Packers Question of the day - Surprised by Martinez's new role?

In recent coaches interviews just this past Monday, it became apparent that rookie inside linebacker Blake Martinez was taking a majority of reps with the first-team defense. He had even gone as far as sporting the radio in his helmet to communicate with his affiliates. 

Although nothing is set in stone just yet and a lot can change with any job that is currently up for grabs from now until September 3rd - the day all rosters must be cut to 53 players. It's a telling sign that the likes of Winston Moss and Scott McCurley feel comfortable enough giving Martinez that increased workload. In the process, they'll be looking to see who will match up best with Martinez between Jake Ryan and Sam Barrington.

Do you like Martinez potentially entering the season as the primary starter or may it be too early for such a transition? 

__________________________

Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].

NFL Categories: 
0 points
 

Comments (14)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Gianich's picture

August 30, 2016 at 09:14 am

Ryan and Martinez in the middle! Barrington, Thomas, or Bradford as backups. Things are looking up at the ILB position for the first time in a long time!

0 points
0
0
SpudRapids's picture

August 30, 2016 at 04:11 pm

I don't think we've seen the best of Barrington yet... he was looking promising when he went down with the ankle injury.

0 points
0
0
Since'61's picture

August 30, 2016 at 09:32 am

Given the level of play we have seen from Martinez's predecessors I am not surprised at all that he is being named a starting ILB. We seem to have collected a motley bunch of 2nd and 3rd stringers for that position group so there is nothing to lose in starting Martinez. How Martinez will perform when the games matter has yet to be determined but for now he brings the most upside to the position group and I will go so far as to say that he can't be any worse than his predecessors over the last several seasons. So while we don't have any Nitschkes at ILB we at least have hope for improvement with Martinez. Maybe our best ILB combo is Martinez and Matthews, the "M&M" guys at ILB. Thanks, Since '61

0 points
0
0
Bearmeat's picture

August 30, 2016 at 09:40 am

Well put 61. We've had total schlock at the position since Bishop in 2010, so we are desperate for any type of NFL level talent at the position. Hopefully Martinez can become an above average starter sooner rather than later.

0 points
0
0
Since'61's picture

August 30, 2016 at 11:05 am

Bearmeat - once the regular season begins our opponents will look for and plan on attacking Martinez's weaknesses, just as they will plan against our defense overall. Over the course of the season teams and individual players will adjust accordingly. If Martinez is to evolve into an above average player (as we all hope), that will be determined by how well he adjusts to what opponents are doing to him. Success in professional sports is about continually making small adjustments in response to how the opponents adjust. Those who do it well become great players, those who don't become the ILBs we have had the last few seasons. I'm with you in hoping that it happens for Martinez sooner rather later. Thanks, Since '61

0 points
0
0
jeremyjjbrown's picture

August 30, 2016 at 09:30 am

He's their best linebacker on tape and he went to Stanford so he's gonna do fine with the calls. Great Pick by TT. He might end up being the best player in this years Packers draft class.

0 points
0
0
MarkinMadison's picture

August 30, 2016 at 09:51 am

In the pass happy NFL I don't know why you would bring your best cover ILB off the bench on passing downs only. If the running game is too big for him, then he's not going to be able to handle the mental part of the passing game. So just let him play. I'm sure he'll have a few bad plays here and there, but it's not like the Packers have to put a Pro Bowler on the bench to get him out there.

0 points
0
0
Tundraboy's picture

August 30, 2016 at 08:28 pm

My thoughts exactly.

0 points
0
0
Chad Lundberg's picture

August 30, 2016 at 10:01 am

Knowing that there is a resurgence players at ILB that are capable is very very pleasing for me to hear. Martinez has the makings of a 4th round steal, but even if he isn't he's still good enough, and that my friends should bring relief to EVERYONE.

0 points
0
0
al bundy's picture

August 30, 2016 at 10:07 am

Not a ryan fan. Wat hdd him at mich and was under impressed. Lack of sideways mobilty and quickness. Two things a PRO lb must have. So its martinez and barrington foe me, ryan plays fill in.

0 points
0
0
al bundy's picture

August 30, 2016 at 10:09 am

Should have read, watched him at michigan.

0 points
0
0
Turophile's picture

August 31, 2016 at 02:21 am

Ryan needs time to be the kind of player the Packers hoped for when they drafted him. He won the Pat Tillman award, he is versatile, having played OLB mostly and switched to ILB in his last year at college. There is plenty to like about him, his energy, tackling, angles to the ball, character, work ethic, productivity, toughness, film junkie (see Nawrocki's report on him in the 2015 draft preview). He doesn't have elite speed, but he isn't slow by any means. He can be an excellent counterpart to Martinez in the middle (which is not to downgrade Barrington, who is also a very viable ILB).

Either of those two should be fine alongside Martinez, who looks like his place as starter is pretty much sewn up at the moment. Bradford has really come on this year as well. Packers look pretty solid here now.

0 points
0
0
EdsLaces's picture

August 30, 2016 at 06:33 pm

Barrington and Martinez for me ...a little thump and a little chase..

0 points
0
0
PETER MAIZ's picture

August 31, 2016 at 12:11 am

I thought Barrington was getting the job. It's pretty early for Martinez notwithstanding that he is very good.

0 points
0
0