Here's a recap on the Green Bay Packers 2009 Draft Picks. After the Packers took the safe and needed pick of DT BJ Raji at #9, TT shocked the world by trading back into the 1st Round and grabbing LB Clay Matthews from USC. The Packers immediate needs going into the draft after switching over to a 3-4 were considered to be on the DL & hybrid LE/OLB and TT got two gems in Raji & Matthews. Also considered a need was OL. With Tauscher likely not being resigned and Clifton coming off another knee surgery and a not so good year, the Packers needed more youth at OL & surely needed to solidify its OL to protect Rodgers.
In 2008 Rodgers was sacked 34 times and fans watched him running for his life for most of the season. He still managed to throw for over 4,000 yards and 28 TD's, but the need to protect him has got to be a top priority with Packers brass.
B.J. Raji R1 (9) NT
6-1½ 330 Boston College
Age: 22, from Washington Township, N.J.... Fifth-year senior who was academically ineligible in 2007 in part because of an error by the school.... Ran the 40-yard dash in 5.15 seconds. "A rare guy physically," said Packers GM Ted Thompson. "He's genuinely a powerful, powerful man, especially in his lower body. He has the ability to take people backwards where they don't want to go. He also has the quickness to go around them. He is a very powerful player against the run. It's unbelievably hard to find the combination of skill set that he brings. The good Lord just didn't make many people like this." Scored 21 and 20 on the Wonderlic test. 32-inch vertical leap. Bench pressed 225 pounds an impressive 33 times. Arm length not great at 32 inches, but hand size exceptional at 10 1/2 inches.... 105 tackles in 49 games, with 12.5 sacks.... Was a late-bloomer, started playing the game his first year at Westwood Regional High School, when a friend suggested he should try out for the team.... "He's a classic nose-tackle build," said Thompson. "He fits pretty well in the 3-4, but he can play well in a 4-3, which he played his entire career in college.".... Had shoulder surgery before his senior year but didn't miss any games.... Agent is Brian Murphy and David Dunn from Athletes First. Also: What the scouts were saying...
Clay Matthews R1 (26) OLB
6-3 245 USC
Age: 22, from Agoura Hills, Calif.... Fifth-year senior who redshirted in 2004 and opened 2008 as a reserve before becoming the Trojans' starting right defensive end for the final 10 games.... Tabbed second team all-Pac 10 and USC's co-special teams player of the year for the third consecutive time as a senior, ranking fourth on the Trojans with 56 tackles (28 solo, nine for loss), 4 ½ sacks, nine tackles for loss and a blocked kick.... Finished with 96 tackles (13 ½ for loss), 5 ½ sacks and forced six turnovers in four years.... Weighed 160 pounds as a senior at Agoura High School.... Walked on at USC as a safety in 2004.... Ran the 40-yard dash in 4.61 seconds.... Vertical jump of 35 ½ inches, broad jump of 10 feet 1 inch and bench pressed 225 pounds 23 times.... Arms are 32 ¼ inches long, and hands are 9 ½ inches wide.... "He's got the ability to extend his hands and leverage against offensive linemen and stay on his feet in positions where most people wouldn't be able to stay on their feet," said Packers general manager Ted Thompson. "I just think he brings a lot to the table.".... Son of 19-year NFL veteran Clay Matthews, and nephew of 18-year veteran and NFL Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews, both of whom also played at USC. "He was a legacy walk-on," said Thompson. "His uncle went to school there and his daddy went to school there, so it probably wasn't a huge shock that he went to school there.".... Underwent surgery on his right hand heading into his senior season. Also: What the scouts were saying...
T.J. Lang R4 (109) T-G
6-4 315 Eastern Michigan
Age 21, from Ferndale, Mich. (Birmingham Brother Rice High School).... Started at RT in 2006 and at LT the past two seasons.... "Certainly a big-framed, big-boned kid that can get in there and push people around," offensive line coach James Campen said.... Started one of seven games at DT as a freshman in '05, finishing with no sacks and 11 tackles.... First exposure at guard was in an all-star game in January.... "I played guard in the Texas vs. the Nation game," Lang said. "It took me a day to get used to it but I felt natural and comfortable."... Was informed by combine officials that he was the last player excluded from attending.... "Very tough player," Campen said. "High-effort player. He played with a defensive lineman's mentality. Very physical. Very disciplined player."... Runs the 40-yard dash in 5.21 seconds.... Vertical jump of 26½ inches, broad jump of 8-5 and bench-pressed 225 pounds 30 times.... Arms measured 32 1/8 inches long, hands measured 9 3/8 .... Played in a spread offense, meaning he almost never put a hand down. However, Campen said the transition to a conventional stance shouldn't be a problem.... "He's got good feet, good balance and is a very good technician," GM Ted Thompson said. "We always talked about getting him."... Only offers out of high school were from EMU and Toledo.... "I show up every day and I'm consistent," Lang said. "I won't take any plays off. I'm not a cocky guy."... Scored 24 on the 50-question Wonderlic intelligence test.... Agent is Mike McCartney. Also: What the scouts were saying...
Quinn Johnson R5 (145) FB
6-1 249 LSU
Age 22, from Edgard, La. (West St. John).... Moved from LB to FB in 2006.... Redshirted in 2004, backup LB in '05, backed up Jacob Hester in '06 and '07 and started in '08.... "I love the contact," Johnson said. "I'm just that kind of person. Just getting your nose dirty. I love that."... Finished with 16 rushes for 34 yards (2.1) and three TDs, five receptions for 54 (10.8).... As a two-year player on defense, he had five tackles.... "His power on initial contact is a very important part of playing fullback," RB coach Edgar Bennett said. "Great attitude. Great kid. Physical. Very aggressive. He can catch. He also has shown the ability to run in goal-line and short-yardage."... Runs the 40 in 4.79... "We felt it was a great value pick," Thompson said. "He's a very, very effective lead blocker. He's a physical presence. He's got a skill set and he's a big, physical guy."... Vertical jump of 32, broad jump of 9-7 and 16 reps on the bench... Arms were 32½; has big hands (10 3/8 ).... Wonderlic score of 16.... Agent is Jimmy Sexton. Also: What the scouts were saying...
Jamon Meredith R5 (162) T-G
6-5 302 South Carolina
Age 22, from Simpsonville, N.C. (Hillcrest).... Granted redshirt year in '04 but had to sit out two games in '08 as a result.... Four-year starter (38 games), including 19 at LT, 11 at RT and eight at RG. Played most of his final season at guard.... "He's got excellent length," offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said. "Good athlete. He's got a lot of physical tools. We liked his initial quickness off the ball. He played aggressively."... Runs the 40 in 5.01, fastest of the top 10 tackles.... "I'm a natural left tackle," Meredith said. "It was a very long (day). I'm just happy somebody took a chance on me. But it's cool, man. It's all in the past now."... Vertical jump of 28, broad jump of 8-9 and 31 reps on the bench.... Arms measured 34½, hands measured 10.... Wonderlic score of 23.... Graduated in May 2008 with 3.7 grade point average in sport and entertainment management.... Agent is Pat Dye Jr. Also: What the scouts were saying...
Jarius Wynn R6 (182) DE
6-2½ 273 Georgia
Age 22, from Lincolnton, Ga. (Lincoln County).... Spent two seasons at Georgia Military College, the school where former Packers DL coach Robert Nunn served as head coach from 1992-'99.... Played sparingly in '07 at Georgia, finishing with nine tackles in 13 games; came back to start seven of 13 games in '08, finishing with 24 tackles.... Had four sacks in two seasons, including two against Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl. That was his final collegiate game.... "The Packers want me to gain some weight," Wynn said. "The biggest I've been is 283. I'll do whatever it takes."... Runs the 40 in 5.01.... Vertical jump of 29, broad jump of 9-5 and 21 reps on the bench.... Arms measured 33¾, hands measured 10 7/8 ; both are extremely long.... "I'm embracing the moment," Wynn said. "I'm glad you (the Packers) gave me a chance. I heard from third round all the way down. It's a dream to get to this point."... Agent is Chris Martin. Also: What the scouts were saying...
Brandon Underwood R6 (187) CB
6-1 194 Cincinnati
Age 22, from Hamilton, Ohio (Hamilton).... Redshirted at Ohio State in 2004, saw action in one game in '05 and eight games in '06.... The Buckeyes decided not to renew his scholarship in '07.... "That was an academic issue," said Shaun Herock, the Packers' assistant director of college scouting. "Since then, he has shown himself to be a mature individual. He paid some of his way to Cincinnati."... Said Thompson: "We were pretty keen to him. Very versatile. Got good size. Runs well. Very athletic."... Sat out '07 after transferring to Cincinnati, then started eight games at FS and six at CB in '08.... Had 66 tackles and four interceptions last season.... "Ohio State loved the kid," Herock said. "They thought he was one of the most talented athletes to go through there. But this is where he is and where we took him."... Runs the 40 in 4.54.... Vertical jump of 36½, broad jump of 10-5 and 16 reps on the bench.... Arms measured 32, hands measured 9¼.... "With the right coaching I can be any kind of player," Underwood said. "I like to put my hands on receivers. I have a great chance. I want it. I'm hungry."... Wonderlic score of 16.... "I've played corner all my life," Underwood said. "I just played safety this year. I adjusted to it very well."... Agent is Deryk Gilmore. Also: What the scouts were saying...
Brad Jones R7 (218) OLB
6-3 238 Colorado
Age 22, from East Lansing, Mich. (East Lansing).... Redshirted in 2004, backed up in '05 and started from 2006-'08.... Played 48 games, finishing with 242 tackles (20 for loss), 9½ sacks and two turnover-producing plays.... Runs the 40 in 4.59.... Played in a 3-4 defense.... "He can really, really run," Thompson said. "He has coverage ability and is a pretty productive pass rusher. He's a very interesting player."... Jones has played as a DE, has blitzed from inside and has walked out against WRs.... "He played similar to the way that Clay Matthews did," Thompson said.... Vertical jump of 33, broad jump of 9-11 and had 19 reps on the bench... "I do a lot well," Jones said. "I definitely have a knack for rushing the passer, but I cover tight ends as well as I rush the passer. They (the Packers) thought I really fit their defensive scheme and I'd be asked to play the role I had in college. Gaining weight wouldn't be a problem at all."... Arms measured 31½, hands measured 8 7/8 .... Graduated in December with a degree in economics.... In high school track, ran the 200 meters in 21.7 and the 110 hurdles in 14.32.... Agent is Josh Wright.
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