Packers 2012 Free Agents: Erik Walden

by Brandon on Feb 8, 2012 2:00 PM CST in Green Bay Packers Free Agency

Green Bay Packers LB Erik Walden was one of the best stories of 2010. A street free agent who'd been unemployed after the Dolphins had released him a month earlier, he was signed by the Packers in October 2010. He received playing time almost immediately, and he was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week after a career game vs. the Bears.

In 2011, he was expected to compete against LB Frank Zombo for the starting outside linebacker. But Zombo missed nearly the entire season due to multiple injuries, and Walden started 15 games in his absence. I wasn't expecting a lot from him, but he didn't even meet that low bar. He wasn't a factor for most of the season, though he played very well after the bye week. That was until he was arrested in late November. He slumped badly in December and he finally lost his starting job to LB Brad Jones at the end of the season.

He shouldn't be expecting a big contract in free agency, but I wouldn't be opposed to seeing him return as a backup and special teams player. If his mid-February trial date goes badly then I don't think he'll be back under any circumstances. However, the Packers haven't been quick to cut ties with players who have run into legal troubles. Maybe this post is too early, and we should wait to decide until after his trial. Or maybe we've already seen enough of him.

Poll

What will the Packers do with Erik Walden next season?

Let him go

447 votes

Keep him as a backup

374 votes

Possible starter in 2012

75 votes

896 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 22 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

He had plenty of chances..

I kept waiting for him to have a big game and it just never happened. Time to move on.

I love wins. Wins are good for the soul.- Barry Alvarez Sep 25, 2005

We expect to win.- Ted Thompson July 28, 2011

by White92 on Feb 8, 2012 2:22 PM CST reply actions

agreed

bye bye.

by Acme on Feb 8, 2012 2:29 PM CST up reply actions

Agreed

I haven’t really read into his criminal charges – there’s always too much rumor/innuendo/half-truths in the media, but I bet the Packers have a pretty good idea about what really happened. If they think he’s guilty I don’t think he brings enough to the table for it to be overlooked (Aaron Rodgers, on the other hand, would have to be Pol Pot or worse to lose his spot on the team).

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

by I voted for Kodos on Feb 11, 2012 12:36 AM CST up reply actions

It Would Be Nice If

GB were able to add enough talent at OLB this off-season so Walden, Zombo & B. Jones were unable to make the final 53-man roster. Enough with the late round draft picks & ‘street’ free agents.

by WoodyG on Feb 8, 2012 3:02 PM CST reply actions

I don't mind Zombo & Jones

They’re decent depth that can step in for injured players & not be too much of a liability. I would prefer that they wouldn’t be starting, though. Unless Zombo really benefits from a true offseason (which he never really got), and can compete for the starting job against the high pick OLB (kind of like how Newhouse went in before Sherrod).

13.

"Skip, once again, stop it; Be an analyst; don't be a douchebag."

by Wiedmann on Feb 8, 2012 3:16 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs

i got no issues with zombo

if he can stay healthy as a backup. it’s a shame however, that the other two sucked so much this year.

by Nels Winkler on Feb 8, 2012 3:04 PM CST reply actions

He's awful, see ya later Eric

Bulls Season

by OznCoop on Feb 8, 2012 3:04 PM CST reply actions

We'll never forget you, Eric.

13.

"Skip, once again, stop it; Be an analyst; don't be a douchebag."

by Wiedmann on Feb 8, 2012 3:17 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Idiot. It's not spelled "Eric."

It’s spelled “Erich.”

Acme Packing Company: proof that anyone can be a sports journalist.

by JSOnline Castaway on Feb 8, 2012 5:19 PM CST up reply actions

Waldon will be missed.

by Icebowler on Feb 8, 2012 5:38 PM CST up reply actions

You guys are being really mean to Erick...

by mike_o on Feb 8, 2012 5:42 PM CST up reply actions

Keeping him on the roster until training camp is a no-brainer. After all, it would help to figure out who’s going to replace him and if that designated replacement makes it through camp still healthy and improving.

If he doesn’t make the cut to 53, that’s fine – it’s what cuts and roster limits are for. But I’d rather have too many bodies than too few as we try to find the right combination of bodies for the OLB spots.

by Ebongreen on Feb 8, 2012 3:54 PM CST reply actions

Not when he costs $310,000 more than a rookie...

13.

"Skip, once again, stop it; Be an analyst; don't be a douchebag."

by Wiedmann on Feb 8, 2012 4:31 PM CST up reply actions

Had his chance

Time to give one to someone else

by gunslinger on Feb 8, 2012 3:55 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

I tend to think that he’ll get a chance to compete for backup with Zombo, Jones, So’oto and Lattimore. I doubt that he’ll make the team, simply because he had his chance and blew it. Jones and Zombo have both shown more when given the opportunity, and Jones is excellent on ST.

by MikeDB on Feb 8, 2012 5:48 PM CST reply actions

We can't forget that this is a man that had 1 good game

And was a coverage liability in that game

"IF CARDS CAN SIGN SUPPAN THEY CAN GIVE ME A HOME"

by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Feb 8, 2012 7:26 PM CST via mobile reply actions

dude sucks

I am too drunk to taste this chicken.

by ThroughBeingCool on Feb 8, 2012 8:17 PM CST reply actions

I dunno, he has stayed healthy (something Zombo and Jones can't say).

It depends if we can get someone via the draft or free agency. If we draft a ROLB, I keep him and cut Zombo/Jones. Let Walden battle the rookie in camp. Have a depth chart of

Matthews
So’Oto

Walden/Rookie (or vice versa).

However, if we upgrade this position with an established free agent/veteran I let him walk. Maybe find someone cheaper to take his place as a backup like a rookie or undrafted guy. Guess I’m just not sold on Zombo and/or Jones staying healthy. Walden has been durable and he knows this system. Even if he stinks.

Shit happens when you win championships

by Andrew Clark on Feb 8, 2012 9:00 PM CST reply actions

Walden didn't play in the SB because he was injured...

just saying.

13.

"Skip, once again, stop it; Be an analyst; don't be a douchebag."

by Wiedmann on Feb 8, 2012 9:16 PM CST up reply actions

SO'OTO4MVP

I already told you! I deal with the god damn receivers so the linebackers don’t have to! I have coverage skills; I’m good at covering people! Can’t you understand that? What the hell is wrong with you people?!

by msc32887 on Feb 8, 2012 9:17 PM CST up reply actions

Walden, along with Zombo and Jones, reminds me of Colledge.

When we have somebody who is significantly better to give the job to (and I trust the coaches, with everything they see that we don’t, in this), then I am ready to let them go.

Until we have those players, however…

"Perfection is not attainable,
but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence."

"We're nobody's underdog!"
"We don't play scared!"

After further review,
The Munsters of the Midway still suck,
Skol is a four-letter word,
abd those upstarts in Detroit couldn't beat the Little Sisters of the Poor.

by NorthStarr on Feb 9, 2012 2:43 AM CST reply actions

WALDEN DEMANDS STARTER MONEY

Aaron Rodgers, MVP.
The day LeBron James wins an NBA championship will be the day I stop watching NBA basketball. Needless to say, it looks like I'll be watching for quite a few more years.

by arodgb on Feb 9, 2012 3:12 PM CST reply actions