Packers want Adalius Thomas

[BlueBrewer]

Ok so lets say that they actually let him hit the market, which I highly doubt will happen, but there are about 31 other GMs that would be willing to pay more that TT will. A talent like Thomas will be in high demand, with the raised cap numbers look for the bidding to be rediculous enough for Teddy to shy away.

[Partial]

I think right now Thomas may be a better player than Lewis. Ray ain't what he used to be. I don't know if TT would make this move given the money involved. If he does, does that mean the Jenkins is back at DT, and KGB is gone?

Bart Scott is the best player on that defense.

[motife]

[ny10804]

I could get used to this --> link

[RashanGary]

He's a beast. I Like him better than Briggs.

Him, Hawk and Poppinga would be DOMINATE as the starting 3. We can then let Barnett go and get a pick for him as a compensitory 3rd rounder next year.

[Partial]

Why wouldn't we keep all three and have the best linebacking corps in the league?

[RashanGary]

If Barnett wants 40, I'd pay Thomas 50 and let Barnett go.

[RashanGary]

Why wouldn't we keep all three and have the best linebacking corps in the league?

Because I'd rather have Poppinga than Barnett for the $$ and for what Poppinga brings

[motife]

I think right now Thomas may be a better player than Lewis. Ray ain't what he used to be. I don't know if TT would make this move given the money involved. If he does, does that mean the Jenkins is back at DT, and KGB is gone?

Bart Scott is the best player on that defense.

LDE Trevor Pryce, 13 sacks, 47 tackles
NT Kelly Gregg, 3.5 sacks, 61 tackles, 3 FR
RDE Haloti Ngata, 1 sack, 31 tackles, 1 int
LOLB Terrell Suggs, 9.5 sacks, 64 tackles, 3 FR, *Pro Bowl
LILB Bart Scott 9.5 sacks, 103 tackles, 2 int * Pro Bowl (injury, replaced Al Wilson)
RILB Ray Lewis, 5 sacks, 103 tackles, 2 int, 1 FR
ROLB Adalius Thomas, 11 sacks, 83 tackles, 1 int, 1 FR, 1 TD * Pro Bowl
LCB Chris McAlister, 47 tackles, 6 int, 2 FR, 2 TD's * Pro Bowl
FS Ed Reed, 59 tackles, 5 int, 1 FR, 1 TD * Pro Bowl
SS Dawan Landry, 3 sacks, 69 tackles, 5 int, 1 TD
RCB Samari Rolle, 1 sack, 52 tackles, 3 int

[RashanGary]

Hawk can be a difference maker. Thomas is a difference maker. Say what you will about Poppinga but he is more brutal and impactfull than Barnett. I'd like to see us pay Thomas whatever it takes and we'll get a compensitory by letting Barnett go next season.

[SD GB fan]

LDE Trevor Pryce, 13 sacks, 47 tackles
NT Kelly Gregg, 3.5 sacks, 61 tackles, 3 FR
RDE Haloti Ngata, 1 sack, 31 tackles, 1 int
LOLB Terrell Suggs, 9.5 sacks, 64 tackles, 3 FR, *Pro Bowl
LILB Bart Scott 9.5 sacks, 103 tackles, 2 int * Pro Bowl (injury, replaced Al Wilson)
RILB Ray Lewis, 5 sacks, 103 tackles, 2 int, 1 FR
ROLB Adalius Thomas, 11 sacks, 83 tackles, 1 int, 1 FR, 1 TD * Pro Bowl
LCB Chris McAlister, 47 tackles, 6 int, 2 FR, 2 TD's * Pro Bowl
FS Ed Reed, 59 tackles, 5 int, 1 FR, 1 TD * Pro Bowl
SS Dawan Landry, 3 sacks, 69 tackles, 5 int, 1 TD
RCB Samari Rolle, 1 sack, 52 tackles, 3 int

now thats a loaded D.

[packers11]

Hawk can be a difference maker. Thomas is a difference maker. Say what you will about Poppinga but he is more brutal and impactfull than Barnett. I'd like to see us pay Thomas whatever it takes and we'll get a compensitory by letting Barnett go next season.

Do we watch the same game??? Barnett makes plays and is 25 (entering his prime)... Poppinga is far away were Barnett is right now...

[motife]

quotes from Bruce Smith column..

A.J. Hawk describing Brady Poppinga:

"Brady's great." "Everything about him tells you how intense he is and what he brings to the table. He's a guy that loves the game. You love to have him on your team. Brady's also a lot better athlete than some people even know. He's so big and he's so fast and he can run and he can hit and he can cover people."

Hawk also said he appreciated that the coaching staff stayed with Poppinga even though he was being criticized for early deficiencies in pass coverage:

"It was good to see them not give up on him." "It gives you confidence in the coaches to know that they have your back. I also think the coverage stuff was blown out of proportion with Brady.

Shifting to MLB Nick Barnett for a moment:

Surrounded with talented players on either side of him for the first time in his Professional career, the 25-year-old Barnett has been freed up to make more big plays. Nick was on a tear prior to breaking his hand - he had two sacks, two interceptions and nine defended passes in the first nine games, and that was before the young guys started to get their legs underneath themselves.

A.J. does not hesitate to give love and respect to his teammate:

"Nick does everything." "He's so underrated. Some linebackers are fast and they can run sideline to sideline, but they might lack the physical part of the game. Others might not step up to the hole and hit fullbacks when they need to. Nick's a guy that does it all. He's one of the best cover linebackers in the league and he runs down people because he's so fast. What I have a lot of respect for is that he also steps up and hits people. There's not a part of his game that's lacking."

It's been many years since the Packers had starting linebackers with this much talent and potential. TT did a great job putting these guys together; his challenge now is keeping them together for the long haul.

"When you have guys that can run and play (at linebacker), you don't have to do so much situational stuff for those guys," Thompson said. "Each one brings something a little different: Brady certainly has pass-rush skills. Hawk and Barnett have the ability to play all over the field and in coverage, so that helps us."

This trio has the POTENTIAL to rank among the best in Packer history.

Here is what the young guys themselves weigh in on this important issue of staying together as a unit:

Nick Barnett says:

"This is the most consistent group (of linebackers) I've been a part of." "We've had a lot of talented linebackers come through here, but A.J. has been consistent since he's been here and Brady as well. You know what to expect out of those guys. You can just go out and play football. "That's what it's about." "When you've got three guys that can run to the ball, if I make a mistake, A.J. can cover it up. If he overruns it, I'm there to help him, and the same with Brady. You've got to have guys running to the ball and covering up for each other. It's starting to grow on the field, and we're starting to get in a groove." “…we're starting to establish our identity." "I think definitely, if they keep us all together, we could be something special."
A.J. says:

"We'd love to stay together," "I know that's hard in the NFL today, but it's something everyone here would love to see happen."
Perhaps the the best assessment can be found in the sage words of future Hall of Fame QB Brett Favre:

"A.J., what a great pick for us." "Nick has been a rock there and has continued to get better. To say Brady's high-strung is an understatement. Guys like that bring energy to the team."

And just so no one thinks I disrespected our outstanding rookie, here is what Poppinga had to say about his brother LB A.J. Hawk:

"Oh, he's off the wall, man," "He puts up a front, but underneath it all he's a crazy little man (little only in comparison to Brady). The hair flying in the wind. . . he looks like a blond Superman, flying around out there." "He's been under the pressure cooker.” "He's handled it beautifully. He's gotten better. All of us have gotten better. That's what adversity will do to people who are willing to face it head on. It will make you better, and you will be able to improve."

[Bretsky]

I still have doubts about Poppinga

[SD GB fan]

I still have doubts about Poppinga

apparently so does madden, hes only rated 78

seriously, i think he had his moments but i think hes only servicable at this point. hopefully he will continue to develop as last year was his "rookie" year.