Zero2Cool
14 years ago
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Aaron Kampman, the Green Bay Packers' preferred starter at left outside linebacker in 2009, left in free agency. The jury remains out on second-year man Brad Jones, while veteran Brady Poppinga is best suited to be a backup.

That's why the left outside linebacker is arguably the weakest position on the Packer roster.

"I understand everybody's concerned about that position," Packer general manager Ted Thompson said after the NFL draft concluded last month. "We don't think it's quite as dire as everybody else does. But it is a position we'd like to add a couple more competitors."

Thompson did that immediately after the draft, signing undrafted free agents Tim Knicky of Stephen F. Austin, John Russell of Wake Forest and Frank Zombo of Central Michigan. All three players were defensive linemen in college but will try transitioning to outside linebacker in Green Bay.

And because outside linebacker is perhaps the most unsettled position on the team, at least one of these free agents has a terrific chance to make the 53-man roster.

"I like all their attitudes and their energy," Packer coach Mike McCarthy said of that trio after Green Bay's rookie orientation.

"I like the way they competed in the one-on-one drills. Every one of them flashed in some of the team drills. You can see why they were productive football players in college. I think all three of those guys have a chance."

That, of course, is why all three came to Green Bay in the first place. Still, the trio went undrafted for a reason and each player has an uphill climb to make the final roster.

Knicky (6 feet 4 inches, 251 pounds) was an undersized defensive end that weighed 235 pounds at Stephen F. Austin. Still, Knicky set the school record for sacks (32 1/2) and had 59 1/2 tackles for a loss.

Knicky, who was a three-time academic All-Southland Conference choice, is certainly bright enough to make a positional switch. And he was certainly smart enough to see Green Bay's lack of depth at outside linebacker as he weighed offers from other teams after the draft.

"Green Bay was a great opportunity, not a big number at outside linebacker, so it was a great opportunity," Knicky said. "It's going to take some work just getting into the knowledge of the game. . . . I can do everything they need me to do."

Zombo (6-3, 254) was an All-Mid-American Conference player the last two seasons and finished second in school history in sacks (25 1/2). But he did that as a 270-pound defensive end and played with his hand on the ground in a 4-3 scheme.

Some NFL teams expressed interest in Zombo playing tight end. But Zombo thought his best chance was to try switching spots on defense.

"Playing defensive end in a four-man front, now going into playing an outside linebacker in a three-man front is, yeah, quite the transition," Zombo said.

"But with coach (Kevin) Greene coaching me, I can see he's excellent. And so far it's going pretty well. I lost a little weight, so I feel a little bit more athletic. Right now, I'm just trying to absorb this playbook, trying to get as much of it down as I can."

Zombo had almost no exposure to standing up or dropping in coverage at Central Michigan. Interestingly, though, one of the few times Zombo did drop back in coverage he notched an interception and returned it 27 yards for a touchdown.

"It was my last play at my home stadium against Northern Illinois," Zombo said. "I dropped one time and had a pick six. Hopefully, I'll have some more situations like that here."

Russell (6-3, 260) has arguably the toughest transition to make. Russell was a defensive tackle at Wake Forest, where he started 29 games and had 10 1/2 sacks and 20 1/2 tackles for a loss.

Russell gained weight after the season, anticipating teams would ask him to play defensive end in a 3-4 scheme. But the Packers saw Russell as an outside linebacker, despite his pedestrian 40-yard dash time (4.90).

"It is a transition," Russell said. "I'm actually happy to make it. I even feel more assured that I can definitely do this.

"In terms of quickness, I feel I'm naturally laterally as quick as anybody and that's only something I'll get better with as I lose weight. I feel really good about the position and the transition. It's going to take some getting used to, but once everything comes together in camp, that's where we're really going to see what's happening."

Thompson could add a veteran such as former Patriot linebacker Adalius Thomas to the mix. But that hasn't been his style, meaning if someone from this trio of undrafted free agents can shine this summer, their chances of sticking are solid.

"We're all out here, there's no drafted guys," Knicky said. "We're all in the same boat; we're all free agents, so it's a great opportunity for every one of us."


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Pack93z
14 years ago
http://www.packershome.com/ForumsPro/viewtopic/t=8930/finish=15/start=0.html 

Truly is the dead period of the NFL calendar.. they need a D type spring league for all rooks and young fringe players.. play in the same stadiums.. just a couple game season... why yes I am a greedy SOB.. 😉
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
earthquake
14 years ago
Yeah that is what i thought, using the same quotes even, pretty lame.
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Zero2Cool
14 years ago
A lot of articles use the same quotes ... especially during this time of the year. It's kind of slow during the off season and there's not a weekly conference they can talk to players and coaches to build stories from.
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earthquake
14 years ago
No i understand that, i'm not expecting something groundbreaking, but this article really is like almost word for word the same as the last on the subject.
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zombieslayer
14 years ago

No i understand that, i'm not expecting something groundbreaking, but this article really is like almost word for word the same as the last on the subject.

"earthquake" wrote:



'Tis the slow time of the year, when we talk about exciting things like Aaron Rodgers' hat and Greg Jennings' acting ability.
My man Donald Driver
UserPostedImage
(thanks to Pack93z for the pic)
2010 will be seen as the beginning of the new Packers dynasty. 🇹🇹 🇲🇲 🇦🇷
PackerTraxx
14 years ago
Ah...the "off season" Not the best time of the year to say the least. Gotta write about the free agents early. Diamonds are rare and the most of the rest leave early. May camp should bring out some more "news".
Why is Jerry Kramer not in the Hall of Fame?
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Mucky Tundra (2-Apr) : Who?
Zero2Cool (2-Apr) : Texas’ WR Isaiah Bond is scheduled to visit the Bills, Browns, Chiefs, Falcons, Packers and Titans starting next week.
Zero2Cool (2-Apr) : Spotting ball isn't changing, only measuring distance is, Which wasn't the issue.
Zero2Cool (2-Apr) : The spotting of the ball IS the issue. Not the chain gang.
Mucky Tundra (2-Apr) : Will there be a tracker on the ball or something?
Zero2Cool (1-Apr) : uh oh
Martha Careful (1-Apr) : Too bad camera's can't spot the ball as well.
Mucky Tundra (1-Apr) : So will the chain gang be gone completely or will they still be around as a backup or whatever?
Zero2Cool (1-Apr) : The method for measuring first downs in the NFL will switch from chain gangs to camera-based technology in 2025, the league announced.
Martha Careful (1-Apr) : A big step in the right direction. Just put in the college system is very very good.
Zero2Cool (1-Apr) : NFL has passed a rule that allows both teams to possess the ball in OT during the regular season
Zero2Cool (1-Apr) : Touchbacks on kickoffs will now bring the ball to the 35-yard line.
beast (31-Mar) : It might of gotten more popular recently, but braiding hair (even men) in certain cultures goes back for centuries.
Martha Careful (30-Mar) : Is men braiding their hair a new style thing? Watching the NCAA men's tournament many players have done
Zero2Cool (29-Mar) : Ha. Well, it'd be nice for folks to reset their own password. Via validated email 😏
beast (29-Mar) : Monopoly was supposed to be an educational game, that show how evil capitalism was and how we should avoid it
beast (29-Mar) : Lol, I was thinking username would be better, as then I wouldn't have to keep an email up to date lol 😂
beast (29-Mar) : Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : I was thinking email because I think it'll make folks keep it up todate lol
wpr (29-Mar) : sure is
Zero2Cool (29-Mar) : Monopoly is a rip off of The Landlord's Game
wpr (27-Mar) : 28 days until the draft
earthquake (27-Mar) : Which seemed strange to my 9 year old self, that you could be a fan for a team other than the one you play for
earthquake (27-Mar) : Nothing eventful happened, other than it being clear that he was a bengals fan
earthquake (27-Mar) : And we went and hung out with him one afternoon, I must have been 9 or so
earthquake (27-Mar) : That’s wild, when I was a kid my friend lived in the same apartment complex in De Pere
Mucky Tundra (27-Mar) : Only career highspot was a 200 yard rushing game while playing for the Cardinals
Mucky Tundra (27-Mar) : He is a former Packer. Drafted out of Northern Illinois. Didn't do much in GB.
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Despicable
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Former NFL. I think Packers too
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : NFL RB Leshon Johnson has been charged in a massive dog fighting operation, with the FBI seizing over 190 Pit Bulls
Mucky Tundra (26-Mar) : Some real irony of a QB as short as Wilson playing for the Giants
Mucky Tundra (26-Mar) : Giants country, let's be the tall beings of lore!
Mucky Tundra (26-Mar) : Russell Wilson signs with the Giants.
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : I was thinking email because I think it'll make folks keep it up todate lol
wpr (25-Mar) : I don't think there is a significant difference. I use a user name for many. Others email.
Martha Careful (25-Mar) : email
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : would it be better to use EMAIL or USERNAME to log into a site?
wpr (25-Mar) : Thanks Zero
Zero2Cool (24-Mar) : New forum has the ability to Thank a post now.
beast (24-Mar) : And the only time they have won the Championship in an even year, was the first time they did, in 2006.
beast (24-Mar) : Since 2007, there have been 10 odd numbered years, Wisconsin Women have won the Championship in 7 of those 10 odd numbered years.
buckeyepackfan (24-Mar) : Congratulations Lady Badger Hockey Team. NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!
Zero2Cool (23-Mar) : I don't think it's completed yet. it was just announced last month, right?
dhazer (23-Mar) : did netflix ever release the Packers documentary
Zero2Cool (21-Mar) : And it is glorious!
beast (21-Mar) : Unsigned FA QB Rodgers is supposedly in the Steelers building
Martha Careful (19-Mar) : But I don't own a car! So can I still use it in my apartment?
Zero2Cool (19-Mar) : btw, new site auto updates
Zero2Cool (19-Mar) : Woohoo!
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