Packers: Vince Biegel’s, fans’ wait finally coming to an end
The recent success of the Wisconsin Badgers has been one of the major sports stories this fall in the state of Wisconsin – an unusual event that has left the Green Bay Packers something of an afterthought among many.
With Wisconsin in mind, Packers and Badgers fans are excited this week to welcome Vince Biegel back to the gridiron. One of their own Badgers, Biegel is finally ready to take the field Monday night when the Packers play host to the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field.
The central Wisconsin native (Wisconsin Rapids) native has been added to the roster and appears to have worked his way into football shape over the first half of the season and is now ready for whatever action the coaching staff allows.
Frankly, Biegel is just ready to play some football – he doesn’t care if it’s from the line of scrimmage or on special teams.
Here’s what he said this week, per various reports:
"“I played on special teams all four years in college. Even my last year, I was on onside kickoff, I played punt, I played some reps on punt return and I had kickoff reps as well,” Biegel said. “I liked it a lot. It was kind of a mentality that Wisconsin had about special teams, which was fun. It wasn’t an obligation, but it was kind of more as a duty. We had fun with it."
"“Whether that’s special teams, pass rush, defense, wherever they need me, I’m going to go out there and help them.”"
The fresh legs and enthusiasm that Biegel will add to the Packers, no matter where he lines up, should bring a boost to the team. One can only imagine how stoked the linebacker will be on that first snap.
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Let’s hope he doesn’t jump offside.
It’s been a long road back for Biegel, who injured his foot during the rookie orientation this past spring. The injury required surgery and rehab that required the Packers to place him on the physically unable to perform list as the season started.
Officially, he was added to the Packers’ 53-man roster Friday – a spot that was cleared when Green Bay cut Ricky Jean-Francois for the second time this season.
Even Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers chimed in about the addition of Biegel to the roster.
"“It’s nice to have him back out there working,. Obviously, he’s a young enthusiastic guy that’s going to give you great effort. I think he’s done a good job during his PUP time, really tuned in, in the meetings, that type of thing. It will be interesting to watch him."
"“We’ve only had him on the practice field for a couple of weeks, but he’s taking the right approach in the meeting room. He obviously brings some energy and enthusiasm, and we’ll have to see how that translates. This is his first shot and we’ll just have to see how it goes.”"
Energy and enthusiasm is what this defensive unit needs.
As a team, the Packers have just 12 team sacks. The Tennessee Titans have eleven and the Tampa Bay Bucs have just seven.
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So, whether it’s special teams or his shot in lining up for a regular season snap, expect all eyes to be on Vince Biegel as he hits the field Monday night.