Green Bay Packers linebacker Brad Jones during the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. The Packers won 24-10. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Previous Defensive Positions: Defensive Line, Outside Linebacker

The inside linebacker position for the Green Bay Packers has just gotten interesting. Green Bay released inside linebacker Desmond Bishop today. This has come as a bit of a surprise considering Bishop was an integral part of the defense before he suffered his injury in the preseason opener last year.

Bishop has repeatedly stated that he is “100%” and ready to compete this offseason, but he has sat out OTAs with other lingering injuries. There is still question he would ever return to his pre-2012 form. It has also been reported that the Packers were trying to restructure Bishop’s $3.46 base salary, but the two sides could not come to terms.

Who can blame the Packers for trying to restructure Bishop’s salary, considering he’s coming off a major injury and did not play at all in 2012. The Packers also resigned ascending inside linebacker Brad Jones to a starter’s salary ($4.2 million) this offseason. That would mean Green Bay would have been paying three inside linebackers a starter’s salary if they retained Bishop at his current salary.

Even though there were reports this offseason that the Packers were looking to trade Bishop, I am still a bit surprised Bishop and the Packers front office couldn’t come to an agreement. Bishop’s release shows that Green Bay is ready to move on with Brad Jones and A.J. Hawk as the starting inside linebackers and must like what they have with the other young players at the position.

Bishop’s departure leaves a playmaking void in the middle of the defense. The Packers will rely on young talent to step up and provide the physical presence Bishop brought to the field on a consistent basis.

Now with Bishop and D.J. Smith gone this offseason, let’s see how the position pans out heading into the 2013 season.

Inside Linebacker (6)

Safe – Brad Jones, 6-3, 242 pounds; A.J. Hawk, 6-1, 242 pounds

A.J. Hawk works out during organized team activities at Clarke Hinkle Field in Green Bay. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

With Bishop’s release, it’s clear Jones and Hawk will be the starting inside linebackers for the Green Bay defense in 2013.

Hawk has been Mr. Reliable the past few seasons for the Packers, rarely missing any time due to injury. Hawk is consistent and a solid starter for the Packers. He won’t make a lot of the splashy plays fans may like, but he provides good leadership on the defense and plays well against the run.

Hawk has finished in the top two on the team in tackles every season since he was drafted by Green Bay in 2006, and put up another solid performance in 2012 with 120 tackles and 3 sacks. Hawk can be a liability in pass coverage, so look for Jones to be the lone linebacker in dime packages and passing situations. He will continue to be a leader on the defense and bring much-needed experience to a position group that is filled with youth.

Jones began his career at outside linebacker in 2009, but his inconsistent play at the position encouraged coaches to move him to inside linebacker last season. Jones flew under the radar for the first half of the 2012 season, making his mark on special teams. However, when D.J. Smith went down in week six against the Houston Texans, Jones stepped up and solidified himself as the starting inside linebacker for the remainder of the season.

Jones was arguably the Packers most improved defensive player last season. He finished third on the team in tackles, with 77, and recorded 2 sacks and 4 passes defensed. Jones is athletic and quick on his feet and was the Packers best linebacker in pass coverage last season. Jones’ emergence in 2012 gave the Packers the confidence to release both Smith and Bishop, so let’s hope Jones’ improved play will continue in 2013. The Packers defense may just be relying on it.

On the Fence – Robert Francois, 6-2, 250 pounds; Terrell Manning, 6-2, 237 pounds; Jamari Lattimore, 6-2, 237 pounds

Tight end D.J. Williams (right) and linebacker Terrell Manning work out during organized team activities at Clarke Hinkle Field in Green Bay. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports photograph

Francois, Manning, and Lattimore will provide depth at inside linebacker. Francois is a reliable veteran and important cog on special teams coverage units. Francois played well in the few games he started in 2011, but he nearly disappeared on defense last season. Francois entered the 2013 offseason as a free agent, but the Packers re-signed him for another season. Maybe Green Bay has an expanded role in mind for the veteran linebacker. He will be fighting for a roster spot with the younger players, but his experience may give him the edge.

The Packers seem to be really high on Manning. Green Bay drafted him in the fifth round last season, but they didn’t get a fair chance at seeing what he offers because of a stomach virus he suffered in training camp. The Packers kept him on the roster based on his potential, and it seems this move could pay off. Manning was a big time playmaker in college.

In his two years starting for North Carolina State, he recorded 207 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 5 interceptions, 5 forced fumbles, and 5 fumble recoveries. It is easy to see why Green Bay liked this guy coming out of college. Now it’s time for Manning to show the team what he can really do. Manning could prove to be the Packers top backup inside linebacker heading into the 2013 season.

Lattimore is a versatile player who has experience playing each linebacker position on the Packers roster. He joined Green Bay in 2011 as an undrafted free agent, and has been one of the Packers’ best special teams players since arriving. Lattimore brings a lot of energy to the position and his versatility and special teams expertise makes him a strong candidate for a roster spot this season.

Long Shot – Sam Barrington, 6-1, 235 pounds

South Florida Bulls linebacker Sam Barrington (36) during the first half against the Florida State Seminoles at Raymond James Stadium. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports photograph

Barrington is the rookie of the group and has a long way to go to beat out the other linebackers and make the final roster. Barrington was drafted in the sixth round in this year’s draft, and was a key player to the South Florida defense as a senior.

Barrington could be a surprise rookie this season that rises up the depth chart during training camp, but considering the other young talent at the position, Barrington will most likely remain at the bottom of the depth chart at the position. His best chance at making the team in 2013 will most likely be on the practice squad. Look for Barrington to be a developmental player.

Last year the Packers kept six inside linebackers on their final roster (Hawk, Smith, Jones, Francois, Lattimore, Manning) and placed one on injured reserve (Bishop). I expect them to keep a similar number this season. My early predictions are that the Packers start Jones and Hawk with Francois, Manning, and Lattimore providing depth and being key special teams contributors. I expect Barrington to be a practice squad candidate.

Bishop’s loss will be a tough pill to swallow for many Packer fans, but the young potential at the position should give us hope that another impact player will emerge at the position.

The Packers said goodbye to Desmond Bishop today.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

The inevitable has come to pass - the Green Bay Packers have officially announced the decision to release Desmond Bishop this afternoon, clearing the way for Brad Jones and A.J. Hawk to be the starting inside linebackers in 2013.

The move was expected and spread across the news outlets late last week and came to pass today with the official announcement by the Packers just after 3 p.m. today.

Here is what Bishop tweeted today:

So much fun, so many memories & friendships forged in Green Bay. Ups & downs, wins & losses! Even a XLV championship. Forever grateful #Pack

— Desmond Bishop (@Desbishop55) June 17, 2013

The 28-year-old Bishop signed a $19 million extension in January 2011 and he was scheduled to make about $3.4 million this season and count about $800,000 against the 2014 cap.

Though Bishop insisted that he was 100 percent healthy after suffering a season-ending hamstring injury last August, it appeared the Packers were hoping to restructure his deal if there were any chance he would be brought back. Reports indicated Bishop wasn’t open to that move.

Because Bishop was a more than a fourth-year veteran, he became a street free agent immediately upon his release.

Not surprisingly, it has also been announced that Bishop’s first visit will be at that scrap heap of former Green Bay Packers players, the Minnesota Vikings.

Bishop was drafted in the sixth round in 2008 and worked his way into the starting role in 2010 when Nick Barnett went down with a season-ending injury. He helped lead the Packers to a Super Bowl XLV championship and recovered a key fumble by the Pittsburgh Steelers near the end of that game. In five seasons in Titletown, he had 292 tackles, nine sacks and nine passes defensed. Before his injury he was considered one of the best, if not the best of the Packers defenders.

With both D.J. Smith and Bishop out of the picture in Green Bay, it opens the door for Jones and Hawk to nail down the starting jobs for the Packers. It was unclear this afternoon if the Packers were planning to go looking for players to add depth to the position as they head toward the start of Training Camp.

Ironically, Nick Barnett is an available free agent after having been released by the Buffalo Bills earlier this spring.

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is pressured in the pocket by Green Bay Packers linebacker Desmond Bishop at the Lambeau Field.
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports photograph

Lombardiave.com is among the many news sites, including AcmePackingCompany.com, reporting that inside linebacker Desmond Bishop’s days with the Green Bay Packers are numbered.

Is that because of his nearly $5 million cap hit this year and next? His recurring health woes? A tingling feeling deep inside Ted Thompson’s gut that Terrell Manning is ready to contribute?

My guess is, yes – to all of the above.

Thompson and the Packers are well known for taking good care of the salary cap, so it’s a no-brainer that this is a key reason the team reportedly shopped Bishop during the draft.They re-signed Brad Jones, who earned his shot at starting last season while filling in for Bishop and the now-departed D.J. Smith, and A.J. Hawk is still there to run the show on the inside.

My feeling is that the Packers probably want to restructure and Bishop doesn’t want to. He claims he is healthy, yet hasn’t participated in OTAs. Is there something he isn’t telling the club about his recovery from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for all of 2012? Or is he just resisting the salary restructuring he knows he’ll be asked for? Or perhaps he really does believe he’ll be the 2013 Defensive Player of the Year due to some recently-acquired super powers, and he can’t reveal his alter-identity as Capt. SuperBacker without serious risk.

Because, honestly, if a nuclear poodle bit him and gave him super-human run-stopping ability, I wish he’d say so. It might make all the difference in keeping him in Green Bay.

Sadly, that’s probably not it. My guess is that it goes back to Thompson’s protection of the budget and expectation that it is Manning’s time to step up. And let’s face it, if Robert Francois can continue to provide usable depth and 2013 seventh-round pick is even worthy of practice-squad consideration, Thompson won’t want to pay Bishop, Hawk and Jones starter money.

From the reports circulating now, nothing short of Bishop showing up in Thompson’s office before training camp begins wearing a cape and a big green “GB” on his chest will likely keep the linebacker around another season.

But you know what? I applaud it. All Green Bay Packers fans should.

Green Bay Packers linebacker Brad Jones (59) during the game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

There are a lot of reasons for this. While Jones has occasionally been known to disappear in games, he made the most of an opportunity last year when D.J. Smith went down with an injury and made that inside linebacker slot indisputably his own, at least for the remainder of the 2012 season.

Jones started 12 games – including the two playoff tilts – notching 92 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. Pro Football Focus graded Jones as a top 10 inside linebacker in 2012, so that’s essentially signing a top-10 linebacker for not-top-10 money at $11.75 over three years (including a $3 million signing bonus). Also, this means Jones, who will be 27 when training camp begins, will be playing in Green Bay during his athletic prime.

This key signing (did I remember to say thank you, Ted Thompson?) was made possible in part by A.J.  Hawk’s agreeing to take a massive pay cut. Hawk was a not-top-10 linebacker making close to top-10 money who will have a diminished role in Green Bay going forward if numbers mean anything – especially if Smith and stalwart Desmond Bishop bounce back healthy.

It’s also true that Jones has some experience at outside linebacker, and no one has yet stepped up opposite Clay Matthews. Perhaps Thompson saw a potential 2-in-1 depth solution in Jones in case Nick Perry doesn’t develop as quickly as the team had hoped (and Perry did miss out on valuable playing time last year due to a wrist injury). Let’s not forget that Jones registered four sacks in limited duty at outside linebacker his rookie year.

This is actually something of a coup for Thompson, in my mind; it was reported that as many as nine teams were interested in Jones, and he even made an official visit to the Tennessee Titans. In the end, Jones remained a Packer, and I for one am glad for it, even if he doesn’t steal a starting slot. My guess, however, is that he will.

Heck, I’d be OK with paying Jones just to reward him for fracturing Brett Favre’s ankle in 2010 and helping to force the Ol’ Gunslinger into throwing three delicious picks in a Packers victory. Ah, memories.

Was the Brad Jones signing a good one for the Packers? Do you think Ted overpaid for him?

Share your comments below.

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Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk (50) gestures before the snap against the San Diego Chargers during the first quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The Green Bay Packers received a moderate surprise when Brad Jones re-signed on Thursday.

Jones, who had spent the better part of 2012 starting alongside A.J. Hawk at inside linebacker, had interest from as many as eight teams. With Green Bay negotiating a pay cut from Hawk and bringing back Robert Francois, it was generally believed Jones would leave for greener pastures. But Packers GM Ted Thompson was patient, and after the “stupid money” dried up, there was no better opportunity for Jones than a return to Green Bay.

Suddenly, the Packers find themselves with a logjam at inside linebacker. Desmond Bishop (hamstring) and D.J. Smith (ACL) return from injured reserve to challenge youngsters Jamari Lattimore and Terrell Manning along with the aforementioned Hawk, Jones, and Francois. Of that group of seven linebackers, five have started for Green Bay before.

As one might expect, there’s considerable uncertainty over which players will end up in the first unit.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman (5) looks for a receiver as Green Bay Packers linebacker Desmond Bishop (55) closes in at Lambeau Field. Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

Desmond Bishop has been Green Bay’s best inside linebacker when healthy. However, despite tearing his hamstring in the first week of the preseason, Bishop’s injury was severe enough to dissuade the Packers from using their IR return designation on him. Predictably, Bishop’s agent, Blake Baratz, has said Bishop is ahead of schedule in his recovery and should be ready for training camp. That remains to be seen, but Bishop is the team’s best option if he’s available.

Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk (50) puts pressure on Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

A.J. Hawk has been the whipping boy for fans, yet a coaches’ favorite for years now. While his play has never been spectacular, Hawk had one of his best seasons in 2012. It was largely for that reason that the Packers negotiated a cheaper deal rather than giving Hawk his outright release. At the time Hawk’s pay cut hit the newswire, it was assumed that he’d return to his spot on the first unit with the other inside linebackers competing for Bishop’s spot. Now with the speculation that Brad Jones returned for more money, one has to think Hawk’s spot is up for grabs as well.

Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Brad Jones (59) breaks up a pass to Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte. Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

The play of Brad Jones was one of the many pleasant developments of the 2012 season. After shifting between positions several times over his first few years, Jones finally found a home at inside linebacker. There, Jones’s superior coverage ability and athleticism allowed him to excel. After taking over for D.J. Smith following the Houston game, Jones played the most snaps of any linebacker. Most significantly, Jones became the inside linebacker in the nickel defense and was given the radio helmet for play call relay. While Bishop and Hawk are officially ahead on the depth chart, it would surprise me if Jones wasn’t starting come week 1.

Green Bay Packers linebacker D.J. Smith (51). Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The rest of the inside linebackers are muddled together. D.J. Smith, a late round pick due only to his 5-11 stature, was a reliable run defender and solid tackler in his first stint as starter. Smith struggled in coverage, however, and the team greatly improved when Jones took over for him following his ACL tear. Robert Francois has developed into an important special teams member, but hasn’t shown to be exceptional in any one area of defense. He’s a solid backup, but nothing more. Jamari Lattimore’s first two training camps invited several comparisons to a young Desmond Bishop, but like Bishop he won’t become a contributor until he becomes more consistent. Terrell Manning is the wildcard of the group. Ted Thompson traded up in the fifth round to acquire Manning. Had a stomach virus not knocked out his rookie year, Manning might have displaced Jones (who was still adjusting to the position at the time) for the slot behind Smith on the depth chart).

Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

With no clear frontrunners, and at least six players in contention, inside linebacker will host the most interesting position battle of training camp. While two may grab hold of the starting slots and never relinquish them, the specialized talents of the players may result in more situational use of the linebackers. Because of this, Brad Jones (best in coverage, experienced with play call duty) will probably find his way into the starting lineup. If he’s healthy, Bishop is not only the best overall player in the group but also the strongest complement to Jones. That would leave seven-year starter Hawk on the sidelines and perhaps place him on the market, but it’s too early to dig into that scenario.

Given the depth at inside linebacker, it’s not out of the realm of possibility defensive coordinator Dom Capers dusts off the old “Psycho” package to get more of these players on the field. Having the right linebackers on the field could help curtail the read-option which puzzled Green Bay last season.

Jason Hirschhorn covers the Green Bay Packers for Lombardi Ave. He has previously written for Hail to the Orange, College Hoops Net, Mocking the Draft, LiveBall Sports, and the List Universe. He is currently a senior writer for Beats Per Minute, an indie-music webzine. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JBHirschhorn.

Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

As the first round of the NCAA basketball tournament bores us all to death, the NFL talk of the day focuses on whether the new helmet rule was passed so the league doesn’t find itself in litigation – it’s not exactly exciting stuff for the top stories of this slow sports news cycle.

But then things really kicked into gear – yeah right – Ryan Braun, the Milwaukee Brewer known for pounding the ball over the fences for home runs, made headlines when he circled the bases against the Chicago White Sox in a spring training game before the ball could be relayed home for an inside-the-park home run.

We remember a game last year when Braun had another inside-the-parker cinched last summer when he tripped rounding third and was thrown out after trying to recover. At least he’s got things down in that department – though we would rather see Aaron Rodgers’ best friend power them over the fences.

Then we heard that Georgia Bulldog Jarvis Jones, a linebacker that has been projected to be a first round selection in next month’s NFL Draft, disappointed at his pro day. Whether that affects his draft standing and drops him into the latter part of the first round remains to be seen. We all know that everyone has bad days every now and again. Maybe this was Jones’s. Maybe because of it there will be an NFL team that strikes gold by selecting him. Time will tell.

To end the day, the Green Bay Packers stunned the NFL (well, maybe that’s not quite the right word) by re-signing one of their own and another Jones – this one by the name of Brad.

Just so this slow news day isn’t a total wash we can only hope that there may be an exciting finish between Belmont and Arizona tonight or maybe Brian Urlacher announces his retirement or maybe Charles Barkley says something stupid.

Either way, we can only hope for something better in the next news cycle …

Stay tuned.

Brad Jones re-signed for at least one more season with the Green Bay Packers.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Today we reported that Green Bay Packers free agent linebacker Brad Jones yesterday had made a visit to 1265 Lombardi Avenue and spent about an hour with Packers officials.

Though he left without an agreement, refused to talk to reporters on his way to his vehicle, and apparently instructed his agent not to lead on as to what he was thinking, it all came to an end today.

According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Jones agreed to return to the Packers – signing a contract that will keep him in Green Bay for at least one year. The early reports did not include terms fo the deal.

Jones’s agreement put to rest speculation that he might sign with the Titans because he spent two days in Tennessee last week discussing the possibility of joining that team. However, he left there without a deal and met yesterday with the Packers.

The Packers were pleased with the way Jones performed last season after stepping in as the third option at inside linebacker when both Desmond Bishop and D.J. Smith went down with season-ending injuries. Jones joins teammate A.J. Hawk as the second linebacker in the past week to be locked up by Green Bay, keeping with the team’s motto of signing their own.

Not only does keeping Jones add to the depth at the position, but it also increases the amount of competition heading into training camp. Jones has somewhat of an inside track of sticking at this point because of his play last season and his value as a special teams player. In addition, Jones has played as an outside linebacker in the Packers 3-4 defensive scheme.

Last hear he was in on 77 tackles, recorded two sacks and forced one fumble.

Brad Jones was at Packers facilities Wednesday after spending time on a free agent visit last week in Tennessee.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

With inside linebacker A.J. Hawk back in the fold, it looks like the Green Bay Packers are looking inward and attempting to at least maintain the players they have had in-house – this became evident yesterday when reports indicated that linebacker Brad Jones spent time with Packers brass.

His visit to Green Bay came as somewhat of a surprise after he spent two days in Tennessee last week talking with Titans officials during a free agent visit.

Jones previous to this year was more or less a spot player on defense and spent most of his time on special teams. The lanky linebacker was called upon last year early when both Desmond Bishop and D.J. Smith went down with season-ending injuries. Jones played well for the rest of the season in his fill-in role.

While he certainly wouldn’t be tagged as a starter for this year if Bishop and Smith come back healthy, it’s those two players’ uncertainty at this point that is prompting the Packers to be sure they have all their positions covered. Clearly, the Packers want some insurance at the position otherwise they wouldn’t be talking to Jones.

Though Jones left the facility yesterday without speaking to reporters and his agent refused to indicate how close he was to signing a contract with Green Bay, published reports also said that because he’s a free agent, he belongs to no team and is free to sign with any of the 32 teams.

As of today, there was no news about his status.

Stay tuned.

Brad Jones sacks Matt Hasselbeck at Lambeau Field three years ago.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Given Green Bay Packers GM Ted Thompson’s penchant for not playing the free agency game and inside linebackers Brad Jones’s recent visit to the Tennessee Titans‘ camp, one could probably consider the veteran a goner.

We recently reported here that Jones’s agent had told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that his client had as many as eight teams that had called last week expressing interest. It’s highly unlikely that Jones will pay a visit to all of those teams, but he is surely going to pick and choose.

Today’s report came from Green Bay Press Gazette reporter Rob Demovsky who stated that Jones had gone to Tennessee Thursday and was still there today. Whether he comes out of there with a contract remains to be seen, but if he does, it will deplete the number of inside linebackers the Packers have on their roster.

In addition to A.J. Hawk, who has been rumored to either be on his way out because of his salary or might be asked to restructure his deal, is joined by D.J. Smith and Desmond Bishop – who are both coming off of season-ending injuries from last season. It’s unclear whether either of those players will be ready to hit the field by the time training camp starts. In fact, they ay not be ready by the time the season rolls around.

At this point, there is no word whether the Packers have presented an offer to Jones.

Stay tuned.

Brad Jones, who has played both inside and outside in the Packers 3-4 defensive scheme, has drawn significant interest from as many as eight teams this weekend.
Raymond. T. Rivard photograph

Prior to this season, Green Bay Packers linebacker Brad Jones was probably best known outside of Titletown as the guy who tackled the fan who ran on the field a couple of seasons ago.

But don’t tell that to the eight teams that contacted him this weekend – eight teams that have shown interest in his tackling abilities on the field of other players, not just fans. The information about the interest by the other teams was reported first at JSonline.com, who cited Jones’s agent, Josh Wright.

Brad Jones sacks Matt Hasselbeck during a 2009 game at Lambeau Field.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Not only is that somewhat incredible, but it also shows just how far Jones has come in the past year. Up until the first couple of games in 2012, Jones was a valuable special teamer and practice player, sitting behind the likes of Desmond Bishop, A.J. Hawk, and even D.J. Smith. But when both Bishop and Smith went down with season-ending injuries last year, Jones stepped in and stepped up.

Considered somewhat lanky and slight for an inside linebacker (6-3, 242 pounds), Jones played well last season in his role. He had 77 tackles, recorded two sacks, broke up four passes and even forced a fumble.

Jones, at 6-3, 242 pounds, plays bigger than his size.
Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Now, the real question is whether the Green Bay Packers feel the same way about Jones as the other eight teams that have contacted him.

It’s unclear at this point what numbers Jones will command and whether the Packers will jump into the negotiations and keep one of their own.

Weighing into the decision for the Packers will be how secure they feel in the health of Smith and Bishop. Smith is coming off a severe knee injury and it’s unclear whether he will be ready to go by training camp and it will be the same for Bishop, who had a significant hamstring injury that also may keep him out for part of the 2013 season.

With those factors facing them, many feel the Packers will expend one of their draft selections on an inside linebacker.

But in the meantime, the real test will come this coming Tuesday afternoon when the Free Agency signings will begin.

Will A.J. Hawk win the starting inside linebacking position this season? Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Since the Packers moved to a 3-4 defensive philosophy, their defense has been about as consistent as the lineup for the Monday Night Football broadcasters.

In 2008, they were twentieth in yards given up per game. In 2009, they jumped to 2nd, in 2010, they were 5th and in 2011 all way down to last.

While some might point to the presence, or lack thereof of a player like Cullen Jenkins (he played in only four games in 2008 and, of course we know by the unsullied jersey of Eli Manning last January, zero games for the Pack in 2012), the play of their linebackers hasn’t been a stellar example of consistency.

In fact, no position on the Packers defense has had to endure as many rotating starters since 2008 as the linebacking corps. For long periods of time, the following have been completely out or at the very least severely encumbered by injury: Matthews (hamstring, shin), Hawk, Barnett, Walden, Zombo, Brad Jones, Brandon Chillar.

Will D.J. Smith get more playing time or even a starting role this season? Raymond T. Rivard photograph

So it should come as no surprise when we, Packers fans to the enth degree, search for spectacular stability. We’ve had it at almost every other position for years, Rodgers, Jennings, Bulaga, Woodson, and until last year, Collins and to some extent Raji. With a breakout performance by Desmond Bishop last year, we know that spectacular play from the inside linebacking position is possible. That could be what’s suddenly driving speculation that Hawk is in a training camp battle to save his starting position (and therein his roster spot).

Since they lost to the Cardinals back in the 2009-10 playoffs, when it became painfully clear that Hawk just did not possess the speed necessary to track down running backs on the sideline, I’ve never been a big fan of the Ohio State product. But Hawk had a productive year in 2010 and the Packers, on a Super Bowl high, invested a multi-year contract in the linebacker and let Nick Barnett go.

Last season, Hawk was consistently blamed for not making enough big plays. When he did have to sit because of injury, Packer fans were treated to some excellent playmaking by his understudy, a rookie, D.J. Smith. He’s 5-11, 239 pounds, and came out of a small school, Appalachian State.

During his unlimited action last year, he had 40-plus tackles and an interception. It will be very interesting to see if Smith gets more snaps than usual during the preseason, especially if it is with the first team. The Packers will likely say it is to give Hawk a rest, but many will view this as a clue that Hawk has a fight on his hands, which is as good a motivator as there is for someone who has already inked his post rookie payday contract.

Focusing specifically on the Packers, it comes as no surprise that their main focus point will be to determine which 11 guys on defense will give the Packers the best chance to win. If we are just focusing on winning, then the Packers’ defense brought in a record of 15-1.

Unfortunately, this was because the offense carried the defense to victories last season and is how, ultimately, the Packers would fall in the first round of the playoffs against the New York Giants.

So as training camp approaches, nearly every position on defense will have a battle of some sort. Considering how the Packers, this offseason, drafted mainly defensive players and even dipped into free agency for defensive players, there will be a lot of competitors fighting for a job. With that said, let’s break down the key battles Packer fans should keep an eye on for this training camp.

Packers defensive lineman Ryan Picket does a good job at stopping the run, but is limited in the pass rush. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Defensive End: Ever since the Packers lost Cullen Jenkins in free agency last year, the Packers have been struggling to find a replacement. Ryan Pickett on the other side has been doing an adequate job stopping the run but he cannot generate pressure on the quarterback which was severely lacking last season.

Raji in the middle, after the Super Bowl season, was thought to have a breakout year with the Packers but never quite reached the level that most thought he could. Then we had the right defensive end which was a huge question mark all of last season. Players from Mike Neal, C.J.Wilson, and Jarius Wynn all took turns at the position last year but none really stood out from the rest of the pack. Some brought Packers fans a spark of hope for a little while but none of the three had complete consistency. This forced the Packers to make moves by drafting Jerel Worthy in the second round, bringing in Anthony Hargrove from free agency, and bringing in Phillip Merling also from free agency. These are three players who seem to be right in the mix to contend for the starting position in training camp. Players from last year like C.J.Wilson and Mike Neal also have been working hard and should get a fair shot to fight for the position.

Who will take over the outside linebacking position opposite Clay Matthews for linebackers coach Kevin Greene. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Outside Linebacker: Similar to the defensive end position of last season, players on the opposite side of Clay Matthews generated nearly no production and the Packers had to flop starters from week to week in order to find someone who could separate from the rest of the pack. Unfortunately, nobody ever truly stepped from the pack and the Packers’ defense suffered tremendously.

Players who took turns starting last season included Eric Walden, Frank Zombo, and Brad Jones. Also, we must keep in mind that injuries at this position plagued the Packers all season with all three having injuries at different points during the season. The Packers’ management responded by drafting Nick Perry from USC in the first round of this year’s draft. \ Perry has major athleticism and the Packers hope that he could be the missing piece to the defense.

Other players to have a shot in training camp include another rookie in Terrell Manning, second-year veteran in Jarmari Lattimore, and another second year veteran in Vic So’oto who had his moments in his short playing time last year. This will be arguably the most intriguing position battle this camp.

Safety: It’s a lock that Morgan Burnett will hold his starting position this season but losing Nick Collins on the other side threw up another question mark in the Packers’ defense. I have to say that many, including me, believed that Nick Collins was a big part of the defense but never really thought of him as being the leader on defense. Once he went down with his injury, I and many others were stunned at how important Collins truly was for the Packer defense.

With perennial Pro-Bowler Nick Collins no longer with the team, the question about who will replace him is one of the biggest heading into training camp. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

With Collins once being the player who made sure everyone was lined up right on defense being gone, the Packers’ defense seemed lost at times. Many big plays occurred and could have been avoided if everyone was lined up correctly. The player who took over for Collins was Charlie Peprah, who played very well, but the lack of communication hurt the Packers severely last season.

With that said, training camp is approaching and so is a successor to Nick Collins.

But who will it be?

Names that come to mind will be Charlie Peprah, second-year player M.D. Jennings, practice squad standout Anthony Levine, and maybe even rookie Jerron McMillian. Regardless of who it is, it is going to be a very difficult task to replace Nick Collins.

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Lombardiave.com's Tim Thomas thinks Georgia Bulldogs cornerback Brandon Boykin could be the Green Bay Packers' second overall choice in next week's NFL Draft. Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

By Tim Thomas

Contributing writer – Lombardiave.com

Tim Thomas, Lombardiave.com’s newest contributing writer, takes a stag at all seven rounds and 12 picks the Packers have in this year’s NFL Draft.

Take a ride along with Tim as he considers some of the best fits for the Packers.

The NFL Draft is now two weeks away and the Packers are finishing up their draft board and should be ready for the draft by now. Ted Thompson is one of the best general managers at finding talent through the NFL Draft which is why the Packers have won so consistently and one Super Bowl with Thompson as GM. So, what will the Packers do this year to put together a Super Bowl caliber team?

Round 1, Pick 28, The Green Bay Packers select USC DE/OLB Nick Perry.

Nick Perry was a very successful player at USC and has the potential to be an immediate starter at outside linebacker as he could form a great tandem of outside linebackers with another former Trojan, Clay Matthews. Perry fairly productive at USC as he garnered tons of sacks including 9.5 last season to lead the Pac-12. Perry also has good speed and strength for a 3-4 outside linebacker as he ran a 4.64 in the 40 and benched 35 reps at the NFL Combine. Perry has proven he could be an immediate upgrade over Brad Jones at outside linebacker and a long term solution opposite of Clay Matthews.

Round 2, Pick 59, The Green Bay Packers select Georgia CB Brandon Boykin.

Brandon Boykin was a very impressive player at Georgia as he has a great work ethic which led to Boykin having a productive career. Boykin has great speed which allowed him to be a dangerous playmaker on special teams. Boykin could take the kick and punt return man role from Randall Cobb which would allow Cobb to focus on becoming the elite receiver everyone expects him to be. Boykin’s speed will allow him to stay up with some of the speedier receivers in the NFL like the Eagles’ DeSean Jackson. Boykin will also have time to develop before he becomes a starting cornerback for the Packers. Boykin could be an impact player for the Packers for a long time.

Round 3, Pick 90, The Green Bay Packers select Nebraska DE Jared Crick.

Crick is one of the most underrated players in the entire draft as he could be a great pass rusher as a five-technique defensive end in Dom Capers’ defensive scheme. Crick is a perfect fit for the Packers as a 3-4 defensive end due to the fact that he has experience as a 4-3 defensive tackle and a 4-3 defensive end at Nebraska. Crick also has good strength and decent speed as he ran a 4.99 at the Combine and had 26 reps at Nebraska’s pro day. The one concern for Crick is his health. That is why he has fallen from the last of the first round to the end of the third round. Crick could be a major steal at this point in the draft as he could be an instant starter at Lambeau.

Round 4, Pick 128, The Green Bay Packers select Michigan C David Molk.

David Molk is a great young center who will get the chance to learn and develop behind one of the best centers in NFL history, Jeff Saturday. Molk has great awareness for a center which is a key trait of great centers and he also showed excellent leadership. Molk also has impressive strength as he had a very impressive NFL Combine in which he pushed 41 reps on the bench. Molk has a high ceiling and should be a great center that could be as good as Jeff Saturday.

Round 4, Pick 132, The Green Bay Packers select Notre Dame S Robert Blanton.

Robert Blanton was a fairly productive defensive back in his time at Notre Dame and he has the potential to be a really good safety. Blanton has good speed for a safety and he proved he has a great ability to jump up and get the ball as he showed that at the NFL Combine with a vertical jump of 34 inches. Blanton can be that safety who replaces Charlie Peprah in the long term.

Round 4, Pick 133, The Green Bay Packers select Utah State RB Robert Turbin.

Robert Turbin is one of the most underrated running backs in the NFL Draft and was very productive last year with 1,517 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns. Turbin also showed an impressive combo of speed and strength necessary for a starting running back at the NFL Combine by having 28 reps on the bench and running a 4.5 in the 40. Turbin has a very high ceiling, and he has the potential to be an upgrade over James Starks and the best running back the Packers have had in a while.

Round 5, Pick 163, The Green Bay Packers select San Diego State QB Ryan Lindley.

The Packers need a young quarterback to develop into a good backup and Lindley is exactly that quarterback. Lindley has an impressive arm but the one thing that is lacking right now is Lindley’s lack of consistent accuracy. When Lindley is accurate, he is a very good quarterback and is a first two round quality quarterback. When he is inaccurate, he is not a draft-worthy quarterback. Lindley’s potential is high and he could be as good as Brett Favre but he should be at least as good as Rex Grossman.

Round 6, Pick 197, The Green Bay Packers select Arizona State ILB Vontaze Burfict.

Burfict has first round talent but the one problem with him is that he loses control of his emotions on the field which causes to rack up lots of penalties. Burfict has the potential to be a great middle linebacker if he controls his emotions. He proved that by being very productive in college. Burfict also has good strength and the potential to be a starter for a long time if he controls his emotions.

Round 7, Pick 224, The Green Bay Packers select Oklahoma DE Frank Alexander.

Frank Alexander is a good defensive end that could be a very successful NFL player. Alexander has the talent to be an outside linebacker or a defensive end as he has the right size to be a defensive end in Dom Capers’ system. Alexander showed good strength at his pro day with 24 reps on the bench. Alexander could be a good steal this late in the draft as he could be useful as depth in the long term or even start.

Round 7, Pick 235, The Green Bay Packers select USC FB Rhett Ellison.

Rhett Ellison is one of the best fullbacks in the draft and has an ability to be a threat in the passing game along with the running game. Fullbacks don’t have the best longevity in the NFL so Ellison could be groomed behind one of the NFL’s best fullbacks, John Kuhn. For being a potential late round pick, Ellison is already a good player who could make a decent impact in his rookie season.

Round 7, Pick 241, The Green Bay Packers select Oklahoma State OT Levy Adcock.

Adcock is the prototypical size for a NFL starting offensive tackle as he is 6 feet 6 inches and 320 pounds. At his pro day, he showed off his strength by having a total of 26 reps which is better than potential first round pick Ohio State OT Mike Adams. Adcock also has the potential to move inside to play offensive guard as his size will allow him to do that. Adcock is a high upside pick this late but he could really be a steal.

Round 7, Pick 243, The Green Bay Packers select Utah CB Conroy Black.

Black is the type of player you would expect the Packers to take at the end of the draft, a raw talent that has all the skills capable of becoming a really good cornerback. Black has elite speed and good height for a cornerback and could be a long term replacement for Charles Woodson or Tramon Williams. Black has high potential and could be a steal at this point in the draft.

The Packers have 12 picks in this draft but knowing what Ted Thompson has done in the past, it would not surprise me if he pulls off some trades to climb up in the draft and maybe he will trade back into the first round like he did when the Packers got Clay Matthews. The Packers will definitely be able to bring in the improvements that can help them win more Super Bowls.

Clay Matthews was one of the leaders on the Packers' defense this year, but many times was a step away from making the big play. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

It seems like it was just a year ago when the Packers were the #5
pass defense and the #5 total defense in the NFL.

Oh wait, they were…

So what changed so drastically over the course of one year?

Was it because of the NFL Lockout? Possibly, though there were no new players
needing to be implemented into the Dom Caper’s defense.

See more about the defense after the jump and then Like Lombardiave.com on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

(more…)

However, Jones’ best hit of the year was on a 15-year-old. Yes, he was the Packers player to took down the young man who was having the time of his life running across the Lambeau Field turf during Sunday’s 45-41 win by the Packers.

The young boy was one of three individuals arrested and removed from Lambeau Field Sunday, but his was the most visible, even though the network cameras, as is the policy for whatever reason, didn’t capture it.

However, a fan in the stands did capture the event and for the benefit of us all, posted it to YouTube.

But the real question I have is – who is this kid? Why did he do it?

I would love to interview him … if he is willing.

The clip is below. And as an added bonus, I’ve also included the video of the game when the fan in Cincinnati who ran on the field and stole the football from Brett Favre. Enjoy.

And don’t forget to Like Lombardiave.com on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

For the Green Bay Packers linebacking corps, it’s getting to razor sharp.

That’s because it was announced today that OLB Frank Zombo was diagnosed with a broken scapula after last Friday’s preseason game against Arizona.

This injury comes after the Packers have had several changes in the linebacking corps to date.

His injury leaves Brad Jones (who was also injured in last Friday’s game) and Erik Walden battling for the starting spot at the position. It appeared that Walden had the upper hand in starting, but now that Zombo is out four to six weeks and with Jones not 100 percent, the team will continue to audition undrafted rookies Jamari Lattimore and Vic So’oto at the spot.

Both have been having good camps, but will be asked to step it up a notch with the loss of Zombo and the uncertainty of Jones’s situation.

Zombo was the starter at the position last year, but was injured near the end of the season. That’s when Walden was brought into the Packers camp to take over. However, when Walden went down with a bad ankle in the conference championship game in Chicago, Zombo was again called on, starting and playing a solid Super Bowl.

Walden’s injury was actually suffered in warmups when John Kuhn hit Zombo in the back with his helmet.

“I thought it was a bruise,” Zombo said in published comments today. “It didn’t hurt as bad as I thought it would. But you could see (on film) that some plays my arm was hanging a little bit.”

Does the Packers defense need Nick Barnett? Raymond T. Rivard photograph

By Jimmy Riley, for lombardiave.com

The Green Packers have a number of things to address when the lockout ends, as it is supposed to in the near future.  There are several players whose futures with the Packers may not be so bright.

Among them Nick Barnett and Mark Tauscher (more…)

• Linebacker Nick Barnett is opening camp on the physically-unable-to-perform (PUP) list after he did not pass his physical.  Barnett flunking his physical has nothing to do with him being out of shape, as he is recovering from a torn ACL suffered last year in a game against the Minnesota Vikings.  There is no time table yet for his return to the practice field.  Brandon Chillar has replaced him on the No. 1 unit.
• Approximately 2,100 people attended the first practice, filling the stands that have a capacity of 1,500 people.
• The battle for the center and right guard spots is interesting, with Scott Wells, Jason Spitz, and Josh Sitton all rotating around the positions as Mike McCarthy looks to find the best fit for the team.
• In the aforementioned 3-4 defense, Jeremy Thompson was working with the No. 1 unit on the right side, opposite Aaron Kampman.
• Top draft choice B.J. Raji was not in camp yesterday, as the stalemate for contracts for draft picks above him and below him affects the ability for the Packers to get a contract done with him.
• Rookie linebacker Brad Jones, a seventh-round pick, also failed his physical and was put on the PUP list.
• After suffering a torn pectoral muscle that ended his season in Week 4 last year, lineman Cullen Jenkins is back in top shape, according to McCarthy.
• Tackle Chad Clifton told reporters he also had work done on his shoulders as well as his knees during the offseason.  Greg A. Bedard said he looked “nimble and strong” in practice.

With two-a-days starting today, the Packers look to get back into shape for the season as September 13 looms in the distance.