Best & Worst Case Scenarios: Outside Linebackers

From Clay Matthews being awarded the NFL's Defensive MVP award to Ricky Elmore not so much as even being asked to be on the practice squad, we take a look at the best and worst possible outcomes for the outside linebackers in 2011.

It's time for the fifth annual Best and Worst Case Scenarios for every player on the Green Bay Packers roster, a feature that goes back to the days when Railbird Central had its own domain.

I attempt to take a look at what is the very best possible season a player is capable of producing, and on the other hand, what would happen if a player fell flat on his face (without assuming they suffer a season-ending injury). These are intended to be extreme scenarios on both sides of the spectrum. More than likely, each player is going to fall somewhere in the middle, but every now and then, they just so happen to come to fruition.

As one final note, I also try to take a look at what these scenarios would be from an individual standpoint and not what's best for the team.

Clay Matthews

  • Best-case scenario: Matthews is able to up a season statistically similar to last year as long as he avoids the hamstring and shin issues that have occasionally plagued him throughout his young career and other players are able to take at least a little pressure of him by providing a pass rush of their own. If Matthews can just replicate what he did last year and perhaps slightly better, he's a candidate for the NFL's Defensive MVP award that he just missed out on a year ago. Leading the league in sacks is not out of the question.
  • Worst-case scenario: Just like the Pittsburgh Steelers did in the Super Bowl, opponents start to run at Matthews and find that facet of his game isn't nearly as good as his pass rush. And with Cullen Jenkins gone, no other steps up as a premiere pass rusher. As such, Matthews is constantly double teamed and it takes until the final game or two of the season to reach double-digit sacks.

Erik Walden

  • Best-case scenario: Walden shows what made him the NFC Defensive Player of the Week against the Bears in Week 17 last season by performing on a more consistent basis. He certainly can't put up three sacks per game, but he approaches double digit sacks by the end of the season. And he's no longer chastised for being a weak link against the run. It's amazing what a full year in Dom Capers' defensive system can do for him.
  • Worst-case scenario: The right outside linebacker spot is a revolving door when Walden just can't consistently nail down the full-time job. He gets the first crack and gets playing time on and off throughout the season and ends up with a handful of sacks, but he doesn't hold down the starting spot from Week 1 until Week 17.

Frank Zombo

  • Best-case scenario: Zombo is an amazingly fast healer and tough to boot when he avoids injured reserve and rejoins the Packers a month or so into the regular season. His comeback is reminiscent to last year when he came back in the Super Bowl after about a month off. He makes an immediate impact and is considered the starter at right outside linebacker by season's end. Zombo finishes with the most sacks between him Walden and Jones.
  • Worst-case scenario: He's either put on injured reserve, ending his season before it begins, or when Zombo does come back, he can't wrestle the job away from Walden. Zombo is active on game days and sees time sparingly on defense the rest of the season, but his most consistent contributions come on special teams.

Brad Jones

  • Best-case scenario: Jones carves out a role that, while it doesn't include a starting role, he sees several snaps a game on a rotational basis. Whether it's giving Clay Matthews the infrequent breather or sharing playing time with Walden, Jones has a niche role. Taking advantage of Zombo's absence helps. Jones is the most consistent in pass coverage between himself, Walden and Zombo and see some time in that capacity on third-and-long.
  • Worst-case scenario: He gets a little bit of playing time on defense early in the season, but when Zombo comes back, it almost disappears. Jones is lucky to have two sacks by season's end, but he does play regularly on special teams.

Vic So'oto

  • Best-case scenario: Thanks to the Zombo injury, So'oto is able to claim one of the last spots on the 53-man roster. He doesn't get much playing time in his rookie season, but he gets acclimated to the professional game by being active a couple times throughout the year. Observers start to think he could be a future starter at the position.
  • Worst-case scenario: When the Packers decide not to put Zombo on injured reserve, any hope that So'oto had of making the roster goes out the window. He's asked to be part of the practice squad, which means there's hope he could be activated by mid-season if more injuries occur. And if not, he's still back with the Packers for another go-around in 2012.

Jamari Lattimore

  • Best-case scenario: Despite any special teams value he might have, Lattimore's 230-pound frame is too small to justify keeping on the 53-man roster, at least to open the season. He's asked to be part of the practice squad, and a year in an NFL weight room does him wonders. By 2012, he's considered a big pass rush threat and has a much better chance of making the team.
  • Worst-case scenario: When a decision comes down to keeping Lattimore or So'oto on the practice squad, Lattimore loses the battle. He's able to make a living as a journeyman in the NFL for a season or two, however.

Ricky Elmore

  • Best-case scenario: Even though the Packers invested a sixth-round draft choice in him, they just can't afford to stash Elmore on their 53-man roster. He's below average in all aspects of the game and is perhaps miscast as a 3-4 outside linebacker. He's asked to be part of the practice squad, although maybe the Packers can trade him to a 4-3 team for a conditional draft choice.
  • Worst-case scenario: Elmore is released when the Packers have to cut down to 53 players and isn't even extended the courtesy of being asked to be part of the practice squad in favor of either So'oto or Lattimore. Some 4-3 team will give him a shot, however.
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