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

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.

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.

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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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.



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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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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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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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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