Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila got injured during the Packers-Lions game on Thanksgiving. | Photo: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
'08 Packers: The Defensive Line
Story Created:
May 18, 2009
Story Updated:
May 18, 2009
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Our Experts Predict
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• 2008 Season
2008 Season Preview:
• Quarterbacks
• Running Backs
• Receivers
• Offensive Line
• Defensive Line
• Linebackers
• Defensive Backs
• Special Teams
More:
• Favre Makes Jets Debut
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The Defensive Ends
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| Player |
Vitals |
'07 Stats |
Synopsis |
#74 Aaron Kampman
 |
6' 4" 265 lbs.
7th Year
Iowa |
12 sacks, 91 tackles, 57 solo tackles, 2 passes defensed, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble |
The most unassuming great lineman in the National Football League. He has the work ethic unlike what you'll ever see in the NFL, and mines the complete reserve of his talent. If he stays healthy, you can lock him into a yearly appearance in Hawaii (or wherever the game will go). |
#77 Cullen Jenkins
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6' 2" 305 lbs.
5th Year
Central Michigan
|
1 sack, 49 tackles, 31 solo tackles, 9 passes defensed |
Also backs up Johnny Jolly at the right D-tackle spot, and that brings him to a point where he's a man without a regular position, but without a spot on the bench. With the health of the interior defensive line in question, the regular starting defensive end opposite Kampman may have to find a lot more time playing grunt with Ryan Pickett... |
#94 Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila
 |
6' 4" 249 lbs.
9th Year
San Diego State |
9.5 sacks, 36 tackles, 26 solo tackles, 2 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles |
...which means KGB has to take a much larger role than he's been used to in recent history. The guy is still a poor-man's Jevon Kearse in his prime, but he gets blown off the ball on run plays like the casing of a grenade when the interior explodes. That must change this year to help a thin and often-injured defensive line. |
#96 Michael Montgomery
|
6' 5" 273 lbs.
4th Year
Texas A&M |
22 tackles, 4 solo tackles |
Injury bugs have been like entire hives of bees to this guy in his career. He's only played 32 games in three seasons. If he gets his motor going and proves he can stuff the run, he also might play a critical role if KGB continues to fail in run defense. |
#57 Jason Hunter
 |
6' 4" 271 lbs.
3rd Year
Appalachian State |
3 tackles, 2 solo tackles; 25 special teams tackles (led team) |
Hunter does exactly that, hunts, on special teams, as he loves to blow up return teams. He's also a pass rush specialist who has a huge motor to get to the pocket. He'll get more on the field this year. |
#99 Jeremy Thompson
|
6' 4" 270 lbs
Rookie
Wake Forest |
(w/Wake Forest)
6 sacks, 45 tackles, 11 tackles for losses, 2 forced fumbles |
This guy again fills the project role, but his speed on the edge makes him highly enticing to Bob Sanders for future years. Add some muscle and he can gobble up some running backs, too. |
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The Defensive Tackles
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| Player |
Vitals |
'07 Stats |
Synopsis |
#79 Ryan Pickett
 |
6' 2" 330 lbs.
8th Year
Ohio State |
1 sack, 63 tackles, 38 solo tackles, 1 pass defensed |
This guy can plug 600 pounds-plus of offensive line at one time and is, literally, a big reason the Packers' linebackers are so solid against the run. In a season where offensive productivity may not be as huge without number 4, a much bigger number could play a critical part in getting stops and short fields for the offense. |
#97 Johnny Jolly
 |
6' 3" 320 lbs.
3rd Year
Texas A&M
|
1 sack, 31 tackles, 14 solo tackle, 5 passes defensed, 1 fumble recovered |
Drug possession charges and a court hearing during the season hang over him. He seems to have recovered from a shoulder injury. He's not supremely consistent, and that will have to change if he wants more reps. |
#90 Colin Cole
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6' 1" 330 lbs.
4th Year
Iowa
|
13 tackles, 7 solo tackle, 1 pass defensed |
Is coming back off a fractured arm from the Thanksgiving Day game last year aginst Detroit. He's a solid run stopper, but he must increase his productivity in the pass rush if he wants to get more playing time. That might come anyway, depending on Johnny Jolly's legal troubles. |
Source: Green Bay Packers
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