Top Ten Packers Defensive Players Of The Modern Era

It’s June, and for us football writers, that means it’s time for some creativity in terms of story ideas. In other words, it’s time for lists. While some people may make lists of best of all time, I’m going to take a different approach. Since I’m only 27, I decided to make a list of the best Packers defensive players I’ve seen play with my own eyes.
 

10. Ryan Pickett- In his seven seasons in a Packers uniform, Ryan Pickett hasn’t been anything spectacular, but just good old reliable along a shaky Packers defensive front. Pickett has indeed been a stalwart, and even though he doesn’t come with the fanfare as the rest of the players on this list do, it doesn’t mean he doesn’t belong here, because he does.

9. Nick Barnett- When healthy, Barnett was a tackling machine in Green Bay, and one of former head coach/general manager Mike Sherman’s better decisions. Despite his lack of size, Barnett brought speed and athleticism to the middle linebacker position in Sherman’s defense.

8. Gilbert Brown- There is a fine line between being fat and being good. Brown walked that line every day of is NFL career. A castoff of the Minnesota Vikings, Brown blossomed as the cog in the middle of the Packers defense in the mid-90’s, and was one of the biggest reasons as to why the 1996 Packers defense gave up the fewest points in the NFL that season.

7. Nick Collins- If a player like Randall Cobb is fast, than Nick Collins is Flash Gordon fast. Collins could fly. Oh boy could he fly. Collins covered more ground than any other safety in recent memory. It’s a shame his NFL career ended the way it did. People don’t realize, that when Nick Collins suffered the Spinal Cord injury in week 2 of the 2011 season, Dom Capers entire defensive scheme blew up in his face, and the Packers have been scrambling to rebuild it ever since.

6. Darren Sharper- Darren Sharper had a very simple scouting report. He wasn’t a tackler, he wasn’t a range player, he was a centerfielder. Sharper was a ball hawk who played centerfield better than anyone league wide in recent memory, and he played a large portion of his career in Green Bay, which is why he is officially recognized on this list.

5. Al Harris- In 2002, Mike Sherman traded a 6^th round draft choice to Philadelphia in exchange for a little known defensive back named Al Harris. Safe to say that was a 6^th round draft choice well spent. Harris was the ace cover corner of the Packers for a number of years and will forever be remembered for his walk-off interception against the Seattle Seahawks in the 2004 Wildcard game.

4. Clay Matthews- Everyone scratched their heads as Ted Thompson traded back up into the back of the first round of the 2009 NFL draft to select USC’s third best linebacker. Ironically enough he used the third round draft choice he received from the Jets in the Brett Favre trade to do so. Four years later, nobody is scratching their heads anymore. Matthews is the only defensive player in NFL history to be selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first four seasons. The Packers rewarded Matthews with a big old fat contract extension this offseason.

3. Charles Woodson- In eight seasons as the general manager of the Green Bay Packers, Ted Thompson has handed out one big name free agent contract. That was to Charles Woodson in 2006. Turns out that might be one of the most important free agent contracts handed out in league history, as Woodson went from draft bust to first ballot hall of famer in a Packers uniform.

2. Reggie White- Very few free agent signings work out. It’s even rarer that a free agent signing works out as well as this one did. White signed with the Packers, and led them on their glorious Super Bowl run in 1996. I could go on and on forever about White, but you all know the story. Before you cut my head off for not having him number one on this last, let me explain myself.

1. Leroy Butler- Charles Woodson may be headed for the Hall of Fame and Reggie White may already be there, but no Packers defensive player and I mean nobody, played in a Packers uniform for longer and played at such a high level for so long. Butler spent his entire 12-year career in a Packers uniform, and it is a crying shame he is not in the Hall Of Fame.

Who Should The Packers Draft With Their First Pick?

Who should the Packers draft with their first pick in the 2012 NFL Draft? There is a lot of speculation of them taking Shea McClellin from Bosie State who would make a great addition to compliment Clay Matthews. Another possibility would be Harrison Smith safety from Notre Dame. He would be a great pick if Nick Collins retires due to his neck injury. This time of year is where teams are built and Ted Thompson shines!

Opening Day at Miller Park

Opening Day at Miller Park is always out of this world. Our one and only Nick Collins will be throwing out the opening pitch to start the 2011 season at Miller Park. Lets hope the Brew can turn around the season by beating the  Braves.

5 Green Bay Packers Named to Pro Bowl

The Green Bay Packers have 5 players named to the Pro Bowl. Greg Jennings, Charles Woodson, Clay Matthews, Chad Clifton and Nick Collins are all named starters. Aaron Rodgers and Tramon Williams are first alternates. Congrats to all the Packers that got named to the Pro Bowl. Last night the Packers may have gotten a little help making the Playoffs. The Eagles lost to the Vikings giving the Bears a first round bye, therefore the Bears might not play all their starters for a full game. I think the Pack will make the Playoffs and make some noise. Go Pack GO!!!!

Green Bay Packer's Tailgate Tour

The Green Bay Packers announced that they will be on tour for their fifth tailgate tour, set for May 11-14. They will be traveling to Rhinelander(my hometown), Chippewa Falls, Reedsburg and Milwaukee. Basically they go around to the different cities and give a thanks to the fans and hang out and tailgate. Some of the traveling Packers will be Mark Murphy,Chad Clifton,Nick Collins, James Jones and John Kuhn. I think its pretty neat that some of the players take time out of their busy schedule to give back to the die hard fans. Also Ticket King Green Bay still has tickets available for Elton John.

Chad Clifton Stays/Aaron Kampman Out

The Green Bay Packers had a very busy weekend doing free agency. The good news is the Packers were able to resign LT Chad Clifton to a new contract but lost Aaron Kampman to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Aaron Rodgers will definitely be happy to see Clifton protecting him, but the Packers defense will miss a leader/sack machine in Kampman. All though Kampman didn't seem to fit the new 3-4 scheme the Packers implemented last year, I think the next biggest need is Nick Collins to be paid some big $$$. Also wanted to let all you Rodeo Fans out in Green Bay know we still have a few All-Star Rodeo tickets available for this weekend, and our tickets are below face value.

Packers Clinch Playoff Berth

The Green Bay Packers clinched a wild card spot for the 2009 playoffs with a victory over the Seattle Seahawks. We here at Ticket King Green Bay are ready to sell you all the NFL Playoff tickets you need.

The Packers are one of the hottest teams going into the playoffs and could make a serious run. If the playoffs started today the Packers would face the Arizona Cardinals, which they play this Sunday during the final regular season game. If not the Cardinals the Packers could face the Eagles, Cowboys and even the Vikings, depending on how the last week of the regular season shakes out.“Our goal of winning the world championship is right in front of us,” coach Mike McCarthy said. “And that’s all you can ask for, opportunities. You have to get into the playoffs to accomplish that. We’re going to be a road-warrior mentality as we plan for that. But let’s be honest, we still have work ahead of us.”
I also want to congratulate Aaron Rodgers, Charles Woodson and Nick Collins for making the Pro Bowl.
Happy New Year!!!