I distinctly remember Morrison as a high-energy guy who didn't test very well. He was over a year removed from a knee injury at that point. More productive than his test numbers would indicate, though. Not sure how he rated on PFF last year. Strictly a run-down, downhill, thumping ILB and likely an ST maven.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2011/profiles/antonio-morrison?id=2555160

I give BG credit for turning players who were likely on the outside looking in for impending cuts into roster help.

August 26, 2018 at 01:26 pm(edit)

His analysis from the 2016 NFL Draft, courtesy of NFL.com:

"This two-time second-team All-SEC pick is undersized, but extremely productive; he hit triple digits in tackles in 2014 (101) and 2015 (103, leading the team), and doubled his impact in the backfield between those two seasons, going from six to 12 tackles for loss. The fact he played at all this fall was a tribute to his work ethic, as he came back from undergoing multiple surgeries on his left knee to repair an injury from the 2014 Birmingham Bowl. However, teams will have to check into his background due to two arrests (punching bouncer, barking at a police dog/resisting arrest) within five weeks in the summer of 2013. If he can convince general managers that his hard times are behind him, they'll bank on his talent."

Morrison, 23, was a 4th-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Florida. He's netted 97 total tackles so far in his NFL career. In two season with Indianapolis, he’s started 19 of 32 games.

Edit: Pro Football Focus gave Morrison an overall grade of 35.8 and it ranked 83rd among all linebackers in 2017.

Glad to see Gute sticking to his word of exploring every avenue of improving the Packer roster. We need linebacker depth. I'll be watching Morrison in the 4th preseason game.

I thought Ahmad Thomas played well against the Raiders.

"I give BG credit for turning players who were likely on the outside looking in for impending cuts into roster help."

Totally agree.

Looks like Gut wisely learned not to follow in Ted Thompson's footsteps by almost always rolling with undrafted rookies rather than making this type of trade for an established NFL player.

Pretty good trade to get a journeyman starter in exchange for a guy on the bubble. I was rooting Pipkins to make it as the last corner in but you gotta give something to get something.

https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cFjOFsqOpk

so both teams swap players they probably cut next week anyway? How does a guy with 100 plus tackles last season end on the might miss the team list? Are we missing anything here? I mean pipkins is no loss but why are the colts looking to move this guy?

Good trade, CB is a postion of depth. Seems like a good downhill tackler, he's slow though, he's Jake Ryan. Need a coverage guy, Josh Jones? This also solidifies Davon House on the 53.

Please let there be a lineman on his way to austin strauble too.

Looks good against the run so on passing downs put in Burks/Jones , should make for a nice rotation.

Good move by both teams as it allows them to "kick the tires for a week" and try out the guys, instead the of last cut mayhem.

I did find it interesting that Pipkins was getting played so late in the preseason games, which could indicate the coaching staff's view of him on the depth chart. I was looking for him and didn't see him, while Goodson, Hawkins, and Waters played long before Pipkins entered the game.

Maybe after the Oakland game, they (Gute and coaches) decided a run stuffing ILB might not be such a bad idea.

Nice move by Gute. We get a player to help our LB corps for virtually nothing by sending Pipkins, a likely cut, to the Colts.

Plus this sends a positive message to the team and fans that Gut e is not going to sit around and do nothing when the team has obvious needs. It shows that he is going to try to improve the team however he can.

Now maybe we can trade Goodsen and Hundley for an OT. Thanks, Since '61

Can't hurt. Cost nothing. Good trade for both teams.

Believe me, Gute is NOT TT.

Love this move. I think Burks is going to be a solid
to very good undersized ILB who can help patrol the middle (its 2018, about time!) BUT there is still a role for the run stuffing ILB to replace Ryan. I am going to go on record that this move will be key to stopping a late drive (or two) during the season to give Aaron a chance to get the ball back.

Will not be surprised if Lenzy shined in Indy, a much shorter climb to relevance in that secondary. Wish him best of luck- think this was probably a welcome trade by both teams... Abd both players...

AND for all those who used to criticize TT, this should be reassuring our new GM is truly always on the lookout for depth pieces. That alone is welcome news!!

Trade was good for both teams. Morrison wasn't going to play much because of the defensive scheme changes. So Pipkens didn't play much perhaps of the trade. GB gets a starter quality backup and depth With King, Alexander and Jackson, GB has long term depth. Jackson sounds like he will be playing a lot this year. Looks like BG hit big on the first three draft picks. But I think Burks will be limited this year.

they could have probably had this guy after the cut downs. but i guess this gives Gute a chance to see what he has against KC.

Im a big college football fan and enjoy watching the SEC games so I saw Morrison play alot at Florida and I was always a fan of his. Hes a big hitter and he usually knows where hes going which eases some of the concerns of his speed. This was just a good trade for us. Veteran depth, will be our biggest ILB size wise, and he brings the wood in the run game and does it in a bad mood as well.

This is the type of move that could prove to be genius. Mason Foster had similar knocks on him and got forced out of Tampa Bay, got signed to a generous free agent deal by the Bears who at the time were absolutely starved for NFL level talent at LB - and he was a surprise cut before the season that year. Being cut by a team that made you a free agent priority and had nothing else at the position would seemingly signal the end, the Redskins signed him a few weeks into the season after a rash of injuries and hes on his 2nd contract now with them. He's been a very solid player from the second he came into Washington, thriving in their 3-4 after having not been a fit in the Bucs or Bears 4-3. Morrison is a very similar player to Foster and I think he could end up proving to be just as valuable.

Good trade for both clubs. Pipkens would probably have been on the PS again anyhow, or cut all together. So gaining a LB like Morrison for an even trade is a good move. Packers are thinner at LB than they are at CB. Let's hope Morrison has as many tackles with the Packers as he did with the Colts and can stay healthy.

Update. I just watched a video on the Packers site of an interview with Morrison and he seems to be a no nonsense, get it done kind of fellow and happy to be in Green Bay. His aggressive style of play is just what the Packers need at the LB position. I wish him well. Go! Pack! Go!

I liked Pipkins, but we didn't really need him with our current group. I do think this will give him more opportunities to play. Best of luck to him!
GoPackGo!

Good to see Gute responded quickly, that Jake Ryan's absence will be missed judging by the poor run defense exhibited this pre-season and Burke's injury. He noticed all those gashes. With the loss of those two something had to happen. Don't know how good Morrison is, but this could be the move that saves the defense's bacon.

While I know very little about Morrison (other then he started 15 games last year), I love that Gutekunst traded a player that may not have made the 53 for a guy who should help the team.

To me this was a really good move. I really liked Pipkins but they already have Alexander, Jackson, King, Williams, House in front of him. They had very little depth at ILB and with the injury to Burks it made it even thinner.

This is the type of move that Thompson wouldn't have made. And yet another reason why I am really happy to see Gutekunst as our GM. We won't know how his first draft went for a few years, but the early signs of Alexander and Jackson are promising. Burks flashed prior to getting hurt. The 3 WR's all flashed talent. And bringing in the vets so far have been proving to be upgrades. I definitely like what Gutekunst has done!

Some are now thinking that this makes House or Goodson a shoe in for Lenzy's slot but my dark horse player to make the squad is the littlest guy on defense, Josh Hawkins. He showed up in Oakland and his performance may have solidified Gute's decision to let Pipkins go.

I still love the move a UFDA for a forth round pick one we need.