Tripp Hoping for More on Defense
By jasonperone
A happy Memorial Day to all and a reminder of what today is all about. A big thank you to our staff, readers, friends and family who currently serve or have served in our country's military. May they return home safely and soon and receive the recognition they all deserve for their sacrifices and efforts!
On to Packers football!
Green Bay Packers linebacker Jordan Tripp's last name is very appropriate. His brief NFL career has literally been a trip, one after another. The Packers are hoping this is a long stop for the fourth-year pro.
Drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 2014 in the fifth round, Tripp appeared in 13 games that season. He wasn't able to stick on the roster the following season and was released. He spent a brief stint in camp with the Jacksonville Jaguars but was released at final cut downs. He landed in Seattle with the Seahawks on their practice squad. He was eventually signed to the active roster had appeared in seven games for Seattle in 2016, starting one.
The Packers made a rare in-season add to their active roster and must have seen something they liked. Tripp played his college ball at Montana and posted a 4.67 40-yard dash and a 37.5" vertical. At 6'2 3/4" and 244 pounds, he's not the biggest guy on the field, but the Packers have shifted their focus to athleticism in players they acquire. Especially on defense.
Tripp played a sparse number of snaps at inside linebacker for the Packers at the end of last season and during the postseason. He was a regular special teams player, where he figures to contribute most in 2017 and if he can maintain his roster spot. With a full offseason in the play book, Tripp's potential should become apparent before long.
With youngsters Jake Ryan and Blake Martinez currently holding down the two inside linebacker spots in the base 3-4 defense, Tripp likely faces quite an uphill battle to cut into their snap counts. Add in that the Packers spend so much time in sub packages other than their base and have plans to integrate some of the defensive backs into the linebacker mix, Tripp essentially needs to defy the odds to see the field.
In other words, he needs to max out. If the light bulb can turn on this summer, Tripp could turn out to be quite a value for the Packers at $690,000 for 2017. If injury strikes, Tripp suddenly becomes a key piece of the defensive puzzle.
With such limited film on Tripp, it's hard to say how much the Packers see him as a defensive player, but they liked him enough to re-sign him in March. In his time on field, Tripp was not short on fire and grit on kickoff coverage. If nothing else, his demonstrative tendency shows he has a passion for the game.
Obviously, there's a reason why a player with Tripp's attributes can't stick with one team or stay on the field. The Packers are hopeful that Green Bay becomes home and 2017 is a launching point for what could be a bright career.
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Jason is a freelance writer on staff since 2012 and also co-hosts Cheesehead TV Live, Pulse of the Pack and Pack A Day podcasts. You can follow him on Twitter here
Comments (9)
NickPerry
May 29, 2017 at 06:32 am
"Obviously, there's a reason why a player with Tripp's attributes can't stick with one team or stay on the field. "
Well we ARE talking about the Jaguars and Dolphins Jason.....LOL
I'm curious about Tripp mostly because he plays LB but I'd gladly swap him out for Elvis Dumervil for example. Depending on what Dumervil is looking for he might not cost that much more either.
It IS a slow day if we're writing about Jordan Tripp.
Happy Memorial Day everybody, thank you to all of you who have served in our military.
Andrew Lloyd Peth
May 29, 2017 at 06:34 am
You're welcome. Happy Memorial Day.
Andrew Lloyd Peth
May 29, 2017 at 06:33 am
It's an uphill battle, but none of the Packer Inside Linebackers are so impressive that Tripp can't compete.
Rossonero
May 29, 2017 at 08:17 am
He sounds like a great special teams player and would provide solid depth at ILB. Wouldn't surprise me if he makes the roster. He also can be an emergency longer snapper.
PICK ANALYSIS:
"He's really fun to watch. He can really run, sideline to sideline. Last year, we saw some more edge rush from him. He is a very versatile guy. Tripp can be outstanding on special teams." -- Daniel Jeremiah
NFL.com:
Strengths
Triggers fast downhill vs. the run. Diagnoses quickly and is around the ball a lot. Outstanding motor, intensity and effort. Extremely competitive. Very tough. Outstanding weight-room work ethic. Sculpted with very minimal body fat. Elected team captain. Exceptional character. Emergency long snapper (started all four years). Has a special-teams temperament. Takes the game very seriously. Athleticism was on display at the combine -- paced linebackers with a 3.96-second short shuttle, recorded a 6.89-second 3-cone drill and vertical jumped 37 1/2 inches.
Weaknesses
Has short flappers and gets stuck on blocks. Can do a better job using his hands to stack and shed. Plays a bit too out of control. Tightness shows up in space trying to break down and secure open-field tackles (misses too many). Wound tight in coverage and not quick to redirect (allows separation).
Draft Projection
Rounds 5-6
Bottom Line
A tough, determined, competitive overachiever capable of earning a job as a backup linebacker and special-teams performer.
Handsback
May 29, 2017 at 09:00 am
Well, thank you Jason for the shout-out to our vets and add my thanks to them also.
Teams have a vision of players and TT sees something in Tripp that he likes. He may have a mental toughness, or abilities that will fit in with the team. Since James Harrison went through multiple releases... I wouldn't give up on a player until you see if their ceiling can be reached.
Bearmeat
May 29, 2017 at 09:41 am
My guess would be that he's ST fodder at best.
Since'61
May 29, 2017 at 09:54 am
Jason - nice job on the shoutout to all our veterans. As for Tripp, "He ain't no Nitschke". Maybe he sticks with the STs. Not much else to expect. Thanks, Since '61
Spock
May 29, 2017 at 08:48 pm
Jason, I also appreciate the shout out to the veteran's on this day. I'd like to add a request to anyone out there who knows someone who is eligible for the Honor Flight. My father died a year and a half ago, but he was able prior to that to go on an honor flight to Washington. The timing could of have been better as it was the day after my mother's funeral, but my dad still rated the experience as the 3rd best day of his life (behind marrying my mother and the birth of his children). Dad died at 91 so there aren't many vets of his age left. Dad was in a coma from his injuries at the end of the war and missed all the celebration. He was astounded at the turnout at the airport when he returned. If you know ANYONE regardless of whether they are a relative or just an acquaintance I urge you to promote their name for this unique experience! I would have loved to accompany him but my own physical issues gave that honor to my sister. I believe you can also volunteer to be someone to accompany the less fortunate veterans who are unable to make the trip unaccompanied. Please consider this! Thank you.
PackEyedOptimist
May 30, 2017 at 07:12 am
Like most of the bottom-of-the-roster-slots, "Inside Linebacker" is going to have an interesting battle. Tripp is a lot like Cody Heiman; the question is "How many ILBs will the Packers be willing to keep on the roster?" With the escalation of "alternate ILBs" such as Barnett, Matthews, and now Josh Jones, having more than three roster spots filled by "dedicated" ILBs seems foolish. The only way you keep four is if you think that fourth guy is going to be one of your two or three top Special Teams players. That means Tripp or Heiman would likely have to beat out Ryan, Martinez, or Thomas--not impossible in any of the three cases, but not likely either.
Tripp and Heiman's best shot will be if one of the top three gets injured before the regular season.