The Green Bay Packers’ defense has been a disappointment this season, but calls for coordinator Dom Capers’ head are irrational.
Sacking Capers in midseason, which has been suggested by a portion of the fan base in recent weeks, will not generate better tackling, improved coverage or a more vigorous pass rush.
A coach’s job is to put his team in position to succeed, but then it’s up to the players to produce on the field.
Is it Capers’ fault that Packers defensive backs can’t make plays on the ball, and then turn sure interceptions into opponent touchdowns?
Is it Capers’ fault that would-be tacklers get juked out of their socks by opposing running backs and turn short gains into long runs?
Is it Capers’ fault that he is forced to use below-average talent at one of the safety positions?
Is it Capers’ fault that the injury-ravaged linebacker corps has been rendered null and void at times with rookies trying to fill major roles?
When something goes wrong on defense, as it frequently has this season, the easy way out is to blame everything on the coordinator.
Of course, Capers should be held accountable for his role in the operation, and his coaching performance will be evaluated at season’s end like it is every year.
But the Packers’ defensive woes go well beyond Capers. It starts with personnel, and the buck stops at the desk of general manager Ted Thompson.
Let’s go back to the much-ballyhooed 2012 draft, when Thompson used his first six selections on defensive players as a way to upgrade a unit that was ranked last in the NFL the previous season.
Five of those six draft picks have done diddly-squat for the Packers this season, so is it any wonder the defense can’t seem to perform in crucial situations?
First-round linebacker Nick Perry has missed more games during his career than he has played because of injuries, second-round defensive lineman Jerel Worthy blew out his knee last December and second-round cornerback Casey Hayward has been grounded all season with a bad hamstring.
Fourth-round safety Jerron McMillian hasn’t progressed as expected, and fifth-round linebacker Terrell Manning didn’t survive the final cutdown this year.
The only defensive player paying dividends from last year’s draft class is lineman Mike Daniels, who leads the team in sacks.
Whether the fault lies with injuries or ineffective play, Thompson’s 1-for-6 batting average (.167) in the 2012 draft is a prime reason the Packers’ defense is falling short this season
Thompson hit the jackpot in 2009 with Clay Matthews and B.J. Raji. But in the four drafts since, he has uncovered precious few impact players on defense.
Safety Morgan Burnett has been a solid everyday starting safety, but beyond that, it’s been a case of on-again, off-again contributions from Thompson’s defensive picks.
Mike Neal has been injury prone and cornerback Davon House has flashed potential but has yet to claim a full-time starting gig.
Maybe this year’s first-round pick, defensive lineman Datone Jones, will emerge, but he got off to a slow start. Cornerback Micah Hyde has shown promise, but the other 2013 rookie draft picks are still in the developmental stage.
Thompson’s decision not to draft a safety this year remains a mystery as the Packers struggle to find a reliable starter opposite Burnett.
Based on the first nine games, not a single defensive player is on pace to earn a Pro Bowl berth.
So it should come as no surprise the Packers are ranked in the bottom half of the NFL in total defense (No. 18), passing yards allowed (No. 21), points allowed (No. 17), yards per play (No. 23) and interceptions (No. 32).
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