Grading our starting defensive linemen from the 2009 NFL Season

by Jabooty on Mar 13, 2010 10:23 AM CST

Cullen Jenkins, once a DT/DE in the 4-3 scheme, made a smooth and successfull transition into his new role as a 3-4 DE. As most will tell you, a defensive lineman in a 3-4 defense is not a glorious role. The sacks rarely ever come up. Even though he wasn't sacking the QB, he was applying pressure and making our linebackers job a lot easier. Jenkins is perhaps the biggest reason why Clay Matthews had such a successfull rookie season as he made Clay's job a lot easier. I can honestly say that Jenkins is no doubt a Top 5 3-4 DE in the NFL.

NT- Ryan Pickett- B+

Pickett isn't the best NT in the business, but he did the job well. Looking at a stat sheet, you may not come across his name. Looking at the game film, you will notice that he was one of the biggest reasons our run defense was so successfull. He did a solid job in plugging the middle of the line and not being pushed around.

LE- Johnny Jolly- C+

Jolly did a decent job in his first season in the 3-4 scheme. He wasn't getting pushed around as much as he was as a DT in the 4-3. His biggest plus was his awareness to what was going on around him. This lead to a couple interceptions and sniffing out screens. He still has room to improve in gap control and pass rushing when asked to, but overall he did a solid job. Compared to other 3-4 DE's, he is an average contributor to our defense, but I would say slightly above average.

Analysis- The defensive line is the biggest reason why our run D was so successfull. Our LB's had an easier job controlling their gaps and attacking the ball carrier. Add in a solid rotation with BJ Raji, and this line should be the same if not better next season. The expectation of course will be a significant improvement.

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Comments

Jolly

I didn’t get to see every Packer game this past year, but in the ones I saw, I’d grade Jolly much higher than a C+. His weakness is a lack of consistency, and his strength is that of being a guy who can make big plays.

by MikeDB on Mar 13, 2010 10:44 AM CST reply actions

I think a C+ is fair. He was great the first four weeks or so but pretty average after that. Anytime teams were able to run on us it was done directly over him, and he usually got pushed backwards on passing downs.

by packallday555 on Mar 13, 2010 3:41 PM CST up reply actions

Jolly is average at best

I gave him a C+ because he does show good awareness. His problem is his inconsistency. The OLB in the 3-4 gets his success largely because of the DE doing all the dirty work. He does an excellent job in sniffing out screens. However, there are a lot of DE’s that are better than Jolly. If I were to give him a B, then there would be a lot a 3-4 DE’s with A grades.

"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi

by Jabooty on Mar 14, 2010 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Wouldn’t Raji be a starting D-Lineman? He’s like a 4th starter, coming in under certain situations, like our 5 linebackers from last year. Why no rating for him?

by Troy J. on Mar 13, 2010 11:27 AM CST reply actions

No

Raji was a backup last year rotating at DE and NT.

"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi

by Jabooty on Mar 13, 2010 11:54 AM CST up reply actions

I was contemplating on putting him in the list

but the title of the article is based on the starters, not backups or those that rotate in frequently.

"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi

by Jabooty on Mar 14, 2010 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions

I can see

why Jolly is a C+ now……. at first I was like…. hmmmm he should be higher, but then I thought about the Viking head butt that had given them a 1st down in the red zone when we had a stop….

by GBfan73 on Mar 14, 2010 8:55 PM CDT reply actions