Vic So'oto Appreciation Station: Werewolves of Wisconsin

[smuggler]

[mission]

dude is awesome... really. fanclub? seriously.

gotta get this guy on the field somehow with the 1s.

[Joemailman]

Thank his wife.

y Associated Press, Published: August 30

GREEN BAY, Wis. — If Vic So’oto makes the team, the Green Bay Packers’ personnel department will owe his wife Ashley a huge thank you.

“I live by the motto, ‘Happy wife, happy life,’” So’oto said with a grin.

That credo may also lead him to a roster spot with the defending Super Bowl champions.

After going undrafted out of Brigham Young this spring, the rookie outside linebacker had free-agent offers when the NFL lockout was lifted in late July from the Packers, Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins.

The Cardinals were the only team he visited before the draft, and while Packers outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene called him during the draft, So’oto didn’t have a preference when the signing period opened.

“Going undrafted, you know that all the teams have passed you up at least seven times,” So’oto said as he prepared for Thursday’s preseason finale against the Kansas City Chiefs.

That game could make or break his bid for a spot on the team’s 53-man roster.

“I didn’t really mind where I went, so my wife made the decision, and here I am. It’s the best spot I could be in.”

Ashley’s reasoning was simple. During the lockout, her husband worked out in the San Diego area with then-Packers Brad Jones, Brandon Chillar, Brett Swain and Jarrett Bush, which she took as a sign.

“She kind of liked the whole Green Bay feel,” So’oto said. “She’s like, ‘You’ve been working out with guys, and I really have a good feeling about Green Bay.’ ”

But while the small-town feel has been nice for Vic, Ashley and infant daughter Sofi, it’s the way So’oto has fit the Packers’ 3-4 defense that could make for a perfect combination of player, family and team.

So’oto and fellow undrafted rookie Jamari Lattimore each had sacks in the Packers’ 24-21 victory over Indianapolis on Friday night.

Both will get a long look Thursday night against the Chiefs at Lambeau Field.

So’oto’s sack came against Colts starting right tackle Ryan Diem and forced Curtis Painter’s fumble that the Packers recovered.

While neither player has the first-round pedigree of Pro Bowl outside linebacker Clay Matthews, they do fit the Packers’ knack for unearthing undrafted talent and for finding promising outside linebackers in less prominent places.

The three primary competitors for the starting job opposite Matthews all came from humble NFL beginnings. Frank Zombo, who is sidelined with a fractured shoulder blade, was undrafted out of Central Michigan last year and had a sack in the Super Bowl.

Erik Walden was on the street when injuries struck and he wound up getting three sacks in a playoff-clinching victory over Chicago in the regular-season finale.

Jones, one of So’oto’s offseason workout partners, was a 2009 seventh-round pick who started eight games as a rookie and started five more last year before a season-ending shoulder injury.

“You know from playing this defense for a long time, you’re going to have to look for those guys. You aren’t going to find many ready-made guys coming out of college,” said defensive coordinator Dom Capers, who has been coaching his 3-4 system for more than 25 years.

[pbmax]

C'mon. MVP is pushing it. First you have to win Defensive POY.

[mission]

I voted MVP. Easy.

Just read on twitter: Chuck Norris just changed his name to Chuck So'oto

[pbmax]

I voted MVP. Easy.

Just read on twitter: Chuck Norris just changed his name to Chuck So'oto

I like that. Or my favorite, Geico just saved 15% with Vic So'oto.

[Harlan Huckleby]

The guy looks really good, just physically it is hard to believe he went undrafted.

I'm a little disturbed by all the creamed jeans in the forum, I might avoid the fan club just to play it cool.

[mission]

The guy looks really good, just physically it is hard to believe he went undrafted.

I'm a little disturbed by all the creamed jeans in the forum, I might avoid the fan club just to play it cool.

Ya it's really disturbing...

[smuggler]

Morning after and So'oto is still awesome. Changed my jeans, so all is well, Harlan.

[RashanGary]

The last game, was it AZ? Matthews had that bad ass sack where he hovered laterally across the turf. . . . . I said, "that's the first time I've ever seen Clay make that sack, he's going to be a beast" or something along those lines.

A quarter later, So'oto rounded the corner and no, he didn't get as low as Matthews, but he was mostly there. He can get the corner. He can bull rush. He's strong with this hands. . . . .

I have no doubt he'll be a good player against the run and rushing the passer. In coverage. . . . I don't know. This guy seems to have will-power. I think he'll find a way. Him and Zombo are 1 and 1a in my book of future starting OLB's on our team.

[Harlan Huckleby]

He's strong with his hands. . . . . .

there goes another pair of jeans

[VermontPackFan]

He's strong with this hands. . . . .

Thats what I always like about him...

[mission]

JH - you saw something in the AZ preseason game that made you think CM3 is going to be a beast!?

[smuggler]

So'oto is a Golden God.

[Harlan Huckleby]

wow, the last time we saw this much man love in the forum was when Deputy Nutz fell hard for AJ Hawk