Other starting OLB - Whose gonna get it?

[3irty1]

Brad Jones was the man coming into last year, he's been decent as a pass rusher, an ace in coverage, a kinda poopy against the run. Rumor has it that he's taking reps at MLB as well as OLB, probably because of his 3rd down abilities in a role similar to that of Brandon Chillar in past seasons.

Frank Zombo was the man last year. His name is fun to say, he's a really underrated athlete with good size. He's at least as good as Jones as a pass rusher, decent in coverage, and surprisingly weak against the run. Words I've heard in camp so far is that he's in impressive shape.

Walden caught on late last year and was something of a standout. I didn't give him much of a shot to steal the starting gig from Zombo this season but his name seems to come up the most from those reporting on training camp. The guy is certainly the most stout against the run of the three options here.

[pittstang5]

Barring Injury, my money's on Zombo.

[Brandon494]

I hear Greene has been going crazy over some of the plays Walden has made so far in camp.

[Patler]

Erfrad Walzones will be the starter.

[Brandon494]

THUMBS UP

The three-way battle between Erik Walden, Frank Zombo and Brad Jones at right outside linebacker has taken a turn in Walden's favor. Since the start of camp, Walden has been the most dynamic of the three, throwing his body around with reckless abandon and making life miserable for the team's left tackles. Walden still needs to develop better pass rush moves, but when he rushes it's with force. And he has consistently played well against the run, stacking the line of scrimmage by getting under the tackle's pads and giving him a good shot. Walden also has shown his versatility by dropping into coverage and had outstanding coverage on fullback John Kuhn on a third-down play near the end of practice Friday. It's probably a good sign for Walden that linebackers coach Kevin Greene has been going nuts over some of his plays.

[bobblehead]

I disagree with your assessments of all three guys to be honest. Zombo is the best against the run of the three. Walden is the most athletic and has a poppinga type motor it seems. Walden is the LEAST stout against the run from what I have seen. Jones is well rounded and my pick since he is healthy now....that could change at any moment. Robert Francois is someone we might here from as well. PBmax was on him last year and I respect his opinion a lot. I've heard coaches talking about his improvement this camp so I guess what I'm really saying is this puppy is wide open.

[vince]

I disagree with your assessments of all three guys to be honest. Zombo is the best against the run of the three. Walden is the most athletic and has a poppinga type motor it seems. Walden is the LEAST stout against the run from what I have seen. Jones is well rounded and my pick since he is healthy now....that could change at any moment. Robert Francois is someone we might here from as well. PBmax was on him last year and I respect his opinion a lot. I've heard coaches talking about his improvement this camp so I guess what I'm really saying is this puppy is wide open.
I agree with you regarding Zombo and Walden regarding their performance last year vs. run and pass. Both have reportedly enhanced their strength and look bigger this year. I think one of those two "start" (play on first downs).

[wist43]

1. Walden
2. Jones
3. Zombo

Walden is the most athletic, Jones is a decent backup, Zombo is just a guy.

[pbmax]

Thanks for the shout out Bobble, but as I recall, Francois was an emergency fill-in at OLB once Matthews and a couple of other guys started to miss practice and preseason snaps. That he played well and didn't embarrass himself (it was like the 3rd preseason game wasn't it?) after limited practice is good, but the coaches seem to have voted on the inside for him again this year. Unless the injury bug strikes again, I think he is in the middle, esp. since the Packers are short on bodies there this year.

As for their profiles, Jones had the most natural pass rush (and early success) of the three. It did not show last year, possibly due to his shoulder injury as pointed out by Cliff Chirstl's favorite Wisconsin player and asst. coach Eric Baranczyk.

http://packersnews.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110807/PKR07/110807042/Eric-Baranczyk-analysis-Zombo-Walden-Jones-could-share-ROLB-job?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE

[3irty1]

I disagree with your assessments of all three guys to be honest. Zombo is the best against the run of the three. Walden is the most athletic and has a poppinga type motor it seems. Walden is the LEAST stout against the run from what I have seen. Jones is well rounded and my pick since he is healthy now....that could change at any moment. Robert Francois is someone we might here from as well. PBmax was on him last year and I respect his opinion a lot. I've heard coaches talking about his improvement this camp so I guess what I'm really saying is this puppy is wide open.

I'd say that Jones is by far the worst against the run but it should come as no surprise as he's relatively small, length, and least physical of the three. He does have great range though and can shut down the outside stuff with ease much like CMIII.

Go watch the first Falcons game again if you think Zombo can hold the point vs the run. His performance in that game was KGBesk to where it become evident that their whole offensive strategy revolved around running right at Zombo. Not super fair of me to use one game as an example but I'm doing it anyways.

Walden has some really good instincts and is probably the most physical. We haven't seen a ton of him but his play against the run seemed like a strong point to me. I think the "more athletic Poppinga" is a decent comparison. I remember seeing him get crushed at the point of attack a few times but I also remember seeing him move around vs. the Eagles and stuffing anything that came through his gap. The guy has great instincts around the LOS.

Furthermore I don't think I'd call Walden the most athletic. That honor has to go to Jones--he is faster by a good margin and can change directions better as well. Zombo is the most explosive by a good margin and IMO has the most upside as a pass rusher. The guy is physically gifted with his size/acceleration combo. The only thing that really sticks out for me with Walden is his instincts and his super physical style--but those guys are sometimes really tough to keep off the field though.

[mission]

I like Walden for having the highest ceiling IMO. The only real negative in his run defense last year wasn't so much his point-of-attack strength but just losing contain and following a bad read down the LOS. I'm looking forward to seeing him with a little more beef and a full offseason to learn his responsibilities.

[bobblehead]

I like Walden for having the highest ceiling IMO. The only real negative in his run defense last year wasn't so much his point-of-attack strength but just losing contain and following a bad read down the LOS. I'm looking forward to seeing him with a little more beef and a full offseason to learn his responsibilities.

Regarding the latter part of you post I feel this way about all 3. Jones has been hurt and maligned for not being tough, and if this is accurate it will show up in lack of improvement. Due to the injuries I gave him a bit of a year 1 to year 2 pass (same for TJ Lang). If those 2 come in this year looking like they still haven't taken the next step they may be in danger of losing their jobs. HOWEVER, if they look like they did take it seriously, I love both players and I think Jones will get more snaps than the other 2 guys (Zombo could start in base for superior run play imo).

[Harlan Huckleby]

Eric Baranczyk http://packersnews.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110807/PKR07/110807042/Eric-Baranczyk-analysis-Zombo-Walden-Jones-could-share-ROLB-job

The Green Bay Packers have three guys in the hunt to start at right outside linebacker, and after a week of practice, it’s hard to predict how it will shake out.

Frank Zombo, Erik Walden and Brad Jones all have question marks, and maybe it really will be some kind of platoon. That’s not a bad thing. The Packers do it with their down linemen all the time. Howard Green comes waddling off the field whenever they go nickel. It’s probably good because you’ll have fresher legs out there, especially in the fourth quarter, when you need fresh legs.

Zombo was solid on the run last year, good at holding the edge and making sure outside runs were turned back and that running backs didn’t get the edge on him and turn up field too soon. As a rookie, he was mechanical in the pass rush. This year, he looks a little more fluid but there’s still something missing. Not sure whether it’s technique or quickness. He needs to be a better pass rusher if he’s going to be the guy there.

In pass coverage, Zombo isn’t a liability, he’s just fine. Last year, he was mechanical in some of those things. Now he understands the system. He’s getting to that point in his second year in defensive coordinator Dom Capers’ scheme. He can be OK, but to take the next step I think he needs to take some chances and get better at pressuring the passer. You have to do your job but you also have to make plays.

Walden is much more physical on the edge against the run compared to last year. Same thing with him. He sometimes plays a little too conservatively. Several times in the Family Night scrimmage on Saturday, when the tackle stepped in the bucket on an obvious pass, Walden hesitated. When there’s a pass rush, it’s time to go. Don’t hesitate, don’t juke. It’s time to go now.

Jones is the most fluid pass rusher of the three. He didn’t have any sacks last year in six games, but that was tough. He had a shoulder injury going back to training camp. In 2009, he had four sacks as a rookie, and his forte is pass rush. He’s a little weak on the edge against the run, but he has the speed to be a good coverage linebacker. The questions with him are health and playing the run on the edge.

One of them probably will have to move to inside linebacker at some point and be a swing guy. Jones played all the positions in college, so he’s the most likely to do so. Walden did it some last year, playing inside as a spy against the Bears in that last regular-season game and was NFC defensive player of the week. So maybe he can do both

[Harlan Huckleby]

Jones is probably best suited to spell or replace Matthews on the other side

[pbmax]

...As for their profiles, Jones had the most natural pass rush (and early success) of the three. It did not show last year, possibly due to his shoulder injury as pointed out by Cliff Chirstl's favorite Wisconsin player and asst. coach Eric Baranczyk.

http://packersnews.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110807/PKR07/110807042/Eric-Baranczyk-analysis-Zombo-Walden-Jones-could-share-ROLB-job?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE


Eric Baranczyk http://packersnews.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110807/PKR07/110807042/Eric-Baranczyk-analysis-Zombo-Walden-Jones-could-share-ROLB-job


Link plagiarist.

[Brando19]

I thought Walden played spy vs the Bears during the regular season really, really well. I'm a Walden fan, but I believe the team is high on Zombo and I think Zombo gets the start. If Jones is working out some at MLB, to me that means he's third on the depth chart at OLB.

[rbaloha1]

Zombo. Holds up well at the point of attack. Surprisingly a decent pass rusher.

The Packers could win with any of the three.

[bobblehead]

Zombo. Holds up well at the point of attack. Surprisingly a decent pass rusher.

The Packers could win with any of the three.

This is probably accurate. I hope it gets better though and one emerges and shows he is ready to be a force rather than serviceable.

[Upnorth]

I mentioned in the backup ILB debate I think Walden has the most upside and I feel the same way at OLB. If his knowledge matches his potential, he starts. If not then Jones until Walden is ready.

[3irty1]

My money is on Zombo. He's most physically suited to play the position and has the best first step. He's not a liability in coverage despite his former life as a college DE.

Jones is the new Chillar IMO. He'll spot start at OLB and be a coverage specialist.

Walden will back up both the inside and the outside. IMO he's a perfect fit to play Hawk's position but can stack, shed, flow to the ball and has a mean bull rush.

[Brandon494]

I'm hoping Walden wins the job, mostly because of the fact he came up big with 3 sacks against the Bears in a must win game. He is also having a impressive training camp and I think Greene is really going to help the guy develop his skills. If I had to put money on it though I would have to say Brad Jones will be the starter on opening day. No way Zombo starts over either of those guys, hes nothing but a younger Brady Poppinga IMO.

[3irty1]

I'm hoping Walden wins the job, mostly because of the fact he came up big with 3 sacks against the Bears in a must win game. He is also having a impressive training camp and I think Greene is really going to help the guy develop his skills. If I had to put money on it though I would have to say Brad Jones will be the starter on opening day. No way Zombo starts over either of those guys, hes nothing but a younger Brady Poppinga IMO.

If Brady Poppinga had been drafted at age 21 my guess is that he'd be starting over all of these guys. Zombo doesn't shine in any one area but he's got the best measurables for the position IMO.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I have a feeling Zombo will start because he seems to have the best pass rush ability, and we'll need that more out of that position this year. Really, all three have a shot, and it's virtually impossible to know who will start. We might even have a platoon--depending on opponent and situation.

[VermontPackFan]

Barring Injury, my money's on Zombo.

Agree

[bobblehead]

wow, only 2 rats besides me think Jones wins the job. Or in my case I think he gets the most snaps.

[rbaloha1]

I'm hoping Walden wins the job, mostly because of the fact he came up big with 3 sacks against the Bears in a must win game. He is also having a impressive training camp and I think Greene is really going to help the guy develop his skills. If I had to put money on it though I would have to say Brad Jones will be the starter on opening day. No way Zombo starts over either of those guys, hes nothing but a younger Brady Poppinga IMO.

BP had no instincts. Zombo played a little tentative last season but still made plays and held-up at the point of attack. Expect better play this season.

Again, all 3 are good players with a proven ability to make plays. After all, everyone can not be the "claymaker."

[pbmax]

I have a feeling Zombo will start because he seems to have the best pass rush ability, and we'll need that more out of that position this year. Really, all three have a shot, and it's virtually impossible to know who will start. We might even have a platoon--depending on opponent and situation.

I will be slightly disappointed if Zombo gets the start. He consistently got hooked and hemmed in by Atlanta (thanks to someone else for reminding me of this) so his ability to set the edge against the run (which is supposed to be the best of the 3) has a hole in it. Despite this, if indeed he can play the run best, then he will get most starts in any platoon.

Jones has shown the most pass rush, but he is a year removed from demonstrating it.

I am hoping Walden solves it all, but outside the Bears game, he has shown the least.

[3irty1]

I will be slightly disappointed if Zombo gets the start. He consistently got hooked and hemmed in by Atlanta thanks to someone else for reminding me of this) so his ability to set the edge against the run (which is supposed to be the best of the 3) has a hole in it. Despite this, if indeed he can play the run best, then he will get most starts in any platoon.

Jones has shown the most pass rush, but he is a year removed from demonstrating it.

I am hoping Walden solves it all, but outside the Bears game, he has shown the least.

Even in that Bears game at least 2 Walden's sacks were delayed blitzes from a spy position if my memory serves me. That's not really a skill that will translate to beating LT's around the edge. Jones is certainly a talented speed rusher and I wouldn't be upset if he won the job but I still think Zombo can be the best all around pass rusher of the three... he can just do more.

[Smidgeon]

I voted for Jones. Yes, he was playing hurt last year, but he stepped up impressively his rookie year after Kampman went down. I like that his strength is pass coverage and defending the flats. With the Packers' defense apparently focused on stopping the pass and letting other teams run (except in short yardage), I think having a player like Jones opposite Matthews would be a bonus.

The caveat to my choice is that he might not be "tough" enough for the spot. Then again, I don't think Burnett is "tough" either, but I'm really excited about what he'll do as a strong safety because of his coverage skills.

Maybe the starting OLB will be who best fits with the starting DE on that end. A balancing of skills.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Jones is a much better all-around player than Zombo.

Some of the guys coming off injury might take some time to get to full form.

[Yoop]

[QUOTE=Smidgeon;603611]I voted for Jones. Yes, he was playing hurt last year, but he stepped up impressively his rookie year after Kampman went down. I like that his strength is pass coverage and defending the flats. With the Packers' defense apparently focused on stopping the pass and letting other teams run (except in short yardage), I think having a player like Jones opposite Matthews would be a bonus.

The caveat to my choice is that he might not be "tough" enough for the spot. Then again, I don't think Burnett is "tough" either, but I'm really excited about what he'll do as a strong safety because of his coverage skills.

Is that where Buffalo intends to play Barnett? didn't here that.

anyway I think Jones is Barnett, I think he's good against the pass and the run, I dont think he is a LOS inside backer as Hawk or Bishop is, but more along the way Barnett played it, some said Barnett couldn't play the edge, or wouldn't do well at it, I feel the same with Jones mostly.

I like either Z ombo or Walden at OLB

[smuggler]

No, Buffalo intends to play Barnett at MLB. We intend to play Morgan Burnett as starting strong safety. He isn't particularly hard-nosed, but he is decent in pass coverage and has range, can tackle.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Walden muscles in at linebacker (http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/127284018.html)


Locked in a three-way battle with Frank Zombo and Brad Jones - both of whom started games at the position before Walden took over - Walden has been the one who has charged out of the gate first.
...

Walden has a better idea of what Greene wants, and that's why he hit the weight room hard in the off-season.

"He wants us to be physical," Walden said. "When you're not being physical, there's a problem. What he's teaching us has worked for him and I'm sure it will work for us. We just have to make sure, especially as an outside linebacker, that we be physical. There's no ways around it.

"That was kind of my approach to be more physical and set up other things for me as far as pass rush and things of that nature."
...
The two things Walden holds over the other two linebackers is strength and versatility. Zombo improved greatly dropping into coverage and can rush the passer better than the other two, but he's not as stout at the line of scrimmage. Jones plays with good leverage at the line and also drops well into coverage, but he hasn't shown much pass rush ability.

That's where the power comes in. Walden would like to get opposing tackles worrying about his bull rush so he can counter and slip around them. The power is the part that's noticeable now.

"You can tell he was doing some good things in the off-season," guard T.J. Lang said. "Watching him on film, he's a good player. He's a guy who sticks out. He's having a great camp so far."

Because it's a three-man race, Capers has the option of going with just one or using all three. How he decides to use them in the regular season will depend a lot on the opponent unless one of the three just consistently outperforms the others.

"Each guy has his strengths and weaknesses," Capers said. "We use so many different personnel groups that if certain guys have their niche, we might fit them in different personnel groups. We'll do a lot of different things with those guys."

[woodbuck27]

1. Walden
2. Jones
3. Zombo

Walden is the most athletic, Jones is a decent backup, Zombo is just a guy.

That's good enough for me. WALDEN CAME TO US LATE LAST YEAR AND ADDED A SPARK TO THE TEAM, PLAYING EXTREMELY WELL.

GO PACK GO !

[bobblehead]

Walden muscles in at linebacker (http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/127284018.html)

Had to check to be sure, but I knew silverstein wrote that just by reading it. Jones hasn't shown much pass rush except for getting 4 sacks at the end of his rookie season then being hurt all of last season. Zombo is less stout at the LOS, but he pretty much plays the run best out of the three (many OLB's with more experience get schooled by atlanta's run game). He seems to have no bead on the skill sets of the players at all.

I have very little feel for Walden's game as I never focused on him, but I have a really good feel for the other 2. Zombo is NOT better than Jones in either coverage or pass rush, that I am sure of (unless he REALLY improved in coverage.)

[vince]

All three of these guys are still developing (hopefully), so perhaps Walden is now a stout run defender and Zombo has improved in space, but based on what we've seen last year and the year prior in Jones, I agree with pretty much everything you've said about all three of these guys Bobble.

It sounds like Francois and Smith are doing a pretty good job at ILB thus far, which may negate the need for Jones to play both as has been speculated. I don't think Jones will be the guy they use for primary run support though, which means to me that he won't be the guy who "starts." Walden looks good and he's obviously confident in what he's doing. I'm guessing he and Zombo will rotate in and out in base 3-4 and base nickel on early downs while Jones will specialize in obvious passing downs, as he is clearly the best cover man of the three. I'll try a JH approach with these guys.

Rushing the QB
1. Jones
2. Walden
3. Zombo

Run Support
1. Zombo
2. Walden
3. Jones

Coverage
1. Jones
2. Walden
3. Zombo

Average
Jones - 1.67
Walden - 2.00
Zombo - 2.33

That undeniable scientific evidence proves that Jones is the best of the three overall, with his strengths coming most in clear passing situations. Walden has the broadest skillset of the three, suggesting he'll play on early downs - especially against pass-first teams. Zombo will get more playing time on early downs against teams who like to pound the ball more.

[pbmax]

Had to check to be sure, but I knew silverstein wrote that just by reading it. Jones hasn't shown much pass rush except for getting 4 sacks at the end of his rookie season then being hurt all of last season. Zombo is less stout at the LOS, but he pretty much plays the run best out of the three (many OLB's with more experience get schooled by atlanta's run game). He seems to have no bead on the skill sets of the players at all.

I have very little feel for Walden's game as I never focused on him, but I have a really good feel for the other 2. Zombo is NOT better than Jones in either coverage or pass rush, that I am sure of (unless he REALLY improved in coverage.)

I smell a PackerRats Project thread to straighten out conventional wisdom about the 3 OLBs.

[pbmax]

I think it might be a toss-up for QB pressure for Zombo v Walden. Zombo was better coming in off the line versus the tackle, not spectacular but was able to push the pocket in. Walden was much better as a blitzer than in-line pass rusher.

[sharpe1027]

I think it is Jones' position to lose, but they'll all play so who is the official starter may not reflect how many snaps the get as much as who they are playing and what packages they are in.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Strange that so many people can see these three in such different ways. My feeling has been:

Zombo - best pass rush potential, decent in the run game, terrible in coverage.
Jones - good in coverage, decent in the run game, not a great pass rusher.
Walden - good in coverage, athletic, tenacious but needs strength to help out his pass rush and run stopping.

Put the strengths of the three together and you have a pretty good LB. :)

[Bossman641]

FWIW, I considered Zombo to be the best of the 3 in the run game but then you have the JS saying he was the least stout at the LOS. I had completely forgot how awful he was in the regular season ATL game though.

I saw Zombo as the more physical OLB who had limited counter moves but had enough strength where he could occasionally push a tackle back and Walden as the less stout of the two but had more burst and quickness. Can't comment on Jones much cause I didn't pay attention to him last year before the injury. I just remember him never sticking out, either in a good or bad way.

My money is on Walden.

[vince]

Strange that so many people can see these three in such different ways. My feeling has been:

Zombo - best pass rush potential, decent in the run game, terrible in coverage.
Jones - good in coverage, decent in the run game, not a great pass rusher.
Walden - good in coverage, athletic, tenacious but needs strength to help out his pass rush and run stopping.

Put the strengths of the three together and you have a pretty good LB. :)
I'm not sure the differences are as dramatic as they seem in writing. I agree with most of what you said here, and if you break down pass rushing ability into bull rushing and speed rushing, the differences probably come even closer together. I would agree that Zombo has the best bull rush of the bunch and is tenacious. His sacks seemed to be more of the "coverage sack" variety than what I remember of Walden and Jones.

[rbaloha1]

I'm not sure the differences are as dramatic as they seem in writing. I agree with most of what you said here, and if you break down pass rushing ability into bull rushing and speed rushing, the differences probably come even closer together. I would agree that Zombo has the best bull rush of the bunch and is tenacious. His sacks seemed to be more of the "coverage sack" variety than what I remember of Walden and Jones.

Disagree with JS assessment of Zombo playing the run. IMO due to being a converted de Zombo's run technique was good -- watch the hand placement and the way he fought off blockers (ie Super Bowl).

While dropping into coverage was not as poor as AK it is a work in progress. (Again a converted de). From reports Walden is healed and playing the way Coach Greene preaches. A good battle in deed.

[pbmax]

Disagree with JS assessment of Zombo playing the run. IMO due to being a converted de Zombo's run technique was good -- watch the hand placement and the way he fought off blockers (ie Super Bowl).

While dropping into coverage was not as poor as AK it is a work in progress. (Again a converted de). From reports Walden is healed and playing the way Coach Greene preaches. A good battle in deed.

True, but as an OLB instead of DE, he also has containment responsibilities that he struggled with. So to echo vince's point that a lot of these differences are fine lines and responsibility dependent, Zombo does struggle in run D some of the time when he must play contain away from the play's action.

So his status compared to the other two depend on the opponent's tendency (and adjustments to seeing him there).

[vince]

Someone here said that there are about 5-10 plays that we remember about a player which shapes our perception of them. That makes some sense.

I recall Zombo being pretty stout against the run - at least when it comes right at him. In the Super Bowl, I remember the play I think rbaloha is referencing where Mendenhall was supposed to run off tackle and outside. Zombo quickly shed the blocker, forced the play up and made the tackle for a 4-yard loss. He pretty much single-handedly made the play. I remember that one. The times he lost contain I don't remember as much. I do remember Walden getting sucked inside and losing contain on some big gains though.

[MadScientist]

Zombo will get it. With Barnett gone, we need the Zorro move to replace the samurai.

[rbaloha1]

True, but as an OLB instead of DE, he also has containment responsibilities that he struggled with. So to echo vince's point that a lot of these differences are fine lines and responsibility dependent, Zombo does struggle in run D some of the time when he must play contain away from the play's action.

So his status compared to the other two depend on the opponent's tendency (and adjustments to seeing him there).

Agreed. Its correctable -- learning containment. Zombo is a converted de that started in the super bowl -- give the dude a break.

[Cheesehead Craig]

I hear Greene has been going crazy over some of the plays Walden has made so far in camp.

Greene seems like a guy that would go crazy if he got free tots with his burger.

[LP]

Has anyone heard/read anything about the DE from AZ Ted drafted? He projected to OLB and was supposedly pretty decent. Took a lot of pressure off his higher draft pick teammate, yada, yada, yada.

[Freak Out]

Has anyone heard/read anything about the DE from AZ Ted drafted? He projected to OLB and was supposedly pretty decent. Took a lot of pressure off his higher draft pick teammate, yada, yada, yada.

I think it's Elmore...... haven't heard a thing. Any thoughts about this guy from training camp anyone?

[Guiness]

Colour me a bit surprised Walden's even around and being talked about at this point.

He was a street FA, who has 20 tackles his first 3yrs in the league. He was picked up, played very well for a couple of games then got hurt. I really didn't even think they'd bring him into camp this fall! Good to see he's pushing Jones though.

All this talk of who's starting across from Mathews, what about who can best back Mathews up? I don't think he's a guy that's going to play a lot of 16 game seasons, and having someone who can sub for him a couple of games a year is an important consideration. Maybe that's Hawk though - shuffle him outside and bring in one of the ILB backups?

[wist43]

Colour me a bit surprised Walden's even around and being talked about at this point.

He was a street FA, who has 20 tackles his first 3yrs in the league. He was picked up, played very well for a couple of games then got hurt. I really didn't even think they'd bring him into camp this fall! Good to see he's pushing Jones though.

All this talk of who's starting across from Mathews, what about who can best back Mathews up? I don't think he's a guy that's going to play a lot of 16 game seasons, and having someone who can sub for him a couple of games a year is an important consideration. Maybe that's Hawk though - shuffle him outside and bring in one of the ILB backups?

Well, I've always liked Jones even though he is a bit stiff for my liking... and he was a 7th rd draft choice.

It's not like TT has invested much in the position... drafted Hawk (a slightly above avg player) and Matthews; Bishop developed... but other than that, TT hasn't done anything for the LB'ing corp.

[3irty1]

Well, I've always liked Jones even though he is a bit stiff for my liking... and he was a 7th rd draft choice.

It's not like TT has invested much in the position... drafted Hawk (a slightly above avg player) and Matthews; Bishop developed... but other than that, TT hasn't done anything for the LB'ing corp.

So all he's done is get all the starters including one of the top defenders in the NFL?

[HarveyWallbangers]

Not sure what I think of the analyst (normally not much), but it's another person's opinion.

http://packersnews.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110812/PKR07/110812127/Eric-Baranczyk-analysis-Can-S-Burnett-an-aggressive-tackler-?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE


I thought at the beginning of camp outside linebacker Frank Zombo might have been on the bubble, but I don’t think so now. Brad Jones might be. Zombo is kind of separating himself from Erik Walden and Jones. Last year Zombo looked so mechanical at times, like a robot. He seems more fluid and confident now. He’s physical, no doubt about that.

[HarveyWallbangers]

http://packersnews.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110812/PKR01/110812122/Packers-vs-Browns-5-things-watch?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|FRONTPAGE


There’s an intriguing three-man battle being waged to determine the starting outside linebacker spot opposite Clay Matthews. Frank Zombo, Erik Walden and Brad Jones will be scrutinized on every play as they audition for the lone remaining starting job on defense. Walden is listed No. 1 on the depth chart but defensive coordinator Dom Capers said the competition is too close to call. Zombo might have a slight edge based on practices, but there’s nothing like game action to settle a fight.