Daniels Sets Tone For Defensive Line

Green Bay Packers rookie defensive lineman Kenny Clark got a quick introduction to life in the NFL and to the team on the very first day of training camp.  Veteran lineman Mike Daniels was seen in Clark's face on the sideline speaking emphatically to the first-rounder.  When asked afterwards about it, Daniels simply said that Clark didn't make the same mistake the next time around.  It turns out that some of the opposing offensive lineman were going more full tilt and Daniels was imploring Clark to return the favor.  

I recently wrote about how Daniels wants to see more passion from the Packers defense in 2016.  He's certainly backing those words up with his demeanor on the field.  Never short on emotion and fire, Daniels has definitely embraced his role as a vocal leader and more elder statesman on the team.  While other vets such as Aaron Rodgers and Julius Peppers prefer the quiet approach, Daniels prefers to be heard all the way to Highway 41.  While not a direct comparison as a player, Daniels conjures up memories of outspoken players such as former Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis and Seattle's Richard Sherman, to name a few.  

Clark's reaction showcased the respect that Daniels has already garnered with his battle mates.  He just listened and nodded as Daniels, nose to nose with him, shared his thoughts on what the rookie needed to be doing.  It takes at least a bit of grit to be a really good defender in the NFL and football players,  perhaps more than athletes in other sports, tend to carry the persona of their group while on the field.  Last year, the Packers defense was its saving grace.  This year, they want to be both good and feared.  From the looks of things, the defensive line is already doing their part to get into character.

With nose tackle B.J. Raji gone to retirement and Datone Jones moving to the elephant end position, the defensive line has changed and has two very new faces in Clark and fourth-rounder Dean Lowry.  Veteran Mike Pennel returns, but will miss the first four games of the season due to suspension.  Letroy Guion is back and, depending on how the preseason shakes out, may be the starting nose tackle in the base defense if Clark doesn't win the spot.  Christian Ringo spent last season on the practice squad and comes to camp looking to become part of the rotation.  Beyond that, it's guys that aren't well-known and don't yet need to be mentioned.  Daniels setting the tone early is likely to get a little extra out of the entire bunch, and the Packers need as much from their big front as they can get.

While much of it is overblown, there are questions about the current leadership amongst the Packers players.  If Daniels has anything to do or say about it, this team will have their attitudes well ready for the 2016 season.

-------------------

Jason is a freelance writer on staff since 2012 and also co-hosts Cheesehead TV Live, Pulse of the Pack and Pack A Day podcasts.  You can follow him on Twitter here

NFL Categories: 
0 points
 

Comments (23)

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

July 29, 2016 at 06:22 am

Even though it does seem to be the "Norm", several Packers Fans already seem to have a preconceived idea Clark either won't do much because he's a rookie, or because he didn't do very well against "Elite Competition", he'll struggle here too.
Personally I think Clark could be better this year than Raji was last year. If Clark does that, the Packers defense will be at least as good as it was last season, actually even better. I think better is very realistic, even without Pennel the first 4 games.
Do they have question marks? Are they banking on rookies being able to step up? Sure, but name me a team who isn't. Well there is the Giants but they spent $200 Million and are STILL counting on Rookies.

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

July 29, 2016 at 07:09 am

The DL position is one of the tougher positions for rookies to come in and make a big impact.

I think Clark will be at least on par with Raji last year. I don't know if he will be better or worse, but I think overall he will be similar to what Raji was like.

Also I think Lowry might surprise some people. He has the perfect size to play the 5 technique.
With Daniels leadership and ability to motivate, I expect both rookies to be ready to go from day 1.

0 points
0
0
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

July 29, 2016 at 08:02 am

I agree with RC, not so much with Nick. I think Lowry might play several hundred snaps as a 5 tech for run downs.

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

July 29, 2016 at 10:28 am

I really think Lowry will be a run defender early.

I think we will see the Packers having 3 rookie defensive starters this year. Clark, Lowry and Martinez.
Hopefully getting 2 more big contributors in Davis and Fackrell.
I am hoping that we don't have to see Spriggs or Murphy at all.

0 points
0
0
croatpackfan's picture

July 29, 2016 at 06:50 am

Agree with your opinion Jasone... I think Packers need Mike's personality. They have talent, but with that they need right attitude to be something special!

0 points
0
0
DrealynWilliams's picture

July 29, 2016 at 11:16 am

We're getting there. Slowly but surely.

0 points
0
0
Since'61's picture

July 29, 2016 at 08:39 am

We know going in that Daniels is our best DL. After that it's way too early to know if Clark and and Lowry are going to be able to step up on the DL. There is a huge learning curve in the NFL and only playing in regular season games helps to accelerate a player's progress through the curve. We have Guion and Pennel both veterans and yet they are essentially average players. Clark and/or Lowry could surprise us or disappoint us. But to expect them to step in and solidify the DL may be a little much for their first season. We also have Datone Jones moving to a new position and there are question marks about how that will work out. Also, ILB remains the biggest question mark for this team. Again, too early to tell if Martinez can play or if Ryan will make his "second year leap". Even with Barrington healthy we don't have an ILB with a full season of NFL experience playing behind an untested DL except for Daniels. Until we get through the first 3-4 games it's probably wise to manage our expectations for the defensive front 7, especially DL and ILB. Thanks, Since "61

0 points
0
0
TarynsEyes's picture

July 29, 2016 at 10:18 am

He's a 1st rd pick and his age or whatever else is no excuse if he doesn't play to a level or more of Raji last season.
We have been waiting for nearly every 1st rd pick since 2010 to materialize into the expected player based on 1st rd selection and have been rewarded with near nothing and yet the, it takes time to learn excuse is always forefront when failure is easily seen.
Whether Datone has success at the ' elephant ' tryouts this season doesn't erase the failure for which he was a 1st rd pick. Let me not even utter the name of he who is so embedded in the vomit he forces from me with mere mention of him the last 4 years of abomination.
Are we again going to routinely dismiss the play of another 1st rd guy because he was ' noted ' as being young, strong, smart and was awarded a 1st rd pick, if he doesn't at least play to the level or more of the recent Raji, who has been called at times a waste and most couldn't care if he was resigned not once but twice.
I expect Clark to be at least and more of what Raji was in he's first two seasons as an average or we should simply trade away all future draft picks when a DL guy is on the board and take him at the more accepted rd for likely success.

0 points
0
0
Oppy's picture

July 29, 2016 at 07:35 pm

My question to you is, if Nick Perry stays healthy and has a complete year made up of the types of flashes we've seen of him over the years, are you still going to stubbornly say he's a bust and doesn't have what it takes, or will you say, "I guess all he needed was to stay healthy afterall?"

0 points
0
0
TarynsEyes's picture

July 29, 2016 at 09:59 pm

Perry will be getting many reps with his hand in the dirt with Matthews and Peppers stacked over him. Remember, all I ever said is Perry will never be the ' outside linebacker ' he was drafted to be and 5 years later he needs to simulate a 4-3 stance to offer production.
However, let's see what he does strictly from the stand up linebacker role this season when doing so which will make my case still.

0 points
0
0
Oppy's picture

July 29, 2016 at 11:40 pm

I dunno, he looked pretty good going against the 5th highest ranked LT in the league last year during the playoffs from the OLB position in a two point stance. Im not sure where you're getting the idea the guy can't play OLB well. When he's been healthy, he has shown good pass rush and excellent edge setting vs. the run.

You should probably note that the Packers have already indicated that Perry will be a big part of their OLB play this year- again, assuming he stays healthy.

I sincerely hope he avoids the injury bug, so we can talk about your case after the regular season comes to a close.

0 points
0
0
lucky953's picture

July 30, 2016 at 12:36 am

There are reasons why Clark was not a top ten pick. He will eventually be a solid NFL starter, but to lump all 1st rounders together ignores some important differences between guys who can really come in and play right away and guys who need some time to develop. Clark will need time. He's young (came out after his Jr. yr). He hasn't spent a full year in an NFL weight room. He'll be playing against grown men who've been weight training for several years. The strength and endurance differences are significant.

0 points
0
0
Oppy's picture

July 30, 2016 at 04:58 pm

This is definitely true of most NFL rookies playing on the line (both sides of it), and it is generally thought that defensive linemen take two to three years before really being ready to be full time starters in the NFL, with rare exception.

However, it should also be noted that with Kenny Clark in particular, he is supposedly quite a bit stronger than most incoming rookie DLmen are, so it may not be as big of a hurdle for this particular young man in that regard.

Mike Daniels specifically talked about how strong Kenny is for a 20 year old rookie.

0 points
0
0
lucky953's picture

July 30, 2016 at 05:37 pm

I hope that's true, but man, those guys take a beating. Wrestling is 3 minute round, but holding up over a 10-15 play drive wears a young man down. Need more reinforcements. Not enough rotational guys.

0 points
0
0
DrealynWilliams's picture

July 29, 2016 at 11:14 am

Sticking to the article, I eff'n love it. Daniel has it, Guion has and hopefully Clark can develop into a similar player. I like the way Daniel speaks about Clark.

0 points
0
0
Point-Packer's picture

July 29, 2016 at 11:50 am

" Hey Kenny, I saw Myles Jack out there on the practice field, he going to make you look bad? He better not make you look bad. Better bust your ass or everybody and their brother gonna wish he was on this roster and not you"

0 points
0
0
Gman1976's picture

July 29, 2016 at 01:44 pm

No passion...No fire...No buttkicking...No winning. Stir em up Mike Daniels!

0 points
0
0
Oppy's picture

July 29, 2016 at 07:37 pm

I find Mike Daniels' tough guy routine forced and unnatural, but i've appreciated his play since his rookie season. I don't know if his team mates buy into his hard ass persona or not.. I guess I don't really care, because he balls out on the field.

Whirling dervish.

0 points
0
0
Oppy's picture

July 29, 2016 at 07:39 pm

I should mention, we should stock the cupboards with more linemen who were wrestlers at the collegiate level.

Wrestlers know nothing but hard work and grinding, and it shows in Daniels play.

0 points
0
0
DrealynWilliams's picture

July 30, 2016 at 12:04 am

"Clinton-Dix witnessed the verbal assault Clark absorbed and said the rookie will quickly learn that Daniels is just that way. When he first got to Green Bay, he thought Daniels was putting on a show with that kind of behavior.

But he said he eventually figured out that it was his way of letting someone know that he thinks they can be really good.

"Once I got comfortable with Mike D, that this is how he is 24/7, you respect it," he said. "Mike D would never say anything to bring a guy down. Mike D is motivating him to make him a better player."

0 points
0
0
stockholder's picture

July 31, 2016 at 05:11 am

Don't you really think that the coach should get in a players face? Motivation is fine. Just practice what you preach. Penalties hurt the team by getting to jacked. Play SMART! Lead by example. I'll take discipline, and being physical, over motivation any day. Better Consistent play. ( Reggie White is a good example.) It may be Mike's way, but Clarke needs to learn more first.

0 points
0
0
Allan Murphy's picture

July 30, 2016 at 08:41 am

Like Mike D said you eather got it or not and if you do he will bring it out bet .

0 points
0
0
chs's picture

July 30, 2016 at 03:40 pm

Green Bay Packer Football Mike Daniels Style, you got to love it

0 points
0
0