We were going to try to be PC about this, but let’s just get it out there. It’s about fucking time. The Green Bay Packers finally took a look at Carl Bradford at inside linebacker.
Bradford, a fourth-round pick, has been toiling at outside linebacker for the entirety of training camp prior to Monday’s practice. He’s been overmatched and has really made zero impression on the outside.
It’s been so bad for Bradford, who played a hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker in college, we were starting to wonder how the Packers could justify keeping him on the roster over a guy who can contribute like Child Warrior Andy Mulumba or Jayrone — Don’t Call Me Jerome — Elliott.
The only reason we can think of is that Bradford is a 2014 fourth-round pick and no one likes to admit they boned it on a draft pick this soon.
Now why would he be any better at inside linebacker? Well, if you haven’t been following along, everyone — except the Packers, apparently — thought Bradford was a better prospect at inside linebacker than outside linebacker coming out of college.
He demonstrated playmaking ability, a knack for the football and all of that in college, but doesn’t have the measureables that NFL teams look for in an outside linebacker. To boil that down, he’s too small and his arms are too short to work effectively against NFL tackles.
His size, however, is just fine for playing inside linebacker. Bradford is 6-1, 250 and in theory, he shouldn’t be encumbered by offensive linemen who are much larger than he is playing inside. That assumes the defensive linemen are doing their jobs, of course.
Where’s this going? We’re really not sure.
We still don’t see how the Packers can keep Bradford on the active roster. He’s been a complete non-factor.
Now they’re going to try him out at inside linebacker with a week left in the preseason? That seems like a solid strategy.
At this point, we can totally see the Packers releasing Bradford and signing him to the practice squad. He’ll get picked up by another team that will convert him to inside linebacker immediately and then he’ll go on to be a starter for 10 years for them.
This should have happened long ago. Just like it was mentioned, why does it take Green Bay over 2 months to put him inside, especially with what they have there now! You’d think they’d try everybody they could to upgrade what they currently have.
A.j. will be replaced by this time next year.
I would say if he doesn’t work out they can always put him at outside linebacker with the rest of the recycled D-lineman, but he’s already been there.
Why did this take so long? Sometimes this coaching staff just baffles me.
Wonder if it’s Ted — everybody’s afraid to go against his will?
Geez, after so many players have cycled through at OLB, how does the small guy with short arms get drafted? he’s the exact opposite of Elliott!
How do you strike it big in UDFA?
But draft selections are so iffy?
The first three guys won’t be starting (the third might be .
The fourth will start, but can’t block.
The fifth may not make the team.
The sixth will start, due to injury.
The seventh is not looking like NFL material.
The eighth might be a project.
(the third might be PS material, if not for being drafted in the 3rd round)
Will this site ever change? and get some contemporary methods of editing comments?
Judging a draft the same year based on whether you have starters or not says less about who you drafted and more about the team you had before the draft.
A team like the Packers isn’t going to be loaded with opportunities for a rookie to start.
At this time last season only Eddie Lacy and David Bakhtiari were starters, and injuries to Bryan Bulaga and Dujuan Harris had a lot to do with that.
Now, there are 5 starters from the draft. So, check back in a year or two.
You, Article guy could of had sacks against That left tackle in St.Louis watch the film!! The poor kid from the Rams literally let, #91 and #49 and anyone else who lined up against him just walk to th quarterback… Elliott is tall and a descent athlete? Elliott isn’t even half the player Carl Bradford who dominated at ASU is!!…again watch film, do some homework…. disappointing article, again… Write an article on how great Obama is doing, or about racism in America get some people to like your trash, because you don’t know what to look for in football talent.
Article Guy -“Your too short, you’ll never make it!”
What is it about this defense that likes to take players and put them out of position–they have done this with Nick Perry and Bj Raji, and now this dude. Something is up, and it hands Dom Capers’ name written all over it.
*and it has Dom Capers. ..
They’ve been doing it ever since Capers first year with Aaron Kampman. What a complete mess that was..
I don’t get what is so hard to understand. The guy was an OLB in college, and a pretty damn good one. Why NOT try him out at OLB? What? He doesn’t have the height, and his arms are too short? Let’s compile a list of pro athletes who were “too short” or some other allegedly nonsense. That’s a bunch of BS. The guy is a football player. There is no preset height or physical characteristic that you HAVE to have to be successful at the position.
The only reason Monty wanted him at ILB is because of his ad nauseum hatred for the only defender we have that manages to play 16 games every year – AJ Hawk.
And yes, obviously, the Packers are thinner there than they are at OLB. So, I’m glad they are giving Bradford a shot. Who knows, with Sam Barrington and Carl Bradford, the Packers might have their ILBs of the future.