Did the Packers Do Enough to Help Pass Rush?
By kevinmooney
Heading into the draft it appeared to me that the Packers likely needed multiple defensive edge players to increase the pass rush for the 2017 season.
The Packers drafted just one outside linebacker, Vince Biegel of Wisconsin. They also signed Johnathan Calvin of Mississippi State as an undrafted free agent.
The outside linebacker group now consists of Clay Matthews (loaded statement, I know), Nick Perry, Jayrone Elliott, Kyler Fackrell and practice squad holdover Reggie Gilbert in addition to the two rookies.
The Packers’ top two players at the position have consistently missed time throughout their careers due to injury. Nick Perry had his best year on the injury front last season. Despite still being effective with the club cast on (and that is a very impressive feat) it is hard to not play the what-if game if Perry could have been playing at 100% in the playoffs. He was having such a good year. And of course Clay Matthews had his shoulder injury last year, and something else most other years.
How reliable are the Packers’ two most talented outside linebackers?
Then you move down to Elliott and Fackrell who have each flashed but haven’t shown consistency. Through the lens of the draft-and-develop system at outside linebacker, I think the Packers will really be counting on Elliott and Fackrell to play consistent football this season. We’ve seen them do it – Elliott against the Seahawks, Fackrell against the Giants – but they need to fill a larger role now.
Of course the Packers see something in Reggie Gilbert if they kept him around after a year on the practice squad.
And it’s into this group the Packers chose to add just one draftee and an undrafted free agent.
Is it enough depth to be sustainable if the injury bug hits? Can’t we pretty much bank on some injuries to the group at some point? Will those injuries come at the exact wrong time?
I wrote very recently about the need for the overall defense to improve (http://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/crunching-numbers-how-much-does-the-packers-defense-need-to-improve-757 ) . The sack totals shared in that article need to improve, and I wonder if the Packers have bolstered the outside linebacker position enough to do that.
As Jason Perone wrote, I know I need to have modest expectations of Vince Biegel, and so the answer to my questions and the pressure to improve this area of the defense lies in Nick Perry and Clay Matthews staying consistently healthy, which has not been typical, and in Elliott and Fackrell making big strides this season.
As always, all we can do is watch.
Comments (89)
PackEyedOptimist
May 02, 2017 at 04:14 pm
Don't forget Mike Daniels, Kenny Clark, Dean Lowry, and now potentially, Montravious Adams.
Having DBs that can cover a little longer will greatly increase the sack total as well.
Bearmeat
May 02, 2017 at 08:08 pm
That's where I think the real improvement is going to come from - the DL. This has the makings of a VERY solid front against the run and pass.
CM3 and Perry are going to get hurt. We know this. And Fackrell and Elliot have shown occasional flashes, but have not been any sort of good for extended periods. Biegel is a rookie. Anything we get out of him will be a bonus.
The team looks REALLY good on paper. But not at OLB. It just doesn't. The depth is paper thin and not of the highest quality, and the starters get hurt a lot. Anyone who says differently is just hoping and not looking at the past to inform the future.
If the pass rush is going to improve from OLB (or even stay halfway not sucky) next year, it'll be because of surprise health from CM3/Perry, or surprise ascension from unproven backups.
My thought? Prolly not gonna happen.
Compare that to the DL: Daniels. Francois. Clark. Lowry (who played well last year). Adams. Hell, even Ringo possibly.
My thought is this is more likely.
CJBauckham
May 02, 2017 at 08:32 pm
Fackrell was a rookie last year. Jury's still out. Otherwise... agreed
Bearmeat
May 02, 2017 at 08:36 pm
I hope you are right. But I didn't like what I saw last year, and dude is OLD for a rook. It's not like he's going to have another growth spurt at 27. He screamed JAG against the pass and poor against the run.
croatpackfan
May 03, 2017 at 02:30 am
I think you are not fair. It doesn't matter he is 25/26, last year he was playing his 1st season on the pro level. Very few players do not need at least 1 year to adapt themselves to the speed and power of pro play. Also, it looks like Fackrell already added some meat on his body, so he will be stronger...
I think we should wait TC and preseason game before we should start worrying or be happy with what Packers have...
dobber
May 03, 2017 at 07:26 am
He's 25. Turns 26 in November...and, yes, I think there's a meaningful difference between 25 and 27, physically.
I agree in that I think he's pretty much what he's going to be, physically. Maybe he'll take a leap and come into camp meaningfully stronger, but I don't know that 255 is ever going to happen for him.
Tundraboy
May 03, 2017 at 06:56 am
That pretty much sums things up.
OrganLeroy
May 02, 2017 at 04:26 pm
Thompson is gambling with the most important position in a 3/4 defense and like other years he's gambled on certain position groups, we'll probaly have 4 of them get injured. I don't understand how he continues to undervalue that position with woefully inadequete depth.
Since'61
May 02, 2017 at 05:55 pm
I would argue that any team that loses their top 4 players from any position group would have a serious problem with that position group. We saw what happened last year when the Packers lost their top 4 corners due to injuries. The same would be true for DL, OLB, ILB, CB, safety, WR, RBs, OL, etc. There is only so much depth you can have at each position unless the rosters are expanded to 80 players. Thanks, Since '61
TKWorldWide
May 02, 2017 at 07:29 pm
Yes, this!
dobber
May 02, 2017 at 07:45 pm
"...We saw what happened last year when the Packers lost their top 4 corners due to injuries."
And in 2015 when they dealt with injuries to the WR and the OL.
BPEARSON21
May 03, 2017 at 09:41 am
I'm with you brother. I agree our pass rush is a big concern coming into the season, but our secondary is equally as worrisome. Other than a 21 year old rookie and and an older veteran who was cut by the Jags our secondary is the same unit from last year. How can we expect different results from our secondary when we will probably be hurting with our pass rush and made no major moves to strengthen our 31st ranked pass defense.
worztik
May 02, 2017 at 04:52 pm
The thing that truly amazes me, season after disappointing season, not that TT keeps his job but, the way the "experts" continue to say that he is a draft and develop guru!!! Drafting 3 RBs (and releasing 2 others within hours!!!) appears to be drafting for NEED to me! Drafting 2 DBs with the two first picks, two years after drafting 2 DBs with the first two picks, doesn't smack of great developmental drafting to me! When is Mark Murphy going to wake up? Do the fans need to revolt??? Oh wait, there's a waiting list for tickets that extends out 50 years so I guess we're stuck with idiot TEDDY!!!
Amanofthenorth
May 02, 2017 at 08:00 pm
Viking fan.
worztik
May 02, 2017 at 08:25 pm
No DIPS***... Season ticket holder!!!!!!!!!
Amanofthenorth
May 02, 2017 at 11:59 pm
Then act like one. The fire TT train is old, tired and over. Let it go, he and the franchise are winners.
worztik
May 03, 2017 at 07:23 am
I act like I do at times because of drips like you!!!! TT and Queens like you are, and have been, the problem!!! I'm sooooo tired of you and your fellow snowflakes that don't understand what the TEAM is about!!! You sound like a waa waa boy!!!!!!!!!!
fthisJack
May 03, 2017 at 08:45 am
you off the meds again, Woodtick?
BPEARSON21
May 03, 2017 at 09:48 am
Winners of what...? Winners of the NFC North (barely) every year which is arguable the second worst division in football..? Who cares about that. Set the bar a little higher. We can't call ourselves "winners" when we have the best QB possible ever and haven't won a ring in 6 years. Imagine if the Patriots said "As long as we win our division and make the play offs, that's good enough for us". Raise your expectations please.
LayingTheLawe
May 03, 2017 at 01:47 am
Yes how long are we going to put up with going to the playoffs year after year after year? Such competence can not be stood!
worztik
May 03, 2017 at 07:26 am
So tired of all you Millenials that are soooooo happy to receive a PARTICIPATION TROPHY... Go eat some quiche!!!!!
dobber
May 03, 2017 at 07:35 am
Millennials? I think most of the posters here are well beyond millennials...
LayingTheLawe
May 03, 2017 at 11:37 am
So tired of all you malcontents who think that winning the division is nothing. Stop pretending the Packers are equivalent with the Bears, Browns or Bills and go eat some Kale.
BPEARSON21
May 03, 2017 at 09:45 am
The draft and develop process is a beautiful thing... as long as the ladder is as important as the former.. Take a look at Randall and Rollins. How miserable has their development been? Or take our line backers for example, they were all drafted but hows the development going..? God forbid we sign a few players who are ALREADY developed and are ready to make an impact. That's what the Patriots do (forgive me for using a Pats reference). Let's just be honest, TT isn't good at drafting or developing defense players, but he is actually pretty good at signing Free Agents (Charles Woodson, Jared Cook and now Bennett) so why be so hesitant when he's had such great success?
dobber
May 03, 2017 at 11:22 am
"God forbid we sign a few players who are ALREADY developed and are ready to make an impact."
You mean like Martellus Bennett and Lance Kendricks and Davon House and Jahri Evans?
BPEARSON21
May 03, 2017 at 11:46 am
@Dobbler, so you're telling me right now that Davon House will bring our secondary from a 31st ranked pass defense to at least an average secondary defense? Davon House... the old guy who got cut by the non-contending Jags is a ground breaking acquisition...? The Pats just won a super bowl and you know what they did? Went out and got Stephon Gilmore.
I love the Kendricks, Bennett and Jahri Evans additions but what did those additions do to sure up our miserable defense. You know, the defense that kept us from reaching the super bowl? Don't you think that should've been the priority.
Davon House was a nice pick up, but anything looks nice after we were the second to worst secondary in the league. Please don't tell me he's our answer.
dobber
May 03, 2017 at 01:52 pm
Never said any such thing. Bringing in House meant that they had the latitude in the draft to go get a Vince Biegel or a Montravious Adams rather than being forced to reach for another CB or (heaven forbid) 3.
These kinds of signings raise the talent floor of your team, which is still pretty important. House does not have the track record of being a game-changing CB, but in a system where he can play press-coverage, where he's at his best, he's not too shabby. Jacksonville switched to an off-man and zone type system early last season which doesn't match his skill set. Go back a year to 2015 where they played primarily press coverage, and House was a slightly better than average NFL CB....did the Packers have any of those at the end of last season?
The draft provided the marquee additions to the Packer defensive backs, not House, and on rookie contracts rather than $13M/yr. But when someone gets hurt--and someone will--I'll be happy to have House on the field and not Gunter or Goodson (if he gets healthy).
Just because Gilmore was rated as the top CB available in FA doesn't mean he's the top player at his position...and some rate Gilmore as only a little better than average at CB. What he does have going for him is that BB, who may be one of the top talent evaluators/roster managers/motivators in the history of the NFL, went after him...that has to count for something. My question is: what does the Gilmore signing prevent the Patriots from doing?
BPEARSON21
May 03, 2017 at 02:13 pm
I completely agree with you on a few things. I think that House is a step up from Gunter and even Randall in my opinion (I am really hoping the starting packages include Gunter and King, not Randall) . I agree bringing in both House, King and even Josh Jones strengths the depth of our secondary but also makes us bigger and faster which I love in any secondary (see the Seahawks).
But for a defense that last season accumulated the following passing statistics: finished 31st in passing yards allowed, tied for 29th in passing touchdowns surrendered and last in yards per attempt, I guess I just don't feel like we necessarily did enough to bolster our extremely vulnerable secondary. With the exception of House - who at best is solid - we are just hoping and praying Rollins and Randall improve. Yes, Kobe King looks like a stud but he also hasn't played a single snap in the NFL yet. My example of Stephon Gilmore was just an illustration of a different path to strength a teams weakness. The Pats know their window with Brady is closing so they gave up tons of draft picks and money to bring on proven and capable players who can make immediate impact. I guess with the Packers (IMO) being so incredibly close to a championship caliber team, I would've preferred to give up a few picks and pour more of our FA money into acquiring at least 1 pro-bowl caliber CB. Especially because there were so many on the market this year.
BUT if you are one to buy into TT "draft and develop" scheme. Then I agree with you that House and King should greatly improve our development.
dobber
May 03, 2017 at 02:24 pm
I buy into the "zero sum game" scheme. In the end, each team only has so many resources to use. Once some are tied up, that ship has sailed and the question is, "what can we do now?" I would argue that the long game is the best way to play roster management. At some point, after you've invested heavily in one spot...ILB, CB, OL...you've got to go work somewhere else. If that's the same thing as "draft and develop", so be it.
J0hn Denver's Gavel
May 03, 2017 at 10:36 am
Who cares what Ted's draft strategy might be. I just want the team to get better players.
vj_ostrowski
May 03, 2017 at 12:39 pm
Ah, "snowflake" "participation trophy" and anger at "millennials", I see what this is.
Do you know how ridiculous and sheep-like you people sound using all these same terms and phrases that you all seem to get in your weekly maniac newsletters and e-mail chains?
worztik
May 02, 2017 at 04:53 pm
That being said... I'll be watching every week until my dying day!!!!!!!
croatpackfan
May 03, 2017 at 02:33 am
I'm sure, if there will be Packers game on your dying day, you will delay dying, just to watch last time your beloved Packers once more...
worztik
May 03, 2017 at 07:28 am
You are absolutely correct Croat!!! Have a great day!!!!!
Handsback
May 02, 2017 at 04:55 pm
Heck no the Packer's didn't do enough to help the pass rush. I expect TT to go to the edge rushers store and pick up a few more guys. He also needs a few more TEs while he's at it.....
Since'61
May 02, 2017 at 05:56 pm
Handsback - he could always go to the Edge rusher and TE trees which are growing everywhere. Thanks, Since '61
CAG123
May 02, 2017 at 06:40 pm
How much help can a team that was 6th in sacks possibly need? He added a few more pieces to the pass rush in Biegel and Adams while losing virtually none besides Peppers. It was the pass defense that was awful last year
Amanofthenorth
May 02, 2017 at 08:01 pm
This. And Perry with two hands might be a bit better.
Thegreatreynoldo
May 03, 2017 at 03:22 am
61, TT's choices were Willis, Rivers, Basham, Tim Williams. Passed.
93, TT's choices were Biegel, Lawson, and I suppose Ekubam. Passed.
108, TT took Biegel.
It is possible that Fackrell came to workouts and looked 15 pounds stronger. I'd guess that TT either thought OLB had enough guys with the addition of Biegel or that he thought Willis, Rivers, Basham and Williams weren't worthy of #61 and Josh Jones was just a much better prospect. I do think TT took a risk taking Adams at 93, since there weren't many OLBs left to take after Biegel, but Adams very arguably was the BPA at that time.
NickPerry
May 03, 2017 at 05:07 am
I'm curious what you think of picking Josh Jones over Willis TGR? I heard a rumor the Packers really, really liked Willis. I thought without a doubt Willis was going to be the pick at 61.
Josh Jones is an excellent pick. I think he grew on me more than any pick the Packers made after reading up on him but right after Jones name was called I'll admit I was wondering WTF Ted.
stockholder
May 03, 2017 at 06:08 am
I heard the packers made so many visits, they lived in Willis' dorm. If you figure all the safeties TT drafted. The contracts expiring. And Willis does have trouble getting off blocks. Plus Capers putting such a emphasis on the safety position. The Jones pick is a no brainer. I picked obi Melifonwu over any CB because he was athletic,fast, and Capers scheme. (To OAK.) Also The hole that could be there at the end of the season! The safety was a more valued pick. But I think Josh Jones can play corner too. So they got a very good insurance policy no matter where he plays. And wouldn't it be interesting to see K. King(excellent pick) and Jones play CB?
dobber
May 03, 2017 at 07:21 am
I thought sure Willis was the pick in round 2. It made too much sense...which is why it didn't happen.
"And wouldn't it be interesting to see K. King(excellent pick) and Jones play CB?"
It's ironic that there was so much complaining about players people perceived as as safeties playing CB (Randall, Rollins), but now many people are all over Jones playing CB....
J0hn Denver's Gavel
May 03, 2017 at 10:50 am
I think their strategy in drafting safety talent is to improve our middle of the field pass coverage. Hopefully the days of obscure, 2nd string TEs consistently burning the D on 3rd and long are over. On offense, we should own the field between the hashes with our FA additions.
Thegreatreynoldo
May 04, 2017 at 04:17 am
Hi Nick. Before the draft, Josh Jones was my draft crush (target round 3). During the draft I wrote that I would have have taken Willis over Jones at #61, but I was very conflicted about it. I didn't expect Willis to be there at #61, while I thought Jones would be. Either would have been good. I went with positional value at the time. I saw need as equal between OLB and the Hyde role. As an older person, I still think good OLBs are just harder to find, but the NFL is changing.
I did not expect 8 safeties to go already by #61. I had hoped Jones might slide to 93 (Johnson went at #91, and Delano Hill at #95), but Josh Jones is much better and was the last prospect with his skillset. I liked Biegel but I view Biegel as a nice off the ball LB who probably can be a OLB and who should go 40 slots later than Willis. Lawson is a DE in a 4-3. The thing is, Willis looks good but also a bit stiff, while Josh Jones has no physical limitation preventing him from being elite or a red plus player. Does he have instincts and savvy? So, I hoped for the grand slam: King, Willis, Jones, and the best of Biegel/Dorian Johnson/Jaleel Johnson/Adams/Perine. I am pretty happy with King, Jones, Adams, Biegel, Williams though.
Thegreatreynoldo
May 04, 2017 at 04:02 am
BTW, I assume Fackrell reported for workouts. If the coaches saw that he is now benching 25 reps instead of 15 and had improved his lower body strength too, that would change how I viewed our needs in the draft. I like Fackrell quite a bit, but he needed to get lots stronger. Biegel is more ready in that department, but he, too, should try to get stronger. I think they both will workout hard.
Andrew Lloyd Peth
May 04, 2017 at 08:21 am
I think the Packers expected to take Willis until Jones surprisingly dropped to them. The kid is a freak who gives us a Deion Jones-type Safety/ILB. He should have gone higher.
Honestly, the thought of Jones coming on a zone blitz has to be terrifying for QB's. He's also able to run down RB's from sideline to sideline with ease, while covering TE's and 3rd receivers.
Too much value to pass up.
stockholder
May 02, 2017 at 05:08 pm
This defense is now in the hands of Capers. TTs new foursome (Draft top 4) is going to make the difference. Raji moved outside to let Pickett inside. You are going to see the same defense only bigger. Clarke,Adams and Daniels will be the pass rush. Lowrey replaces D.Jones. And Biegel is the best Lb to move inside and out. In Fact he may play the inside better than Mathews. But I'm looking to see if Frackwell or martinez, can make that jump. My bet is they play it safe and let these two guys get playing time. Even though we know peppers left. The rotation will keep guys fresh, and a better chance to avoid injury. I still get nervous with Thomas. (You know he can't tackle.) But Mathews ,Ryan, Biegel and Perry still look pretty good .
Bert
May 02, 2017 at 05:37 pm
Ted did not do enough to help the pass rush but there are too many holes to fill on the defense to plug in one draft or one off season. Gotta be realistic. It's very difficult to fill any immediate needs with the draft let alone beef up the entire defense. I gotta give Ted credit. He did about as well as he could've done with the draft by creating much better depth at DB and RB for 2017. We still won't be very good at rushing the QB in 2017 but at least should have some improvement elsewhere.
Ryan Graham
May 02, 2017 at 07:12 pm
I must reiterate what CAG has mentioned above. I have posted a number of rankings regarding packers defensive statistics although when I did I mentioned statistics aren't everything, but when they are consistent with one another it means something. 6th in the league in sacks, 3rd in the league in sack yardage (generally off of second chance sacks) 8th in hurries. Between 28 and 32 in all pass defensive stats. Some can be chalked to injury, some to inexperience, some to poor defensive scheming for the players provided and some to drafting. That covers everyone involved.
The fact of the matter is the pass defense as a whole was pitiful, and it's not because we couldn't get to the quarterback. The problem that had developed was staying healthy and that we lost a chunk of our hurries and sacks tallies with Peppers AND Jones leaving (led the team in hurries).
chugwater
May 03, 2017 at 10:59 am
I'm a firm believer we should have kept Datone. He's experienced. He provided depth. He wasn't a liability. He was affordable based on what MN signed him for. He led the team in QB hurries last year. With a better secondary you'd think he'd be able to convert hurries into sacks this year.
I haven't quite soured on Fackrell and Elliottt, but I'm not bursting with confidence either.
J0hn Denver's Gavel
May 03, 2017 at 11:04 am
He seemed a step slow in the rush, wasnt a finisher. The bonehead penalties after the play (especially after 3rd down stops) will not be missed. We no longer have an elephant on the roster, either. He was a solidish, yet very unspectacular player, mostly.
Ryan Graham
May 03, 2017 at 10:23 pm
Naturally I would agree with you about Jones, but he was in one of those square peg in a round hole situations. I never really doubted him as a football player, he had the pass rushing instincts and he showed it. It didn't help that Capers couldn't figure out how to use him. One day his hand would be in the dirt, the next it wouldn't. One day he'd be a 5T and I even saw him line up in the 3T on occasion. This is why he went to a 4-3 system, no one would question that he's gonna play end at his size. He won't start this year, but hell play. Hes probably gonna take Robisons spot following his departure.
Bert
May 03, 2017 at 03:25 pm
That may be true about staying healthy. But when we are counting on Mathews and Perry to provide the bulk of the pressure this season I'm thinking that staying healthy is a very questionable proposition. I do think our secondary should be much deeper in that we can absorb injuries without a total collapse like 2016.
Ryan Graham
May 03, 2017 at 10:31 pm
The other thing to remember is that FA is not over. I could see Dumervil being signed on a clearance deal.
I must point out, just to see if anyone would bite on this mini conspiracy... am I the only one who believes that D line has been a higher priority than edge rusher? Assuming that Ted is no longer the GM, could that mean there is a legitimate potential job opening at D Coordinator in the near future? One of the, changing schemes kind of variety....? I'm not saying this year or even next. Just food for thought, nothing more.
Oppy
May 04, 2017 at 06:03 pm
Ryan,
Don't waste your breath.
Nobody cares about what actually happened in games in 2016. It's way easier to say "The pass rush needs massive improvement" because EVERYONE knows for a fact that DB's can't cover forever and maybe 7 years ago the Packers had a pass rush problem. Uncle Earl says it, the guys down at the corner tap talk about it every week, everyone knowsw the Packers' pass rush wasn't good, so it's just the fact of the matter.
The other thing everyone knows is that statistics aren't facts, because they believe they were told that every one knows that statistics aren't facts. Add it all together, and it sums up to: Don't waste your breath trying to educate Packers fans about the Packers' pass rush in 2016. They don't have time for flights of fancy like historical fact.
Finwiz
May 03, 2017 at 12:27 pm
@Bert - that's true, but he should have done more for that position in free agency. (Edge) Not sure they were there, but effort should have been made.
al bundy
May 02, 2017 at 06:04 pm
Drafting a top pass rusher would have nixed this dicussion. However ted and mike decided long ago michele and jackson were history so we needed three, not two, but three rbs.
dobber
May 02, 2017 at 07:48 pm
Because they were going to get a "top" pass rusher in rounds 4,5, and/or 7?
Community Guy
May 02, 2017 at 09:33 pm
1st team All-SEC pass rusher from Auburn, Carl Lawson, was on the board in the 4th round.
dobber
May 03, 2017 at 07:30 am
I'll cite the others in their critique of Lawson. He belongs with his hand in the dirt in a 4-3. I think he doesn't fit on the edge in a 3-4 and isn't athletic enough to play in space.
Thegreatreynoldo
May 04, 2017 at 04:15 am
Exactly. Thumbs up.
Never seen 0.5 dislike and 2.5 like before. Where is the half a like/dislike button?
dobber
May 02, 2017 at 07:55 pm
In the end, pretty much everyone on the defensive side of the ball is going to have to raise their game a notch or two -- and depth players are going to need to be able to step in and perform from day 1-- for this defense to be markedly better in 2017. Does the defense need to be "great"? No. But it needs to be at least good.
Amanofthenorth
May 02, 2017 at 08:04 pm
If we've learned anything these past 25 years, whatever the Packers do is never enough.
worztik
May 02, 2017 at 08:27 pm
25 years??? You're not even dry behind the ears yet dip****....
Rossonero
May 02, 2017 at 08:59 pm
Define "never enough."
Packers have won 2 Super Bowls within the last 25 years, with numerous division titles and 8 straight trips to the playoffs. You sure as hell don't sound like a Packer fan at all. I can tell you many Bears fans in my local area would love to make the playoffs once, let alone 8 times in a row.
Dzehren
May 02, 2017 at 08:23 pm
TT will bring in a surprise cut at OLB/DE rotational player similar to the Francois DL signing. will stock 2 plus on practice squad. Johnathan Calvin, Mississippi State Ruben Demosthenes, Southern Nazarene Imarjaye Albury, Florida International possible-
Agree we need a couple more bodies at the position.
Ryan Graham
May 03, 2017 at 07:45 am
I also wonder how high they are on Reggie Gilbert out of Arizona last year.
dobber
May 03, 2017 at 07:48 am
At this stage, he's got a real shot at making the 53 if he's functional.
worztik
May 02, 2017 at 09:21 pm
Well stated CAG123...
PatrickGB
May 02, 2017 at 09:29 pm
As others have written we did not do very much on pass rushers. But as others have also noted pass defense is a whole team effort. Long before the draft I was complaining about the poor play at DB. Others reminded me that its a team effort and that DB's help the pass rush. So I don't know if we have enough of a defense to stop a pass happy attack. Only time will tell. Perhaps an UDFA or a FA pickup will help but I doubt it. We will have to rely on the guys we have.
worztik
May 02, 2017 at 09:48 pm
I guess we just have to accept it, as we accept the flu, herpes, chicken pox and Ebola!!!
cuervo
May 03, 2017 at 06:04 am
I fully expect Ted to sign an experienced pass rush specialist before the season begins...probably sometime during training camp.....someone like Dumerville, Freeney, etc. There are always several of these players available after being cut by various teams, and in a limited pass rushing role can have a positive affect in the case of injuries or poor performance by others.
dobber
May 03, 2017 at 07:33 am
Unless he gets Linsley, Adams or HHCD to sign an extension before the season starts, there should be cap room for someone like that. We're only about 2/3 of the way through the roster acquisition process at this point (initial FA, draft, Jun. 1 cuts). Things could still happen.
Thegreatreynoldo
May 04, 2017 at 04:20 am
I think we should extend Linsley, probably should extend Adams. I think extending HHDC now is a ghastly idea.
Lphill
May 03, 2017 at 06:32 am
We know what Mathews and Perry can do , like anything else the more you work at something the better you get, so the more snaps for Elliot and Fackeral the better. Peppers made his plays but they were far and few he seemed gassed on some downs which is understandable , so I think we are improved and if Biegel can help right away even better.
May 03, 2017 at 07:25 am
Connor Barwin would have been a nice addition. . .
dobber
May 03, 2017 at 07:37 am
Supposedly there was that initial contact with the Packers and it went nowhere. I suspect he was told what his role would be and that there might have been some initial exchange of figures, but that it was clear that there was a fundamental disagreement on one or both points.
cuervo
May 03, 2017 at 07:57 am
Plus he signed with the Rams, reunited with Wade Phillips and signed a 1 year 6.5 mil deal. Why in the hell would he would come to Green Bay? No way the pack should pay that for a situational pass rusher. There is no reason we shouldn't be able to find someone for 1-2 mil/year that still has a little gas left in the tank.
Dzehren
May 03, 2017 at 10:10 pm
Rear view mirror - let's look to the future
worztik
May 03, 2017 at 07:33 am
Thank you for your concern DesertFan!!!
dobber
May 03, 2017 at 07:54 am
CHTV is all about the love...
egbertsouse
May 03, 2017 at 08:06 am
Here is another season ticket who is tired of paying ever increasing amounts to watch this Groundhog Day of a football team. Ted is not a genius, he's a conservative GM who tries to avoid a really bad season rather than risk it to win a Super bowl like Elway in Denver. C'mon Ted, go all in for once!
Before you all start with the inevitable "Why don't you give up your tickets if you don't love Ted and the Packers" crap, let me just say that my kids would kill me. Anyway, I throw money down every year so I have a right to criticize, so anybody that spouts that can bite me.
worztik
May 03, 2017 at 09:00 am
EgbertSouse (AKA WC FIELDS)... I love your attitude and I believe I'm leading with the dislikes on my comments, however!!!! I, too, feel that after being on the season ticket waiting list from '75 - '12 gives me some latitude with my (our) comments... I was totally bummed (pissed) that a dipstick referred to me as a Queens fan... I guess i need thicker skin!!!!!
Andrew Lloyd Peth
May 03, 2017 at 08:59 am
Did we do enough? Absolutely not, and that's just fine. You can't do everything in one draft without completely abandoning BPA.
worztik
May 03, 2017 at 09:11 am
Am I the only one who believes in QUALITY OVER QUANTITY??? It seems that every year we trade down (I know, CM3 & Spriggs), however, when taking BAP after round 4 is not securing the cream of the crop! Continually bringing in 25+ newbies every year to find 1-2 backups will NOT create a SB winner... JUST SAYIN'!!!!
dobber
May 03, 2017 at 02:17 pm
I would argue that the Packers really aren't doing anything that other teams aren't doing. The Packers had a huge number of UDFAs on the roster last fall...they weren't even first in the league. Seattle and NE were ahead of them. Last I checked, they're pretty decent.
Lphill
May 03, 2017 at 09:38 am
The secondary coverage will be better. We will have a nice rotation for the interior pressure and some young guys rushing from the outside , all of this will result in an improved pass rush . I like moving Clay around to keep them guessing.
Doug_In_Sandpoint
May 03, 2017 at 01:19 pm
So obvious I cannot believe you all missed it. TT drafted 3 running backs so he could move Ty to edge rusher. Problem solved.
Next question?
LASVEGAS-TOM
May 04, 2017 at 02:24 pm
This has Nothing to do with the above Post. Admittedly I don't follow this Draft as many of you do. Just as an observer, I think GB's Defense was improved by this Draft. As far as I'm concerned, once again it's going to come down to the play of CM3 & our CB's. Mostly I think the play of Mathews. If he's still hurt, Forget It!! I tend to agree with the above poster. Why 3 Running Backs? Why not another Big Body? You can never have enough Big Bodies. Why draft 3 Running Backs?? Are you that Unsure of them, or don't we have any on the team worth anything??
LVT