Packers Daily Links: Bakhtiari Says "I Will Take Cheap Shots"
The fourth round draft choice of the Packers made an odd comment in a recent interview. That and more in today's Daily Links...
Packers fans know all too well what happens when players like Warren Sapp take cheap shots. That's why it came as curious when newly drafted offensive lineman David Bakhtiari told the Green Bay Packers official website, “I’m a nuisance. I’m a little brother so I can be really annoying. I’m a finesse player but I will throw cheap shots." Bakhtiari's comments were published as part of a larger feature article on the former University of Colorado left tackle. Granted, Bakhtiari probably meant to say something to the effect of "I hit hard" or "I play to the whistle," but as is stands, he couldn't have uttered a more unfortunate phrase. The Packers don't need cheap-shot artists. They need rugged blockers that play with a bulldog mentality and tenacity, but also play within the rules. I won't hold your regrettable comment against you, David, at least until you start getting flagged for chop blocks and clipping.
It's a day late, but it's worth passing on a recent feature on newly drafted wide receiver Charles Johnson by Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The article details the relationship between the recent seventh round draft choice of the Packers and his father, Fred Johnson. "Fred had been diagnosed with scleroderma, a chronic autoimmune disorder that hardens the skin and can affect internal organs," writes Dunne. "At times, he could barely move his limbs. He also has colon cancer, heart disease and, today, may now have brain cancer. This night four years ago, the unbreakable Johnson nearly died. Doctors didn't know exactly what went haywire, but his throat closed in and he could barely breathe." The younger Johnson and his father made a pact to keep fighting: son to make it to the NFL and dad just to live. It's a great story and a brief recap can't do it justice. Read the whole thing.
After previously telling the Journal Sentinel of his desire to become mayor of Los Angeles, Packers rookie running back Johnathan Franklin told Fox Sports Wisconsin of a new goal. "Let's start this campaign for 'Mayor of Green Bay' ASAP," Franklin is quoted as saying by reporter Paul Imig. "If I fall in love with Green Bay and learn about the history, that might be the city I want to live in for the rest of my life." Franklin is the type of guy who seems like he has his head on straight. Now he just has to overcome the obstacle of not being eligible to participate in the Packers' OTAs to learn the offense and become a contributing member of the team in his rookie season.
Seventh round draft choice Kevin Dorsey talked to the Baltimore Sun about what the Packers expect from him as part of a Q&A feature. "Definitely come in and contribute to the team, whatever it may be," Dorsey is quoted as saying. "Receiver, special teams, it doesn’t really matter. That’s another thing I kind of fell in love with when I was there. It’s about just football. There’s not a lot of distractions. It’s just about football and winning. That’s what they live on."
Young wide receivers Kevin Dorsey and Charles Johnson are the subject of an article at Fox Sports Wisconsin.
AllGreenBayPackers.com contemplates whether the Packers considered drafting Kyle Long and muses on the future of running back DuJuan Harris.
Recent blog posts at Acme Packing Company are on the Packers' use of their linebackers, the outside linebackers specifically, tight end Jake Stoneburner and the team's late-season schedule.
A breakdown of first round draft choice Datone Jones comes courtesy of Bleacher Report.
Packer Report has articles on David Bakhtiari and a couple of the character concerns of the Packers' draft choices.
Lombardi Ave. posts items on five unsung heroes on the Packers and what they need to do to get back to the Super Bowl.
JSOnline makes note of James Jones' upcoming youth football camp.
Video: James Jones joined Fox 11 in Green Bay to talk about next week's fundraiser for his charity foundation...
Brian Carriveau is the author of "It's Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America," and editor of Cheesehead TV's "Pro Football Draft Preview." To contact Brian, email [email protected].
Comments (18)
May 09, 2013 at 09:50 am
Yeah, I'll chalk it up to a young kid saying something stupid, but screw cheap shots. You can be tough and physical without being dirty.
May 09, 2013 at 11:34 am
Yep. No excuse whatsoever for that comment. Might as well paint a bulls-eye on your back Bakhtiari. Talk is cheap. It's your play that counts. Give the false bravado a rest.
May 09, 2013 at 12:17 pm
Easy to say from the outside.
But when you're in the heat of the moment, when you're taught to be physical and mean, and the guy across you is playing through the whistle, or he's wooping your ass, then it's not so easy to not cross the line.
May 09, 2013 at 12:53 pm
That's a lot of added context to excuse a stupid comment.
He didn't say, "I'll take cheap shots if the guy across from me is doing it too."
And even still it's stupid since it's the 2nd hit that normally gets the flag.
May 09, 2013 at 01:35 pm
I agree it's a stupid coment. Never said otherwise. I think Brian hit it on the spot when linking it to Warren Sapp.
I also agree it's a stupid move. Cheap shots cost the team. We all remember when the Packers were one of the most penalized team in the league.
I'm just saying it's not as easy as "play hard and mean, but within the rules".
May 09, 2013 at 02:17 pm
I think that it probably wasn't a good thing to say, but I also think it's a little hypocritical of us to say that it's wrong to play nasty. We all chuckled when we heard that Frank Winters was voted the dirtiest player in the league.
We all want the big guys to be nasty. Why fake that it's wrong when they say it out loud?
May 09, 2013 at 02:25 pm
I just think there is a difference between "nasty" and "dirty."
As Brian said, "They need rugged blockers that play with a bulldog mentality and tenacity, but also play within the rules." You can be physical and clean.
May 09, 2013 at 03:15 pm
To me it's the difference between Clay Matthews and a Cortland Finnegan.
May 09, 2013 at 05:53 pm
Clay Matthews is much more gifted in all aspects of his game than Finnegan. He doesn't need to cheat.
Unfortunately, not all guys are as talented as Clay. Some need to play dirty to win.
They do their job, though. Finnegan is a very good cornerback. I wouldn't mind him in Green and Gold.
If I had a choice, I would choose clean players. But this is football. Hitting each other IS the sport, mind you.
May 09, 2013 at 01:24 pm
The reaction is a little funny to me. I believe that both of the OL draft picks this year were decribed as having a "nasty" streak, and I know Bakhtari was described that way. Some folks here were applauding it on draft day. And we're surprised now when he says something like this? Was he being stupid or stupidly honest?
Finley - noun - "one who is stupidly honest."
May 11, 2013 at 03:39 am
Look on the bright side. If he ends up being a dirty player we'll be able to ship him off to Detroit.
May 09, 2013 at 10:13 am
Poor James has no idea where the camera is.
May 09, 2013 at 11:55 am
LOL.
May 09, 2013 at 11:12 am
Yeah he will be taught right, be physical but be good.
May 09, 2013 at 04:55 pm
What active player would label themselves a cheap-shot artist? Only advantage to that is to perhaps get into the heads of opponents or on the good-side of some of your coaches(definitely not all though). Else, you'll be despised by nearly everyone in the league, including some of your own teammates. Maybe there was a bit of irrational exuberance in his statement.
May 09, 2013 at 05:41 pm
Skinny cheap shot artist....?
Cut him
May 09, 2013 at 07:26 pm
agreed.
May 09, 2013 at 09:28 pm
Unfortunate choice if words to be sure, but lets not overreact here.