Packers trade CB Lenzy Pipkins to Colts for ILB Antonio Morrison

[adambr2]

www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/11437/antonio-morrison

Seems to make sense. Morrison is not a great player but an experienced starter and tackler at a position where we really needed some depth.

 

[rodell330]

www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/11437/antonio-morrison

Seems to make sense. Morrison is not a great player but an experienced starter and tackler at a position where we really needed some depth.

Started 15 games with over 100 tackles...probably better than any other mlb outside of Martinez we have so....

 

[Favre>Rodgers259]

Exactly, he's not a great player but he's a good one. Plus he was a Gator. Granted he never got to show his true speed but on tape I'd definitely say he's faster than Ryan, but probably not as fast as Burks who's a converted safety. When the Colts switched back to a 4-3 he played Sam so he should have some subpackage value as well.

 

[Snoops]

I wanted it to be Khalil Mack news lol but with pipkins buried on the depth chart legit trade when we need depth

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Morrison was a 2016 fourth-round draft pick who had dropped down the depth chart at the Colts moved from a 3-4 defense to coordinator Matt Eberflus’ 4-3. He had appeared in 31 games with 19 starts, and led the team in tackles last season with 109

The guy just turned 23!

I think a solid trade. Was Pipkins even going to make the 53 man roster?

What am I missing here, the Packers might have just traded for a starter by giving up a guy that was clearly on the bubble. Is our CB unit suddenly THAT good?

We have Morrison for 2 seasons at $630K and $720K.

Way to go Gute!

*waits for someone to post it or it to actually Happen..."Pipkins is the next Hayward to leave GB"

Like "the leader in the locker room" part!

https://www.packers.com/news/five-things-to-know-about-antonio-morrison

 

[HardRightEdge]

...probably better than any other mlb outside of Martinez we have so....

No, he will not be that. This is a guy who ran his Pro Day 40 at 5.1. No amount of "development" or "field speed" fixes that.

This is the answer to the end of the Greer Martini era, a run stopping backup to Martinez or paired with him in short yardage. Think Brandon Spikes lite. He's a cheaper solution to a depth problem than Navarro Bowman, a guy some of liked for that role but probably too expensive for it. He'll be #4 on the depth chart behind Ahmad Thomas who's looking like a pretty decent football player who at least logged a 4.68 Pro Day number.

Of course with these kinds of players you have to ask if he has any special teams bona fides. I don't know the answer to that question.

Maybe I shouldn't call it the end of the Martini era. The Packers might like him enough for the practice squad.

 

[Mondio]

I"ve liked what I've seen from Thomas, has learning to do, but he looks like a football player and will get there.

 

[Favre>Rodgers259]

No, he will not be that. This is a guy who ran his Pro Day 40 at 5.1. No amount of "development" or "field speed" fixes that.

Morrison had just been cleared from a staph infection just days before his Pro Day. Team doctors told him not to run and he did anyway to show a sign of toughness. If he can run 5.1 post staph infection, I'd say that's a good 4.6-4.8 perfectly healthy.

 

[HardRightEdge]

Was Pipkins even going to make the 53 man roster?

Borderline. I think even Goodson might have been ahead of him for special teams play. Pipkins is a good tackler, run blitzer, pass blitzer who looks best close to the line. At least that's been my takeaway mostly from preseason action the last couple of years. In coverage? Meh.

Like "the leader in the locker room" part!

That depends. Martinez should be the leader in that group. A second voice could be complementary if it is not too loud. Otherwise, you can get cross-talk or bickering.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

That depends. Martinez should be the leader in that group. A second voice could be complementary if it is not too loud. Otherwise, you can get cross-talk or bickering.

Well yes, but much better than reading "somewhat of a locker room cancer" or "disruptive and hard to coach".

Maybe I am being too optimistic, but these are the signings I actually love. It may end up meaning nothing, but we just landed a really young guy with a lot of NFL experience, as a starter no less, at a position of great need. What did we lose? An UDFA who if he even made the team, was stuck at the bottom of the depth chart.

 

[rodell330]

No, he will not be that. This is a guy who ran his Pro Day 40 at 5.1. No amount of "development" or "field speed" fixes that.

This is the answer to the end of the Greer Martini era, a run stopping backup to Martinez or paired with him in short yardage. Think Brandon Spikes lite. He's a cheaper solution to a depth problem than Navarro Bowman, a guy some of liked for that role but probably too expensive for it. He'll be #4 on the depth chart behind Ahmad Thomas who's looking like a pretty decent football player who at least logged a 4.68 Pro Day number.

Of course with these kinds of players you have to ask if he has any special teams bona fides. I don't know the answer to that question.

Maybe I shouldn't call it the end of the Martini era. The Packers might like him enough for the practice squad.

Who cares about his 40? We need another run stuffer in the middle. He could be the next AJ Hawk and get a lot of tackles 6-8 yds pass the line of scrimmage haha

 

[thisisnate]

seems like the sort of move that makes too much sense not to make
but that we probably would not have seen under thompson
regardless of his impact, i love the move in a vacuum

 

[HardRightEdge]

Maybe I am being too optimistic, but these are the signings I actually love.

I like it but I cannot say I love it. This is a big step up from Martini for run stopping and depth. But you have to understand what you are buying.

The first thing you have to ask yourself is why the Colts would trade a cheap 3rd. year player who started for them last season for Lenzy Pipkins.

Here's your answer:

The Colts switched from a 3-4 to a 4-3 this season with Morrsion pegged as a backup at SAM (that's strong side OLB). How come? He lacks the speed needed to be a 3-down player in a 4-3. In 3-4, he can be paired with a guy more suitable for coverage. The run stopper now happens to be Martinez, so do the math. This doesn't change the Burks (or Thomas) equation in nickel 75% of the time.

Here's a Morrison/Edwin Jackson mix tape from 2016. Morrison is #44; do not confuse him with Jackson who, by the way, was killed in a roadside crash that made national news at the time.

You must be logged in to see this image or video!

I see a downhill load of run stopping and that's what the Packers are buying. Base defense, short yardage, depth. Again, Brandon Spikes lite.

 

[sschind]

Which player would you rather have on your team, Pipkins or Morrison? Unless you are Pipkins' cousin or he is married to your sister I'd guess you would want Morrison so IMO that makes it a good trade.

 

[OldSchool101]

First impression is he’s a solid tackler, reliable and has good instincts. He gets draft picked just before Martinez a few years ago, but we also have the luxury of him being marinated and seasoned properly before throwing him on the grill. The Colts get basically the same with Lenzy..this is a win-win at a position swap.
We got him on the cheap and we traded for our player that had a significant chance of NOT making the roster. This was a smart move.

I’d like to see us go after a similar transaction at OL. We need to shore that position group up and not rely on inexperienced lineman or guys like Bell. Let’s keep #12 on his feet and avoid a repeat of the Hundley vs. MN game last year that put us in a tail spin.
Backup QB for OL??

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

First impression is he’s a solid tackler, reliable and has good instincts. He gets draft picked just before Martinez a few years ago, but we also have the luxury of him being marinated and seasoned properly before throwing him on the grill. The Colts get basically the same with Lenzy..this is a win-win at a position swap.
We got him on the cheap and we traded for our player that had a significant chance of NOT making the roster. This was a smart move.

I’d like to see us go after a similar transaction at OL. We need to shore that position group up and not rely on inexperienced lineman or guys like Bell. Let’s keep #12 on his feet and avoid a repeat of the Hundley vs. MN game last year that put us in a tail spin.
Backup QB for OL??

I would gladly part ways with Hundley for a solid OL backup. However, I don't think his market value is that high, especially given his contract is up at the end of the year.

 

[Divot]

I am thinking of Desmond Biship when I read about Morrison

 

[thequick12]

Exactly, he's not a great player but he's a good one. Plus he was a Gator. Granted he never got to show his true speed but on tape I'd definitely say he's faster than Ryan, but probably not as fast as Burks who's a converted safety. When the Colts switched back to a 4-3 he played Sam so he should have some subpackage value as well.

He ran a 5.1 while Ryan ran a 4.65 and Burks a 4.59 so he's nowhere close to as fast as either guy you mentioned but that doesn't mean he can't be a serviceable backup. I believe he's competing with Greer martini for that spot as Ahmad Thomas seems to have the backup spot behind Burks locked up. Martini ran a 4.81 but right now I'd guess he's destined for the practice squad and the Packers start the season with Martinez, Burks, Morrison, and Thomas on the inside.

 

[thisisnate]

i have absolutely no idea if this is true; you can do some research if you want to try to verify...
but i read i think on reddit somewhere that he was recovering from a staph infection days before he ran his 40
he was advised not to run but wanted to prove his toughness
again, research if you want to verify, just something related that i read

 

[HardRightEdge]

Morrison had just been cleared from a staph infection just days before his Pro Day. Team doctors told him not to run and he did anyway to show a sign of toughness. If he can run 5.1 post staph infection, I'd say that's a good 4.6-4.8 perfectly healthy.

He might run 4.8 with the wind at his back.

 

[Jerellh528]

At least this means no martini. Solid trade. Pipkins had an uphill battle to even make the 53 imo.

 

[elcid]

I dont care if he runs a 6.0 40. IF anything, its telling of his instincts if he makes that many tackles. He is the leading tackler of the Colts and some people are upset that we traded for this guy? On the contract that he is on? Because he is a vocal leader?? Im sure he'll take it slow and let other people lead the way on his new team. This trade is an A+ all the way, well done again BG

 

[Dantés]

This move doesn't deserve to be overhyped, but I like it quite a bit. Gute found a reasonable replacement of Jake Ryan for a guy who, while talented, was probably not going to make the roster with the pressure at other positions. He addressed a need without giving up anything really critical. That's what you want.

Also, my understanding is that during Morrison's senior season and pre-draft process, he was still somewhat hampered by a really bad knee injury he suffered during his junior season. I'm not claiming to know, but maybe that explains the really bad workout numbers to an extent? I think he's a two down player regardless, but maybe when fully healthy he isn't quite as slow as it would appear. The truth will show itself on the field.

 

[thequick12]

This move doesn't deserve to be overhyped, but I like it quite a bit. Gute found a reasonable replacement of Jake Ryan for a guy who, while talented, was probably not going to make the roster with the pressure at other positions. He addressed a need without giving up anything really critical. That's what you want.

Also, my understanding is that during Morrison's senior season and pre-draft process, he was still somewhat hampered by a really bad knee injury he suffered during his junior season. I'm not claiming to know, but maybe that explains the really bad workout numbers to an extent? I think he's a two down player regardless, but maybe when fully healthy he isn't quite as slow as it would appear. The truth will show itself on the field.

I agree, you trade a guy whose not gonna make your team for a guy who will likely play a key backup role and that's a big win all day. A savy move by gute granted I don't follow the colts but i suspect they see it the same way from their side unless Morrison just somehow wore out his welcome in Indy.

 

[Dantés]

I agree, you trade a guy whose not gonna make your team for a guy who will likely play a key backup role and that's a big win all day. A savy move by gute granted I don't follow the colts but i suspect they see it the same way from their side unless Morrison just somehow wore out his welcome in Indy.

It’s not always the case, but trades can be “win, win.” Pipkins is a talented player with a shot at becoming a role player in an NFL defense. It makes sense from their perspective.