Rookie Debut A "Confidence Builder" for LB Vince Biegel
For Vince Biegel, the final step of his recovery was the biggest one.
Monday night marked his first bit of live-game action since his senior season at Wisconsin. Now, officially an outside linebacker for the Green Bay Packers, Biegel's career path is in his hands.
"It felt good," Biegel said after the Packers' loss to the Detroit Lions Monday night. "It definitely felt good to strap up the cleats again and play at Lambeau Field -- a place I grew up watching the Packers play ball."
Biegel missed the entirety of the offseason while recovering from foot surgery on the same foot that plagued him in his final collegiate season. That led to him beginning his rookie season on the PUP list, sidelining him for at least eight weeks.
That last Friday when Biegel was involved in a roster swap that sent safety Kentrell Brice to injured reserve and Biegel, with his 21-day window for activation closing, to the 53-man roster.
That aforementioned final step was testing his foot on Lambeau Field's hallowed turf in the live pace of a game. Three tackles later, Biegel pieced together a fine rookie debut with his 19 defensive snaps.
"The foot responded very well, my body feels great, I got fresh legs out there. I can't complain, I felt good out here."
Biegel even more of a case for more snaps through four quarters than fellow outside linebacker Kyler Fackrell has over the course of a full season. Fackrell's niche is on special teams, where he's played 87.9 percent of snaps this season -- significantly more than the next-closest player: inside linebacker Jake Ryan (44.9 percent).
Defensively, Fackrell has yet to cash in.
Fackrell played just eight more snaps than Biegel against the Lions, however, Biegel's role moving forward is more than likely set to increase. All it'll take is minor progression on a weekly basis and how well he practices. He had just two padded practices under his belt before playing in his first game for the Packers.
"I think as the season moves forward, I'll continue to get better for this team," Biegel continued. "My pass rush will continue to get better, I'm going to get better on special teams, I'm going to be better on defense and I'm excited for where that may take us."
Some of Biegel's plays on defense include an impressive goal line stuff in the fourth quarter helped stall the Lions' 12-play drive and forced them to kick a field goal. Biegel also recorded a tackle amidst his limited special teams snaps.
"This was definitely a confidence builder. I'm going to continue to improve on this. I definitely did some good things today, some things I can improve on, but overall, we'll break down the film tomorrow and continue to build that confidence the rest of the season."
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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].
Comments (39)
Gianich
November 08, 2017 at 11:39 am
Getting gobbled up by an Olineman every time he came close to the line of scrimmage is a confidence builder??? No..... He must be referring to not being hurt while playing. Anytime a Packer gets through a game without getting injured it has to be a confidence builder. Give it time Vince.. Give it time...
al bundy
November 08, 2017 at 01:03 pm
Ya your as cynical as me. Nice stopping by Vince. Its week ten. Did you tell Ted T you needed surgery on your foot again and he still picked you up. Wow were shocked you were available. The Vikes and Bears must have known something: you have a history of bad feet!
TKWorldWide
November 08, 2017 at 08:16 pm
A Rod is leaving no doubt who the league MVP is.
RCPackerFan
November 08, 2017 at 11:50 am
I thought Biegel had a pretty good debut overall.
I thought it was a good game to get his feet wet in. Considering he really hasn't played in about 10-11 months.
Moving forward I think we will see Biegel play more and more each game moving forward. I hope it is putting Fackrell on the bench.
Here was a good breakdown of Biegel's debut on packers.com
http://www.packers.com/media-center/videos/Rock-Report-Good-first-impres...
KenEllis
November 08, 2017 at 11:54 am
I look forward to seeing a lot more of Vince. At least he played with a little bit of passion Monday night.
The only worry is playing Vince might stunt the development of TT's wonderful 2016 3rd round selection Kyler Fackrell.
I mean, TT planned for Fackrell to replace Peppers this season so we have to give Fackrell every chance to develop, right?
Packmaniac
November 08, 2017 at 06:58 pm
I can't believe Kyler Fackrell is on an NFL roster. Boggles my mind.
Tundraboy
November 12, 2017 at 09:26 am
That's right forgot Fackrell was a 3rd rounder, what a wasted pick.
al bundy
November 08, 2017 at 01:00 pm
Here is another example of Ted ignoring ones past injury history and picking the guy up. I still say Ted pays no attention what so ever to past injuries and that is the reason this team, year in year out has more injuries then any other team. He is drafting injury prone people.
I bet Biegel is in great playing shape and full of enery. NOT. We lost a half season and the pre season on this guy and he has producted nothing. Seems we have a team of this.
RCPackerFan
November 08, 2017 at 01:37 pm
Out of the 121 players that Thompson has drafted, how many came into the league with an injury history? Can you name all of them?
AK Cheese
November 08, 2017 at 01:47 pm
Biegel smiegel.....
Packmaniac
November 08, 2017 at 06:59 pm
Exactly
Ibleedgreenmore
November 08, 2017 at 02:16 pm
The best news is he did not get hurt.
Tundraboy
November 12, 2017 at 09:28 am
And has a pulse and some energy.
MITM
November 08, 2017 at 03:02 pm
I am not down on Biegel or King whatsoever I just find myself monitoring TJ Watt per comparison. Because essentially we passed on TJ and got King in 2 and Biegel with that extra 4th we got for trading back, I believe. I just thought Watt was such a lock to be taken and I hope we dont regret it 3-4 years from now but my gut feeling tells me we will.
Andrew Lloyd Peth
November 08, 2017 at 06:33 pm
Now Bennett's gone, and it's going to get nasty between him and the team.
YYYYYYEEEEEESSSSS!!!!!!!
Watching this bigoted distraction walk out the door feels great--though I'm still disappointed in the team for signing such a headcase.
Don't care! I'm too happy! Yes!!!
fastmoving
November 08, 2017 at 05:51 pm
Till the next thing you crying about. I thought you just promised in your last post you "will never see the packers the same again", now you have your love (whatever that means, I guess nothing good) renewed.
Man, the internet is made for guys like you . The only place in your life where you can act strong and smart.
funny....... but sad in the first place......
Andrew Lloyd Peth
November 08, 2017 at 07:17 pm
Oh please, fastmoving, you're just a proud lefty who disagrees with me, and this colors every post you make on the subject. You know full well I left for only one reason: This team's stupidity in signing a bigoted headcase who would put politics ahead of his job.
The difference between us is that I would feel the same if a rightwing player performed like Martellus did. But you defend him no matter what, because you share his politics.
I'm thrilled--and shocked--the team actually acted. The excuse was failure to report an injury, or whatever. Doesn't matter. He's gone!
Will I ever see the team EXACTLY the same way? Doubtful. Signing someone who raises racial power fists during a song meant to unite Americans and honor veterans--that's horrible.
BUT TODAY FEELS GREAT!
fastmoving
November 08, 2017 at 06:05 pm
smart answer...........speaks for you....again
as left as rodgers, lombardi, the most beat writers and 80percent of the players.
your smart boss, who never worked a day in his life, never did any sports would be proud of you
Andrew Lloyd Peth
November 08, 2017 at 06:29 pm
Fastmoving, let's just get right to the thing that's really eating you up: I was right about your guy. I called it early on. The problem wasn't that Martellus has bigoted views like you, but rather that he let those become more important than focusing on his job.
Lazy routes. Idiotic penalty. Irratic hands. Dude was a total headcase, and I called him on it early on, and you defended him just because he's a fellow leftist, and I turned out to be 1,000,000% right.
And it eats at you. Well, too bad.
Andrew Lloyd Peth
November 08, 2017 at 06:22 pm
Rodgers and Lombardi focused on their jobs at work. That's all I asked. Leave insults to half the fans out of gameday, rather than being an arrogant headcase like Martellus.
Political views shouldn't matter at work. But Martellus refused to follow that simple rule which is followed daily by all us mere mortals.
And I called it early on, and it's eating at you to see how wrong you were.
fastmoving
November 08, 2017 at 06:09 pm
Jerry Jones must be your guy............................
Andrew Lloyd Peth
November 08, 2017 at 06:16 pm
I couldn't care less about Jerry Jones. Got any other straw men to prop up?
You just can't handle that I called out your guy and I was right all along.
Too bad. Go burn a flag.
MITM
November 08, 2017 at 05:51 pm
Why the thumbs down? This man speaks the truth. So Bennett cant catch a cold with Rodgers, adds insult to injury on the play Rodgers goes out by dropping a perfect pass for a first down, announces his retirement after that, and goes down with a phantom injury and misses the Lions game. Good riddance, thanks for nothing Marty.
Andrew Lloyd Peth
November 08, 2017 at 06:09 pm
Absolutely, MITM.
You know, I never minded Bennett's personal views, however offensive I considered them. But not only did he parade those views to insult half the fanbase on gameday, but he was also completely unfocused on his job! Lazy routes. Lousy hands. A stupid penalty where his immaturity endangered a game.
I said early on this guy was more focused on his activism than his job--whereas the rest of us have to focus on our jobs at the workplace. That was the worst problem, and I would have complained regardless of his political views.
Oh well, he's gone. Good riddance.
Red Foreman
November 08, 2017 at 06:29 pm
Comments like this make me thirsty. I believe I will have a White Russian.
Andrew Lloyd Peth
November 08, 2017 at 06:41 pm
Is Hillary pouring it?
Look, it doesn't matter what our political views are. What matters is that these should be set aside at work--especially in the public eye like an NFL team.
Martellus raised a racial power fist during a song meant to unite Americans and honor veterans. Martellus also let his activism ruin his focus and affect his play. He felt it more important to insult half the fanbase than focus on playing well for all of us.
That's all on him. I didn't start this, and neither did you or fastmoving. This is all on Martellus, and the Packers should have known better than to sign him.
Red Foreman
November 08, 2017 at 06:46 pm
Nope, she was going to but they were already sold out. just kidding. I didn't vote for either. Agree to disagree. You are right about his performance on the field however, definitely not what any of us hoped.
Andrew Lloyd Peth
November 08, 2017 at 06:53 pm
As I've said repeatedly, it wasn't Martellus's politics that most offended me. It was his lack of concern at offending half the fans, and focusing more on his activism than the game.
He. Just. Didn't. Care. About. The. Fans.
As for the two candidates, I've never seen the two parties put forth two less likable people. Maybe that's why the viciousness throughout America has leapt so high--general frustration.
At any rate, Martellus is gone, but Capers is still here...so I should probaby mute my celebration.
Red Foreman
November 08, 2017 at 06:56 pm
Now, THAT is something we can agree on!
Andrew Lloyd Peth
November 08, 2017 at 07:10 pm
A-freaking-men, sir :)
AK Cheese
November 09, 2017 at 02:50 pm
Dude?
Thegreatreynoldo
November 09, 2017 at 06:54 am
One wouldn't expect Bennett to go gentle into that good night. Per PFT, he is disputing the failure to disclose designation.
Andrew Lloyd Peth
November 09, 2017 at 07:52 am
Of course he is.
Worst. FA. Pickup. Ever.
Andrew Lloyd Peth
November 09, 2017 at 07:52 am
Double Post
egbertsouse
November 09, 2017 at 11:44 am
This site has become the Breitbart of Packer sites basically because of two enormous wind bags who can’t seem to STFU.
Sugadon84
November 10, 2017 at 12:35 pm
I don't understand what a snowflake or Leftist means. I'm a tax paying black man that works hard for my family. I respect what the players are doing because it's bigger than football or any sport. If we had video taped footage of police officers shooting white men on camera unjustly than we as black people would b very respectful if white athletes wanted to bring attention to it no matter what the protest was as long as it was non violent and respectful. It was never a disrespect to our military or the flag. U took it that way. I'm from Louisiana and I love the Packers. I saw the game when Rodgers asked the fans to lock arms. When the camera panned to the crowd it hurt seeing the fans not doing it. Saluting like GI JOEs but backing a President who shitted on a real Vet like McCain. That was disgusting. That's when u prideful military loving god fearing Packers fans should of stood up to Trump and anyone who disrespects a veteran! But no Trump is Trump and right is white so who cares right? McCain was a POW and didn't leave his ppl behind and Trump is a draft dodging hypocrite. But what do I kno? It's funny to see educated white men dog pro athletes for being immature or making mistakes but back a president with such poor character.
Finwiz
November 10, 2017 at 12:56 pm
I take offense to this post, and hope it gets deleted.
Mr. Jersey Al? What say you?
Sugadon84
November 10, 2017 at 12:42 pm
I said all that to say this I never liked the Bennet signing. I knew he was a quitter and wasn't consistent. But all the low key racial shots are not needed. Our QB loves Bennett and what the cause is. A more educated man than majority of the men on this blog or any other. Rodgers is a smart man. He came to the defense of Muslims a couple years back because some big white hick in GB was screaming some racist disrespectful shit during the playing of the national anthem. Where was the outrage! Nobody cares. Like I said I didn't like the signing of Bennett! Without Rodgers this team and organization is a dumpster fire. No elite athletes anywhere. We are not training or lifting like other teams. I hate to say it but we have to clean house because it's like the Packers are playing stick ball and everyone else is playing Hard Ball.
Sugadon84
November 10, 2017 at 03:01 pm
Finwiz y delete it when it's my opinion on this matter? Does my opinion not count or did u find it disrespectful? Was it racist? That's not what I intended.