Packers linebacker Brady Poppinga, a guest on the NFL Network’s “NFC Playbook” alongside Sterling Sharpe and Brian Baldinger, surprisingly pointed out some flaws in the Bears’ defense during this week’s segment of the show.
Perhaps that was not exactly a smart move from a player in the same division.
In breaking down Adrian Peterson’s 67-yard touchdown run last week, Poppinga pointed out how Lance Briggs might have been out of position.
“On that particular play, if [Briggs] just stays outside and just gets immediately up field,” Poppinga said.
Sharpe completed the thought, saying the outside defenders didn’t funnel the play back inside, allowing Peterson to get outside.
On Peterson’s 73-yard touchdown run, Poppinga pointed to the linebackers once again.
“[Brian] Urlacher does get cut off, though,” he said, “and cut [blocked], which creates that huge gap. Essentially, where Urlacher has to fit is right up where that gap is created.”
Sharpe asked if Urlacher could afford to get knocked down there.
“He can’t get knocked off his feet,” Poppinga said.
At least Poppinga tried to smooth things over, albeit too late. As Sharpe and Baldinger picked the Eagles in Sunday’s game, Poppinga picked the Bears without hesitation.
“Just having played against them, these aren’t the kind of guys that are just going to give up and throw it in,” he said.”
The Bears and Packers meet again at Soldier Field on Dec. 23.
Extra point
Brian Urlacher was fined $7,500 for a horse-collar tackle on Vikings running back Chester Taylor in the Vikings game. And Brandon McGowan was fined $5,000 for unnecessary roughness.
