Agreed. And if Pettine wasn’t focused as much on the run, he will be this year. Finally, even the best coaches can only do so much with the talent they have. Responsibility lies with the coaches and players. In addition to beefing up ILB, the DL needs depth, and probably another starter next to Clark, at a minimum. Not sure how many DLinemen are left in FA, or how the draft stacks up. It would also be nice if guys like Keke and others on the roster could make a jump.
Agreed. For one thing, Kirksey is a better sideline-to-sideline player. Martinez played well but played slow.
With 9 draft picks to work with, I’m expecting one will be an ILB.
Yes, but I kinda think if a good one is there; we should use the 1st pick. Maybe the Wisconsin LB. But we do have at least 4 positions of need and sure would like to hit on 3 out of four in the 1st four picks.
Yeah ILB will be addressed, again, in the draft. I have very little faith in the guys we have, esp Burks. Kirksey was the best Gluten could do with the cap and other needs. Here’s hoping either Queen or Murray fall to #30. I’m not holding my breath. I still think solid WR talent can be had in the second round, and if, as I expect, Queen and Murray are gone at #30, take the BPA or the best WR available.
They paid him about $5 mil/year, right? That is a lot for a guy who has missed so many games recently. Then again, I don’t think Gluten had a lot of choices in front of him that made financial sense. I was hoping for Littleton, but at $13 mil/year, well that was just too much given other needs.
Yeah I mean just saying a guy has been injured doesn’t tell a lot. Rodgers has missed almost two full seasons to injury, but clearly the kind that heal. I hadn’t thought about the silver lining, fewer miles on a player who has been out with injuries.
Good thing Kirksey has an incentive-laden contract, but it still seems pricey. But he was the best Gluten could do. Now the challenge is finding a solid rookie who can play next to Kirksey. Just my opinion, but I think Burks is done in GB. Give him another year, they certainly need the depth, but it may soon be time to move on.
That’s an interesting observation. IMO, it still doesn’t address his lack of sideline-to-sideline speed, which is coming to define the modern ILB in the NFL. We’ll see in a year (I hope!). Everyone - stay inside and stay healthy.
You nailed it as far as Kirksey. As far as Blake being told to play cleanup, well we’ll see how he does in a different environment. But if the Giants get Simmons, well that can only help Blake. But at #10 mil/year, he wasn’t worth whatever the Packers we’re asking him to do. And I do believe him.
Yep, and don’t get me wrong. I never questioned Blake’s motor or desire. He just didn’t deliver based on what is becoming the “new” NFL ILB - lighter, faster, able to stop the run (ideally at or behind the LOS), and able to drop into coverage. In some ways, the safety and ILB positions are merging. The problem - there aren’t a lot of guys who can play at that level. So GB is better off without him, at any price, and Kirksey was the best available option to Gluten. I love Littleton, but at $13 mil/year, no thanks. I’d rather focus the limited cap on keeping Clark and Bak.
