With the plague hitting the LB group in week 5 and the seemingly really deep DL, would it be a consideration to flip to a version of the 4-3 defense for the next month or so or at least until Brad Jones returns?
IIRC, didn't the Pack do something similar to this leading up to SB XXXII?
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I don't know for certain, but I would find it highly unlikely that the Packers (or any other team) could just switch to an entirely different defense in the middle of a season from one week to the next.
I may be wrong, but I think we've already seen some 4-3 sets this year.
I just saw Mike Neal eating a cinnabon.
With the plague hitting the LB group in week 5 and the seemingly really deep DL, would it be a consideration to flip to a version of the 4-3 defense for the next month or so or at least until Brad Jones returns?
May not be a 4-3 but Capers always seems to try to tailor his defense to his personnel. Whether it always works or not is up for debate, but he's never shy about trying to create opportunities for guys to make plays using their individual abilities. They're certainly used to getting through a few games a season without Clay so I'd imagine part of the plan has already been in the back of their minds.
Burnett being back probably opens up a whole lot more of the playbook than they felt comfortable using with him out. I'm also excited to see Lattimore get his chance to show. I remember reading from camp how much he liked to hit and how intense he was on the field. He has all the opportunity he could ever wish for right now.
The Packers could also have a log jam at DE with Worthy saying he's ready to practice starting next week and apparently feels great.
That would mean they would have a healthy Raji, Pickett, Jolly, CJ Wilson, Jones, and now Worthy.
That's a lot of beef at the line.
I'm also excited to see Lattimore get his chance to show. I remember reading from camp how much he liked to hit and how intense he was on the field. He has all the opportunity he could ever wish for right now.
Here's a n article from August on both Jones and Lattimore making the switch to ILB
http://www.greenbaypressgazett...de-inside-linebacker
I'd be really cautious about expecting much impact from Worthy for a while. How long does it take a DL coming off an ACL to work himself back into game shape? Hopefully I'm wrong, but I don't see him helping much until shortly before Matthews is expected back anyway.
Damn, though. If even most of these guys can recover and stay healthy the rest of the year, think of how stacked that front 7 will be in January.
I'd be really cautious about expecting much impact from Worthy for a while. How long does it take a DL coming off an ACL to work himself back into game shape? Hopefully I'm wrong, but I don't see him helping much until shortly before Matthews is expected back anyway.
If I were to guess Worthy gets his full allotment of time before he has to come off the PUP list and so long as no one gets hurt I get the feeling we'll be seeing him in 2014.
The Packers defense is most often in the nickle or dime package, giving them a 2-4-5 alignment or a 2-3-6. If linebacker injuries are posing problems with the depth, I think Capers could employ a 3-3-5 or a 3-2-6, or possibly something even more creative.
