We’ve talked about plenty of guys making plays for the Green Bay Packers during training camp. First-round pick Nick Perry is not one of them.
Perry, who’s pretty much been handed a starting outside linebacker job, seems to be catching on slowly. Certainly, part of the reason is he played defensive end in college. He knows how to run after the quarterback, but not much else.
Is it time to panic?
You’re damn right, it is!
Perry is a bust! He’ll never get it! The Packers wasted a draft pick!
We know that you know the drill.
Actually, maybe it’s a little early. Here’s what defensive coordinator Dom Capers had to say.
“There is really no way a guy can go out and play at a speed a guy has to play unless you are confident in your assignments,” defensive coordinator Dom Capers said. “These young guys, they just need to continue to challenge themselves mentally and then when they get repetitions on the field, they have to prove what they’re capable of doing. They’re all trying to establish what their identity is going to be right now.”
Perry, meanwhile, has his own excuses.
“Coming from playing defensive end in college to linebacker,” Perry said, “the biggest thing I’ve been dealing with is seeing the bigger picture. Seeing formation changes, changing my strengths, changing my play in the game. I have to see more and stay ahead and stay on top. I’m just learning. I think I’m comfortable at the position. There’s still room for improvement. We’re getting better as the days progress.”
In other words, “Cliche, cliche, cliche, cliche, cliche.” At least Clay Matthews has taught him something.
We’re sure it will take Perry some time to get accustomed to the NFL game and a position change. He may not even fully know what he’s doing when the season starts, but he’ll probably get it eventually.
Or maybe he’ll just turn into Jamal Reynolds. There’s always that possibility.
Dom runs one of the most complicated d’s in the league I wouldn’t put too much in week 1 of training camp
Im sure by week 15 they will figure out the issues on defense…thats what we were told last year…..
High risk/reward pick. We shall see..
he may or may not be a bust. deep stuff. thank you master of the obvious.
From his highlights at USC, Perry looked more like a power rusher than a speed guy. He will immediately improve the run defense where frankly, Walden sucked eggs.
As a pass rusher, this is indeed a bad sign. These are excuses only. First week or no, a highly talented pass rusher should be flashing signs of it.
Cobb had no problem flashing signs of explosiveness last year, and that was with missing an offseason program.
My hope is that Perry is the kind of guy that flashes when it matters, and not in practice. As AI once said, “Practice? We are talking about practice?”
Maybe he’s not tearing it up, but I like what I saw from him at training camp. First of all, he’s working against Bryan Bulaga primarily in the 11-on-11’s and Bulaga looks like one of the top RT’s in the league. Perry looks extremely physical off the snap and his containment looks solid. I don’t think he can be expected to be a top OLB immediately; he was simply one of the top pass rushers available in this year’s draft and will almost certainly be a big upgrade over Walden, Zombo, and Jones.
This is ridiculous. He was a DE whose only job was to penetrate and now he’s an OLB who has to recognize the entire offensive setup.
Don’t be stupid, he’s going to take some time to work into this role.
No excuses, even Kevin Greene acknowledged this. Think we can give him a couple of weeks as fans? Sheesh!
Still like She McClellin better…should’ve nabbed up by moving up in Rd #1 during the draft…never ever thought he’d be a fit for the Bears scheme. In fact, I thought the Bears would more likely pick Perry over him (Shea), guess I was wrong on that one.
Check out this report http://www.suntimes.com/sports/14192714-419/rookie-de-shea-mcclellin-enjoys-a-good-day.html
Hated Shea, I celebrated when the Bears selected him. Time will tell if I was correct. Give perry time and I’m sure he’ll become a Lamar woodly type power rusher. Personally I wanted Andre Branch, but he’s now rotting in Jacksonville…
Dont’a Hightower was my first choice… Stupid Patriots… but I think Perry will be good. Shea got screwed… he is horribly miscast. His “big day” at camp was picking off Jason Campbell while dropping back into coverage like a linebacker. Every other day he’s been getting killed by the Bears’ first, second, and third string tackles… Ouch.
Never mind. Pretty impressed with what I saw from Perry during the scrimmage. The comparisons to Lamar Woodley seem apt.
Definitely more of a power rusher who can walk the RT back into the backfield.
Last season QBs were able to buy time by stepping away from Matthews. They won’t have that luxury this season.
I agree with iltarion. I was impressed with his speed, quickness and having the ability to over power OL during the scrimmage.