Zero2Cool
13 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
13 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
13 years ago
Yeah that is what i thought, using the same quotes even, pretty lame.
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Zero2Cool
13 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
13 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
13 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
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(thanks to Pack93z for the pic)
2010 will be seen as the beginning of the new Packers dynasty. 🇹🇹 🇲🇲 🇦🇷
PackerTraxx
13 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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dhazer (12h) : Steelers sign Patterson because of new kickoff rule interesting
Zero2Cool (15h) : Former #Packers TE Josiah Deguara is signing a 1-year deal with the Jaguars, per source.
Zero2Cool (16h) : They do not do it for "content sake".
dfosterf (28-Mar) : For the record, I enjoy Beast and Mucky drafts
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : Haha
Mucky Tundra (27-Mar) : No time for talking! Back to work beast!
beast (27-Mar) : You saw only 4,201 of my mocks? 🥺 I think that means you missed more than half of them 😢
dfosterf (27-Mar) : Does anyone know what Lambeau field improvements got put on hold? My guess would be for the 2025 draft
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : It's like listen, you made 4,201 mocks, no shit.
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : Cuz during the draft "I had them mocked there!" as if it's amazing.
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : They're fun to do once in awhile. It's people who think they are "content" that annoy me.
dfosterf (27-Mar) : Against tbd
dfosterf (27-Mar) : Answer to your question is yes, it's a Thursday, will be the Chiefs aga
dfosterf (27-Mar) : Luckily for all concerned, I don't post them. I did one, but that was like 25 mocks ago
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : NFL 2024 gonna start Sept 5th isn't it???
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : Ugh... kids these days!
dfosterf (27-Mar) : I'm gonna go do some more mock draft hell instead 🤪
Zero2Cool (27-Mar) : Did we do one of those prediction threads yet for 2024 season?
dfosterf (27-Mar) : In my city, they are playing the nimby game, in order to keep some railroad tracks vs. 2 professional sports teams and a concert venue.
dfosterf (27-Mar) : And/Or a city council, of which I haven't seen a good one in a very long time
dfosterf (27-Mar) : That sounds like a Mayor, not a city.
buckeyepackfan (26-Mar) : Packers halt scheduled 80mil upgrade of stadium until lease agreement talks are restarted
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : City of Green Bay puts Packers' Lambeau Field lease talks on hold
buckeyepackfan (26-Mar) : Packers 1 of 3 teams to vote no on new kickoff rule.
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Packers sign another Kicker
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Lengthy explanation at PFF if you click the link
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Kickoff rules officially changed.ngthy explan
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : lol
Cheesey (26-Mar) : 2009? No thanks! One open heart surgery is enough!
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Good for you!
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Yes. That's the one.
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Is that "Lady Dugan" per chance?
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Crystal?
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Please refresh my memory
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Alan posts. Crystal back in my life. It's 2009 all over again! Lol
Mucky Tundra (26-Mar) : BAH GAWD! THAT'S CHEESEYS MUSIC!
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Gutekunst said early stages of Jordan Love contract being discussed.
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Shouldn't be penalized cuz official screwed up
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Yeah, challenge until you are incorrect twice.
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Fining them is the goal, per the people who made the rule anyway.
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Still waiting on the kickoff rule changes. Did hear yesterday that the touchback proposal will now be the 30 yard line, not the 35
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Probably speed of game issues with your proposal
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Hopefully the refs don't get in the habit of throwing flags on this
beast (25-Mar) : I think when it comes to Challenges should get two strikes, so unlimited challenges as long as they keep winning them, but 2 wrong then done
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Still subject to the fines etc
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Yes, I should have been more specific. Also, they are now saying it would be a 15 yard penalty. That makes more sense .
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