Packers Outside Linebacker Battle Heats Up

With just two preseason games left for the Green Bay Packers, the position battles are starting to take their final form.  There are many areas that could be discussed: wide receiver, defensive backs, and offensive line, for example.  Here, let's focus on the outside linebacker position and take a look at the current scenario.  In 2015, the Packers were seventh in total sacks with 43 and are a defense that counts on getting to the quarterback.  This position group is always a key to the defense's overall success.

The current depth chart according to Packers.com has Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers listed as the starters in the base 3-4.  Behind them are Jayrone Elliott and Nick Perry, respectively.  Behind Elliott is third round pick Kyler Fackrell while Datone Jones sits behind Perry.  Rounding out the depth chart are undrafted free agent Reggie Gilbert and free agent signee Lerentee McCray.  Keep in mind this depth chart doesn't necessarily reflect how the team sees these players and in which order.  It's an early version that the NFL requires teams to release and most teams are still trying to figure out their depth chart.  They also don't want to show their hand to the rest of the league who are looking at who they may potentially release.

Jones plays a unique spot that will also rush the passer and is definitely on this year's team so for this discussion, I'm focusing on the pure linebackers.  We know that Matthews, Peppers and Perry are locks.  There's still a chance that Matthews' and Peppers' meeting with the NFL over allegations of their use of performance enhancing drugs could affect their availability.  As slight as that chance is, let's keep it in mind as we navigate this discussion.  

Assuming Matthews and Peppers are good to go in week one, that leaves Elliott, McCray, Fackrell and Gilbert competing for a spot.  May would say the Packers can easily keep at least three of them but that would then mean the Packers are likely carrying 9 or 10 linebackers in total when you add in the inside linebackers.  They did so in 2014.  Last year in 2015, they kept seven.  It all comes down to how heavy they want to stack the position.  Keep in mind that if quarterback Brett Hundley is ready to go in week one and without John Kuhn back, there are two roster spots there that the Packers can fill.

Fackrell is going to be on the roster if only by virtue of his being a third round selection.  That's just too early for the Packers to make the bold move of cutting him loose.  It's just now what general manager Ted Thompson does.  He has looked marginal so far.  If all factors were equal, he would be on the bubble of making the roster but alas, he gets a spot that someone else is going to lose.  McCray is a free agent signing, which is rare for the Packers.  It doesn't guarantee him a spot by any means, but he has shown well in the two games so far.  Elliott has been on the team for the last two seasons and has flashed some play making ability.  The key word there is "flashed".  The Packers ideally want more consistency versus one stellar game followed up by several where he disappears.  Gilbert is on the outside looking in.  These last two weeks are naturally critical for him.

We know the Packers run many different formations and that means these linebackers have to be versatile in what they do.  Being a good pass rusher is important, but how are they in coverage?  Taking on offensive linemen and stopping the run?  Right now, it appears to be coming down to Elliott and McCray.  The Packers tend to stick with guys they know and who have been in the system so that may give Elliott the edge.  McCray is just months off of playing in a Super Bowl and on the league's best defense so he surely has some insight and experience to add to his play.

Suspension and injury obviously make this conversation moot and as mentioned earlier, Matthews and Peppers could miss some time.  In that case, all but Gilbert are certainly on the roster week one.  An injury to one of the others also clears the lens on how this battle will shake out in the end.  Healthy competition is always good for a football team with lofty expectations of themselves and of those on the outside too.  Friday's game against the San Francisco 49ers begins the final stretch for the bubble players.  Expect to see plenty of McCray, Elliott, Fackrell and Gilbert over the next two weeks.  

 

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Jason is a freelance writer on staff since 2012 and also co-hosts Cheesehead TV Live, Pulse of the Pack and Pack A Day podcasts.  You can follow him on Twitter here

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Comments (30)

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NickPerry's picture

August 22, 2016 at 05:54 am

I'm choosing to believe in Matthews and Peppers and think they'll be there September 11th in Jacksonville. There's NO evidence of PED use and I don't believe the NFL has a shred of evidence either. No dirty test, no missed test, NO suspension.

I was really excited about Elliott this season but he's kinda disappeared. He has 3 tackles, 1 solo & 2 assisted, though I'm not sure how many snaps he's played compared to others. The few snaps I've paid attention specifically to him, he hasn't done much at all.

Fackrell is still a guy I like but he's much like Spriggs, he needs a year in an NFL weight room. He's also a guy I could see improving each week as he learns the defense and starts reacting instead of thinking.

McCray only has 2 assisted tackles but doesn't it "Feel" like he'd have more? Maybe it's my imagination but I could swear he's been all over the field right by the ball carrier when tackled.

Jones hopefully starts to play the run better but the new position seems to be made for Jones the pass rusher. Perry will be a beast this season. I really believe 10 sacks is in the cards for him this season.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

August 22, 2016 at 11:56 am

Spot on.

I haven't seen Elliot do much of anything yet. I was going to ask you all yesterday whether or not you all think he's fighting for a spot. If Matthews, Peppers and Perry don't perform well this OLB group might be in some serious trouble.

I agree on the Fackrell statements. He should just scrap the bullrush for this season. He still has very active hands though. I wish he'd use them more. Like you said, hopefully it comes with more experience.

One thing I've learned about McCray is he has a helluva get off when the ball is snapped. Probably second to Matthews. Another thing I learned about McCray is he sometimes freestyles his assignment(s). I've seen him crash inside when a run play is going outside towards him. Maybe he's still learning the playbook.

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Handsback's picture

August 22, 2016 at 07:06 am

Injuries always seems to pare this position to a few and the choices aren't as difficult. If everyone stays healthy....the coaches will have an issue with keeping all of their players.

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RCPackerFan's picture

August 22, 2016 at 07:38 am

OLB has become a very strong and deep position on the roster. This is the deepest the position has been since Capers has taken over.

Even though all the players are listed as OLB on the depth chart the Packers really have 2 different types of OLB's. Pure OLB and the Hybrid DE/OLB (elephant end).
The pure OLB's consist of Mathews, Elliott, Fackrell, McCray, Gilbert.
The Hybrid DE/OLB's consist of Peppers, Perry, Jones

I think they end up keeping 6 from the OLB position on the 53. Pending injury I think the 6 will be Mathews, Peppers, Perry, Jones, Elliott, Fackrell.

Just based on all the previous players that have been listed on the Al Jazeera report, everyone has been cleared thus far. That Includes Ryan Howard and Ryan Zimmerman from MLB. I would be surprised if Mathews and Peppers lost any time because of this.

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MarkinMadison's picture

August 22, 2016 at 02:30 pm

If Brice and Banjo both are worthy of a spot that might mean that a bubble OLB does not make it. A lot of moving parts here.

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RCPackerFan's picture

August 22, 2016 at 02:56 pm

'A lot of moving parts here.'

There are so many moving parts. Its really hard looking at 1 position by itself.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 22, 2016 at 07:45 am

I've been tending to focus on 2016, since I suspect this year's team might be better than 2017's team will be.

Peppers, Perry, Jones, McCray will all be UFAs. CM3, Elliott (RFA) and Fackrell will still be under contract.

If it is close between Elliott and McCray, we should go with Elliott (despite how much I like McCray).

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NickPerry's picture

August 22, 2016 at 08:20 am

I agree with you and RC, I think they keep Elliott over McCray if it comes down to choosing between them. But doesn't it seem like Elliott hasn't really done much, like you really don't notice he's in the game but McCray just seems to be flying all over and you know he's in the game?

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 22, 2016 at 09:48 am

I really like McCray, but it is almost irrational, because it is tough to find tape on him. I've been expecting Elliott to blossom, last year and this year. Still, ennui is no reason to give up on Elliott. He has flashed. So far, I think McCray has an edge in actual play, but the sample is small. If it is close, I chose Elliott though since he is under contract in 2017 as an RFA.

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RCPackerFan's picture

August 22, 2016 at 09:57 am

McCray has looked good, not going to deny that at all.
One question I have in comparison between Elliott and McCray, is how much more has Elliott played against better competition vs McCray? I haven't tracked their play, but it seems to me Elliott has played a lot more against the 1's and 2's whereas McCray has played a lot more against the 3's and 4's. That might explain some of the better play.

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dobber's picture

August 22, 2016 at 10:21 am

To state the obvious: this is where these next two games will matter. The Packers plans will play out in how they use these guys. If McCray gets nothing but mop-up duty and Elliott is still seeing 1s and 2s, the writing is on the wall for McCray. You're right: McCray has to get more snaps early in these games (especially this week against SF when the 1s will be playing deeper into the game) to really be able to assess him.

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RCPackerFan's picture

August 22, 2016 at 10:04 am

another question I have is, how are they playing each player? Are they having Elliott explode upfield more or are they having him anchor and set the edge more?

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RobinsonDavis's picture

August 22, 2016 at 12:06 pm

I have been wondering the same thing. Have they let these guys pin their ears back?

On another note: Think of some of the cuts that have to be made at OLB, MLB, DB, OL, P, & WR. You would think TT could find somebody that will provide a draft choice or another player (pass-rush D-lineman?) in exchange, but this is almost never the case.

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dobber's picture

August 22, 2016 at 10:27 am

"Peppers, Perry, Jones, McCray will all be UFAs. CM3, Elliott (RFA) and Fackrell will still be under contract."

I understand the rationale, here, but in all neither is going to be costly to keep if the Packers are pro-active in their contracts. McCray might be coming up, but unless he's kept and plays lights-out, he'll be a relatively cheap sign. I would also argue that Elliott has been around long enough for the coaches to know what they have in him. Is he going to be able to step into one of those roles that will open this off-season, or is he strictly a rotational body?

There are other factors...McCray has a reputation for being good on ST in Denver, but also has a reputation for nagging injuries. Elliott will flash at times, then disappear. Consistency of play is hard to estimate in limited snaps in preseason.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 23, 2016 at 12:25 am

Dobber, that is true, but it depends on how they play. Though I agree that a one year wonder won't get really big money. Again, if it is close, practically equal, is all I was saying. I was arguing against my own preference, BTW: I think Elliott is a one-trick pony, and that McCray looks to be a better rounded OLB. And I really think we have a window this yr to advance deep, better than 2017 shapes up to be. The nagging injury thing is something we've had enough of in GB; thanks, that is interesting.

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lucky953's picture

August 22, 2016 at 07:47 am

Peppers is finally at the point where he'll be used as a situational pass rusher. Perry will start in base along with Mathews. Considering that both Perry and Peppers played defensive end and converted, I think you have to consider Jones a linebacker and he'll play significant snaps there. In their recent roster analysis, McGinn & Cohen had Elliott, based on performance so far, trailing both McCray and Gilbert. As you said, Fackrell's a lock as a 3rnder. I think McCray makes it, Gilbert to PS, and Elliott gets cut.

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croatpackfan's picture

August 22, 2016 at 07:51 am

For me, main problem is that we did not see pass rush from OLB position against Oakland at all. I was so dissapointed looking that game. OK Gilbert made safety, but this was more to lining than he caught QB. That is what worries me...

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Michalske's picture

August 22, 2016 at 08:08 am

Croat, did you mean a safety in the Browns game? Ringo (DL) got the one that was an actual sack; I don't know that any single player got credit for the one where the QB ran out of the end zone. No safeties were scored in the Raiders game.

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croatpackfan's picture

August 22, 2016 at 08:59 am

Yeah, in the Browns game. My bad! But Ringo is not OLB. He is DL!

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Since'61's picture

August 22, 2016 at 08:52 am

We know that CM3, Peppers, Perry and D. Jones are locks. That leaves Gilbert, Elliott, McGray and Fackrell. As of today, I'm thinking that Elliott and McGray make it, Fackrell to PS and Gilbert cut. Of course this can all change over the next 2 preseason games or due to injury. Thanks, Since '61

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staffordsneckfat's picture

August 22, 2016 at 09:09 am

In order for Fackrell to be on the practice squad he has to get cut and then passed over by the entire league. Do you see that happening?

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NashvilleCheesehead's picture

August 22, 2016 at 09:19 am

Not a chance! He'd be gone in a heartbeat. He is a lock. Hope he develops, as we need a pipeline at OLB due to age and free agency.

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al bundy's picture

August 22, 2016 at 11:06 am

I've beaten Datone and Nick P like mules ever since they were way over drafted and will until I see something from them.
Datone is way to slow to play outside. Perry, makes that one good play per game to make the fans forget he goes missing most of the time.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

August 22, 2016 at 11:14 am

My issue with Elliott is that after 2 years he has shown no inside pash rush move and still gets bullied setting the edge. I think he's hit his limit. He's never going to be more than a special teamer and a long down pash rush change of pace guy.

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jasonperone's picture

August 22, 2016 at 01:36 pm

To clarify my leaving Datone out of this discussion: his role is "new" to him this year and we don't know exactly how he will be used. Preseason is vanilla so even the glimpses we've seen can't be deemed a full look at it. Peppers and Perry spend more time standing up and are at the top of the depth chart so if I left them out, there's no need to write this piece then. That's my thinking there.

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L's picture

August 23, 2016 at 10:24 am

Even though D.Jones will be playing an Elephant End role under the OLB banner this year that doesn't mean that the Packers won't be playing him at an interior "End" position too as part of their Defensive Line rotation.

If Elliot and McCray both demonstrate solid Special Teams play along with potential at OLB then I can certainly see the team electing to keep both on the 53-man roster.

My current 53-man prediction:

QB: Hundley needs to demonstrate health to ensure a 3rd QB isn't rostered. I think it's obvious that Callahan is the leading candidate to be added to the Practice Squad.

Rodgers
Hundley

RB: Burks is showing well enough during preseason action that he's keeping pressure on Crockett, but I think Crockett will be the #3 guy and Burks ends up being a decent bet to make the PS.

Lacy (HB)
Starks (HB)
Crockett (HB)
Ripkowski (FB)

WR: I think the team elects to keep Janis on the 53 with the intent of making him active either for week 3 or after week 3 (in order to be a ST's gunner) while attempt to get Davis plus Allison onto their Practice Squad. This prediction is quite up in the air based a number of other factors, but it's the one I'm sticking with for now. There are obvious arguments to be made for Davis making the 53 (5th Round Draft Pick, Kickoff Returner, & Janis' injury), but I think it's probably best for him and the team to have him spend a season on the practice squad.

Nelson (X, Z)
Cobb (Z)
Adams (X, Y)
Montgomery (Z, Y)
Abbrederis (Z, Y, X)
Janis (X, Y)

TE: Backman is still a big bubble guy IMO who's fighting with several others for a chance of making the 53 man roster, but I currently see the Packers electing to go with other players while attempting to get Backman onto their Practice Squad.

Cook
Rodgers
Perillo

OL: Linsley's injury on top of the contract status of a number of O-linemen really makes this group hard to figure out. I think there's a huge battle between Taylor, Walker, and Barclay for perhaps 1... maybe 2 spots. If Linsley's injury is as serious at it's now appearing it might be maybe the Packers elect to place him on the Regular Season PUP list and keep Steuck around in his place since Taylor nor Barclay have demonstrated any real good capability at Center to this point. I'm assuming they want to keep 9 O-linemen, but maybe they chance keeping only 8 or play it safe with 10. For now I'm guessing Barclay is the guy they go with based on the amount of in-game experience and position versatility he's shown, but it's probably my least confident prediction.

Bulaga (OT - RT)
Bakhtiari (OT - LT)
Lang (OG - RG)
Sitton (OG - LG)
Tretter (C, G, T)
Linsley (C, OG) - Will he end up being a candidate for the Regular Season PUP list?
Spriggs (OT)
Murphy (OG, OT)
Barclay (OG, OT, C)

DL: I list Jones here because he'll still be part of the rotation at Defensive End on top of playing Elephant End. Pennel will miss the first 4 games and when he returns the team will have a decision to make as to who to take off the 53-man roster for him. Price might be added to the Practice Squad to give him a year to add strength.

Guion (NT, DT)
Clark (DT, NT, DE)
*Pennel (DT, NT)
Daniels (DT, DE)
Ringo (DE, DT)
Lowry (DE)
Jones (EE, DE)

LB: I think there's a heck of a battle between Elliot and McCray for earning an OLB spot on the 53-man roster and as of right now I'm still thinking both could make it, but I certainly realize there's the very real possibility that only one of them does and if that was the case I think I'd side with McCray over Elliot despite the team's control over his contract. A similar situation is occurring at ILB between Thomas and Bradford, but as of right now I think Bradford has shown enough during preseason action to make the 53. Also, Ryan's injury does add intrigue to the question of how many Inside Linebackers will they keep on the 53-man roster.

Peppers (EE, OLB - Jack)
Perry (EE, OLB - Jack)
Elliot (OLB - Jack)
McCray (OLB - Jack or Sam)
Fackrell (OLB - Sam)
Matthews (OLB - Jack or Sam, ILB - Mike)
Barrington (ILB - Mike)
Martinez (ILB - Will or Mike)
Ryan (ILB - Will or Mike)
Bradford (ILB - Mike)

DB: This is the spot on the team where I think not only one, but potentially two undrafted free agents could make the 53-man roster. I think there's a very interesting battle going on between Gunter, Hawkins, Daniel, Dorleant, and maybe even Jette for two potential Cornerback spots. Gunter should be in pretty good position to be considered a near lock as long as he doesn't continue making any more major special teams blunders and of the remaining guys I've been fairly impressed by Hawkins during his preseason action which is why I'm currently listing him, but Daniel is right on his heals. At Safety undrafted rookie free agent Brice has made his presence known to the point that I think the Packers will be forced to put him on their 53 if they don't want to risk another team acquiring his services.

Shields (CB)
Randall (CB, Slot)
Rollins (CB, Slot)
Gunter (CB, Slot)
Hawkins (CB, Slot)
Hyde (Slot, SS, FS)
Clinton-Dix (FS)
Burnett (SS)
Banjo (SS, FS)
Brice (FS, SS)

K:

Crobsy

P: Quite the battle continues here, but I think Masthay remains the starter this year just because I think the coaches factor in holding and team chemistry as part of the equation's X-factor (I believe Masthay is very much liked by most, if not all, core team members; plus, he's a better holder). Maybe that's a silly method to decide, but it's what my gut is telling me right now.

Masthay

LS: lack of healthy competition leaves Lovato as the guy it seems.

Lovato

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staffordsneckfat's picture

August 22, 2016 at 04:28 pm

There is just absolutely no way Ted cuts Trevor Davis after taking him in the fifth...

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EdsLaces's picture

August 22, 2016 at 03:06 pm

I know he's young but wow whoever said Fack needs to hit the weights is spot on..

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staffordsneckfat's picture

August 22, 2016 at 04:32 pm

At 24, Fackrell isn't that young.

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Bedrock's picture

August 22, 2016 at 05:33 pm

In age, but as far as the amount of football wear and tear, he's as young as other rookies.

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