Days Ahead of Week 1 Game, The Packers Scooped Up a Vikings Defender

After the decisions to add some pass rushing help alongside a reunion for Harrison Smith, the Vikings moved on from a promising defender in Kahlef Hailassie.

Mr. Hailassie is now putting in work for Wisconsin’s football team. The Packers scooped him up, as KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson relays: “#Packers worked out Kahlef Hailassie, Johns Saunders, released Murvin Kenion from practice squad, signed Damon Bankston and Hailassie.”

In the immediate aftermath of the news, Andrew Krammer (The Star Tribune) offered a clarifying quip about the reason for the addition: “Info gathering: Packers sign ex-Vikings safety Kahlef Hailassie to their practice squad days after he was released by Minnesota.”

That’s exactly right. Adding Hailassie means getting some insight from somebody who has a nice understanding of the Brian Flores defense. Expect Matt LaFleur’s operation to learn a thing or two ahead of Sunday’s game.

Packers Scooped Up a Vikings Defender

A leading story of the Vikings’ offseason was the team’s skittishness about fan videos getting out into the public. Part of the rationale for that strictness was to ensure there could be some competitive advantage early on.

The consensus that emerged was that teams start to know each other’s tendencies in a robust manner a few weeks into the year. By that point, enough film has circulated for the other side to have a strong understanding of the opponent. The Week 1 game, in contrast, could involve some degree of surprise since teams don’t show their best stuff in the preseason.

Does adding Hailassie help Green Bay to get around this issue? Very possible.

A former corner, Hailassie has been around the league in his short time in the NFL. Already, the defensive back has put in work for the Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars, and now the Green Bay Packers.

— READ MORE: The Vikings Drop J.J. McCarthy into Uncomfortable Spot —
— READ MORE: The Vikings Spotted Researching Next Batch of Young Talent —

— READ MORE: Vikings Pivot Off Initial Plan After NFL Nullifies Deal —
— READ MORE: Why Development of Vikings Defensive Line is Key —

Green Bay’s safety talent is led by Xavier McKinney, an elite player who makes life very difficult for the offense. Kahlef Hailassie would do well to mirror what the Packers’ free safety can do. If he can, then Hailassie will be more than just somebody to glean information from ahead of a game.

In Week 1, the Green Bay Packers will march into U.S. Bank Stadium for an early NFC North showdown with the Minnesota Vikings. Kickoff is scheduled to arrived at 3:25 p.m. CT. Whichever team wins will jump out to a sparkling 1-0, a record that would feel especially promising since a division rival dropped down to 0-1.

Safety Kahlef Hailassie is 25.

Source link