Not bad for a cat that was on the street early in the season.
Erik Walden was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his play against the Chicago Bears.
Walden had 12 tackles and two sacks against the Bears.
Strangely, Walden is a guy who was released by the Miami Dolphins in early October after missing a special teams assignment that led to a blocked punt. The Packers picked him up on Oct. 27.
Walden didn’t make his first start until week 15, when he began filling in for an ailing Frank Zombo.
In his three-team, three-year NFL career, Walden never made a start prior to that, which has to make him the most unlikely winner of a player of the week award, this season.
He may not even continue to start if Zombo returns, this week.
You have to credit outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene for turning Walden into a player in such a short time and defensive coordinator Dom Capers for putting him in a position to make plays.
Walden joins Clay Matthews, Charles Woodson, Aaron Rodgers, Tim Masthay and Mason Crosby among Packers who have won a player of the week award, this season.
I remember sounding like the guys in ‘Major League’ when I heard this guy’s name. “Who is this fucking guy?”
Then I saw him lining up early in the game and doing some sort of pre-snap raising of the arms. Not sure if he was trying to get the crowd going or if he’s got his own thing, but I immediately thought, “Erik Walden just play football.”
And then he did. I don’t know if we can chalk this up yet to anything more than fluke performance, but Erik Walden just looked fast out there and stood out. I noticed him more than I did Matthews and I was not making any sort of decision to follow him, it was just impossible NOT to. Walden was just that present.
Can he do it again?
I believe I also said something along those lines. Words eatten. I have to say this cat can ball. Challenge him! And make sure your boys are there to see it.
lol…love Major League. If he does it again are you going to be like “This guy ain’t too fucking bad”?
It feels like I’ve said “who the fuck is that guy” most of the season!
Bring it again D, and there’s no stopping the pack! Do you think McCarthy after Walden’s performance last week, would really start anyone else? This kid is playing hard & seems to have caught on to Capers’ schemes pretty quickly. I’m loving all these non drafted or no team guys pulling together & making things happen, including Zombo, but it really feels like Walden may have the edge & the fire right now.
GO PACK GO!
He is actually really good.. give him more experience and he will be another clay matthews! Lol