People wrote off Brady Poppinga saying Thompson could perform or that a 1st round pick didn't have to prove himself and could be handed the job.

Brady Poppinga is going to be the starter. He is out there working hard every day.

Thompson and Matthews have not been as professional. Proper stretching is part of preparation. Maybe next year those hamstrings will get stretched properly. Hopefully they will learn.

Brady Poppinga responded as a veteran player should and is to be congratulated.

The others better concentrate on being on the team and not the PUP, IR, or on the street.

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Poppinga fan eh? 🙂 I liked him in the Bills game, good hustle and made the plays when they came his way. He's doing what professionals do and taking advantage of his opportunities.

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The facts where that Poppinga was playing with the 2nds at Lolb with Matthews and Thompson alternating at Rolb between the 1sts and 2nds. It's a pretty easy conslusion that one of those was in place to be the starter on opening day.

Poppinga has really worked his way up, though. I don't know how Matthews is doing with his hamstring, but he has been great in TC. I hope that he'll be back and that he'll take the starting position somewhere in the season, if not at the start of it.

I found this quote pretty funny.

Jeremy Thompson hurt his shoulder and you don't know that Matthews hurt his hamstring due to poor stretching. I'm sure there is a reason that Thompson and Matthews were competing for the ROLB starting position.

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c'mon calcheez. Let's keep the 'told-you-so's to a minimum, at least until week 2.

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He better start, otherwise that $2.3 Million salary isn't looking so good.

i agree poppinga has been solid so far, im sure he'll be a starter, but after thompson and/or matthews heal up im sure they'll surpass him on the depth chart, either way competition is a good thing

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I've always liked Brady and had an inklling the 3-4 might fit him better. It's nice to see him doing well, however, it is preseason and hasn't been against top level competition. This week will give more of and indication for not only Brady but the entire team. I'm looking forward to it.

The real test will be when the "real bullets" start flying.

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If Poppinga is the best candidate for the job.. so be it.

But I have a question to your facts part of your posts? What facts are you referring to?

The fact that Brady's poor pursuit angles have been exposed time and time again?

The fact that he was as ineffective as the rest in his blitzing last year?

The fact that he is a coverage liability in the past two years?

I give him he has been healthy for the most part.. but I find it interesting that Thompson and Matthews have been "unprofessional" due to hamstring concerns.. especially since we hired a new trainer in targeting this in mind..

Curious to it all is all..

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Cheez: How do you know that Clay Matthews pulled his hammy because he didn't stretch properly? Are you privy to inside information that the rest of us (including all of the reporters covering the Packers) are not aware of? And how was Jeremy Thompson's shoulder injury caused by a lack of professionalism? Did he fail to stretch his shoulder properly?

Brady Poppinga is a scrappy guy and a likeable guy, but he is starting due to injuries to two other players. Last year he rushed the passer on numerous occasions and failed to record a single sack. I did see him get some pressure on at least one play against the Bills, and I hope he can do some more of that. But the defense will be better off when Matthews or Thompson can get back up to speed.

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