Outside Help Outside?

The Packers are looking for outside help at outside linebacker.

Jul 01, 2010

7 comments

I listened into a little bit of Kareem Copeland's first chat today at the Green Bay Press Gazette. Although I had to leave early due to the rash of "who looks good without pads" questions, he did mention not to be surprised if the Packers go outside the roster in the next month at outside linbacker.

Says Copeland:

"Brady Poppinga has been the No. 3 OLB, but there's a good chance some help (as far as depth) will come from outside the current roster in this next month or so."

Now we all know that I am a big Brad Jones believer and no doubt CM3 is a beastly specimen. However, I am not naive that if one of them should fall to injury we could be in a world of hurt. Now, I don't view this as a "glaring hole" like some, but I firmly stand behind any effort to look outside the roster for depth at the position.

Although this would be a refreshing move from Ted Thompson, I still will be surprised if anyone comes aboard with any kind of pedigree. Per usual, I imagine Poppinga will come on strong in camp as always and the Packers will feel confident until its too late again. It happens every year, and I don't see it changing anytime soon. That said, if the Packers are indeed interested in outside help, they best get it done in the next month. Any later than that and you risk a guy not being ready to play in the opener if needed.

There's not much sitting out there right now for proven talent, but guys come and go when training camp rolls around. Hopefully Ted is savvy enough to find the next diamond in the rough. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Comments (7)

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

OFF

July 01, 2010 at 03:24 pm

Adalius Thomas. Experienced 3-4 OLB. Makes a lot of sense. Probably asking for too much money right now, but as its gets closer to the season maybe he'll lower his asking price and reconsider his preferred cities of choice.

He's been less than stellar in his last couple seasons, one due to injury, the other due to a questionable suspension. He's been a playmaker his entire career and showed up in NE/NY super bowl with 2 sacks and a FF. Just Saying

1 replies + - | show all | hide all

JohnRehor

July 01, 2010 at 10:35 pm

"Adalius Thomas. Experienced 3-4 OLB. Makes a lot of sense. Probably asking for too much money right now, but as its gets closer to the season maybe he’ll lower his asking price and reconsider his preferred cities of choice."

i like this idea, I just don't think Thompson fully appreciates the value of adding veterans to the team for not only production, but leadership. We saw a small glimpse LY with Green, and it was a success. Would Thomas have to play every down? No. But would he add a dimension (veteran 3-4 LB who can rush the passer) that we need now? yes.

Will Thompson pull the trigger? Doubtful. And that's the worst part

July 01, 2010 at 04:23 pm

If James Harrison goes down, who steps in? And DeMarcus Ware? Pass rushers are the equivalent of QBs on teams, as far as depth goes. It's such a hard position to fill, that the good ones are starting. Every team suffers a big dropoff if their main guy goes down.

We can argue about Jones not being in the same category as Spencer, and specially Woodley (though I, like you, am a firm believer in him), but I don't think OLB depth is something you plan on... Unless you got a rookie grooming in, like the Steelers and Ravens do. But a veteran pass rusher for backup? I don't think so.

July 02, 2010 at 01:05 pm

Over half of the league are now running the 3-4 defense, and most of their rosters are completely devoid of talent. Adalius Thomas is a nice, shiny brand name but his game is done. He would be on a roster ( in a league that has so few) as a pass rusher if he had anything left in the tank.

Outside help, yes. Thomas, no. Poppinga is better at this stage. Yes, I went there.

July 02, 2010 at 01:37 pm

Adalius Thomas:
Age: 32
Number of seasons with double-digit sacks: 1 (9 seasons)
Games started the last 2 years: 20/32
Number of sacks the last 2 years: 8 (0,4 sacks per game)
Number of sacks last year (11 games started): 3 (0,27 sacks per game)

Brad Jones:
Age: 24
Games started last year: 7
Number of sacks last year: 4 (0,57 sacks per game)

Wouldn't go as far to say he's worse than Poppinga, though cost-benefit might as well be. But Jones is a much better option right now, not even close.

July 02, 2010 at 01:39 pm

About Brad Jones: http://www.packerforum.com/packer-fan-forum/21423-brad-jones-vs-clay-mat...

He has better combine numbers (when it matters, not in 40 yard dash) than every pass rusher in this year's combine except Huges. I'll post an article to show that it does, indeed, matters, in the reply, because apparently if you post 2 links in the same post you're a spammer...