Hence, I finish my examination of the Packers 2008 season and immediate future by looking at management: General Manager Ted Thompson and Chief Executive Officer Mark Murphy (filling the role an owner would fill in every other organization, not owned by the community).

Mark Murphy (became team CEO in December of 2007)

Murphy has the responsibility of pushing Thompson in the right direction. In his first full season in charge of the team, he failed to do that.

Typically, you want to give a guy--even if you did not hire him--the latitude to make decisions he believes in. And coming off having been the executive of the year, Thompson had earned that autonomy.

However, I believe it was Murphy's responsibility to push buttons in two areas that Thompson was clearly failing in:

1. Signing free agents. Murphy could have convinced Thompson that he needed to not make the mistake he had in 2007, when one more signing could have provided the Packers the one play they were missing to get past the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants. Perhaps then Favre feels satisfied enough to retire gracefully and the team avoids the mess that follows in the off-season.
2. Which brings me to the second issue, the nasty divorce between the Packers and Favre. Murphy should have been able to see that Thompson was over his head and stepped in to represent the organization without fearing how Thompson's role would have been perceived.

Since Murphy is technically the ultimate authority, as Harry Truman said, "The buck stops here." He has to bear the responsibility of a team that struggled both on and off the field, and cannot receive higher than a C- for 2008 despite the many unforeseen problems the team encountered. We also have little to go on for his role in the future but what we saw in 2008, so I grade his future a C-, as well.

Ted Thompson (starting fifth season as Packers GM)

The Good:

Thompson made the decision to keep Aaron Rodgers over Brett Favre. This was a controversial decision and a primarily unpopular one.

But it was the right one, both for the future and for the 2008 season. Not only did Rodgers have a better season than Favre in 2008, he had a better season than most of Favre's previous 16 despite it being his first year starting.

Thompson also signed linebacker Brandon Chillar to a free agent contract, and Chillar got ample playing time because of the injury to Nick Barnett. He drafted back-up QB Matt Flynn in the seventh round, and drafted other players who made significant contributions in WR Jordy Nelson (36th pick, 336 yards and 2 TDs) and TE JerMichael Finley (91st pick, 74 yards, 1 TD).

The Bad:

Thompson traded away his most dynamic defensive tackle in Corey Williams, relying on a run-stuffer (Ryan Pickett), two pedestrian players (Colin Cole and Johnny Jolly), and an injury-prone 2007 draft pick (Justin Harrell). When Harrell once again was not healthy, this decision proved tragic.

Thompson cannot really be blamed for picking QB Brian Brohm, who was a training camp bust, in the second-round--he was widely regarded as the best player available, and the Packers needed some insurance for the predominantly untested Rodgers. Similarly, like his third second-round pick, Pat Lee, we cannot assume that one bad year (for injuries in Lee's case) will mean the player does not work out.

However, Thompson's continued reluctance to venture into the free agent market despite the Packers being in the top quarter of the league in cap room in each of the last two years magnifies every draft pick that does not pan out. He has to accept the consequences of being cheap.

The Ugly:

While the choice of Rodgers over Favre was clearly the right one, it is hard to imagine a way he could have handled the decision worse. He put undue pressure on the franchise quarterback he had now chosen and divided the fan base.

Obviously, I do not blame Thompson for deciding not to take Favre back, and I applaud him for refusing to release him or trade him within the division. Favre made the decision to leave and the Packers had to not only move on but protect their own interests. 

Moreover, Favre's hindsight claims that he felt unwanted are not supported by facts. Favre said in his message to Sports Illustrated writer Peter King announcing his retirement that he was not pressured to leave. According to a Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel report last summer, both Thompson and McCarthy tried to encourage Favre not to wait to make the decision to retire when he talked with them about hanging it up.

But Thompson made the situation unnecessarily contentious when he did each of the following:

1. Saying Favre could come in as a backup. Favre was a not just a future Hall of Famer, but coming off a Pro Bowl season. He deserved to at least an open competition.
2. Trying to buy Favre off with a $2 million/year PR contract. Even if I were to believe it was something the Packers wanted to offer him either way (and since I reject Favre's contentions that seem implausible, I must do the same for Thompson), the fact that it came across as a buy-off represents a failing on Thompson's part.
3. Hiring Ari Fleischer to do damage control confirmed that there a mess to clean up. Moreover, Ted was willing to hire a professional liar who represented an administration that believed itself to be above the law and whose policies bankrupted the country morally and financially to do the job.

Had Thompson simply said he would take Favre back publicly and then worked behind the scenes for a trade, a lot of bad feelings could have been spared on both sides. The Packers may also have gotten better than a third-round pick for the Hall of Fame QB.

While the reality is that the Packers season was hurt by injuries and not distractions, we cannot be sure that the distractions did not affect training and conditioning, nor that the injuries could not have been better overcome had there not been distractions. We also do not know that Rodgers might not have been even better without the pressure of having to win over half of the fan base.

Thompson's negatives outweighed his positives in 2008, and he can get no better than a D+ for his efforts. Since he appears to have not learned any lessons regarding free agency or paying his players he already has, one has to contrast that against his executive of the year 2007 job performance, and conclude he gets a B- for the future.

(This is the one that the Packers later denied having issued him. It seems that they realized that, having not reported it as compensation to the star quarterback, it was a violation of the league's salary cap requirements and subjected them to a loss of Ted Thompson's coveted draft picks.)

According to the source, the tap was originally put on Favre's phone under the auspices of the Patriot Act because the Bush Administration determined that Favre's retirement was unpatriotic given the amount of news and excitement having him in the league generated. President Obama okayed the continued surveillance because he is more obsessed with sports than getting his stimulus package moving.

The source would only divulge a portion of the phone call that was placed by Favre to Vikings coach Brad Childress after the coach put a deadline on a Favre decision at the end of the week. She assured me that all the relevant portion was made available to me, and I reprint that to you:

Favre: Hey, Brad, what's this I hear about you needing an answer from me by the end of the week?

C: Yes, it's true. We can't sit here waiting all summer to know whether we're gonna have you or not. Even the Packers got sick of that.

F: It's Brett. You know who I am, right?

C: We would have been right there with you last year, but you threw nine picks and only two scores in your last five games. We fear you might be done.

F: One, I had even less to work with (in the receiving corps) than I would have with you guys, and that's saying something. Two, I HAD A TORN BICEPS! That's what the whole wait is about!

C: The wait is about you being a tease. That's why you had the wait the last four years, too.

F: I reckon you got a point there, but why do you think I had the surgery I dreaded? Anyway, let's face it, I'm the best option you got. Even with a bum shoulder, I would be better than anyone else on your roster.

C: Okay, but having to answer all these questions is killing our camp. We're getting nowhere. We won ten games and the division without a QB last year--better to do it again than lose a bunch in limbo.

F: Only because the Packers had half their defense down with injuries. I mean, I hate them now, but let's face it, you don't have any options--I don't see Aaron Rodgers on your roster.

C: But we need to look at options if we can't count on you.

F: What options? You gonna sign Vick after three years since he's played? He wasn't that good when he was playing.

C: He did beat you in the playoffs.

F: Doesn't count--(Mike) Sherman was the coach, and he couldn't even figure out how to challenge a punt we never touched!

C: But we can't wait any longer.

F: So you're trying to tell me if I don't sign by Friday, you won't let me sign in July?

C: Yup.

F: Give me a break! You would kiss my feet to sign! (Owner) Ziggy (Wilf) would love the ticket sales, your fans would love a QB, and so would the players...you know I heard about what (defensive tackle Pat) Williams said about (Tarvaris) Jackson, right?

C: I reckon you did--ARGH! Now you got me talking like that!

F: Exactly. You know I can save your job and so you're talkin' my language! Maybe I should sign with the Lions. I bet I can make the difference of the couple points they lost to you by in each game, and knock you right out of the playoffs!

C: Okay, you called my bluff, but I can't unring the bell and I can't take it back or I lose face and it makes me a dead-man-walking in my job. Throw me a bone!

F: How 'bout I just tell you publicly, "No, I can't say for sure I'll be heathy enough." Then in July, I tell you I am healthy enough and you say, given that, you think it's the best thing for this team if you sign me.

C: You got me over a barrel. But I really don't wanna get caught in what happened to the Jets last year. It was the fact that you didn't want to work out all offseason and then tried to get ready quick that got you hurt. You're almost 40 now--you can't get in playing shape in a week or two anymore.

F: I've was throwing all spring to try to finish the tear in my biceps. I'm already trying to throw now. If you rush me back, I won't be any good to you. With a QB, you could win it all--wouldn't that stick it to the Packers?

(Editor's note: as they would still be the Vikings, the best they could do is lose for the fifth time in five tries when they get to the Super Bowl.)

C: I'm just interested in winning, not your petty vendetta. And I'm afraid if you're not ready this week, we have two choices--rush you back and put too much wear-and-tear on that old shoulder of yours, or ease you back so you don't know the offense and try to force the ball like you do.

If you are a wide receiver, you do not want to see this man crouching in front of you. Woodson is one of the five elite cornerbacks in the NFL, and if he is on your side of the field, there is a good chance the ball will not get to you.

All of the above Pro Bowl statistics were accomplished playing through a broken toe, an injury that severely limits the necessary changes of direction required of a man-to-man cover cornerback. Woodson is not only deserving of an A in 2008, but at only 32 years old, has enough left in the tank to play at a high level into the next decade (B+).

CB Al Harris, 6'1", 190 lbs., 11 years experience: 12 passes defensed, 21 tackles (all solo)

Harris missed four-plus games due to injury and was limited in further games due to a spleen injury. It was his first season not playing every game, so while he is 34, there is no reason to think he cannot still play well: Harris made a trip top the Pro Bowl as an alternate and has been reliable and productive. Players rarely disappear that quickly.

However, he may have earned that trip to Hawaii partially on reputation: I can only give him a B- for 2008 because of missed games and slipping production. With the development of a young Tramon Williams who filled in for Harris, I see Al's role diminishing, and he will probably be only a nickelback--albeit perhaps the best in the league--by the end of the season (B-, as he's likely to play all 16 games).

CB Tramon Williams, 5'11", 191 lbs., two years: five interceptions (78 return yards), 14 passes defensed, one fumble recovery, two fumbles forced, 52 tackles (45 solo)

When Williams filled in for Harris, he struggled mightily in that first game against Dallas, but two weeks later against Atlanta came up with a touchdown-saving interception. Two weeks after that he helped shut down one of the league's top passing games (229 yards, only 35 to the top two receivers), with the Packers defense scoring as much as the Colts' offense (14 points).

Williams did a fantastic job playing a role he was not projected to play in 2008--only five players had more interceptions than a player who did not even start half the season. That is why Williams earned a B+ for 2008 and seems poised to take over the starting position in what promises to be one of the better position battles in training camp...his future rates an A-.

CB Will Blackmon, 6'0", 206 lbs., two years: one pass defensed, one fumble recovery, two fumbles forced, 17 tackles (16 solo)

Blackmon was pressed into more playing time last season because of the injuries to Harris and Pat Lee, but is really no more than a special teams player. He was a solid returner (three punt returns for touchdowns in two years) and led the team in tackles with 18.

He gets a C- for his pass coverage in 2008, and despite still developing, it is unlikely he will see action in the backfield in 2009 (future: C-). Lee was the team's second round pick in 2008 and will play if healthy; even newly-drafted Brandon Underwood will get a chance to show he is ready to play right away.

CB Pat Lee, 6'0", 194 lbs., one year: one pass defensed, one tackle (solo)

Lee was another of Ted Thompson's top picks to be an utter bust in his first year (along with two-year bust Justin Harrell and fellow 2008 pick Brian Brohm, who could not even beat out seventh rounder Matt Flynn for the backup quarterback spot). Because of his injury in a season almost anyone in the backfield could have contributed, he earns an F for 2008.

However, there is no reason to assume he will have Harrell's injury struggles, having been healthy at Auburn. He was the eighth cornerback drafted in 2008 and was generally considered a solid pick; his future rates a B- because he is still an unknown.

CB/S Jarrett Bush, 6'0", 200 lbs., three years: one pass defensed, one tackle (solo)

Setting aside my bias against him for trying to make a highlight reel in the NFC Championship Game in 2007 rather than falling on the fumble, Bush remains primarily a special teams player. He saw limited action against spread formations even though there were injuries to the unit.

Having little asked of him in pass coverage, it is hard to give him less than a C- for 2008 despite him having made almost no plays. His main role was in special teams, where he was among the team's five leading tacklers.

However, when you look at the Packers lack of special teams skill in 2008, perhaps losing Bush is not a loss. I see Underwood's drafting signaling the end of Bush's time in Green Bay, although his ability to play any backfield position might keep him around...a D- for his future.

S Nick Collins, 5'11", 207 lbs., four years: seven interceptions (295 return yards, three touchdowns), 18 passes defensed, one fumble forced, 99 tackles (77 solo)

Collins was tied for the team lead in interceptions and led in both return yards and scores. He appropriately made the Pro Bowl in 2008, despite playing through a back injury that limited his play, especially in October. Clearly, that earns him an A for 2008.

His future is bright, as he is in his mid-20's and has not peaked yet. However, there have been some rumblings that he is not happy with his contract. While Ted Thompson's policy is supposed to be to save cap room (and he has more of it than almost any other team) to re-sign his own players, this is a deep position for the team, especially after they added Anthony Smith in the off-season.

My guess is the two sides will work this out for 2009, and thus Collins' immediate future is bright. There is every reason to expect he will continue to get better, especially if he is healthy: A+.

S Atari Bigby, 5'11", 213 lbs., three years: one interception (seven return yards), three passes defensed, 31 tackles (20 solo)

Bigby only played seven games because of injury. Nevertheless, he made an impact when he was in, and receives a B for 2008.

He makes mistakes because of being too aggressive, but is an intimidating hitter and a danger to make a play on the ball. Not even 25 years old yet, his future is bright and his best years are ahead of him. I expect him to learn to pick his spots better and be one of the better safeties in the league (A-).

S Aaron Rouse, 6'4", 223 lbs., two years: two interceptions (136 return yards, one touchdown), three passes defensed, 68 tackles (44 solo)

Rouse is huge for a safety and still athletic enough to have a nose for the ball, as seen by his two interceptions and one score despite missing two games and starting only a few. He receives a B- for his safety play in 2008, and was the team's second-leading tackler on special teams, as well.

With only two seasons under his belt, Rouse will only get better. He already is good enough to start on almost any other team in the NFL, and did that well for the Packers in 2008, his future rates a B+.

S Charlie Peprah, 5'11", 203 lbs., three years: two passes defensed, 19 tackles (8 solo)

Peprah is a serviceable safety who also is a special teams contributor (top five in special teams tackles in 2008). He played in only 13 games and rarely was in at safety, being pressed into play only because of injuries to Collins and Bigby. He was a weakness when he was in, at times being replaced with a cornerback playing safety, thus he gets a D+ for 2008.

However, it should be noted that he played better than a fourth safety would be expected to in only his second year. He will get better, but I suspect it will be in another uniform: Anthony Smith's arrival, the drafting of Underwood who can also play safety, and the presumed return to health of the unit probably means there is no room for a pedestrian player...his future with Green Bay is an F.

Overall

In 2008, the Packers secondary was the only bright spot on the defense. The team finished 12th in pass defense despite being 25th in sacks. They led the league in defensive scores and was tied for third in interceptions. Clearly, the unit deserves an A- for 2008--were it not for the debacle against a very good Saints offense, it might have be an A+.

Now that he has been granted his request to be released by the New York Jets, speculation is flying that he will indeed attempt one more comeback, and pursue his well-documented wish from last season to play for the Minnesota Vikings.

If he does, he is dead to me.

Let me start out by saying that I would have taken Brett Favre over any other quarterback to build my team around. I was outright belittled for putting him on a plateau with the likes of Joe Montana.

But if you don't have a good line in front of Joe, you better have a great backup QB like Steve Young (simply not feasible in the modern salary-cap era), because he will miss time. He played behind the likes of Jesse Sapolu, Randy Cross, and Guy McIntyre, and still missed two seasons.

You are not much good to your team if you cannot be under center. Favre never missed a game, despite playing behind many suspect lines early in his career. Even when the Packers won the Superbowl, he had three different left tackles that season.

However, while I will still assert that Brett is on par on the field with any quarterback, he appears to leave a lot to be desired off of it. Sure, he's not "making it rain" in the nightclubs, and even quit drinking over a decade ago. But he is looking like as big a primadonna as any quarterback of his era.

I wrote much on this as it pertained to the Packers, and will not rehash it. But we can now add another chapter based on his time with the Jets.

First, he admitted that he had wanted to be play for the Vikings or the Bears for revenge. But I was willing to let that go when he admitted it and conceded that it was not the right thing to do: Brett is an emotional player, and the team's response to his announcement that he was coming back was not only unexpected but disappointing. He reacted emotionally.

But then over the season, we receive a credible report that he fed information to his former team's opponent. His denial was followed it up with the assertion that even if he had done it, there were no rules against it. Why would one make this point if one did not commit the offense?

Later, he had an issue with coach Eric Mangini for being too harsh. He went rogue late in the season and cost his team the playoffs, throwing nine picks against two scores in the final five games en route to four losses. He even drew the ire of teammates.

Now, after costing his new team a third-round pick, he retires, but then demands his release.

I do not want to jump to conclusions, but I am only human. What would make a retired player's release urgent if he were not planning to return?

And since he wanted to play for the Vikings and they are completely lacking a QB, why would he not want to stick it to his former team twice? They are the only contending team he would greatly improve since they have no established quarterback.

Given all that has happened, if he is healthy it is hard to see him not going to the Vikings. I hope I am wrong, because right now what he has done for us outweighs what he has done to us.

But if I am right, I will be leading the charge to keep him from entering the Hall of Fame as a Packer.

Now that he has been granted his request to be released by the New York Jets, speculation is flying that he will indeed attempt one more comeback, and pursue his well-documented wish from last season to play for the Minnesota Vikings.

If he does, he is dead to me.

Let me start out by saying that I would have taken Brett Favre over any other quarterback to build my team around. I was outright belittled for putting him on a plateau with the likes of Joe Montana.

But if you don't have a good line in front of Joe, you better have a great backup QB like Steve Young (simply not feasible in the modern salary-cap era), because he will miss time. He played behind the likes of Jesse Sapolu, Randy Cross, and Guy McIntyre, and still missed two seasons.

You are not much good to your team if you cannot be under center. Favre never missed a game, despite playing behind many suspect lines early in his career. Even when the Packers won the Superbowl, he had three different left tackles that season.

However, while I will still assert that Brett is on par on the field with any quarterback, he appears to leave a lot to be desired off of it. Sure, he's not "making it rain" in the nightclubs, and even quit drinking over a decade ago. But he is looking like as big a primadonna as any quarterback of his era.

I wrote much on this as it pertained to the Packers, and will not rehash it. But we can now add another chapter based on his time with the Jets.

First, he admitted that he had wanted to be play for the Vikings or the Bears for revenge. But I was willing to let that go when he admitted it and conceded that it was not the right thing to do: Brett is an emotional player, and the team's response to his announcement that he was coming back was not only unexpected but disappointing. He reacted emotionally.

But then over the season, we receive a credible report that he fed information to his former team's opponent. His denial was followed it up with the assertion that even if he had done it, there were no rules against it. Why would one make this point if one did not commit the offense?

Later, he had an issue with coach Eric Mangini for being too harsh. He went rogue late in the season and cost his team the playoffs, throwing nine picks against two scores in the final five games en route to four losses. He even drew the ire of teammates.

Now, after costing his new team a third-round pick, he retires, but then demands his release.

I do not want to jump to conclusions, but I am only human. What would make a retired player's release urgent if he were not planning to return?

And since he wanted to play for the Vikings and they are completely lacking a QB, why would he not want to stick it to his former team twice? They are the only contending team he would greatly improve since they have no established quarterback.

Given all that has happened, if he is healthy it is hard to see him not going to the Vikings. I hope I am wrong, because right now what he has done for us outweighs what he has done to us.

But if I am right, I will be leading the charge to keep him from entering the Hall of Fame as a Packer.

However, I return to analyze the next unit, linebackers, grading both the 2008 season and immediate future at the position. As with the defensive line, I will be grading players for the unit they are listed in now, after the transition to a 3-4 defense, rather than where they played in 2008.

Aaron Kampman, OLB (6'4", 265 lbs., eight years experience): 9.5 sacks, 62 tackles, 47 solo in 2008

Kampman, who played OLB at Iowa, is the key to this unit. As a DE in a 4-3, he has excelled. He is top-three in the league in sacks since 2006, averaging over 12 sacks and 70 tackles (50 solo) over the three seasons.

If he can make the transition, he gives the Packers the playmaker at the 3-4 defense's most impact position. His size and athleticism mean in reality he is better-suited for OLB in a 3-4, and great players play great anywhere they are physically able to play. If he did not play the position in college and did not have an entire camp to adjust, there might be significant growing pains, but I am confident they will be minimal.

A.J. Hawk, ILB (6'1", 248 lbs., four years): 3.0 sacks, 86 tackles, 67 solo

There has begun to be some rumblings about Hawk's performance, but he had 14 more tackles than the next-highest teammate. He also looked better once he was moved over to middle linebacker from theweakside, a position he was better-suited for with good size and only above-average speed.

He should also excel in the new system, as he is versatile: Hawk is an excellent open-field tackler, can cover in a zone or man-to-man, and was 2008's best pass-rushing linebacker. He is physical enough to shake blockers and is developing better instincts as he gains experience.

Nick Barnett, ILB (6'2", 236 lbs., seven years): 49 tackles, 41 solo, one fumble forced in nine games

Barnett went down in the ninth game of the year, and the Packers lost six of their last seven; it was the first time he played fewer than 15 games. He is the team's most athletic linebacker and his speed enables him to run down plays on both ends.

While he did not record any sacks, he is a disruptive blitzer (3.5 sacks in 2007). He is also one of the team's best open-field tacklers, recording over 100 tackles in all six previous seasons (over 100 solo in 2007). He also has a nose for the ball, with nine interceptions and one touchdown return in his career.

That being said, he was better-suited for the weak-side, as teams were able to exploit his inability to shake blockers in the running game--rumour is that he demanded the right to play the position. While Dom Capers can use his athleticism in more ways in a 3-4, he is likely to face even more blocking, especially with the Packers' shaky NT status.

Jason Hunter, OLB (6'4", 271 lbs., four years): 2.0 sacks, nine tackles, four solo, one fumble recovery returned for a touchdown in 12 games

Hunter is not a given to start, but since OLBs in a 3-4 must be bigger, it makes more sense that this converted DE would see more playing time at the position than anyone else on the roster. He has the athleticism to pull it off, having lettered in basketball at Appalachian State; that ability helped him get a 55-yard touchdown return on a fumble.

Up until 2008, when injuries helped him find his way onto the field, Hunter was used mostly on special teams, leading the unit in tackles and shining on the pass rush only in the preseason. Unlike withKampman, he is likely to face difficulties in the adjustment to OLB in a 3-4...look for him to be used more to rush the passer as he adapts.

Brady Poppinga, O/ILB (6'3", 247 lbs., five years): 69 tackles, 48 solo

The Stormin' Mormon was the team's strong-side linebacker and did play some as a down lineman in passing situations late in 2008 because of all the injuries, but his size would project him more to the inside.

He is unspectacular, as evidenced by his lack of sacks or involvement in turnovers (two career picks). He had only one pass defensed (six career) despite drawing most of the coverage assignments of opposing tight ends, who gashed the Packers. His experience and solid tackling make him an ideal first-man-off-the-bench for this unit, whether inside or outside.

Brandon Chillar, O/ILB (6'3", 243 lbs., six years): 1.0 sacks, 69 tackles, 59 solo, one fumble forced in 14 games

Chillar filled in the final seven games at OLB after Hawk moved to the middle and was better than expected. He has been in the league a year longer than Poppinga and had a better season statistically with less playing time

However, he is a few pounds smaller and had fewer responsibilities, such as not playing on the line of scrimmage to help prepare him for pass-rushing and run-stuffing duties ofOLB in a 3-4. For that reason, I believe Poppinga will be more quickly summoned off the bench.

Desmond Bishop, ILB (6'2", 238 lbs., three years): 1.0 sacks, 35 tackles, 29 solo, three fumbles forced in 15 games

Bishop is a hitter, and that is why he forced three fumbles in limited action. But he saw limited action because he was raw, and his big mistake in being out of position filling in after Barnett went down led to a score that ultimately led to the coaching staff choosingChillar over him from that point on.

Jeremy Thompson, OLB (6'4", 270 lbs., two years): eight tackles, five solo in nine games

Another converted lean, athletic DE, I expect Thompson to lose out to a more athletic Hunter and drop to the bottom of the depth chart. While he is younger and therefore presumably more able to grow and adapt, the reality is that actually better describes Hunter, who did not play football until his senior year in high school and took 2004 off in college.

Thus, he is not as athletic nor as good now, and probably does not have as much upside. However, should the Packers not get a talentedOLB in the draft or via trade, Thompson would be better-suited than Poppinga or Chillar to take over for Hunter or Kampman if one of them was hurt because of his size.

Danny Lansanah, O/ILB (6'1", 248 lbs., two years): two tackles, one solo in five games; Spencer Hayner, O/ILB (6'3", 248 lbs., one year): one tackle, one solo in one game

Neither of these players was drafted, and neither would have played were it not for the plethora of injuries. With all the defensive ends being converted toOLB and the players they replaced projecting to the inside, I doubt either of them will make the active roster in 2009.

Grade for 2008: D-

No player in this unit recorded anywhere near 100 tackles, and only A.J. Hawk recorded more than safety Nick Collins; when your second-leading tackler is a defensive back, that is not good. Only one player at the linebacker position in the 2008 season had more than one sack, and no linebacker recorded a fumble recovery or interception.

It does not matter for purposes of grading the unit's performance in 2008 what the injury situation is, but even if it did, only one of the injured players was from this unit (albeit the best one).

Prospects for the near future: B+

In 2007, this unit was special. While I believe the Packers will have an even better unit now that the best lineman has moved to this group and see the players overall being even better-suited for their new roles, there is a level of unknown involved.

Speculation is the Packers will end up drafting a DE in the first round that would be converted to OLB because it is likely that skill-set will be the best talent available that fits the Packers' needs. However, not only is that an assumption that cannot be made, but there is little reason to assume that player can step in and be better than Hunter, and that spot I project him in could be the group's Achilles' Heel.

NT Ryan Pickett, 6'2", 330 pounds, nine years experience, 48 tackles, 1.5 sacks

Pickett is the Packers entire hope for the 3-4 unless they can draft or trade for someone else, because he is the only defensive tackle big enough to handle the responsibilities with any real playing experience. That is a lot to rest on anyone's shoulders, even ones so wide.

Pickett was solid in 2008, but not spectacular. He occupied blockers, but did not prevent teams from running up the middle the way Gilbert Brown used to. He is much more athletic than the Gravedigger was, but was really not a threat to get to the quarterback.

However, he will not be asked to pressure the quarterback in a 3-4, and he is good enough to push the pocket and get the occasional blocked pass. Three tackles a game is solid, and most of the opposition's success against Green Bay was in exploiting undersized or inexperienced defensive ends and linebackers. If the Packers can rest him on obvious passing downs and he stays healthy, he could just anchor Dom Capers' new scheme.

NT Anthony Toribio, 6'1", 304 pounds, one year experience

Toribio had as many tackles in 2008 as I did, and wrestling my dog down does not count. He was an undrafted free agent signed out of Carson-Newman...if you are like me, that is the first time you have heard of that school.

The fact that he currently resides second on the depth chart is downright scary. Add to that the fact that he does not appear to be big enough to handle the nose in a 3-4, and this position is in crisis. This is why I am calling on Ted Thompson to trade up to get B.J. Raji, who is the only lineman big and athletic enough to play this position immediately, and that is what the team should be looking for. Throw one of our four starting calibre safeties in to move up four or five spots...please!

NT Fred Bledsoe, 6'3", 329 pounds, one year on practice squad

Maybe Bledsoe was not even on the roster in 2008, but at least he has the size to play the position and was in a major college program (Arkansas).

DE Johnny Jolly, 6'3", 320 pounds, 49 tackles, 1 fumble recovered

Jolly played defensive tackle in 2008, and was the more athletic, pass-rushing compliment to Pickett. However, he was not as effective: teams were more likely to run at him, but he got only one more tackle. Conversely, he was not able to get a single sack, even though he did occasionally draw blocking help from a back.

Ultimately, I would expect him to be shifted back to tackle if the Packers do not add talent at the position. He might be a bit undersized for that role in a 3-4, but he is not going to make enough plays at defensive end. He would be perfect for the nose on passing downs.

DE Cullen Jenkins, 6'2", 305 pounds, six years experience, 13 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble

Jenkins went down in week five last year, and the defense never recovered. To that point, it was in the top half of the league, and finished in the bottom quarter. Jenkins was big enough to shut down the run and athletic enough to take advantage on passing downs when teams focused on Aaron Kampman.

In a 3-4, the defensive ends also have to be bigger, and Jenkins passes that magic 300 pound threshold. He has not had a history of injury, and there is no reason to believe that he will be a reliable bookend on the line.

DE Justin Harrell, 6'4", 320 pounds, two years experience, 12 tackles

Thus far, Harrell has been the Packers' biggest draft bust since Tony Mandarich. Projected to be a late first round pick, Thompson, who claims to not believe in drafting for need, reached quite a ways to get him. Harrell had a history of injuries at Tennessee, and that has continued in both of his seasons in Green Bay.

To make matters worse, he is now projected to move to the end position even though the Packers need tackles and only two defensive linemen are heavier than Harrell. His time is running out to produce, and I see him being used in a rotation in both line positions. But I also do not see him having a significant impact, either.

DE Micheal Montgomery, 6'5", 273 pounds, five years experience, 59 tackles, 1 forced fumble

Montgomery was brought back for depth and because the price was right. His only significant action came in 2008 because of all the injuries, and he was solid as a fill-in. However, in my opinion he is too thin to handle the defensive end in a 3-4 and will do little but provide depth in the event of an injury and occasionally rotate in on passing downs.

DE Alfred Malone, 6'4", 312 pounds, one year experience, four tackles

Malone has the size to play the position, but he was another undrafted free agent in 2007, and has almost no experience. Nothing should be expected of him in 2009, but he may be able to play in spots even if the line is not ravaged by injury.

Other linemen in 2008 (Colin Cole, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, Jeremy Thompson, Jason Hunter, Aaron Kampman) combined for 118 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery returned for a touchdown

Cole signed for way more than he was worth in Seattle, and Thompson left as well; Gbaja-Biamila was released mid-season. Hunter and Kampman have been moved to outside linebacker because they are too small to play defensive end in the 3-4 but are athletic enough to handle their new responsibilities; they will be covered in next week's look at linebackers.

However, I listed these stats because there are necessary to grade 2008: D. While many of the players performed better than expected, the injuries made the unit as a whole unproductive.

So what are the team's prospects for the near future? C-

There are too many questions at the nose tackle and only one defensive end who is dynamic enough to be a difference maker. Because Ted Thompson failed to provide more help at this position in free agency (everyone not surprised raise your hand...did you feel the change in the atmosphere from the millions of hands raised?), the draft is his only choice.

Many people are not paying attention to the fact that most of the defensive end talent in this year's draft is undersized and will not be able to stand up in a 3-4. There are two ends big enough to handle the position for the Packers, but neither is rated in the top ten, so they would be a reach with the ninth pick. This is the reason many Packers fans are looking for Thompson to trade down, where he can still get his guy and not overpay, plus get depth with later picks.

However, there is some question as to whether anyone but Raji (probably not available at the ninth pick) would provide the Packers much impact as a rookie. While Green Bay finished only 6-10 in 2008, they are closer to competing now than to rebuilding. Had the team not suffered so many injuries (as many as five defensive starters were out at one time), the defense would likely have been at least as good as in 2007, when it was in the top half of the league, rather than in the bottom quarter.

NT Ryan Pickett, 6'2", 330 pounds, nine years experience, 48 tackles, 1.5 sacks

Pickett is the Packers entire hope for the 3-4 unless they can draft or trade for someone else, because he is the only defensive tackle big enough to handle the responsibilities with any real playing experience. That is a lot to rest on anyone's shoulders, even ones so wide.

Pickett was solid in 2008, but not spectacular. He occupied blockers, but did not prevent teams from running up the middle the way Gilbert Brown used to. He is much more athletic than the Gravedigger was, but was really not a threat to get to the quarterback.

However, he will not be asked to pressure the quarterback in a 3-4, and he is good enough to push the pocket and get the occasional blocked pass. Three tackles a game is solid, and most of the opposition's success against Green Bay was in exploiting undersized or inexperienced defensive ends and linebackers. If the Packers can rest him on obvious passing downs and he stays healthy, he could just anchor Dom Capers' new scheme.

NT Anthony Toribio, 6'1", 304 pounds, one year experience

Toribio had as many tackles in 2008 as I did, and wrestling my dog down does not count. He was an undrafted free agent signed out of Carson-Newman...if you are like me, that is the first time you have heard of that school.

The fact that he currently resides second on the depth chart is downright scary. Add to that the fact that he does not appear to be big enough to handle the nose in a 3-4, and this position is in crisis. This is why I am calling on Ted Thompson to trade up to get B.J. Raji, who is the only lineman big and athletic enough to play this position immediately, and that is what the team should be looking for. Throw one of our four starting calibre safeties in to move up four or five spots...please!

NT Fred Bledsoe, 6'3", 329 pounds, one year on practice squad

Maybe Bledsoe was not even on the roster in 2008, but at least he has the size to play the position and was in a major college program (Arkansas).

DE Johnny Jolly, 6'3", 320 pounds, 49 tackles, 1 fumble recovered

Jolly played defensive tackle in 2008, and was the more athletic, pass-rushing compliment to Pickett. However, he was not as effective: teams were more likely to run at him, but he got only one more tackle. Conversely, he was not able to get a single sack, even though he did occasionally draw blocking help from a back.

Ultimately, I would expect him to be shifted back to tackle if the Packers do not add talent at the position. He might be a bit undersized for that role in a 3-4, but he is not going to make enough plays at defensive end. He would be perfect for the nose on passing downs.

DE Cullen Jenkins, 6'2", 305 pounds, six years experience, 13 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble

Jenkins went down in week five last year, and the defense never recovered. To that point, it was in the top half of the league, and finished in the bottom quarter. Jenkins was big enough to shut down the run and athletic enough to take advantage on passing downs when teams focused on Aaron Kampman.

In a 3-4, the defensive ends also have to be bigger, and Jenkins passes that magic 300 pound threshold. He has not had a history of injury, and there is no reason to believe that he will not be a reliable bookend on the line.

DE Justin Harrell, 6'4", 320 pounds, two years experience, 12 tackles

Thus far, Harrell has been the Packers' biggest draft bust since Tony Mandarich (okay, since Jamaal Reynolds). Projected to be a late first round pick, Thompson, who claims to not believe in drafting for need, reached quite a ways to get him. Harrell had a history of injuries at Tennessee, and that has continued in both of his seasons in Green Bay.

To make matters worse, he is now projected to move to the end position even though the Packers need tackles and only two defensive linemen are heavier than Harrell. His time is running out to produce, and I see him being used in a rotation in both line positions. But I also do not see him having a significant impact, either.

DE Micheal Montgomery, 6'5", 273 pounds, five years experience, 59 tackles, 1 forced fumble

Montgomery was brought back for depth and because the price was right. His only significant action came in 2008 because of all the injuries, and he was solid as a fill-in. However, in my opinion he is too thin to handle the defensive end in a 3-4 and will do little but provide depth in the event of an injury and occasionally rotate in on passing downs.

DE Alfred Malone, 6'4", 312 pounds, one year experience, four tackles

Malone has the size to play the position, but he was another undrafted free agent in 2007, and has almost no experience. Nothing should be expected of him in 2009, but he may be able to play in spots even if the line is not ravaged by injury.

Other linemen in 2008 (Colin Cole, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, Jeremy Thompson, Jason Hunter, Aaron Kampman) combined for 118 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery returned for a touchdown

Cole signed for way more than he was worth in Seattle; Gbaja-Biamila was released mid-season. Thompson, Hunter, and Kampman have been moved to outside linebacker because they are too small to play defensive end in the 3-4 but are athletic enough to handle their new responsibilities; they will be covered in next week's look at linebackers.

However, I listed these stats because there are necessary to grade 2008: D. While many of the players performed better than expected, the injuries made the unit as a whole unproductive.

So what are the team's prospects for the near future? C-

There are too many questions at the nose tackle and only one defensive end who is dynamic enough to be a difference maker. Because Ted Thompson failed to provide more help at this position in free agency (everyone not surprised raise your hand...did you feel the change in the atmosphere from the millions of hands raised?), the draft is his only choice.

Many people are not paying attention to the fact that most of the defensive end talent in this year's draft is undersized and will not be able to stand up in a 3-4. There are two ends big enough to handle the position for the Packers, but neither is rated in the top ten, so they would be a reach with the ninth pick. This is the reason many Packers fans are looking for Thompson to trade down, where he can still get his guy and not overpay, plus get depth with later picks.

However, there is some question as to whether anyone but Raji (probably not available at the ninth pick) would provide the Packers much impact as a rookie. While Green Bay finished only 6-10 in 2008, they are closer to competing now than to rebuilding. Had the team not suffered so many injuries (as many as five defensive starters were out at one time), the defense would likely have been at least as good as in 2007, when it was in the top half of the league, rather than in the bottom quarter.

NT Ryan Pickett, 6'2", 330 pounds, nine years experience, 48 tackles, 1.5 sacks

Pickett is the Packers entire hope for the 3-4 unless they can draft or trade for someone else, because he is the only defensive tackle big enough to handle the responsibilities with any real playing experience. That is a lot to rest on anyone's shoulders, even ones so wide.

Pickett was solid in 2008, but not spectacular. He occupied blockers, but did not prevent teams from running up the middle the way Gilbert Brown used to. He is much more athletic than the Gravedigger was, but was really not a threat to get to the quarterback.

However, he will not be asked to pressure the quarterback in a 3-4, and he is good enough to push the pocket and get the occasional blocked pass. Three tackles a game is solid, and most of the opposition's success against Green Bay was in exploiting undersized or inexperienced defensive ends and linebackers. If the Packers can rest him on obvious passing downs and he stays healthy, he could just anchor Dom Capers' new scheme.

NT Anthony Toribio, 6'1", 304 pounds, one year experience

Toribio had as many tackles in 2008 as I did, and wrestling my dog down does not count. He was an undrafted free agent signed out of Carson-Newman...if you are like me, that is the first time you have heard of that school.

The fact that he currently resides second on the depth chart is downright scary. Add to that the fact that he does not appear to be big enough to handle the nose in a 3-4, and this position is in crisis. This is why I am calling on Ted Thompson to trade up to get B.J. Raji, who is the only lineman big and athletic enough to play this position immediately, and that is what the team should be looking for. Throw one of our four starting calibre safeties in to move up four or five spots...please!

NT Fred Bledsoe, 6'3", 329 pounds, one year on practice squad

Maybe Bledsoe was not even on the roster in 2008, but at least he has the size to play the position and was in a major college program (Arkansas).

DE Johnny Jolly, 6'3", 320 pounds, 49 tackles, 1 fumble recovered

Jolly played defensive tackle in 2008, and was the more athletic, pass-rushing compliment to Pickett. However, he was not as effective: teams were more likely to run at him, but he got only one more tackle. Conversely, he was not able to get a single sack, even though he did occasionally draw blocking help from a back.

Ultimately, I would expect him to be shifted back to tackle if the Packers do not add talent at the position. He might be a bit undersized for that role in a 3-4, but he is not going to make enough plays at defensive end. He would be perfect for the nose on passing downs.

DE Cullen Jenkins, 6'2", 305 pounds, six years experience, 13 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble

Jenkins went down in week five last year, and the defense never recovered. To that point, it was in the top half of the league, and finished in the bottom quarter. Jenkins was big enough to shut down the run and athletic enough to take advantage on passing downs when teams focused on Aaron Kampman.

In a 3-4, the defensive ends also have to be bigger, and Jenkins passes that magic 300 pound threshold. He has not had a history of injury, and there is no reason to believe that he will be a reliable bookend on the line.

DE Justin Harrell, 6'4", 320 pounds, two years experience, 12 tackles

Thus far, Harrell has been the Packers' biggest draft bust since Tony Mandarich. Projected to be a late first round pick, Thompson, who claims to not believe in drafting for need, reached quite a ways to get him. Harrell had a history of injuries at Tennessee, and that has continued in both of his seasons in Green Bay.

To make matters worse, he is now projected to move to the end position even though the Packers need tackles and only two defensive linemen are heavier than Harrell. His time is running out to produce, and I see him being used in a rotation in both line positions. But I also do not see him having a significant impact, either.

DE Micheal Montgomery, 6'5", 273 pounds, five years experience, 59 tackles, 1 forced fumble

Montgomery was brought back for depth and because the price was right. His only significant action came in 2008 because of all the injuries, and he was solid as a fill-in. However, in my opinion he is too thin to handle the defensive end in a 3-4 and will do little but provide depth in the event of an injury and occasionally rotate in on passing downs.

DE Alfred Malone, 6'4", 312 pounds, one year experience, four tackles

Malone has the size to play the position, but he was another undrafted free agent in 2007, and has almost no experience. Nothing should be expected of him in 2009, but he may be able to play in spots even if the line is not ravaged by injury.

Other linemen in 2008 (Colin Cole, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, Jeremy Thompson, Jason Hunter, Aaron Kampman) combined for 118 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery returned for a touchdown

Cole signed for way more than he was worth in Seattle, and Thompson left as well; Gbaja-Biamila was released mid-season. Hunter and Kampman have been moved to outside linebacker because they are too small to play defensive end in the 3-4 but are athletic enough to handle their new responsibilities; they will be covered in next week's look at linebackers.

However, I listed these stats because there are necessary to grade 2008: D. While many of the players performed better than expected, the injuries made the unit as a whole unproductive.

So what are the team's prospects for the near future? C-

There are too many questions at the nose tackle and only one defensive end who is dynamic enough to be a difference maker. Because Ted Thompson failed to provide more help at this position in free agency (everyone not surprised raise your hand...did you feel the change in the atmosphere from the millions of hands raised?), the draft is his only choice.

Many people are not paying attention to the fact that most of the defensive end talent in this year's draft is undersized and will not be able to stand up in a 3-4. There are two ends big enough to handle the position for the Packers, but neither is rated in the top ten, so they would be a reach with the ninth pick. This is the reason many Packers fans are looking for Thompson to trade down, where he can still get his guy and not overpay, plus get depth with later picks.

However, there is some question as to whether anyone but Raji (probably not available at the ninth pick) would provide the Packers much impact as a rookie. While Green Bay finished only 6-10 in 2008, they are closer to competing now than to rebuilding. Had the team not suffered so many injuries (as many as five defensive starters were out at one time), the defense would likely have been at least as good as in 2007, when it was in the top half of the league, rather than in the bottom quarter.

So why did I make this selection? There are a few reasons I will outline in more detail...

Because there was no option for trading the pick for an established lineman, nor to package picks to move up. There are better players, both in talent and in terms of fitting the Packers needs, but that was not an option made available to me.

Nor could I trade down to increase value. For instance, in the Bleacher Report mock draft, no one took Matthew Stafford. This is ridiculous, since he is one of the top three talents in the draft, and plays the most important position in the game because it is hard to find.

Detroit desperately needs a franchise QB. Oakland has to have questions about JaMarcus Russell. Kansas City only has Matt Cassell--who has only had one good year and did so with the second most talented receiving corps in the NFL--for one year. Seattle has an aging and more frequently injured Matt Hasselbeck...all of these teams should absolutely take Stafford if he is available, which he automatically is for Detroit.

If this were a real draft, I would have traded this pick to a team that was looking for a quarterback, getting an established defensive lineman for him. If nothing else, San Francisco (picking tenth) would have wanted Stafford, and I would have had no problems getting extra for the pick.

Because the Packers should be looking to fill immediate needs. Even though they went just 6-10 in 2008, this team finished 13-3 two seasons ago. The only major changes to the roster from that season are the loss of two defensive tackles and the quarterback.Since the guy stepping in at quarterback was productive taking over for a legend, there is reason to believe the Packers can be playing for now, not the future.

Perhaps no team was as affected by injuries as the Packers, and that is why they struggled. From the starters on defense alone, this team suffered the following players missing multiple games: Cullen Jenkins, Nick Barnett, Nick Collins, Al Harris, Ryan Pickett, and Atari Bigby. That's over half the defense and accounts for well over 30 total games missed.

Worse than that, it accounts for less than half of the total games missed on the roster when you add in offensive players and depth players on defense. Unless they expect the same problems (and the strength and conditioning coaches were all fired), they are built to win now.

Because the Packers need help on defense. The offense finished the year in the top ten in the league despite numerous injuries on the offensive line. There is no need to even consider drafting players at any offensive position other than line, tight end, and fullback to fill needs in the near future.

You can see a more detailed analysis of each position on other articles on both sites, with each of the following links going to the Bleacher Report posting of the articles to make it easier: quarterbacks, running backs, offensive line, and receivers. But you don't pick a fullback on the first day, and there are no dynamic tight ends in this year's draft.

The only defensive players in this draft who I believe are clearly better than Maybin are LB Aaron Curry and DT B.J. Raji; in both drafts, they were already gone.

Because the biggest needs on defense are the biggest players. The team is missing bodies on the line and at outside linebacker, where players have to get bigger in a 3-4 defense. This is all the more important in Green Bay and Chicago, where the playing surface gets slow in the winter and size dominates (a lesson Ron Wolf learned quickly).

Reports are that the Packers will be relying on Aaron Kampman, the Pro Bowl defensive end who has not played the position since college, at one of the outside linebacker positions. Right now, the other spot would be projected to be held by Brady Poppinga.

Poppinga has played defensive end at times in passing situations, but is not big enough (6'3", 247 lbs.) to handle those responsibilities in running situations. While OLBs in a 3-4 do not have to be as big as defensive ends in a 4-3, they should be over 250 lbs.

Moreover, Poppinga has not even been the Packers least impressive starting linebacker. The team is best served having him back up the corps, especially when this unit is so key to the success of the new defense being implemented.

To me, you take the best available player at a position you need. Because there is no one better at a defensive line or OLB position, Maybin is the man.

That being said, there are a number of players who could be considered. I believe OT, DT, DE, and OLB to be positions of need worthy of a top ten pick. Scouts, Inc., has Maybin listed as their 11th best player, so below are some of those ranked higher who were available to me in at least one of the mock drafts and reasons I did not pick them.

(Note: I believe Eugene Monroe was taken on both drafts, because a Bleacher Report writer who shall remain nameless to save any embarassment or ridicule so popular with flamers took someone named Eugene Moore (no position or school affiliation was listed). I know of no such player and while such a person may exist, there is no one of that name listed among Scouts, Inc.'s top 32 players.

However, while I think he is the best tackle in the draft, the reasons given for Andre Smith would apply to Monroe had he even been available. He might be better than the others, but not by enough to nullify the reasons given there.)

1. Jason Smith, OT, Baylor (available only on Bleacher Report): I see Smith as a great player, but he is certainly not going to be an upgrade in 2009 over Mark Tauscher, and as I have said, the goal should be someone who helps immediately. Thus, the Packers should re-sign Tauscher, who is only 31 and should have a few good years left in him. Ted Thompson claims the only reason he does not spend money in free agency is he wants that room to re-sign his own guys; the fact that the Packers have a franchise and transition tag left should make it that much easier.
2. Andre Smith, OT, Alabama (available only on MVN): I would not take this knucklehead if Tauscher signed elsewhere and all the other tackles were gone. In fact, the fact that he was picked, Matthew Stafford was not, and the misspelling of two players ahead of me at Bleacher Report frankly has me convinced that my colleagues on MVN know what they are doing better. Andre Smith is the guy who got himself suspended for the most important game of his college career, and may have cost Alabama their bowl game against Utah. He also could not decide whether hewanted to work out at the combine, was late, and then decided to disappear on his interview. No one wants someone they cannot depend on, especially when it is on the line. With two tackles a hair in front of him, a good bowl game and combine could have moved him to a top four pick.
3. Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State (available only on Bleacher Report): Scouts, Inc., ranks Jenkins 10th, one spot ahead of Maybin, and Mel Kiper has rather famously projected the Packers would pick him. However, Green Bay has two 2008 Pro Bowl cornerbacks returning for 2009, and while they are no spring chickens at 32 and 34, they are not going to drop off from elite to mediocre in one season, and as I have made clear, the Packers need to get a player this high who can help right now. Moreover, Green Bay is not even in need of a nickel back, as Tramon Williams filled in quite nicely during Al Harris' injury, and at 25 will only get better. Finally,Pat Lee was drafted in the second round last season to add depth to the backfield and should be returning from injury.

Since the only other players ranked higher were WR Michael Crabtree and QBs Matt Sanchez and Stafford, positions that are not only set for 2009 but well beyond, this really came down to Brian Orakpo vs. Maybin.

Both players were defensive ends in college but will be too small to play that position, especially in a 3-4. They are both athletic and seem to be the best fit for either a pass-rushing only DE in a 4-3 or OLB in a 3-4.

While the Big 12 is a clearly superior conference to the Big Ten (11), that is primarily for positions of athleticism, not size. Penn State also handled Ohio State's offense in the conference season better than Texas did in their bowl game, so I am not inclined to put much merit on the conference superiority.

The most specific grading I saw for the players was compiled by a team of analysts on ESPN.com. There was only one category he graded higher than Maybin (height-weight-speed--he is five pounds heavier), but six in which Maybin graded higher (durability, character, agility/quickness, instincts, pass rushing, run stopping). They were equal in the other three categories.

The most telling of these is durability: Maybin missed no games in two years, while Orakpo missed four due to a sprained knee; we do not need another Justin Harrell. The fact that he was only available on MVN and the writers making the selections there had already given reason to be more confident in their choices simply confirmed my preference all the more.