Why Green Bay Should Keep Clay Matthews and Nick Perry

What the Packers should do with Clay Matthews and Nick Perry. 

There is no doubt that the Green Bay Packers need a lot of help defensively. The Packers need and hopefully got a better defensive coordinator. But they also need more impact players, at all three levels of the defense.

One thing in particular that must improve is the pass rush, but the way to improve it, isn’t necessarily by gutting the roster. Pieces definitely need to be added, yet the Packers also need to find a way to get more out of what they already have.

As a team in 2017, the sack numbers weren’t terrible, as Green Bay finished with 37 sacks. Clay Matthews led the team with 7.5 sacks, while Nick Perry followed closely behind with seven.

Certainly, for what Matthews and Perry are getting paid, that’s not enough production. Matthews is set to make $11 million in 2018. Perry is also in the midst of a big-money deal, as he will enter the second season of a five-year, $59 million contract,

Many have speculated that both could be cap casualties. Matthews has no dead money and would be easy to release. Perry, not so much, but there could be some long-term cap savings. However, is cutting Matthews, Perry or both really a good idea?

There is a good argument to be made that it’s not. Yes, Matthews and Perry have both dealt with injuries and both have underachieved at times, but how many guys with double-digit sack potential are going to be on the free-agent market that won’t cost a fortune.

Matthews $11 million might sound like a lot, but on the open market, pass rushers tend to get a lot. They also tend to get big guarantees and big signing bonuses.

With Matthews, Green Bay simply has to pay his 2018 salary and that’s it. If he struggles, they can let him walk in 2018. But right now, he’s a relative bargain and it’s worth seeing if he can thrive under the new defensive staff.

Obviously, keeping Matthews and Perry isn’t enough. They are both solid guys to have as part of a pass rush, but the Packers need more. If the board works out, they should draft an edge rusher with the 14th overall pick, maybe someone like Harold Landry of Boston College.

If Green Bay found an explosive edge rusher like that and teamed him with Matthews, Perry, Kyler Fackrell and Vince Biegel, that’s at least a starting point. On top of that, the Packers should add another veteran pass rusher.

You can never have enough guys on the edge. Look at the impact Chris Long, both this season with the Eagles and last season with the Patriots. Veteran guys like that, as long as they aren’t played too much, can still produce big numbers. Julius Peppers is the perfect example.

There are some guys that aren’t dominant, but can still play that Green Bay should try to sign. Someone like Connor Barwin or Demarcus Lawrence. The Packers don’t have to break the bank, but they need to add depth.

In the grand scheme of things, Matthews and Perry both have a lot to prove. But when you really look at what’s out there, the Packers would be better off keeping them and continuing to build, rather than jettisoning both and essentially starting from scratch on the edge.

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Chris is a sports journalist from Montana and has been blogging about the Packers since 2011. Chris has been a staff writer for CheeseheadTV since 2017 and looks forward to the day when Aaron Rodgers wins his second Super Bowl. Follow him @thepackersguru

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Comments (45)

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Ryan Graham's picture

February 01, 2018 at 01:14 pm

I'm sure both the numbers of Matthews and Perry will improve next year, provided Pettine uses them effectively...hard to imagine he won't be improvement to Dom Capers. That said, I continue to see their play as predictable.

If there are discussions between Ball, BG and Matthews to extend and lower his salary, I'm all for that move. Bring in a guy like Lawrence -who will be quite costly- to take the load outside, let Clay move around and play inside more. We won't know until September how this new look defense will really look

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TheVOR's picture

February 01, 2018 at 01:44 pm

Why Green Bay Should Keep Clay Matthews and Nick Perry? - Because we'd have no pass rush without them. That aside, still think they need to find more pressure in the draft and in UFA.

I also believe they should resign CMIII, however, move him inside to ILB for the balance of his career. Can you imagine Mathews and Martinez inside? OMG!

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dobber's picture

February 01, 2018 at 02:09 pm

That's the question, though: if you move CMIII to a true ILB where he has a whole different set of responsibilities, just how much pass rush are you going to get out of him, anyway?

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Christopher Gennaro's picture

February 01, 2018 at 02:19 pm

I'm with you, and there is the question if Matthews will want to play inside. From everything I have read, he was just being a good team mate when he made the switch. Not sure if they would even ask him at this point. I will say that moving him around the entire line would be great.

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Coldworld's picture

February 01, 2018 at 08:23 pm

For me, using Matthews as a full time ILB is nuts given that we don’t have a massive need in the middle and neither do we have a surplus of talent on the outside.

Move Matthews around and find a player, or players if possible, who can spell to spell Matthews and Perry without giving up all semblance of a rush. We have nobody close to being proven behind them. Keep them fresh and good things will happen while injuries are less likely.

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Malland56's picture

February 01, 2018 at 11:49 pm

Who cares? His pass rushing has sucked for 4 years now. He can't rush the QB from the edge anymore. He gets thrown around like a rag doll most of the time and he hasn't been covering his gaps on run plays. If it was me, I would try an trade him. Ever since he lost the weight he hasn't been performing good at all. He is way over rated.

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Bearmeat's picture

February 01, 2018 at 01:15 pm

First of all, we are in DESPERATE need of an OLB1. We don't have one on the roster. So, that's either going to mean a trade for a top flight one, or their 1st round pick. Ansah will be tagged, and after him, there are no sure answers at pass rush in FA this year.

His days of dominating LTs are long behind him, but I'm curious to see what Pettine does with CM3. There's no reason to extend him this season unless you need some cap relief from signing other FAs. Cutting CM3 would be unwise at this point. We need help and there's no reason to not see what he can do in a new scheme.

Perry? Yeah, he's also on a 1 year. He's got to stay healthy and pick it up, or it's gotta be cut city for him. We'll see if this Elephant end Pettine has talked about will work for him with his hand in the dirt.

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Ryan Graham's picture

February 01, 2018 at 01:55 pm

That's basically what I'm campaigning here. it's not like the defense will miss Jake Ryan out there, ick.

Id still like to see him play some outside though. He can be effective there at times...just not to the level he once was.

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Coldworld's picture

February 01, 2018 at 08:24 pm

I think Ryan is better than our third best OLB by a very long way

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Bearmeat's picture

February 03, 2018 at 07:00 pm

Which says a heckuva a lot more about the quality of OLBs on this roster than it does Ryan's average to below average NFL ability.

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Razer's picture

February 01, 2018 at 01:17 pm

Both Matthews and Perry are good players and they have been productive right up to this year. Save salary or cap on these guys and replace them with what?! Like most of you, I have been disappointed with this defense for quite a while but I am not throwing players out like bath water for the sake of soothing my frustration.

I like what the Packers have done with the coaching staff. I was time for a change (past time). I believe that under a new scheme guys like Matthews and Perry can be more effective. Matthews probably should move inside. We also need to add some pieces particularly in the secondary, another stud on the D-line and a new blood OLB I have great hope for this team and this defense for the next years.

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John Kirk's picture

February 01, 2018 at 01:26 pm

DeMarcus Lawrence would cost the moon. There's no way Jerry is letting him get out of Valley Ranch, but I understand what you're saying.

Ted would just believe Reggie Gilbert was the answer and bring in some UDFAs from Nowhere State. Can't wait to see what Brian does. He has a lot of bloatware to deal with contract wise. He can't keep all of them under current terms.

It is almost laughable we paid 20mil for Clay and Nick, plus took Biegel with the top pick on Day 3 of the entire draft and it's still one of if not the top priority. It reminds of the failings at CB, also.

We've got to get some decisions correct right away. I've read there's no way Clay is taking a pay cut. I have a feeling he won't be messed with. It'll probably Jordy or RC18. After Aaron's less than professional media commentary on AVP, I can't wait to hear what he'll have to say should that go down.

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dobber's picture

February 01, 2018 at 02:06 pm

"We've got to get some decisions correct right away. I've read there's no way Clay is taking a pay cut. I have a feeling he won't be messed with."

I've heard the same thing. I think it's all about how Pettine sees him as a piece to this defense...if Pettine's not so wild about him, maybe they let him play out 2018 and walk. Ultimately, if Pettine sees him as valuable, I can't believe CMIII wouldn't be open to an extension through 2020 or so with some meaningful guaranteed money lining his pockets. He's rolling the dice somewhat: if Pettine puts him in a role that's going to be useful to the Packers but not highlighting his skills at a higher-earning position (so he could make his coin on the FA market next year)...?

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Hawg Hanner's picture

February 01, 2018 at 02:20 pm

Don't forget Datone Jones. Ted hit it out of the park there as well

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dobber's picture

February 01, 2018 at 02:48 pm

I hear he's still available...

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Coldworld's picture

February 01, 2018 at 08:26 pm

Maybe Datone would be a decent hand in the dirt end ...

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flackcatcher's picture

February 01, 2018 at 09:37 pm

Man, that's just being evil 0:)

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lou's picture

February 02, 2018 at 12:11 pm

Tough calendar year for those that sang Datone's praises on cheeseheadtv, here are the number of teams in that calendar year he was contracted to;
Packers
Lions
49ers
Cowboys
Now he is on the street again, hopefully not in an NFL parking lot buying grass from the locals like he was caught in Green Bay.

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worztik's picture

February 01, 2018 at 01:46 pm

We’re stuck with Perry right now and there’s no reason to let Mathews go unless his entire salary is guaranteed at a certain date. Bring him to camp and see how he’s healed. As far as Fackrell and Beigle, one is a good special teamer but, what’s his ceiling as an OLB? Beigle is basically a rookie so we’ll have to wait on him. I agree we need a pass rusher but, let’s take a TOP CB at #14 and trade back into the 1st as we did for Mathews! Or... sign Fuller in FA from Da Bears (try at least) and reverse the drafting scenario I just proposed. This is all hypothetical nonsense at this point as so much is at this time of year! But, it’s still better trading thoughts on this than going to the dentist!!! Just sayin’...

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FTS Messamore's picture

February 01, 2018 at 02:09 pm

I think its time to be new. If Josh Allen is there and Gutekunst likes him. I would be ok with it.

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NickPerry's picture

February 01, 2018 at 02:36 pm

Why keep Nick Perry?? Because the DEAD MONEY would be HUGE!!!! Not to mention they don't have another player remotely close to being the player Perry is even with a friggen club on his hand.

Just another of Thompsons and Balls BONE-HEADED moves although IMO he didn't have a choice. Thompson's drafts have been so bad on the defensive side of the ball especially he HAD to sign Perry.

Side Note...Anyone watch Mike & Mike this morning. They've written something on ESPN already and I haven't even read that yet. BUT..

My observations were when Wingo said Russ Ball was the new GM you could see in Rodgers gaze and tone he answered when correcting Wingo he';s NOT a Russ Ball fan...AT ALL.

When describing the changes in the staff and front office he described the front office as "Strange" and said We'll See" when wondering if it will work.

Rodgers IS NOT HAPPY his QB Coach was not resigned. He said he wasn't consulted which IMO the Packers shouldn't do in the first place anyways. But he clearly felt he should have been so how many times before was he "Consulted" ?

I'm starting to get a real UGLY feeling about this "New Arrangement" at 1265 Lombardi and the guy who is the difference between 12-4 and 4-12 doesn't seem to pleased...

WAY TO GO MURPHY!!! Go build some more slides and stay the F out of the Football Operations!!! Clearly your making what feww "Stars" you have on this team nervous as well as some of the fan base. Not that he'd give a damn though.

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John Kirk's picture

February 01, 2018 at 02:48 pm

NP... I have read this over and over from Packers fans... "he didn't have a choice." I've never understood that commentary. There is always a choice. The choice might not be pleasant but there's always a different one. If you're the GM who can't field enough talent whereby you have to overpay what little you do, out of necessity in your mind, you need not be a GM. That fear that, oh no, if I let him go what will I do is such a sick self defeating weak mentality. A GM with confidence would let him go and find an alternate solution trusting that he could. Ted was so fearful of letting guys walk he just backed up the Brinks truck and the fanbase just complied with... he didn't have a choice. The irony in all that is most of those fans, not you, were hailing Ted as a fantastic GM and the reason for our great "success and stability".

Oh, and on the Rodgers stuff. Yeah, he's not happy at all and he's exactly right...it's STRANGE. It's more bizarro world for the Packers after 13 years of Ted it's still as bizarre as it ever was with Mark Murphy going from absentee landlord to de facto owner. Anyone who thinks Murphy wasn't going to name Russ GM and that MM and 12's backlash along with the fanbase had nothing to do with the change to Gutekunst should really ponder hard that line of thinking.

This is a hard time to be a fan of this team. I know many feel the exact opposite but knowing you're sitting on a winning lotto ticket while you subjected it to Ted all those years and then follow it up with Mark Murphy being omnipresent after never showing his face is just more crazy and more uninspiring things out of 1265. It's about self preservation all the time not winning. Murphy is only out front because of last season and the displeasure with it. He'd be as much of a ghost as always had we gone 12-4 and then one and done in the playoffs. Now, the board isn't happy, so he not only reacts but goes to extreme levels of craziness so much he says his HC now has to show him the weekly game plan? Only in Green Bay. Honestly, I'm not so sure Green Bay and Cleveland haven't traded places management wise. If Dorsey had Rodgers, and we didn't, I'd hate to think who the whole world would be laughing at year after year.

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dobber's picture

February 01, 2018 at 02:53 pm

Position coaches come and go. The move on, they move up. ARod has apparently had good relationships with all his QB coaches...and there have been several.

The "party line" from McCarthy was that van Pelt was talking about not renewing his contract already a year ago, so that this was nothing new. They knew he was going to leave to pursue other possibilities. Really, though, how often do we hear about this happening?

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John Kirk's picture

February 01, 2018 at 03:37 pm

Aaron was incredibly unprofessional to air his displeasure with AVPs departure and also to say our new structure was strange but I'm thrilled he did. We got a picture of what the greatest player in Packers history thinks of these moves. Personally, I don't care that he's upset about AVP but I do that he thinks what we've done is "strange". That's a huge slam. His biggest to date on how we operate. How can any fan feel confident or parrot the company line after that?

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NickPerry's picture

February 01, 2018 at 04:51 pm

I'm happy he did too John. I can only hope this arrangement that Murphy has forced himself into will work. BUT I'm pleased Rodgers did say something. Just a few years ago the Vikings had something similar going on and we made fun of them!!! Is it suddenly "Okay" because it's the Packers doing it?

All I know and I said it above is I'm becoming more and more concerned about with the number of cooks in the Packers kitchen.

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John Kirk's picture

February 01, 2018 at 05:02 pm

I amend what I said regarding the "strange" comment. I listened to it 3 times. It was not said specifically about the FO changes. He spoke to O and D coordinator changes and then said some of the other changes were strange. Shame on Golic and Wingo for not immediately following up on that thought but they eventually got back around to it and that's when he expressed his displeasure with AVP leaving. Never once spoke to Murphy or Brian. I did smile when 12 said "as far as I know" when correcting Wingo that Russ was not the GM.

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NickPerry's picture

February 02, 2018 at 04:30 am

I rewound it several times when watching live. I have to disagree with it not being about the FO, probably both.

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worztik's picture

February 01, 2018 at 03:36 pm

Nick... I watched his interviews on NFL Network and he did come across as pissed off in his own way. He almost appeared arrogant, which I don’t think suits him well! He should work with whomever is there as apparently he’s not on board with... yet. This is a mess right now, as you say, especially after Gute’s comment on TT having a LOT of input as to whom is drafted... that’s scary!!!

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John Kirk's picture

February 01, 2018 at 04:01 pm

I found it interesting at The Big Lead they, too, question whether Aaron will sign an extension.

12 took shots at the org. That didn't go unnoticed back at 1265. That's usually a good way to get yourself shipped out. If Mark Murphy has the ego to go from absentee landlord to a guy who wants to see weekly game plans where does his madness end? Does he influence no extension or even a ticket out of town?

This is an ego business. Murphy isn't going to take well HIS big plan for the FO being called strange. Aaron basically called him an idiot without saying the word and our CEO is smart enough to get that. What will he do?

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Coldworld's picture

February 01, 2018 at 08:32 pm

Rodgers will get over it if the team gets better. I absolutely agree that the notion that any player should get a say on his coaching staff is one to be dismissed at the earliest opportunity. Kudos to MM for having the guts to take a decision that was not going to be popular.

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flackcatcher's picture

February 01, 2018 at 10:11 pm

All we can do now is watch, and see how this plays out. Two things stands out here. One: Rodgers would not sound off on the front office unless he checked with someone in the know. He is very honest, but very careful in his messaging. Two: Mark Murphy really stepped in 'it'. More and more, people are wondering what kind of conditions was Ted Thompson operating in over the past couple of years. Personally, I get the nasty feeling that Ted was the GM in name only the last couple of years. Hope I'm wrong about that. The executive committee has the personal in place if they need to replace Murphy and Russ Ball. And lets not forget that many inside 1265 felt as they were betrayed by Murphy's actions. This has only begun, and it could ugly, real ugly before all is said and done. For everyone sake, I hope the executive committee and board cleans this up quickly.

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HankScorpio's picture

February 02, 2018 at 07:12 am

"Why keep Nick Perry?? Because the DEAD MONEY would be HUGE!!!!"

Regardless of what one thinks about Nick Perry, this dictates he will be kept for at least one more year, probably more like 2. Right now, the Packers would actually take a cap hit to cut him. As in, the amount of cap space consumed by him would go up if they cut him.

With limited cap space available and plenty of roster needs, that alone means Perry stays for 2018. And Packer fans should hope that Pettine can get something out of him that Capers could not get out of him.

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stockholder's picture

February 01, 2018 at 02:42 pm

I Think nothing changes as far as the Lbs go. Moss didn't leave! We had peppers to move around too. Someone has to go in for Perry. I see Mathews still being moved around. It's the supporting cast thats playing for crap. Mathews knows he can play anywhere, and so do the packers. His Versatility is what the packers NEED. But what has changed is your sticking Elephants like Perry, on the Outside. The speed is gone. I hope we get back to true OLbs. One elephant is good. Two is too many. (otherwise they would have dumped Mathews.) And Peppers was too good over RT. (Good Bye D. Jones) With everyone asking for a pro DB/SS in FA. It's time to rethink the draft priority. Take the Best Defensive player regardless of position. Plug that middle. Mathews Needs Help!

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Coldworld's picture

February 01, 2018 at 08:34 pm

Could not agree more

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jimtalkbox's picture

February 01, 2018 at 02:52 pm

I'd wait to see what Pettine does with the defense before deciding on Matthews and Perry in 2019, but they DEFINITELY need more pass rushers. You can never, ever, ever, ever, ever have too many of them!

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ThirdStringSafety's picture

February 01, 2018 at 03:20 pm

Hey all,

I float around the edges here, but rarely comment. However, I just wanted to log in to say thank you to the writers and to the commenters. After this tough season, I had to find a different website to get my Packers news and commentary.

Over the course of 2017, the team website would have you believe that unicorns were spitting rainbows on the 50 yard line of Lambeau and everything was going just as planned (fiddling while Rome burned), and if you dared to post a comment to the contrary, you were lambasted by the five regulars as being spoiled and ignorant.

Other websites exist as click bait and aim for curse-filled shock value.

I finally happened upon CheeseheadTV, where the articles are well thought out, people can agree or disagree, and a fan can offer an honest assessment without being personally attacked. It's more like a conversation at a bar, talking players and plays with your buddies.

So, again, thanks for being here!

Alright, back to the regularly scheduled football conversation.

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Doug Niemczynski's picture

February 01, 2018 at 03:32 pm

I get attacked all the time when i tell the truth, so now i just post a comment here and there.

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worztik's picture

February 01, 2018 at 03:38 pm

Go for it Doug!!! Ignore the noise!!! ;-)

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Doug Niemczynski's picture

February 01, 2018 at 04:19 pm

Nah..

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dobber's picture

February 01, 2018 at 04:01 pm

Withdrawn

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Lphill's picture

February 01, 2018 at 03:56 pm

Perry and Fackeral could go , give Biegel a chance looks like he has a motor , use Clay on 2 nd and 3 rd downs keep him fresh . Draft the best edge rusher available . Maybe sign another veteran , that Frank Zombo guy seems to be doing ok.

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Coldworld's picture

February 01, 2018 at 08:37 pm

I see nothing more than blind hope behind Perry and Matthews. To get rid of either of them without more would be hugely unwise

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Doug Niemczynski's picture

February 01, 2018 at 04:18 pm

Depends who they can get in free agency.

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ChrisPeterson's picture

February 01, 2018 at 10:03 pm

I think Nick Perry is a good player. If he can stay healthy I think he will get 10 sacks. Matthews can move around some but use him to blitz inside and rush the QB. He and Perry, plus a vet like they tried with Brooks but better and a good edge rusher in the draft, that would be solid. I like King and Randall at CB. I think both are keepers. Randall isn't great but makes big plays and I liked what I saw from King. But they need to spend money on someone who can cover Malcom Butler or someone like that. We will see.

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flackcatcher's picture

February 01, 2018 at 10:21 pm

I'm withholding judgement until I see the new defensive scheme, and the personal in it. The new DC gets a pass from me. Need to see how this staff works and how the Packer defense plays on the field. OTA and training camp going to be....interesting.

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