Day Before First Practice, 5 Players On Injured List

[pbmax]

If, while trying to assess what is wrong with the Packers D and what can be done to fix it, you limit yourself to two explanations, you will never understand the problem in the first place. It then stands a chance to be repeated after the newness of your new hires wears off. There cannot be just two possible explanations: fire everyone or drink kool-aid because everything is fine.

Capers is perfectly capable of fielding a dominating D. He has done it before. He did it with Thompson for 2 years. It looked good for half a season last year.

But there is clearly a disconnect with the depth on the team and/or its youth and the player acquisition philosophy. He might have a coach or two who are underperforming. The team seems to be capable of either playing good pass D or good run D, but never at the same time.

The best answer to this particular problem, is to do what the Steelers do well, and what every meddling owner gets wrong. Have the GM interfere with the HC and tell him to to hire for DC. The GM will only hire a DC who knows he is getting draft and develop and seems to be able to handle it. However, you will not get the best Head Coaches that way and there is always a chance your coaches will fracture.

There is a reason there is also tension between players, coaches and front office in Pittsburgh, even though they win. And there is a reason Snyder and Jones are poor team owners.

[Rutnstrut]

If, while trying to assess what is wrong with the Packers D and what can be done to fix it, you limit yourself to two explanations, you will never understand the problem in the first place. It then stands a chance to be repeated after the newness of your new hires wears off. There cannot be just two possible explanations: fire everyone or drink kool-aid because everything is fine.

Capers is perfectly capable of fielding a dominating D. He has done it before. He did it with Thompson for 2 years. It looked good for half a season last year.

But there is clearly a disconnect with the depth on the team and/or its youth and the player acquisition philosophy. He might have a coach or two who are underperforming. The team seems to be capable of either playing good pass D or good run D, but never at the same time.

The best answer to this particular problem, is to do what the Steelers do well, and what every meddling owner gets wrong. Have the GM interfere with the HC and tell him to to hire for DC. The GM will only hire a DC who knows he is getting draft and develop and seems to be able to handle it. However, you will not get the best Head Coaches that way and there is always a chance your coaches will fracture.

There is a reason there is also tension between players, coaches and front office in Pittsburgh, even though they win. And there is a reason Snyder and Jones are poor team owners.

So what do you think GB needs to do to fix it?

[pbmax]

So what do you think GB needs to do to fix it?

If I knew, I would be on staff. The idea about this defense and vets versus young players came to the forefront last year in a couple of articles.

I believe that Capers is more static than his reputation, though he does gamble on blitzing. So dreaming up a new D scheme isn't going to happen.

I think a lot of this goes back to Belichick's comments about switching back to a 4-3 from the hybrid. There is less teaching time, just as many injuries (maybe more with concussion protocol) and the salary cap takes vets away. So they can do less advanced tweaks and are looking to limit the amount of installations. So they run a 4-3 as base rather than a 3-4.

I think the confusion this offseason about less volume more player groups points in a similar direction. Less tweaks, more alignments with specific personnel. Its a giveaway to some degree by watching substitution patterns. So they need to put better players on field in best position to maximize chance to win individual battles.

wist has a point about the 3-3 nickel. It would help from an installation standpoint (less for young D lineman to learn). I just don't think they can run it without pulling Matthews out of the pass rush.

[bobblehead]

So what do you think GB needs to do to fix it?

First stay healthy. Remember that Clay and Hayward weren't on the field against SF. Neither was Perry or Neal shortly after gametime (was shields out as well by halftime). That is a lot of 1st and 2nd round talent on the sidelines. Jolly was also a key cog who wasn't available at that point. I hate using injury as an excuse, but ffs, at some point you can't just say "next man up". Our safeties were the weak point of the team, but those worthless fuckers managed to stay healthy.

[Pugger]

First stay healthy. Remember that Clay and Hayward weren't on the field against SF. Neither was Perry or Neal shortly after gametime (was shields out as well by halftime). That is a lot of 1st and 2nd round talent on the sidelines. Jolly was also a key cog who wasn't available at that point. I hate using injury as an excuse, but ffs, at some point you can't just say "next man up". Our safeties were the weak point of the team, but those worthless fuckers managed to stay healthy.

Yes, I don't know why some folks talk down the fact of who we had out there against SF. After a while you run out of hale bodies. It was just sad to watch Mulumba limp after Kaepernick on that last drive. From what I'm hearing from TC the safeties we have now will be a major upgrade over that clown Jennings.