Gaithers does make sense in that role. I think I had more reservations pegging him as strictly ILB material. The one thing about Gaithers from his highlight reel was a couple of straight up, Woodson like, hand tackles. If he can do that against NFL competition he would be a beast.
Packdog posted:I think Rex Ryan was a great defensive mind. When he was DC at Baltimore and HC with the Jets they had top level defenses - and guess what, they were strong against the run too except for a few outliers, so not sure what that OL coach meant. Maybe more directed at Pettine after he separated from Rex ??
I've said it before, I think Rex was the mastermind and Pettine was his lacky. Has Pettine been successful on his own ? Bottom half defenses in Cleveland and GB.
No doubt Rex was a risk taker, maybe they were able to overcome the lack of gap discipline with back end scheme and/or talent at LB and DB positions.
Don't mean to be too critical of Pettine. Still have high hopes for the "D" and think we are only a few pieces away from having a complete defense. There were some really good signs last season.
I think the partnership between Ryan and Pettine probably made a big difference. I think Rex, much like his dad, was great at identifying defensive players that fit a specific mentality and getting them to run through a wall. Either Pettine struggles with that or GB has really struggled identifying those players in the past.
Pettine is now the Asst. Head Coach in Minnesota (the same position Winston Moss held under Mac for so many years).
Just noticed that the Vikings, with exactly 1 player that Minnesota drafted in round 1 (Harrison Smith back in 2012 - 1 pick after Nick Perry) is giving up 19.7 points per game, which is 12th overall in the NFL.
GB, with 6 1st round picks and another who can't get on the field (Wyatt), is currently giving up 20.9 points per game which is tied for 14th.
Minnesota is also 14th against the run and GB is 27th.
You were not great in GB Mike, but the continuing problems with the Packers defense prove you were obviously not the source of those problems.
Now, I hope your D sucks and you lose all of your games going forward