Packers Notes: Neal and Poppinga Out For The Season, Who Can Replace Them?
by Brandon on Oct 26, 2010 7:01 AM CDT
in Green Bay Packers News
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PrintOf course, we can't talk about a Green Bay Packers game without discussing some injuries. Mike McCarthy said that both DE Mike Neal (rotator cuff) and LB Brady Poppinga (knee injury) will have season ending surgery. He also didn't commit to either DE Ryan Pickett or DE Cullen Jenkins returning next week. He did praise the three defensive lineman who were healthy and active for the game on Sunday night: DE C.J. Wilson, NT B.J. Raji, and DE Jarius Wynn.
And those three are nearly all the remains available on the defensive line. Recently re-signed DE Mike Montgomery was inactive last week (which won't happen again next Sunday). Otherwise the final defensive lineman anywhere on the roster is DT Jay Ross, who was recently signed to the practice squad. At 6'3", 302 lbs., Ross doesn't appear to have the size to be a run stuffing defensive tackle, and he only recorded 7 sacks in 3 seasons as a starter at East Carolina. He could be a good hustle player, and he's certain to have better technique than OL T.J. Lang, who was forced into action on the defensive line for a few plays.
A nifty series by Tom Silverstein at the Journal-Sentinel in which he quotes the coaches regarding some key plays. First was WR Percy Harvin's easy TD run. Dom Capers said they need to "clarify where our safety knows where he has to fill." That was a play when the Packers only had two defensive lineman in, there were multiple lanes for Harvin to run through, and S Charlie Peprah chose the wrong one. Second was the fake FG attempt, when QB Matt Flynn came out as the holder and attempted a long pass to TE Andrew Quarless. Special teams coach Shawn Slocum said that "Andrew ran out of gas at the end of the route." Third was QB Aaron Rodgers long pass attempt to WR Jordy Nelson on 3rd and 2 in the 4th quarter. Receivers coach Jimmy Robinson said "against that coverage, you want to get the quick throw and get the first down."
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Put another finger in the dam
If it isn’t the secondary, it’s the LB core, if it’s not them I guess it needs to be the D-line. Who would ever thought we would miss Johnny Jolly so much?
I will say that the guys we had in there against the Vikes stepped up big time when it counted. Wynn got the key sack and the pressure came when the game was on the line.
That that said I’m not sure how much longer we can go with 5th and sixth stringers at every position. The Packers have to get healthy eventually….right?
..
We’ll get healthy next year. So much of the team is on IR, including Poppinga and Neal, so they’ll be back next year.
I was nervous at the end of the game when we went with only three pass rushers. Can’t give a QB, especially a good one, that much time. DBs just can’t hold coverage that long a lot of times. The sack by Wynn was great, but later in that drive, we put no pressure on Favre. They almost triple-teamed Matthews on one of the plays.
On another, Favre got up quickly, but if a QB falls down, it’s pretty bad to allow him to get a throw off on that play.
Always hate when the team backs off the pressure and allows a QB to scan the field for what seems like an eternity. Worked out for us this time, but that ending was nerve-wracking.
+1
I was so worried to see them rush only 3. You can’t give any QB that much time, especially Favre. His arm is strong enough where he can fit the ball into the smallest holes, which rushers are more important than cover guys, in my opinion.
Anyone else out there think we should sign a Sumo wrestler or two? Big and strong, with technique that would probably be new to O-linemen and might confuse them. Plus they take up a lot of space! And most important – intimidation factor. Think of what would go through a lineman’s head as the 500 pound Sumo wrestler across from him does that foot-stomp thing as he gets in position.
by I voted for Kodos on Oct 26, 2010 2:02 PM CDT up reply actions
Even better
get the sumo’s to be our lead FB.. Imagine the hole created by a 500 pound athletic guy just bull rushing the def line… I bet we convert both 4th and 1’s w/ ease
by Goldenarmadillo4 on Oct 26, 2010 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Side note
How awesome of a roster has been assembled that we can be so depleted from injuries and still come up with key victories like last week.
I know the NFC is having a down year, especially up in the north, but still. Last night’s defense was pretty darn close to what you would see in the second half of a preseason game and they still held a potentially explosive offense when the game was on the line.
Hats off to TT for assembling this group of guys and showing us what kind of depth the roster has.
by PackApologist on Oct 26, 2010 7:57 AM CDT reply actions 5 recs
Pretty impressive indeed. We played essentially our 4th and 5th string DL, two back-up LB’s, a back-up nickel back, and a third string safety. The defense has been impressive for how beaten up it’s been.
by packallday555 on Oct 26, 2010 5:50 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, right
Executive of the Year? It’s between TT and A.J.Smith who single-handedly destroyed the Chargers this year.
Seriously, TT has to make a move and get a D-lineman. Open the checkbook for God’s sake, trade one of your precious mid-round draft picks. these practice squad guys aren’t gonna hold up for the whole season.
Trade Deadline
Trade deadline has already passed, so can’t go about it that way. Would need to find someone that’s out of work, currently I think. The issue there is that they are out of work for a reason, but there’s still some talent that would provide depth, I bet
I believe TT needs to make a move regarding the depth on the d-line. These next three games will be running teams. (jets, Dallas minus romo, Vikings dealing with the ankle injury to favre). There is one player that I think would be a good fit. It’s Marques Douglas. The positive things about him are he’s played in a 3-4 for a good portion of his career, he’s a better run defender than pass rusher, he played with the jets last year and could give us some insight on their defense, and I think he’ll be more productive d-lineman than Wynn, Montgomery, and Wilson. With not knowing if pickett and/or Jenkins would be available for this Sunday, it would be an ideal move. I dont want to see Wilson and Wynn starting at the ends with montgomery backing them up on Sunday. LT and shonn green would have a field day.
A few other roster move I hope to see happen is Harris and bigby getting put on the 53 and becoming active for this week. With putting poppinga and Neal on ir it should open up a few spots. Also I would like to see TT put in a claim for James Davis (rb) which was just released by the Browns. For the packers to make all those additions (douglas and possible Davis) they would have to cut 2 current players. I would think they would cut McDonald (who you could try to sneak on the practice squad) and underwood. The reason I would say underwood over lee and bush is because lee is curently starting at kick returner and bush is a better special teams player and provides more depth at cb and s than underwood. Also, we would have too many cornerbacks on the roster when we elevate Harris (Woodson, Williams, Harris, Shields, lee, bush).
by PACK3RS on Oct 26, 2010 1:49 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Man I hope you're wrong about the Packers cutting Underwood before Bush
I don’t care how good Bush is at ST (which is debatable since our whole ST unit plays poorly), I don’t want him on my team if there’s a reasonable alternative.
Towlieppan: "You wanna throw high?"
I know how much packers fans hate bush, I’m not a bush fan either. But you gotta look at his play this season. In his limit time this season at nickel back against the lions, he played impressive. I don’t believe he has committed any penalties. Also, with Derrick Martin on IR, I can’t see TT cutting one of his better special teams players.
by PACK3RS on Oct 26, 2010 2:18 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
The only thing Bush is good at on ST
is getting penalized
by Goldenarmadillo4 on Oct 26, 2010 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions
How many penalties does bush have this season?
by PACK3RS on Oct 26, 2010 8:53 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
He's done decent this year so far
but I’d rather keep someone serviceable in actual game situations then keep someone because they’re good on ST
by Goldenarmadillo4 on Oct 26, 2010 9:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Bush was serviceable THIS YEAR against the lions. He started at nickel back cause shields was injuried and bush performed well. Underwood hasn’t got the opportunity yet in the regular season and don’t see him getting one anytime soon with Harris possibly coming of the PUP. In my opinion, if a cornerback gets released it has to be underwood. Also, I don’t believe the NFL has done anything about the run in with the law this past summer. But I do believe it’s still looming. Correct? Which is another knock on him.
by PACK3RS on Oct 27, 2010 2:34 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I don't know
maybe I’m harboring ill will towards Bush… but since he’s been on this team since 2006, he’s been nothing but a liability on the field for us, both ST and Def. Maybe something finally clicked for him in his 4th year but I’m more inclined to believe that he’s looked better mainly because A. we’re fielding a 2nd string defense right now so a second string player will like he belongs more and B. He’s having a last year Favre-esque season where he plays out of his mind for one year. If he can string together multiple seasons of decent play I’ll gladly admit I’m wrong… but as of right now, I think it’s simply a fluke
by Goldenarmadillo4 on Oct 27, 2010 3:59 AM CDT up reply actions
Also
Who is Detroit’s #3 receiver? I don’t think saying Bush played alright in the Detroit game as a nickle corner is a ringing endorsement exactly.
I feel like we know exactly who Bush is, and that is a guy with very limited upside in a standard defensive situation. On the other hand we don’t know what we have in Underwood, so why not give him a chance to develop into a contributor?
Towlieppan: "You wanna throw high?"
I know nothing about either player you mentioned
However, why are we looking at RBs still… BJack is averaging over 4.0 yards a carry. The run game isn’t an issue for us, its dedication to the run (and somewhat play calling when we do run). I think Jackson has more then earned his right to be our feature back at this point so can we please stop saying we need a new RB?
by Goldenarmadillo4 on Oct 26, 2010 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Wow...
Did I ever say anything about replacing Brandon Jackson as the feature back??? Dont be assuming things. Why not put in a claim for another back? What’s wrong with a little bit of depth at the running back position? Maybe you forgot that injures do occur in football. What if Jackson went down for an extended period of time? Who would will fill in for him? Kuhn? Nance? Or Starks? Who haven’t played football in 2 years….
by PACK3RS on Oct 26, 2010 9:04 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Well
you just listed 3 running backs we have to fill in if BJack goes down. Theres other positions we should be signing people for like Dline before we get a 5th RB (4 if you wanna count Kuhn as a FB)
by Goldenarmadillo4 on Oct 26, 2010 9:15 PM CDT up reply actions
3 runningbacks? Kuhn is a true fullback and it’s possible Starks might not get put on the 53 and go straight to IR for the remainder of the year. Nance is a backup to Jackson, but hasn’t gotten the opportunity to show what he got. In my eyes, depth is an issue at runningback. In regards to the depth at dl, I posted how we should acquire Marques douglas (DE), who is a free agent. I believe that the biggest depth issue this week going up against possibly the best offensive line in the NFL.
by PACK3RS on Oct 27, 2010 2:41 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I still don't understand the logic
of bringing another RB on to the team. Yes injuries do occur as we know all to well this year. But we currently have BJack, Kuhn, and Nance on our roster as RBs (Kuhn is listed as a RB atm) along w/ Korey Hall, and Quinn Johnson as FBs. I don’t know many teams that carry 4 RBs on their team at once. The debate about Kuhn is just going to be cyclical overall, we either have 3 RBs and 2 FBs or we have 2 RBs and 3 FBs with one of them being able to step in at RB should our other 2 go down.
I’m not debating the Douglas signing and I really don’t know anything about him to know if it’s a idea or not… my issue lies w/ wanting a 4th RB or 5th if Starks is good to go… I’d hate to see him get put on IR simply because we signed someone we didn’t really need at the time
by Goldenarmadillo4 on Oct 27, 2010 3:54 AM CDT up reply actions
Meh I wouldn't go as far to say he is only a true fullback.
From Wikipedia
Kuhn holds 27 school records and six PSAC records. He finished his career with 4,685 yards rushing, 910 carries, 53 touchdowns, 5,300 all-purpose yards and 26 games with at least 100 yards rushing, all school records. Kuhn led the team in rushing for the third-straight season as a senior and is the only player in team history to total over 1,000 yards rushing in three-straight seasons.
He knows how to run the ball. Not that this is a defense for Kuhn, but he should know how to handle the rock.
by Bush League All Star on Oct 27, 2010 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions
Why pay attention
When you can rant about TT? Seems counter-productive.
Towlieppan: "You wanna throw high?"
It's been said twice already
but the Trade Deadline has passed. Furthermore, what high quality D-lineman WAS on the trading block that he should’ve made a play for.
It’s been said several times but don’t bitch about the team TT has put together without giving names of people he should’ve gone after. All your argument does is talk about the same anti-FA, cheapskate stereotype image he has w/o providing alternatives and names of people he needs to sign in the offseason or make trades for. When you provide me names we can debate the merit of signing/trading for those people.
by Goldenarmadillo4 on Oct 26, 2010 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions
and/or Peppers
both of which would have been horrible ideas… but I’ll save my explanations on that until he grows a pair and tries to suggest them lol
by Goldenarmadillo4 on Oct 26, 2010 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions
we must get SUH
4 hours 5 minutes? Is that all? Buehrle coulda pitched three CGs and the bottom of the 14th in Houston by then. FTMFYITA! - RWShow
hmmm
Might be time to get on the phone with Adalius Thomas. Sure he’s not what he was but man we just need guys who know how to play at this point. You almost have to get on the phone with him and Merriman at this point, don’t you? Any formerly good Dlineman out there? We need fresh experienced bodies!!
Merriman isn't available
He’s injured and, from what I understand, as soon as he’s back, the Chargers have to cut him, so that’s when we could call.
Another name is Ogunleye, although he’s a speed rusher, right? Not exactly what we need
Except that Ogunleye is on the Texans
We should be looking at Practice Squad guys from other teams. Try to come away with a gem.
"A ringing single for David Eckstein who, in my view, is the perfect size for an American male." -Bob Costas
No matter what...
the Jets have such a good O-line, it might be better to think about containment over pass rush. As long as Holmes and Keller (Edwards is still a threat but he does get streaky with drops) are covered and the LBs keep an eye on LT to keep him from big runs into the secondary, the Pack has at least a little bit of a chance.
I think the major problem in this upcoming game is going to be Shonn Greene. the front defenders are going to get bullied.
The best thing right now is to make sure the offense keeps the Jets offense on the bench. I’m really hoping this win over the Vikes gives BJack and Quarless some confidence.
"Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser." - Vince Lombardi
If Pickett and Jenkins can play, we’ll be ok but I’m not sure that either will be ready to go. Had we had both those guys against the Vikings I’m sure we would have seen our line perform better. Having Jenkins and Pickett out pretty much killed the pass rush.
by packallday555 on Oct 26, 2010 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah we need big hogs in there to stop the run.
Has Sanchez really took this team to victory? I haven’t seen it, frankly because we don’t get the Jets on TV here. Stop the run first, and let Sanchez try to throw.
by Bush League All Star on Oct 26, 2010 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions
He’s been better but the game plan definitely has to be to stop the run and make Sanchez beat us.
by packallday555 on Oct 26, 2010 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions
stupid injuries
Our defensive line should’ve been a strength this year, and instead we’re trying to scrape together the Jay Rosses of the world.
Oh well, gotta’ let Jenkins and Pickett heal up.
…and kudos to Raji. He’s pretty much singlehandedly holding up the tent-pole in the monsoon.
by Curly Lambeau on Oct 26, 2010 10:49 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
right
I meant you shoulda used one of your draft picks. Of course, TT needs them to draft rookieDLs to sit on IR all season.
After the Jets crush GB, maybe TT will see the value of actually getting in the FA or trade market.
No, that's not what you meant
Now you’re just trying to save face. You also didn’t answer Golden’s question about who exactly should Thompson have attempted to trade for? Teams aren’t exactly lining up to trade away impact defensive linemen.
Towlieppan: "You wanna throw high?"
I'm sorry
I missed the part where you list people he should’ve signed or traded for that WERE viable trade options… Seriously, stop spewing the TT hate unless you can name people he should’ve gone for in FA or traded for prior to the deadline… Once again… do that, then we can talk about the merit of those names… until then, Ill assume you have no clue what you’re really talking about and just spouting off the same media stereotype garbage you hear about him every week
by Goldenarmadillo4 on Oct 26, 2010 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions
So let me get this straight. EVERYONE bitched about Thompson drafting D Linemen in the draft saying that we were already deep there and were just fine. Now you are saying he is stupid cause he should have been trying to get on as a FA? That is preposterous!!!
by TrevorR on Oct 26, 2010 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I liked the Neal pick
especially when Jolly was suspended, and I’m willing to bet TT knew that was coming when he made the pick.
This guy’s just an idiot (and I don’t usually name call) just spouting off random garbage. Sure our line looked light in the Viking game, we were missing, 2 starters (Cullen and Ryan) plus one more solid back-up (Neal). But then again, what team doesn’t look thin at D-line missing 2 of their 3 starters?
by Goldenarmadillo4 on Oct 26, 2010 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions
To kinda play off of BLAS below
It wasn’t necessarily Neal that I liked, but more the fact that we picked up a D-lineman. I think i remember not being a big fan on draft day, but once Jolly got suspended I loved the d-line pick and I assume TT knew that was coming… so it’s kind of a hindsight like on my part
by Goldenarmadillo4 on Oct 26, 2010 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Being optamistic here, next year
If everybody stays healthy we will dominate on defense. Too bad Neal got injured, imagine a years experience under his belt.
I was one of those people who didn't like the Neal pick...
not because of depth issues. More so, because I didn’t know Neal and thought WTF? I will gladly eat some crow after hearing how he can play from the Redskins OL. Just needs to stay healthy though.
by Bush League All Star on Oct 26, 2010 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Rec'd
Hindsight equals 20-20, as they say. I also thought the Neal pick was odd because we already had guys and I hadn’t really heard much about him. I have a hunch the GMs know a bit more about looming suspensions then the general public (which might play a role in Favre playing in the next few weeks). Now he looks like a good pick if he comes back OK. He has really shown potential out there and D-linemen rarely look very good their first few years.
I think TT has done a mostly excellent job in putting this team together. And what never seems to get mentioned – he has done it with almost 100% high-quality people, not just great athletes. Yes, Finley and Quarless have seemed immature at times, but that seems to be in their pasts.
by I voted for Kodos on Oct 26, 2010 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Thats part of what costs us some FA
TT isn’t one to pick up people w/ huge character flaws. I think thats a big factor in why he didn’t go for Moss or try to out-bid Seattle for Lynch.
And this is in no way shape or form saying that I disagree w/ that move at all
by Goldenarmadillo4 on Oct 26, 2010 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions
reply button is your friend
4 hours 5 minutes? Is that all? Buehrle coulda pitched three CGs and the bottom of the 14th in Houston by then. FTMFYITA! - RWShow
The Packers made two roster additions today, acquiring linebackers Diryal Briggs off waivers and signing veteran Matt Wilhelm.
Briggs’ agent, Edward Brown, confirmed that the Packers were awarded Briggs off waivers after he was cut by Denver. Briggs is a 6-4, 250-pound outside linebacker who entered the league with San Francisco as an undrafted free agent from Bowling Green.
An NFL source said the Packers signed Wilhelm, an inside linebacker who has played for San Diego, Philadelphia and San Francisco. He was originally a fourth-round pick by the Chargers out of Ohio State in 2003.
The source said the Packers planned to release linebacker Maurice Simpkins. They will have to make another roster move, likely putting either defensive end Mike Neal or linebacker Brady Poppinga Poppinga on injured reserve.
Not sure I completely understand these signings
we need D-line help right now… not LB. Both of these guys seem too small to play DE in a 3-4 unless we plan on running a lot of 2-5 or 1-6 bases these signings just don’t make sense.
I might be missing something and if I am, please feel free to fill me in
by Goldenarmadillo4 on Oct 26, 2010 4:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Nothing says these will be the only moves.
Might be tackling the problems one at a time. Both these guys fall within the realm of DE/OLB tweener (at least by size, haven’t been bothered to look up their speed). But, for all the people saying TT won’t make a move, he has. We may have to wait and see if he moves on the DL, or if we’ll see more creative formations.
Jay Ross, DT
Missed this last week, the Packers signed Ross to the PS and released the RB James Johnson. Ross is out of ECU, just like CJ Wilson. The CBS draft stats on him compare him to CJ as well. http://cdsdraft.com/profile.php?id=4530
May see him activated before too long. Packers.com is reporting that both Neal and Poppinga were put on IR and Simpkins was released, so there’s a space open on the squad right now. Could go to Harris or Bigby by Saturday.
Obviously Thompson feels Jenkins and Pickett will be back sooner or later. Plus, Raji will give us 3 DL, and I’d imagine Wilson and Wynn will be activated as well. That gives us 5 guys.
I like the Wilhelm pick-up. Pretty sure he played in the 3-4 in San Francisco. He could possibly be worked into a rotation.
by packallday555 on Oct 26, 2010 5:52 PM CDT up reply actions
Justin Harrell
He better be gone next season cause im getting sick and tired of seeing good d-lineman get let go because of him. We let go of Corey Williams, Daniel Muir, Colin Cole, and this year Anthony Toribo who could be helping us stuff the run right now. Im a big supporter of TT but he needs to finally give up on Harrell who is a complete waste of a roster spot.
(hes been on IR his whole career, that doesnt take up a spot)
4 hours 5 minutes? Is that all? Buehrle coulda pitched three CGs and the bottom of the 14th in Houston by then. FTMFYITA! - RWShow
Isn't who stays and who gets cut
more of a HC call then a GM?
by Goldenarmadillo4 on Oct 26, 2010 5:20 PM CDT up reply actions
Didn’t we trade Williams and Cole? Muir was self-admittedly lazy, and unfocused when he was with us, and I’m not sure how good Toribo really is.
It’s frustrating to see Harrell constantly get injured but at least it wasn’t a back injury this past season like it always seems to be. There isn’t a whole lot you can do about blowing an ACL. That can happen whether you’re injury prone or not.
I really don’t think we’ll see Harrell get let go. He actually looked pretty good in the preseason and Trogvac seems pretty fond of him.
by packallday555 on Oct 26, 2010 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions
Cole was released.
I can’t see Harrell making the 53 next year. Too much of an injury risk. If he makes it you gotta let a healthier player go. Here my d-line next year….Jenkins (franchised tag), Pickett, raji, Neal, Wilson, and Wynn. You also have to consider jolly if he gets reinstated. If that happens and TT wants him back, Wynn is gone. 3-4 teams usually only keep 6 dl on the 53 and 5 on the active roster.
by PACK3RS on Oct 27, 2010 2:25 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
OBIAZOR
Was just released by the Chargers…anyone think we go after him? I know he’s still not there but heck he knows the system really well and would give us some nice LB depth.
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