Poppinga should be inside and Hawk or Barnett should be the play maker on the outside. Also Poppinga is better than Bishop and Lansanah. Also Chillar and Barnet aren't that physical and one gap DL 3-4 LBs need to be more physical than 4-3 LBs.
I really doubt they cut Poppinga just because people don't like him. He gets his job done. He's a role player and that's what the 3-4 ILB is too or at least the more physical one trying to keep the other one more free and Poppinga skills and the way he plays are perfect for the position and I really doubt he's cut.
"porky88" wrote:
I don't think Hawk and Barnett are ideal OLB. Bishop is finally ready to make the step up, he is still only 24! he's been patient and i think it's time to unleash him on the field. Lansanah has far too much talent and is an ideal 3-4 ILB. Miami tried to get him off our PS and thankfully he showed loyalty to the packers by signing with us. Poppinga has had his time and now it's time to give others the chance to show what they can do.
Poppinga entered the NFL quite late and since then has not really produced for us, that is a massive hint regarding his ability. He doesn't get the job done otherwise we would've not have had such a crappy defence. As a person he is a great guy and people use that as an reason why he is "good" enough for us. He's clearly isn't.
"beast" wrote:
I don't think Barnett is the ideal 3-4 anything..... I think Hawk might fit better as the OLB then ILB..... So since he was cut and Miami wanted him that makes him better than Poppinga, who wasn't cut?
That makes no sense....
Poppinga was on the field for a reason. That reason was he's better than the guys on the bench. And Poppinga does get his job done. In Sanders system the OLB is asked to take on the blocker keep the MLB clean and funnel the ball carrier to the MLB and he got that job done. just because the Dl couldn't keep Barnett clean doesn't mean it's Poppinga fault.
I'm not saying he's a great person.... I don't know what kind of person he is. I know what kind of player he is. He's a lunch pail guy, who is willing to get physical and does a good job at it, which is what the "Jack" position in the 3-4 is asked to do. "Jack" is the second MLB, the one who is suppose to be the more physical one and willing to fight it out with OL.
just because all you care about is stats and the guy that makes the play doesn't mean all the role players to let that guy make the play aren't doing a great job. Poppinga is a role player and has done a great job at what he's asked to do other than in coverage, and he's still better than bishop in coverage.
"porky88" wrote:
I agree that Poppinga isn't a bad player. I think he's a pretty solid player and not going anywhere. He'll never be great, but like you said he can get the job done as long as he's not isolated in space with a playmaking running back or tight end, but then again most linebackers struggle in those situations. I think he'll end up competing for one of the outside jobs and he'll probably end up being the primary backup. He'll see several snaps especially for Aaron Kampman whom I'm not sure can play every single down standing up.
Hawk should play the inside in the 3-4. The problem with Hawk or Barnett on the outside is they're bad pass rushers. Hawk is hardly an 8 to 10 sack guy and that's what GB needs.
Look at Pittsburgh's outside linebackers in the 3-4 as GB's system is going to be basically the same thing. LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison are very good pass rushers and that's why the system works.
GB has one good pass rusher with Aaron Kampman, but the other one isn't on the roster yet or is an unknown right now. More than likely you could see a guy like Jason Hunter thrive in the 3-4 if he can stand up and play which I think he might be able to do. I wouldn't bet the house on it though.
Considering that GB doesn't need to release anyone they probably won't. My guess is maybe Chad Clifton and Brandon Chiller are on the hot seat. Chiller due to so many players in the line backing core and Clifton due to the KGB factor. Rather release him now than pay for it in the middle of the season.
"beast" wrote:
http://www.packerchatters.com/op-ed/view.php?id=6024 Yeah it's Packers chatter and I don't agree with everythign they said there but they have a point.
And how do you know Hawk can't become a great pass rusher?
It's not like he's gotten mainly chances..... it's not like he had a coach that knew how to coach it.... and Woodley and Harrison didn't light it up right away.
If fact both were coaches by the Packers OLB some this last offseason....
Just because hawk didn't rack up sacks in a complete non aggressive system for the LBers doesn't mean he can't become one in an aggressive system with a good coach......
Hawk was drafted to be a play maker.... for the first time in his career (while healthy) put him in a playmakers position at ROLB. Put Poppinga or Bishop in the role playing jack position.
"Megatron" wrote:
I certainly don't agree with the article.
Hawk has had many chances to be the playmaker. He's played the weakside which is a playmaking position in Bob Sanders's defense and he was about average. He played middle linebacker which is the another playmaking position and he was below average. You know Playmakers will make plays and Hawk hasn't.
The good news is Nick Collins was shaky up until last year and I think Hawk is capable of having a similar fourth season as Collins had this past season.
The reason I think he'll be on the inside is because Hawk is a bad pass rusher. He's not quick off the ball and he takes awful angles. He's never good at getting after the quarterback in the NFL even when Bob Sanders sent him.
This isn't to say he'll never play on the outside in the 3-4. I expect GB to move guys around pending on the situation, but for the most part I think Hawk is penciled in as the starter in the middle.
I could be wrong about Hawk, but based on what I've seen out of him as a pass rusher so far I think it's unlikely he emerges as a stout pass rusher whom gets 10 sacks a year. James Harrison was a very rare find so I think comparing the two is apples and oranges.
As for Poppinga being overpaid in what Dakota said.
Think Poppinga as the KGB of 07. Not an every down player, but plays a role. Dom Capers is going to find a role for Poppinga some how and I also think Poppinga is an asset on special teams. He'll be overpaid, but if you've got the money then it's not like it's a huge concern in my opinion.
"beast" wrote: