Pro Football Focus on Clay Matthews

Thanks for posting that one, goods stuff

And the addition of Nick Perry, Datone Jones and a still-improving Mike Neal to the pass rush - should make Clay even more lethal in 2013

You mean Mike Neal the OLB?

What is up with Neal as an OLB?
My first Suspicion that it is part of a defensive response to the Pistol offence. Or maybe Capers thinks Neal can put additional pressure on the QB, by moving him around perhaps they can free up Mathews. As good as Mathews has been he would be a real terror if teams could not through multiple Blockers at him each play.

Now is the time to experiment.

Or, Capers is scheming / dreaming of athletic big guys like Neal, Datone, and Perry flexing in and out from hand in the dirt to standing up.

Did I make this up, or has Neal lined up at OLB in actual game situations before? I feel like he took a few snaps at OLB at home against Tampa Bay two years ago.

Does this ring a bell for anyone else?

only 5 OLBs on the camp roster, only 4 on the final 53
only 46 active players on Sunday
need to know IF Neal can do it or IF they need to look elsewhere
Need to know if he can cover for an injury or if Matthews/Perry need a rest
Also gives Capers more options to scheme with fire zones etc
What if Neal and Perry become interchangeable, who is rushing, who is covering ?

Get some film on it in May.

GB talked about this option last offseason as well

I hope they save this type of thing for the playoffs like dropping Raji into coverage.

Keep it off the film until 100% necessary. Obviously now (May & June) is the time to practice it

from Packers.com

...Meanwhile, Capers is using defensive lineman Mike Neal as a linebacker during OTAs. The intent, part of the cross-training about which McCarthy spoke, is to expand Neal's role.

"We like his strength and athleticism. We think he can rush either inside or outside. Now is a good time to take a look at that. If he can rush inside or outside, it opens the door to a lot of different things," Capers said.

quote:

Originally posted by Hungry5:
You mean Mike Neal the OLB?

The all Levon Kirkland LB corp.

quote:

Originally posted by Satori:


GB talked about this option last offseason as well

Yup!

From somewhere on the internet:

Green Bay had 1261 defensive snaps in 2012

6293 for the DBs = 4.99 DBs per play

4659 snaps for the LBs = 3.695 LBs per play

2918 snaps for the DL= 2.314 DLs per play

Averaged out, GB played a lot more 2-4-5 than they did 3-4 as many have noted

That means there are a lot more snaps at LB available than at DL.
And if GB keeps 6-7 DL (and only averages 2 DL per snap) - they need to find a way to get the pass-rushing talent of Neal on the field more often and using him at OLB may be one such option.
Datone Jones is going to take away some of the DL snaps too, especially in nickel

Here is McGinn's report card on Neal from 2012, it offers some more hints:

"Playing in 13 of the last 14 games, Neal had 19 pressures compared to only six in 2010-'11. His pressure per snap rate of one every 16.2 led the D-line. There were moments when he flashed explosiveness and acceleration to the passer. There were other times, such as last Saturday night, when he made costly errors in judgment and blew containment.
Just 6-3, the pumped-up Neal is a small man in a big man's game. In the rare instances when he was used in base, he was washed down or buckled at the point too often."


...And one more consideration in all of this May speculation. It allows roster flexibility.
Should GB keep 6 or 7 DL ? Should GB keep 4 or 5 OLBs ?

IF Neal can play reasonably well at both positions, then you have more options on the 46 and the 53.

Availability, Accountability and now Versatility...the pillars of Packer team building

Well, that could work. They seem to be saying that since Neal's on the small side, he gets pushed around in the interior. But, if he's the guy to get pressures we need him in the game. I wonder if they'd consider moving Neal to ILB? Does he have any sort of speed to do that? (It would take just a hair faster than Betty White to beat out Hawk.)

Fandame,
don't pay any attention to my ramblings, its Green and Gold irrational exuberance and I'm just giddy at the sight of OTAs...(football !!!)

ants in the pants?

It signals the return of the "Amoeba" defense... 5 LBs, no down linemen. It'll be nice to have teams wondering what the hell's going on again....

Interview with Clay & Hannah Storm on ESPN tonight. (Pic from Twitter below)

link

IIRC, the plaque in that pic and the brick they are standing on was one of the (best) contributions from Sherman. When they did the renovation some of the old brick was laid in the tunnel the Packers come through when entering the field.

Don't forget bert's own private locker room, Shermy 'contributed' that as well.

The Plaque and Brick I'd consider a positive. I could be wrong, but I think the private locker was not such a good thing.

For a football coach, the Sherminator was a very tallanted interior decorator.

Sign outside Detroit's locker room


Sign outside Chicago's locker room


Sign outside Vikings locker room