Larry Birdine is Making Friends

by Brandon on Jul 2, 2007 11:01 PM CDT in Green Bay Packers News

Last week, PackersNews.com reported that in a poll asking which undrafted free agent was most likely to make the team, a majority picked DE Larry Birdine.

Birdine got some press last week when he questioned DT Justin Harrell's recovery time from a torn labrum. Otherwise he is a defensive end who had trouble staying healthy during his last two seasons at Oklahoma, which would not recommend him to making the team.

However, Birdine is a pretty good choice, along with DE DeVon Hicks because the Packers should keep four defensive ends and incumbent backup DE Mike Montgomery hasn't shown much on the field the last two seasons.

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Rory Johnson

What about Rory Johnson? He performed well at Ole Miss when he was actually playing. He does have character issues, which may turn away Thompson (he did sign Koren Robinson however) but he has extraordinary talent

by packfan529 on Jul 2, 2007 11:27 PM CDT reply actions

Good Point About Johnson

Rory Johnson is a promising player on the field, he was one of the leaders in the SEC in tackles in 2006 and second on the team behind LB Patrick Willis who went 11th overall to San Fransisco. Johnson probably would have been drafted if he hadn't had a problem with Mary Jane. Based on the last game at Chicago (warning - pdf file), and assuming Hawk, Poppinga, Barnett, and Hodge make the team, only two other spots are open for Johnson. He has to beat out 6th round pick Desmond Bishop, special team ace Tracy White, and a few other undrafted free agents including another talented ex-SEC linebacker who had some trouble with the law, Juwan Simpson. Johnson has a shot to make it, but with all the bodies competing with him for probably one spot if you assume White will make the team since he led the team in special teams tackles in 2006, Johnson seems less likely to make it than Birdine. Still it all comes down to how these guys play in training camp, and Birdine would appear to have a slightly easier time than Johnson just because there are more bodies in the mix at linebacker than defensive end.

by Brandon on Jul 4, 2007 12:38 AM CDT up reply actions