Green Bay When the Green Bay Packers linebackers return from an off day, they enter the building with no preconceptions of how things will be.
Yesterday's backup right outside linebacker could very well be today's starting nickel inside backer.
Upon returning to practice Monday night, they discovered the shuffle was on again. This time, there were three major changes:
Undrafted rookie free agent Frank Zombo, the new love of assistant coach Kevin Greene's football life, was starting at right outside linebacker ahead of Brandon Chillar and the injured Brad Jones (shoulder).
Chillar, who was moved to outside linebacker a week into camp, was shifted back inside to the nickel position he played much of last year.
Desmond Bishop, the guy usually on the losing end of the proposition, was dropped from the inside nickel spot and now probably ranks third behind Chillar and injured A.J. Hawk (ankle).
"Nothing surprises me anymore," Chillar said after practice. "I just do whatever they tell me to do. I just work here."
Bishop, a fan favorite who broke into the nickel spot ahead of Hawk early in camp, found himself in a familiar position - out of the mix. In his fourth year, Bishop can't seem to find a way to get on the field, and his frustration is close to boiling over.
The usually talkative linebacker said "no comment" before he was even asked a question. He admitted later to being extremely frustrated but not totally surprised by his demotion.
"I always knew it was a possibility," he said of being removed from the nickel. "That's why I didn't really (play it up). I didn't know how permanent it was. I was hoping, I was praying, I was wishing it was."
Bishop, who has hinted before that he might ask for a trade. said he didn't know what his next move would be. He said he didn't think the switch was made because of performance, but he wouldn't elaborate.
As Bishop was lamenting his latest setback, Zombo was pinching himself over the fact he'll probably be starting at right outside linebacker in a nationally televised game Thursday night against the Indianapolis Colts. The 6-3, 254-pound former defensive end from Temple has shot up the charts the last two weeks with strong play in practice and the games.
"If you had asked me a year ago if in the third preseason game I'd be starting, I would have said no way," Zombo said. "This opportunity is pretty overwhelming."
Zombo, who was given a $3,500 signing bonus, is the last of three undrafted defensive linemen the Packers brought in to try out as pass-rushing outside linebackers. Tim Knicky and John Russell, the other two, didn't make it to training camp, and Zombo found himself in trouble when on the fifth day of practice he sprained his ankle, causing him to miss six practices, including the intrasquad scrimmage.
Upon his return, however, he played with abandon and quickly became Greene's pet project. In the opener against Cleveland, he walked the left tackle back into quarterback Colt McCoy, forcing an interception to safety Derrick Martin.
Then against Seattle Saturday, he replaced Chillar at right outside linebacker in the third quarter and had a team-high five tackles, including a 3-yard sack of quarterback Charlie Whitehurst off an outside rush against reserve tackle Joe Toledo.
As impressive was Zombo tackling receiver Deon Butler 21 yards downfield and throwing a shoulder into tight end Cameron Morrah that allowed teammate Spencer Havner a few more return yards after a fourth-quarter interception.
"He brings the physicality that you're looking for as an outside linebacker," coach Mike McCarthy said. "Everything we start with is speed to power on the rush and how you want to play the runs and so forth. I think he's done a very good job with that.
"High-effort player. Tough kid. Played through injuries. He's had a nice camp so far. He's earned every rep that he's been given, and we want to increase his opportunities and see what he can do."
Zombo is expected to start Thursday in place of Jones, who appears to have won the right outside position job for the regular season now that Chillar has been moved. Then again, he could come to work next week and find Zombo in his seat.
Hawk, meanwhile, was playing well in practice at the nickel position but gave up a touchdown against Cleveland, probably causing enough concern to move Chillar back inside on passing downs. Hawk only practiced with the scout team Monday, which is a pretty good sign he'll be held out against the Colts.
For his part, Chillar doesn't know if he'll ever play outside linebacker again.
"I have no idea," he said. "We've got some good tight ends coming up, too, so that's what I've gotten used to in the past, that's what we've done in the past. I just walked in and they said we're going to get you some reps inside. I feel comfortable doing everything by now in this defense, so it kind of really doesn't even matter."