Packers Game Changing Offseason Moves: The Return of Chad Clifton

by Brandon on Apr 17, 2010 11:33 PM CDT in Green Bay Packers Analysis

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Of all the moves made this offseason by the Green Bay Packers, the re-signing of LT Chad Clifton was the game changing move of the offseason. If NT Ryan Pickett hadn't received the franchise tag then NT B.J. Raji would be the new starting nose tackle. If RT Mark Tauscher hadn't been re-signed then OT T.J. Lang would have been the new right tackle. But they would have had to use their 1st round pick on an offensive tackle, or made a trade for one, if they had lost Clifton.

It might have been expected that Clifton would return to the Packers, but his free agent visit to Washington proved there was a market for him. If he had gone to the Redskins and Lang was penciled in as the starter then there would have been a lot written about how the Packers needed to make an move. Either through the draft or via trade for someone like the Ravens LT Jared Gaither. The media, and probably myself as well, wouldn't have left the possibility that Lang in 2010 would have been like RT Allen Barbre in 2009 alone. The same could have been said about Lang at right tackle too, but it's different when he's protecting his QBs blind side.

What really surprised me about this post was that I didn't say it was the departure of DE Aaron Kampman. But the more I think about it, the more his departure reminds me of when RB Ahman Green left in 2007, and how the combination of age and injuries made the decision a good one. I've got no hard feelings towards Kampman, but I'm not sure he's going to be worth the money anymore.

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Kampman

gave us some great yrs. I can totally understand why he took off. He’s a passrusher and wouldnt fit in like he wanted here now. Good luck Aaron. Now, to the task at hand. Where’s the pressure on the QB coming from? Always blitzing?

by bigbill992001 on Apr 18, 2010 12:00 AM CDT reply actions

It depends

One of the big things about the 3-4 is that the offense shouldn’t know which way the fourth rusher comes from. That’s why so many people want a playmaking OLB on the other side of the Claymaker. That way it’s not a methodical the front three guys and Matthews coming at the QB, rather you can mix it up send any one of the LB’s or someone in the secondary, a CB rush or a safety in the box (another reason why many people around here are high on Taylor Mays).

by PackApologist on Apr 18, 2010 12:13 AM CDT up reply actions

This is why I'm so high on our offseason so far

I know there are still those who wish to crucify TT for not signing free agents, but so far I really have liked our offseason.

The signing of Cliffy and Tausch open doors for us this draft. The draft class is deep and there enough flex spots on our roster where no matter who falls to us at 23 we should be able to maximize our value and find someone to help get over the hump, if not this year then definately next year. That’s at least if we go BPA and not a risk reward pick like Harrell.

Play conservative in the first and then take some gambles in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.

by PackApologist on Apr 18, 2010 12:17 AM CDT reply actions

I hear ya Brandon, but...

let’s not let prudent decision making so far lull us into a false sense of security. The Pack’s tackles and cornerbacks are advanced veterans and these are real hard positions to fill. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see these things be the main priorities on draft day, regardless… and may very well be a priority next year, as well.

And why are we not excited about Jones? Unanimously agreed: we all liked Aaron Kampmann. A great athlete, a great sport and a hard worker who’ll improve any team he goes to. That said, we’ve got someone young, athletic and aggressive to look forward to this season.

And the bottom line? The Packers are fielding essentially the same team as last year. This bodes well for a successful season, even with the potential hazards. And I think if you ask fans, nearly everyone would agree this was probably the best thing to do. Damn, I love this team!

"Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser." - Vince Lombardi

by AdamA on Apr 18, 2010 8:03 AM CDT reply actions

Jones

What has Jones done to make you excited about him? Get a couple of coverage sacks… Big Deal… I Like Jones, he’s a “good” player! Thats the problem he’s just “good”.

But “good” isn’t “good” enough… He isn’t an explosive pass rusher!!! Sure he got 4 sacks, but I never saw him just plain beat an OL. He got coverage sacks… Did you see the games vs Big Ben and Warner?! Did Jones help win those games? Jones is good in coverage, but he’ll never be a guy that can get to the QB consistently by winning a battle vs an OT. Matthews can EASILY be taken out of any game if he’s the only pass rusher!!! He simply MUST have a compliment on the other side. Look at Pittsburgh… They always have 2 explosive playmaking OLB!!! That is how you win w/ a 34 Defense. The OLB are the center pieces and have to be playmakers and pass rushers!!! Jones just isn’t a playmaker or a game changing player! Anyone should be able to see that… Jones is good, just not THAT good to be a playmaker!

by Strohman on Apr 18, 2010 9:11 AM CDT up reply actions

Jone's role

To understand why Jones was “easily” taken out of games last year we need to look at his positives as well as his negatives.

We were better when he was in than Kampman because the D was faster and more fluid.
At the same time teams like Pitt, Chicago, and Arizona were able to single out Jones and out muscle him to take him out of the blitzing game.

Thus the balancing act of Jones is this: he needs to get stronger and/or the Packers need a better blitzer. From what I’ve come across Jones has put on 15-20 pounds of muscle, but none of these sources are very official so we will have to wait and see. At the same time it is very possible that a good pass rusher will fall to us at 23. If that happens then there is a strong case to upgrade that position in our D.

Bottom line is that there is some potential to Jones, especially if he can put on the weight and still keep his playing speed. However, the Capers D is designed to have multiple guys capable of rushing the passer, and right now we only have one proven pass rusher, and adding another guy with elite potential is a good idea.

by PackApologist on Apr 18, 2010 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions

I hear ya Stroh and I don’t disagree but it seems like your already set write him off. He did only play the last half of the season, and did do a great job stepping in (which isn’t easy to do, especially as a rookie.) I think we have to see how Jones progresses. Players generally progress as the season goes on, especially when your in your first season in a new defensive system. As expected we saw guys like Matthews, Barnett, Jolly, and Raji improve as the season went on. They were all ok the first 8 games but all played much better in the latter half of the season.

Jones didn’t get 8 more games to potentially improve and grow more accustom to our system. Then look at the fact that he was a rookie, taken in the 7th round as a project guy. He wasn’t playing at ideal playing weight for 3-4 OLBs, and he still did a really good job for us. If he can put on some weight, and just get more experience playing who knows what he could potentially turn into.

by packallday555 on Apr 18, 2010 4:03 PM CDT up reply actions

progress

I haven’t written Jones off at all… He played well, theres no denying that! But as I have indicated I haven’t seen any of the type of explosiveness that would lead me to believe he will ever be anything other than a OLB who is good in coverage and get a garbage sack occasionally. The 34 defense places a premium on explosive playmaking OLB… And Jones, at least to me, hasn’t shown anything like that kind of ability. I think he is ideally suited for a backup role and situational player. Great guy to have around in case of injury and as a spot starter.

Do I think he is ever going to be starting caliber 34 OLB? No, I don’t… All the experience in the world isn’t going to change the fact that he isn’t an explosive playmaker!!!

by Strohman on Apr 18, 2010 5:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Ok, well thanks for clarifying. I don’t necessarily think explosiveness will come from experience. I think adding weight could help that out though. Only to a degree but there is no doubt it can make a difference. I do think experience can help his pass rushing ability though, as well as coaching.

It definitely does make it easier to run a 3-4 defense when you have two explosive OLB’s though.

by packallday555 on Apr 18, 2010 8:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Jones’ role was coverage… Like I said he is a good coverage LB. We were better w/ Jones than Kampman cuz they mostly asked him to play coverage… They didnt put him in a position to fail by asking him to rush the QB too much.

Packers have asked him to get to 250 this offseason, he was drafted as a 232 lb prospect at his Pro Day. That extra 20 lbs will definitely have an effect on his quickness and explosiveness. Its one thing for an average athlete to put on 20 lb and actually gain quickness, but these are ELITE Professional althetes. All their physical abilities are already maxed out. Putting on 20 lbs in one year will absolutely slow him down…

by Strohman on Apr 18, 2010 12:30 PM CDT reply actions

Yes and No

Agreed that they didn’t ask the rookie to rush a lot and that he didn’t blow people away like Mathews did.

However, I have to question your statement: “..these are ELITE Professional althetes. All their physical abilities are already maxed out.” Two problems with the idea:

1) This guy is only twenty four, he won’t peak for another two years. Physically, he can still grow and improve.
2) He was only a rookie. Technique matters and he will improve as his technique gets better.

Will Jones be the answer on the left side? I don’t know. Will he never make the step up to playing at Mathews lever? I don’t think we know that either.

by 50 years and Counting on Apr 18, 2010 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions

Better

I didn’t say he couldn’t get better, but he isn’t now and never will be an explosive pass rusher who threatens the QB consistently. Technique can only do so much, most of it comes from winning a one on one battle vs the OT. Jones is only 24, and can grow, but as a former Strength and Conditioning Specialist, I can tell you that gaining 20 lbs will undoutedly slow him down!

by Strohman on Apr 18, 2010 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions

That's Why They Play The Games

I think what Jones showed in short time is good enough to be given the benefit of the doubt. I think he’ll be good enough to make teams think about him or pay for thinking too hard on Matthews.

"Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser." - Vince Lombardi

by AdamA on Apr 18, 2010 5:34 PM CDT up reply actions

We’ll see… But I haven’t seen it! A few garbage sacks when coverage was great doesn’t show me anything. Would I want to go into the season w/ Jones as the starter? No… It would be entirely too easy to exploit him due to a lack of pass rush and Matthews would get double teamed ALL THE TIME!!

by Strohman on Apr 18, 2010 5:43 PM CDT up reply actions

His speed rush was pretty good, he just didn’t have the power against some of the bigger guys he faced. Obviously adding weight can help this, so I guess that’s what I’m hoping will happen with him.

by packallday555 on Apr 18, 2010 8:20 PM CDT up reply actions

OLB is the main position in a 3-4

We really don’t presently have a lot behind Brad Jones at OLB. Make him the backup on both sides and draft a more explosive guy first to help CM3. Jones is good, he can spell the OLB starters effectively. Defense wins championships, but if you look at recent Super Bowl winners, pass rush wins championships.

by Welzy on Apr 18, 2010 1:10 PM CDT reply actions

Well...

I would say QB’s win championships instead of defense, really it’s a combination of the two.

by PackApologist on Apr 18, 2010 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions

I wouldnt rule out FAs

Afterall, dont forget Woodson. Then, there was that guy Reggie White. All he did was put us over the top.

by bigbill992001 on Apr 18, 2010 11:07 PM CDT reply actions

ummm...sure, but

There was also Brett Farve on the team at that point. Reggie White only came to a team with an established QB that could go to a SB.

This past year’s SB had two great QB’s in it.

There are a few exceptions to the rule that a great QB is necessary to win it all, but these situations are few and far between.

by PackApologist on Apr 19, 2010 7:00 AM CDT up reply actions

I don’t know…I don’t consider Eli Manning a great QB but he won a super bowl. He’s above average but not great. His brother is great. I think there are more examples than you might think but having a great QB sure does make it a lot easier.
2007 Giants
2002 Bucs
2000 Ravens
1991 Redskins
1987 Redskins
1985 Bears
1983 Raiders

Is Phil Simms a great QB? I get your point though.
1980 Raiders

by TrevorR on Apr 21, 2010 10:52 PM CDT up reply actions