Dan from Milwaukee, WI
Has it gotten to the point where the Packers have such a talented roster that it made more sense to add eight higher quality picks than 12 decent picks?
I think that's a fair statement. Twelve picks is for teams in rebuilding; the Packers are clearly not in rebuilding. I think it should also be noted that this was not considered to be an especially deep draft class. I was following nfl.com's "Draft Tracker," which includes a value rating for each player selected, and I saw that rating dip dramatically as early as the second round. In my opinion, that's the major reason it made sense to use picks to trade up and target quality, instead of sitting where you were and adding quantity. I wrote in my Friday chat that I thought the class would begin to thin at about the middle of the second round, and that we would know that was the case if teams began trading up. Shortly after that, Ted Thompson made the move up to draft Jerel Worthy. Why sit and watch the players you like drafted by the teams you have to play against? The charm of having 12 picks is the maneuverability it allows; go ahead and use them.
Charles from Statham, GA
Very pleased with the draft. Thought Ted Thompson and staff did their job in getting good value with our draft picks, however, when I looked at the grades associated with players as posted on nfl.com, my understanding of BAP drafting fell into a ball of confusion. Maybe you could do a five-minute interview with Thompson specifically aimed at helping fans understand our draft philosophy.
I'm sorry, Charles, but the BAP store is closed now until the end of next season, when it will open again for business and we will spend another three months in mind-numbing debate trying and failing to understand the most simple concept in all of sports: Best is bester.
C.J. from Sacramento, CA
How dumb do those mock drafts look now? They were like two percent right.
Mock drafts are pointless these days because they can't accurately predict trades and if you can't predict trades you can't predict the team to whom the player is going to fall. In contrast, value boards have never been more important in analyzing the draft. Why? Because everybody is trying to fit themselves to where the pick is, instead of fitting the pick to where the team is.
Hansen from Waukesha, WI
Why didn't the Packers draft a running back?
Because either a running back didn't present itself as a value worth selecting, or the Packers couldn't move to where one fit. I think it's also likely the Packers have other plans for the position, which might include free agency. As one of my oldest and wisest draft gurus is fond of saying, "You can't draft everybody."
Anthony from Portage, WI
With the majority of the picks going toward the defense, how will this year's draft affect the offense? Will we see a drop off, or is the offense so deep it had no needs?
First of all, I think all Packers fans would agree the Packers had a crushing need on defense that had to be addressed. Had it not been addressed, today's "Ask Vic" would be a human sacrifice and I'd be the target. I thought the offense had three needs going into the draft: running back, quarterback and tackle. Tackle and quarterback were addressed, running back was not; I touched on running back a little already. I see no reason to believe there will be a drop off in offensive performance. The offense is built to last. I think that should James Starks or Alex Green or some other back should emerge as a dependable and productive rusher, the offense can be expected to go to an even higher level of performance in 2012.
Adam from Overland Park, KS
"Well, the 2012 NFL draft is over. Heres to the 2012 NFL draft." Write that dialogue yourself?
You forgot the apostrophe in "Here's."
Tom from Pittsburgh, PA
What do you think the Packers saw in Coleman that they did not see in Kellen Moore (besides height difference)? I thought for sure Kellen would be getting ready for enrollment in McCarthy's QB school.
I think they probably saw arm strength in Coleman that Moore doesn't have. Moore struggled mightily at the Senior Bowl; it was difficult to watch. You have to be able to make all of the throws to be a productive quarterback in the NFL, and I think most would agree that Moore doesn't have the arm strength to make all of the throws.
Barry from Montgomery, AL
The tackle Ted picked last may turn out to be one of his best picks of the draft. He moves well, will have time to get bigger to set against heavier defensive linemen, and can learn behind Newsome, Bulaga and Sherrod. He would have been a second-round pick I heard. Is that what you had heard, too?
I spent a lot of years watching Florida and Florida State play football before I came to Green Bay, and I was very familiar with the name Andrew Datko when I saw that he was picked by the Packers. That's a value pick all the way. He's probably a right tackle, but what's wrong with that? Hey, not everybody has to be a left tackle. Datko reminds me of another Florida State tackle, Todd Fordham, who came into the league as an undrafted guy and played a long time.
Adam from Bath, MI
I liked the Saturday wrap video you and Mike did. What was that delicious looking lager in your hand for the toast?
We were in "Curly's," which is a site I like to use for shooting because it has such a pleasant atmosphere. It just feels like a place where I would want to talk about football. Anyhow, one of the bartenders put down a couple of half-full glasses of beer of front of us, to use as props for the shoot. Just as we were about to begin, I looked at the beer in front of me and thought to myself, "I sure would like to take a drink of that." So I started with that little toast to the draft, took a swig and was surprised to discover a lemony taste to my beer. Now I'm not a lemon-in-the-beer kind of guy, but it was pretty good.
Josh from Okabena, MN
Dear Vic, I'm surprised by some of the cruel comments that you sometimes receive, but I'm glad you're able to take it with a hint of humor.
Marriage is good conditioning.
John from Menominee, MI
It may appear as if the Packers will move Charles Woodson to safety. Do you think that would solve the problem of the deep pass getting away from them?
There have been no proclamations issued on whether or not Woodson will move to safety, but I'll say this: There's no doubt in my mind that Woodson would be as good a safety late in his career as he has been a cornerback throughout his career. He's perfect for the position. In my opinion, moving to safety would lengthen his career and pad his stats for certain induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Jered from Baton Rouge, LA
I was really impressed by the highlights shown of Jerel Worthy right after he was picked in the second round. They showed a defensive lineman who was pushing back offensive linemen and causing a lot of disruption in backfields.
I was intrigued by something Defensive Line Coach Mike Trgovac said following the selection of Worthy: "A lot of kids have some growing up to do and he does, but down deep inside he's a good kid." I love hearing that kind of stuff because that tells me a coach has gotten to know a player, has already bonded with him and believes in him. That's what a kid needs to make the move from college football to pro football. He needs a coach who believes in him and will commit to making him a better player. Worthy has that in Trgovac.
Hans from Front Royal, VA
Vic, other than Perry, who would seem to be a lock to start right away, which of the other draft picks do you think will have the best chance to have an immediate impact in 2012 and why?
Hey, that's the league's No. 32 defense. I think it's safe to say jobs are open to competition. I'm not going to limit any player's potential to become a starter in 2012. I think every guy drafted on defense has a chance to become a major player for the Packers this season. I think we're going to see change.
Jason from Big Pine Key, FL
My question is how do you feel about the draft picks the Packers accumulated?
I think the Packers addressed need without compromising value. Again, look at the "Draft Tracker" grades for each of the Packers' picks. They are consistent with the round in which the players were picked. In the case of the last three picks, the grades actually shot back up. That tells you all you need to know about Ted Thompson's adherence to his board's value line.
Ben from Rochester, NY
Relevant to our last two picks, when do teams medically examine players?
If a player wasn't invited to the combine, you're on your own. That's when the area scout and the thoroughness of a personnel department's work enters the picture. Teams that don't have the resources to scout off-the-radar players pretty much have to stay within the constraints of Blesto and National and the combine medicals.
George from Hutchinson, MN
The Packers defense primarily used a 2-4-5 formation last year. You noted that it was to invite the run while defending the pass with more speed to the ball in the air. Except for the plethora of interceptions, this formation failed in its main objective. Few QB pressures and many passing yards resulted. Yet, Capers didn't budge from this formation concept. He was clearly scheming a scheme and not scheming the players. Quit towing the company line, print this and tell me I'm wrong.
They overplayed the pass all season and still couldn't stop it. If that doesn't tell you what the problem is, then I don't think you understand football. Six straight picks for defense in the draft should give you a hint as to what the problem was. It wasn't scheme. Players, not plays.
Mandy from Kansas City, MO
Vic, which team do you believe picked the best players in the draft?
I haven't had a chance to closely examine each team's draft class – I'll do that today – but one team's draft jumps out at me: Buffalo's. Stephon Gilmore is exactly what they need to make Mario Williams effective. Cordy Glenn is one of my favorite players in the draft. T.J. Graham is a speed receiver with big-time kick-return potential. Nigel Bradham has major upside. Tank Carder is a hitter Tony Pauline loves. But the pick of all picks for Buffalo is Zebrie Sanders. How did he fall all the way to the fifth round? The Bills have critical need up front and Sanders and Glenn address it in a big way. I sense a changing of the guard in the AFC East.
Connor from Saint Paul, MN
What do you believe was the best pick the Packers made in this draft?
It should always be your first pick, for the obvious reason. In this case, Nick Perry addresses such a crushing need that the opportunity to be the best pick should be immediate. I think he's outstanding value at pick 28. He's a guy who has scintillating talent, but who has yet to scratch the surface of his potential. He's just learning the game.
