the ball.
Seeing as how Aaron Rodgers was sacked 34 times last season, averaging 2.125 sacks/game, the Packers are going to have to address the offensive line in this draft as well. With 2 picks in the 3rd round and another 2 picks in the 6th round, expect some talented Offensive Tackles to be selected like Herman Johnson (6’7″, 364lbs) from LSU and Eben Britton (6’6″, 309″) from Arizona to be selected if they’re still on the board.  But first things first – the Packers need to address the defense before picking up some solid offensive players.

Other Notes:

Green Bay is having a Draft Party at Lambeau field in the Atrium tomorrow.  The doors open at 2pm with the draft starting at 3pm.  Packers fans will hear from General Manager Ted Thompson and head coach Mike McCarthy.  Tickets are $25 at the door.  If you’re not making it there you can catch all of the draft coverage on the NFL Network starting at 10am tomorrow morning.