Off the Wall Predictions
OFF THE WALL PREDICTIONSby texaspackerbacker
Packer Pundit Guest Blogger
Let me preface this by saying, my big prediction last season was that Kevin Barry would start at Guard and whatshisname, the 6'9" guy who got cut would assume Barry's role in the U71. I further predicted that the 6'9" guy would catch at least one TD pass on the goal line. 
One guy I expect to shine this year is Marc Boerigter. He is the kind of tool Favre has seldom if ever had, a big McCaffrey-type wideout. Favre throws more passes than most QB's to receivers who have pulled up in a spot-- as opposed to running a pattern. Boerigter should be good for that. I also expect him to get some snaps as a deep threat tight end, like Shannon Sharpe at Denver. When the Safety has to start cheating up to stop the run, an opponent becomes vulnerable to a tight end deep over the middle. Donald Lee should get in on that action too.
I see lots of negativity in various forums regarding Will Whitticker. I'm predicting right here and now that Whitticker retains his starting spot and thrives in the zone blocking scheme. The guy is big, but he impressed me as very mobile also last season. One of the hallmarks of the zone blocking scheme is for linemen to get to the second level--find and neutralize linebackers. I see Whitticker doing this better than most.
I previously had Mark Roman pegged as being gone. I'm hereby upgrading him to bubble player. I'm not 100% sold on Marquand Manuel. He's a feast or famine-type of free agent, and he seems like a candidate for chronic nagging injuries--I hope I'm wrong about that. Roman just might come back with less pressure and an attitude to improve, and sneak in and do much better than last year--or not. Longshot rookies who could surprise:
Leo Bookman -- a big and scary fast wideout--if he can catch and can take coaching, he could beat out some people.
Montez Murphy -- a raw but big and fast free agent DE who could beat Kenny Peterson for the fourth DE spot.
Tyrone Culver -- a good size supposedly fast also Safety who could beat out some higher rated people.
Dave Tollefson -- a seventh round pick who I predict is converted to Strongside Linebacker, and ends up either on the injured list or practice squad, but with a chance for the future.
We'll see what happens, but this team is a lot more talented than a lot of negativists will admit, and if this coaching staff is as sharp as I hope they are, it could be a really good season.Copyright 2006 © texaspackerbacker and published on The Packer Pundit by permission
Published by PackerPundit On Monday, May 22, 2006 at 4:34 PM.
Off the wall predictions is right!
Boerigter won't catch more than 20 passes this season. He also isn't going to line up at TE at any point this season, although he could be used in the slot as a deep middle threat just as effectively as a TE.
Whitticker is not going to thrive in the zone blocking scheme, and I would venture to say he is very unlikely to be the starter at RG come opening day. The new coaching staff is giving everyone a fair shake, so his tenure from starting much of last season really doesn't hold much weight. There is a good amount of competition for that RG spot...Coston, Barry, Whit...I wouldn't be shocked to see Spitz get a look as well. I'm not negative on Whitticker...the guy is a 7th round pick who started his rookie year. That just doesn't happen much. He has the ability to play in the NFL, but he is far from a starting caliber player right now.
Roman has zero chance of doing any better than the last 2 years. He's slow of foot, slow of mind, and tackles like a grandma. Manuel showed a lot of ability last year in Seattle as a full-time starter on a team that went all the way to the Super Bowl. He's better than Roman...no question about it.
Another great Post Texas dide!
I really like Whittaker as well and I agree about the Roman stuff. Good observation of the Favre throwing to a spot analysis.
Pat
I'm with the leaper!
In addition to that, I don't think Bookman amounts to anything. Route running > speed in the WCO. My guess is he will be far from a polisher route runner.
Really amazing! Useful information. All the best.
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