NFC North Links: Lions Practice, Bears To Improve Blocking, Vikings Fix The Roof

by Brandon on Jun 17, 2011 2:00 PM CDT in Green Bay Packers News

Nothing earth shattering has been happening around the NFC North over the last week, but here are some recent links.

NFL's Top 100 Players: Calvin Johnson Lands In Top 30 - Pride Of Detroit. They have confirmed the obvious: Calvin Johnson is very good. But should DT Ndamukong Suh be ranked ahead of him?

More Videos From Last Friday's Lions Workout - Pride Of Detroit. The Lions organized player workouts last week, and NFL Network was there to record it.

A Look at Gabe Carimi's 2011 Competition - Windy City Gridiron. The former Badger has been announced as the new starting left tackle, and a look ahead at who he'll face next season. It was assumed he'll be playing against Packers LB Frank Zombo next season, but Zombo will have to show a lot in training camp to win the starting job.

Brandon Manumaleuna is the least efficient pass blocking TE - Windy City Gridiron. He was one of their big free agent signings last season, and he's been a bust. In an attached poll, over 90% of voters said it was time to cut him loose already.

Should Ponder Start or Sit? - Daily Norseman. In another attached poll, most of their readers would like to see Christian Ponder start from week 1. They might change their mind if the Vikings are serious about signing a veteran quarterback.

The Metrodome Roof Is 80% Replaced - Daily Norseman. Just in time for the final year of their lease.

Tweet Comment 12 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Carimi to LT

I’m not surprised by that move. What Chicago is doing is smart; they’re playing Carimi in a position that he played for 4 years at Wisconsin, and LT has been a gaping hole for them for a while.

Editor at BT Powerhouse, a Big Ten Basketball blog.
Author at Acme Packing Company, a Green Bay Packers blog
"If you don't tell him what he wants to hear, he's going to find you out. And when he does, they're going to tear your head off and throw your BODY OUT OF AN AIRLOCK!" - Number Six, "Bastille Day"

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Jun 17, 2011 4:49 PM CDT reply actions

Carimi

Will do well enough at LT, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they keep looking for a better LT option in the draft and eventually move him to RT. IMO, that his best position. He’ll do OK at LT, cuz of his smarts, experience and desire to succeed. Maybe I’ll be wrong and he’ll turn into a Clifton type LT. That would be as good as he could get. But his strength is his run blocking, not his pass blocking.

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Jun 17, 2011 5:18 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't think Carimi will ever be like Clifton

First, he’ll almost certainly be a better run-blocker in 2011. But it’s almost as certain that he’ll never be as good in pass protection as Clifton is.

"I'm a relatively respectable citizen. Multiple felon perhaps, but certainly not dangerous."
— Hunter S. Thompson

by I voted for Kodos on Jun 17, 2011 7:50 PM CDT up reply actions

wut?

He’s never played a down in the NFL, and you guys are ALREADY judging him? Wow. Premature assessment is premature.

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Jun 17, 2011 8:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Based on his college play.

And how he performed at the combine, etc… Did you mind it leading up to the draft? Nothing has changed since then…

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Jun 17, 2011 8:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Yea, as the Raiders have shown us

How you perform at the combine essentially mirrors how you will play in the pros.

by Charlie Kelly on Jun 18, 2011 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions

Just saying, we don’t have any NFL work to judge him by so we have to use the college career and scouts opinions on him for now!

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Jun 18, 2011 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions

We’ve seen him play in college. Answer me this : The one thing I thought he struggled with in college was speed rushers, and he never really faced any great ones. So, how is he going to fare against the NFL’s elite?

Like Strohman said, he’ll probably succeed because he’s smart, pretty sound technique wise, and driven but that can only take you so far. I just don’t know if his feet are quick enough for him to play LT, and I’d guess that’s the reason that he didn’t get taken earlier in the 1st round.

Fire Slocum

by packallday555 on Jun 18, 2011 5:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Speed rushers?

That’s extremely subjective. Kerrigan was probably a hybrid of power and speed (combined with a nonstop motor; he seemingly NEVER gave up on a play at Purdue). Heyward was more of a power rusher, as was Clayborn. Miami’s Allen Bailey a year ago was pretty speedy, but Carimi totally shut him down in the Champs Sports Bowl.

Whether Carimi faced great speed rushers or not isn’t something he has any control over. He had probably the worst game of his career against Fresno State in 2009, but from the 2nd half of that game on, he turned a corner and played very, very solidly against whoever he faced. Once Carimi figured out Chris Carter of Fresno State (who positively abused him in the first half), Carter was toast.

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Jun 20, 2011 3:58 PM CDT up reply actions

All I'm saying

Is that Clifton has been a great pass protector and a poor run blocker. My statement wasn’t so much about Carimi as it was about Clifton. Few are as good at pass blocking as Cliffy, but few starters are worse run blockers.

"I'm a relatively respectable citizen. Multiple felon perhaps, but certainly not dangerous."
— Hunter S. Thompson

by I voted for Kodos on Jun 20, 2011 4:48 PM CDT up reply actions

Clifton-like

I didnt mean in terms of skills, just good solid LT play. Not a Pro Bowl type LT. I agree their strengths lay in opposite ends of the spectrum. Clifton being the much better pass blocker and Carimi being the much better run blocker. As a run first team the bears is a good place for Carimi to play LT, but when they are forced to throw he might struggle pass blocking.

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Jun 18, 2011 6:34 PM CDT up reply actions

In Brandon Manumaleuna's defense

Most TEs pass block with the knowledge that if they keep their guy from beating them outside they’ll have help inside. Manumaleuna does not have the luxury of being a “helper” on the line.

"I'm a relatively respectable citizen. Multiple felon perhaps, but certainly not dangerous."
— Hunter S. Thompson

by I voted for Kodos on Jun 17, 2011 7:52 PM CDT reply actions