Packers Outside Linebacker Preview
One of the necessary parts of the Packers' success is the pass rushing, led by Clay Matthews. So, here are the Packers' OLB's, with experience and number.
#43 Beniquez Brown (Rookie)
#45 Manoa Pikula (Rookie)
#51 Kyler Fackrell (Rookie)
#52 Clay Matthews (8)
#53 Nick Perry (5)
#55 Lerentee McCray (4)
#56 Julius Peppers (15)
#91 Jayrone Elliott (3)
#95 Datone Jones (4)
This is one of the more interesting groups on the Packers, and it's led by Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers. Everybody knows the Al-Jazeera issues with these guys, and I think they are innocent like Peyton Manning, but that's not what I'm here to talk about. The defense starts with Matthews, and he is the second most important Packer overall. Peppers has provided him with another legitimate pass rush threat, but in his mid-to-upper thirties, it's unwise to expect him to keep him performing at the rate he has. He is still one of the best athletes on the team and a very good player, but at some point age will catch up with him. Hopefully it's not this year.
After Peppers and Matthews, the third rusher is likely fifth year pro Nick Perry, who had a great postseason and earned himself a one year offer. As he and the Packers hope, he will prove he can be Peppers' eventual replacement. Another lock to make the team is Datone Jones, a former first round pick who has moved from DE to OLB in the offseason, and has lost weight to make the transition easier. Jay Elliott is another likely lock, and he has improved by leaps and bounds each year and has made plays when he gets playing time. He's ready for a bigger role than just being on special teams. The final (likely) lock is Kyler Fackrell, a third round pick from BYU. The age he is now (25) as a rookie is a bit of a concern, but at this point the Packers have to assume Rodgers' window is the window for a championship. These are the six guys I have making the Packers roster.
So, without further ado, here are the players: Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers, Datone Jones, Nick Perry, Jayrone Elliott, Kyler Fackrell
