JS Poppinga Article

[run pMc]

If he's such a good run stuffer, why not put him at MLB?

Yeah yeah, I know GB has Barnett and Hodge. It was just a thought. Popp sounds like a 2 down player at best. I think he has ability & a good motor, but the promotion to starter was a surprise to me. I thought Taylor was doing just OK.

Popp is basically a 27 year old rookie; there must be some reason they started him. If he's a better run def. than Taylor, but Taylor is better in passing, the coaches must substitute them in/out better.

[Patler]

Pop was good enough to get a sniff at starter last year.

That's true, but last year his competion at linebacker included Lenon, Manning, Thomas and to some extent Diggs. They were thought so highly of that all are gone.

Poppinga isn't just acclimating himself to the pro game, he is literally just learning how to play linebacker. He missed most of training camp last year and again this year. That's when most of the basic teaching and learning occurs, especially for players in a new position. That's when the repetitive drills are used to improve footwork, positioning, use of hands, leverage etc. Practices now will focus more on game preparation, running through plays, alignments, etc. It will be tough for Poppinga to get the basic work that he needs.

[wist43]

From what I payed attention to, he ... moved pretty well in space.

I hope you aren't serious with that comment.

Poppinga's biggest problem is that in space he moves like a DE, which of course is what he was. He does not have the fluid movements a linebacker needs. He didn't have it last year before the injury, he doesn't have it know. Unless he can learn to jam and hold up a tightend, keeping him from getting into his route, Poppinga will always be a liability in pass coverage. He may improve, but he is unlikely to ever be good at it.

Coverage will always be his achilles heel, but with experience and improved technique I'm sure he'll at least be adequate.

As I said, I'll try to watch the tape tonight, but from what I saw of Poppinga, he looked very tough against the run and took proper angles - the Packers are in desperate need his toughness and pass rush ability... Poppinga has to be on the field, and we'll just have to live with some growing pains.

[MJZiggy]

If he was a DE, then why not give him some snaps at DE? Let him play to his strengths?

[Patler]

From what I payed attention to, he ... moved pretty well in space.

I hope you aren't serious with that comment.

Poppinga's biggest problem is that in space he moves like a DE, which of course is what he was. He does not have the fluid movements a linebacker needs. He didn't have it last year before the injury, he doesn't have it know. Unless he can learn to jam and hold up a tightend, keeping him from getting into his route, Poppinga will always be a liability in pass coverage. He may improve, but he is unlikely to ever be good at it.

Coverage will always be his achilles heel, but with experience and improved technique I'm sure he'll at least be adequate.

As I said, I'll try to watch the tape tonight, but from what I saw of Poppinga, he looked very tough against the run and took proper angles - the Packers are in desperate need his toughness and pass rush ability... Poppinga has to be on the field, and we'll just have to live with some growing pains.

Hopefully someone can teach him how to prevent a TE from getting into a route, because I think he will always struggle to stay with TEs away from the line of scrimmage.

[red]

If he was a DE, then why not give him some snaps at DE? Let him play to his strengths?

i said this a month or so ago, and everyone looked at me like a was shitting out of my eyes

why do we have to move everyone out of the position they know? does our organization feel that they are that much smarter then all these college and high scholl coaches?