Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Packer Plus
Cox eager to prove he’s the answer at LB
Editor’s note: This story was published April 5, 1996.
Green Bay — They made an unsuccessful $13 million bid for Cornelius Bennett, thought about making enormous offers for Hardy Nickerson and Bryan Cox, and either auditioned or investigated Chris Spielman, Jack Del Rio and Bill Romanowski, among others.
But Thursday, after the Green Bay Packers learned that their three-year, $3.9 million offer to Ron Cox would not be matched by the Chicago Bears, they were ecstatic how their search for a starting middle linebacker ended.
“There were a lot of guys that we would have legitimately liked to have had,” defensive coordinator Fritz Shurmur said. “But I’m not sure from the standpoint of our team there were any of them that we would rather have than this guy. This guy caught our eye very, very early.”
Cox, 6 feet 1 inches and 239 pounds, can’t wait to get started.
“I really enjoyed myself in Green Bay,” Cox said. “Hopefully, I can get in there and make a good contribution.”
Cox’s deal is worth $1.3 million per year. By comparison, the Atlanta Falcons gave Bennett $3.4 million per year, the Bears gave Bryan Cox $3.3 million, Tampa Bay re-signed Nickerson for $3.2 million, Buffalo paid Spielman $2 million and Denver paid Romanowski $1.8 million.
At 33, the unsigned Del Rio was five years older than Ron Cox, and the Packers didn’t think he was nearly as physical taking on blockers and stopping the inside run. Del Rio is better in coverage than Cox, but Cox is faster than both Del Rio and Fred Strickland, his predecessor in Green Bay.
Although Cox played outside linebacker over the tight end for six years in Chicago, Shurmur thinks the Bears’ stack 4-3 scheme under coach Dave Wannstedt will make the transition to middle linebacker in Green Bay relatively easy for Cox.
“We think we have excellent tackles who can play and control the middle,” Shurmur said.
“That, in a sense, protects the middle linebacker.
“We ask this guy to do a lot. Run the defense. Make plays from tackle to tackle. Be involved in the passing game. We think he can do all those things.
“He attacks the line of scrimmage. He plays hard all the time. He’s very athletic and physical.”
Moreover, Shurmur intends to take advantage of Cox’s ability to pass rush as an inside blitzer on early downs.
On the list: A source said the Packers had informed backup middle linebacker Derrick Oden, 25, that they would sign him if the team didn’t get the linebacker it wanted in the draft.
Oden (5-11, 237) was the Eagles’ sixthround pick in ‘93 who played in 35 games as a backup and special-teams standout. He was released after last season.
Mission accomplished: The four-day voluntary minicamp ended with coach
Mike Holmgren praising his players for their effort.
The camp was just a run-through for the veterans who showed up, but for many of the younger players and newcomers it was a chance to make an impression.
Most of the available jobs will be at backup positions, but as Holmgren and the Packers have found in recent years, it pays to have some depth.
“I think we’ll have a very competitive camp,” Holmgren said of training camp this summer.
“It will be very competitive.”
Speed to burn: While Packers fans have implored the team to add a speed back, running backs coach Harry Sydney said it was not a concern.
“We’ve got one right here,” Sydney said.
Second-year back Travis Jervey appears to have solidified his role as a backup to halfback Edgar Bennett. Jervey reported to camp in peak condition and appeared to be more comfortable in the system than he was a year ago.
“He’s running much easier,” general manager Ron Wolf said. “He’s a more confident individual. He knows what is expected of him. It’s all part of having been through it.”
More hands: Wide receiver Don Beebe had an impressive minicamp and will compete for one of the top three or four positions in the rotation, according to Wolf.
“He’s a bona fide third or fourth guy,” Wolf said. “He’s a veteran guy and he performed well.”
Wolf said Beebe probably would not be used as a returner.