The reason for the Packers D turnaround??

Jay Cutler was the best thing to happen to the Packer defense

I agree. We need to get settled in the DB...even Woodson has a new position. I'm not a Bush hater but the fact that guy lined up and started at CB for us was a bad omen for the Niner game.

Or, are the 49ers just a lot better than the Bears?

Need to see them perform well a couple more games, against more disciplined QBs that Cutler, to call it a "turnaround".

I won't say the Seattle game will be easy, but I'm glad we have a chance for our new defensive lineup to gel before facing the Saints. One game does not make a turnaround, so we need to see how they perform against some of the better passing teams in the league before making judgments. But it's nice they don't have to face them right away.

And, as always, having a strong pass rush does wonders to the defensive backfield.

Much better tackling at the point of first contact. It seemed that on the few completions by the Bears the D did not allow many YAC. Same on the run game, Forte and Bush were tackled not dived at and missed. This resulted in more 3rd and long, allowing the pass rushers a bit more freedom.

Also the fact that the Bears are not the 49'ers has to be factored in.

Going to have to keep Russell Favre in check. No one wants to try and tackle an elf....especially an angry with a head of steam

Jealousy is very unbecoming. But I do understand how tough it can be to dig out an old wrinkled poster of Chuck Long to get a glimpse of an Iowa QB getting some meaningful reps on an NFL playing field.

I thought the DL and pass rush played well against a pretty good 49ers o-line. Clearly they kept that up against the Bears. The big difference was the tackling of the ILB's and the improved coverage in the secondary. I assume the ILB's just had a rough against the 49ers, so wouldn't surprise me to see the, play well from here on out. The secondary still has me concerned, as this is the first above average performance by them since the Super Bowl and Cutler is notorious for sh**ing the bed once or twice a year. They need to have a few more good performances before I'll consider this defense to have turned it around.

Playing Cutler/Bears was a big help, but the kids are alright. They bring an element of energy, hitting and "want to" that I think energized the D. It was like they all wanted to force something rather than just read and react. Will they make mistakes? Absolutely. Witness that awful coverage by Smith on the TD. But I like the energy and willingness to make contact the kids have. That attitude infected everyone, for one game at least. Let's see what happens from here...

quote:

Originally posted by Packy:
Or, are the 49ers just a lot better than the Bears?

Offensively, no.

You can't tell me adding a 67 year old Randy Moss turns them into a top offense in the league.

Cutler certainly doesn't seem to play well against GB, but the point is Bush can't cover and it didn't appear to me that MD Jennings was very good either and they went ahead and made the changes against Chicago (Heyward and McMillan too) with positive results.

Let's not forget they also sacked Alex Smith several times in the SF game so it's not like we can say the pass rush wasn't there. IMO, the coverage is the bigger deal.

Hopefully it's not just a one game wonder but I do think having Shields/Heyward/McMillan in there is better than the alternative (i.e. Bush and MD Jennings)

Tackling and turnovers.

It was more than the opponent. It looked to me like they went ape-****. Like they were really, really fired up to take aim and hurt someone.

I think it was a tremendous turnaround because they learned: that is what defense is all about. Getting into that frame of mind every play.

It's not a cliche. Now they know. That is what it takes. Get mad and stay that way.

Plus, I believe the right side is Clay's natural position. All DL's have one, and it shouldn't really be switched.

The best part is, from here on out, offenses are going to be crapping their Depends worrying about him. I suspect now we'll get to watch the rest of the pack get the scraps.

Nothing but awesome.

My main thought is this is a rare example where the K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Stupid) Principle does not apply. Such as where you can pick one thing and that is mainly it.

I wouldn't doubt if there are a handful of reasons.

The difference in opposition, a higher sense of urgency, younger players coming into their own with more reps, scheme.

Come to think of it, one huge one was the Bears LT's complete inability to contain Matthews. That's a biggie. I am sure that had a large trickle down effect.

Facing a terrible OL does wonders. Webb might be the worst starting LT out there.

What else I saw from the defensive backs: last year, it looked like they were playing for the INT on every play, like they had a side bet with eachother on who could get the most picks, so they were leaving their guys open so the ball would come their way and they could get the individual big play.

Whether it's the personnel change or being another year removed from the Super Bowl, it looks like that mindset is gone (fortunately). So what we saw against the Bears was something we haven't consistently seen in a long, long time: coverage sacks. Coverage sacks! It fires me up just saying it.

Maybe the Bears just suck, but from this Homer's view, it was a learning suck.
Defense: it's fun and easy. Everyone play their asses off and do their job, and you all reap the rewards.

Niners O-Line is good. Bears O-Line is bad.

Jay Cutler trusts his arm to squeeze into tight windows. Bad idea against the Packer defense. They've proven over the last 3 years they get takeaways. Alex Smith is a game manager & doesn't turn the ball over. He'll eat it or throw it away.

Packers defense played with their hair on fire. I've been waiting for this game from the defense. One I knew they were capable of. Maybe it's just me but I think Shields & McMillan make a HUGE difference in the secondary. Obviously the pressure on the QB is key to everything.

Like Rodgers said, "If we play like that on defense, we're going to be tough to beat."

Don't underestimate the value of great coaching in this game, for several reasons:

* The coaches were smart enough to get Bush and Jennings out of there and insert Shields, Hayward and McMillan.
* Capers got creative, and he did it at the right times. He called an excellent game.
* The defensive line coaches got the kids ready to play and contribute right away.
* Capers had a good line rotation. Everyone was kept fresh and was able to keep pressure on the Bears' OL all night.
* MM showed some willingness to trust his D when he called for the 4th-and-26 fake. If they had failed, he was counting on his D to keep Chicago off the board.
* This one is for the O, but... the willingness of MM to change his protection scheme and give Newhouse some help. It may have limited what he wanted to do, but it kept Arod upright. Witness the opposite on the Bears, who never gave Webb any help and let Clay eat his lunch all night. Our coaches adapted to the situations at hand; theirs didn't.

Overall, a great job by the coaches and the players to execute their plans.

Its never just one thing but the personnel changes on D from week 1 to week 2 made a big difference. McMillan just seems to have that look and he's always around the ball. Heyward might not be the biggest or fastest guy but he knows how to cover and locates the ball well. Shields may have had his struggles but at least we've seen what he is capable of doing.

There is no doubt the Bears OL is worse than SF Brandon Marshall is pretty good and Forte, Bush, and their other guys can make plays. I just think the Niners had a better gameplay. Run the ball and not try to go for the kill shot with the deep passes and throw into coverage.

Seattle is going to be interesting because they can run the ball and I still wonder if GB can hold up defending a power running game.

The best part about the game for me is there didn't seem to that "miscommunication" crap going on. The secondary appeared to know their assignments, made proper adjustments and tackled well. Removing Jennings and especially Bush from the secondary seems to have done wonders in that department.

Forcing Cutler into a lot of hurried off target throws made the secondary look better as well.

Pass Rush.
Pass Rush.
Pass Rush.

quote:

Originally posted by Pakrz:
The secondary appeared to know their assignments.......

Yeah, watch Clay abuse the Bears left tackle.

Defense played with more emotion that at any point last season.
Hawk actually anticipated plays & "pulled the trigger" to break on them, something the coaches have been trying to get him to do since we drafted him.

Good first post!

I'd like to hear A.J.'s reason for that. I'm wondering if it has to do with the safeties playing stronger.

Welcome FL Packer.

Hey bub, "FL" stands for "Florida" where I come from.

I grew up on the middle finger of the Finger Lakes, if it's any consolation.

You get the middle finger a lot there do ya?

I wonder if Vajayjay grew up there too?

Either way, welcome FL, I got it right away

All I can say is that for years I was a huge doubter of AJ, but... when it gets down to it, he did a solid job last year and has been present this year. I hope the play continues. Some will say it is because of the play of others or whatnot, but I don't care. Just keep making plays for us this year and help elevate the rest of them with you.

This was 1 game against a feast or famine opponent. Lets do it several weeks in a row, especially now there is tape for all this...

When we do, its proof that even with tape, Player vs Player, we still win.

My last count, there were eight first year players out of 26 on defense. Expect up and down games from them. Hope they improve throughout and are at their best in the playoffs.

Is it possible that Compers didn't want to show the 9ers too much knowing they would see them again in the playoffs?

no

I'd just as soon wait until the bye week to discuss how the defense has improved. I remember how they teased us a few times last year. I was as happy as anyone with the Bears game, but let's see if they can sustain the focus they had Thursday night.

Having said that, I love what the young guys brought to the d-line and d-backfield. Plus, having the Bears OL to play against healed a lot of the problems from the SF game.

quote:

Originally posted by Pistol GB:
I think it was a tremendous turnaround because they learned: that is what defense is all about. Getting into that frame of mind every play.

It's not a cliche. Now they know. That is what it takes. Get mad and stay that way.

You can't seriously believe this.

I played defense. I do indeed.



You think it's a coincidence they played their best game after Cutler's comments?

Here is some more info on our rookies in the Bears game:
The Rookies

Probably a combination of better execution, personnel changes and playing the Bears, but it's premature to say they've turned the corner.

I really like what I've seen from McMillan so far and he could very well end up being a fourth round steal.

Thanks for the welcome. I posted for years as "NYPACKER" over on ZBUDS, until it's demise! FL does stand for Finger Lakes, where I now live. Had to find another place to talk Packers!!