Packers zeroing in on Big LenDale at #5? - The Orange Mane

SoCalBronco · 01-08-2006, 10:59 PM

VINCE SOARING STRAIGHT TO TOP

By KEN PALMER
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VINCE YOUNG
Photo: WireImage
Email Archives
Print Reprint
VONAGE: Save big money on your phone bill. First month FREE!

January 8, 2006 -- GOAL-LINE STANDAFTER his ridiculous, record-breaking efforts in the Rose Bowl, Texas quarterback Vince Young prompted one scout to tell The Post that not only should Young turn pro, but also that he'd likely be the top pick in the draft.
"This is the best pure athlete I've ever seen play the game," the veteran NFL scout said on the condition of anonymity, per team rules. "He could definitely be better than [Michael] Vick."

The scout added that Young, 6-5, 233, needs work as a pure passer, but that if he goes to a team that could afford to sit him a year while he learns, he could be an all-time great.

Young, a Houston native, would be a logical pick for the Texans, who own the top pick and haven't exactly been thrilled with David Carr, who's due an $8 million roster bonus on March 1.

"I don't see how they could pass up the hometown kid if he comes out and then watch and see him become one of the biggest stars ever," the scout said.

Speaking of the talent level in the Rose Bowl, another scout said he believed there would be no fewer than 10 first-round picks in this coming draft who played in the Texas/USC National Championship Game.

SAINTS EYE PAYTON

The Saints are currently leaning toward naming former Giants offensive coordinator and Cowboys assistant head coach Sean Payton as their new head coach. Payton, who's been with Dallas the last three years after a four-year stint in New York, is clearly the front-runner for the vacant New Orleans position.

GIANT CONTINGENCY

A lengthy postseason run by Big Blue could severely damage the head-coaching chances for Giants defensive coordinator Tim Lewis, since clubs like the Rams and Lions would have to wait to hire him until the Giants' season came to a close. However, one Giants source insists as much as the team likes Lewis, it would be just fine if Lewis bolted and, as rumored, New York brought in Dom Capers. Recently fired after four seasons as the Texans coach, Capers spent two years (1999, 2000) as Tom Coughlin's defensive coordinator in Jacksonville.

EAGLE AIDE STAYIN'

One assistant coach who's not planning to go anywhere is Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson. He turned down an invitation to interview with the Rams about their vacancy. An Eagles source told The Post that the 64-year-old Johnson is plenty content to remain a coordinator and isn't interested in taking on all the challenges that a head-coaching gig would entail.

BACK TO SCHOOL

One league official suggested that former Lions coach Steve Mariucci would be better suited to return to the college game, where he was the head coach at California a decade ago. The official likened Mariucci to Pete Carroll of USC and stated that Mariucci would be wise to follow in Carroll's footsteps.

"He's too close with his players,'" the official said. "His coaching system and style just doesn't work in the pro game."

THE RIGHT QB

With Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger both starting in playoff games today almost two years after they were drafted, The Post visited with five non-Giants/non-Pittsburgh league officials and the unanimous belief was that the Giants did the right thing by trading up to the top spot for Manning instead of keeping their fourth pick or trading down and choosing Roethlisberger.

"Listen, Big Ben's got a lot more wins, but he's on a better team and has more experience," one source insisted. "I still would definitely rather have Eli for the long-term."

CAT'S COMIN' ON

The Giants secondary is going to have to worry about checking more than just Steve Smith this afternoon. The Panthers have been working Drew Carter into the mix a lot more. Carter, their second-year receiver out of Ohio State, has been taking more and more reps from fellow second-year man Keary Colbert, on whom the Panthers have soured a bit lately.

TOP SEEDS HEALTHY

For anybody hoping for any breaks next week in Seattle and Chicago, you can forget about it. Both the Seahawks and the Bears are expected to be fully healthy by next weekend. The Bears will welcome the return of safety Mike Brown, who sat out the last three games with an injured calf. The 'Hawks will regain the services of cornerback Andre Dyson, who missed the season finale with an ankle injury.

LAMBEAU LENDALE?

A Packers source told The Post that the club is already enamored with USC running back LenDale White and that he would certainly not make it past Green Bay, which has the fifth pick in the upcoming draft. Following a 124-yard, three-TD title tilt performance, White has impressed league scouts enough that it appears almost certain that he'll be the second running back taken behind teammate Reggie Bush

http://www.nypost.com/sports/61205.htm

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Son of a b****. Between the damn ForeSkins and that Rose Bowl performance, looks like we dont even have a shot in hell at LenDale White. It is interesting to see these rumors about teams like the Texans already sold on Bush and the Pack on White despite neither club having a head coach. Smokescreens then? On the other hand, those two GMs run the show anyway.

meangene · 01-09-2006, 03:14 AM

Yeah, that Rose Bowl really put White in the spotlight. I didn't want him to play THAT well. Still, #5 seems a little high for his rating right now. You never know but I really don't see him lasting until our pick now. On the other hand, that could slide a DE down to us and the WR group is better with Jackson and Lee. If there is fire in the Ricky Williams rumors then it won't matter anyway. I personally prefer Dayne.

SpringStein · 01-09-2006, 04:45 AM

The bowl games open the eyes of fans, but scouts already know a lot about their opinions on players before hand. I had heard that several scouts didn't see White making it out of the top 10 prior to the Rose Bowl.

So much speculation at this point it's hard to know what is fire or smoke.

Hercules Rockefeller · 01-09-2006, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalBronco

Speaking of the talent level in the Rose Bowl, another scout said he believed there would be no fewer than 10 first-round picks in this coming draft who played in the Texas/USC National Championship Game.

Young
Huff
Wright
Scott

Leinart
Bush
White
Justice
Bing

Who am I forgeting?

Billy Clyde Puckett · 01-09-2006, 05:17 AM

John L Smith is on a one year leash at Michigan State - lots of pressure to fire him this year due to the collapse of the team. If he does not turn it around, Mooch will be the new coach there. Mooch has no intention of coaching this year unless a really great situation is presented. Wants to take the year off and relax.

Rascal · 01-09-2006, 07:40 AM

Blaylock or Griffin?

27atwater · 01-09-2006, 07:53 AM

This IS a good thing. we were never getting him anyways, BUT here is what it does for us. Assuming the top 5 go: Bush, VY, Lienart, AJ Hawk and Lendale...hoping anyways, Mario COULD slip far enough for us to have a legit shot at trading up for him...if that's what we wanted to do. I'm partial to moving back a bit, but IF he is the guy we covet, he could be had. The key to this scenario are the Jets. They may take hawk, or even a guy like Ferguson instead. The 6th pick belongs to SF who could go O or D...especially if ferguson IS there for them. Either way, They need so much, they're prolly willing to trade down for more pix. That's where we roll in...just before oakland.

meangene · 01-09-2006, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 27atwater

This IS a good thing. we were never getting him anyways, BUT here is what it does for us. Assuming the top 5 go: Bush, VY, Lienart, AJ Hawk and Lendale...hoping anyways, Mario COULD slip far enough for us to have a legit shot at trading up for him...if that's what we wanted to do. I'm partial to moving back a bit, but IF he is the guy we covet, he could be had. The key to this scenario are the Jets. They may take hawk, or even a guy like Ferguson instead. The 6th pick belongs to SF who could go O or D...especially if ferguson IS there for them. Either way, They need so much, they're prolly willing to trade down for more pix. That's where we roll in...just before oakland.

I like it and it makes sense for SF.

Rascal · 01-09-2006, 07:59 AM

Wow.

If the Packers select Lendell White that would be awesome. I expected them to take either Mario Williams or AJ Hawk. Unfortunately I think the Faid take the other one as the 49'ers will probably go offense as they need a playmaker there.

Heck if Bush and White are both taken I don't see much of an offensive playmaker left so we could probably trade both of our first for the 49'ers pick and get Mario Williams if the faid don't (assuming faid win pick). I would be estatic with that.

RocBronc · 01-09-2006, 08:06 AM

I've always been a huge White fan... At the beginning of this year before Bush took his play to a new level, I thought White was the better pro prospect. If he comes out I expect him to be a top 10 draft pick.

WABronco · 01-09-2006, 11:15 AM

Man, the Pack would be crazy to take LenDale. He's a good player and all, but they need AJ Hawk like nobodies business...

Don't they have Samkon Gado anyways? What am I missing?

But, we were never gonna have a shot at him when it was all said and done.

27atwater · 01-09-2006, 11:24 AM

samkon got injured too.

Broncoman13 · 01-09-2006, 11:48 AM

I still stand by my comments that Lendale will be a better pro than Reggie.

Call me crazy, but I see the first 5 looking like this:

Houston- VY
Saints- Leinart
Titants- Trade down... RAIDERS acquire Bush. I know this sounds crazy b/c of Jordan, but don't put it past Al!
Jets- Take D'Brick
Packers- Lendale

No matter how it shakes down the Raiders are going to get a player in this draft. If they stay put chances are they take either Ngata or Williams...

Broncoman13 · 01-09-2006, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WABronco

Man, the Pack would be crazy to take LenDale. He's a good player and all, but they need AJ Hawk like nobodies business...

Don't they have Samkon Gado anyways? What am I missing?

But, we were never gonna have a shot at him when it was all said and done.

Ahman Green is coming back from an Injury... same with Gado, and many in the Packers circle say they didn't see enough of him to really determine if he could be the featured back for an entire season. IMO, they are going to be sitting pretty at RB, even if they don't draft White.

01-08-2006, 10:59 PM	#1
SoCalBronco Nixonite Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Arcadia, CA Posts: 33,288 Adopt-a-Bronco: D.J. Williams	Packers zeroing in on Big LenDale at #5? VINCE SOARING STRAIGHT TO TOP By KEN PALMER -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VINCE YOUNG Photo: WireImage Email Archives Print Reprint VONAGE: Save big money on your phone bill. First month FREE! January 8, 2006 -- GOAL-LINE STANDAFTER his ridiculous, record-breaking efforts in the Rose Bowl, Texas quarterback Vince Young prompted one scout to tell The Post that not only should Young turn pro, but also that he'd likely be the top pick in the draft. "This is the best pure athlete I've ever seen play the game," the veteran NFL scout said on the condition of anonymity, per team rules. "He could definitely be better than [Michael] Vick." The scout added that Young, 6-5, 233, needs work as a pure passer, but that if he goes to a team that could afford to sit him a year while he learns, he could be an all-time great. Young, a Houston native, would be a logical pick for the Texans, who own the top pick and haven't exactly been thrilled with David Carr, who's due an $8 million roster bonus on March 1. "I don't see how they could pass up the hometown kid if he comes out and then watch and see him become one of the biggest stars ever," the scout said. Speaking of the talent level in the Rose Bowl, another scout said he believed there would be no fewer than 10 first-round picks in this coming draft who played in the Texas/USC National Championship Game. SAINTS EYE PAYTON The Saints are currently leaning toward naming former Giants offensive coordinator and Cowboys assistant head coach Sean Payton as their new head coach. Payton, who's been with Dallas the last three years after a four-year stint in New York, is clearly the front-runner for the vacant New Orleans position. GIANT CONTINGENCY A lengthy postseason run by Big Blue could severely damage the head-coaching chances for Giants defensive coordinator Tim Lewis, since clubs like the Rams and Lions would have to wait to hire him until the Giants' season came to a close. However, one Giants source insists as much as the team likes Lewis, it would be just fine if Lewis bolted and, as rumored, New York brought in Dom Capers. Recently fired after four seasons as the Texans coach, Capers spent two years (1999, 2000) as Tom Coughlin's defensive coordinator in Jacksonville. EAGLE AIDE STAYIN' One assistant coach who's not planning to go anywhere is Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson. He turned down an invitation to interview with the Rams about their vacancy. An Eagles source told The Post that the 64-year-old Johnson is plenty content to remain a coordinator and isn't interested in taking on all the challenges that a head-coaching gig would entail. BACK TO SCHOOL One league official suggested that former Lions coach Steve Mariucci would be better suited to return to the college game, where he was the head coach at California a decade ago. The official likened Mariucci to Pete Carroll of USC and stated that Mariucci would be wise to follow in Carroll's footsteps. "He's too close with his players,'" the official said. "His coaching system and style just doesn't work in the pro game." THE RIGHT QB With Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger both starting in playoff games today almost two years after they were drafted, The Post visited with five non-Giants/non-Pittsburgh league officials and the unanimous belief was that the Giants did the right thing by trading up to the top spot for Manning instead of keeping their fourth pick or trading down and choosing Roethlisberger. "Listen, Big Ben's got a lot more wins, but he's on a better team and has more experience," one source insisted. "I still would definitely rather have Eli for the long-term." CAT'S COMIN' ON The Giants secondary is going to have to worry about checking more than just Steve Smith this afternoon. The Panthers have been working Drew Carter into the mix a lot more. Carter, their second-year receiver out of Ohio State, has been taking more and more reps from fellow second-year man Keary Colbert, on whom the Panthers have soured a bit lately. TOP SEEDS HEALTHY For anybody hoping for any breaks next week in Seattle and Chicago, you can forget about it. Both the Seahawks and the Bears are expected to be fully healthy by next weekend. The Bears will welcome the return of safety Mike Brown, who sat out the last three games with an injured calf. The 'Hawks will regain the services of cornerback Andre Dyson, who missed the season finale with an ankle injury. LAMBEAU LENDALE? A Packers source told The Post that the club is already enamored with USC running back LenDale White and that he would certainly not make it past Green Bay, which has the fifth pick in the upcoming draft. Following a 124-yard, three-TD title tilt performance, White has impressed league scouts enough that it appears almost certain that he'll be the second running back taken behind teammate Reggie Bush http://www.nypost.com/sports/61205.htm -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Son of a b**. Between the damn ForeSkins and that Rose Bowl performance, looks like we dont even have a shot in hell at LenDale White. It is interesting to see these rumors about teams like the Texans already sold on Bush and the Pack on White despite neither club having a head coach. Smokescreens then? On the other hand, those two GMs run the show anyway. __________________ ITS A PLAYOFF HOCKEY NIGHT IN PITTSBURGH!**

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

01-09-2006, 03:14 AM	#2
meangene Ring of Famer Offseason Mode Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 2,075	Yeah, that Rose Bowl really put White in the spotlight. I didn't want him to play THAT well. Still, #5 seems a little high for his rating right now. You never know but I really don't see him lasting until our pick now. On the other hand, that could slide a DE down to us and the WR group is better with Jackson and Lee. If there is fire in the Ricky Williams rumors then it won't matter anyway. I personally prefer Dayne.

01-09-2006, 04:45 AM	#3
SpringStein Ring of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Monument, CO Posts: 2,733	The bowl games open the eyes of fans, but scouts already know a lot about their opinions on players before hand. I had heard that several scouts didn't see White making it out of the top 10 prior to the Rose Bowl. So much speculation at this point it's hard to know what is fire or smoke.

01-09-2006, 05:17 AM	#5
Billy Clyde Puckett Billy=Semi Tough Big Guy Looking down on KC, SD and Oakland Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: between 5,000 and 10,000 feet elevation Posts: 12,665 Adopt-a-Bronco: John Elway	John L Smith is on a one year leash at Michigan State - lots of pressure to fire him this year due to the collapse of the team. If he does not turn it around, Mooch will be the new coach there. Mooch has no intention of coaching this year unless a really great situation is presented. Wants to take the year off and relax.

01-09-2006, 07:40 AM	#6
Rascal RIP Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 16,581 Adopt-a-Bronco: Turf	Blaylock or Griffin?

01-09-2006, 07:53 AM	#7
27atwater THANK U! sphincter says "what"? Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Sharon, Pa Posts: 1,594	This IS a good thing. we were never getting him anyways, BUT here is what it does for us. Assuming the top 5 go: Bush, VY, Lienart, AJ Hawk and Lendale...hoping anyways, Mario COULD slip far enough for us to have a legit shot at trading up for him...if that's what we wanted to do. I'm partial to moving back a bit, but IF he is the guy we covet, he could be had. The key to this scenario are the Jets. They may take hawk, or even a guy like Ferguson instead. The 6th pick belongs to SF who could go O or D...especially if ferguson IS there for them. Either way, They need so much, they're prolly willing to trade down for more pix. That's where we roll in...just before oakland.

01-09-2006, 07:59 AM	#9
Rascal RIP Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 16,581 Adopt-a-Bronco: Turf	Wow. If the Packers select Lendell White that would be awesome. I expected them to take either Mario Williams or AJ Hawk. Unfortunately I think the Faid take the other one as the 49'ers will probably go offense as they need a playmaker there. Heck if Bush and White are both taken I don't see much of an offensive playmaker left so we could probably trade both of our first for the 49'ers pick and get Mario Williams if the faid don't (assuming faid win pick). I would be estatic with that.

01-09-2006, 08:06 AM	#10
RocBronc Pro Bowler Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 540	I've always been a huge White fan... At the beginning of this year before Bush took his play to a new level, I thought White was the better pro prospect. If he comes out I expect him to be a top 10 draft pick.

01-09-2006, 11:15 AM	#11
WABronco WE SUCK AGAIN All dat force Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Denver Posts: 4,976	Man, the Pack would be crazy to take LenDale. He's a good player and all, but they need AJ Hawk like nobodies business... Don't they have Samkon Gado anyways? What am I missing? But, we were never gonna have a shot at him when it was all said and done.

01-09-2006, 11:24 AM	#12
27atwater THANK U! sphincter says "what"? Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Sharon, Pa Posts: 1,594	samkon got injured too.

01-09-2006, 11:48 AM	#13
Broncoman13 Broncoholic JT #80 Join Date: May 2001 Location: Colorado Posts: 16,961 Adopt-a-Bronco: Orange Julius	I still stand by my comments that Lendale will be a better pro than Reggie. Call me crazy, but I see the first 5 looking like this: Houston- VY Saints- Leinart Titants- Trade down... RAIDERS acquire Bush. I know this sounds crazy b/c of Jordan, but don't put it past Al! Jets- Take D'Brick Packers- Lendale No matter how it shakes down the Raiders are going to get a player in this draft. If they stay put chances are they take either Ngata or Williams...