Green Bay Packers Top 10 offseason storylines
Dec 8, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Steven Jackson (39) is tackled by Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk (50) in the third quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
3. Changes at inside linebacker.
ILB is the position that requires the greatest improvement on the Packers roster heading into 2015, and I don’t think it’s close. A.J. Hawk and Brad Jones began the year at the position, but were replaced by 2nd-year man Sam Barrington and Clay Matthews, who slid inside from ROLB.
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Matthews excelled at the position, but I feel he’d also excel at punter if you asked him to. Keeping Matthews inside shouldn’t be the initial consideration, because this defense would be better with him on the edge and an upgrade on the inside.
Barrington seems likely to begin 2015 as a starter, and despite his inexperience in coverage he flashed some exciting physical skills this past season. He plays with a hint of violence that I love to see on the inside, and can stack up an opposing running back at the line of scrimmage. That’s something the Packers have been missing.
For Hawk and Jones, their tenure in Green Bay could be coming to a close. If either are on the roster next season, I expect that it will involve a significant pay cut, a big drop in playing time, or both. Hawk looked small on the field this season, always a half-step behind the play and rarely making a tackle without the ballcarrier falling forward for extra yardage. Brad Jones, on the other hand, only impressed me with his ability to make more than one mistake on the same play.
The draft could line up well for Green Bay in terms of value, with Bernardrick McKinney of Mississippi State and Denzel Perryman of Miami both possibilities at the bottom of the first round.
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