Al Harris might have a sexual assault trial to deal with soon. | Photo: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
'08 Packers: The Defensive Backs
Story Created:
May 18, 2009
Story Updated:
May 18, 2009
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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 Cornerbacks
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| Player |
Vitals |
'07 Stats |
Synopsis |
#21 Charles Woodson
 |
6' 1" 202 lbs.
11th Year
Michigan |
4 INTs, 10 passes defensed, 1 fumble recovery, 2 total TDs, 64 tackles, 54 solo tackles |
Two words. Big play. One word. Old. Those three combined define what people think he is as a Packer. He'll only get older. Will that mean he's wiser and able to produce more big plays? Certainly possible. He proved it last year with game-clinching plays against Washington and Kansas City. |
#31 Al Harris
 |
6' 1" 190 lbs.
11th Year
Texas A&M-Kingsville
|
2 INT's, 9 passes defensed, 37 tackles, 34 solo tackles. |
That picture comes from six seasons ago, Al Harris' defining moment as a Packer when they beat the Seahwks in the 2003 wildcard game - until last November, when Terrell Owens turned him into Texas Toast in the Packers-Cowboys showdown, and last January, when Plaxico Burress burned him like an overcharred steak in the NFC Championship game. He has to turn around the decline he's perceived to be on right now. |
#27 Will Blackmon
 |
6' 0" 206 lbs.
3rd Year
Boston College
|
2 passes defensed, 3 solo tackles |
The older Charles Woodson and Al Harris get, the more important Blackmon will become. He's a punt return mainstay in a deep fleet of return men; less time there will hopefully happen because he'll get more time in the lineup (if that's necessary due to the potential decline of Harris and Woodson). |
#38 Tramon Williams
 |
5' 11" 191 lbs.
2nd Year
Louisiana Tech |
1 INT, 4 passes defensed, 11 tackles, 10 solo tackles |
The potential designated nickel back for this squad, Williams played a key role in the playoff win over Seattle, so we know he can contribute in the backfield. Much like Blackmon, he'll be called upon if Harris and Woodson get slower. He's also part of that supremely deep return team. |
#22 Pat Lee
 |
6' 0" 194 lbs.
Rookie
Auburn |
(w/Auburn)
4 INTs, 12 passes defensed. 55 tackles, 40 solo tackles |
The man can hit with a force far beyond his size, and he's unafraid to go into the melee of the line on a CB blitz. It's simply a matter of time and learning the Packers defensive scheme, and he will most definitely contribute. |
#24 Jarrett Bush
 |
6' 0" 200 lbs.
3rd Year
Utah State |
8 passes defensed, 23 tackles, 18 solo tackles |
Has fallen to the dime back role at this point behind Tramon Williams, and will have to work to get back into that part of the lineup. Also a special-teams mainstay, he knows how to be Johnny-on-the-spot as a playmaker on coverage teams. Learn to do that on defense, and he'll engage Williams in a worthy battle for more PT on 3rd downs. |
|
The Safeties
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| Player |
Vitals |
'07 Stats |
Synopsis |
#20 Atari Bigby
 |
5' 11" 213 lbs.
3rd Year
Central Florida |
5 INT's, 13 passes defensed, 3 forced fumbles, 121 tackles, 95 solo tackles |
From the bane of all existence among all Packers fans to the best defensive player in the NFC in December. Not a bad journey of improvement for the guy with the same name as an ancient video game system. He's no longer just a hitter and a playmaker, but a much moe consistent cover guy than at the start of 2007. Stay on that course, and he's a star in the making on the unit that needs most improvement on the roster. |
#36 Nick Collins
 |
5' 11" 207 lbs.
4th Year
Bethune-Cookman
|
6 passes defensed, 62 tackles, 45 solo tackles |
He's now the brains behind the Packers defense (along with Nick Barnett), and won't make mistakes too often, but has never been a huge playmaker in the last line of defense. He must end the string of goose-egs in the turnovers-forced category if he wants to keep the Turk from pulling him to the sidelines. |
#37 Aaron Rouse
 |
6' 4" 223 lbs.
2nd Year
Virginia Tech
|
2 INT's, 4 passes defensed, 33 tackles, 26 solo tackles |
He's still learning the safety position after moving from linebacker in college, and has inconsistency written all over his "M-O" in preseason. Solve that, and he'll be forcing himself into some starting lineups because he is just too much of an athlete to keep off the field. |
#26 Charlie Peprah
 |
5' 11" 203 lbs.
3rd Year
Alabama
|
2 solo tackles, 2 forced fumbles (special teams) |
Also known as a hitter, can cause turnovers and change games, like he did in the first NY Giants game. It's simply consistency, like Rouse, that is the issue for Peprah seeing more playing time from scrimmage. |
Source: Green Bay Packers
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