Packers Counting on Pass Rush From First Rounder Nick Perry

It looks like the Green Bay Packers will have a pass rush in 2012, and a rookie may be leading the way.

Expectations are high as Nick Perry puts on the green and gold, and he's fine with that.

"I can't really say that I'm going to be the savior," Perry, an outside linebacker, said during the Packers' weekend rookie minicamp. "But I'm going to put my best foot forward to help the situation, just to try and help the team any way I can."

Last month, the Packers spent their first six picks on defensive players -- Perry, linemen Jerel Worthy and Mike Daniels, cornerback Casey Hayward, safety Jerron McMillian and inside linebacker Terrell Manning.

Things seemed to go well in Perry's first minicamp appearance.  The new Packer looked explosive moving forward, but started tentative and sluggish in pass coverage. Perry is making the transition from defensive end to outside linebacker, that is to be expected. However, the 270 pounds he's carrying might be contributing to the problems with pass coverage.

Packers Pick USC's Perry for Defense

Nick Perry will be joining a former USC teammate in Green Bay.  That former teammate would be on Clay Matthews.

Perry got to know Matthews as a freshman at USC and is looking forward to the reunion.


The Packers made a move to boost their pass rush in Thursday’s first round of the NFL draft, taking Perry with the No. 28 overall pick. At 6-2 and 271 pounds, Perry will play outside linebacker in the Packers’ 3-4 scheme. That could make him a complement to fellow former Trojan Matthews, something the team has lacked in recent seasons.

Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers said being able to get pass rush pressure from both sides is critical.

“It means a great deal,” Capers said. “I think the basis of our defense starts with being able to threaten offenses from both sides. You see us do a lot of things with our inside linebackers and a lot of their success is based on the type of threat that you have, I think, from both sides of your defense.”

Perry had 21.5 career sacks in three seasons.  Half of that total next season in Green Bay would be a big help.