AllGreenBayPackers.Com

Jamari Lattimore

1) Introduction: As the “other” outside linebacker from Middle Tennessee State (Erik Walden) on the Packers roster, Jamari Lattimore was perhaps the polar opposite of Vic So’oto.  While So’oto was more powerful that quick, Lattimore was more quick than powerful.  While So’oto exploded onto the scene during the preseason, Lattimore remained relatively unknown.  But perhaps more importantly during the regular season, when So’oto was inactive, it was Lattimore who had taken his spot.

2) Profile:

Jamari Lattimore

Position: OLB
Height: 6-2
Weight: 230 lbs.
AGE: 23
Career Stats

3) Expectations coming into the season for that player: Next to nothing; Lattimore hadn’t shown much during the preseason and many were surprised that he made the team at all.  Lattimore was probably retained due to his special teams potential, which requires speed and agility over power.

4) Player’s highlights/low-lights: Highlights include 2 special teams tackles in the game against the Chicago Bears during week 3, which is the only time he posted more than one tackle in a game (which ended up being 4 total for the season).  Lowlights would probably be during the preseason where more powerful offensive linemen and tight ends consistently outmatched Lattimore; in particular Arizona tight end Jim Dray pancaked Lattimore on one play.  Read more... (331 words + 1 image, estimated 1:19 mins reading time)

Get AddToAny

Desmond Bishop

1) Introduction: It’s been a long time since Bishop was “Mr. August” (named for being spectacularly awesome during the preseason only to be equally spectacularly terrible during the regular season) and since then Bishop has arguably turned into the Packers best inside linebacker, supplanting fellow inside AJ Hawk in pretty much every regard.  Bishop is easily option 2 behind Clay Matthews in terms of rushing the passer and a solid presence in the middle against the run.

2) Profile:

Desmond Lamont Bishop

Position: ILB
Height: 6-2
Weight: 238 lbs.
AGE: 27
Career Stats

3) Expectations coming into the season for that player: High; Bishop had become a regular starter in 2010 and had shown enough to warrant him being the sole linebacker when the Packers went into the nickel package (as evidence by Hawk’s dismay during the opening regular season game in 2010 against the Philadelphia Eagles where Hawk didn’t see the field in favor of Bishop).  Bishop was again expected to bring some big play ability into the middle of the field and still maintain a presence in the box against the run.  Read more... (386 words + 1 image, estimated 1:33 mins reading time)

Get AddToAny

Brad Jones

1) Introduction: The forgotten man in the outside linebacker corps, many people forgot that Jones filled in admirably for Aaron Kampman after he was placed on IR in 2009.  Unfortunately, Jones himself was placed on IR during the 2010 season and was promptly forgotten.  Jones slowly worked his way back into the rotation due to his availability and good special teams play.

2) Profile:

Brandon Edward Jones

Position: OLB
Height: 6-3
Weight: 242 lbs.
AGE: 25
Career Stats

3) Expectations coming into the season for that player: Very low: After getting passed by Frank Zombo and Erik Walden during the 2010 season after being placed on IR, Jones was on the outside looking in at outside linebacker and there was some talk of converting him to inside linebacker when Nick Barnett and Brandon Chillar were both released

4) Player’s highlights/low-lights: Jones’ highlight essentially comprises getting the nod as the starter for outside linebacker during the playoffs.  Unfortunately, essentially the rest of the season is his lowlight where he didn’t see much time on the field outside of special teams.  Read more... (299 words + 1 image, estimated 1:12 mins reading time)

Get AddToAny

Clay Matthews III

1) Introduction: Expectations couldn’t get any higher for Clay Matthews III in 2011; after being the first Packer to record double digit sacks in the first two years, Matthews has been voted into the Pro Bowl every season he has been in the NFL as well as being voted as a All-Pro selection in 2010 and almost bring home defensive player of the year as well.  The team expected that Matthews would again be the center of their pass rushing ability as well as an emotional leader on the defense.

2) Profile:

William Clay Matthews III

Position: OLB
Height: 6-3
Weight: 255 lbs.
AGE: 25
Career Stats

3) Expectations coming into the season for that player: Very high; everyone expected Matthews to continue terrorizing quarterbacks at an alarming rate, if he could do that much damage on a hurt leg (which has plagued him for his entire career), imagine what he could do fully healthy?  Read more... (478 words + 1 image, estimated 1:55 mins reading time)

Get AddToAny

Vic So'oto

1) Introduction: My, what lofty expectations some fans placed on Vic So’oto for the 2011 season.  Coming to the Packers offseason as an undrafted rookie free agent from BYU, So’oto was a converted 4-3 DE who exploded onto the scene during the last preseason game against the Kansas City with 1.5 sacks and an interception against starters who were constantly double teaming him.  During the regular season his star faded considerably since he was oft injured and not fast enough for special teams, So’oto was often deactivated in favor of fellow undrafted free agent rookie Jamari Lattimore

2) Profile:

Vic So’oto

Position: OLB
Height: 6-3
Weight: 263 lbs.
AGE: 24
Career Stats

3) Expectations coming into the season for that player: Low; as a undrafted rookie free agent not much was expected from So’oto, though the Kansas City preseason game showed a glimpse of So’oto potential.  So’oto figured to see some time in obvious pass rushing situations due to his inexperience in pass defense and see a lot of time on special teams.  Read more... (322 words + 1 image, estimated 1:17 mins reading time)

Get AddToAny

AJ Hawk

1) Introduction: Despite being the highly touted 5^th overall draft pick in the 2006, many have considered Hawk a bust in the sense that he never lived up to his lofty draft status.  While a solid player, Hawk never did show much penchant for making the big play and many fans were hopeful that Hawk would be released in the 2011 season.  Much to their dismay, the Packers did release Hawk, but only to resign him literally moments later to a 5-year $33.75 million contract.

2) Profile:

Aaron James (AJ) Hawk

Position: ILB
Height: 6-1
Weight: 247 lbs.
AGE: 27
Career Stats

3) Expectations coming into the season for that player: Moderate; fans seemed to be resigned in the fact that Hawk would never become anything better than just a solid player; while he directed the defense in terms of play calling, many felt that he never could be the leader on the defense.

4) Player’s highlights/low-lights: Hawk’s highlight game was against the St. Louis Rams in week 6 where he recorded 1 sack and 9 tackles in the game.  Hawk’s lowlights undoubtedly were when he was injured during week 13 and 14 and had to watch his backups make multiple interceptions, which Hawk has none.  Read more... (393 words + 1 image, estimated 1:34 mins reading time)

Get AddToAny

Frank Zombo

1) Introduction: From Super Bowl starter to 3^rd stringer, Frank Zombo probably had the worst luck of any member on the Packers team who wasn’t placed on IR.  Zombo didn’t even get to the regular season healthy due to a broken scapula during the preseason and the usual bumps and bruises during the regular season cost Zombo playing time after the scapula was mended.  Zombo’s availability tanked his entire season.

2) Profile:

Frank Zombo

Position: OLB
Height: 6-3
Weight: 254 lbs.
AGE: 24
Career Stats

3) Expectations coming into the season for that player: High; Zombo was expected to compete for the outside linebacker position along side Clay Matthews and was considered the front-runner along side Erik Walden.  Unfortunately, Zombo broke his scapula after colliding with fullback John Kuhn in warm-ups during the Arizona Cardinals preseason game and was expected to miss the 1^st half of the season if not more.

4) Player’s highlights/low-lights: Unfortunately Zombo has nothing to highlight, with only one preseason game played healthy, Zombo didn’t really have a chance to make a 2011 highlight reel.  Perhaps Zombo’s biggest lowlight was getting passed over by Brad Jones for the starting position when Erik Walden was benched during the playoffs even when he was healthy enough to play.  Read more... (297 words + 1 image, estimated 1:11 mins reading time)

Get AddToAny