By: Chris Terlop
Next man up has been the Packers motto since Mike McCarthy has arrived as head coach, so why should this year be any different? This week comes with linebackers Brad Jones and Clay Matthews out for this week’s game against Baltimore, with Matthews lined up to miss even more time with a broken thumb. One has to ask themselves, how long can Green Bay survive on “next man up”?
Sure the Packers have better depth than most teams in the NFL due to great draft decisions made by Ted Thompson and company, but this time you are removing your best defensive player, and some can argue, your second best defensive player in Brad Jones.
The Green and Gold just got Morgan Burnett back last week and the impact was felt immediately as he made a touchdown saving tip after allowing a receiver to get behind him. Was it blown coverage initially? Yes, but Jerron McMillian does not recover in time to make that play and MD Jennings played even better with Burnett next to him.
So Clay and Brad are out, half of the linebacking corps, along with Casey Hayward possibly missing yet another game with his hamstring injury leaves one fourth of the starting defense in sweats on Sunday. Who will step up?
At middle linebacker, the loss of Robert Francois with a torn Achilles doesn’t help, but Jamari Lattimore had a very good preseason and camp and looked capable of filling in for Jones, hopefully for just one week. What you have to begin to worry about is what if AJ Hawk or Lattimore get nicked or need a break, is rookie Sam Barrington really ready to step up into a starting role?
Now to replacing Clay Matthews. With Matthews, the Packers are 22nd in the NFL is sacks, and that is boosted by a five sack performance last week against Detroit. Dom Capers will have to get creative with the pass rush to get pressure on whomever they are facing. Nick Perry looked more comfortable rushing the passer from the right side and is coming off his best game of his career.
Mike Neal isn’t an every down linebacker, but expect to see an increase in his snaps and rookies Andy Mulumba (who also has an ankle injury) and Nate Palmer see some reps outside of special teams. Mulumba was one of Kevin Greene’s favorite players during camp, while Palmer came on strong at the end of camp.
Bottom line, the Packers defense is in trouble any way you look at it. Even with Perry having a great game, teams will recognize him as the number one pass rusher on the field, he won’t get the same chances he had last week if a team preps for him. While Mulumba and Palmer have improved, they are still an undrafted free agent and late round draft pick for a reason. The biggest hope for the Packers defense is a lot of points courtesy of Aaron Rodgers and co.
You can hear Chris M-F on Sportsline and Saturdays at 8 am. Follow Chris on Twitter @ChrisTerlop
