Finley88Beast
14 years ago
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81b6e37b/article/bangedup-packers-defense-to-receive-reinforcements-soon?module=HP_headlines 

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Help is on the way for the Packers' banged-up defense, and it can't come soon enough.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said cornerback Al Harris and safety Atari Bigby are far enough along in their recovery from injuries to begin practicing Wednesday, along with rookie running back James Starks.


Harris, Bigby and Starks began the season on the Packers' physically unable to perform list and are eligible to come off it this week. Once the players begin practicing, the Packers have three weeks to decide whether or not to put them on the active roster.

"They can't do any more than they've done from a rehab standpoint," McCarthy said Monday. "So it's time to cut those guys loose. I know they're excited about it, and we're excited to get them on the practice field."

The Packers also beefed up their defense in a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars to acquire safety Anthony Smith.

After losing back-to-back games in overtime, the Packers are preparing for a home game against the Minnesota Vikings this weekend in dire need of reinforcements.

Green Bay played without eight starters because of injuries in Sunday's loss to the Miami Dolphins, including five on defense -- and two of their defensive starters in that game, defensive end C.J. Wilson and safety Charlie Peprah, are third-stringers.

Beyond that, McCarthy said outside linebacker Brady Poppinga will have arthroscopic knee surgery, and no timeline has been established for his return.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said he was eager to see Harris and Bigby return, along with other injured players such as outside linebacker Clay Matthews, who sat out Sunday's game with a left hamstring injury.

"We're getting hopefully two studs back this week on defense, three if you count Clay," Rodgers said. "We need those guys back. We need to be at full force. No excuses, obviously."

And while McCarthy has received positive medical reports about Harris, Bigby and Starks -- a sixth-round draft pick who hurt his hamstring in offseason workouts and didn't play during his senior season in college because of a shoulder injury -- he needs to see them in practice.


"When you're the head coach and you talk to players about injuries, they're always fine," McCarthy said. "They're always playing this week, and they're always good. And you appreciate that. But we'll find out about those guys Wednesday."

Harris is recovering from a season-ending left knee injury last November. Tramon Williams has played well after moving up from the Packers' No. 3 cornerback to fill in, but a healthy Harris would give the team three good, experienced cornerbacks.

Bigby's hard hits and big plays energized Green Bay's defense during the 2007 season, but he has struggled with injuries since then. He skipped offseason workouts, hoping for a long-term contract, but showed up for training camp on time, only to aggravate a left ankle injury. He needed surgery.

Bigby was replaced by Morgan Burnett, a third-round pick out of Georgia Tech, but the rookie tore his anterior cruciate ligament during a victory over the Detroit Lions earlier this month. Backup Derrick Martin also is on injured reserve with a knee injury.

It will be Smith's second stint in Green Bay. The Packers signed him as a free agent in 2009, but cut him before the start of the season -- a move that veteran cornerback Charles Woodson publicly criticized at the time.

"Anthony has a history with us, has played in this defense, and we think he is a good fit," McCarthy said. "It will be great to have him back."


A Quote from my brother Mike(Bears Fan)
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After he makes a catch
musccy
14 years ago
Didn't even read article since I listened to McCarthy's press conference. He sounded optomistic about Harris and Bigby being cleared and ready, and then realistic about what starks could offer as someone who hasn't been in real action in 18 some months.
Chutzpah515
14 years ago
I think Bigby is vastly overrated. He has been a non-factor since 2007.
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Nonstopdrivel
14 years ago
I'd rather get help to shore up our offensive line than another mediocre defensive back who couldn't get on the field for the worst team in football last year.
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musccy
14 years ago
bigby obviously isn't great, but at least provides some depth, as does Harris...and with their return may be the only positions on the defense with that 'luxury.'

Someone else mentioned in the poppinga thread that although he had as much flare as a rice cake, Brady was at least a warm body not pulled off the PS or the streets, and that's how I look at Harris and Bigby. I don't trust either to make huge impacts, but at least be some gum in the dam.
Tezzy
14 years ago

I think Bigby is vastly overrated. He has been a non-factor since 2007.

"Chutzpah515" wrote:



Non-factor? 2007 - 9 pass defenses, 5 int. 2008 - injuries and the defense had significant dropoff when he went out in run support. 2009 - 8 pass defenses and 4 int.

So if he was a factor in 2007, how exactly was he not in 2009?
On top of every beard grows a man.
"The Bears are shell-shocked... and it's breaking my heart."
Jacob
14 years ago
clay matthews is coming back this week correct?
Chutzpah515
14 years ago

I think Bigby is vastly overrated. He has been a non-factor since 2007.

"Tezzy" wrote:



Non-factor? 2007 - 9 pass defenses, 5 int. 2008 - injuries and the defense had significant dropoff when he went out in run support. 2009 - 8 pass defenses and 4 int.

So if he was a factor in 2007, how exactly was he not in 2009?

"Chutzpah515" wrote:



He was a more aggressive in 2007. In 2007 he had 86 combined tackles, opposed to 49 in 2009. He also had 3 forced fumbles during the '07 season.
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dyeah_gb
14 years ago
If we get CM3 back then we won't be looking so bad for this coming WE. The coaches better be using every brain cell they have preparing for this game.

It will be huge to moral if we can walk away with a W.
The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool - R. Feynman
Tezzy
14 years ago
OIn 2007 our front 7 couldn't stop the run, guess what, DBs get more tackles then. The drop in tackles to 2009 is a direct result of a much improved front 7 that actually did their job.

You want to debate heart and intensity, that's nothing but pissing in the wind. The truth of the matter is that in 2009 he was more than a non-factor.
On top of every beard grows a man.
"The Bears are shell-shocked... and it's breaking my heart."
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