Outside Linebackers - Lot of Talent Here!

The Packers, with Matthews moving back to the outside, have a lot of talent out here!  Plus, in typical Dom Capers style, more players are looking to play that "Elephant" position!

Outside Linebackers
Clay Matthews - year 8 - USC - 6'3 - 255
Julius Peppers - year 15 - N. Carolina - 6'7 - 287
Nick Perry - year 5 - USC - 6'3 - 265
Datone Jones - year 4 - UCLA - 6'4 - 285
Jayrone Elliot - year 3 - Toledo - 6'3 - 255
Kyle Fackrell - year Rookie - Utah State - 6'5 - 245
Reggie Gilbert - year Rookie - Arizona - 6'3 - 261
Lerentee McCray - year 4 - Florida - 6'2 - 246

One thing about this group - ATHLETIC!

Second thing, some NEED to reach the potential - Perry & Jones

Third thing, some experimental work - McCray & Elliot

And, the young guys - rookies - Fackrell & Gilbert

Starters Matthews & Peppers.  Matthews, is in his prime & back home at outside linebacker.  I still think Capers with use Matthews as a wild card & he will line up all over!  Peppers, the young players still say he kicks their butts & is a physical freak.  Early in the year, the Packers will watch their time on the field.  BUT, these two players, SHOULD make some big plays & lead this defense!

Perry & Jones!  These two, #1 picks, NEED to show this year they are NFL TOP players!  So far, we have seen flashes!  When Matthews & Peppers are out of the game, Perry & Jones need to show the defense does not drop off, AND, they need to be playmakers!!!

Rookies Fackrell & Gilbert?  Gilbert, an un-drafted free agent, will have trouble making the team.  Fackrell, drafted, will make it!  And at 6'5 - 245 could be a new weapon.  Looks athletic, has speed, has range & could be helped by watching Matthews & Peppers!  Watch him closely!!

Elliot, was a long shot a couple years ago & has helped on special teams & on special defensive packages!  But, he MUST show something!

An interesting pick up was Lerentee McCray, formally with Denver.  Playing in that great Broncos defense as a back up, will that help the Packers?  We need to watch him closely!!

So, making the team?

OLB(7) - Matthews, Peppers, Jones, Perry, Elliot, McCray & Fackrell

We have:
My 53 man Packer roster:
OFFENSE(24)
QB(2) - Aaron Rodgers & Brett Hundley
FB(1) - Aaron Ripkowski
RB(3) - Eddie Lacy, James Starks & Josh Crockett
TE(3) - Jared Cook, Richard Rodgers, and Justin Perillo
WR(6) - Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davonte Adams, Jared Abbrederis, Ty Montgomery, Trevor Davis
OL(9) - David Bahktiari, Brian Bulaga, Josh Sitton, TJ Lang, Corey Lindsley, JC Tretter
Jason Spriggs, Kyle Murphy, & Lane Taylor

SPECIAL TEAMS(3)
Kicker(1) - Mason Crosby
Long Snapper(1) - Rick Lovato
Punter (1)- Tim Masthay

DEFENSE(13 - so far)
DL(6) - Mike Daniels, Leroy Guion, Kenny Clark, Mike Pennel(is suspended for 4 games), Datone Jones, Dean Lowry, & Chris Ringo (NOT counting Pennel, because suspended)
Inside Linebackers(4): Sam Barrington, Jake Ryan, Blake Martinez, and Carl Bradford
OLB(7) - Matthews, Peppers, Jones, Perry, Elliot, McCray & Mackrell

Next up corners & safeties!