DakotaT
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9 years ago
Do you guys think we have this position squared away yet, or do you think we will continue to be scorched repeatedly by teams with good offensive coordinators using tight ends and running backs to embarrass whoever we throw in there?

I'd really like to see Matthews rushing the passer instead of covering the ineptitude of our GM to fill a position he once played. This shit is getting old.
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DarkaneRules
9 years ago
Whether Clay likes it or not (or I could be wrong), I believe he is better suited to roam around and not just stick to one position. A lot of our success this year will be determined by Barrington improving and someone else (maybe it's Jake Ryan) stepping up.
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Porforis
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9 years ago

Whether Clay likes it or not (or I could be wrong), I believe he is better suited to roam around and not just stick to one position. A lot of our success this year will be determined by Barrington improving and someone else (maybe it's Jake Ryan) stepping up.

Originally Posted by: DarkaneRules 



Better suited because it's a strength for him, or more because everyone else is that much worse?
TheKanataThrilla
9 years ago

Better suited because it's a strength for him, or more because everyone else is that much worse?

Originally Posted by: Porforis 



I agree with the question, but I do believe Clay messes with the opposing OCs doing what he now does. That being said it would still be great to have a solid ILB. All we seem to have is question marks other than Clay.

DoddPower
9 years ago

I'd really like to see Matthews rushing the passer instead of covering the ineptitude of our GM to fill a position he once played. This shit is getting old.

Originally Posted by: DakotaT 



Clay is an average OLB these days. He is potentially an elite general linebacker, which still includes many opportunities to rush the passer. As far as I'm concerned, moving Clay around only helps him be a more productive player and is a good thing for the team.

There aren't many ILB better than Clay, imo. Especially considering how long he's played the position.
PackFanWithTwins
9 years ago
If Perry and Neal can hold the edge and get outside pressure so Clay can be kept at ILB more, I think we could be pretty set at the position. Clay's size and speed makes him almost perfect for ILB being able to play side to side and blitz. That would work even better if Raji and Daniels can keep lineman off him.


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beast
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9 years ago
Clay Matthews the first 8 games where he played strictly OLB

Combined Tackles: 19
Total (Solo) Tackles: 15
Assist Tackles: 4
Sacks: 2.5
Pass defended: 4
INT: 1

Clay Matthews last 8 games when they rotated him between OLB and ILB

Combined Tackles: 42
Total (Solo) Tackles: 30
Assist Tackles: 12
Sacks: 8.5
Pass defended: 5
INT: 0


I don't know how Matthews feels about playing ILB... but I got a feeling he'd take the 8.5 sacks over the 2.5 sacks any day of the week especially when it comes with more tackles.

I'd really like to see Matthews rushing the passer instead of covering the ineptitude of our GM to fill a position he once played. This shit is getting old.

Originally Posted by: DakotaT 



Based on stats Matthews is rushing the passer AND covering ILB and your either/or opinion may be a mistake as he could be doing both and making the team better isn't shit.
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beast
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9 years ago

Do you guys think we have this position squared away yet, or do you think we will continue to be scorched repeatedly by teams with good offensive coordinators using tight ends and running backs to embarrass whoever we throw in there?

Originally Posted by: DakotaT 



I think it all depends on what they plan to do... starting with strictly ILBers, I think Barrington will struggle some in pass coverage especially against those RBs that are really small WRs types, but during the season the Packers will probably ask their DBs to cover them more than they did in the pre-season.

I think Palmer is a back-up....

When watching Jake Ryan, I kept being reminded of what the coaches kept saying about Lattimore... they kept throwing out the idea that they're cross training a couple of the guys, and at one point singled out Lattimore as a guy that could both play ILB but on certain blitzes or motions could switch positions with the OLB post snap hopefully confusing the offense and I think they have something really good in Ryan but he might not be ready yet.


I think moving Matthews around last season, helped everyone... well everyone except Peppers and the OGs. Offenses couldn't always predict Matthews would be locked up with the LT anymore...

Also some have been wondering (me included) with teams using DBs more and more... would the Packers maybe use a hard hitting Safety as a coverage ILB. The answer so far has been "no". But the Packers have openly said last year they wanted to get Hyde more involved and openly said this preseason that they were looking for ways to get Richardson more involved in the defense even letting him taking some snaps in the nickel role. And they kept 5 Safeties (at least so far). So could this year be different?


Last year I suggested using a S as a ILB a little bit and some argued that it was a horrible idea because other teams will use the run to blast them out... and I questioned that by asking, is Brad Jones really that more physical and able to hold up against the run than Richardson? ... I think the answer was/is no ... and this year I'll say have the same question about Palmer... I like Palmer and how athletic he is, but he doesn't seem quite natural there and Richardson might be more athletic and just as physical. At least in certain roles or packages it might be interesting to think about. Also maybe use Hyde if he's not being used else where.



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texaspackerbacker
9 years ago

Clay is an average OLB these days. He is potentially an elite general linebacker, which still includes many opportunities to rush the passer. As far as I'm concerned, moving Clay around only helps him be a more productive player and is a good thing for the team.

There aren't many ILB better than Clay, imo. Especially considering how long he's played the position.

Originally Posted by: DoddPower 



You said it first - what I was about to say. I liken Matthews to Ernie Banks late in his career - getting a little too slow to be great at shortstop, but moving to first base with a smooth transition and still hitting home runs - the baseball equivalent of sacks. Matthews can still get to the QB from ILB - maybe more effectively. Matthews and Barrington make that position solid. Ryan might eventually be good; Palmer was more decent than I thought he would be; The bottom line is we are head and shoulders better than when it was those sad sacks Hawk and Jones there.

As for OLB, Peppers needs to hold up for another year; I have no confidence in Perry; Neal seemed to do the job in the preseason, but he's injury prone. The key is making maximum use of Jayrone Elliot, who I think is destined for stardom.
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nerdmann
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9 years ago

Do you guys think we have this position squared away yet, or do you think we will continue to be scorched repeatedly by teams with good offensive coordinators using tight ends and running backs to embarrass whoever we throw in there?

I'd really like to see Matthews rushing the passer instead of covering the ineptitude of our GM to fill a position he once played. This shit is getting old.

Originally Posted by: DakotaT 



I think Ryan will be decent once he gets up to speed. I like Palmer too, so far. Time will tell.
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beast
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9 years ago
Na'il Diggs questioned the Matthews to ILB move at first (like all/most of us) then after seeing a couple of weeks, loved it.


"I got to say when they moved him to inside linebacker, I was a little skeptical," said Diggs on 247Sports' Railbird Central podcast on Friday. "My antennas went up because I wasn't sure. I got to say Dom Capers outsmarted me. I had no idea what was going on. I thought maybe something was going on personnel-wise, maybe they didn't like his performance that he was putting up outside rushing the passer. My first instinct was, 'Man, Clay Matthews is a pass rusher, he's an athlete, he's an animal, let him rush the passer.'"

Diggs admits that defensive coordinator Dom Capers and the rest of the coaching staff knew what they were doing all along.

Once Matthews made the switch to inside linebacker following the bye week last season, the Packers defense turned the corner.

The run defense, which was was the worst in the NFL last at the midseason mark, became respectable.

"After watching him a few weeks, I think it was a Sunday night game or a Monday night game, I watched him," said Diggs. "Man, he tore it up. He was playing like an animal. And that's what the position is all about. Middle linebacker is the absolute funnest position to play on the field. You get to run around, you see everything.

"You get to run around, you get to knock the crap out of people, especially if that's something you like like I do. It gives you free reign, especially if you've got a good defensive line in front of you that can protect you and keep you clean. And with a player like Clay Matthews, it's not going to do anything but benefit him."

Diggs  wrote:




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yooperfan
9 years ago
I think the ILB position is far from being "squared away" but as long as Matthews is available to man the inside until Jake Ryan can get his sea legs under him and Barrington becomes better and more experienced, it will be adequate.
I'm still not sure about Barrington but he is better than what we had at the beginning of last season.

I feel that Ryan is going to be a good one for us though.
DoddPower
9 years ago

I think the ILB position is far from being "squared away" but as long as Matthews is available to man the inside until Jake Ryan can get his sea legs under him and Barrington becomes better and more experienced, it will be adequate.
I'm still not sure about Barrington but he is better than what we had at the beginning of last season.

I feel that Ryan is going to be a good one for us though.

Originally Posted by: yooperfan 



Unfortunately, I don't think Barrington will ever be anywhere close to sufficient in coverage.
texaspackerbacker
9 years ago
Barrington is fine as the second best ILB. That's why it's essential to have Matthews there with him. If they use Ryan or Palmer or whoever, then Barrington is the top dog, and that didn't go so well in the preseason.

Barrington got beat by some 4.3 guy (I can't recall who) that he shouldn't have been on, and in a regular season game that Dom puts some planning into, wouldn't be covering. And even then, it took a perfect pass. Slower receivers maybe he can handle when called on.
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DoddPower
9 years ago

Barrington is fine as the second best ILB. That's why it's essential to have Matthews there with him. If they use Ryan or Palmer or whoever, then Barrington is the top dog, and that didn't go so well in the preseason.

Barrington got beat by some 4.3 guy (I can't recall who) that he shouldn't have been on, and in a regular season game that Dom puts some planning into, wouldn't be covering. And even then, it took a perfect pass. Slower receivers maybe he can handle when called on.

Originally Posted by: texaspackerbacker 



He was abused by a running back. A starting ILB needs to be able to consistently cover a running back.
DarkaneRules
9 years ago
Well I will look for improvement. I won't crucify him for having trouble covering Sproles because many pure cover guys have issues covering Sproles. That guy is insane.
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DoddPower
9 years ago

Well I will look for improvement. I won't crucify him for having trouble covering Sproles because many pure cover guys have issues covering Sproles. That guy is insane.

Originally Posted by: DarkaneRules 



True, but get used to it. It certainly won't be the last time that he gets burned, and it won't only be Sproles.
DarkaneRules
9 years ago
By the way, Barrington is questionable against the Bears. Palmer may get the nod eh?
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buckeyepackfan
9 years ago

By the way, Barrington is questionable against the Bears. Palmer may get the nod eh?

Originally Posted by: DarkaneRules 



Not good news at all.
Looking at the depth chart, if Barrington can't go that means Jake Ryan will slide over and be doing all the defense calls and adjustments.
Palmer will replace Ryan.
Hopefully Barrington can go.
Burnette is also questionable, Rollins is listed week to week.
Cobb has been upgraded to probable, may need him as The Packers might have to win this one by putting up a bunch of points.

Not gonna fret over the injuries, it is what it is, Sunday can't get here soon enough!
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beast
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9 years ago

He was abused by a running back. A starting ILB needs to be able to consistently cover a running back.

Originally Posted by: DoddPower 



Even when the RB is basically a WR? They are a number of RB through out the NFL who are small, especially quick and pretty fast, who don't go up the middle like a normal RB, but are much better in the open field like a WR.... I think there are a lot of ILBers who struggle to cover those WR type RBs and the reason why a number of teams (including the Packers) have used a nickel back to coverage the WR type RBs... like the Packers have used a DB to cover Reggie Bush when he was with the Lions at times.

I don't think Barrington will be asked to be covering those guys man on man as much once the real games start as the Packers might sub to have an extra DB on the field to help cover the WR type RB.
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