Yared-Yam
Cheesehead
By COLIN FLY, AP Sports Writer
December 7, 2006
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- Defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila looked frustrated at the swarm of reporters around his locker.
Everyone had the same question Wednesday -- Will the pass rush specialist's role be reduced in an effort to shake up the defense?
"Why does everybody keep asking me that? What are you hearing?" he asked.
Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Monday that changes were coming to a squad that has lost three straight and is 4-8 this season, but was silent on just what he's planning.
McCarthy wouldn't say Wednesday whether Gbaja-Biamila's playing time might decrease in an effort to help his sagging numbers this year, but defensive tackle Corey Williams worked at Gbaja-Biamila's position during the day's practice.
"We've talked about all situations with all of our players and how we can maximize their talents and so forth," McCarthy said. "So as far as what we're doing with this guy and that guy, frankly, it's really no benefit for me to talk about."
After becoming a starter, Gbaja-Biamila had four straight years with at least 10 sacks. He only had eight last year and has five so far this season, putting him 5 1/2 away from breaking Reggie White's franchise record of 68 1/2 .
"I think Kabeer has been solid," McCarthy said. "He's playing the defense that's asked of him. I'd like to get more productivity out of him in third down and pass rush. Him and I have spoken about that. I think he's been solid against the run first and second down, but it's really the coordination between himself, the tackle, and the line to bring a support element to that side."
Williams said he was surprised he got work at defensive end.
"I played it some when I first got here, so my main thing is getting back adjusted to being out there on the edge like that. I'm so used to being inside," he said. "I think Kabeer does a pretty good job in there (against the run), but if they want to put me in there to help slow down the run or stop the run, then I think it's a great thing."
Gbaja-Biamila, in his seventh season out of San Diego State, doesn't want his playing time decreased.
"I want to play every down," he said. "I'd rather be in position to tap myself out than be taken out when I'm not tired. I'd rather feel like I played in the game and I'm out there and don't have any breath at the end of the game because I know that guy on the other end is probably huffing and puffing because of what I brought to him."
He also said that opposing teams still throw on first and second downs, meaning his abilities in the pass rush are still relevant.
"When a team runs at me, I don't do that much," he said. "I just stay in position and the play comes to me. It gets tiring if you chase the play. To me, a run is like a rest opportunity. Not to say I'm resting on that play, but it's like a rest mentality because it's more about strength, especially if they're coming at me."
Still, Gbaja-Biamila realizes questions will remain, in part because he only weighs 250 pounds, around 30 less than the average defensive end.
"I've always been the underdog. I don't mind being the underdog and I don't mind people looking on the roster and saying, 'Oh, he's light here and he's a liability or whatever,"' he said. "If that's what people want to think so be it."
But he admits that Williams lining up at defensive end is out of the norm.
"It's not normal, but coaches are doing stuff," Gbaja-Biamila said. "They're giving him a chance to get comfortable playing on first and second down. I don't know if they are trying to get him used to it if he has to go in the game. I don't know. I'm just doing what I'm asked to do."
Why does everyone keep saying he's "solid" against the run. He's one of the worst DE's in the league vs the run.
KGB should be used as a PASS rusher. He's not an every down guy anymore.
