Tom Silverstein : Sporting News Packer report 6/16/06

[Polaris]

I'm kinda skeptical that Poppinga is ever going to be a long term starter for this team. He's already middle-aged by NFL LB standards as a result of his missionary work in college. He's coming off a serious injury.

And he's got so me tough competition. If you assume that Hawk and Barnet are fixtures for the next year or two, he's competing with Manning--Campbell---Hodge---Taylor for that last starting spot.

Personally, I think it's more likely that he'll see time as a rush end in passing situations and will be one of our key special teams players. That would get him on the field for about 30 plays, all of them involving 3rd and long or a change of possession......in other words, 30 important plays.

If he becomes the starter....more power to him, but I'm dubious that it'll ever happen.

[KYPack]

I'm kinda skeptical that Poppinga is ever going to be a long term starter for this team. He's already middle-aged by NFL LB standards as a result of his missionary work in college. He's coming off a serious injury.

And he's got so me tough competition. If you assume that Hawk and Barnet are fixtures for the next year or two, he's competing with Manning--Campbell---Hodge---Taylor for that last starting spot.

Personally, I think it's more likely that he'll see time as a rush end in passing situations and will be one of our key special teams players. That would get him on the field for about 30 plays, all of them involving 3rd and long or a change of possession......in other words, 30 important plays.

If he becomes the starter....more power to him, but I'm dubious that it'll ever happen.

Polaris,

We think so much alike, sometimes I think you are me!

Pop is the kind of guy you want on your team. A special teams terror and a guy who cause the other teams problems in situations. That said, he's green as goose poop at the regular LB position. He has virtually no cover skills.

But the time he learns his regular position, he'll be 29 -30.

Siverstein doens't really know much football, he's an insider and "scoops" kind of reporter.

Siverstein lost his ranking as "house man" after Sherman left.

[Willard]

Re: Tom Silverstein : Sporting News Packer report 6/16/06

Taylor may be a one-year stop-gap until Pop, Hodge, Manning, etc are ready for prime time.

What about Hawk and Barnett?

I think they will definitely be the other 2 starters. The question is who will be the 3rd starting LB? I say start Taylor early, and replace him when one of the up-and-comers takes the starting spot away from him.
Unlike last year, it appears the Pack has the luxury (i.e., depth) to be patient with Pop's recovery. If Pop re-injures his knee I think his career really gets screwed up. Due to his 2-year LDS mission he is already 26 years old. He can't afford to miss another season. As Coach MM is fond of saying, "we need to be smart with him".

[motife]

Where Chistl gets the idea that Poppinga is "undersized" is beyond me.

Silverstein. Not Christl.

In Silverstein's analysis of the Packers before the draft he wrote that the Packers would likely pick Iowa Hawkeye Linebacker A.J. Hawk.

I wrote him saying it's Ohio St. stupid. He changed it, but didn't thank me.