Peppers, currently a member of the Carolina Panthers, seems destined for free agency as long-term contract talks between he and the team have pretty [...]]]> I was on the phone with my brother-in-law Brian last week and he and I got to talking about the idea of the Green Bay Packers making a run at Julius Peppers.

Peppers, currently a member of the Carolina Panthers, seems destined for free agency as long-term contract talks between he and the team have pretty much broken off. If he hits the market, the defensive end will be looking for a deal that pays him an average of $15 million a season. His representation will point to his gaudy numbers (81 sacks, 30 forced fumbles and five Pro Bowls in eight seasons, all with Carolina), nearly unmatched skill set (6-feet, 7-inches, 283 pounds with great speed and athleticism) and the increased value of defensive ends as reasons he should be paid elite money.

His numbers have been impressive, for the most part, but Peppers still has a major question mark or two surrounding him, as well. Some have questioned Peppers’ maturity and willingness to play hard week-in and week-out and wonder just how much he really loves the game of football. Take the 2007 season, for example, in which Peppers seemed completely disinterested. It showed as he finished with a pathetic 2.5 sacks in 14 games.

In other words, the 30-year old is pretty much the ultimate risk-reward situation.

With his unwillingness to dip into free agency – and with so many in-house free agents needing to be taken care of – it’s highly doubtful Ted Thompson decides to gamble on Peppers. Part of me thinks that’s a good thing. The clear needs at offensive line and secondary make a Peppers signing completely frivolous. And if “Bad Peppers” shows up upon signing a six-year, $80 million deal, you’ve wrecked your financial situation for the next few years – at least.

On the other hand…

There are just so many reasons why Peppers could be a smash hit in Green Bay, the type of game-breaking player who could put not only the defense, but the entire squad over the top.

Perhaps I’m playing Devil’s Advocate here, but keep the following factors in mind:

• He’d be moving to outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, which is where he’s wanted to be for awhile now. Last January, Peppers’ agent told ESPN that Peppers wanted to move to OLB on a team with a 3-4 defense because that scheme would allow him to fully use his talents, especially in rushing the passer. If he’s playing at his desired spot, he’ll likely be happier and more productive.
• He didn’t really get along with Packers’ defensive line coach Mike Trgovac while Trgovac was his defensive coordinator in Carolina a couple of years ago. But those two would not interact all that much. Peppers would work primarily with outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene. Something tells me Greene would make sure Peppers was properly motivated. For Peppers’ sake, he’d better be.
• He’d have a defensive coordinator in Dom Capers who would know how to fully utitlize his unique talents (see: Woodson, Charles in 2009). Peppers would be lined up ALL over the place with Capers at the helm – outside linebacker, defensive end and defensive tackle (in the nickel sets). Heck, maybe some strong safety even (in the “Big Okie” formation). Who knows?
• Speaking of Woodson, what was the big knock on him when he signed in 2006? He was immature and he didn’t like football all that much. As he got older, he got wiser, finally tapping into his inner passion for the game. He was 29 when he signed in Green Bay. Peppers is 30. Roughly the same age. Could also be the same time for Peppers to start maturing, even more so when you consider that he’d be playing on a team on the rise. He’d want to be good every week.
• It might take a minute for him to fully learn his new OLB spot. That doesn’t mean he’s another Aaron Kampman, though. Peppers’ freakish skills would likely make for a much smoother (and quicker) transition. And when he gets it all down, he’ll get a ton of favorable matchups because, with Clay Matthews on the other side, teams won’t be able to fully focus on Peppers. Speaking of which, Peppers and Matthews? Sounds awfully damn good, doesn’t it?
• Finally, when Peppers plays well, his team usually wins. Take a look at last season, for example. Eight of his 10.5 sacks came in Panthers’ wins.

When you consider that I just listed six – SIX! – factors for why Peppers in Green Bay could work, maybe I’m not playing Devil’s Advocate after all. Again, he’d be playing a position he wants to play, with guys who can properly motivate him and put him in spots to be successful. He’d also have a guy opposite him who could take some heat off and he’d have all this at the age when most men really start to mature.

I’m not trying to get your collective hopes up too much by saying all of this. I’m simply saying that there are more reasons Peppers would work in Green Bay than reasons he’d fail.

What do you think, fans? Do you think Teddy should throw caution to the wind and make a run at Peppers? As always, feel free to comment.

-Chris Lempesis

Chad Clifton (ankle) will miss the next two games, at least. With the bye week falling after the Vikings’ game, he could be back against Detroit on Oct. 18. The Packers can get by without him for the Rams game, but to not have him [...]]]> Starting on the injury front, courtesy of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Chad Clifton (ankle) will miss the next two games, at least. With the bye week falling after the Vikings’ game, he could be back against Detroit on Oct. 18. The Packers can get by without him for the Rams game, but to not have him lining up opposite Jared Allen will hurt and will also be a huge challenge for Daryn Colledge.

Head coach Mike McCarthy said he thinks Nick Collins (clavicle) will be able to go Sunday. At least Green Bay will be covered at one safety spot.

Brandon Jackson (ankle) was a limited participant. Jackson got hurt in the preseason and has yet to play this season. He’d be good to have back, as the line is struggling and Jackson is arguably the team’s best pass-protecting back.

Aaron Kampman (bruised hand) was a full participant and the injury doesn’t sound too serious. Now if Kampman could just starting rushing the passer a little better, we’d be set.

B.J. Raji (no second Raji until he plays) was a full participant (ankle), although I’m not too excited because it was that way last week for him, too. McCarthy said he’s hopeful the big fella can play.

For the Rams, tackle Jason Smith (knee), the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, did not participate and is doubtful for the game.

Starting center Jason Brown (knee) was a limited participant.

More on Giordano

Let’s get to know a little more about the newest Packer, safety Matt Giordano:

A fourth-round pick of the Indianapolis Colts in the 2005 draft out of Cal, where he played with Aaron Rodgers, Giordano stands 5-feet, 11-inches and weights 200 pounds.

He played in 55 games over his first four seasons, all with the Colts, recording 80 tackles (65 solo), three interceptions (one returned for a score) and eight passes defended.

His best season came in 2007, when he totaled 20 tackles (15 solo), two interceptions (one returned for a score) and four passes defended.

Odds & Sods

• I can’t believe I forgot to mention this in my post regarding Rouse’s release, but you’ll never guess who plays for the St. Louis Rams? That’s right: Anthony Smith. Funny how things work out sometimes, isn’t it?
• On Tuesday, tackle Jamon Meredith was signed from the Packers’ practice squad to the Buffalo Bills’ 53-man roster. Meredith, a fifth round pick in this year’s draft out of South Carolina, struggled in the preseason but was looked at as a long-term project, ala Allen Barbre or Breno Giacomini. I was interested to see if he had potential. Guess we’ll never know. Tackle Dane Randolph, who was with the team in the preseason, has been signed to replace Meredith on the practice squad.
• Sunday’s meeting between the Packers and Rams marks the first since the 2007 season when the two teams faced off in St. Louis late in the year. The Packers won 33-13 in a game most memorable for the fact that Judas passed Dan Marino for the all-time lead in passing yardage. Green Bay also clinched a first-round bye as a result of its win.
• Finally, some sage advice from outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene, courtesy of the Green Bay Press Gazette (scroll down a bit once you click on the link): “Everybody fumbles the ball,” said Greene. “And the sin is to just watch the ball lying on the ground. That’s the sin. So when you fumble the ball, it’s important to pick the ball up, and you truck on. You truck on with the ball, because everybody is going to fumble the ball, so that’s what we’re going to do.” That’s some pretty good advice, not just for football, but for life in general. Man, I love Kevin Greene.

-Chris Lempesis

Part one covered backup quarterback, No. 3 running back and fullback. I’d link to it, but if you scroll down just a bit, you’ll find it. I mean, I know it’s Friday [...]]]> Here is the second (and final) part of our update on the seven major position battles still going on with the Green Bay Packers.

Part one covered backup quarterback, No. 3 running back and fullback. I’d link to it, but if you scroll down just a bit, you’ll find it. I mean, I know it’s Friday and all, but come on, man – don’t be so lazy.

Right outside linebacker

The pre-camp pick: Jeremy Thompson over Clay Matthews, Brandon Chillar and Brady Poppinga

What I wrote then: “In the end, I think Thompson will win the job in a close battle with Matthews. The skill level is roughly the same, but Thompson has already gone through life as a rookie and I think that will push him over the top.”

Where we are now: Both Thompson and Matthews showed flashes of real potential early in camp. Unfortunately, both then got hurt, Thompson with a shoulder injury and Matthews with a hamstring injury. Hopefully both get back and going before the season starts for real. Matthews, I know, is set to play in the preseason finale next Thursday against Tennessee.

Chillar has made his mark, but it’s come at ILB, where he will provide depth and a nice coverage option on passing downs.

Poppinga has been the real surprise of the bunch. He got off to a poor start before rebounding nicely under the watchful eye of OLB coach Kevin Greene (who is a total psycho and I love it). He’s never going to wow anyone with his coverage skills (probably an understatement), but he can hold down the fort until Thompson and/or Matthews fully returns.

The injuries make this one hard to call, but with head coach Mike McCarthy saying Poppinga has a good chance to take the job, I guess I’ll take his word for it. I don’t think he’s a long-term solution – or, at least, I hope not.

Punter

The pre-camp pick: Jeremy Kapinos over Durant Brooks

What I wrote then: “Both punters seem to have some upside, yet both are also fairly spotty. Kapinos wasn’t awful punting in harsh conditions late in the year and the guess here is that he will win the job.”

Where we are now: I’m putting this battle second, honestly, because if I put it at the end, odds are you’d stop reading there. And we can’t have that. Not at OBOD.

Anyways, Kapinos and Brooks went back-and-forth at the start of camp, each winning their share of practices.

Brooks then suffered a hip injury that has kept him out for quite some time now. He didn’t even play last Saturday against Buffalo. McCarthy sounds like he’s losing patience with Brooks – and I don’t blame him because, you know, he’s a PUNTER and they should never get hurt.

Meanwhile, Kapinos has been doing a solid job and will likely win the gig.

No. 3 wide receiver

The pre-camp pick: Jordy Nelson over James Jones

What I wrote then: “As of now, I think Nelson will win the job. He’s far more consistent than Jones. If Jones takes care of the things he needs to, though, I wouldn’t be shocked to see him surpass Nelson.”

Where we are now: Jones has, by all accounts, taken care of those things he needed to – mainly, staying healthy. He suffered a slight hamstring injury in the preseason opener against Cleveland, but has come back strong.

He’s been very good throughout camp, proving he’s more 2007-James Jones than 2008-James Jones. He’s got the ability to become something special, especially in the future if this is, in fact, Donald Driver’s last year as a Packer.

It doesn’t sound like Nelson has been bad, either. He’s just been unspectacular. His chemistry with Aaron Rodgers is still there and he will be one of the best No. 4 wideouts in the league.

But for now, Jones has the job all but locked up. Guess I was wrong earlier.

Tight end

The pre-camp pick: Donald Lee over Jermichael Finley

What I wrote then: “In the end, Lee probably holds down the job for the start of the season. By the end of the year, though, the job will be Finley’s and he will hold it for a long time to come.”

Where we are now: I figured Finley would break out at some point this season. I just didn’t know he’d do it before the season even started.

But that’s exactly what’s gone down. While Tyrell Sutton has been the biggest surprise in camp, Finley isn’t far behind. He’s proving to be too big for DBs and too fast for linebackers and has become a big-time target for Rodgers in every sense (short routes, down the seam, long routes). He’s a total freak, athletically – to me, he could be the next Antonio Gates. He’s that good.

He’s also shown an improved maturity – at the very least, he isn’t criticizing the coaches or Rodgers at all anymore, which is nice.

Lee, like Jordy Nelson, hasn’t been bad. He’s just hasn’t been Finley. Lee is what he is – a solid tight end who can’t break a game open but can get the job done. And you need a guy like that. How many games did Ed West break open? That doesn’t mean he wasn’t a good player.

I thought Finley would take the job by the end of the season. I was wrong. It’s his now.

-Chris Lempesis