cowboyjoe
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another good read i think, again, would be super if we find a low round gem that the writer is trying to get the packers to look at; i bolded whom we know and who i liked; give your thoughts too;
Prospects receive closer look
Team keeps eye on unheralded players
By Tom Silverstein of the Journal Sentinel
Under general manager Ted Thompson, the Packers have saved most of those visits for players they are eyeing in the late rounds or as free-agent signees. By bringing in those players, they figure it gives them an advantage when calls go out to free agents right after the draft because the players are familiar with Green Bay's organization.
Among the players they visited with and ended up signing last year were linebacker Danny Lansanah, tight end Mike Peterson, punter Kenny DeBauche and wide receiver Brett Swain. Lansanah and Swain are still on the roster.
Another player they brought in was running back Tim Hightower, who landed with Arizona and ended up taking away playing time from Edgerrin James.
This year, the Packers have visited with and worked out privately a number of interesting prospects, most of whom didn't go to the scouting combine and won't be pocketing big signing bonuses.
Here's list of them derived from league sources:
OT SEBASTIAN VOLLMER, 6-8, 312, Houston - Began playing football at age 14 in hometown of Düsseldorf, Germany. Spoke almost no English when he came to United States in 2005 to accept scholarship offer. Converted tight end who became starter on the offensive line as a senior. Missed his entire junior season after major back surgery. Earned all-Conference USA honors last season as a left tackle, but might have to play right tackle in the NFL. Didn't attend the combine but at his pro day he reportedly ran a 5.1-second 40-yard dash, had a broad jump of 9 feet 3 inches and registered an impressive 36½-inch vertical. Visited at least 10 teams before the draft, including Packers. Mid-round pick.
G LANCE LOUIS, 6-2½, 300, San Diego State - Former teammate of Packers WR Brett Swain's. Started out as a tight end, tore his left anterior cruciate knee ligament in 2006 and played at right guard his junior season. Caught 15 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown as tight end. Moved to right tackle in '08 and started every game. Phenomenal athlete who reportedly ran the 40-yard dash in 4.76 seconds, performed 30 reps in the bench press and had a vertical jump of 30 inches at his pro day. Visited Packers. Late-round pick. I remember reading about this guy, he might be a super sleeper!
DE/OLB LeDARIUS ANTHONY, 6-4, 262, Arkansas-Pine Bluff - Second team all-SWAC. Better junior season (66 tackles, 10 sacks) than senior season (62 tackles, 5½ sacks), but opponents were more aware of him last season. During his junior season, played with a broken thumb on his left hand and a broken right hand for two games before having the injuries properly diagnosed. Projects to a possible 3-4 outside linebacker. Had personal workout with Packers on campus. Probable free agent.Anyone know is speed?
TE/H-back ZACH MILLER, 6-3½, 233, Nebraska-Omaha - Enrolled at Nebraska in '03 but transferred after one season. Outstanding athlete who played quarterback and became the starter in '06. Will be looked at as a tight end in the pros. Overall, threw for 4,009 yards and 26 TDS with 22 INTs and ran for 3,122 yards and 50 TDs. Reportedly ran the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds and posted a 37½-inch vertical jump and 10-4 broad jump in pro day workout. Late round pick or free agent.
DT/DE TY STEINKUHLER, 6-3, 285, Nebraska - Son of former Nebraska and Houston Oilers tackle Dean Steinkuhler. Projected as an end in a 3-4 defense. Had 42 tackles, including six for loss, and 1½ sacks last season. Bothered by injuries as a junior and had just 13 tackles. Reportedly ran a 4.92 in the 40, had a 31-inch vertical jump and performed 23 reps on the bench press. Visited Packers. Late pick or free agent.
QB-Wildcat JULIAN EDELMAN, 5-11, 195, Kent State - Junior college transfer who was second in the conference in rushing with 1,370 yards and 13 touchdowns in '08. Threw for 1,820 yards and 13 TDs with 11 INTs. Completed just 55.6% of his passes. Suffered broken arm and partially torn posterior cruciate knee ligament in '07. Has drawn considerable interest as a possible wide receiver or special teams player. Packers worked him out at pro day. Free agent.This guy we read about, he will be drafted in my mind;
S JOSHUA THOMPSON, 6-2, 215, Louisiana-Monroe - Led all Sun Belt defensive backs and had eight pass breakups in '08. Played a rover position and would be a strong safety in the NFL. Missed all but three games of junior season with a shoulder injury. Sun Belt honorable mention as a sophomore. Lost appeal to NCAA for additional season of eligibility. Packers worked him out on campus. Free agent.
OLB JASON WILLIAMS , 6-1, 241, Western Illinois - Former high school quarterback who started out at safety in college and wound up at outside linebacker. Terrific athlete who blazed the 40-yard dash in 4.49 seconds and posted a 39-inch vertical leap. Finished with an NCAA record 14 forced fumbles. Can run like the wind but will have to learn how the position is played and rely less on his athletic ability. Visited the Packers. Possible mid-round pick.
CB JASON McCOURTY, 5-10½, 193, Rutgers - Ran the 40-yard dash in 4.3 seconds in his pro day workout. Twin brother redshirted and will come out next year. Became a starter during the middle of his sophomore season. Managed only two interceptions. Will need refinement in cover skills but has the tools to play in the NFL. Might be able to contribute right away as a returner. Visited Packers. Late-round pick or free agent.
CB GREG TOLER, 5-11, 191, St. Paul's (Va.) - Led CIAA with six interceptions and also blocked three kicks. Has return potential. Reportedly ran the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds at his pro day. Had vertical jump of 33½. Almost a dozen teams brought him in for visits, including the Packers, in order to find out more about him. Late-round pick or free agent.
FB JEROME JOHNSON, 6-0, 256 pounds, Nevada - Brother Jeremiah played RB at Oregon and is in the draft. Started at inside and outside linebacker during his time at Nevada but pros wanted to see him at fullback, a position he considers his most natural. Could be a big thumper. Reportedly ran a 4.7-second 40-yard dash. Visited the Packers. Probable free agent.
DE/OLB JOE LARDINOIS, 6-4, 262, North Dakota State - Attended Green Bay Notre Dame High School. Tall, lanky defender with pretty decent sack numbers. Over the past two seasons totaled 13½ sacks and 24 tackles for loss. Projected to play outside linebacker. Free agent. Visited Packers.
OT T.J. LANG, 6-4, 316, Eastern Michigan - Started his last 26 games at left tackle. Started out on defense and had 16 tackles and two blocked kicks before moving to the offensive line in '06. Was first a right tackle but eventually moved to the left. Made all-conference as a senior. Probably will have to play inside in the pros. Visited the Packers. Middle to late pick.
WR KOLE HECKENDORF, 6-2, 191, North Dakota State - Brother played baseball at UW-Oshkosh and father played football at UW-La Crosse. Grew up in Mosinee. Caught 178 passes for 2,732 yards (15.3 average) and 17 touchdowns. Visited Packers. Possible free agent.
DT VAUGHN MARTIN, 6-3, 331, Western Ontario - Born in Jamaica and raised in Toronto and London, Martin tried to play football in the U.S. but had trouble getting his transcripts accepted and played at Western Ontario. Last season, he played mostly at defensive tackle, but also filled in at end. Probably is better suited for nose tackle in a 3-4. He had 36 tackles, 3½ sacks and 7½ tackles for loss last season. Also served as a blocker in short yardage plays. Visited Packers and had private workout at school. Late-round pick or free agent.[/B we read about this guy too; he will be drafted
]
DE/OLB HENRY MELTON, 6-4, 269, Texas - Started out as a running back at Texas and scored 10 touchdowns in two seasons. Moved to defensive end his junior season and didn't earn a starting job until his senior season. Didn't have a lot of success as an end. Had four sacks in 2008. Projects more as a 3-4 outside linebacker. Reportedly ran a 4.64 at his pro day, which is one reason he's drawing attention. Visited Packers. Late round pick or free agent. boy oh boy if this guy could play fullback woohoo
S MIKE MITCHELL, 6-0, 220, Ohio - Big safety who runs well. Reportedly was clocked at 4.43 in the 40-yard dash at his pro day. Injured his hamstring and ran only once. Also had a 37½-inch vertical jump. Mitchell had 62 tackles, three interceptions, a half-sack, 4½ tackles for loss, five pass breakups and two forced fumbles. Visited Packers. Middle- or late-round pick.
i dont know too much about this guy, but have been reading some later reports on him, anyone know about him?
Prospects receive closer look
Team keeps eye on unheralded players
By Tom Silverstein of the Journal Sentinel
Under general manager Ted Thompson, the Packers have saved most of those visits for players they are eyeing in the late rounds or as free-agent signees. By bringing in those players, they figure it gives them an advantage when calls go out to free agents right after the draft because the players are familiar with Green Bay's organization.
Among the players they visited with and ended up signing last year were linebacker Danny Lansanah, tight end Mike Peterson, punter Kenny DeBauche and wide receiver Brett Swain. Lansanah and Swain are still on the roster.
Another player they brought in was running back Tim Hightower, who landed with Arizona and ended up taking away playing time from Edgerrin James.
This year, the Packers have visited with and worked out privately a number of interesting prospects, most of whom didn't go to the scouting combine and won't be pocketing big signing bonuses.
Here's list of them derived from league sources:
OT SEBASTIAN VOLLMER, 6-8, 312, Houston - Began playing football at age 14 in hometown of Düsseldorf, Germany. Spoke almost no English when he came to United States in 2005 to accept scholarship offer. Converted tight end who became starter on the offensive line as a senior. Missed his entire junior season after major back surgery. Earned all-Conference USA honors last season as a left tackle, but might have to play right tackle in the NFL. Didn't attend the combine but at his pro day he reportedly ran a 5.1-second 40-yard dash, had a broad jump of 9 feet 3 inches and registered an impressive 36½-inch vertical. Visited at least 10 teams before the draft, including Packers. Mid-round pick.
G LANCE LOUIS, 6-2½, 300, San Diego State - Former teammate of Packers WR Brett Swain's. Started out as a tight end, tore his left anterior cruciate knee ligament in 2006 and played at right guard his junior season. Caught 15 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown as tight end. Moved to right tackle in '08 and started every game. Phenomenal athlete who reportedly ran the 40-yard dash in 4.76 seconds, performed 30 reps in the bench press and had a vertical jump of 30 inches at his pro day. Visited Packers. Late-round pick. I remember reading about this guy, he might be a super sleeper!
DE/OLB LeDARIUS ANTHONY, 6-4, 262, Arkansas-Pine Bluff - Second team all-SWAC. Better junior season (66 tackles, 10 sacks) than senior season (62 tackles, 5½ sacks), but opponents were more aware of him last season. During his junior season, played with a broken thumb on his left hand and a broken right hand for two games before having the injuries properly diagnosed. Projects to a possible 3-4 outside linebacker. Had personal workout with Packers on campus. Probable free agent.Anyone know is speed?
TE/H-back ZACH MILLER, 6-3½, 233, Nebraska-Omaha - Enrolled at Nebraska in '03 but transferred after one season. Outstanding athlete who played quarterback and became the starter in '06. Will be looked at as a tight end in the pros. Overall, threw for 4,009 yards and 26 TDS with 22 INTs and ran for 3,122 yards and 50 TDs. Reportedly ran the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds and posted a 37½-inch vertical jump and 10-4 broad jump in pro day workout. Late round pick or free agent.
DT/DE TY STEINKUHLER, 6-3, 285, Nebraska - Son of former Nebraska and Houston Oilers tackle Dean Steinkuhler. Projected as an end in a 3-4 defense. Had 42 tackles, including six for loss, and 1½ sacks last season. Bothered by injuries as a junior and had just 13 tackles. Reportedly ran a 4.92 in the 40, had a 31-inch vertical jump and performed 23 reps on the bench press. Visited Packers. Late pick or free agent.
QB-Wildcat JULIAN EDELMAN, 5-11, 195, Kent State - Junior college transfer who was second in the conference in rushing with 1,370 yards and 13 touchdowns in '08. Threw for 1,820 yards and 13 TDs with 11 INTs. Completed just 55.6% of his passes. Suffered broken arm and partially torn posterior cruciate knee ligament in '07. Has drawn considerable interest as a possible wide receiver or special teams player. Packers worked him out at pro day. Free agent.This guy we read about, he will be drafted in my mind;
S JOSHUA THOMPSON, 6-2, 215, Louisiana-Monroe - Led all Sun Belt defensive backs and had eight pass breakups in '08. Played a rover position and would be a strong safety in the NFL. Missed all but three games of junior season with a shoulder injury. Sun Belt honorable mention as a sophomore. Lost appeal to NCAA for additional season of eligibility. Packers worked him out on campus. Free agent.
OLB JASON WILLIAMS , 6-1, 241, Western Illinois - Former high school quarterback who started out at safety in college and wound up at outside linebacker. Terrific athlete who blazed the 40-yard dash in 4.49 seconds and posted a 39-inch vertical leap. Finished with an NCAA record 14 forced fumbles. Can run like the wind but will have to learn how the position is played and rely less on his athletic ability. Visited the Packers. Possible mid-round pick.
CB JASON McCOURTY, 5-10½, 193, Rutgers - Ran the 40-yard dash in 4.3 seconds in his pro day workout. Twin brother redshirted and will come out next year. Became a starter during the middle of his sophomore season. Managed only two interceptions. Will need refinement in cover skills but has the tools to play in the NFL. Might be able to contribute right away as a returner. Visited Packers. Late-round pick or free agent.
CB GREG TOLER, 5-11, 191, St. Paul's (Va.) - Led CIAA with six interceptions and also blocked three kicks. Has return potential. Reportedly ran the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds at his pro day. Had vertical jump of 33½. Almost a dozen teams brought him in for visits, including the Packers, in order to find out more about him. Late-round pick or free agent.
FB JEROME JOHNSON, 6-0, 256 pounds, Nevada - Brother Jeremiah played RB at Oregon and is in the draft. Started at inside and outside linebacker during his time at Nevada but pros wanted to see him at fullback, a position he considers his most natural. Could be a big thumper. Reportedly ran a 4.7-second 40-yard dash. Visited the Packers. Probable free agent.
DE/OLB JOE LARDINOIS, 6-4, 262, North Dakota State - Attended Green Bay Notre Dame High School. Tall, lanky defender with pretty decent sack numbers. Over the past two seasons totaled 13½ sacks and 24 tackles for loss. Projected to play outside linebacker. Free agent. Visited Packers.
OT T.J. LANG, 6-4, 316, Eastern Michigan - Started his last 26 games at left tackle. Started out on defense and had 16 tackles and two blocked kicks before moving to the offensive line in '06. Was first a right tackle but eventually moved to the left. Made all-conference as a senior. Probably will have to play inside in the pros. Visited the Packers. Middle to late pick.
WR KOLE HECKENDORF, 6-2, 191, North Dakota State - Brother played baseball at UW-Oshkosh and father played football at UW-La Crosse. Grew up in Mosinee. Caught 178 passes for 2,732 yards (15.3 average) and 17 touchdowns. Visited Packers. Possible free agent.
DT VAUGHN MARTIN, 6-3, 331, Western Ontario - Born in Jamaica and raised in Toronto and London, Martin tried to play football in the U.S. but had trouble getting his transcripts accepted and played at Western Ontario. Last season, he played mostly at defensive tackle, but also filled in at end. Probably is better suited for nose tackle in a 3-4. He had 36 tackles, 3½ sacks and 7½ tackles for loss last season. Also served as a blocker in short yardage plays. Visited Packers and had private workout at school. Late-round pick or free agent.[/B we read about this guy too; he will be drafted
]
DE/OLB HENRY MELTON, 6-4, 269, Texas - Started out as a running back at Texas and scored 10 touchdowns in two seasons. Moved to defensive end his junior season and didn't earn a starting job until his senior season. Didn't have a lot of success as an end. Had four sacks in 2008. Projects more as a 3-4 outside linebacker. Reportedly ran a 4.64 at his pro day, which is one reason he's drawing attention. Visited Packers. Late round pick or free agent. boy oh boy if this guy could play fullback woohoo
S MIKE MITCHELL, 6-0, 220, Ohio - Big safety who runs well. Reportedly was clocked at 4.43 in the 40-yard dash at his pro day. Injured his hamstring and ran only once. Also had a 37½-inch vertical jump. Mitchell had 62 tackles, three interceptions, a half-sack, 4½ tackles for loss, five pass breakups and two forced fumbles. Visited Packers. Middle- or late-round pick.
i dont know too much about this guy, but have been reading some later reports on him, anyone know about him?