Let’s Get Physical

Who could forget Olivia Newton-John’s 1981 hit song “Physical?” The chorus to that song states: “Let’s get physical, physical, I wanna get physical. Let’s get physical.” This is exactly what the Green Bay Packers need to do in the upcoming draft. And by physical I mean power football with a little nasty which the Packers have not really had since the likes of Mike Daniels. This brand of football all starts in the trenches and with more physical safety play. With that in mind there are 12 players that I think fit this mold. I specifically looked at offensive linemen, defensive linemen, and safeties because last year these areas are what led to our downfall against the likes of the Eagles, and Lions not to mention failures in previous years. Having the Packers draft anyone of these 12 players should make the Packers more physical next year.

The offensive linemen (No particular order):

1. Anton Harrison the 6’4 315 pound linemen out of Oklahoma. He makes the list because most scouts labeled him as a pile mover with great pad level and is fast to the ball.

2. Broderick Jones the 6’5 311 pound lineman out of Georgia. As a Packer fan do we have to say anything else other than he is from Georgia? He is described as a seek and destroy lineman who was also a great basketball player which shows how athletic he is for that size.

3. John Michael Schmitz the 6’4 300 pound Minnesota center. He is on the list for several reasons starting with the disappointing season of Josh Myers. Schmitz is known as a run blocker but also did not give up a sack as a senior for the Gophers.

4. O’Cyrus Torrence the 6’5 345 pound lineman out of Florida. He too is most known for his powerful run blocking.

5. Peter Skoronski the likely top 3 linemen in the draft out of Northwestern. The chance of Skoronski falling to the Packers is slim to none but how can you not have a grandson of a Packer legend on your list.

The defensive linemen (No particular order):

1. Bryan Bresee the 6’5 305 pound defensive linemen out of Clemson. He makes the list because of his elite power and agility. I also love this prospect because you can play him anywhere on the line and he will find the runner. We all know how much the Packers need to improve on run defense and he may be a perfect running mate for Kenny Clark.

2. Isaiah Foskey the 6’5 264 pound DE out of Notre Dame. This edge rusher is an elite athlete with violent hands, can disengage blockers and set the edge. The Packers need to have a plan for the eventual replacement of Preston Smith and I think this could be that guy.

3. Darell Middleton the 6’6 306 pound DL out of Bethel Tennessee was a guy that Emory Hunt mentioned on Cheesehead TV who I think would be a great flier in the late rounds for the Packers because of his versatility. He has some off the field issues but might be worth taking a risk on.

The safety position (No particular order):

1. Bryan Branch the 6’0 190 pound safety out of Alabama. He makes the list because of tackling ability. He is said to be in the mold of Antoine Winfield and although his speed is ok the Packers need safeties that can tackle.

2. Chris Smith the 5’11 192 pound safety out of Georgia. Again another Georgia to Green Bay sounds like a perfect fit. This player is a great run defender and hardly misses a tackle. As Packer fans we all know how tackling has been an issue for this team. He was also cloaked at 22 MPH on the GPS.

3. Brandon Hill the 5 '10 193 pound safety out of Pittsburgh is another run supporter that is known for his physical hitting. He also is solid against the pass with good ball skills and was flagged rarely in coverage.

4. Xavier Bell the 6’2 200 pound safety out of Portland State is another Emory Hunt find who would fit well in Green Bay late in the draft. This 3 sport athlete and former Arizona player is a willing tackler and fits the Packer prototype.

With a change in quarterback it is time to change the narrative for the Packers up front and in the middle. You cannot reclaim the Packer mystique if teams are not afraid to come into Lambeau in January and feel they can out physical the Packers on the frozen tundra. As Olivia states in her song: “ I’ve been patient, I’ve been good…It’s gettin hard holdin back, you know what I mean…You’ve gotta know that you’re bringin’ out the animal in me.” It is time the Packers find some dogs in the trenches and I like these 12 dogs getting physical.