Can someone clear up why Pickett and Raji switched positions to begin with after the 2010 Super Bowl season? Was it at the start of 2011 or did Raji get hurt for a bit, they put Pickett in and decided to keep it that way? If Pickett was more versatile than Raji, why keep the change?
"Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts." -Daniel Patrick Moynihan
Ironically, Capers wanted to move Raji to a position where he would be single-teamed more and be able to penetrate more (this is more assumption than established, reported fact). It also allowed Pickett to move inside where he was more comfortable. McGinn was the first to catch wind of this switch and reported that the Packers called the defense an Eagle Oakie. It was base 3-4 personnel, but aligned the front five like they were playing a 4-3 under. One OLB was aligned like Sean Jones in Fritz Shumur's defense (7 tech). The other aligned like Wayne Simmons.Originally Posted by Carolina_Packer
It might have been an attempt to stiffen the run D. In 2009 with Pick in the middle, it was a nightmare to run against. In 2010 with Raji in the middle, it was easier.
Now the story conflicts from there. In most base looks, the Packers don't let the lineman Jet upfield, regardless of whether you are a nose tackle or 3 or 5 tech DT. Raji did not fare well there, it was clear Pickett felt more at home at NT than at DE like he was in 2010.
Regardless, the return of Pickett to the middle didn't help the run D. Now it may not have all been about these two. Jenkiins was gone, Jolly was gone, Corey Williams was gone.
But the odd thing about Raji in the middle this year is that there is not much talk about adjustment up front. Trgovac said they might play less 2-gap (he said it was ultimately up to Capers who had not indicated that the calls will change), though he insists that they do not play as much as people assume. And 1 gap doesn't mean you are penetrating up the field like Chris Doleman and Keith Millard either. They were pass rushing first and only playing run D if they saw the ball in a RB's hands.
So I don't think their roles and responsibilities change much. It looks more and more like there will simply be more and different people on the field trying to take away specific things from an offense. Surprisingly, this approach is probably least effective against a San Fran offense, that does multiple things well with similar personnel. It will work better against Seattle unless Percy Harvin can actually play and they find replacements for Rice and Tate.
Last edited by pbmax; 08-02-2014 at 11:32 AM.
Bud Adams told me the franchise he admired the most was the Kansas City Chiefs. Then he asked for more hookers and blow.
We didn't run enough base 3-4 for it to matter much - most of the damage against us in the run game game against the 2-4 "jumbo nickel", and some against the pass rush nickel.
It was Pickett who was the 1-trick pony. At this stage of his career, what ability he had to get down the line, or push the pocket, is gone - he is strictly a NT that can stand in a phone booth and slug it out.Now the story conflicts from there. In most base looks, the Packers don't let the lineman Jet upfield, regardless of whether you are a nose tackle or 3 or 5 tech DT. Raji did not fare well there, it was clear Pickett felt more at home at NT than at DE like he was in 2010.
At least Raji could play NT in a pinch, as long as they kept a leash on his snap count - but they didn't do that either. So Raji wore down (MM's "he's a young man" comment comes back to mind) and his effectiveness anywhere they played him was diminished - I don't put this on Raji, I put it on Capers.
As I've been saying - I think not resigning Pickett, and not really having a legimate, 2-gapping NT on the Roster - means they will necessarily have to play a more penetrating scheme; or, the alternative will be misplaying Raji and Boyd as 2-gap NT's.Regardless, the return of Pickett to the middle didn't help the run D. Now it may not have all been about these two. Jenkiins was gone, Jolly was gone, Corey Williams was gone.
But the odd thing about Raji in the middle this year is that there is not much talk about adjustment up front. Trgovac said they might play less 2-gap (he said it was ultimately up to Capers who had not indicated that the calls will change), though he insists that they do not play as much as people assume. And 1 gap doesn't mean you are penetrating up the field like Chris Doleman and Keith Millard either. They were pass rushing first and only playing run D if they saw the ball in a RB's hands.
So I don't think their roles and responsibilities change much. It looks more and more like there will simply be more and different people on the field trying to take away specific things from an offense. Surprisingly, this approach is probably least effective against a San Fran offense, that does multiple things well with similar personnel. It will work better against Seattle unless Percy Harvin can actually play and they find replacements for Rice and Tate.
If Capers does that?? Then Raji will wear down again, and we'll necessarily be playing our nickel pass rush guys, like Daniels, at DE in the base. If we play base 20% of the time, it had better be with guys like Boyd, Guion, Worthy, and Thorton.
I don't want to see Daniels or D. Jones in the base at all, and I'd prefer to limit Raji's snaps in the base as well. I want all of those guys fresh for subpackage pass rush duty.
wist
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