Packers Have No Big Hitters
Something I have wanted to talk about lately: Big Hitters
Thanks to CHTV reader Pat Weber for reminding me of something I have wanted to talk about lately: big hitters. Or, in the Packers case, lack thereof.
With all the ooh's and ah's over the Quinn Johnson video, it got me to thinking about the Packers long time absence of a big intimidating hitter on defense. To be brutally honest, I really couldn't tell you who the big hitter on the Packer's defense is right now. I'd also make the argument that there isn't one, and hasn't been for some time.
Think about it, when is the last time the Packers had a real animal that could lay people out on a regular basis? I know Bishop has made a few hits in pre-season, and Bigby made a career out of three big hits, but outside of that, I simply can't think of anyone that intimidates opposing offenses.
It's been years since we have had an Urlacher or Polamalu type on the defense. Realistically, you almost have to go back to Leroy Butler (who coincidentally is on CHTV tonight) perhaps Reggie or even Gilbert to really remember any kind of significant highlight reel hitting.
The 2010 Packers really need a hitter on defense, and it concerns me that I can't think of a single player that may rise into that roll.
Who is the Packers biggest hitter? I say Quinn Johnson, which is sad.
How about you?
[poll id="19"]
Comments (11)
August 17, 2010 at 07:28 am
I would rather have sound/technical tackling then a player that consistantly goes for the 'big hit'. I noticed Bishop went for the big hit at least twice against the Browns, made a solid impact, but didn't wrap up and the player received additional yardage.
Personally, I would rather my defensive backfield's ability to generate turnovers be the intimidating factor, not the 'knock-out' hit. Is it too much to ask for sound tackling? Just me...
August 17, 2010 at 11:35 am
Exactly. Who the Colts or the Saints have as big hitters?
Alex Tallitsch
August 17, 2010 at 03:32 pm
Bob Sanders for one. Sharper can hit too.
August 17, 2010 at 05:59 pm
Sanders is a hitter for sure. And it lands him on the injury list with regularity. I never really considered Sharper to be an intimidating hitter.
August 18, 2010 at 11:29 am
Sharper hits as hard as Ted Ginn.
August 18, 2010 at 07:58 am
Couldn't agree more.
GBP 4 LIFE
August 17, 2010 at 08:57 am
I don't see the need for Big Hits. I really don't. You can say it can sting some, and put a good licking.
A couple of things are needed for a big hit. Excellent moment, a ball carrier that has poor awareness on the play, and luck.
Not to mention that if you go for a big hit, then that means the carrier will get a first down at least and let them advance into the next level.
Tackeling, Tackeling, Tackeling. A skinny cb can tackle anybody if known the proper way to tackle. Also if they know how to tackle properly, they won get injured. Third, let someone else try to strip the ball.
In this era of concussions Alex, you know that once you get one, you are out the next game no matter what and the next week it depends if the condition is still there.
August 17, 2010 at 05:39 pm
How many big hitters are there in the NFL these days? I can't think of many. Big hits have been increasingly discouraged by rule changes, and the big hitters tend to weed themselves out with repeated injuries, like Bob Sanders and Troy Polamalu. So I'm not concerned about our lack of big hitters.
I don't think Darren Sharper is a big hitter, but if he is, there goes your theory about the Packers not having one since LeRoy Butler. Unless, of course, Sharper has become a big hitter just in the past few years, and I sure don't see that.
I think Barnett is our biggest hitter and our meanest player.
Alex Tallitsch
August 17, 2010 at 05:41 pm
"I don’t think Darren Sharper is a big hitter, but if he is, there goes your theory about the Packers not having one since LeRoy Butler."
Solid burn.
August 17, 2010 at 06:40 pm
What about Collins? He throws his body around a little. Unless he is under cutting a route for a pick, he usually lays down some hits back there.
August 19, 2010 at 12:14 am
we may not have the hitters but we have the ballhawks, collins woodson williams the entire secondary are ballhawks and hopefully burnett. A QB fears ballhawks, receivers fear the hitters u rather scare the QB with the secondary than the WR, in my opinion anyways.