Perry has no business playing on the left side opposite Matthews, now that we have added a few other pass rushers on the left. If anything, Perry should be relegated to working in a rotation with Matthews on the right, Perry's most effective side of the line.
I cannot see this team letting Perry walk, and, why should they? We needed at least two other pass rushers opposite Matthews along with a quality backup for Matthews, and I believe we now have them in Peppers and Bradford, and quite possibly Neal and Hubbard. The real beauty being Peppers' and Neal's ability to play more than one position in our front 7.
I do think Perry has pigeon holed himself on the left, which is not a bad thing if he can be effective, but he does have competition. Andy Mulumba came in looking much bigger than he was last season. Maybe he pushes Perry for a spot... but, like Z2C said, they kept Neal around all these years. It just would not be like Thompson to let Perry walk.
Sure wouldn't mind seeing a healthy season from Perry though. He looks great for a short period, then wham! Back in the hot tub. Pretty damn frustrating as a fan wanting to see him do well.
Seems this could come down to some very difficult decisions in determining our roster of LBs to make the team in 2014:
Currently, I believe these 6 players are locks to make it (I'm lumping Peppers in with the DL):
Carl Bradford
A J Hawk
Clay Matthews
Mike Neal
Jamari Lattimore
Nick Perry
I believe these players are going to be fighting for either 3 or 4 remaining LB positions on the final 53:
Brad Jones
Sam Barrington
Adrian Hubbard
Nate Palmer
Jake Doughty
Andy Mulumba
Shaun Lewis
Now, if Perry somehow does get bounced out of the "locks" group, I guess anything could happen. We kept 9 LBs total in 2012 and 2013, and 10 LBs in 2011. Ted kept 8 LBs on board in 2010.
Looking at that list it is plain to see this is going to be a very, very competitive camp for roster positions. I guess if Perry cannot prove he will be available and healthy, that won't bode well for his future here. Nick Perry needs a good TC and Preseason, healthy, available.