wpr
  • wpr
  • Preferred Member Topic Starter
4 years ago



Go back and watch the Packers Week 1 win over the Chicago Bears last season. It was probably the best game the defense played all season with the possible exception of Week 16 against the Vikings. There was one player who was a big part of what the defense did in that game who was missing for the rest of the season: safety Raven Greene.
Greene went down with a season-ending injury in the third quarter of the Packers Week 2 win over the Vikings. The defense certainly felt his absence both when defending the pass and trying to stop the run. Before he was hurt, Greene played in roughly 77 percent of the Packers’ defensive plays despite not being listed as a starter.
Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine explained what Greene’s loss meant to the defense. “It was tough. He’s a versatile player who was able to do some good things for us in 2018 and it was unfortunate that in the second game, he went down with an injury. I mean he was going to be a big part of what we were doing, just kind of that hybrid linebacker/safety type. His versatility, his explosiveness, was something that we missed and we’re looking forward to being able to take advantage of it this year.”
That hybrid linebacker/safety type has been something Pettine likes to utilize because it gives him flexibility on defense and the ability to disguise coverages and to run different coverages out of similar formations. Pettine values versatility on defense in part for that reason. Greene can step into the box to help stop the run while the Pack is still using six or even seven DBs or he can help cover opposing tight ends, something that the Packers struggled to do all season in 2019.
Thus far, Pettine is pleased with what he sees from Greene in training camp. “He looks good. He’s smart, he’s tough, I mean he’s always been able to pick up stuff very quickly and we’re certainly expecting big things of Raven this year,” Pettine added.
The former undrafted free agent out of James Madison played eight games for the Packers in 2018, Pettine’s first season as Green Bay’s defensive coordinator. He was in on five total tackles, forced a fumble and recorded a sack while playing in just four percent of the team’s defensive snaps. Last year, he was on the field for 70 defensive plays in a little more than six quarters of action before the injury ended his season.
Greene is 5’11” and weighs 197 pounds. But his ability to both stuff the run when playing that hybrid position and to cover or blitz on passing plays allows Pettine the ability to play his smaller packages which feature six or seven defensive backs and still be confident that they can stop the run well enough to avoid disasters like last year’s NFC Championship Game which saw the 49ers gain 285 yards on the ground and run for four touchdowns.
Several players tried to fill Greene’s shoes over the course of the season, but none of them had the impact that Greene provided when he was in the lineup.
Head coach Matt LaFleur is eager to get Greene back in the lineup this season. “Raven is a very versatile player,” LaFleur told reporters during a recent conference call. “Whether it’s at dime linebacker or in the safety position, we’ve got a lot of confidence in him and his ability to help communication on the back end, play his responsibilities to the best of his level. We’re really looking forward to seeing what he can put together this season.”
Backup quarterback Tim Boyle also expressed confidence in Greene. “He is a talented player, super smart, knows where to be, and is just one of those guys who has a knack for the ball,” Boyle told Packer Report last month. “He is very instinctual. Hopefully, he is back and ready to go. I think he’s going to have a big year on the defensive side.”
If Greene can stay healthy for the season, he will provide the Packers with excellent depth at safety. Between starters Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage, Greene and possibly Will Redmond and rookie seventh round pick Vernon Scott, the Packers have a talented and mostly young group at the position with a diverse skill set.
Keeping Greene healthy and available could go a long way to helping the Green Bay defense improve in 2020 and that could help the team take the next step forward in their quest for another championship.

Continue Reading @ CheeseheadTV 

CheeseheadTV wrote:



A healthy Greene will be a huge factor in the defensive scheme.
UserPostedImage
beast
4 years ago
Teams need coverage LBers or physical/tough 3rd Safeties, without Greene the Packers seriously didn't have that last year as Burks seems to be a bust on defense... SS Campbell getting healthy and coming back helped some, especially against Panthers McCaffrey.

The team got Greene back, and added Kirksey (which if healthy), Pettine says he can play the coverage LB role well, both of which will add versatility, as now we can have one ILB formations where two interior LB roles (ILB and dime DB) can cover and have two ILB formations with one coverage ILB that's actually a LB, neither of which we had last year.


Also found out that he really liked using Z. Smith in the interior, if Gary steps up that will allow them to continue that, and Gary is big enough that he should be able to play both like Z. and they could both be used on stunts, adding more versatility.

I don't know, but I think the Packers have big plans to use formations with 3 OLBers a lot, at least on passing downs, which is why it might of been smart to sign Everson Griffen (one year, six million with the Cowboys now).

But this verstility and grow of players (sounds like Josh Jackson is stepping up), are the main ways they're going to improve this season, even if the results look worse.
UserPostedImage
beast
4 years ago
Ravens released Early Thomas' contract for personal conduct that has adversely affected the team.

Bringing this up here, as anyone whom claims or signs Thomas surely would have a talented safety that allows for.mote verstility.

Thomas' contract left is a 3 year, 33 million deal. With 2020 base salary of $10 million being guaranteed unless you can prove he did something to negative affect the team (which is why the Ravens are reporting that's why they released him).

Earl Thomas and a teammate got in a scuffle, after Thomas blew a coverage. Sounds like there have been on going issues.

https://mobile.twitter.com/IA1057TheFan/status/1296877090197983234?s=20 


I don't know where Thomas is mentally (normally people have spoken very highly of him mentally), but physical, he's still one of the best coverage Safeties in the NFL.

According to PFF, Thomas allowed only six completions in his coverage on 14 targets in 15 games. That’s not a typo - just six receptions.

That’s a 42.9% completion rate, the lowest mark of Thomas’ ten-year career. Those six receptions went for 110 yards.

He notched two interceptions on those 14 targets, with a third being called back on a questionable Tony Jefferson DPI call. Considering Thomas lined up at free safety 593 times in 2019, opposing passers avoided Thomas like he had a cold sore at the homecoming dance.

By their tracking, Thomas was thrown at 14 times in 547 coverage snaps. That equates to 2.5 of every 100 passes going Thomas’ way. Pro Football Reference kept a different book on Thomas, showing 11 completions allowed on 25 targets for 113 yards and two interceptions.

That amounts to a 24.2 QB rating. That was the lowest figure in the NFL in 2019. Throwing the ball in the dirt is a 39.3 QB rating. In those 25 passes thrown at Thomas, he had two interceptions and four pass deflections. Six plays on the ball in 25 passes, nearly one every four times the ball way thrown his way.

baltimorebeatdown.com/  wrote:




Yeah, it's not going to happen, if he's going to be claimed, it'll happen before the Packers...

And if he's not claimed, to then he'll still probably choose somewhere he knows, like the NFC WEST or his home in Texas.

Though Earl Thomas did say that before the Ravens got involved, and made a last ditch offer to him when he was a FA, which came out of no where. It sounded as if he was going to sign a one year deal, somewhere that he really didn't want to go, I always wondered where that was... he never gave any hints.
UserPostedImage
KRK
  • KRK
  • Veteran Member
4 years ago
It would seem to me that the staff likes what they see with who we have, esp with Greene, Jackson stepping it up, and the 7th rounder impressing. Plus, Alexander and Amos have a year more experience.

If so, why bring in a malcontent esp one who will not come cheap?
In Luce tua Videmus Lucem KRK
beast
4 years ago

It would seem to me that the staff likes what they see with who we have, esp with Greene, Jackson stepping it up, and the 7th rounder impressing. Plus, Alexander and Amos have a year more experience.

If so, why bring in a malcontent esp one who will not come cheap?

Originally Posted by: KRK 



Why would you try to bring one of the best football player on board when you are trying to win football games?

Seems kinda like an obvious answer to me.

And as this article talked about, adding talent and verstility.... not that Pettine wants to play single high FS, but if he did, the only guy we have that can do it well is Savage, Thomas would be able to do it, and with his experience probably could help teach Savage the role.

And Thomas would free up Savage to play nickel CB in Woodson's old role could maximum Savage potential. Where currently Sullivan, an UDFA, who shows great effort and seems smart, is currently, schedule to start. While we're all hopefully, Sullivan is mostly an unknown, yes he did well last season, but he barely made a number of the plays he did make.

Packers have talked about using Savage I'm the slot since drafting him, but taking Savage away from S would severely hurt the safeties. Having Greene and the 7th rounder helps with that, but they aren't on the same level.

I'm not saying we should claim Thomas, but just that they surely should discuss it.

Especially since Gute's right hand guy Milt Hendrickson just spent 14 seasons with the Ravens and probably has darn good connections, and Packers and Ravens often are looking for similar type of players. And Pettine was a consultant for the 2017 Seahawks, which Thomas played for then.

Also, can we really label Thomas malcontent yet? As he seems happy other than he was told to stay home (he wasn't happy about not being allowed to practice). Thomas has been accused of showing up late and free lancing, which Charles Woodson showed up late at times, and openly admitted he free lanced (while his CB coach attempted to over rule him in telling them none of his players free lance).

While yes, there absolutely more to this story to get them tussling, and being released, we really haven't heard anything too bad (yet).
UserPostedImage
Zero2Cool
4 years ago
I wasn't thrilled with Earl Thomas during his final seasons with the Seahawks. He's an amazing talent, but there's something about him that rubs me wrong. Then he flipped off his coach after he was injured. Yes, I understand why. That move is a "look at me" move, selfish move. Now a team that signs him for 4 years and $55 million (not sure the exact numbers) cuts him after one season? That's a huge tell that the dude is trouble. Maybe Thomas did it on purpose with the hope of landing in Dallas?

I don't want Earl Thomas.
UserPostedImage
KRK
  • KRK
  • Veteran Member
4 years ago
Missing practices, late back from bye weeks, punching teammates, disrupting meetings.....no thanks.
In Luce tua Videmus Lucem KRK
nerdmann
4 years ago
Too many new contracts coming up.
“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”
wpr
  • wpr
  • Preferred Member Topic Starter
4 years ago

Too many new contracts coming up.

Originally Posted by: nerdmann 



Hey nerd welcome back. We decided to exercise our option on you and keep you for another year.
UserPostedImage
yooperfan
4 years ago
Raven Greene and Equinimious St. Brown both inactive for the opener!
What's up with that?
Fan Shout
Mucky Tundra (11h) : Kaydon Finley, son of Jermichael Finley, commits to Notre Dame
dfosterf (3-Jul) : Make sure to send my props to him! A plus move!
Zero2Cool (3-Jul) : My cousin, yes.
dfosterf (3-Jul) : That was your brother the GB press gazette referenced with the red cross draft props thing, yes?
Zero2Cool (2-Jul) : Packers gonna unveil new throwback helmet in few weeks.
Mucky Tundra (2-Jul) : I know it's Kleiman but this stuff writes itself
Mucky Tundra (2-Jul) : "Make sure she signs the NDA before asking for a Happy Ending!"
Mucky Tundra (2-Jul) : @NFL_DovKleiman Powerful: Deshaun Watson is taking Shedeur Sanders 'under his wing' as a mentor to the Browns QBs
Zero2Cool (30-Jun) : Dolphins get (back) Minkah Fitzpatrick in trade
Zero2Cool (30-Jun) : Steelers land Jalen Ramsey via Trade
dfosterf (26-Jun) : I think it would be great to have someone like Tom Grossi or Andy Herman on the Board of Directors so he/they could inform us
dfosterf (26-Jun) : Fair enough, WPR. Thing is, I have been a long time advocate to at least have some inkling of the dynamics within the board.
wpr (26-Jun) : 1st world owners/stockholders problems dfosterf.
Martha Careful (25-Jun) : I would have otherwise admirably served
dfosterf (25-Jun) : Also, no more provision for a write-in candidate, so Martha is off the table at least for this year
dfosterf (25-Jun) : You do have to interpret the boring fine print, but all stockholders all see he is on the ballot
dfosterf (25-Jun) : It also says he is subject to another ballot in 2028. I recall nothing of this nature with Murphy
dfosterf (25-Jun) : Ed Policy is on my ballot subject to me penciling him in as a no.
dfosterf (25-Jun) : I thought it used to be we voted for the whatever they called the 45, and then they voted for the seven, and then they voted for Mark Murphy
dfosterf (25-Jun) : Because I was too lazy to change my address, I haven't voted fot years until this year
dfosterf (25-Jun) : of the folks that run this team. I do not recall Mark Murphy being subject to our vote.
dfosterf (25-Jun) : Ed Policy yay or nay is on the pre-approved ballot that we always approve because we are uninformed and lazy, along with all the rest
dfosterf (25-Jun) : Weird question. Very esoteric. For stockholders. Also lengthy. Sorry. Offseason.
Zero2Cool (25-Jun) : Maybe wicked wind chill made it worse?
Mucky Tundra (25-Jun) : And then he signs with Cleveland in the offseason
Mucky Tundra (25-Jun) : @SharpFootball WR Diontae Johnson just admitted he refused to enter a game in 41° weather last year in Baltimore because he felt “ice cold”
Zero2Cool (24-Jun) : Yawn. Rodgers says he is "pretty sure" this be final season.
Zero2Cool (23-Jun) : PFT claims Packers are having extension talks with Zach Tom, Quay Walker.
Mucky Tundra (20-Jun) : GB-Minnesota 2004 Wild Card game popped up on my YouTube page....UGH
beast (20-Jun) : Hmm 🤔 re-signing Walker before Tom? Sounds highly questionable to me.
Mucky Tundra (19-Jun) : One person on Twitter=cannon law
Zero2Cool (19-Jun) : Well, to ONE person on Tweeter
Zero2Cool (19-Jun) : According to Tweeter
Zero2Cool (19-Jun) : Packers are working on extension for LT Walker they hope to have done before camp
dfosterf (18-Jun) : E4B landed at Andrews last night
dfosterf (18-Jun) : 101 in a 60
dfosterf (18-Jun) : FAFO
Zero2Cool (18-Jun) : one year $4m with incentives to make it up to $6m
dfosterf (18-Jun) : Or Lions
dfosterf (18-Jun) : Beats the hell out of a Vikings signing
Zero2Cool (18-Jun) : Baltimore Ravens now have signed former Packers CB Jaire Alexander.
dfosterf (14-Jun) : TWO magnificent strikes for touchdowns. Lose the pennstate semigeezer non nfl backup
dfosterf (14-Jun) : There was minicamp Thursday. My man Taylor Engersma threw
dfosterf (11-Jun) : There will be a mini camp practice Thursday.
Zero2Cool (11-Jun) : He's been sporting a ring for a while now. It's probably Madonna.
Martha Careful (10-Jun) : We only do the tea before whoopee, it relaxes me.
wpr (10-Jun) : That's awesome Martha.
Mucky Tundra (10-Jun) : How's the ayahuasca tea he makes, Martha?
Martha Careful (10-Jun) : Turns out he like older women
Martha Careful (10-Jun) : I wasn't supposed to say anything, but yes the word is out and we are happy 😂😂😂
Please sign in to use Fan Shout
2025 Packers Schedule
Sunday, Sep 7 @ 3:25 PM
LIONS
Thursday, Sep 11 @ 7:15 PM
COMMANDERS
Sunday, Sep 21 @ 12:00 PM
Browns
Sunday, Sep 28 @ 7:20 PM
Cowboys
Sunday, Oct 12 @ 3:25 PM
BENGALS
Sunday, Oct 19 @ 3:25 PM
Cardinals
Sunday, Oct 26 @ 7:20 PM
Steelers
Sunday, Nov 2 @ 12:00 PM
PANTHERS
Monday, Nov 10 @ 7:15 PM
EAGLES
Sunday, Nov 16 @ 12:00 PM
Giants
Sunday, Nov 23 @ 12:00 PM
VIKINGS
Thursday, Nov 27 @ 12:00 PM
Lions
Sunday, Dec 7 @ 12:00 PM
BEARS
Sunday, Dec 14 @ 3:25 PM
Broncos
Friday, Dec 19 @ 11:00 PM
Bears
Friday, Dec 26 @ 11:00 PM
RAVENS
Saturday, Jan 3 @ 11:00 PM
Vikings
Recent Topics
4-Jul / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

2-Jul / Green Bay Packers Talk / dfosterf

2-Jul / Fantasy Sports Talk / dfosterf

1-Jul / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

29-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

25-Jun / Around The NFL / Martha Careful

23-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

20-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

20-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

20-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

18-Jun / Random Babble / Zero2Cool

16-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / dfosterf

15-Jun / Random Babble / Martha Careful

14-Jun / Around The NFL / beast

14-Jun / Community Welcome! / dfosterf

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