wpr
  • wpr
  • Preferred Member Topic Starter
13 years ago
The Battle To Start At Outside Linebacker: Zombo and Walden  


The Press-Gazette is reporting that the Green Bay Packers still have LB Frank Zombo with the first team defense in practice, and I'm not surprised to read that he's looking the best in pass rushing drills. While LB Erik Walden had a monster 3 sack game in the final regular season, that was all the pass rush he brought last season. Zombo's been the more consistent performer. More from ESPN and Jason Wilde:

But while the Green Bay Packers coach may not be ready to say that second-year outside linebacker Frank Zombo is the leader in the clubhouse for the starting job opposite star pass-rusher Clay Matthews, the preponderance of evidence would indicate that Zombo currently leads Erik Walden and Brad Jones in one of the few competitions in training camp.

Acme packing Co wrote:


UserPostedImage
wpr
  • wpr
  • Preferred Member Topic Starter
13 years ago

Zombo takes the lead 

Mike McCarthy wasn’t handing out starting jobs Monday.

But while the Green Bay Packers coach may not be ready to say that second-year outside linebacker Frank Zombo is the leader in the clubhouse for the starting job opposite star pass-rusher Clay Matthews, the preponderance of evidence would indicate that Zombo currently leads Erik Walden and Brad Jones in one of the few competitions in training camp.

Zombo, who started nine games last season, including Super Bowl XLV, got the starting nod in Saturday night’s preseason opener at Cleveland and worked with the No. 1 defense in practice again on Monday. But McCarthy downplayed the significance of it.

“The rotation of Frank Zombo, Erik Walden and even Brad Jones, I think all of those guys have done very well,” McCarthy said after practice. “When I look at that position, I’m more interested in the balance between the outside linebacker position and special teams. We’re going to play a lot of different sub packages throughout the season. That’s where those reps among those players will definitely balance out. As far as who you want to put on (top of) the depth chart, we’re going to line up with 11 players.”

And it’s looking more and more like Zombo will be one of those 11 starters when the regular season begins Sept. 8 against the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field.

“It’s still a competition and that’s how we’re attacking it,” Zombo said Monday. “I think Coach (McCarthy) has complete confidence in all three of us. One person’s going to have to separate themselves from the pack.”
EDITED

ESPN wrote:


UserPostedImage
wpr
  • wpr
  • Preferred Member Topic Starter
13 years ago
LB Frank Zombo continues to start opposite Clay Matthews, but coach Mike McCarthy stresses balance 

Frank Zombo was the starter in Super Bowl XLV, the starter in Saturday’s preseason opener at Cleveland and the starter again at practice on Monday.

Though the Green Bay Packers have yet to declare anyone the winner in the competition to be paired with Clay Matthews at outside linebacker, it’s Zombo’s job to lose.

If the Packers were going to make a change at this point, it almost certainly would have happened on Monday. In years past, changes on the depth chart often have occurred following the first preseason game. But there was Zombo, again getting the first reps at right outside linebacker. In every team period, he and Matthews would take the first few snaps and give away to Brad Jones and Erik Walden, who would take the second set of snaps at left and right outside linebacker, respectively.

The second-year pro, who last summer won a roster spot as an undrafted free agent and became the full-time starter in Week 8 after Jones sustained a season-ending shoulder injury, has been the most consistent of the Zombo-Walden-Jones trio.
EDITED

PackerNews.com wrote:


UserPostedImage
Pack93z
13 years ago
I have to say.. I am disappointed in Brad Jones.. when we drafted him I really thought he could develop into "the guy".. granted injuries haven't helped.. but I surely expected him to be in this "dogfight".
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
Greg C.
13 years ago
I heard A.J. Hawk interviewed on ESPN radio last night, and the host asked him who he thought was the player who has been impressive in training camp and most likely to surprise people. He said Erik Walden. He said that Walden has gained ten pounds of muscle and is running people over. I heard similar things from others about Walden, but it seems like Zombo has improved too.

Brad Jones is always described as "the most athletic" of the three, which seems to be the kiss of death for Packer players. "Athletic" is the word they use to describe players who aren't very good. I've thought all along that Zombo was most likely to start, but Walden should get on the field regularly. There are bound to be certain matchups and situations that favor his skill set. This position is looking less worrisome than it did a year ago.
blank
Fan Shout
Martha Careful (13m) : Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. is returning on a three-year, $66 million deal
Zero2Cool (3h) : Damn
Martha Careful (5h) : Saints are re-signing DE Chase Young to a three-year, $51 million deal worth up to $57 million.
Martha Careful (5h) : 49ers releasing FB Juszcyk any interest?
Zero2Cool (6h) : digits of four
Zero2Cool (6h) : four digits
Zero2Cool (7h) : Eh, don't think so. better to split
Zero2Cool (7h) : on new site, would Fan Shout and GameDay Chat show same messages?
Mucky Tundra (7h) : The Hall of Fame stuff probably came from a scout as Zero said; at this point though it's hard to see them moving ZT from RT
Mucky Tundra (7h) : Regarding ZT at C, Gute had said he felt C was ZTs best position after he was drafted.
Zero2Cool (8h) : LB Oren Burks to sign a 2-year, $5M deal with the Bengals.
Zero2Cool (8h) : Based on how it was worded at the time, probably scout.
beast (8h) : I don't think the media person ever told the public the source, but Gute or LaFleur did say they thought Tom has earned his spot at OT
beast (8h) : I think it was supposedly unnamed Packers source
buckeyepackfan (9h) : Was that Gute or Lefleur or someone else?
buckeyepackfan (9h) : Zach Tom could be a really good guard, an all pro tackle, but probably be a HOF Center. Who said that?
Zero2Cool (9h) : It's March 10th. I don't think anything is done.
Martha Careful (9h) : if we think CB is done, we have a poor roster
Mucky Tundra (9h) : CB and OG in FA, narrows down the top of the draft board a little
Martha Careful (10h) : Meh....I hope we can get Ward 49ers or Murphy Vikings
Zero2Cool (10h) : Yes
Martha Careful (10h) : did Nate Hobbs just sign with us CB Raiders?
Zero2Cool (10h) : Jets have agreed to terms with former Ravens CB Brandon Stephens
Zero2Cool (10h) : Aaron Banks’ PFF grade was 0.1 worse than Elgton Jenkins last year.
Zero2Cool (10h) : Muwahaha
Zero2Cool (10h) : Oh awesome! Nostrawrongus says 4th so SUPER BOWL ON TRACK!!
dhazer (11h) : to be honest the freee agent market isnt that great this year so I can handle a 500 yr or sub 500 is fine, i see us as 4th in division
dhazer (11h) : Hi Dave long time no see
Mucky Tundra (11h) : Slaton to the Begals=Guaranteed Big Boy in the first 3 rounds
Mucky Tundra (11h) : WE SIGNED SOMEONE!!!!!!1!
Zero2Cool (11h) : Former #Packers DT TJ Slaton headed to the #Bengals on a 2-year $15.1M deal.
Zero2Cool (11h) : 4-year $77M for Packers new guard Aaron Banks
Zero2Cool (11h) : OL Patrick Mekari to sign with the Jaguars.
Zero2Cool (11h) : oops
Zero2Cool (11h) : Josh Sweat to Cardinals
Martha Careful (11h) : Josh Sweat to the Arizona Cardinals.
Mucky Tundra (11h) : Surprises the Seahawks signed Darnold for that money
buckeyepackfan (12h) : Depends on what Kupp is igned for.
Martha Careful (12h) : The Bears are adding to their defensive line. Chicago is signing former Colts pass-rusher Dayo Odeyingbo to a three-year, $48 million deal
Zero2Cool (12h) : Free agent DT Poona Ford to the #Rams on a 3-year, $30M
dfosterf (12h) : Imo cooper kupp is pretty much stupid money spending
Zero2Cool (12h) : Dayo Odeyingbo to the Bears
Zero2Cool (12h) : oops
Zero2Cool (12h) : CB Darius Slay to sign with the Steelers
buckeyepackfan (12h) : Justin Fields to The Jets!
Martha Careful (12h) : Justin Field to the Jets
buckeyepackfan (12h) : Cooper Kupp! After all the stupid money is spent.
Zero2Cool (12h) : Colts are signing Vikings S Cam Bynum
buckeyepackfan (12h) : "Stupid Money" week underway. Let's see if Gute can pluck another gem this year. #8 & #29 last year, who can it be this year? My money is on
Martha Careful (12h) : Former Eagles cornerback Darius Slay is signing with the Steelers, per Jordan Schultz.
Please sign in to use Fan Shout
2024 Packers Schedule
Friday, Sep 6 @ 7:15 PM
Eagles
Sunday, Sep 15 @ 12:00 PM
COLTS
Sunday, Sep 22 @ 12:00 PM
Titans
Sunday, Sep 29 @ 12:00 PM
VIKINGS
Sunday, Oct 6 @ 3:25 PM
Rams
Sunday, Oct 13 @ 12:00 PM
CARDINALS
Sunday, Oct 20 @ 12:00 PM
TEXANS
Sunday, Oct 27 @ 12:00 PM
Jaguars
Sunday, Nov 3 @ 3:25 PM
LIONS
Sunday, Nov 17 @ 12:00 PM
Bears
Sunday, Nov 24 @ 3:25 PM
49ERS
Thursday, Nov 28 @ 7:20 PM
DOLPHINS
Thursday, Dec 5 @ 7:15 PM
Lions
Sunday, Dec 15 @ 7:20 PM
Seahawks
Monday, Dec 23 @ 7:15 PM
SAINTS
Sunday, Dec 29 @ 3:25 PM
Vikings
Sunday, Jan 5 @ 12:00 PM
BEARS
Sunday, Jan 12 @ 3:30 PM
Eagles
Recent Topics
3h / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

4h / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

13h / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

16h / Green Bay Packers Talk / bboystyle

17h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Martha Careful

6-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

6-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Martha Careful

4-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

4-Mar / Random Babble / Martha Careful

4-Mar / Random Babble / Martha Careful

3-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

3-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / dfosterf

1-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / buckeyepackfan

1-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

1-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / dfosterf

Headlines
Copyright © 2006 - 2025 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.