Time to talk Packer football: Defensive Line

[bobblehead]

So I was reading around the web, mentally checking out, but I still eventually noticed we seem to have a glut of talent on the DL.

Studs: Mike Daniels, Kenny Clark
New hotness: Muhammad Wilkerson
Fan Favorite: Dean Lowery
Breakout Hopeful: Montravius Adams
Rookie Hopeful: James Looney

Thats a pretty damn hot list for a team running a 3-4. It leaves almost no room for undrafted guys. I was disappointed we didn't resign Quinton Dial, but not so much after seeing that list. I'll put that list against any 3-4 team in football to be honest.

The defense gives us a lot of reason to be optimistic with the additions at CB as well. Things could really turn around there. Of course, Mathews and Perry will both miss time so we still have a problem with pass rush which is the most important aspect of a defense so....

[Fritz]

If Pettine can be the kind of coach to adapt his system to the strengths and weaknesses of the personnel, this could work.

[pbmax]

I am hopeful despite the questions at OLB. Its a great group even without Dial, but Wilkerson covers that with the promise of more pass rush.

[texaspackerbacker]

Of all the position groups, D Line would seem to make the least difference in overall D performance. Pettine's job is to this Packer strength into an unusually significant difference maker in games. I'm not sure how he would go about that, but hopefully he can find a way.

[run pMc]

Of all the position groups, D Line would seem to make the least difference in overall D performance. Pettine's job is to this Packer strength into an unusually significant difference maker in games. I'm not sure how he would go about that, but hopefully he can find a way.

Are you speaking of teams that primarily run 3-4? Minnesota has a pretty good D line with Joseph, Griffin, and Hunter...I'd say they make a difference in the overall D's performance.

[texaspackerbacker]

Probably more so with 3-4 teams, but even with 4-3 teams, you can get by with some degree of weakness - less so than at DB or LB. The question is, can Pettine put something together to make our strength there make a big enough difference in our favor?

[RashanGary]

If Daniels has another impactful season
If Clark takes another step forward
If Lowry takes another step forward
If Wilkerson is close to top form.....

Yeah, there’s a chance that group is special. Clark is the guy I’m most excited for. 315 lb guys with his quickness and power are very rare. He’s just growing into his body and into being NFL savvy in there. He could be the perfect compliment to one more year of Daniels prime.

[Bretsky]

So I was reading around the web, mentally checking out, but I still eventually noticed we seem to have a glut of talent on the DL.

Studs: Mike Daniels, Kenny Clark
New hotness: Muhammad Wilkerson
Fan Favorite: Dean Lowery
Breakout Hopeful: Montravius Adams
Rookie Hopeful: James Looney

Thats a pretty damn hot list for a team running a 3-4. It leaves almost no room for undrafted guys. I was disappointed we didn't resign Quinton Dial, but not so much after seeing that list. I'll put that list against any 3-4 team in football to be honest.

The defense gives us a lot of reason to be optimistic with the additions at CB as well. Things could really turn around there. Of course, Mathews and Perry will both miss time so we still have a problem with pass rush which is the most important aspect of a defense so....

Excited about Clark, Daniels, and Wilkenson

BUT

Is there any reason to have Montravius Adams on a list for optimism ?

Did he make a play last year ? Heck, did he even play ?

[woodbuck27]

Excited about Clark, Daniels, and Wilkenson

BUT

Is there any reason to have Montravius Adams on a list for optimism ?

Did he make a play last year ? Heck, did he even play ?

https://www.packers.com/team/players-roster/montravius-adams/

He made just ONE (1) Tackle in the 2017 Season and after that Zippo.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Is there any reason to have Montravius Adams on a list for optimism ?

Did he make a play last year ? Heck, did he even play ?

Why not? Dude got a stress fracture in his foot the second day of training camp last year. He was a relatively high draft pick (3rd round), and his teammates had high hopes for him.

https://www.packersnews.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/2017/07/31/foot-injury-sideline-packers-dl-montravius-adams-weeks/524761001/

But based on what teammates said Monday about the talent Adams possesses and the progress he has made, the reported stress fracture in his foot will put a halt to a very promising summer project.

“His pass-rush moves are ridiculous,” veteran defensive lineman Ricky Jean Francois said. “I thought it would take him a while to adjust to the NFL and have to change from college moves to NFL moves, but I think he already adjusted...

“There’s no question in my mind he’s going to be a great player in this league,” said nose tackle Kenny Clark, a first-round pick in 2016. “The main thing I can say about ‘Mon’ is that he’s explosive. When he gets off the ball and does it right, there’s nobody who can stop him off the ball.

“Just the first two days of practice, his explosiveness, how he gets upfield, he looked real good.”

[Zool]

Plus the old adage, interior DL rarely come into the NFL and have an instant impact.

Plus it's the off season, what else do we have but optimism?

[pbmax]

Plus the old adage, interior DL rarely come into the NFL and have an instant impact.

Plus it's the off season, what else do we have but optimism?

Recreational drug use apparently.

[wist43]

I have hope for Adams... think he has potential. Big guys can be hard to project though, b/c it's far too easy for them to simply pitch a tent next to the dinner table and call it a paycheck.

I have no hope for Beigel or Fackrell, would like to see Ryan moved off the roster, and think Burks is so raw that he will be nothing but a negative if he's forced on to the field at all this year.

Overall, the Linebacker situation is a huge mess.

------------------------------------

Because LB is such a mess, Pettine will be forced to rely heavily on the DL for pass rush - which is a good thing given our personnel. Getting rid of Capers and the 2-4 will make us instantly better.

Overall I'm encouraged by the team's direction.

[Tony Oday]

A good line eats blockers and let's LBs attack the line.

[wist43]

A good line eats blockers and let's LBs attack the line.

Yes, in a 3-4... and the presumption is that the strength of your defense is your LB's. The Packers never got that memo.

Our DL is leagues better than our LB'S; hence, we need to use them accordingly.