(The Green Bay Packers were off on Sunday. As such, the “Training Camp Stew” will return Monday night.)
Over the weekend, I was listening to a recent Bill Simmons podcast that he did with NFL Network’s Michael Lombardi. The two discussed Lombardi’s “Blue Chip Rankings” article he wrote for NFL.com. It’s a fascinating examination, if you haven’t yet read it.
Afterwards, I decided to check out his rankings for myself, specifically to focus on where he ranked certain Packers players and the team, as a whole.
Some background: Lombardi ranked the best players at each position as “blue chip.” Second-tier players were given “red chip” status. He only put a certain amount of players in each position/category.
Some of Lombardi’s rankings made sense; he was certainly off on some others, though.
Where was Lombardi correct?
His overall idea that quarterbacks, offensive tackles, defensive ends and outside linebackers are the most important players on a team was spot-on.
In terms of specific Packers, he was correct to give Aaron Rodgers, Greg Jennings, Jermichael Finley and Charles Woodson “blue chip” status. It was also nice to see him give Cullen Jenkins “red chip” status as Jenkins is usually overlooked by national analysts. Giving Nick Collins “red chip” status was one I wasn’t sure on, but I ultimately decided to agree with Lombardi there. There’s still another level Collins can reach.
He’s correct in not listing any Green Bay o-linemen in either category. Obviously, he’s right in doing the same for the team’s specialists. And, for as much as I like head coach Mike McCarthy, he’s certainly not worthy of elite status yet – something Lombardi did not give him.
Okay, now it’s time for the fun part – the part where I say how wrong he was in certain spots.
While he’s correct on QBs, OTs, DEs and OLBs being the most important spots on the field, he should have included one more: cornerback. With the ever-increasing emphasis on passing in the NFL, you could argue that a top-flight corner is every bit as important as a defensive end or outside linebacker. This is especially true late in the season when front-seven players tend to wear down significantly.
As for specific Packers, he made two glaring omissions: No Ryan Grant or Donald Driver anywhere on the list. Really, Mike?
I’m not saying Grant should have been in the “blue chip” category, because ultimately I don’t think he is. Grant, however, is a pretty good back who puts up good numbers – and doesn’t fumble the ball – while playing in a pass-heavy offense. Seriously, he included Knowshon Moreno and Darren Sproles in the “red chip” category, but not Grant. Huh?
His mistake on Driver is perhaps even worse.
Driver consistently puts up 1,000-plus yards receiving every season. He stays healthy and has shown to be really good with two different, albeit fantastic, quarterbacks. Miles Austin (one good season) and Calvin Johnson (one great year and two solid ones) were both placed in the “blue chip” category, while Sidney Rice (one good year with you-know-who) was placed in the “red chip” category. I’m sorry, but Driver is better than Austin and Rice. Johnson’s a freak, sure, but for now, he’s still more sizzle than steak. Can’t say the same about Driver.
And, if you’re only going to base things on potential and not long-term production, why was Clay Matthews only listed in the “red chip” category? I guess Lombardi didn’t see how much of a part Matthews played in the defense’s turnaround last year.
These last two names may put me in the “homer” category, but Ryan Pickett and Nick Barnett are both “red chip” players, in my mind. Not great, but certainly good – and very important – players.
Lombardi said, both in his article and the Simmons podcast, that he originally thought Green Bay would grade out higher, as a team (the Packers were just 15th in the team rankings, behind Denver and Carolina but above Tennessee). Well, if Lombardi had ranked things a bit more properly, the Packers would have. Seriously, he’s got the Redskins ranked higher, as a team.
Again, Lombardi was not completely off on his list. But some of his rankings just left me scratching my head.
What say you guys? Take a look at his rankings and give us your thoughts.
-Chris Lempesis
Very interesting. I don’t know enough about football across the NFL to comment if the rankings are correct, but I would say that it overweights previous known entities/success/fame and under rates developing/future potential.
The Packers are very heavy in the developing young players mode. A lot of the players the Pack is depending upon (Matthews, Raji etc.) really are not time-tested or proven. If they have a great season, the Packers will do well, but overall I would agree with Lombardi, the Packers need some things to work out in order for them to succeed. It makes for a very interesting season.