I just cringe at the thought of this move. I agree with porky, in that this shows how desperate the Packers are to get that position filled. Not only desperation to fill that position, but also the confidence they now have in Mike Neal to fill Jenkins role.

Terrible idea all around.

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Er...have I missed something? Who or what is a YOTTO?

As for the original question....if the best solution they can come up with is Mike Neal to OLB, the only thing we'll be asking of the defense next year is whether they will break this year's team's record for yards given up.

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If he could drop the weight I don't think Neal would even be as bad as Walden was this year. If anything he could at least hold up against the run instead of losing contain play after play while the other team keeps running straight at him.

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I brought Finley up, by mentioning that McCarthy told him to aim to "play in every game". Because it seems similar to the goal that you're pissed off at Neal for having. That's it. That's why Finley was mentioned. Just noting a similarity, and saying those ideas might come from the coaches in some way, since they are used in reference to two players coming off knee injuries. Nothing to get all excited about, yet you did.

As to "out of context", you brought that term up when I mentioned Finley, and then you used the same comparison to Finley when it suited your ideas, by pointing to Finley's attitude (the season after his injury) in relation to Neal's (just a few months removed from surgery). Unless I'm missing something, that comparison should still be just as out of context when you use it as it was when I used it. You think it's out of context because Finley displays a more ambitious attitude publicly. I think it's out of context because Finley was on his couch on IR last year after his surgery, compared to Neal being on the field this year after his.

As to tone, that's on you. You were the one getting annoyed and saying things bugged you and whatnot. Like I said, I didn't even think I was arguing with anyone, so don't scold me about tone. I was just talking about the topic until you got all annoyed and U-P-P-E-R-C-A-S-E-Y in your response to my post. I don't even have that strong of an opinion on this topic. You do. Any tone I am exhibiting comes out of surprise at your oddly emotional response to such an innocuous post.

And look at the other member here saying that you are bitchy lately. So it's not just me who got that impression. Sorry if I took you wrong, but judging from your consequent little scolding about my tone, I think you probably are all bitchy lately. Seems like there's a lot of that going around since the loss. Guess that'll happen.

Anywho, Neal almost got put on IR, was told he might have a painful chronic condition in his knee from now on, and is playing through pain and swelling. He's still only four months removed from surgery. I'm just not thinking it's too big of a deal that he's not out there talking about his goal for this season being to dominate people while hobbling around on one good leg. He's still in recovery from recent surgery. They rushed him back due to need at his position.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osteochondritis_dissecans 

Hopefully he can beat the odds. If he doesn't do it, then next man up! Oh, and in the words of the immortal Rodney King, "Can't we all just... just get along?"

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Agreed. It's taking too much of a chance. If he drops 40 lbs, he won't be able to play DL in this system. So if he drops the weight and can't hack it at OLB, it'll be yet ANOTHER lost season for Neal. Can we really afford that?

Now sure, he might flame out at DL again next year, but there's a much higher chance of him being able to play at a position he's played before. The question with all these converted DEs is can they run with a guy in coverage?

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I'd rather over pay for Mario Williams than the Packers try Mike Neal at OLB and skip on drafting someone at the position because of the attempted transition. Hell, overpay for Mario Williams regardless!

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Year Of The Take Over - maybe it will happen next year. What are you, from Iowa or something? [boxing]

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Mario Williams looked GREAT in the 3-4 before his injury. No joke. And he only tore his pec, which is not as bad long-term as a knee injury.

I wouldn't mind over-paying for him. Mario if he played like he played last year and CM3 would be devastating.

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I think I know what you are referring to. a reporter asked what his expectations were for this year, and he answered something like...


"I know a lot of the fans expect me to come in and be a pro-bowler, but right now my only goal is to get on the field..."


.... then he went and got his mystery injury and was MIA for the whole season.

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Another guy who I really like the thought of as a big money FA OLB prospect, and also a DE who would have to convert is Cliff Avril. Looks like the Lions might not have the salary cap room to re-sign him, and he has ideal OLB size, at 6'3" 260 lbs. 11 1/2 sacks, something like 6 forced fumbles last year, two TDs, and he's only 25 years old.

Of course, I'm trying not to get my hopes up for big FAs, because that's not how Ted rolls, but it just sounds so tempting.

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