Cheese Curds, 8/15: Packers’ defense needs key players back on the field

If the Green Bay Packers want their defense to help put the 2018 squad over the top and help them to another championship, it is going to need to receive significant contributions from rookies. However, one of the most important players for new coordinator Mike Pettine is one who has not yet taken a snap all offseason.

That player is outside linebacker Nick Perry, whose ankle surgery has kept him out of drills starting in OTAs and carrying through to this week. Perry is the Packers’ most consistent and explosive edge rusher, having recorded 18 sacks over the past two years, and as such he will be counted on to carry a heavy load in that department. Yes, the team’s front line can rush the passer as well, but Perry needs to be that disruptive player off the edge whom Pettine can count on.

Meanwhile, the Packers’ rookies and second-year players need to contribute as well. Thankfully, first-round pick Jaire Alexander returned to practice this week, increasing the odds that he will play on Thursday against the Steelers. Second-year pro Kevin King sat out the last period of practice on Monday, but he is at least practicing somewhat and might be able to suit up as well.

Those players will all be called upon to play major roles for Pettine this year, so the sooner they can get back to full health and get some preseason snaps in, the better.

Rookie CB Josh Jackson has proven to be ‘a quick study’ | Packers.com
Mike Pettine praised the rookie corner for his ability to adjust to press coverage and said that he should be able to play multiple positions; meanwhile, Joe Philbin spoke highly of Jimmy Graham and Marcedes Lewis, who should be big weapons for him.

Packers edge rusher Nick Perry eager to bring different look to Mike Pettine’s scheme | Packersnews.com
Perry has remained on the PUP list after offseason ankle surgery, which made 2018 the latest in a line of lost offseasons. Pettine is counting on him to be that do-it-all pass rusher this year, so he needs to get back on the field quickly — and thankfully he has been ramping up his individual work in practice over the past week or so.

Packers won’t face Ben Roethlisberger or Antonio Brown on Thursday | Packers Wire
This may or may not be good news for Pettine, but there is good news for Aaron Rodgers, who's planning to suit up tomorrow: All-Pro DL Cameron Heyward (who had 12 sacks last year) is also sitting out.

Packers' Marquez Valdes-Scantling Proves He's No Quitter | Forbes
Valdes-Scantling planned to call it quits on football early in his high school career at a football powerhouse in Florida. Fans of the Green and Gold are probably pretty happy right now that his dad talked him out of it.

The best piece of fantasy football advice you need for your draft - SBNation.com
One fantasy expert says that the best plan this year is to wait to grab a quarterback until the fifth or sixth round, which means that you won't get Aaron Rodgers on your team if you do that.

Goats on way to butcher shop escape trailer, roam Brooklyn | New York Post
What is it with goats escaping recently? First it was New Jersey, then Boise, and now Brooklyn.