McCarthy Anticipates Outside Linebacker Rotation
As long as Frank Zombo responds well Saturday morning, a rotation at outside linebacker opposite Clay Matthews is a likely scenario.
After outside linebacker Frank Zombo came back from his hyperextended knee suffered in the Week 6 win over the St. Louis Rams and participated fully in practice this entire week, head coach Mike McCarthy sounded like he was ready to have his outside linebackers rotate on Sunday when the Packers meet the Chargers in San Diego.
But he also said there's one more hurdle to clear yet.
"Frank Zombo has had a full week of practice, so I definitely feel good that he'll be able to go," said McCarthy today. "But as always, I'm always cautious when I do these press conferences on Friday. So we'll see how he feels in the morning, but it's been a good week."
If everything goes as planned, Zombo and Erik Walden will probably have a time share at the outside linebacker position opposite Clay Matthews.
"I think it's fair to think that, but we'll see on Sunday," said McCarthy. "Once again, we'll see how he is tomorrow. The other factor is special teams, how you're going to break that down amongst the linebackers. We have a plan."
Whether that plan included rookie Vic So'oto remains to be seen. After a fantastic preseason, So'oto has seen minimal action during the regular season in part due to a back injury he sustained lifting weights in early September.
Whether the Packers line up Clay Matthews more often on the right side of the defensive formation is a development worth watching as well.
The Packers started experimenting with that before the bye, and now face a San Diego team with issues on the left side of their offensive line. Pro Bowl left guard Kris Dielman has been out with a concussion while left tackle Marcus McNeil hasn't been his usual solid self, committing six penalties in their last game, the Monday Night Football loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Wherever they line up, the Packers will look to get increased production from their pass rush at the position. Matthews has been solid with three sacks, but all the rest of outside linebackers combined only have one this season, from Walden.
Comments (3)
November 04, 2011 at 02:25 pm
Just more tinkering from the mad scientist, Dom Capers! Just the talk of all this is making OC's in Tampa and Detroit work harder.
What exactly is the reason for Brad Jones to be non-existent this year? I haven't heard of injuries, so his play must be deficient; what areas, examples?
November 04, 2011 at 07:27 pm
We went in with, what, 10 LB's? I haven't heard anything, but I'm sure we can't play 'em all. Good question. I hope someone offers something more constructive.
November 04, 2011 at 10:32 pm
I think Brad Jones is just not a very good player. He got some sacks as a rookie, but he didn't get initial pressure on most of those plays. They looked like clean-up sacks to me. And as a rookie he was already familiar with playing OLB in a 3-4 defense, because that's what he did in college. So I think Jones was already playing close to his potential at that point. He was a seventh round draft choice, and that's about the level he's settled into--on the edge of the roster. I bet he'll be gone next year. I wouldn't be surprised to see him cut before the end of this season if So'oto and Lattimore stay healthy and continue to improve.