Packers Question of the day - A game of Hypotheticals

The veteran leaders of the Packers' defensive front seven, Julius Peppers and Clay Matthews, met with their interviewers just this past Wednesday. How it went is still to be determined. However, it's unlikely whether or not a suspension will be handed down to the two outside linebackers.

But for the sake of curiosity, let's play a "what-if" scenario. What if they did end up suspended?

What if the Packers had to rely on their outside linebacking depth with Nick Perry, Jayrone Elliott, Kyler Fackrell and Datone Jones? Lerentee McCray as well, if he were to make the final roster. 

How confident are you in the reserves at outside linebacker to hold down the fort for however long it may be?

__________________________

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].

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Comments (21)

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HarlanHuckleby's picture

August 25, 2016 at 09:14 am

That reserve group can handle a four-game suspension of Matthews and Peppers. Perry's ready now to be an average starter. The young guys and position-switchers will have to take up the slack and handle the other side. If the suspensions are longer than four games, it might be a season-long struggle with the pass rush.

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RCPackerFan's picture

August 25, 2016 at 09:15 am

I personally don't see them losing any playing time over this.

Though, if they were suspended, I am fine with the depth for a few games. Though the defense is at another level with Peppers and Mathews on it.

Perry and Jones would be the starting OLB's. Elliott is a good pass rusher, and could rotate in nicely.

I like our depth, but its not the same as having Mathews on the field.

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holmesmd's picture

August 25, 2016 at 09:16 am

That OLB group is as deep as its been. I think they would be fine but I can't imagine there will be any suspensions. We shall see

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staffordsneckfat's picture

August 25, 2016 at 09:26 am

As long as Daniels has his hand in the dirt I think this defense will compete. Losing Peppers and Matthews would not be ideal, but they have survived without them before.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 25, 2016 at 10:57 am

Good grief. The loss of CM3 and Peppers might not render the defense a shambles, but it would hurt a lot. Let's see, you'd have Elliott and his 0-11 record in 1 on 1s. We'd have Daniels, Guion, Clark and Lowry on the line. Only Daniels can generate pressure out of that group, and we'd lose lining up Peppers inside, maybe Jones as well since someone has to play OLB. Starters would be Perry and Jones, both elephant ends? Guess Capers won't be dropping either of them into coverage very often. Martinez, Ryan and Barrington aren't real adept at providing pass rush. It would be pretty bad.

BTW: If they are suspended before final cuts, McCray becomes a lock to make the 53, assuming the suspension doesn't come down mid-season.

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staffordsneckfat's picture

August 25, 2016 at 11:55 am

Rey,

Maybe if these two get suspended they'll put a club on Janis' hand and send him out there to rush the passer?

The guy does it all.

Much love,
Matt the Fat

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TarynsEyes's picture

August 25, 2016 at 12:05 pm

Try something more original....this Janis beating is mundane.

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croatpackfan's picture

August 25, 2016 at 12:02 pm

If that scenario (suspension) what do you think about short change to some form of 4-3 D front - like Perry, Daniels, Guion, Jones with Barrington, Ryan and Martinez at ILB...

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

August 25, 2016 at 05:13 pm

Interesting idea, Croatpackfan, but I don't think it would work. It is a little late in the day to install a new defense, we don't have the DE's for a 4-3, might have the DTs in Daniels, maybe Guion, and Pennel when he returns, but the LBs give me pause as well.

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al bundy's picture

August 25, 2016 at 11:30 am

I don't think the pass rush is that good with them let alone without. Team lacks a pressence up the middle.

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SpudRapids's picture

August 26, 2016 at 09:54 am

7th in the league last in sacks and you think they have no pass rush

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stockholder's picture

August 25, 2016 at 11:47 am

I get to beat Cow to this. If Mathews and Peppers get suspended. Goodell just gave the division to the Vikings. (His sons favorite team)

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staffordsneckfat's picture

August 25, 2016 at 11:58 am

stockholder (and cow if he's out there),

need your opinion on something. costco has these new 36 packs of light beer. do i ditch my traditional miller lite for this new wholesale stuff?

please advise, could be HUGE

keep grinding,
Matt the Fat

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dobber's picture

August 25, 2016 at 04:14 pm

Cow believes this absent any action by Goodell, already.

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GVPacker's picture

August 26, 2016 at 11:21 am

Good Point! OT rules were changed to pacify Ziggy and the Viqueens after the Saints beat them in the 2009 NFC Championship game.

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Lphill's picture

August 25, 2016 at 01:24 pm

Staffordsnecksfat switch to Miller 64 much better than Miller lite. I think that question is out of COW's range.

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staffordsneckfat's picture

August 25, 2016 at 04:14 pm

Lphill,

Keeping the power gut is a huge priority for me; that's why I have always been wary of M-64. Plus, I live my life by a strict 'What would Brett do' code, and I think we can both agree Brett is more an MGD man.

Always appreciate the wise words.

Much love,
Matt "its not a goiter" Stafford

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Bohj's picture

August 25, 2016 at 02:30 pm

The depth at OLB is better than other positions. Although DBs are deep too. I would be more afraid of the run damage. It's not like you can just replace Mathews. Peppers is good, but Perry would be a suitable replacement given Pep's age. If anything, we can play more dime coverage and let more DBs do the coverage piece and not drop OLBs into coverage. And if our offense lights it up like I think they will......the other teams become one dimensional anyways....with a better crop of DBs and ball hawkers than before.

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4thand1's picture

August 25, 2016 at 05:53 pm

IF? If they got suhspended, no big deal. It's a long season and would help in the long run. Peppers has had lapses for a stretch of games anyways. "if" they played only 12 to 14 games, it would make them more likely to produce when it matters.

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TKWorldWide's picture

August 25, 2016 at 09:46 pm

What does the third sentence mean?

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

August 26, 2016 at 07:58 am

By all accounts (sources who where involved apperently) the two answered a highly scripted set of questions based directly on the Al Jazzieria report. There was no new evidence presented. Even though I don't like the way the NFL has played this, if the reports turn out to be true there will be no suspensions.

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