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Green Bay Packers need a strong preseason from linebackers Greer Martini and Ahmad Thomas

By Brandon Carwile

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 21: Greer Martini #48 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after a 49-14 win against the USC Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium on October 21, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 21: Greer Martini #48 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after a 49-14 win against the USC Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium on October 21, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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With depth issues at inside linebacker, the Green Bay Packers need Greer Martini and Ahmad Thomas to show why they belong on the final 53-man roster.

For a lot of players, the NFL preseason is a proving ground. It’s no different for Green Bay Packers undrafted inside linebackers Greer Martini and Ahmad Thomas who are competing for a spot on the final 53-man roster. Earlier this week, Jake Ryan was placed on injured reserve because of an ACL tear, but now that leaves a precious opening on the defense for an unlikely prospect. Now is the time for Martini and Thomas to seize the opportunity.

A close eye will be on third-rounder Oren Burks who is the de facto starter next to Blake Martinez in Green Bay’s defense. Burks has flashed speed and athleticism during training camp, however, he hasn’t been put to the test in an actual game. The opportunity is available for one of the Packers undrafted linebackers to push Burks for the starting job or at the very least serve as depth.

In the past, the Packers have kept three or four inside linebackers on the final roster leaving little room for error for both Martini and Thomas. With Martinez and Burks as obvious locks to make the team, the preseason will be their chance to justify why they were brought in to compete.

Thomas was re-signed by Green Bay at the beginning of the year after spending the final five weeks of the 2017 season on the practice squad. He was a three-year starter at safety for the Oklahoma Sooners before changing positions upon entering the NFL.

His background dropping into coverage has paid off so far in training camp.

“He (Thomas) definitely has the coverage ability, particularly at the WILL spot that we’re looking for,” coach Mike McCarthy said last week.

There were concerns regarding Thomas’ speed on the next level urging him to move to linebacker. So far at practice, he’s made the transition appear seamless.

Meanwhile, Martini is in the same position looking to capitalize on the unfortunate injury to Ryan. Martini is a rookie who went undrafted out of Notre Dame only making 17 starts in 50 games. He made the most of them as an on and off starter his junior and senior season racking up 191 career tackles, five sacks, and two forced fumbles.

In camp Martini has stood out on special teams and even caught the eye of Martinez who is impressed with the 23-year-old’s strong work ethic.

“Greer, I think, is one of the hardest working guys I’ve seen in a while,” Martinez said ahead of Thursday’s preseason game against the Titans.

Greer has already cracked the starting rotation in both kickoff coverage and the return team, but he will have to transfer that momentum to the defense if he wants to stick around.

Productive in-game reps for Greer and Thomas will likely be the deciding factor for who makes it pass final cut downs.

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