Good article about the Packers health defensively

[ReasonablySober]

Be sure to check it out.

Until you read about all the guys that have stepped in, it's tough to fathom all the backups that have been getting significant PT lately. Now that the defense is almost 100% healthy it's going to be interesting to see how they perform. Maybe all the injuries early were a blessing. It allowed guys like Thompson, Chillar, Blackmon, Williams and Rouse to play really key roles.

[eagle13]

Good article.

Chillar playing well is no surprise. He was signed to compete as starter - specifically for pass coverage.
Going into preseason, many thot Rouse could start so his good play is no surprise.
Most felt Tramon had lots of potential so no shock - maybe mild surprise he was THIS ready NOW.

Blackmon and Thompson surprised me. Blackmon because he's stayed healthy. Thompson because he showed up as effectively as he did this quick!

Definite positives - depth going forward at DB and pass coverage at LB.

As for DL - Montgomery & Hunter still do not impress. Maybe they will??? My hope is that Thompson can excel and play ahead of them.
Now if Harrell can play as well as these other kids we'll be really cooking. Will he??? I'm skeptical but still hopeful my skeptic is wrong.

[Balls2TheWalls]

Rouse is interesting. He is much better against the pass than Bigby, but he is not as good against the run. I was an advocate for Rouse battling with Collins for the starting position, but Collins seems to have finally figured it out. I am not sure who I would prefer between Rouse and Bigby. I would have to see Bigby play after the injury to pick one.

Tramon Williams has been the surprise of the season... other than Woodson being the best CB in the league. He has been as close to shutdown as you could hope.

I always felt that Blackmon had talent, but that he was so injury prone that we might never find out. He has some lapses on defense, but he looks like the first return man playmaker we have had since Rossum.

Jeremy Thompson has really been a beast against the run. He forces his way upfield, and funnels outside runs to the linebackers. Against the pass, he has left a lot to be desired, but he was a 4th round pick, and he has easily outplayed KGB this season.

Our linebackers have been a disappointment outside of Chillar. Chillar looks like he was worth every penny, and it is hard to fathom playing Poppinga in front of him for much longer. Barnett has taken a hefty step backwards. He does not run downhill at plays. He is weak in coverage, and he is getting blown up by anyone willing to block him. His lack of aggressiveness has been one of the major holes in the defense. Hawk, on the other hand, looked great until he had his groin injury, and hasn't been given proper time to heal. He is very assignment sure, and we definitely need him to be 100%.

I think that we are going to get hurt badly by Johnny Jolly getting suspended after just getting indicted on drug charges. Hopefully Harrell can show flashes of why he deserved to be a top 20 draft pick.