Will The Packers Wait For Frank Zombo?
Will a vote of confidence from linebackers coach Kevin Greene be enough to save a roster spot for Frank Zombo?
By maxginsberg
There is no doubting the toughness of Packers outside linebacker Frank Zombo, but can the team count on him to contribute this season?
After assuming a pre-game collision with teammate John Kuhn resulted in merely a bruise, Zombo played through the pain of a broken scapula during the team’s 28-20 victory over Arizona in the second preseason game.
A timetable for the second year pro’s return to the field is uncertain, but on Wednesday outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene all but guaranteed Zombo’s roster spot would be held. When asked if Zombo would return this season, Greene did not mince words.
“Absolutely,” said Greene via Mike Vandermause of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. “I’ve got a pretty good feel of Frank, I think the coaching staff, I think his teammates have a pretty good feel of what he’s all about. In this game, it’s predicated on trust. You know, trust your brothers. I think everybody trusts Frank. I don’t think there’s a question everybody knows he’s a tough kid, so yeah, 110%, he comes back, he’s in, he’s helping us, absolutely.”
Head coach Mike McCarthy said the shoulder injury would require Zombo to miss “a significant amount of time” but failed to provide a specific timetable for Zombo’s return.
Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette speculates that the healing process usually takes “about six weeks,” adding that once the shoulder heals, Zombo will need additional time to rehabilitate the muscles around the bone before returning to the field of play.
While Kevin Greene assures us – with 110% certainty – that Zombo will return this season, the Packers front office will have a difficult decision to make when selecting players for the 53-man roster.
With minimal depth at outside linebacker, can the Packers afford to wait for Zombo’s shoulder to heal? With no proven options behind him, can the team afford not to?
Comments (14)
August 25, 2011 at 10:18 am
Just put him on the PUP list
August 25, 2011 at 10:35 am
Not eligible, he's practiced.
PackerAaron
August 25, 2011 at 10:37 am
They can't. Once you practice in camp you are ineligible for PUP.
August 25, 2011 at 10:39 am
I don't think they can afford not to keep a roster spot (assuming the he can actually be back by/before mid-season). Behind last years street free-agent you have Brad Jones who appears to have hit his ceiling at some point during his rookie year, and is oft injured as any other contributor on the roster. Then who? So'oto? Lattimore?
It's questionable whether Matthews can hold up for all 16 games plus the playoffs, somebody needs to take some reps from him as well.
Just can't see how they can't hold a spot.
August 25, 2011 at 08:46 pm
Dont forget that Robert Francois has also played those outside positions...
August 25, 2011 at 10:47 am
I agree. Since they cant PUP him they have to hold a roster spot for him because of depth. Brad Jones probably would have been cut but this is gonna save him a spot.
August 25, 2011 at 11:45 am
If it's only six weeks that means he would be back after the Denver game. It would make no sense to IR him, if that's the case.
August 25, 2011 at 11:50 am
Why isn't anybody mentioning Walden? What happened?
August 25, 2011 at 11:55 am
Nothing, he's the only seemingly healthy OLB with experience on the roster at this point. No news on him is welcome considering the trend...
August 25, 2011 at 12:28 pm
OK, so the point is, there is a proven option behind (actually ahead) of Zombo, and it's Walden.
August 25, 2011 at 12:53 pm
I wonder if they could cut/waive Zombo, after coming to an injury settlement -- and then sign him again after the exclusionary period (when he's healed).
Zombo knows that Greene loves him and that he'd be assured of returning to the team. This would allow for someone like So'oto to join the roster, so he could be evaluated. If So'oto shows promise, he could be signed to the practice squad (before his sixth game on the 53 man roster -- which would invalidate the PS, and about the time that Zombo would be ready to return).
It would be doubtful that another team would want to sign Zombo after the injury, and then bring him into a new system.
maxginsberg
August 25, 2011 at 01:10 pm
In theory, that's a great idea, but it never seems to work out as planned. Remember Will Blackmon's situation last year? There always seem to be other factors (money, further injury, interest from other teams) that come into play down the road.
August 25, 2011 at 04:12 pm
Trade Grant for a TT prospect from some other team. TT can find guys. Just like he found Grant.
August 25, 2011 at 09:13 pm
The good thing is we still have two games to see what the young backups are capable of with increased reps.
I would much rather keep Zombo on the roster and possibly cut, trade or IR Brad Jone, who seems like an injury waiting to happen. He needs to step up his game quickly because hes in danger of losing his spot on the 53.
I personally would like to see So'oto stick over Jones at this point and hopefully get Lattimore on the practice squad.