Okay so with Jeremy Thompson and Clay Mathews still out, who gets the job? Of all the names mentioned none exactly excite. Thompson and Mathews are unproven OLBs in a full game, Poppinga has his faults, Cyril Obiozor?, Brad Jones?, Perhaps we should be looking to try Brandon Chiller there?

So who do you guys think should get the job?

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Stryker Sulak!

No, seriously, I wouldn't mind either way. I think that they're both good players and don't have any big skill disadvantages compared to the other. Maybe Clay is more of an overall guy and Thompson is more of a blitzer (Although Clay has been doing amazing in practice apparently).

I don't mind having either of these guys in there. Like I said, Matthews can get some pressure, but is also the perfect compliment to Kampman, a LB who you don't want in coverage to often. Thompson might fit that role as well, eventually. Like I've said before, I'd really like for him to progress into a Shaun Phillips like players. Hearing what he does in shallow zones bodes well, though.

My prediction as of this point is this : Thompson starts and will eventually be replaced by Matthews. Maybe as early as pre-season week 4, maybe as late as regular season week 8, but I really think that this kid is ready to play in the NFL already.

For the season I stay Matthews and Thompson....

as for this game I think they should be trying one of the more proven ILB (like Hawk, Chillar and Bishop) there. If they can beat out Poppinga (who I'm a big fan of) at OLB then maybe Poppinga should be cut ( :sad: ) and they keep the best of the young ones ( Obiozor, Jones or Sulak there instead of Poppinga )

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Poppinga starts Obiozor goes in no later than the second quarter. I have been hearing good things about this kid. Sadly I think popp will not make the 53 man roster by trade or cut. We have to many good Lb's.

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Oh, yeah. Misread it. For the game I recon it'll be Poppinga as well. Can't wait to see Obiozor and maybe Sulak later on.

You think their injuries will have any impact on who starts?

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Obi and Jones get alot of time.. they have to make a quick snap decision on these two kids this weekend... and since Obi has become a pet project of Kevin Greene's; I am willing to bet he gets a long look tonight.

Jones has just all kinds of athletic talent.. but can he stay on the field and mentally pick up the game?

Two promising young players fighting an extreme uphill climb to garner a roster spot.

We know what we have in Poppinga.. however a showcase game for other teams?

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I wouldn't be surprised to see Chillar get the ROLB if Matthews and Thompson are out for an extended time. If I remember correctly, Chillar backed up all three linebacker positions last year, and although the 3-4 is different, I'm sure he could do a job there. He was often the Packers best blitzing LB last year, so maybe playing outside would suit him.

At the moment Chillar is playing too well to have him ride the pine. He was arguably the most consistent LB a season ago and he's had an excellent training camp and pre-season, if ROLB is a way to get him in to the line-up then so be it.

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Injuries will not be that bad. (I hope.)

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It's Matthews or Thompson with Poppinga filling in if needed. Chiller is to valuable on the inside to move outside.

Chances are Matthews and Thompson will see extended action in week 4 of the preseason if not week 3 if they're able to play.

Remember in 06 Ben Taylor was the starting SAM for the first three preseason games and all of training camp and once Poppinga got healthy, he was thrown right in there instead.

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