Starting spot likely waiting for fierce linebacker Poppinga

[HarveyWallbangers]

What fierce hit did Brady Pop lay last year?

[wist43]

With Barnett in the lineup, "bad angles" are a way of life for the Packers defense.

Wow I didnt know broken records could type...

You guys and your "faggot" defense... You're so sweet.

[wist43]

I figured you would be all over this one Wist. Angles can be taught and they will come with repetition. Fierce hitting cannot be taught. You either have it, or you dont.

I'm damn glad we are drafting hitters on D. I get so tired of arm tackles and drag down tackles. Its like we have defenders with red capes out there. OLE'

I would tend to agree for the most part... although taking proper angles is more instinctual than something that can be taught, IMO. Granted reps help.

Even a moron like Barnett has improved on the angles he takes... no such thing as a lost cause I guess.

[ND72]

ok, i'm gonna be the dick of the board, cause Brady Poppinga is a special teamer. "fierce Linebacker"??? I saw a marginally good LB last year, and probably our 2nd top LB last year in a very POOR LBing crew. Right now i'd say he's at most the 5th best LB on our roster. He was much like Samkon Gado last year, he was a small "sparkle" in a very dead year. And as it is now, Samkon isn't even a lock to make the team.

[Zool]

I figured you would be all over this one Wist. Angles can be taught and they will come with repetition. Fierce hitting cannot be taught. You either have it, or you dont.

I'm damn glad we are drafting hitters on D. I get so tired of arm tackles and drag down tackles. Its like we have defenders with red capes out there. OLE'

I would tend to agree for the most part... although taking proper angles is more instinctual than something that can be taught, IMO. Granted reps help.

Even a moron like Barnett has improved on the angles he takes... no such thing as a lost cause I guess.

I think that being taught how close to line you line up on different formations and recognizing tendancies can be taught. Those effect angles of pursuit alot.

Maybe Barnett has little shoulders and thats why he arm tackles?

[Tony Oday]

With Barnett in the lineup, "bad angles" are a way of life for the Packers defense.

Wow I didnt know broken records could type...

You guys and your "faggot" defense... You're so sweet.

lol no Wist your cool I wish I could have 10 kids to grow up just like you...

[woodbuck27]

I figured you would be all over this one Wist. Angles can be taught and they will come with repetition. Fierce hitting cannot be taught. You either have it, or you dont.

I'm damn glad we are drafting hitters on D. I get so tired of arm tackles and drag down tackles. Its like we have defenders with red capes out there. OLE'

DITTO Big Time. HITS ! HITS !!... HITS !!

GET THE DAM BALL BACK... HITS !!

I want to hear "the HITS" all the way up here.

I want OUR team to be feared and RESPECTED.

PACKERS !!!

[RashanGary]

I agree with Wist that Poppinga starts sooner than later assuming injury doesn't get him. He's a pass rush threat at any time in the game and has the brute strength to make a difference taking on TE's and DE's in the run game. His physical condition jumped to another level. I didn't alwyas love Poppinga, but I'm on his wagon now.

[HarveyWallbangers]

He may start, but I haven't seen anything that makes me think he's destined to be a good starting LB.

I hope Brady Pop is the answer. Taylor seems like a stopgap. I'd love for Brady Pop to start this year--if he deserves it. That will give Hodge a year to learn before he moves into the starting lineup.

[Tony Oday]

I would love to see Taylor, Popp and Hodge get out there. Everyone talks about rotating your defensive Lines to keep them fresh why not platoon our LBs? We know hodge can lay a lick on the run game but has trouble in coverage. Popp can blitz and put preasure on the QB. Taylor seems to be a 'solid' type guy can do it all but doesnt excel at anything.

[wist43]

Taylor has been pretty invisible in both camp and the preseason games... I think it's logical to speculate that Poppinga would eventually supplant him.

As for the best lineup - on run downs, I would say Hawk, Hodge, and Poppinga.

Nickel and dime, Hawk/Poppinga, Barnett/Poppinga... I'd at least like to see them have some sort of blitz threat out of the nickel and dime. Right now, w/o Poppinga on the field, they simply don't have much of shot of generating any pressure.

No secondary can cover forever.

[BananaMan]

I think Poppinga will be starting by week 8.

[Tony Oday]

Taylor has been pretty invisible in both camp and the preseason games... I think it's logical to speculate that Poppinga would eventually supplant him.

As for the best lineup - on run downs, I would say Hawk, Hodge, and Poppinga.

Nickel and dime, Hawk/Poppinga, Barnett/Poppinga... I'd at least like to see them have some sort of blitz threat out of the nickel and dime. Right now, w/o Poppinga on the field, they simply don't have much of shot of generating any pressure.

No secondary can cover forever.

I have always wondered if it was bad for the Strong side guy to not be visable. You know what I mean? Better to NOT be in the spotlight at that position.

I disagree on the run LBs it should be Hawk, Barnett and Hodge. I would think since Hodge has trouble in coverage it would be almost better to roll up the SS on the TE and go 1v1 on the strong side WR. That lets Hodge go free if there is a play action.
Pass should be Hawk, Barnett and Pop/Taylor. Popp if he is blitzing and Taylor if coverage.
Nickle Hawk and Barnett
Dime Barnett

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

I not one whos going to get all exticed about pop until he shows he's a great player. Last year, as harv said, I saw some hussle and good intensty but I didn't see any big plays. What I am exticted about, however, is the varity that we could have on defense. If Pop can show that he is effective at rushing the passer, that would help the d-line create pressure, which in turn would help are line backers and secondary get more turnovers.

Wether he starts or not, I just love the fact that we have a lot of try hard, willing to give 100% kind of guys on our roster.

[ND72]

Taylor has been pretty invisible in both camp and the preseason games... I think it's logical to speculate that Poppinga would eventually supplant him.

As for the best lineup - on run downs, I would say Hawk, Hodge, and Poppinga.

Nickel and dime, Hawk/Poppinga, Barnett/Poppinga... I'd at least like to see them have some sort of blitz threat out of the nickel and dime. Right now, w/o Poppinga on the field, they simply don't have much of shot of generating any pressure.

No secondary can cover forever.

you couldn't be more wrong... I have in my hand an article from last weeks Oshkosh Northwestern, where Mike McCarthy says, "One of our biggest playmakers so far is Ben Taylor. He takes on blocks, forces guys back inside, and has been one of our most consistant defensive players."

Brady Poppinga is destined to be a special teamer. Sorry, but Harvey is right. He hasn't done anything. And I saw someone mention something about platooning our LB's??? that's boarderline retardation. You platoon your DL because they become tired quickly, if you haven't played DL before you wouldn't understand why that is. LB's don't get banged around and having to shed blocks on EVERY PLAY. Face it, your starting 3 LB's are Hawk, Barnett, and Taylor. and MAYBE next year, it would be Hawk, Barnett and Hodge. And to say our Nickle would be Hawk/Poppinga or Barnett/Poppinga, is even worse. Our Nickle will be two of 4 guys, Hawk, Barnett, Hodge and Taylor, and I garuntee you Barnett is one of them because is our fastest LB.