10/20/2007
Watching a test pattern
Thompson's drafts feature higher Wonderlic scores
By LORI NICKEL / journalsentinel.com
Posted: Oct. 19, 2007
Green Bay - The 2005 season represented many lows for the Green Bay Packers, including a 4-12 record, the team's worst in 14 years, and injuries that felled some of the best players. In addition, an investigation by the Wall Street Journal concluded that the Packers had the NFL's lowest average scores on the Wonderlic test. After that story, they were dubbed the dumbest team in the league. But, an intriguing coincidence has happened two years later: The 5-1 Packers have averaged higher Wonderlic scores. Green Bay general manager Ted Thompson, who fills out scouting reports just like everyone else on his staff, uses the Wonderlic along with other traditional benchmarks - the 40-yard dash, the bench press - to help him pick and chose players. And in the three years he's been in charge, he's been drafting players who are testing higher. [More]
Focused Lee
Provides prime target
Less than five months ago, when it became apparent Donald Lee had risen to the top of the Green Bay Packers' depth chart, there was no way to predict he'd get the ball as often as any tight end in the Brett Favre era. General Manager Ted Thompson did little to address the position in the offseason, despite another disappointing season from Bubba Franks and David Martin's departure in free agency. In minicamp, it seemed Lee was slipping into a starting role mostly by default. But Lee has proven to be a different player this season than the one who played for two teams, four head coaches and four offensive coordinators in his first four NFL seasons, always the second or third option at his position behind the likes of Randy McMichael, Franks and Martin. "When (Lee) got here in March, his mind was made up: It's time to improve in the little things," Packers tight ends coach Ben McAdoo said this week. "How we catch the ball, and not just catching the ball; and how we run routes, and not just running the right route. And he's done a lot of the little things well, and he's worked hard at it, paying attention to detail, and I think when you do that, that's when the talent shows up in the production." [More]
Denver will have a Rockies-Packers doubleheader
With the Colorado Rockies making it to the World Series, that means Game 5 — if the Series goes five games — will be played in Denver on Monday, Oct. 29. That's the same night the Packers are scheduled to play the Broncos at Invesco Field in Denver. So, the Broncos asked the NFL if the game against the Packers could be moved to Sunday, Oct. 28, according to the Denver Post. The NFL said no. The only time the league changes dates is when there are two events booked into the same stadium. The Rockies play at Coors Field, which is 2 miles away from Invesco Field. Game 5 of the Series would start at 7 p.m. Central time. The Packers and Broncos kick off at 7:30 p.m. Central time. Jim Saccomano, the Broncos' vice president of public relations, explained their thinking to the Denver paper: "We approached the NFL about it because we're open to options. We understand many of our fans are Rockies fans as well, and it may not be possible for everybody to watch both games. But it is going to be a great night for Denver sports fans." [Story]
Thompson's drafts feature higher Wonderlic scores
By LORI NICKEL / journalsentinel.com
Posted: Oct. 19, 2007
Green Bay - The 2005 season represented many lows for the Green Bay Packers, including a 4-12 record, the team's worst in 14 years, and injuries that felled some of the best players. In addition, an investigation by the Wall Street Journal concluded that the Packers had the NFL's lowest average scores on the Wonderlic test. After that story, they were dubbed the dumbest team in the league. But, an intriguing coincidence has happened two years later: The 5-1 Packers have averaged higher Wonderlic scores. Green Bay general manager Ted Thompson, who fills out scouting reports just like everyone else on his staff, uses the Wonderlic along with other traditional benchmarks - the 40-yard dash, the bench press - to help him pick and chose players. And in the three years he's been in charge, he's been drafting players who are testing higher. [More] Focused Lee
Provides prime target
Less than five months ago, when it became apparent Donald Lee had risen to the top of the Green Bay Packers' depth chart, there was no way to predict he'd get the ball as often as any tight end in the Brett Favre era. General Manager Ted Thompson did little to address the position in the offseason, despite another disappointing season from Bubba Franks and David Martin's departure in free agency. In minicamp, it seemed Lee was slipping into a starting role mostly by default. But Lee has proven to be a different player this season than the one who played for two teams, four head coaches and four offensive coordinators in his first four NFL seasons, always the second or third option at his position behind the likes of Randy McMichael, Franks and Martin. "When (Lee) got here in March, his mind was made up: It's time to improve in the little things," Packers tight ends coach Ben McAdoo said this week. "How we catch the ball, and not just catching the ball; and how we run routes, and not just running the right route. And he's done a lot of the little things well, and he's worked hard at it, paying attention to detail, and I think when you do that, that's when the talent shows up in the production." [More] Denver will have a Rockies-Packers doubleheader
With the Colorado Rockies making it to the World Series, that means Game 5 — if the Series goes five games — will be played in Denver on Monday, Oct. 29. That's the same night the Packers are scheduled to play the Broncos at Invesco Field in Denver. So, the Broncos asked the NFL if the game against the Packers could be moved to Sunday, Oct. 28, according to the Denver Post. The NFL said no. The only time the league changes dates is when there are two events booked into the same stadium. The Rockies play at Coors Field, which is 2 miles away from Invesco Field. Game 5 of the Series would start at 7 p.m. Central time. The Packers and Broncos kick off at 7:30 p.m. Central time. Jim Saccomano, the Broncos' vice president of public relations, explained their thinking to the Denver paper: "We approached the NFL about it because we're open to options. We understand many of our fans are Rockies fans as well, and it may not be possible for everybody to watch both games. But it is going to be a great night for Denver sports fans." [Story]
Published by PackerPundit On Saturday, October 20, 2007 at 6:38 AM.
0 Responses to “10/20/2007”
Post a Comment