As Matt LaFleur fills out his coaching staff
Cheap Dexter Williams Jersey , he’s added a few former NFL players to the Packers’ coaching lineup. New outside linebackers coach Mike Smith played under Mike Pettine in Baltimore. New wide receivers coach Alvis Whitted played for both the Jaguars and Raiders (and made a catch against the Packers in 2003). LaFleur even interviewed Wes Welker for a job, though his potential role in Green Bay wasn’t clear.That got us thinking about former Packers players who may be in need of a job. Whether it’s with the Packers or elsewhere, here are our suggestions for former players we’d like to see get a shot.Evan “Tex” Western -- Al Harris and William HendersonI’m probably cheating a bit by picking a couple of players, and I’m definitely cheating with my first pick. That’s because former Packers cornerback Al Harris is already a position coach in the NFL -- he has been coaching the Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive backs for the last six years, first as an assistant and then as the primary cornerbacks coach for the last three seasons. Harris was a technician as a Packer, and he provided one of the best individual plays in the team’s postseason history with his pick-six off Matt Hasselbeck in 2003. I’d love to see him back wearing Green and Gold on the sideline, especially since he’s got legitimate coaching experience.As for someone without any notable experience as a coach, I’m going with Henderson, who probably didn’t earn enough accolades for his excellent career as a fullback. Sure, his position is out of favor in today’s NFL, but the skills he brought to that position -- receiving, tough short-yardage running, and most importantly exceptional pass-blocking -- are still critical for modern-day tailbacks. Bringing Henderson in to work with Aaron Jones on protecting Aaron Rodgers, for example, sounds like a great idea, and his toughness would allow him to connect with a bruiser like Jamaal Williams.Jon Meerdink - James JonesIt was interesting to watch James Jones develop over the course of his career. Never an overwhelming athlete, Jones got by with positioning and understanding despite struggling with a very basic thing: catching the ball. In four of his first five seasons in the NFL, Jones caught less than 60% of the passes thrown his way. The problems even extended to the Super Bowl, where Jones dropped a tough but catchable ball that may have taken points off the board.Eventually, he turned it around. In all but his final NFL season, Jones was far more reliable and developed into a steady older presence, so much so that he was the Packers’ first call when Jordy Nelson went down with a knee injury in 2015. What changed? Focus and a lot of positive self-talk. ”During the game, I’m out there talking to myself saying things like, ‘Stay focused. Stay hungry. The ball’s gonna come. Aaron’s gonna throw it to the open guy,’ “ Jones said in 2012. “A lot of the players think I’m crazy.”Crazy or not, it worked, and it may be the kind of advice (along with whatever else Jones in to shed his problems with drops) that could be of use to other players. If nothing else, it’d be cool to have his hoodie back on an NFL sideline.Bob Fitch - Nick CollinsGreen Bay’s secondary has been in shambles ever since Collins injured his neck in 2011. Every time Collins got the ball in his hands - which was quite often
Dexter Williams Jersey Womens , with 21 career interceptions - he was looking to score. Quite often, he did! Do yourself a favor and watch his 9 minute tribute video and try not to cry at what could have been. Collins started every game in his career and was a special talent that was taken away from football too soon. The fit is perfect, too - in this 2014 article, he was quoted as saying he wants “to go into coaching. Just not right now.”. Well, Nick, I think the opportunity has arisen. He’s already doing some high school and youth coaching in Florida and as a Packer Hall of Famer is already beloved by Green Bay. Paul Noonan: Doug PedersonBrandon Jackson was on staff as a coaching intern, but I’m not sure if that is still the case. If he is, that’s great as he’s the best blocking back in team history and he has a lot to teach. That said, the obvious answer is former backup QB, Doug Pederson. The current leader of the defending champs is one of the most progressive, aggressive play-callers out there, and he’s been successful with widely varied levels of personnel, different quarterbacks, and a host of other challenges. I’m glad he’s had such success, I just wish it was with the Packers organization. Wendi Hansen: Reggie WhiteFifteen seasons, 13 consecutive Pro Bowls, 10 All-Pro nominations, 198 career sacks, and 232 games. The numbers speak for themselves, but despite his impeccable talent and skill on the field, Reggie White was one of the finest human beings to ever grace the green and gold uniform. I may be a little biased as he’s one of my favorite athletes of all time, but that aside, White would’ve made one hell of a coach. His love of the game - and the Packers organization - spoke volumes. He was smart, precise, dedicated and knew how to inspire his fellow teammates. The NFL Combine revealed some freak athletic performers who may have vaulted up Green Bay’s draft board."Like all NFL organizations, the Green Bay Packers cover all bases leading up to the NFL Draft by checking in with players of most positions in Combine interviews. With several areas of need, it is not surprising that the Packers’ brass was especially broad in setting up one-on-one meetings.Interestingly enough, Green Bay was very active in face-to-face conversations with prospective running backs. Josh Jacobs
Dexter Williams Green Bay Packers Jersey , who I listed last week as a player that might be the best available player when the Packers are on the clock, was one such prospect. Although Jacobs would be a surprise selection for Green Bay considering the young talent on the roster, it would be a pick that confirms the Packers’ long-adhered-to strategy to select the top player available on their board.As the news of Jacobs’ meeting with the Packers trickled down the pipeline, it made me wonder what other kinds of surprises could be in store for the Packers’ top three draft slots. With the NFL Combine in the rear-view mirror, here is one surprise and one logical choice for each of those picks.Pick No. 12The Logical: Montez Sweat, EDGE, Mississippi StateEven before the Combine, Sweat was in play for Green Bay. Now, the Packers drafting the Mississippi State product will be more of a question of whether or not he will fall to them.A staggering 4.42 forty, in addition to top-eight marks at the edge defender in the vertical jump, broad jump, three-cone drill, and 20-yard shuttle put Sweat into consideration for the first 10 picks. Green Bay has been rumored to be of particular interest in the free agency pool this offseason to solve its pass rushing woes, but turning down a freak athletic specimen like Sweat, who has produced significantly at the SEC level, would be difficult. And while Sweat might be a better fit as a 4-3 end, the Packers could be creative in how they line him up off the edge. A top-15 player who would also fill an area of need, Sweat is a relatively obvious choice if he makes it to number 12 overall.The Surprise: D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole MissSpeaking of athletic freaks, Metcalf posted his own 4.33 time in the 40-yard dash and is absolutely chiseled with just 1.9% body fat. With a vertical leap of 40.5” and an 11-foot-2” broad jump, Metcalf confirmed the athleticism he shows on tape. Very few prospects helped themselves as much as the former Rebel and Metcalf could work his way much higher than this.After drafting three receivers last year on the third day, Green Bay would be throwing a curveball in making Metcalf the 12th overall pick, especially with the team showing little interest in dealing for Antonio Brown. There is some risk with Metcalf as his Ole Miss career was set back by season-ending injuries twice in three seasons, but there is plenty of reason to believe that he could have been a consensus top-five selection had he stayed healthy. Few have the size-speed potential to free themselves down the field as Metcalf. While his teammate A.J. Brown may be a good fit for Green Bay due to his ability in the slot and outside, Metcalf would represent the home-run prospect many have pleaded for to help Aaron Rodgers and the new coaching staff.Pick No. 30The Logical: Irv Smith, TE, AlabamaThe former Alabama pass-catcher has taken a quiet seat behind Iowa’s duo of T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant in terms of Combine attention. But Smith was impressive in his own right and would be a consolation prize for Green Bay if the other top tight ends are off the board.There is no hiding that tight end is a position of need this offseason
Dexter Williams Jersey 2019 , even with Jimmy Graham’s return in 2019. The Packers must add numbers to the position and could turn toward the future with a player like Smith that can help immediately as a blocker while offering low 4.6 speed and route-running in the receiving game. His size is not overwhelming at just over 6’2,” but Smith was able to haul in 710 yards and seven touchdowns last season for the Crimson Tide.A good year for tight ends may give Green Bay the option to pick one up in the second and third days, but a talent like Smith in the first round would make a lot of sense.The Surprise: Dexter Lawrence, DT, ClemsonDepth along the defensive line is needed in Green Bay, but nose tackle is not necessarily an identified need. However, Ted Thompson and his staff never shied away from big, athletic linemen early in the draft and always said that there is a scarce number of those type of players. A Thompson disciple in Brian Gutekunst may see similarly.Even with Kenny Clark and Mike Daniels, the Packers might benefit from a B.j. Raji-type man in the middle of the defensive front that can help eat up blockers and assist the run defense. At the Combine, Lawrence turned in a 40-yard dash time of almost five seconds flat despite a 6’4,” 340-pound frame. A large wingspan and defensive lineman-best 36 reps in the bench press raised some eyebrows.While a quad injury arose for Lawrence in the workout and his positive performance-enhancing drug test prior to the National Championship Game looms large, the defensive tackle might have risen back up into first-round territory. It would be a minor surprise to see the Packers draft him and plug him immediately into the defense.Pick No. 44The Logical: Nasir Adderley, S, DelawareI brought up the Packers legacy just over a month ago as a fit for the Packers at free safety. A high ankle sprain kept Adderley out of on-field drills at the Combine, which may have prevented him from standing out to NFL scouts like Mississippi State’s Johnathan Abram did. But Adderley remains a legitimate option for Green Bay if he lasts until its second-round selection.Versatility, a trait the Packers covet, is a calling card for Adderley who can play in the slot or in center field. He’s physical and his small-school status should not hinder him in making a quick transition to the pro game. A turnover-creator, Adderley would fill the hole left by Ha Ha Clinton-Dix at a high-value draft slot.The Surprise: Darrell Henderson, RB, MemphisA running back in the second round would not be as stunning as in the first, but the Packers interviewed the dynamic Henderson at the Combine. Still, he would be a surprise and possible reach in the upper half of round two.The Memphis product is not Alvin Kamara, but he is a player that can create as a runner and receiver. Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams are more than capable of picking up the slack in terms of carries, but Henderson would give Green Bay the situational, package-specific weapon with home-run potential. An 8.9-yard average per carry over his last 344 attempts and 43 hand-offs of 15-plus yards signifies a potential game-changer. While Henderson carries risk in his game translating to the NFL level, he could be the kind of player that eventually keeps defenses off balance.