Caplan Confirms Tollefson Targeted to Play OLB

The Packers are targeting free agent Dave Tollefson to play outside linebacker in their 3-4 defense, Adam Caplan reported Friday.

Adam Caplan of the Sidelineview.com confirmed Friday that the Green Bay Packers are targeting free agent Dave Tollefson to play outside linebacker in their 3-4 defense.

Tollefson, who was drafted by GM Ted Thompson in 2006, has been in Green Bay visiting the last two days. The 266-pound Tollefson has 10 career sacks in 63 games, all with the New York Giants. He'll turn 30 years old in July.

*Packers Microblog*

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Comments (17)

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jmac34's picture

March 30, 2012 at 07:52 pm

I just don't see the athleticism needed to play OLB from Tollefson. He reminds me of a less talented Kampmen. High energy guy who makes sense for a 4/3 but isn't big enough to play DE or isn't fluid enough to play OLB in the 3/4.

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New cow smell's picture

March 30, 2012 at 08:39 pm

And you would know better than the talent evaluators employed by the Green Bay Packers.

I'd be willing to bet Tollefson is every bit the athlete that zombo, so'oto, and Walden are.

By the way-how do we know kampman wouldn't have eventually figured things out. In fact, I bet the pass rush would have been a whole lot better with clay on one side and kampman on the other.

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Oppy's picture

March 30, 2012 at 08:52 pm

The dirty little secret is that Aaron Kampman wasn't a bad OLB in his time in Green Bay.

He was having the kind of season that Clay Matthews just had.. Not getting the eye-popping Sack totals, but his hits and pressures were stacking up- he was leading the defense and was high up those lists in the league.

The other big knock on Kampman at OLB was how "Awkward" he looked in coverage, how stiff he looked. Well, can't disagree there, but the thing is- while he LOOKED like a fish out of water, he was never victimized in coverage. In fact, he was pretty assignment sure when he dropped into coverage.

Bottom line: Aaron Kampman played pretty well at a position he NEVER played before, and he might have gone on to actually become a very good 3-4 OLB.. But HE never liked it, never felt comfortable, never really embraced the position. But he did a good job all things considered before his injury.

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aaron's picture

March 31, 2012 at 12:29 pm

All Facts

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FITZCORE1252's EVO's picture

March 30, 2012 at 09:24 pm

Optimism? Glass half full? Cow?

I agree. Gotta give the SLIGHTEST edge in talent evaluation to the guys who get paid to do it. Though we are all pretty good... In our own minds.

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jmac34's picture

March 30, 2012 at 09:29 pm

I have the right to have my opinion. Of coarse the talent evaluators are better qualified then I am, but its not like they haven't made mistakes too.

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FITZCORE1252's EVO's picture

March 30, 2012 at 10:29 pm

I have to agree with your assessment of Tollefson. That's basically what I thought when his name was mentioned. BUT, once again, I'll defer to Dom and Kevin's knowledge of what a 34 OLB needs to be/look like. I definitely wasn't dogging your take.

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Bearmeat's picture

March 30, 2012 at 08:45 pm

This wreaks of Brady Poppinga to me...

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PhillthyPhill's picture

March 31, 2012 at 10:40 am

I have to agree with jmac34 on his evaluation. I too am neither of a scout but viewing experience has lead me to believe that most converted undersized ends become lost in translation for lack of a better phrase.

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FITZCORE1252's EVO's picture

March 30, 2012 at 09:20 pm

Alright Zach. We're gonna need combine numbers on Tollefson so we can disect this thing. 3 cone, 40 etc... Stat!

GBP 4 LIFE

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FITZCORE1252's EVO's picture

March 30, 2012 at 10:35 pm

Never mind. Guess Dave didn't attend the combine. Here's some pro day numbers:

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=56089&drafty...

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Sootofan97's picture

March 30, 2012 at 10:05 pm

Rumor is their switching to a hybrid 3-4/4-3 defensive scheme which makes all defensive signings relevant

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FITZCORE1252's EVO's picture

March 30, 2012 at 10:25 pm

Old news.

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Chip Soup's picture

March 31, 2012 at 10:39 am

Sign Tollefson, don't sign Tollefson, who cares. The guy has a whopping 10 career sacks. If the idea is to create competition, I personally would rather see it come from a draft pick or undrafted free agent than use a camp spot on someone who has proven to be a backup. They already have 3 backups masquerading as starters across from Clay, why add another?

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Stroh's picture

March 31, 2012 at 01:03 pm

They can call Tollefson an OLB if they want, but he's being looked at as a very specific role player for the Packers. The same role he played alot w/ the Giants. He is a pretty good interior pass rusher! I doubt he would actually see the field as an OLB, except if alot of injuries occured. But put him as an interior pass rusher on pass downs and suddenly he has a pretty good, valuable role on the team! Muir and Hargrove are going to be his competition for that role, he just happens to be listed as an OLB, instead of a DE/DT like Muir and Hargrove.

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Lou's picture

March 31, 2012 at 03:22 pm

If it doesn't work out as an OLB use him like the Giant's did as a situational rusher inside and spot starter. He contributed to 2 Super Bowl Championships and has to be an upgrade over Wynn and Wilson. Too bad Johnny Jolly didn't keep his nose clean, how nice it would be to have him to count on every game day which would allow Pickett to move back to nose tackle and Raji back to end.

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mike's picture

March 31, 2012 at 03:56 pm

from the playoff loss to the giants, i recall tollefson exhibiting a consistent pass rush, something the pack's D was unable to generate against the giants, or anyone else for that matter. it's not just sacks, but pressures which count, and
the guy has shown he can play and that's all that matters.

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