-- It's a dismal situation in the event of Jake Ryan's ACL injury last month and third-round pick Oren Burks' shoulder injury last week, but there are roster spots ripe for the taking at inside linebacker.
It's a prime opportunity for someone like Greer Martini, who has somewhat fallen behind the pack as he fights to secure his place in a Green Bay Packers uniform in 2018. The worst part is, he hasn't played terribly by any stretch of the imagination.
It's just that his counterpart, Ahmad Thomas, has played better.
Martini has recorded seven tackles -- three in two of the team's first three preseason games -- and shown the same quick agility he flashed at Notre Dame.
While with the Fighting Irish, Martini stepped into a full-time role for his junior and senior seasons, starting every game for those two years en route to compiling 130 tackles and three sacks.
The Packers snagged him as an undrafted free agent and have since not only implemented him into the defense, but he's also played extensively on special teams in the preseason.
That's likely Martini's best avenue to securing a roster spot -- finding a way to become multi-faceted and contributing in different ways.
"I think it’s always about the impression," said Martini after Tuesday's closed practice. Thursday night -- the Packers' preseason finale against the Kansas City Chiefs -- provides him one last chance to show what he's capable of in live action.
"This is the last impression I can leave on them, so obviously it’s the most important."
When on defense, Martini is a thumper in run coverage, which Ryan originally excelled at in 2017. That production may be significantly lacking, and the Packers may have recently acquired Antonio Morrison from the Indianapolis Colts in a trade over the weekend in an effort to shore up their run defense, but there's always room on the roster for gritty players like Martini.
"It’s just one of those things where I can’t really control the ultimate outcome. I can help the decision process, but for me, it’s just about doing what I can do, and that’s what I’ve been saying recently; just control the things that I can control. … It’s just about going out there and showing them one last time that I can do it at this level."
Thursday night will be reserved for the Packers' backups, meaning Martini should see a good portion of playing time. Almost an ideal scenario for someone clinging to the depth chart, which, the same case could be made for any bottom-of-the-barrel player doing all he can to make some noise before final roster cut-downs.
But this is nothing new for Martini.
"I’ve always worked my way into a position. Even when I wasn’t the most talented guy, I’ve always done the hardest stuff, I’ve always done the little things. It’s always ended up pretty good for me."
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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].
August 29, 2018 at 11:17 am
Since the Hundley trade is getting all the play and this story has got zero posts, I thought I'd throw something in to get things started.
That Greer guy ... um yeah.
August 29, 2018 at 11:57 am
Too funny - but - I hear what you are saying.
August 29, 2018 at 11:29 am
Ahmad Thomas has looked pretty good and can see him as a step-in replacement for Burks. Morrison and Martini are also interchangeable players. So depth is important and not sure who would take over if Martinez goes down, unless its CMIII.
August 29, 2018 at 12:06 pm
Morrison would and play 2 downs and Thomas would play 3rd down with Burks.
August 29, 2018 at 11:48 am
Given the trade for Morrison, Martini has a lot of competition. I think Burks and Thomas are almost a lock at this point, and I think Morrison is a pretty sure bet right now too. Can't really say without seeing him play a down.
Now add that they are reporting packers plan on keeping 3 QBs, and there is one less overall roster spot, especially when you consider the talent at WR and TE.
August 29, 2018 at 11:53 am
Martini is PS for sure.
August 29, 2018 at 12:09 pm
Yep and I think he has earned a spot.
August 29, 2018 at 12:09 pm
Morrision is Ryan 2.0 and will be Machinez’s backup.
Thomas will back up Burks.
I do not think they will keep 4 ILBs especially since Josh Jones can play ILB and is actually bigger than Thomas.
August 29, 2018 at 08:58 pm
Thumbs way up for "MACHINEZ".
That's great
August 29, 2018 at 12:24 pm
Isnt this exactly the type of player we need to cultivate for depth?
August 29, 2018 at 12:37 pm
With Morrison in town Greer is now the 5th inside linebacker. So if they keep 5 inside linebackers he is in, or he can make the practice squad.
August 29, 2018 at 02:20 pm
Packers and Aaron signs new cvontract
August 29, 2018 at 02:20 pm
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000952107/article/aaron-rodgers-agr...
August 29, 2018 at 08:01 pm
Now they just need to trade Allison or Kendricks and the roster decisions get a bit easier.
August 30, 2018 at 01:45 am
Trade some quality proven players so that the unproven fringe players will have spots guaranteed on the roster. Lol, Boy, am I glad you're not the Packers GM. Kinda sad you're not the Viqueens GM though. :-}
August 29, 2018 at 08:31 pm
They will not trade Allison but I think good chance they cut Kendricks. He has never shown me much.
August 29, 2018 at 08:52 pm
Special teams guy.
August 29, 2018 at 11:50 pm
Love to walk into a Wisconsin bar someday and order a "Greer Martini"
August 31, 2018 at 07:08 pm
That's awesome now we have to work on whats in Greer Martini. Was hoping he would get a shot. After the trade I figured he was done. Not now he will make the team, how can you not? And how great to know that Martini is on the Title. If he showed enough on ST he may get a spot.
August 30, 2018 at 06:55 am
I could see Martiini making the practice squad and Morrison making the 53.