The Packer Pundit

Mixed reviews
Opinions differ on Jones
By BOB McGINN / journalsentinel.com
Posted: May 5, 2007

"Jimmy Robinson told me that I reminded him of Anquan Boldin," said Jones, referring to the Packers' wide receivers coach. "But I'm not going to worry about playing like Anquan Boldin or Hines Ward. I'm going to play like James Jones."

Green Bay - Contrary to some draft-night impressions, the Green Bay Packers weren't guilty of a reach of epochal proportion with their selection of wide receiver James Jones in the middle of the third round. That might have been a little high given questions about Jones' speed and mental acuity. But, as scouts often say, if you really want a certain player you often must overpay to get him. Late last week, six personnel people with a national focus were asked what round Jones had been on their team's draft board. Three scouts said fourth round, two said fifth round and another refused to be more specific than "second day."

On the opposite end of the spectrum was Jim Gruden, a personnel consultant for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and an NFL scout for 23 years.
"I had him in the fourth but only because of his speed," Gruden said. "He kind of reminded me really of a young Sterling Sharpe. I hate to say that because I thought Sterling was great, but he's built like that. Real strong, physical kid. I think Green Bay got a good player, especially for the bad weather. I will be shocked if he's not." Sharpe measured 5 feet 11 1/4 inches, weighed 201 at the combine in 1988 and ran 40 yards in 4.54 and 4.49, according to the National and Blesto combines.

Jones, 6-0 3/4 and 210, ran 4.54 at the combine in February. The players that Jones has been told by Packers' coaches and scouts that he reminds them of are Arizona's Anquan Boldin (6-0 1/2, 215, 4.67) and Pittsburgh's Hines Ward (5-11 1/2, 215, 4.55). -- More



Rouse says height should work to his advantage
By TOM SILVERSTEIN / journalsentinel.com
Posted: May 5, 2007
Green Bay - Rookie safety Aaron Rouse stands head and shoulders above almost every player at his position in the National Football League, yet there are still questions about whether he can make it in the professional ranks. The Green Bay Packers' second of two third-round draft choices out of Virginia Tech stands 6 feet 4 inches and weights 225 pounds. He is tall and lean, in the mold of safeties such as Arizona's Adrian Wilson and Dallas' Ken Hamlin more than Pittsburgh's Troy Polamalu. In fact, the only safety taller than Rouse who played in the NFL last year was the Cowboys' Pat Watkins. Everyone else in the league was under 6-4, and most were in the 6-foot range.

"My height helps me out," Rouse said Saturday during a break in rookie orientation camp. "I can recognize the coverage better, I can recognize the backfield sets, not to mention my height alone takes away throwing lanes. If you just play with great leverage and great eyes and bending your knees, it's all right."

Many scouts drooled over Rouse's athletic talents but choked on his production last season with the Hokies. In his second season at safety, he was supposed to blossom into something special but instead regressed. The Packers liked what they saw from Rouse during his junior year, when he earned all-Atlantic Coast Conference honors and decided to take a chance on him with the 89th pick in the draft. In many ways, Rouse compares to Hamlin, the safety general manager Ted Thompson took with the 42nd pick in 2002 when he was with the Seattle Seahawks. -- More






Ex-Packers CB Carroll arrested
Associated Press
Posted: May 5, 2007
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Ahmad Carroll was arrested in Atlanta on weapon and drug charges early Saturday, authorities said. The 23-year-old Carroll, a first-round draft pick of the Green Bay Packers in 2004, was questioned by police after he was pointed out as someone involved in a disturbance at a restaurant, Atlanta police spokesman James Polite said. Polite said Carroll told police that he was carrying a 9mm pistol. Police then searched his car and found 11 pink tablets believed to be ecstasy. He was arrested and charged with carrying a weapon without a license, possession of drugs and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Carroll, an Atlanta native, was released on a $7,000 bond.