Brady Poppinga

[prsnfoto]

Either all you guys are nuts or our GM is off his rocker cause he threw about 4 million a year to a marginal NFL player.

[Patler]

Most people think Kamp was an undersized DE/LB that built himself up to become a pass rushing DE. He did something even more amazing. He was a big, run stuffing college DE that remade his body into it's present shape. That's why he leverages so well. He learned that stuff when he was bullrushing all the time in college.

Yup, Kampman was a 290 pounder who showed his value against the running game early, but no one expected much from him as a pass rusher. He was in Green Bay a couple season before he decided to drop some weight. He first dropped weight when Bates came, as I recall, then decided to drop even a little more the next season when he liked how he felt and played after the first weight drop. Now he plays at about 265.

[3irty1]

Most people think Kamp was an undersized DE/LB that built himself up to become a pass rushing DE. He did something even more amazing. He was a big, run stuffing college DE that remade his body into it's present shape. That's why he leverages so well. He learned that stuff when he was bullrushing all the time in college.

Yup, Kampman was a 290 pounder who showed his value against the running game early, but no one expected much from him as a pass rusher. He was in Green Bay a couple season before he decided to drop some weight. He first dropped weight when Bates came, as I recall, then decided to drop even a little more the next season when he liked how he felt and played after the first weight drop. Now he plays at about 265.

The Packers have been blessed with a few stories like Kampman. Both Driver and Harris have both built themselves into specimens and honed their skills to become among the best in the game.

[Patler]

Either all you guys are nuts or our GM is off his rocker cause he threw about 4 million a year to a marginal NFL player.

Not really. Many of the initial reports were inaccurate, apparently. When all was said and done, with this being a four year extension added to the one remaining year, it keeps Poppinga in Green Bay through 2012 for less than $3 million per year. As the Packers have done routinely now, the biggest hit was the first year, and all his bonus money is in the way of roster bonuses, so there is no carry over. When he isn't worth it, they can release him with little salary cap impact. The final cap numbers for Poppinga were reported as follows:

2008 - $4.05 million
2009 - $2.85 million
2010 - $2.40 million
2011 - $2.50 million
2012 - $2.75 million

[SkinBasket]

Dunno, Bobble. It's the Christmas season and lots of folks have visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads, but all I have in my head is the vision, over and over, of Brady Poppinga blowing into the backfield...then whiffing on the tackle. Happened against Minny, and happened the following week. And I think I've seen that play a few other times earlier this year.

Which is why he would also suck as a DE. When Poppinga does miraculously find himself through the line, he always looks like he has no idea what to do next. I don't know if that's a function of him not being able to follow the play while engaged by blockers or if he just freaks out, but he simply does not make plays when he has the chance. Hell, most of the time he doesn't even change the play when he gets through because he's either in the wrong place or headed in the wrong direction.

So, no. I don't think he would be any better at DE than he is at LB. He would be like a slower KGB without the pass rushing skills or experience. That doesn't leave you with a lot.

[Partial]

I think Pop would make a good outside linebacker in a 3-4 or something but not a DE.

He doesn't have DE speed/athleticism let alone 3-4 OLB. No way, no how.

[Patler]

He would be like a slower KGB without the pass rushing skills or experience. That doesn't leave you with a lot.

In other words, he would be Mike Montgomery or Jason Hunter?

[3irty1]

I think Pop would make a good outside linebacker in a 3-4 or something but not a DE.

He doesn't have DE speed/athleticism let alone 3-4 OLB. No way, no how.

He doesn't have 4-3 OLB speed either but he manages to hold his own. Obviously there are guys who are both bigger and faster than him but I think playing with a hand down would play to his strengths.

[Partial]

Holds his own is debateable. He's not the worst player in the NFL if thats what you're saying. He's just a guy, and overpaid at that. He's old as well. There would be ZERO step down in play having Chillar start in Popp's spot.

[3irty1]

Holds his own is debateable. He's not the worst player in the NFL if thats what you're saying. He's just a guy, and overpaid at that. He's old as well. There would be ZERO step down in play having Chillar start in Popp's spot.

Maybe I just like him or at least what he represents. When he first came into the league I loved how intense he was and how he played with zero regard for his body. He's not exactly like that now but he's the Rudy of our team. You're probably right though. Chillar might be the best OLB on the whole team.