09 defensive depth

[KYPack]

We're starting to get battles for spots among guys I really don't want to see cut but that's a good thing right?

I think Moll, Wells, Swain, Montgomery, Peprah, Porter, Havner, and Lansanah are gone for sure but the rest should be really interesting.

He's the starting center, fer crissakes.

Anything can happen, but he's not "for sure" to be cut.

I know what you mean but he can't play any other positions and our starting line is better with Spitz at Center. Yeah, we could keep him but I think he loses out on the numbers game and they may try to trade him for a draft pick next year.

I gotta give a BZZZZT on this point also. Spitz can play center, but our line is not better when Spitz is snapping. In fact, Spitz had trouble with the gun snap, cranking a bad one 3 games in a row when he was the starting center. Wells can play guard, he just isn't very good at it. In fact, Wells is as poor a guard as Spitz is a center.

I think Wells won't be cut and he will start this season at C.

[Joemailman]

Spitz has had a problem with some snaps, but I've felt that the OL as a unit plays better with Spitz at C. Don't have any numbers to back that up, just my general sense. I get the feeling that MM wants Spitz to win the battle for the starting spot, but he will have to win it. I don't think it'll be handed to him.

[Gunakor]

Spitz has had a problem with some snaps, but I've felt that the OL as a unit plays better with Spitz at C. Don't have any numbers to back that up, just my general sense. I get the feeling that MM wants Spitz to win the battle for the starting spot, but he will have to win it. I don't think it'll be handed to him.

Wells is very solid with his line calls also. I think I'd be okay with either of them starting, but to be honest, I'd rather Wells wins it.

[swede]

Re: 09 defensive depth

invited to rookie tryouts this weekend were a couple long shot DE's, Rhyan Anderson and Joe Lardinois. Lardinois is probably a 3-4 OLB

I disagree.


Lardinois is probably a lard-ass from Illinois



.

Actually, he's this year's local kid. He played on the Green Bay Notre Dame HS team that won state a few years back. He'll get to meet the guys, run through a few drills, and let the dream live on for a few more glorious days.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Re: 09 defensive depth

Actually, he's this year's local kid. He played on the Green Bay Notre Dame HS team that won state a few years back. He'll get to meet the guys, run through a few drills, and let the dream live on for a few more glorious days.

He actually backed out and will get a tryout with some other team. He said the Packers told them that they are looking at him as an OLB. He only played DE at North Dakota State, and said he felt more comfortable there. Another team offered him a tryout as a 4-3 DE, so he took that instead.

[CaptainKickass]

Re: 09 defensive depth

invited to rookie tryouts this weekend were a couple long shot DE's, Rhyan Anderson and Joe Lardinois. Lardinois is probably a 3-4 OLB

I disagree.


Lardinois is probably a lard-ass from Illinois



.

Am I the only one who got that?

MJ - I really figured that one was a slam dunk. But apparently the answer to your question is a resounding YES

I have apparently overestimated the average humor level of the PackerRats.

OR.....

Ziggy - you and I are just straight retarded.

[HarveyWallbangers]

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/43977697.html

According to Bedard, Carter is going to visit the Lions and the Packers are still on Carter's radar. He may visit in the next week or so.

[wist43]

Re: 09 defensive depth

invited to rookie tryouts this weekend were a couple long shot DE's, Rhyan Anderson and Joe Lardinois. Lardinois is probably a 3-4 OLB

I disagree.


Lardinois is probably a lard-ass from Illinois



.

Am I the only one who got that?

MJ - I really figured that one was a slam dunk. But apparently the answer to your question is a resounding YES

I have apparently overestimated the average humor level of the PackerRats.

OR.....

Ziggy - you and I are just straight retarded.

No, I got it too... good stuff CKA

[HarveyWallbangers]

How do you feel about each group?

DL Jenkins, Pickett, Raji, Jolly, Harrell, Wynn, Montgomery, Malone

LB Kampman, Hawk, Barnett, Matthews, Chillar, Poppinga, Thompson, Bishop, Jones, Havner, Lansanah

DB Woodson, Harris, Williams, Lee, Blackmon, Underwood, Bush, Collins, Bigby, Smith, Rouse, Peprah

Kind of weird with how poorly the front 7 played last year, but I'm more worried about the secondary. Getting Jenkins back, maybe having Pickett and Harrell at full health, and adding Raji, makes me feel like the DL group can do a good job. Plus, we need one less starter and one less quality backup to make a good rotation.

We need Barnett healthy and Hawk to regain full health, but I think the LB corps is going to surprise people.

We have age in the secondary, a question mark at second safety, and didn't add much that group. We really need Bigby to play like he did in 2007 and for the old guys to hang on another year.

[Freak Out]

How do you feel about each group?

DL Jenkins, Pickett, Raji, Jolly, Harrell, Wynn, Montgomery, Malone

LB Kampman, Hawk, Barnett, Matthews, Chillar, Poppinga, Thompson, Bishop, Jones, Havner, Lansanah

DB Woodson, Harris, Williams, Lee, Blackmon, Underwood, Bush, Collins, Bigby, Smith, Rouse, Peprah

Kind of weird with how poorly the front 7 played last year, but I'm more worried about the secondary. Getting Jenkins back, maybe having Pickett and Harrell at full health, and adding Raji, makes me feel like the DL group can do a good job. Plus, we need one less starter and one less quality backup to make a good rotation.

We need Barnett healthy and Hawk to regain full health, but I think the LB corps is going to surprise people.

We have age in the secondary, a question mark at second safety, and didn't add much that group. We really need Bigby to play like he did in 2007 and for the old guys to hang on another year.

We "should" have a good/great front seven this year if they can stay healthy and pick up Capers plan and you are correct to focus on the defensive backfield as the potential weak link in the deal...even with the experience of Woodson and Harris. Has TW even agreed to play yet? Collins should be ok but will Bigby play like a flying lobotomy? can Rouse step it up and take over a safety spot?

[Scott Campbell]

How do you feel about each group?

DL Jenkins, Pickett, Raji, Jolly, Harrell, Wynn, Montgomery, Malone

LB Kampman, Hawk, Barnett, Matthews, Chillar, Poppinga, Thompson, Bishop, Jones, Havner, Lansanah

DB Woodson, Harris, Williams, Lee, Blackmon, Underwood, Bush, Collins, Bigby, Smith, Rouse, Peprah

Kind of weird with how poorly the front 7 played last year, but I'm more worried about the secondary. Getting Jenkins back, maybe having Pickett and Harrell at full health, and adding Raji, makes me feel like the DL group can do a good job. Plus, we need one less starter and one less quality backup to make a good rotation.

We need Barnett healthy and Hawk to regain full health, but I think the LB corps is going to surprise people.

We have age in the secondary, a question mark at second safety, and didn't add much that group. We really need Bigby to play like he did in 2007 and for the old guys to hang on another year.

Great post. I've been thinking the same thing. Our strength from last year on D is now our biggest question mark.

[DonHutson]

To answer Harvey's question, I'd still like to see them add a Kevin Carter or Vonnie Holliday to the DE group precisely because I don't think we can rely on Harrell or Jenkins to stay healthy. We're into "fool me three times" territory with those two, so there's no excuse for not having adequate depth. If Montgomery or Wynn plays balls out and bumps the new vet off the roster, so be it but we need to be prepared there.

LB's look pretty solid to me. Best case scenario, if they all take to the new system and Matthews is legit from day one, that could be one of the top LB units in the league. But they shouldn't be any worse than above average.

I agree there are questions in the secondary, certainly age is a concern on the corners. I need one more great year out of Collins to prove to me he's the real deal. That said, I think most teams would be happy to have three pro bowlers back there.

[Partial]

How do you feel about each group?

DL Jenkins, Pickett, Raji, Jolly, Harrell, Wynn, Montgomery, Malone

LB Kampman, Hawk, Barnett, Matthews, Chillar, Poppinga, Thompson, Bishop, Jones, Havner, Lansanah

DB Woodson, Harris, Williams, Lee, Blackmon, Underwood, Bush, Collins, Bigby, Smith, Rouse, Peprah

Kind of weird with how poorly the front 7 played last year, but I'm more worried about the secondary. Getting Jenkins back, maybe having Pickett and Harrell at full health, and adding Raji, makes me feel like the DL group can do a good job. Plus, we need one less starter and one less quality backup to make a good rotation.

We need Barnett healthy and Hawk to regain full health, but I think the LB corps is going to surprise people.

We have age in the secondary, a question mark at second safety, and didn't add much that group. We really need Bigby to play like he did in 2007 and for the old guys to hang on another year.

Lots of talent, no doubt. You've hit the questions basically on the head. They're going to be very close to rebuilding the secondary a year from now, so here's hoping they can blast through their window while they have Chuck.

[wist43]

I don't agree at all that there is "a lot" of talent in that front 7...

While I love the Raji pick, and am hopeful of Jones and Matthews, you're still looking at a gaggle of pedestrian guys, and the best player of the bunch, Kampman, is going to be miscast as a LB.

Barnett and Hawk are not going to suddenly become good pass rushers... deception born out of the 3-4 may get them home from time to time, but they aren't going to beat anyone man-on-man. Poppinga, while he's tough and physcial, simply doesn't have the instincts to be a full-time starter in the NFL, IMO.

Capers has his work cut out for him, that is for sure.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Capers has his work cut out for him, that is for sure.

Boo! Bring back the new wist.