The Packer Pundit

3rd Round Pick 91
TE Jermichael Finley / Texas

Positives: Has a lanky frame with tapered muscles and can probably add another 20 pounds of bulk without the added weight affecting his overall quickness...Long strider who builds his acceleration, getting into his patterns with no wasted motion...Has the functional lateral movement to work across the middle and shows good plant-and-drive agility in transition...Can separate underneath better than in the open field, showing good flexibility to adjust to the ball in flight...Plays with good emotion and, while a bit too talkative at times, he takes well to hard coaching...Has been mostly durable throughout his career...Turns on the ball quickly when the quarterback is pressured and uses his size well to shield defenders...Showed marked improvement reading defenses as a junior, doing a nice job of finding and settling into the zone's soft area...Has large, natural hands, with good timing and arm extension to compete for the ball at its high point...Shows no flinch going up for the ball in a crowd...Very fluid getting his head and body adjusted to make off-target catches and has good balance to keep his feet in bounds when working near the sideline...Has good quickness in his release, using his hands forcefully to beat the press...Can avoid contact and separate after the catch but doesn't have the speed to beat defenders in the open...Needs to be more crisp in his long routes (soft angles), but does a nice job of uncovering and sitting down underneath...Better cut blocker than when working in-line, as he is better making hits on the move (can get pushed back when trying to anchor)...Still needs route refinement, but has improved adjusting his patterns to get open...Shows the ball skills to position, extend and pluck the ball outside his frame...Above-average leaper who has no problem high-pointing the ball...Can break some arm tackles, but is best when he executes head fakes to escape after the catch...Has very good balance to track the ball in flight.

Negatives: Marginal blocker who lacks the strength to anchor and gets too narrow in his base, allowing edge rushers to slip off his attempts to sustain (has some hip stiffness)...Also ineffective blocking in-line, as he lacks the lower-body strength to prevent bull rushers from pushing him back into the pocket (must do a better job of sliding his feet and using his hands, as his technique work and lack of power gets him in trouble)...Has minimal amount of starting experience and needs to mature, both physically and mentally before he can contribute at the next level...Has adequate timed speed, but does not show the second gear to separate after the catch...Has a decent short-area burst, but will need to add more bulk and strength, as he does not always generate good yardage after the catch (will try to break arm tackles rather than elude, as he is still trying to develop the savvy moves needed to get open consistently)...Will sometimes lean into or out of his breaks...Will "double catch" or trap the ball in a crowd, resulting in drops.

Compares To: RANDY McMICHAEL-St. Louis...Some compare him to Browns' tight end Kellen Winslow, but Finley lacks the burst and explosion off the snap that Winslow displays when eating up the defender's cushion. Finley will bring instant value in a double-tight end package, as he can line up in the slot, wide or in motion. He lacks the bulk and strength to be a punishing blocker, but has the frame to eventually develop. He might have the best hands of any tight end in this draft.

4th Round Pick 102
DE Jeremy Thompson / Wake Forrest

Positives: Has adequate upper body muscle thickness, well-developed arms, tight midsection and adequate thighs...Has the strength to anchor and hold ground at the point of attack vs. double team activity...Shows good initial quickness off the snap and is effective at squeezing the edge to close on the pocket...Shows good balance in chasing down outside running plays...Shows good body control in his over-all movements, as he demonstrates the balance needed to easily bend and maneuver in traffic...Gives good effort and plays the cut blocks well, using his hands to keep the opponent off his legs...Flows to the ball with good flexibility and has no balance issues when needed to change direction in an instant...Smart player who has no problems with digesting a complicated playbook...Makes quick reads and reaction to pressure, but needs to be more alert to ball location...Practices and plays hard, showing both effort and purpose...Can handle tough coaching...Has a quick first step, showing a good feel for blocks and the ability to play the run from a wide alignment...Can extend and lock on to his opponent and squeeze down the line of scrimmage...Keeps his outside arm free for leverage and generally plays with a low pad level...Shows power and extension, with the ability to sink his hips and roll them for power, especially when taking on tight ends....Has the functional strength to anchor and neutralize at the point of attack, using his hands well when trying to stack...Good wrap-up tackler who will also make the effort-type hits...Still a work in progress, but showed improved press, rip-and-push and pull moves as a senior than he did his first three seasons...Usually shows good hand position to grab and hold on to the blocker...Despite lacking a massive frame, he plays with a good anchor and wide base and has the foot speed to scrape down the line of scrimmage...On the move, he can redirect when pushing the outside run, taking proper angles to neutralize the cutback action...Might be a decent fit as a linebacker, as he is not the type who will bite on misdirection and gets a good read on the quarterback when dropping back to play in the zone...Has room on his frame to add more bulk without it affecting his overall quickness...With his arm length and hand strength, he is effective at combating blockers trying to attack his body.

Negatives: Has good change of direction agility when he stays low in his pads, but his frame does get tall at times, causing him to look sluggish trying to turn the corner...Needs a clear lane to get to the quarterback and is not known for generating much pressure in his backside action (just one QB hurry for his career)...Lacks the strength and power to bull rush...Plays hard, but is an inconsistent competitor who will take plays off and his stamina affects his play late in games...Shows good extension at the point-of-attack, but stays engaged with his opponent too long...Struggles to shed blocks at times, as he gets caught up too much in the battle, losing sight of the ball...Has the ability to plant his foot and redirect with burst, but will round off his cuts at times...Struggles to sink his hips and hold the point-of-attack in one-on-one confrontations...Can sit in the gap, but is late to shed...Wraps up and drags down the ballcarrier rather than dropping his hips and exploding with his legs...Lacks quickness off the edge, making him generally too late to pressure the pocket...Displays an inconsistent motor and manages his game poorly... Lacks size and strength to hold the point for very long...Mostly plays the gaps, slanting and using his shoulder to hold the point...Uses a single stiff arm to press offensive tackles' shoulders to get upfield, but lacks the ability to turn his hips and flatten to the quarterback...Needs to maintain a low pad level to be effective, but he gets too tall in his stance, letting blockers wash him off the snap...Must learn how to slip through and avoid blockers rather than stay there and battle them throughout the play.

Compares To: JASON BABIN-Seattle...Thompson had an efficient senior season and while he plays with a good motor, he is just marginal when it comes to locating the ball. Some teams feel that his lateral agility and foot speed are better suited for linebacker. But he is a situational player, at best. He fails to impact the pocket much and has just one QB pressure in 46 games. He gets too caught up in the one-one-one battles and needs to learn that there are times you must avoid blockers rather than engaging them.

4th Round Pick 135
G Josh Sitton / Central Florida

BIOGRAPHY: Full-time starter the past three seasons after seeing action with the first team as a freshman. All-Conference selection as a senior.

POSITIVES: Nice-sized college tackle who.s at his best in a small area. Plays with good quickness, keeps his feet moving, and stays square. Makes effective use of angles, walls opponents from the action with good body positioning, and strong at the point. Jolts opponents at the point with good hand-punch.

NEGATIVES: Struggles sliding out laterally and displays limited blocking range. Tends to lean on opponents and rarely finishes blocks.

ANALYSIS: Sitton is a heavy-footed small-area blocker with intriguing size. His natural strength gives him an advantage, but he must immediately pick up the pace of his game and learn to do the little things well.

5th Round Pick 150
T Breno Giacomini / Louisville

Positives: Has a developing frame that needs at least a good year in the training room to fully develop, but he can add at least another 25 pounds of bulk without the weight affecting his timed speed...Has a thick lower body with good calf and thigh development, but does need to show better knee bend...Lacks technique and upper body strength, but did a good job of using his size to lean into and occupy defenders...Has rare timed speed for an offensive tackle and moves around well for a big man, especially when getting into the second level...Needs to stay lower in his pads, but has a good concept for taking angles and did a very good job of stalking second-level defenders the later stages of 2007...Has good, light feet in his kick slide and does a good job of playing off edge rushers, keeping good position to prevent backside pursuit...Shows good mental awareness and is a smart player who has lined up at multiple positions, as he picks up things well and rarely blows an assignment...An above-average student in the classroom, he is starting to develop good nastiness, staying after blocks and finishing with aggression...Has shown a quick burst off the snap and good relationship with the guard and tight end to execute combo blocks working in-line...Has been described as the nastiest offensive lineman on the team and will not hesitate to get after defenders, even after the whistle...Possesses outstanding football character and is a hard worker in the weight room who does extra work on his own...Switched positions multiple times without a complaint and responds well to tough coaching...Has explosive initial quickness, as he gets out of his stance in time and changes directions well for a player his size...Shows good foot quickness, as his nimble feet allow him to move well in the open field and in his kick-slide...Can be a little lethargic, at times, but has good feet overall for a big man...When he uses his hands to lock on and control, he can ride the defender wide with adequate leg drive...Has the big hands and long arms to reach out and keep defenders off his outside shoulder...With his natural hands, he could be an inviting target on tackle-eligible plays.

Negatives: Has had a rapid weight growth the last two years, but still has not developed neck and trapezoid muscles and has thin hips. That sometimes affect his anchor, as he does not sink his pads well, leaving him higher in his stance, which results in bull rushers having success driving him back into the pocket...Because of his tall stance, he flashes just adequate knee-bend and is a bit of a waist-bender...Needs to improve his hand quickness, as he lacks functional strength with his punch...As an in-line blocker, he needs to show better shuffling agility, as he is not the type who can skate, lacking strong movement at the X's...Needs to roll his hips better, as he does not turn quick enough to get proper body position and placement...Works to stay after his blocks, but needs to sustain better, as defenders can slide off and often get in run-off mode vs. him when he fails to keep his hands active in attempts to get good placement...Has only adequate ability as a run blocker, as he lacks the leg drive and power to generate much movement in-line...Even when he bends at his knees, he must do a better job of exploding through his blocks better...Possesses only adequate ability to pull and trap, as he might get out of his stance and into space quickly, but his pad level is very high and he will lose balance on the move...Shows a tendency to get eluded and slipped by defenders when pulling or trapping...Must be quicker when trying to adjust to downfield movement...Has the ability to advance to the second-level well, but needs better body control at the point-of-attack (did show improvement taking angles later in the 2007 season)...Allows defenders to get underneath him at the second level...Has only adequate ability as a pass-blocker, as he does display light feet in his pass set, but his hands can be a little slow to get into the defender's body... Displays too much latch and lean with his athleticism and needs to be quicker with his hands to strike a blow rather than pushing and leaning into his man with his body...Works to keep his hands inside, but lacks the violent punch needed to deliver a good blow and takes too long to recoil.

Compares To: TYSON CLABO-Atlanta...Like the up-and-coming Clabo, Giacomini is still a work in progress and might need a year or two before he can contribute. But it is evident that he is a rare athlete with good speed and a developing frame. Put him in the weight room for a year, work on his zone blocking technique and along with his quickness, you could unearth a solid right tackle with good reach blocking skills. He's certainly worth a long look, as few tackles have his athletic ability. It is just experience and technique that he is lacking...Had a pre-game incident vs. Kentucky that leads to some questions about his maturity.



7th Round Pick 209
QB Matt Flynn / LSU

Overview
Matt Flynn was a top quarterback prospect coming out of the state of Texas and hoped to be the featured quarterback at LSU. He was listed third on the depth chart behind Marcus Randall and JaMarcus Russell during his freshman season with the Tigers.

Flynn again lost the battle for the starting job -- to Russell -- the following season, spending the 2005-06 campaigns as the caddy for the first choice in the 2007 NFL Draft. With Russell bolting a year early for the professional ranks, the senior passer was primed to take over full-time signal-calling duties in 2007.

A right ankle injury vs. Virginia Tech would sideline Flynn for the Middle Tennessee State clash in '07. Even before the injury, he saw some of his playing time deferred to Ryan Perrilloux. Even when Flynn returned to the lineup the following game, the coaching staff was so pleased with the performance of Perrilloux, they decided to alternate the two behind center, based on situations. A problem with that decision arose, as Flynn struggled to maintain his rhythm while shuttling in and out of the lineup.

At Robert E. Lee High School, Flynn was one of the top-rated quarterbacks in the state of Texas and ranked the No. 20 quarterback in the country by Tom Lemming's Prep Football Report and ESPN.com. He was a member of the Super Prep Texas 124 team, adding Dallas Morning News Texas Top 100 and the Tyler Morning Telegraph All-East Texas Football Team honors.

As a senior, he completed 124-of-206 passes for 1,679 yards and nine touchdowns with 305 yards rushing and 12 scores. He showed his dedication and toughness by leading the Red Raiders to a semifinal appearance in one of the toughest classifications in Texas despite playing his last four games with a broken foot.

As a junior, Flynn connected on 101-of-199 passes for 1,650 yards, 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He guided his team to a Class 5A playoff appearance, but lost to eventual state champion Mesquite.

Flynn enrolled at Louisiana State in 2003, spending the season performing on the scout team. Listed third on the depth chart at quarterback in '03, he spent most of that season as the holder for field goals and placements. He managed some playing time on offense (appeared at quarterback in four of 12 contests), hitting on 4-of-10 attempts for 99 yards and a touchdown.

As a sophomore, Flynn participated in 13 games, lining up at quarterback in seven of those games. He threw for 457 yards, seven touchdowns and an interception on 27-of-48 tries (56.2%). He earned his first career start vs. Miami in the Peach Bowl, earning Game MVP honors. In the North Texas clash, he became the first non-starter in school history to throw three touchdowns in a quarter.

In 2006, Flynn again served as the team's holder in all 13 games and appeared under center in 10 contests. He completed 12-of-20 passes (60.0%) for 133 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also rushed 13 times for 86 yards (6.6-yard average) and a score.

As a senior, Flynn started five of the team's first six games. An ankle injury in the second game vs. Virginia Tech would limit his mobility the rest of the season. He was successful on 202-of-359 throws (56.3%) for 2,407 yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He added four scores with 215 yards on 100 rushing attempts (2.2-yard average) and amassed 2,622 yards in total offense.

Flynn has appeared in a total of 50 games at Louisiana State, including 33 as a quarterback, starting 12 games at that position. He completed 245-of-437 passes (56.1%) for 3,096 yards, 30 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He carried 128 times for 340 yards (2.7-yard average) and five scores. On 565 plays, he amassed 3,436 yards in total offense. He fumbled three times and was sacked 35 times for losses totaling 258 yards.

Career Notes
Flynn's 2,407 yards passing in 2007 rank seventh on the school list behind Rohan Davey (3,347 in 2001), JaMarcus Russell (3,129 in 2006 and 2,443 in 2005), Matt Mauck (2,825 in 2003), Tommy Hodson (2,655 in 1989) and Jeff Wickersham (2,542 in 1983)...His 202 pass completions in 2007 rank fifth on LSU's single-season chart, topped by JaMarcus Russell (232 in 2006), Matt Mauck (229 in 2003), Rohan Davey (217 in 2001) and Jeff Wickersham (209 in 1985)...Only Rohan Davey (367 in 2001) attempted more passes in a season than Flynn's 2007 total of 359...His 21 touchdown passes in 2007 rank fourth on the Tigers' single-season list, surpassed by JaMarcus Russell (28 in 2006), Matt Mauck (28 in 2003) and Tommy Hodson (22 in 1989)...His average of 200.6 yards per game passing as a senior rank 10th on the school's annual record chart...Flynn came off the bench to throw three touchdowns in the fourth quarter of the 2005 North Texas game, becoming the first non-starter in school history to accomplish that feat in one quarter...Despite several turnovers down the stretch, he produced at least three touchdown passes in five of his final six games with the Tigers... Flynn's 353 yards passing vs. Alabama in 2007 rank 10th on the school's single-game list, the most by an LSU quarterback since Rohan Davey threw for 359 yards vs. Arkansas in 2001...His four touchdown passes vs. Ohio State in the 2008 BCS National Championship Game set a school bowl-game record.

High School
Attended Robert E. Lee (Tyler, Tex.) High School, playing football for head coach Mike Owens...One of the top-rated quarterbacks in the state of Texas and ranked the No. 20 quarterback in the country by Tom Lemming's Prep Football Report and ESPN.com...Member of the Super Prep Texas 124 team, adding Dallas Morning News Texas Top 100 and the Tyler Morning Telegraph All-East Texas Football Team honors...As a senior, he completed 124-of-206 passes for 1,679 yards and nine touchdowns while also displaying his ability on the ground with 305 yards rushing and 12 more scores...Showed his dedication and toughness by leading the Red Raiders to a semifinal appearance in one of the toughest classifications in Texas, despite playing his last four games with a broken foot...As a junior, Flynn connected on 101-of-199 passes for 1,650 yards, thirteen touch-downs and nine interceptions. That season, he guided his team to a Class 5A playoff appearance, but lost to eventual state champion Mesquite.



7th Round Pick 217
WR Brett Swain / San Diego State

No bio on Brett.

Yeah... he's that good!
Practice Squad... table for one!