Packers Question of the day - The Future After Morgan Burnett: Kentrell Brice?

He's unquestionably one of the best tacklers the Packers may have seen in recent years. Kentrell Brice has been a quiet success story with the Packers after finding his way onto the 53-man roster. That success story has yet to take off into the stratosphere and write itself, however.

He hasn't seen very many snaps defensively. 30 through the first three games of the season, to be exact. Most of his action has been seen on special teams, 

The Packers will have a decision to make on Morgan Burnett, the current starting strong safety who is dealing with a back problem that kept him out of Sunday's game against Detroit. Burnett's contract expires in 2018, but is it time to begin thinking of the future at the position after him? By then, eight accrued seasons will have been under Burnett's belt. If Brice can develop in defensive coordinator Dom Capers' scheme, could he be a potential fit in the future? Or is it too early to say?

Yeah. It's probably too early, let's be honest, but some predictions never hurt anyone.

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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].

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Comments (27)

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RCPackerFan's picture

September 27, 2016 at 09:14 am

Perhaps you read my bold prediction yesterday that Brice will be one of our future starting safety's.

I truly believe that. He is probably the most physical safety we have had since Atari Bigby. He can hit. He not only can hit he covers a lot of ground.

One question I have is, does Capers find a way to start getting him on the field sooner then later? Perhaps in a hybrid S/ILB type of role? or does he keep developing him for the future?

Either way Brice was a really good find as an UDFA.

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egbertsouse's picture

September 27, 2016 at 02:25 pm

Maybe Capers should create a position for him where he stands in the middle, 15 yds downfield and defends that pass where the opposing TE or RB is always wide open on 3rd and 10.

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RCPackerFan's picture

September 28, 2016 at 07:16 am

I would be ok with that.

Find a way to put him with Thomas in the middle of the defense. That would be pretty intimidating for anyone wanting to go over the middle.

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L's picture

September 27, 2016 at 02:42 pm

K.Brice's athleticism is very impressive with a pSPARQ rating of 128.5 (87th percentile for the safety position).

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RCPackerFan's picture

September 28, 2016 at 07:16 am

That is impressive. Where did you find that at?

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L's picture

September 28, 2016 at 11:29 am

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Ibleedgreenmore's picture

September 27, 2016 at 09:41 am

The team is in flux no doubt the young ones will come on. Just think with next years draft what we will have. More wins sure will be nice, if the O gets moving as in this game should be blast.

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rdent's picture

September 28, 2016 at 11:11 am

I said it earlier Kentrell Brice can run,as low as 4.38 40 yd and he hits as we all have seen,I like his upside and I believe that he will see more snaps as the season goes on,I also like Marwin Evan's numbers,5'11 1/4 "211 lbs 4.47 40 yd,if these two develop the Packers could have safety covered

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ray nichkee's picture

September 27, 2016 at 09:50 am

It's deffinately way too early to pass judgment on any of these rookies but he. Has been the funnest to watch. I can see him being great down the road. He can only benefit from being in the system in a part time role learning as he goes until he's ready to step in if it comes to that. Imagine him and HHCD in the backfield leveling guys.

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Amanofthenorth's picture

September 27, 2016 at 11:40 pm

Preseason 2017 can't come quick enough.

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Irish_Cheesehead's picture

September 28, 2016 at 10:53 am

Enjoy this season first - it's only week 4!

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Colin_C's picture

September 27, 2016 at 09:53 am

I believe he is the future. Its absolutely crazy that he didn't get drafted. After the fact, some scouts gave him a 2nd or even 1st round grade. The guy also seems like a class act off the field as well. Personally, I'd have much rather have Brice at safety on Sunday than Hyde.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

September 27, 2016 at 08:30 pm

^^This^^ The biggest threat is to Hyde, who is a FA after this season. I agree with DPF above that of course Dix is safe; Burnett OTOH can be cut after this season, but his play is pretty good. The issues with Burnett are his increasing injury history, and his $7M cap hit (versus a $1.65M dead money hit) for the 2017 season. Too early to say if Brice or Evans will develop in time to threaten Burnett. In truth, while Brice had a couple of fun to watch tackles, I did not think overall that he had a good game.

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croatpackfan's picture

September 28, 2016 at 04:58 am

"In truth, while Brice had a couple of fun to watch tackles, I did not think overall that he had a good game." - the very truth.
I agree that he has a huge potential, but only time can tell. I keep my hopes and prayers he will develop as all of us would like to...

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rdent's picture

September 28, 2016 at 11:19 am

One would think the reason GB signed Brice and Evan's is perhaps they are looking for an upgrade from Hyde down the road

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al bundy's picture

September 27, 2016 at 10:33 am

Hey its a broken record with the Packers: the top picks play the other sit on the bench. Richard Rogers, Davante Adams, others, get the play time while better players sit. These are Teds top picks. Cant do anything to make Teds top picks look like Ted made a mistake. Hi stop picks sit on the bench, he must have done something wrong. Mike knows who writes his checks out.
Bryce is probably better than Dix but we will never know.

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SpudRapids's picture

September 27, 2016 at 11:02 am

You do know that Kentrell Brice doesn't even make the team unless Thompson signs him... He's not better than Dix, he's a raw talent that could potentially be a difference maker but right now he is just potential.

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rdent's picture

September 28, 2016 at 11:26 am

Did I miss something?I don't recall anyone saying Brice is better than Dix or Burnett for that matter but I do see him getting more PT over Hyde

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SpudRapids's picture

September 27, 2016 at 10:44 am

Clinton-Dix needs to become leader of the secondary for this to happen. They need their QB back their to effectively communicate and help with alignments/assignments.

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lebowski's picture

September 27, 2016 at 11:07 am

All I know is HaHa's been freaking invisible so far this year

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Gianich's picture

September 27, 2016 at 02:58 pm

Yes HA HA has been invisible and that may not be the worst thing. Yes, we'd like him to make a freakin play or two but consider that he could have been visible like Hyde was. Hyde is showing that he is terrible if he does not start the play within 7-10 yards of the line of scrimmage and that is even being exposed.

I'd be willing to bet that Dix was invisible this game because he had over the top covered most of the game and Gunter did his job underneath more so than the guys on the opposite side in Randall and Hyde.

I understand Hyde has the experience and he is very instinctual but his physical limitations are getting exposed anytime he is targeted and his instincts seem delayed early this year. He's a smart player and a great Special Teams guy but should never play more than 30% of the defensive snaps. I would rather have Brice in there with the physical tools and raw talent to make up for his growing pains and mistakes rather than see Hyde hang on for dear life as more athletic opposing players exploit him over and over again. I think Banjo and Brice would be a better option. If Burnett remains out I Just hope the coaches don't hang on too long with Hyde back there getting lit up deep and biting on underneath fakes every damn snap.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

September 27, 2016 at 08:40 pm

¨I'd be willing to bet that Dix was invisible this game because he had over the top covered most of the game and Gunter did his job underneath more so than the guys on the opposite side in Randall and Hyde.¨

I do not know what this means or what you are trying to say. If Dix had over the top responsibility, he failed to stop a lot of things rupturing into gigantic plays.

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croatpackfan's picture

September 28, 2016 at 05:05 am

MAybe opposing QB are trying to avoid Ha-Ha when they throws? Is that can be at least taken in the consideration?

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RCPackerFan's picture

September 28, 2016 at 07:19 am

Clinton-Dix did have an Interception that was called back due to penalty.

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Allan Murphy's picture

September 27, 2016 at 02:36 pm

When we get big leads then play these guys keep our starters fresh .............

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Lphill's picture

September 27, 2016 at 04:43 pm

Ha Ha seemed to be playing up a lot and held his ground against the run as well , let's let Brice develop as the season unfolds but yes he is a keeper .

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Bohj's picture

September 28, 2016 at 04:14 pm

"He's unquestionably one of the best tacklers the Packers may have seen in recent years." I know you made a disclaimer that it's early. But I'm going to reserve judgement until we see Brice play alot more snaps. Most of his damage in the preseason was going against scrubs, playing a vanilla defense against a vanilla offense. Though his open field tackles and big hits looked good......I also want to know if he can read an offense. Make adjustments. Receive a tight pass-off in zone coverage. Be at the right spot in run support. I want to believe he can....but I want more tape against real competition. Re-ask the question in 8 more weeks.

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