Preseason Review: The Packers Secondary

by Brandon on Aug 21, 2011 10:00 AM CDT in Green Bay Packers Games

While the Green Bay Packers secondary is set at the top with CB Charles Woodson, CB Tramon Williams, and S Nick Collins, there has been some movement on the depth chart behind them.

I expected more of a battle to start alongside Collins at safety, but Morgan Burnett has had two solid preseason games in his return from a torn ACL. He had a couple big hits against the Browns, and he almost grabbed an INT against Kevin Kolb. Charlie Peprah had a good game against the Cardinals, but the coaches want Burnett and he's played like he's earned it.

CB Josh Gordy. I'm not exactly sure how far up the depth chart he's risen, but he had a big game against the Browns (1 INT and 1 sack) and got some playing time with the first team defense. He played as much as CB Sam Shields, who got his first preseason action against the Cardinals and allowed one touchdown. I can't believe Gordy has moved ahead of Shields, but I could see it happening.

Undrafted CB Brandian Ross missed the first preseason game after a strong showing in the Family Night scrimmage. He got burned on one play, but then made up for it with an INT in the end zone on the same drive (though he's got to learn when to take a knee). His playing time is similar to former 2nd round CB Pat Lee. Those two might be battling for a final CB spot, or maybe they've both already lost out to Gordy, but I think the Packers need to keep either Ross or Lee.

And CB/S Jarrett Bush still had some playing time with the first string defense, though he got beat on a couple occasions and missed at least one tackle. He does seem to be Woodson's backup, so it's essential that Woodson remains healthy.

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What about Anthony Levine?

He almost made the team last year before we stashed him on the practice squad. I haven’t heard much from him this year, but I assume he’s right on the cusp again.

"stay (green and) gold"

by Green and Bold on Aug 21, 2011 12:28 PM CDT reply actions

Levine is in the hunt.

I think the 4th Safety spot comes down to Levine or Underwood. And w/ Underwood being injured, right now Levine has to be considered the frontrunner. Before his injury I heard Underwood was really looking good in practice. Of course he kinda suffers from the lack of physicality thing that Burnett did and you can’t measure that in practice. I expect we keep 10 DB’s

CB- Woodson, Williams, Shields, House, Bush, Ross are my guesses
S- Collins, Burnett, Peprah, Levine/Underwood

They could go w/ just 9 tho since Bush can play both CB/S. Then you have to decide between Ross, Underwood and Levine.

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Aug 21, 2011 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions

LOL

Bush can play both CB/S

Sorry, I had too.

Michael Jordan - 6 rings

Kobe Bryant - 5 rings

The planet Saturn - 7 rings

Lebron James - a headband

by arodgb on Aug 21, 2011 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Haha hey, he never said he could play both of them well.

Fire Slocum

by packallday555 on Aug 21, 2011 3:50 PM CDT up reply actions

CB

I expect the Packers to keep Gordy over Ross. Yeah, Ross made up for his big mistake with an interception in the endzone. However, it was a lucky play for him. It was a TERRIBLE pass that fell right in his hands. Then he failed to take a knee and got tackled at the 1 yard line. That’s not enough to give him a roster spot. He needs to do more. I’m especially weary of him since he was burned by a mile on that big play earlier in the drive. I would like to see more from Gordy, but my hunch is he is ahead of Ross. Does anyone know when Davon House is expected to return?

2011 Super Bowl Champs!

by Jabooty on Aug 21, 2011 4:52 PM CDT reply actions

Knew there was somone I was missing...

Yeah Gordy would probably make the roster ahead of Ross. Ross should be able to make the PS. House was expected to return to practice Monday last I heard. That was on Wed or Thurs, and I haven’t heard anything since.

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Aug 21, 2011 5:26 PM CDT up reply actions

Peprah doesn't get love

Of course the GB coaching staff wants Burnett in there. He’s got more physical tools than Pep, but Pep is a solid safety in this league and it’s a great problem to have. Peprah performed admirably last year. NFL teams know how to pick on the weak link—take the Giants of last year when Kenny Phillips went out and Aaron Rouse and some other guy played. They got torched down the field on those players.

Peprah never seemed to get torched, and he always seemed to end up making the tackle. The guy is a solid player.

by Wade V on Aug 21, 2011 9:24 PM CDT reply actions