GREEN BAY, Wisc. -- When head coach Mike McCarthy hired Dom Capers as defensive coordinator, it was all about changing the culture. What had been a passive defense under former boss Bob Sanders would be passive no more.Capers installed the 3-4, which puts the onus on linebackers to make plays in space. While not everyone on last year's Green Bay roster will end up a perfect fit in this new defense, it's clear that the team is high on a few young guys who could become major players.
With Nick Barnett still unable to take part in full practice, the opportunity for other players to shine is even greater. Barnett was on the field Thursday night, as the team worked out in front of around 1,000 fans at Ray Nitschke Field, a newly-renovated practice field a stone's throw from Lambeau Field.
When Barnett is activated from the physically-unable-to-perform list, he will be a fixture at middle linebacker. Capers is high on his ability, and Barnett appears to be a good fit for this scheme.
Right now, A.J. Hawk -- a 2007 first-round pick -- is getting reps with the first team at middle linebacker. While he doesn't seem to be impressing people a whole lot, he will get some opportunities to make plays. If he falters, expect to see a lot of second-year pro Desmond Bishop (above, right). McCarthy told the media after Thursday's practice that Bishop is going to work his way on the field, as he's an "effective blitzer." Bishop is the anti-Hawk in this defense. While Hawk seems to be reacting a lot, Bishop shoots gaps and causes trouble at the line of scrimmage. He's a very aggressive defender, and he's the kind of player Capers can make into a star with his complex schemes.
At outside linebacker, the Packers have some very intriguing players. First-round pick Clay Matthews missed practice Thursday because of a hamstring injury, and McCarthy has declared him out of the game Saturday against Buffalo at Lambeau Field. Also out will be Jeremy Thompson, a 2008 fourth-rounder out of Wake Forest. He's shown some promise as an outside linebacker.
Both face an uphill battle for playing time, as the Packers have seen Aaron Kampman and Brady Poppinga establish themselves as the starters on the outside. Asked about his linebacker situation Thursday, McCarthy spoke glowingly of both.
"Well, to me the best ones are the ones that are always out there, so I can't say enough about Aaron Kampman and Brady Poppinga," McCarthy said. "They have taken every snap of training camp and they have done an outstanding job."
McCarthy noted that he's "not ready to pick the team yet," but seemed to acknowledge that there will be some very tough decisions to make. It's not surprising. Before training camp, both McCarthy and general manager Ted Thompson indicated that they would be cutting players who could play on other NFL teams. The race at linebacker is the front-and-center example of their thinking.
On the inside, Barnett, Hawk, and Bishop are joined by Brandon Chillar and Danny Lansanah. A special-teamer last year, Lansanah has a leg up for a roster spot because he can play on kickoffs and punts. That said, he has to do more on the defensive side before he'll be safe. Chillar played a ton as an outside linebacker last year, especially after Barnett was injured and Hawk moved inside.
At outside linebacker, the Packers have Kampman and Poppinga, along with Matthews and Thompson. If that's not enough, look out for rookies Brad Jones and Cyril Obiozor.
Who?
Jones was drafted in the seventh round out of Colorado, and he's quickly impressed the Packers coaches with his pass-rush ability. He missed the morning practice Thursday, but continued to show a solid grasp of the defense during the night workout.
However, Obiozor might be a more intriguing prospect. He is a rookie free agent from Texas A&M. Linebackers coach Kevin Greene seems to have taken him under his wing.
"I see a lot," Greene said. "He's got heart. He's got passion for the game. He's not a lazy dude. He wants to be out there playing. That's something all the guys can see. You take that, and you can coach him from there. I want his fundamentals to improve so he can become a better player. He listens to what you're telling him. I like him a lot."His energy is obvious, even in practice. Obiozor threw a couple big hits during drills Thursday.
Matthews and Thompson are out Saturday, so both youngsters should see plenty of playing time once Kampman and Poppinga call it a night. For both Jones and Obiozor, they know it can be make-or-break. After Saturday, there is just one game before the first cuts are made, and it's in that third preseason game that starters typically see the most playing time.No matter who the Packers cut, it's obvious they'll be letting someone go who can play. Don't be shocked at all if Green Bay's trash becomes another team's treasure.
