DEEP DIVE INTO THE DEPTH
McCarthy: ‘Feel good about the depth at outside linebacker’
GREEN BAY - The phrase that hovered over organized team activities and minicamp originated from Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy on June 1.
He was asked about his team’s depth at outside linebacker, a position that saw both Julius Peppers and Datone Jones depart during free agency earlier this year, and his answer was met with puzzled glances.
“Feel good about the depth at outside linebacker,” McCarthy said. “This is probably as good (of) depth as we’ve had there in some time. I think you’ll really see some of our guys jump out in training camp as we get the pads on.”
From a purely mathematical standpoint, McCarthy’s assertion left something to be desired.
A year ago, the Packers had six outside linebackers who played at least 135 snaps. They were, in decreasing order of playing time: Nick Perry with 606; Clay Matthews with 479; Peppers with 470; Jones with 414; Kyler Fackrell with 176 and Jayrone Elliott with 135.
Peppers and Jones exited Green Bay for the Carolina Panthers and Minnesota Vikings, respectively. The only newcomer expected to play significant snaps is rookie Vince Biegel, a fourth-round pick from Wisconsin who underwent foot surgery in May.
Even if Biegel played 400 snaps to mimic Peppers or Jones — something that is unlikely — there is still a large piece of the pie leftover and nobody with regular-season experience to fill it.
But McCarthy has done this long enough to understand the ways a coach can communicate with his players through the media. And even if certain individuals refrain from actually reading what’s been written, the entire locker room is aware of the general message.
Thus, the nitty-gritty of McCarthy’s comment was less important than the
general theme: In a year when the Packers need major contributions from their young outside linebackers, namely Fackrell and Elliott, the coach issued a vote of confidence knowing his message would find its way back to the players.
“I think the biggest thing is our front two guys being able to stay healthy and I think right now Kyler
and Jayrone, we feel good about their ability to go in and play,” defensive coordinator Dom Capers said.
“One of the things you’ve seen us do at that position is rotate guys a lot and try to keep guys fresh in terms of rushing the passer. I think we’ve got pretty good depth at that position, to tell you the truth. We’ve been thinner than what we are now.”
You don’t get deeper by losing players like Peppers and Jones. You don’t get better by discouraging your players, either.