Wisconsin News and Sports
The Green Bay Packers have announced that they have reached a contract extension with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The deal is expected to make Rodgers the highest paid played in NFL History.
The Packers have scheduled a press conference for 430 this afternoon prior to the 2nd and 3rd rounds of the NFL draft.
We will have more for you as the details are announced throughout this evening.
Dom Capers
It shouldn’t be a surprise the Packers went defense in the first round of this years draft. Green Bay’s biggest issue the past couple seasons hasn’t been scoring points, its been stopping their opponent from doing so.
Datone Jones will add versatility, athleticism, and speed to a defense that seemed to lack in all three areas at times in 2012. Speed may be the easiest deficiency to point out. Just look at Green Bay’s 45-31 loss to San Francisco in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. The 49ers ran right past Packer defenders on multiple occasions. Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers was asked if speed was a priority…
Travis Frederick
Photo Credit: Wisconsin
It took the Dallas Cowboys trading down to the 31st pick for the first Wisconsin Badgers to come off the board.
The Cowboys with first selection in the first round after trading with San Francisco took Wisconsin offensive lineman, center Travis Fredrick.
Fredrick a Sharon, WI. native started 31 games at Wisconsin at both center and guard. During his freshman and sophomore years at UW, Fredrick primarily saw playing time at left guard. In his final season at Wisconsin, he started all 14 games at center and earned All-Big Ten honorable mention honors.
The selection of Fredrick was the first Big Ten player chosen this year. Had Fredrick not gone to the Cowboys late in the first round, it would have been the first time since 1953 a member of the Big Ten was not selected in the first round.
26. Green Bay: DE, Datone Jones, UCLA
Datone Jones
Photo Credit: UCLA
(Started 43 of 51 games in 5 years at UCLA totaling 13.5 sacks)
27. Houston: WR, DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson
28. Denver: DT, Sylvester Williams, North Carolina
29. Minnesota (via New England): WR – Cordarrelle Patterson, Tennessee
(Vikings traded their 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 7th Round picks to move back into the first round)
30. St. Louis (via Atlanta): OLB – Alec Ogletree, Georgia
31. Dallas (via San Francisco): C – Travis Fredrick, Wisconsin
32: Baltimore: S – Matt Elam, Florida
After selecting twice (23rd and 25th) in the first round Minnesota made a move to climb back into the first round.
Cordarelle Patterson
Photo Credit: Tennessee
The Vikings acquired the 29th overall selection from New England, drafting WR Cordarrelle Patterson out of Tennessee.
Minnesota gave up four picks sending their 2nd (52nd), 3rd (83rd), 4th (102nd) and 7th (229th) overall picks from this year’s draft to select Patterson.
Patterson brings size (6-2, 216) opposite of free agent signing Greg Jennings. Patterson totaled 778 yards on 46 receptions and 5 TDs.
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