The Green Bay Packers have picked up a pair of linebackers, claiming Diryal Briggs off waivers from Denver and signing Matt Wilhelm.
Briggs was released on Monday, a week after being promoted from the Broncos practice squad. The 6-4, 250-pound outside linebacker entered the league in 2009 as an undrafted free agent from Bowling Green.
Wilhelm his entering his eighth season in the league. The 6-2, 249-pound inside linebacker was originally drafted out of Ohio State by San Diego. He played the 2009 season with the 49ers and was among their final roster cuts, this season.
The 29-year-old Wilhelm has started 22 games in his career, with his best season coming in 2007, when he recorded 97 tackles, one sack and three interceptions.
To acquire the two players, the Packers officially placed defensive end Mike Neal and linebacker Brady Poppinga on injured reserve. The team also released linebacker Maurice Simpkins, so they currently have one open roster spot, which could be used to bring either Al Harris or Atari Bigby off the physically unable to perform list, this week.
Simpkins could be re-signed to the practice squad if he clears waivers.
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So does this mean MM and TT don’t plan on activating both Bigby and Harris? That sucks…I though they’d both be ready to go this week! I like the pickup of Diyral, he looked like a pretty good pass rusher during the pre-season, but good thing the pre-season is…well, the pre-season. I was hoping we’d make a move for a D lineman cause watching Lang have to play DT about made me vomit during the Vikes game. I guess another positive is it would seem that Jenkins and Pickett should start if no apparent moves have been made. Really blows about Neal, he was looking good, but oh well no excuses this week…hope we shut that fat fuck Rex up!
With Peprah’s unspectacular yet solid play I’m wondering if Bigby is even an upgrade. I don’t recall him playing that great last year, especially not in the playoffs.
I agree. At best, I think Bigby provides us with some depth… Anthony Smith is the more likely starter down the stretch.
Denver is known as a linebacker factory. Packers totally scored a fifteen year starter there. Without Briggs on special teams last weekend, that loss would have been EMBARASSING! Whew… You scored a real winner there.
In defense of the Packers, did they parade these guys around as if they were LeBron James and Chris Bosh?
What Superstars were you hoping they’d pick up mid season after the trade deadline?
Every team makes moves like this during the season. Chill out.
AL HARRIS WILL START (AT NICKEL), BIGBY IS STILL A WEEK OR TWO AWAY. THE DEPTH WITH THESE ADDITIONS IS MAINLY FOR SPECIAL TEAMS TACKLING AT THIS POINT. WE HAVE TO BEAT THE JETS ON SPECIAL TEAMS THIS WEEK TO HAVE A CHANCE AT WINNING. WE CANNOT RELY ON OFFENSE OR DEFENSE THIS WEEK TO GET THE JOB DONE…DAMN, THE MORE I LISTEN TO REX RYAN, THE MORE I START TO LIKE HIM AND HIS FAT ASS SWAGGER.
this is a LB heavy defense and who knows, maybe one of these guys can rush the passer a little… obviously this means Harris is coming back. I am glad just for our depth there.
Wynn and Wilson played well enough to stay in the rotation. As soon as Jenkins and Pickett are both back, we’ll be in better shape than ever there. Though, too bad about Neal, because he looked strong.
Peprah played well in the Vikings game. I just rewatched it. Good game by him.
Great play by Bishop at the end of the game. He knocked Moss out of bounds. Even if the ball had been catchable, it wouldn’t have mattered.
“Peprah played well in the Vikings game.”
That’s what I was thinking. I have to wonder if Bibgy is even an upgrade? If I forget about his play back in 2007, he’s not to impressive. The extra depth, however, won’t hurt.
Quote the Construction Worker in the 80’s movie ‘Major League’
Who are these fuckin’ guys?
Groundskeeper #1: [In Japanese] They’re shitty.
My thoughts exactly. I’ve heard of Wilhelm, but who the F is Briggs???
Sad part is in TT’s fucked up mind these are his big moves for the year. Way to go fuck head.
Ted Thompson probably didn’t know you hadn’t heard of him when he picked him up.
Totally. He should have magically signed Patrick Willis and Brian Urlacher instead of these guys.
Yeah, maybe TT should post on here and ask us our opinion before picking guys up. Or maybe not…
Minnesota is loaded with bought talent. How well did all that jing do against the guys TT drafted on Sunday? Oh, they lost.
Maybe he should, I could sit on my ass and collect a pay check like that idiot.
It’s good to see people still sticking up for him, at least he’ll have some fans when he’s unemployed. He’s an average GM at the draft and had no inclination to make a trade to help a hurting team. When is it time to quit trying to win via the draft and bring in some outside help??? After a few more mediocre seasons I guess.