The Packers released an unofficial depth chart on August 9th, which generated some talk within Packer Nation about where certain players stand at this point in camp. One name that stood out among the first-teamers was Brandon Chillar, who had been seeing significant playing time at outside linebacker thus far in camp. Chillar’s name listed as a starting outside linebacker has sent the signal to fans that the organization is serious about keeping him there to begin the regular season. Is moving Chillar from a reserve inside linebacker to starting right outside linebacker the right decision?
By moving Chillar to the starting outside linebacker role, Brad Jones will have to take a back seat at the position. Just like that, the thoughts of Jones becoming Aaron Kampman’s heir are kicked to the curb…at least for now. After bulking up during the offseason, fans were convinced that Jones would begin the year as the starter and eventually develop into an everyday 3-4 outside linebacker. Jones suffered a back injury during training camp last week, which may have contributed to Chillar’s move.
Personally, I think the coaching staff had made up their mind a while back that Brandon Chillar was going to get some looks at roles outside of backup inside linebacker. I’d be left scratching my head if the Packers’ front office told me that Chillar’s 5-year, $21 million deal that he signed last December was just for his contributions as a third down inside linebacker. With the Packers thin at outside linebacker, and Jones not currently meeting the Packers’ expectations there, Chillar naturally got his chance.
On the eve of preseason game one of the 2010 season, the beginning of analysis has merely begun. The draft, OTAs, mini camp, and the first 2 weeks of Training Camp are simply the prelude to the real fun, the NFL season. The preseason is the point where great stories are made (early success of Sam Shields) and players’ careers hinge on every play on the field (Jarrett Bush, are you listening?).
There is little more that can be said about preseason number one tonight. It is a time to await the glorious return of football to Lambeau Field and start the 91st season of Packers football. With that being said, I figured it was time to express some thoughts via poetry about the first preseason game and the official start of the Packers season. There will be no iambic pentameter, Haiku, or Shakespearean influences here; just some thoughts about the 2010 Packers.
Only about a month ago, I was about to write a bit about who was more likely to don the bust label between Justin Harrell and Pat Lee. We're only less than a week into camp, but it appears that there's a very legitimate chance that neither one will wear that hat out of Green Bay.
Both Harrell and Lee were early-round picks in recent drafts by Ted Thompson and both were relatively unknown by fans when they were selected. On top of that, both have had trouble staying healthy for the past several seasons and likely face their last real chance with the Packers. With fans about ready to give up on the injury-plagued youngsters, the two have shown progress this offseason and look very capable of making the team.
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I guess you can call them highlights. Sure give us a taste of the coming season.
I think, in addition to playing very vanilla on defense in order to not tip his hand, Capers was also trying to ensure that his players won't get hurt.