For the next week (and then some), we’ll be talking defense.

It’s crucial that the Green Bay Packers upgrade on this side of the ball. While the defense did many good things last season, the first in the new 3-4 scheme, it is still lacking in some facets. The Packers must [...]]]> So, we’re back from our ever-so-brief Easter sabbatical.

For the next week (and then some), we’ll be talking defense.

It’s crucial that the Green Bay Packers upgrade on this side of the ball. While the defense did many good things last season, the first in the new 3-4 scheme, it is still lacking in some facets. The Packers must find more depth at corner, safety and defensive line (as of now, they’re kind of screwed if something happens to one of their four key guys at that position). And while we at OBOD love Brad Jones’ potential, some think the Pack might want to find an outside linebacker with some more upside to pair with Clay Matthews.

The only area that clearly doesn’t need to be addressed is inside linebacker. Nick Barnett, Brandon Chillar, A.J. Hawk and Desmond Bishop form a highly competent (and highly paid) quartet. As such, that will be the one position we will not discuss in our defensive series.

The first position we will address is cornerback. Again, the Packers are set at the top with Charles Woodson and Tramon Williams. Al Harris, provided he can fully return from his massive knee injury, should be fine, as well. But long-term solutions must be found. Woodson and Harris aren’t getting any younger and, outside of Williams, the future is littered with question marks (Pat Lee, Brandon Underwood) and, well, Jarrett Bush (barf).

So, who are some players who could help make the future at corner a little clearer? Well, let’s take a look (and we’ll be back later today with some more corners, in case you were wondering).

• Kyle Wilson, Boise State

The numbers: 5-feet, 10-inches, 186 pounds…turns 23 years old in May…4.43 40-yard dash time at his pro day in March…first team All WAC and second team All American in 2009…42 tackles, three interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) and one sack in 2009…11 interceptions in his final three years at Boise State.

What he does that could work for the Packers: First thing’s first: This guy is a playmaker (look at his numbers). He’s also extremely multi-faceted in terms of what styles he can play as he’s good in both zone and man coverage (good because the Packers run both). His aggressive nature is complimented by excellent recovery skills. And he can close on the ball quickly, which would put him right at home in Green Bay’s secondary. 

What he doesn’t do that could hurt the Packers: His height is not what you would call ideal, especially when you consider the Packers’ distaste in smaller corners. While confidence is indeed a good thing, Wilson tends to be overly so at times; in the NFL, that can lead to a lot of big gains surrendered, good recovery time or not. He’s also not overly fast.

Final thoughts: Wilson’s ability to play zone and man coverage puts him far ahead of the curve before he’s ever played an NFL down. And those playmaking skills – oh yeah, he also returned three punts for scores - would give Green Bay not just another dangerous corner, but another dangerous player in general. But I just can’t see the Packers going with someone that small as it would mark a major change in philosophy for them on defense. Still, if they find him too intriguing to pass up, he’ll be there at pick No. 23.  

• Devin McCourty, Rutgers

The numbers: 5-feet, 11-inches, 190 pounds…turns 23 years old in August…4.38 40-yard dash time at the combine…first team All Big East in 2009…74 tackles, one interception and 10 passes defended in 2009…six interceptions for his career at Rutgers.

What he does that could work for the Packers: McCourty compliments his elite speed with solid fundamentals. His footwork is very good, as is his ability to turn his hips and run with receivers. Like Wilson, he’s got excellent recovery skills. He obviously knows how to tackle, something Green Bay’s defense needs more of across the board. To use a baseball term, McCourty’s a good clubhouse guy. He’s a hard worker who assumed a leadership role for Rutgers.

What he doesn’t do that could hurt the Packers: The fact that he only had one pick last season leaves something to be desired in the playmaking department. His natural ball skills are not completely developed yet, either. He’s had his share of struggles matching up with bigger wideouts – not good when you consider that receivers seem to get bigger each and every year in the NFL.

Final thoughts: When you look at McCourty, the phrase “solid, if not spectacular” comes to mind. He’s got all the basics down pat, but there’s likely another gear he’ll never hit. Still, even if he’s lacking major upside, his ability to tackle and avoid being overly aggressive could make him a solid second round pick for Green Bay – if he’s still on the board, that is.

• Patrick Robinson, Florida State

The numbers: 5-feet, 11-inches, 193 pounds…turns 23 years old in September…4.46 40-yard dash time at the combine (improved it to 4.40 at his pro day in March)…second team All ACC in 2009…46 tackles, no interceptions, 10 passes defended in 2009…seven interceptions over his final three years at Florida State.

What he does that could work for the Packers: Think of all the raw skills a corner can have. Well, Robinson pretty much has them all. He’s fast and strong, with excellent footwork and leaping ability. His quick hips allow him to run with receivers and, even if he’s beat initially, he’s more than able to recover. He’s got solid ball skills and brings a nasty demeanor with him in press coverage (his specialty).

What he doesn’t do that could hurt the Packers: His production leaves something to be desired, as he was more than inconsistent in college (six picks as a sophomore in 2007, but just one after that). His package of skills sometimes causes him to be too confident in himself, which has led to numerous big plays allowed. While his ball skills are solid, his overall awareness lacks at times and must be improved.

Final thoughts: Anyone who’s drafting Robinson is doing so in the hopes that they can get him to fully reach his potential. If they can, they could end up with a top-flight corner. If they can’t, he could be a bust of Ahmad Carroll-like proportions. In other words, he’s the exact opposite of McCourty. Also, yes, Robinson’s good in man coverage, but how does that play on a defense that runs a mix of both? He’s likely a second round pick and while his upside is intriguing, his potential downside should keep the Packers away.

Again, we’ll be back later today with some more of the top corners.

-Chris Lempesis

Untangling the situation at cornerback is not far behind, though.

Now it is true that Green Bay is better off at corner than o-line as of right now. Still, age, injuries and unknowns permeate the group and the Packers must [...]]]> Sorting out the mess along the offensive line must be the Green Bay Packers’ top priority this offseason.

Untangling the situation at cornerback is not far behind, though.

Now it is true that Green Bay is better off at corner than o-line as of right now. Still, age, injuries and unknowns permeate the group and the Packers must find a way to ensure some stability there, especially for the good of the team’s long-term success.

Currently, Green Bay has nine – that’s right, nine – corners who either are or could be in the fold for next season. Of that group, only 26-year old Tramon Williams has a better than decent chance to be as a starter five years from now (provided the team finally sucks it up and gives him a new contract, which I think it will do soon).

Charles Woodson, obviously, is still playing at an elite level – that little Defensive Player of the Year trophy proves that. With the way he takes care of himself, he should definitely be a starter for at least the next couple of years (maybe longer if the team moves him to safety, which some think will surely happen eventually). That said, he turns 34 in October and the injury risks increase exponentially with each passing year. Plus, as great as his 2009 season was, it’s really hard to imagine Woodson playing any better than that ever again. I’m not trying to put a damper on what he just accomplished and I’m not saying he won’t be very good again next season; rather, I’m saying that, sometimes, you have to recognize the top of the mountain when you’re on it.

Al Harris is even older, set to turn 36 in December. On top of that, he’s coming off a major, major knee injury (even worse than we originally thought, as seen here). Harris is notoriously tough and, like Woodson, does a great job of keeping in shape. I’ve said before he’ll be back next season and I’m sticking to that. Still, no one really knows what Al Harris is going to show up. Remember, he’s never been the fastest corner and if he loses too many more steps, that could be a wrap for him.

If something were to happen to either one of these two, the Packers would still be okay because, again, they have Williams. But what if something were to happen to both guys? Furthermore, who plays opposite Williams when Harris and Woodson are enjoying their respective retirements?

Pat Lee? The guy who’s played exactly five NFL games (all coming in his rookie season) in two years? Sure, Lee has looked decent enough in training camp and the preseason games – and he was a second-round pick in ‘08 – but back and knee injuries have forced him to end each season on injured reserve. Plus, he was drafted for the old bump-and-run scheme. No one knows how he will fit in having to play more zone coverage.

Will Blackmon? If injuries have hampered Lee, they’ve killed Blackmon, causing him to miss 31 of a possible 64 regular season games throughout his four-year career. Again like Lee, Blackmon has shown some definite ability (extra points since he’s shown it during games that actually count) at the position. And it’s true that he can be a deadly punt returner. But this only happens when he stays healthy – and that’s just not something he’s been able to do. This is why I think he should not be offered any sort of tender. You’re already hoping one guy (Lee) can stay healthy. You can’t afford to have that hope for two guys. Remember, teams usually only carry six – in some cases, seven – corners on the roster.

To paraphrase the tried-and-true informercial line: But wait, it gets worse.

How? Jarrett Bush is still on the roster, that’s how. I’m seriously not going to waste much more time talking about how awful he is. Go back and watch the tape – if you stomach will allow it.

Then there’s Brandon Underwood. The team seems to be at least somewhat high on his abilities, but at this point he’s nothing more than a back-end corner – a sixth or seventh guy, at best.

Josh Bell was signed later in the year and did little of anything and Trevor Ford is likely just a career practice squad player.

When you add it all up, you get a picture of a group that is indeed talented and top heavy, but a group that could easily be brought down by an injury or two (as we saw in the Pittsburgh game and the wild card loss to Arizona). The Packers must reinforce this group in the offseason.

Since we’re solutions-oriented here at OBOD, I’ll give you my thoughts on how the Packers should go about doing that:

• Before you do anything else, cut Bush and end this nightmare once and for all.
• Do not bother bringing Blackmon and Bell back. Ford can again be on the practice squad. 
• Try like hell to sign San Francisco’s Dre Bly in free agency. As I’ve said before on this site, it’s true that Bly is set to turn 33 in May and can tend to take too many chances. But he also recorded three picks and 13 passes defended last season in a 3-4 scheme. Also, his gambling nature wouldn’t hurt him as much considering he’d be the third or fourth corner, depending on how quickly Harris heals and can shake the rust off. Plus, at his age, you could probably get him for one year at $2 million.
• Use your second round pick on the best corner available, perhaps Rutgers’ Devin McCourty or Florida State’s Patrick Robinson. Don’t worry about the fact that both are under 6-feet tall. Instead, focus on the fact that both can really cover.

By doing this, the corner group would look something like this: Woodson, Harris, Williams, Bly, the second round pick, Lee and Underwood. Bly gives you the short-term insurance needed if something happens to Woodson and/or Harris. Plus, he’d allow the Packers the chance to really observe Lee, the rookie and Underwood in non-pressure situations to determine who is best suited to be the long-term option. If something happens to Bly, you’ve got those same three youngsters and you’d have to think one of them could do the job.

Yes, signing Bly and taking a corner in round two would be to dump even more money/high picks into a position filled with money/high picks. But when you consider how badly the position needs to be upgraded – and how good the defense could be if the reinforcements at corner arrive – it’s not too high a price to pay.

What do you think, fans? What would you do at corner next season? Comment, baby, comment!

-Chris Lempesis