wpr
  • wpr
  • Preferred Member Topic Starter
13 years ago

Every preseason has its share of standouts, through that effect doesn't always last into and through the regular season. There's always a Quinn Gray(who led the NFL with 562 preseason passing yards in 2009), a Mkristo Bruce (who had 3.5 preseason sacks in 2008), and a Quincy Wilson (tied with Brandon Jacobs for the 2006 preseason rushing yardage lead at 217 yards). Once in a while, though, someone will break out of that exhibition fog and make a real name for himself.

This year, that someone could be Green Bay Packers linebacker Vic So'oto. The BYU alum has been creating a buzz through the preseason, and he really broke loose against the Chiefs on Thursday with 1.5 sacks, an interception return for a touchdown, and a forced fumble. The Packers won the game, 20-19.

If he were able to take at level of performance into the regular season, So'oto would be adding to an interesting trend. With all the stars on their defense, the Packers have also developed a knack for turning unheralded and undrafted young players into key contributors. Last season, the defending NFL champs benefited from the work of linebacker Frank Zombo, who arrived undrafted out of Central Michigan and got a sack in the Super Bowl, and linebacker Erik Walden, who came out of nowhere as a street free agent and recorded three sacks in the regular-season finale against the Chicago Bears.

Perhaps most impressive was that So'oto looked that good against Kansas City's first team. Early in the first quarter, he abused Chiefs right tackle Barry Richardson for a sack of quarterback Matt Cassel. And with 4:09 left in the first quarter, he forced a fumble on a Jamaal Charles run. He pushed off the line off a five-man front, turned to the middle in Charles' direction, and made the play. Then, with 5:15 left in the first half, he split a sack of backup quarterback with linebacker D.J. Smith. So'oto and Smith overwhelmed the Chiefs' right side in a way that made you think the Packers' starting defense was in there.

Most notable from a schematic perspective was So'oto's third-quarter interception on a zone blitz. So'oto rolled back into coverage as the Packers executed an inside blitz, jumped the quick pass to receiver Dexter McCluster, and returned the pick 33 yards for the score.

Interestingly enough, the undrafted So'oto went to the Packers on a bit of a coin flip. During the lockout, he worked out with Packers Brad Jones, Brandon Chillar, Brett Swain and Jarrett Bush. So'oto's wife Ashley said that he should take that as a sign when deciding which team to sign with as a free agent.

"She kind of liked the whole Green Bay feel," So'oto told the Associated Press in late August. "She's like, 'You've been working out with guys, and I really have a good feeling about Green Bay.' "

yahoo sports wrote:



more online 

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zombieslayer
13 years ago
Well, if it works out, we owe So'oto's wife a beer. 👍
My man Donald Driver
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(thanks to Pack93z for the pic)
2010 will be seen as the beginning of the new Packers dynasty. 🇹🇹 🇲🇲 🇦🇷
Pack93z
13 years ago
I think a huge Thank you might be in order to his lovely and wise wife.

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"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
buckeyepackfan
13 years ago
Anybody else think Packers wives are getting Hotter every year?

Maybe a Poll on who is the best looking?

Just a suggestion.

Beautiful and has a brain, what a lucky guy So-oto is!!!!!
I was addicted to The Hokey Pokey, but I turned myself around!
dyeah_gb
13 years ago
Anybody see So'oto imitating Clay Matthews Predator celebration on the first sack? I laughed.
The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool - R. Feynman
nyrpack
13 years ago
he has done a great job during preseason and has earned everything hes gotten so far, im for one rooting for him !!
jimmy b.
Zero2Cool
13 years ago

Anybody see So'oto imitating Clay Matthews Predator celebration on the first sack? I laughed.

Originally Posted by: dyeah_gb 



posted this in another thread too... pretty neat

huh
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Packers_Finland
13 years ago

posted this in another thread too... pretty neat

huh

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool 



I think So'oto looks a lot more freaky doing that than Matthews ever has.
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wpr
  • wpr
  • Preferred Member Topic Starter
13 years ago

posted this in another thread too... pretty neat

huh

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool 




Doesn't have the Matthews guns yet. Needs to work on that a bit. [grin1]
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Dulak
13 years ago
was hard to tell how much this guy played - but I did notice him driving to the QB and the ball alot ...
was he always lined up on the left side (matthews position?)

Im tempted to say he might be better then walden and or zombo(how long is he out for?)
but then again we probably have to have a bigger sampling ...

anyways - want to see this guy play in some real games - if he can pull off a int or some ball stripping against some teams in the real season then Whoya!


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