Packers Question of the day - Young, Inexperienced, but Serviceable?
The Packers outside linebackers are categorized by two veterans, a fifth-year player who is finally beginning to live up to the hype, a rookie, a former defensive end converted into a hybrid linebacker and a special teams helper.
If you guessed in order Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, Nick Perry, Kyler Fackrell, Datone Jones and Jayrone Elliott fit the bill, then kudos to you.
Outside of the two starters, there's a vast age difference amongst the group occupying the depth chart. Nonetheless, they performed well (minus Jones) against the Lions and rather commendable in the weeks prior. If the Packers had to once again turn to the youth of their outside linebackers for results, what are your comfort levels with that group?
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Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].
Comments (14)
RCPackerFan
September 29, 2016 at 09:29 am
I really like our OLB position.
Mathews is always flying around.
Peppers they are mostly saving for the end of the year it seems.
Jones, has been playing well in his new role. Hopefully he will be able to play after the bye week.
Perry is finally healthy and has been dominating.
I have been pleasantly surprised with Fackrell's play thus far. He started slow but has really started to come on lately.
I like his speed off the edge. He is a player that will really benefit from an NFL offseason, but for now he could be a good rotational player.
Elliott seems to have picked up right were he left off last year. Every time he is on the field he makes plays.
They have a really nice rotation going right now. Really liking our OLB's and actually front 7 in general.
Ibleedgreenmore
September 29, 2016 at 09:45 am
I see it the same way, this might be one of the best draft classes TT has had really impressive.
cpheph1
September 29, 2016 at 11:07 am
I concur with you but would add it's predominantly a front six based on the percentages they're in nickel/dime defense (~82%). Regardless, that front six they can put out there can really attack!
Ibleedgreenmore
September 29, 2016 at 09:44 am
Spiller just signed with the Seahawks so he will not be here.
rdent
September 29, 2016 at 07:59 pm
So what?!
Since'61
September 29, 2016 at 09:51 am
The group would obviously miss CM3. Peppers isn't playing much anyway at this point. I think that we would continue to play well against the run but the pass rush would suffer without CM3 playing opposite Perry. Thanks, Since '61
Bearmeat
September 29, 2016 at 10:42 am
Yep. LOVE the OLBs. Pleasantly surprised with DT and ILB. Front 7 looks great. And you've got to think the secondary rebounds. There's too much talent there - none of it old - and a record of good coaching by Whitt and Perry.
This D is going to be BEASTIN (health permitting) by the end of the year. I can't wait.
cheddarhead
September 29, 2016 at 10:48 am
A lot yards were due to lack of pass rush. Due to injuries. Once they gave up on the rush. The dropped interseptions didn't help either, that would of changed the landscape of the game a lot.
Hopefully they get healthy after the bye week.
cpheph1
September 29, 2016 at 11:12 am
I thinking it was mostly due to bad coverage or no coverage in some cases...but that's JMO...
Oppy
September 29, 2016 at 04:53 pm
Yeah, I agree with ceph.. The defense has been generating enough pressure that I wouldn't be inclined to chalk up opponents' succees through the air on poor pass rush.
stockholder
September 29, 2016 at 02:06 pm
I like Fackrell better than ELLIott. Just believe Elliott has not made the jump other than a splash play.
Oppy
September 29, 2016 at 04:56 pm
I don't think Elliot has shown poorly enough, or fackrell well enough, to say at this point one is better than the other.
Elliot did blow some plays last season as desert pack fan mentioned, but I don't think the coaches have any lingering 'loss of trust' in him. He lost last season largely to injuries I think,
Don't think he was ever destined for greatness, but he looks like a decent depth guy.
Oppy
September 29, 2016 at 04:57 pm
Double postage!
packrat
September 29, 2016 at 09:08 pm
The Packers' complement of LBs runs the gamut of variability. They seem to have players who are talented in each of the categories required of a LB.