Blueprint for fixing the defense

Nice to see this Packer Update article. As usual, well thought-out and written. I am in violent agreement with priority #1 -- finding a complement to Matthews. Long overdue. Need another DE because of both questions about Neal and Pickett's age. If Collins doesn't return, whether Woodson moves to S or not, we'll need another DB. I do think D.J. Smith could be the upgrade needed at ILB. Ideally, we'd draft OLB, DE and S/CB with our first three picks next year.

http://packerupdate.net/?page_id=13933

12/31/1110:48 AM

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BorisPerson Man Camera Dildo Shop - NFLFU®

It's true. 2 OLB's plus push in the middle is what makes this defense work. Look at the Steelers with Casey Hampton in the middle plus Woodley & Harrison on the outside.

It's quite a testament to the players we do have, Plus Dom Capers & his coaching staff, that this defense works at all.

My left pinky finger for many 3 & out's in the playoffs. Hopefully we don't go the way of other great regular season teams and bow out with a one & done.

I have confidence that we will at minimum be playing on Championship Sunday.

12/31/1111:12 AM

PackLandVAMember

I'm all for placing a premium on the draft. But with a team that has this much talent, why not look for a missing puzzle piece or two through free agency. Maybe a FA rush LB or solid DE would really have a huge impact on the pass rush.

12/31/1111:27 AM

fightphoe93Member

quote:
Originally posted by PackLandVA:
I'm all for placing a premium on the draft. But with a team that has this much talent, why not look for a missing puzzle piece or two through free agency. Maybe a FA rush LB or solid DE would really have a huge impact on the pass rush.

It's been a couple of years since TT has gone the true free agent route. The last FA signing of starter caliber that I can remember was Chillar back in 2008. He signed a couple guys like Anthony Smith in '09 that really didn't amount to anything.

I suspect if TT does go after any free agents, they'll be more of the Chillar/Pickett types. Guys that are not top dollar FAs, but mid-tier. My gut tells me TT doesn't sign anyone from "the outside" at all and still goes with just the draft and rookie FAs next year as he'll want to focus on signing the current Packers who need new deals.

12/31/1111:50 AM

ZUFMember

What's with the use of the term blueprint this year. It seems to be the catch-phrase this year for everything.....

Did we just see the blueprint for beating the Packers or whatever.........

Can we just say how to beat the xx or how to fix the defense?

Regards
Larry David

12/31/1112:10 PM

Dave in GASay my name!

quote:
Originally posted by ZUF:
What's with the use of the term blueprint this year. It seems to be the catch-phrase this year for everything.....

Did we just see the blueprint for beating the Packers or whatever.........

Can we just say how to beat the xx or how to fix the defense?

Regards
Larry David

Another one I am tired of is "Spot on"...seems to be very popular these days....continue.

12/31/1112:36 PM

SepMember

Cullen Jenkins sure would be nice to have right now. The front office bet the farm on Mike Neal as Jenkins' replacement. That hasn't quite worked out... yet.

Keeping Hawk and ditching Barnett was the right move. I have no problems with Hawk.

The Collins situation is unfortunate. As Mr. Packer Update said, he might never play again. Last year Collins was able to help cover for Peprah's weaknesses, but this year with Peprah and Burnett the secondary has had some costly mental errors leading to blown coverages and TDs.

Going into the playoffs, the Packers' pass rush is practically non-existent and that doesn't help the secondary.

In a perfect world, they'd have a "Cullen Jenkins" type at DE and a "Nick Collins" at FS. And they had both last season.

Another "Clay Matthews" at the other OLB spot would just be icing on the cake. And I like icing.

12/31/111:08 PM

DH13Member

I know a good bunch of people around here wanted Brooks Reed and it doesn't get brought up much after the fact. But wow would he look good opposite CM.

12/31/111:08 PM

IL_Pack_FanMember

I love when the solution is to "just go out and get a LaMar Woodley type." Of course!

The PU article brings up some interesting points about Peprah I haven't seen covered much. He played so admirably when called upon last year, but I think the article is right that Collins and the pass rush masked his shortcomings. God I hope we haven't seen the last of Collins.

12/31/112:34 PM

GBFanForLifeLarge Member

12/31/114:43 PM

BorisPerson Man Camera Dildo Shop - NFLFU®

Exactly.

Capers uses Woodson like a hybrid CB/OLB

Hopefully they "flip the switch" in a couple weeks.

12/31/114:58 PM

Fond Du ArrigoNostradamus

I hesitate to even classify Woodson as a CB these days. I think "freelance artist" is more accurate. His style has gradually evolved into something of a safety, who can also rush the passer in a pinch. He's so good it's ridiculous.

12/31/115:23 PM

HerschelMember

Woodson is the Packers version of Polamalu, a hybrid defender that messes with your head. Leroy Butler probably "started" the trend but guys like Polamalu and Woodson have essentially made it a regular position.

12/31/116:29 PM

Ghost of LambeauMember

quote:
Originally posted by ZUF:
What's with the use of the term blueprint this year. .........

I don't know, maybe you could help us there.

12/31/116:33 PM

Ghost of LambeauMember

I think every point that the article makes is valid. But I do also think that if the ROLB position and DE is fixed so there is a pass rush and run defense then the defensive backfield will be much better. They won't be able to concentrate so much on Raji or Matthews either and that should make them better. Then fix the S position if Collins can't return, and things will solidify. I know these thoughts are expressed in other posts. And I could care less if they come from the draft or FA. It would be a waste of an offense if they don't fix the defense.

12/31/116:55 PM

packerboiI lick rainbows

Per usual, pretty spot on assesment by PU. I really thought AJ would excel this year having looked far better in 2010. yet again, I was Rong.

12/31/119:06 PM

Grave DiggerMember

Isn't that a blueprint for every defense? Good pass rusher, good interior pash rusher, good MLB, good Safety. Not earth shattering analysis from Rodney who is unusually pretty sharp. His article about Clements was much ore insightful.

I also don't agree with several of his points, the main one being re
Lace Hawk. I'm no Hawk apologist, but this defense can e successful with average MLBs...Pittsburgh has been shuffling in new MLBs for 2 decades. Hawk is no star, but I think he's on par with guys like Larry Foote and Lawrence Timmons.

The problem is the pass rush...fixing that fixes all other problems IMO. A good
pass rush makes your DBs look better, your ILBs better, and your scheme better. It's a domino effect when your pass rush sucks...DBs have to guard long and holes in the coverage, the ILB loses a step when covering the TE or the back, and the OLinemen wear your DLinemen out quickly. We don't need more DBs and honestly, we could get by with Charlie Peprah if opposing QBs couldn't take time to pick him apart. We could get by with AJ Hawk if TEs and backs weren't given enough time to get open. BJ Raji will start to produce again, Jarius Wynn will produce, everyone will produce much better. When you can double CM3 AND/or Raji on a given play because no one else can win a 1-on-1 then yeah, things are gonna be rough for the rest of the defense.

The fix is to get players healthy and yes, bring in another pass rusher because the status quo ain't cutting it. We haven't see a healthy Mike Neal since week 1 of 2010 so this offseason for him will be crucial to fixing the whole problem. Bring in a talented pass rushing DL via the daft and a speed rusher for Greene to coach up. There are a we guys I could name off that would be good starts.

12/31/1110:54 PM

IowacheeseKeen Insight

quote:
Originally posted by Grave Digger:
Isn't that a blueprint for every defense? Good pass rusher, good interior pash rusher, good MLB, good Safety. Not earth shattering analysis from Rodney who is unusually pretty sharp. His article about Clements was much ore insightful.

I also don't agree with several of his points, the main one being re
Lace Hawk. I'm no Hawk apologist, but this defense can e successful with average MLBs...Pittsburgh has been shuffling in new MLBs for 2 decades. Hawk is no star, but I think he's on par with guys like Larry Foote and Lawrence Timmons.

The problem is the pass rush...fixing that fixes all other problems IMO. A good
pass rush makes your DBs look better, your ILBs better, and your scheme better. It's a domino effect when your pass rush sucks...DBs have to guard long and holes in the coverage, the ILB loses a step when covering the TE or the back, and the OLinemen wear your DLinemen out quickly. We don't need more DBs and honestly, we could get by with Charlie Peprah if opposing QBs couldn't take time to pick him apart. We could get by with AJ Hawk if TEs and backs weren't given enough time to get open. BJ Raji will start to produce again, Jarius Wynn will produce, everyone will produce much better. When you can double CM3 AND/or Raji on a given play because no one else can win a 1-on-1 then yeah, things are gonna be rough for the rest of the defense.

The fix is to get players healthy and yes, bring in another pass rusher because the status quo ain't cutting it. We haven't see a healthy Mike Neal since week 1 of 2010 so this offseason for him will be crucial to fixing the whole problem. Bring in a talented pass rushing DL via the daft and a speed rusher for Greene to coach up. There are a we guys I could name off that would be good starts.

Hittin it hard already??

12/31/1110:59 PM