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Walden appears to have taken the lead at LOLB.
The Green Bay Packers finally broke their three-week, three-way rotation at right outside linebacker Wednesday, and Erik Walden was the player moving to the forefront.
"It ain't done until the fat lady sings," Walden said after spending his second straight day with the No. 1 defense ahead of Frank Zombo and Brad Jones. "It's final when New Orleans arrives."
Still, Walden admitted he was "absolutely" pumped and said he would do whatever was necessary to hold the spot.
"Anytime you're with the 1's it's definitely a little boost," Walden said. "I'm working every day trying to convince him ( Kevin Greene) along with the other coaches and the organization that I'm their guy. But, at the same time, you can't be worrying about that too much or it might affect your play.
"I give them a player that can do a numerous amount of things. Just that energy, and playing with heart. I'm going to show up every Sunday and try to help the team win."
Since July 30, the first day of training camp, the Packers have overseen a three-way rotation with Zombo, Walden and Jones alternating day by day as the starter on the right outside opposite Clay Matthews.
On both Tuesday and Wednesday, Walden was No. 1, the first time any of the three had been the starter two days in a row. Jones took more snaps behind Walden on the right side than Zombo, who worked behind Matthews most of the time.
It's quite possible that the starter won't be determined until after the third exhibition game. Zombo started Saturday night against Cleveland; it would appear he and Walden are the leading candidates.
Zombo and Walden traded starts last season after Jones was lost for the year in Week 7 with a shoulder injury.
When Walden went to camp with Miami last summer, he weighed 250. Released in late September, he lost weight during his month out of football and then played between 238 and 240 in Green Bay.
Walden took it upon himself to gain back up to 250 to play the more physical style demanded by Greene, the outside linebackers coach.
According to Walden, the extra weight has enabled him to play the run and rush the passer with more power while not detracting from his movement skills.
Walden said weighing 250 or 238 had no bearing on the 37-yard reception to tight end Benjamin Watson that he yielded in Cleveland.
"With the technique and poor judgment I'd have been beaten either way," he said. "My wandering eyes and my technique got me in trouble."
"It ain't done until the fat lady sings," Walden said after spending his second straight day with the No. 1 defense ahead of Frank Zombo and Brad Jones. "It's final when New Orleans arrives."
Still, Walden admitted he was "absolutely" pumped and said he would do whatever was necessary to hold the spot.
"Anytime you're with the 1's it's definitely a little boost," Walden said. "I'm working every day trying to convince him ( Kevin Greene) along with the other coaches and the organization that I'm their guy. But, at the same time, you can't be worrying about that too much or it might affect your play.
"I give them a player that can do a numerous amount of things. Just that energy, and playing with heart. I'm going to show up every Sunday and try to help the team win."
Since July 30, the first day of training camp, the Packers have overseen a three-way rotation with Zombo, Walden and Jones alternating day by day as the starter on the right outside opposite Clay Matthews.
On both Tuesday and Wednesday, Walden was No. 1, the first time any of the three had been the starter two days in a row. Jones took more snaps behind Walden on the right side than Zombo, who worked behind Matthews most of the time.
It's quite possible that the starter won't be determined until after the third exhibition game. Zombo started Saturday night against Cleveland; it would appear he and Walden are the leading candidates.
Zombo and Walden traded starts last season after Jones was lost for the year in Week 7 with a shoulder injury.
When Walden went to camp with Miami last summer, he weighed 250. Released in late September, he lost weight during his month out of football and then played between 238 and 240 in Green Bay.
Walden took it upon himself to gain back up to 250 to play the more physical style demanded by Greene, the outside linebackers coach.
According to Walden, the extra weight has enabled him to play the run and rush the passer with more power while not detracting from his movement skills.
Walden said weighing 250 or 238 had no bearing on the 37-yard reception to tight end Benjamin Watson that he yielded in Cleveland.
"With the technique and poor judgment I'd have been beaten either way," he said. "My wandering eyes and my technique got me in trouble."
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