New Starters: Tramon Williams and Brad Jones?

by Brandon on Nov 24, 2009 12:09 AM CST in Green Bay Packers News

From Mike McCarthy's Monday press conference:

We just got the confirmation on both Al Harris and Aaron Kampman's results, and both individuals will have season-ending knee surgery.

I'm sure everyone reading this already knew that the Green Bay Packers have lost both of them for the season, but I keep double checking, hoping it's not true. Although CB Tramon Williams and LB Brad Jones should move into the starting lineup, McCarthy said "the natural move" is Williams as the starter, but he wouldn't name Jones the starter or who would play in the nickel or dime.

The big concern with not announcing Jones as the starter means more playing time for LB Brady Poppinga.

CB Jarrett Bush has few fans in the comments (any fans?) and the good news is that he might not actually be the nickel corner. Bush might remain the dime corner, and CB Brandon Underwood might effectively replace Harris as the right CB when he comes into the game as the nickel. Then Williams and CB Charles Woodson would not have to change their roles drastically.

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still starting two very good corners at least so that's nice

by Donald Driver on Nov 24, 2009 2:12 AM CST reply actions

I like Tramon a lot too, however the drop off comes in the form of their nickelback, and they have been playing a lot of nickel lately.

by Dr. Jay on Nov 24, 2009 7:31 AM CST up reply actions

exactly

and teams will certainly try to spread us out more now. Might not be right away with the Lions and the Ravens up next but somebody will and we just have to hope that things work out well.

Frye is honestly gotta be one of the top 10 3rd Stringers in all of the NFL right now--colbyb

by verno329 on Nov 24, 2009 8:01 AM CST up reply actions

The Steelers

and maybe even the Seahawks and Cards as well, although the latter might not do it for very long.

by vitaminx on Nov 24, 2009 2:20 PM CST up reply actions

But

That was so we could have Woodson in their at nickel roaming the field. I imagine we’ll still try this with Bell or Underwood on the outside but if it doesn’t work I’m sure we’ll run more plays out of the base defense.

by packallday555 on Nov 24, 2009 1:33 PM CST up reply actions

Brandon Underwood is not ready yet

I have more faith in Bush than Underwood after their performance in Preseason. Underwood got burned on nearly every play. He’s a project player, so he’s not ready yet. Good news is we signed CB Josh Bell who has experience. He’s not great, but should fill the nickel back role better than Bush, using Bush in our Dime Package.

by Jabooty on Nov 24, 2009 10:48 AM CST reply actions

in the interest of keeping this a family blog

I will withold my double entendre of the word bush.

"That's not a weird stat. Rickie is a run-scorer," Yost said. "It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter," Yost told reporters. "See, you guys have no concept. He's a run-scorer. So there's nothing weird about it. That's what he does."

by Hyatt on Nov 24, 2009 1:40 PM CST reply actions

Nickel

Watch for the Packers to get, and keep more LB on the field for now. Getting Chillar more involved in coverage again. Chillar is a better player overall than any of the CB they can put in, better than Bush or Underwood. He is good in coverage, though we may have to play alot more zone w/ Chillar, than we would if a CB is in the game.

If they can get a W vs the kitty kats, they will have almost 2 weeks to get the CB ready for an expanded role. Capers will have to see what he has to work w/ and put his best players on the field. How about a 5 LB set? It could make it almost impossible to figure out which LB is rushing the QB!

Watch to see if Capers uses the 5 LB on thurs!

by Strohman on Nov 24, 2009 3:20 PM CST reply actions

The answer is...

Matt Roth. He was just released by the Dolphins and could probably fill in for Kampman right away. I’m not dismissing Brad Jones, but I wouldn’t mind having a little more experience at the position (as long as it’s not from Poppinga).

by Dr. Jay on Nov 24, 2009 5:15 PM CST reply actions

Interesting…are they in a 3-4 in Miami though??

by TrevorR on Nov 24, 2009 8:30 PM CST up reply actions

Yes they are

And Dr. Jay is right that could be intriguing. Though it likely won’t happen because Jones has looked good. Who knows though, I sure wouldn’t mind signing Roth.

by packallday555 on Nov 24, 2009 9:26 PM CST up reply actions

Beware Roth

That guy has vanished this season. He had that mystery injury in preseason, and then a groin injury during the season, and just hasn’t produced. RT @Greg_a_ Bedard “Roth is definitely stout against the run, but he’s not much of an athlete. Short arms. With 30 more pounds he’d be a great DT.” And I could see that; he could have DT Chris Hovan’s career. But if he really had great pass rushing skills, which is the only thing Kampman’s possible replacements don’t have, I can’t imagine the Dolphins letting him go.

by Brandon on Nov 24, 2009 10:51 PM CST reply actions