Midseason Night Grades

[pbmax]

I am amused by both the Rob Ryan love and the Packers' offense is middling theorizing.

Both opinions hinge on one game with a hobbled Rodgers. If that wasn't the case, the analysis is useless.

[Fritz]

I am amused by both the Rob Ryan love and the Packers' offense is middling theorizing.

Both opinions hinge on one game with a hobbled Rodgers. If that wasn't the case, the analysis is useless.

However, I think the in-depth analysis that concludes "the Packer defense pretty much sucks" is spot-on.

Sure, they've had moments. But look at where that run defense is ranked. And how are they ranked now in points-per-game?

I just have no faith in this defense, whatsoever.

[Joemailman]

However, I think the in-depth analysis that concludes "the Packer defense pretty much sucks" is spot-on.

Sure, they've had moments. But look at where that run defense is ranked. And how are they ranked now in points-per-game?

I just have no faith in this defense, whatsoever.

I'm not sure what to make of this defense. To answer your question, they're now ranked 19th in PPG. 79 of the 191 points they've given up were in their 1st and 8th games. In between, they had a 6 game stretch where they gave up just 18.5 PPG. That would be 3rd in the NFL if you did it all year. So this team has shown signs of being able to play decent defense, but they've also had a couple of major lapses. Halfway through the season, I'm just not sure what to expect from this defense.

[pbmax]

I'm not sure what to make of this defense. To answer your question, they're now ranked 19th in PPG. 79 of the 191 points they've given up were in their 1st and 8th games. In between, they had a 6 game stretch where they gave up just 18.5 PPG. That would be 3rd in the NFL if you did it all year. So this team has shown signs of being able to play decent defense, but they've also had a couple of major lapses. Halfway through the season, I'm just not sure what to expect from this defense.

Capers approach has proven vulnerable to a team that can really attack both on the ground and in the air. If they don't get a lead or turnovers, it can be a struggle choosing what to focus on.

[Joemailman]

Capers approach has proven vulnerable to a team that can really attack both on the ground and in the air. If they don't get a lead or turnovers, it can be a struggle choosing what to focus on.

All that may be true, but I would argue that could be said of the vast majority of teams in the NFL. The NFL has made it exceedingly difficult for teams to consistently play good defense. Baltimore was looking good, but they've given up 70 in the last 2 weeks. Denver got torched by New England yesterday. Indy gave up 51 to Pittsburgh a week after shutting out Cincinnati. The Packers defense had 2 bad games in 2 of the toughest places to play in the NFL. I think the jury is still out on whether this is one of the worst defenses in the NFL, or just another mediocre one.

[pbmax]

However, I think the in-depth analysis that concludes "the Packer defense pretty much sucks" is spot-on.

Sure, they've had moments. But look at where that run defense is ranked. And how are they ranked now in points-per-game?

I just have no faith in this defense, whatsoever.

I agree. However, both the Cowboys and Saints have hired Rob Ryan to fix the same problem on each of their teams. It hasn't worked out yet.

I still think there is a talent mismatch on the D side of the ball, though they are trying to address it. ILB is still a gaping hole at times and the front three (or four) don't help the weaknesses of the middle 4 (or 2).

However, I still agree with Patler that under the new practice restraints and McCarthy's careful control of team regime, working completely hand in glove is more important than ever. When you had six weeks of camp with 4 weeks of 2 a day and a lot of trading, you could fix things on the fly. Now a days, esp with Thompson's go slow approach with FA, you need a year or more to get a fix in the pipeline.