Fackrell, Elliott can lead Depleted Linebackers by Example in 2017
How do the Packers replace 1,433 defensive and special teams snaps combined in their upcoming season? The answer is unknown.
That's how many total snaps former outside linebackers Datone Jones and Julius Peppers played in Green Bay last season. The on-field production, however, didn't match the high amount of snaps. Jones and Peppers, who both eclipsed over 700 snaps each, combined for just 32 tackles and 8.5 sacks. With how often each of them saw the field - Peppers even more so — it would be ideal to line a statistics sheet with evidence of labor.
Both edge rushers no longer play under defensive coordinator Dom Capers and both no longer occupy a film room with linebackers coach Winston Moss. Jones signed in Minnesota with the rival Vikings on Tuesday and Peppers returned to Carolina last week to suit up one last time with the Panthers team who drafted him in 2002.
A good start in the direction of fielding replacements for the two roster casualties was taken just on Monday when the Packers re-signed one of their best special teams players; outside linebacker Jayrone Elliott. The $1.6 million dollar deal will keep Elliott around for a year and provide the Packers with depth on the edge, a spot vital to the play of their cornerbacks. With sufficient pass rush comes better corner play, and that has been seen with teams with stellar front sevens.
Going into 2016, the Packers were thought to have one of the league's more frightening front sevens and the deepest group at cornerback. As demonstrated through the duration of the season, that couldn't have been further from the truth.
Along with Elliott and Nick Perry's monster deal that will keep him and his 11 sacks from a year ago around as well, there's another entity that could provide the Packers with a young playmaker.
Kyler Fackrell is expected to take a jump going into his second season, and even after only 161 defensive snaps last year for the Packers, the 6'5" 245-pound Fackrell has the tools needed to make that jump.
Despite being 25 and only just now going into his second season in the NFL, Fackrell underwent the growing and maturation process during his first season. The trials and tribulations Fackrell has powered through in the course of his life - from doubters being heavily skeptic on his goals of playing in the NFL, to tearing his ACL in his junior year at Utah State - hold little weight in comparison to his next challenge.
Fackrell's locker was alongside Peppers', and it offered Fackrell the privilege to observe the future Hall of Famer every day, after every practice, after every home game.
"I don't know if I should be intimidated or what," Fackrell said in May of last year, just weeks after he was drafted in the third round with the 88th overall selection. "Just to be able to observe and see how he does things and try and learn.
" think the main thing I want to learn from (Peppers and Clay Matthews) is what they do day to day that makes them so great, and what has allowed them to be great for so long."
If Fackrell - and the Packers - are lucky, he'll see more playing time in 2017 and make the most out of it. Whether or not the Packers draft an edge rusher with their 29th overall selection in the upcoming draft shouldn't change Fackrell's plans or the expectations weighing down on the second-year linebacker. With Jones and Peppers on longer in the mix, there should be snaps aplenty to go around.
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Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].
Comments (35)
PackEyedOptimist
March 15, 2017 at 06:45 am
While learning "how to do things" from old veterans is not a BAD idea, I hope Fackrell realizes that an old vet doesn't necessarily exhibit the behaviors that made them a great YOUNG player. Experience often allows a vet (in ANY field) to use less energy, as their experience makes up for it. I do have hopes for Fackrell though. I think he truly has "all-around" LB skills.
Ryan Graham
March 15, 2017 at 06:54 am
I like Fackrell to make a jump this year too. No matter if the packers sign another outside backer or draft or both, Fackrell will earn more playing time and get in rotation a little more. He's not the biggest guy in weight for being 6'5" but he does have skills off the edge.
dobber
March 15, 2017 at 07:17 am
If Fackrell can come into camp having added 5-10 pounds of good weight -- and, yes, it can be done without PEDs -- I think he'll have won the first key battle in becoming an important contributor in 2017.
NickPerry
March 15, 2017 at 07:37 am
I do too and I think he does. People act as though this guy had no strength whatsoever when that's just not true. I think this kid is committed to do whatever he needs to do to get better. He's 25, mature, has a family, so I feel he spent the offseason where he needed to, in the weight room. Frackrell could easily add 10 to 15 pounds of good weight on that frame without sacrificing any of his speed. I really liked this pick last year and am excited to see how he does this season. My guess... 7.5 sacks and decent, not great run support.
Ferrari Driver
March 15, 2017 at 08:53 am
If the Packers had let Fackrell room with Eddie Lacy last year, Fackrell may be competing for the nose tackle job this year.
GBPack
March 15, 2017 at 07:33 am
Hope you're right. Fackrell HAS to become a factor immediately. When you draft a guy who turns 25 his rookie season the window is barely cracked to make an impact.
Thegreatreynoldo
March 15, 2017 at 07:14 am
Depth at OLB: Perry, CM3, Fackrell, Elliott, and probably at least one rookie. My oh my. The first two haven't had much luck playing 16 games. This could indeed look really ugly without using a lot of imagination. I like Fackrell, don't think much of Elliott.
Razer
March 15, 2017 at 07:40 am
Exactly my worry. Too bad we let Carl Bradford go :0)
lou
March 15, 2017 at 09:34 am
Carl Bradford ? Ted Thompson gave that kid more chances to show he could play than any other player in recent history, a total BUST.
Razer
March 15, 2017 at 10:40 am
Totally kidding Lou
lou
March 15, 2017 at 12:56 pm
He failed outside, moved inside, failed again and moved back outside, moved from the practice squad back and forth, then CUT to add a 3rd QB, that shows how much they finally thought of him.
croatpackfan
March 15, 2017 at 08:54 am
You forgot Reggie Gilbert, guy spent entire season on PS and, as for Lucas the last info was that Paclers thinks nice about him and his abilities...
Ryan Graham
March 15, 2017 at 09:01 am
At some point this season I bet Gilbert jumps up to the 53 man roster. He may need some time to get reps and make an impact on Sundays but I've been hearing good things about him playing D end. Im not sure what his weight is at but maybe he could be another elephant. Datone was too big and slow for elephant but not effective enough for D end. Room for someone by letting him walk maybe it's Gilbert's spot to take.
Razer
March 15, 2017 at 07:38 am
I am not disappointed that the Packers have moved on from some of their players but, like most of you, I am worried about the potential replacements. Loved Peppers but at some point you need to address the future. Hoped for Datone Jones to become a full-time fixture - never happened. I wish that we had more than Fackrell and Elliott especially with Perry and Matthews injury histories.
If our D-line was monster the lack of depth would not be an issue but I only see Daniels and Clark and a bunch of question marks. Let's face it - we are looking into the darkness at this point.
BUT, we wanted change, we wanted to get rid of guys who weren't making a difference, we wanted to get faster, we wanted new guys. You can't have it both ways. Change will mean letting go of guys and getting different guys. So here we are - making changes and it is uncomfortable.
Can we draft a stud pass rusher, a disruptive D-lineman, shutdown corner and stud RB to fill these gaps and will our defensive scheme know how to use our players. Now that is a leap of faith
NickPerry
March 16, 2017 at 07:44 am
This is an excellent comment. We all wanted changes made to the defense after last season and TT is making changes. He gave Jones 4 years to make a jump that never happened. His 5th round pick 4 years ago (Hyde) gave us decent production based on the draft spot but wasn't worth $6 million a season. I wonder what that playoff game vs Dallas made him? ; 0
One change nobody mentions is Sam Shields is gone and NEVER coming back. Last season we had some hope he'd return no matter how little hope it was.
dobber said it a few days ago and it's the absolute truth...."The Packers are in a mini-rebuild, planned or not". IMO Ted knew this "Mini-Rebuild" was coming 2 years ago. Just looking at the players in 2014 who were going to be FA in 2017 told you it was coming. Now here we are right in the middle of it and it IS uncomfortable just as Razer has suggested.
snowdog
March 16, 2017 at 12:33 pm
Capers defensive scheme ? But I regress ...
Handsback
March 15, 2017 at 07:39 am
I like the guys Green Bay has for OLBs. What I don't like is that their starters will miss several games and they need another starter. They will draft a pass rusher for sure, but they still need an experienced guy (like Peppers) that can take up the slack when Perry and CM3 miss those games. This need is countered by the fact that a rookie, a second year guy and an experienced vet that needs playing will be hampered by signing this additional starter.
So do you bite the bullet and bring in another experienced pass rusher at the detriment of your rookie, Fackrell, and Elliott? Or don't sign that additional starter and allow the rookie, Fackrell and Elliott fight it out and see if one of the three makes YUGE strides this year?
HankScorpio
March 15, 2017 at 08:10 am
I'm all for major change at LB, inside and/or outside. Since Capers was hired and the Packers switched to a 3-4 base defense, I've been saying the Packers need better LBs. Dynamic LB groups are what makes a good 3-4 defense and the Packers do not have enough talent at the position to measure up.
It hasn't always manifested itself as a glaring weakness since they don't actually play much base 3-4. But I have no problems with a major overhaul at the position. If they continue to pick at the edges of the group, the chances of the kind of improvement they really need go down. It's like the old saying in college football..."The good news is 8 starters are back on defense. The bad news is that the defense was close yer eyes awful last year".
TarynsEyes
March 15, 2017 at 08:25 am
Have no fear Fackrell will be there but another outside linebacker is needed in the draft to help the injury prone Fabio and his 5 year sidekick Nick , you won't see those numbers again, Perry.
Razer
March 15, 2017 at 08:43 am
Taryn - I appreciate your insights into many aspects of the Packers. I just don't get your disdain for Perry and Matthews. You have total faith in Fackrell based on little results. I too like his potential but he has earned little respect to date. Nick Perry was a fish out of water and he played injured for much of his early career. But, Nick Perry did put up numbers last year. And, Nick Perry did play through injury and set the edge on his side. He can play and he is proving it. If you fail to acknowledge this then you are arguing out of spite.
Let's hope that Fackrell can come up to 90 percent of what Matthews and Perry bring and call him a success.
And, yes we need another OLB or two going forward.
TarynsEyes
March 15, 2017 at 09:30 am
It isn't disdain for Perry but a firm belief since his draft of being the wrong piece for the position. Even putting injuries aside, he simply disappeared way to often altogether when healthy and though his sack number has many jumping, he was no where to be found too often. He made a couple of timely plays, though battered balls are more luck, he is not a game changer and many are thinking his play will get us over the hump defensively. I mentioned a comparison of rating him via the WAR method of baseball....he doesn't equate to more wins over replacement because he is just a replacement, rotation guy who doesn't dictate more wins. Matthews is in a near flat line in his WAR and may obtain that this season as an outside linebacker.
J0hn Denver's Gavel
March 15, 2017 at 10:02 am
He's a game changer on run downs simply by holding contain. He sets the edge, extremely well and doesn't let runners bounce outside. He can get off his initial block and stop any outside run. Sacks aside, thats more than I've seen any 3-4 OLB do regularly since Capers inception and is worth its weight in all the gold he just received, alone.
Razer
March 15, 2017 at 10:51 am
...It isn't disdain for Perry but a firm belief since his draft of being the wrong piece for the position...
This team and this defensive scheme has been drafting guys and trying to remap them for the past 6 years. Overall, we have had little success with most of the experiments. Datone Jones is just another high pick who doesn't fit and has under performed. I don't doubt that Perry would have returned results quicker in a 4-3 as a guy with his hand in the dirt. I would argue that the guy isn't the problem - the system is. I have little faith that this team's defense will ever make it to top ten under Capers and fed by Thompson. Hopefully, Fackrell has enough natural talent for the OLB position than the DE's that we have been trying to plugin.
TarynsEyes
March 15, 2017 at 11:31 am
I said the same when Datone was drafted as like with Perry. The only difference is many more kept clamoring the worth of Perry than Jones, so I needed only argue the Perry factor....square pegs.
The system isn't the issue unless you draft guys that won't fit into it or not smart enough to learn it...we've done both too often on defense.
Koostyroosty
March 15, 2017 at 08:53 am
Datone Jones and his one sack last year won't be hard to replace. Elliot needs to poop or get off the pot. His "potential" is tantalizing, but he hasn't shown much. Here is his chance. Fackrell just needs to play more. He looked good when he played, he was not in over his head. Injuries, of course, are the wildcard. Maybe Barwin on a F/A deal and a high and mid round draft pick?
egbertsouse
March 15, 2017 at 08:59 am
Datone Jones: Another one of TT's draft and develop "success" stories. He may succeed in Minny, he won't be playing out of position.
Razer
March 15, 2017 at 09:02 am
Yeah, my worry as well. Playing his natural position on an already talented defense is his best shot at being a success. Let's hope that it isn't against our new starting RG.
Ryan Graham
March 15, 2017 at 09:14 am
Datone Jones will see minimal reps. He most definitely will not start over Robison or Everson Griffen. And they will plug in Hunter before they do Jones.
Razer
March 15, 2017 at 08:59 am
I was always impressed with DeAndre Levy when we played the Lions. To me, he was the heart of that defense and often the best player on the field. I don't know what injuries have done to his body but, if healthy, he would be a great addition to the linebackers.
J0hn Denver's Gavel
March 15, 2017 at 10:04 am
I do remember the Packers took him out for the year either last year or the year before.
Bearmeat
March 15, 2017 at 09:11 am
With CM3 and Perry's injury history, we absolutely NEED another vet at OLB. Depending on Fackrell AND Elliot and maybe a 1/2nd rounder to get the job done is NOT wise. Unfortunately, it's also a mistake that TT has made time and again over the last 10 years. IMO it's cost us a couple of super bowls.
Barwin. Barwin. Barwin. Then a top draft pick in addition. COME ON TT - GET WITH THE PROGRAM.
Rossonero
March 15, 2017 at 10:11 am
I'm all about Barwin. Get him TT!! This is not the time to rely on 21 year old projects to turn the tide. They will need time to develop....time Aaron Rodgers doesn't have.
stockholder
March 15, 2017 at 10:41 am
Frackwell is a bust. TT is going to go after Mathews Contract. He Drafts TJ Watt OLB to shut the WI faithful up.
March 15, 2017 at 11:27 pm
Barwin & Watt. Done & done.
hybridauth_Facebook_1595955255
March 16, 2017 at 08:29 am
They need a of linemen on the first choice or cb back.