Woodson's shift from CB to Safety Started Sunday

[RashanGary]

I didn't notice this, but Cliff Christl picked up on it here http://packersnews.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110124/PKR07/110124181/Baranczyk-Christl-column-Shields-playing-like-1st-round-draft-pick


Shields and Tramon were playing cornerback. Woodson and Collins at safety. Peprah was pulled. I was talking about it at work with Smeefers (the new guy here) before the game. I mentioned it being a good way to go tough against the run while keeping our best cover guys on the field. Looks like Capers saw the same thing.

I don't know how far they'll take it in the Steeler game, but if Christl is right and they started using this package, I think it would be a great way to handle the balanced offense of the Steelers.

[Smidgeon]

Technically, wasn't it a single safety look?

[ND72]

I thought we were primarily a 2-4-5 sunday

[packerbacker1234]

Peprah was definitly pulled when we were in the base defense - which always with us is rare. We run so much nickle and so much 2 - 4 - 5 it's always hard to tell. However, when we did run 3 - 4 - 4, Peprah was on the sidelines with us playing single saftey high (collins, similar to what Troy does for pitt a lot) with Woodson roaming or getting leverage on the edges to stop the run. Ther were 2 plays In particular I remember where woodson actually dropped back like a true saftey and played deep coverage.

Not saying this is indicitive of what we will have in the base next year, but it was clearly a play to have our best coverage guys out there for Play Action while freeing up woodson to play the run. Woodson can play safety and play it well, but I sort of like his psuedo role out there in that base formation. A lot of this is on how good Shields really is right now, and how much better Woodson is than Peprah overall at safety. It put our best coverage unit out there while allowing us the personell ot the stop the run. Truly a brilliant move by capers against a steam like the bears, and could be a good package for the steelers who also run a lot and do PA, but do it much better than the bears do.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Say hello to Nnamdi Asomugha. :)

[wootah]

I'm curious to see what Burnett can bring to the team next year, he seems to be pretty much forgotten.

A lot of Shields' progress has been credited to his studying habits, him taking notes and putting in the extra film time. During training camp, Shields & Burnett were roommates and in the interviews on packers.com on more than one occasion they talked about how they were pushing one another to keep up with the course and quizzing one another.

I have the utmost respect for what Peprah has been done, but the athletic potential of Burnett combined with this mentality could provide us a nice upgrade there as well, without Wood having to switch positions.

[RashanGary]

We run so much nickle and so much 2 - 4 - 5 it's always hard to tell. However, when we did run 3 - 4 - 4, Peprah was on the sidelines with us playing single saftey high (collins, similar to what Troy does for pitt a lot) with Woodson roaming or getting leverage on the edges to stop the run.
.


This is sort of what I suspected. I remember seeing Collins roaming the very deep middle. Capers has kind of a unique setup here. Tramon is a #1. Shields, and I never thought I'd be saying this in his 2nd year let alone rookie year is a legit #2. Collins might be the best deep roaming free safety in the league. Now we can open Woodson's role up in base defense too. It was good to get that work in before Pittsburgh. Now we have some tape to work off. Everybody's been trying to get us in Base, I think because Woodson is so much less dangerous when he's stuck out on an island. When he's inside, his offensive play awareness, instincts and skill become one of a kind.

I'm really excited about this new look. I think it gives us a great way to shut down the Steelers balanced offense.

I ♥ Dom Capers

[bobblehead]

Peprah was definitly pulled when we were in the base defense - which always with us is rare. We run so much nickle and so much 2 - 4 - 5 it's always hard to tell. However, when we did run 3 - 4 - 4, Peprah was on the sidelines with us playing single saftey high (collins, similar to what Troy does for pitt a lot) with Woodson roaming or getting leverage on the edges to stop the run. Ther were 2 plays In particular I remember where woodson actually dropped back like a true saftey and played deep coverage.

Not saying this is indicitive of what we will have in the base next year, but it was clearly a play to have our best coverage guys out there for Play Action while freeing up woodson to play the run. Woodson can play safety and play it well, but I sort of like his psuedo role out there in that base formation. A lot of this is on how good Shields really is right now, and how much better Woodson is than Peprah overall at safety. It put our best coverage unit out there while allowing us the personell ot the stop the run. Truly a brilliant move by capers against a steam like the bears, and could be a good package for the steelers who also run a lot and do PA, but do it much better than the bears do.

I think you hit it here with one exception. I don't think it says so much about woodson as a safety as it does shields. Woodson was the non factor here other than he CAN play safety. Its really about how good SS has gotten so quickly that they don't want to take him off the field.

As for Burnett vs. Peprah at safety, you have a hard time convincing me Burnett will win that job next season. Peprah has been very good and Burnett is kinda wimpy physically. It just depends if you need a run supporter, or a safety net more. One can potentially play the pass better (but doesn't yet) and the other is a much better run stuffer. Unless Burnett improves, I think Peprah stays the starter.

[ND72]

I think the one thing Capers liked was the matchup of Shields with Knox because of the speed factor. I didn't really notice, but I wouldn't be surprised if Peprah was pulled for that reason, just a better matchup. For most of the playoffs though Woodson has kind of played that "rover" type player. Actually the nickleback, but he just roams all over the place. Having speed with Shields, and the talent of Tramon, it's amazing to have Woodson playing the guy in the slot, so if a team tries to do what we do in putting Jennings in the slot for a better matchup, it really doesn't work.

[pbmax]

Polamalu plays the other safety for Pittsburgh. He is the Woodson/Chillar from that team. Ryan Clark is deep like Collins for Pitt.

I thought I saw the 3-3-5 nickel early, but I might have missed a linebacker and not realized Peprah was on the sidelines. That would matchup with Cliff/Eric's observations and the items posted here. Because I thought that was the defense they went to in that game when expecting run.

[pbmax]

I don't know about Peprah and his hold on the job. The Packers were platooning Bigby and Peprah shortly after Bigby came back. And Burnett was drafted to replace Bigby. I think he will be given a clear shot, though Peprah has a lot of film and experience now to back him up.

[vince]

I don't know about Peprah and his hold on the job. The Packers were platooning Bigby and Peprah shortly after Bigby came back. And Burnett was drafted to replace Bigby. I think he will be given a clear shot, though Peprah has a lot of film and experience now to back him up.
I agree with this. Peprah has done a fine job filling in. Solid tackler. He's been beaten quite a bit though, which is his most important job. I could easily see them both playing quite a bit next year, but Burnett has the upside. He's not as physical, but he can tackle.

[Joemailman]

I agree. They drafted Burnett, moving up in the draft to do so, because of his playmaking ability. They'll give him every chance to win the job. Besides, isn't Peprah a free agent after the season? He could be hard to sign if some team wants to make him their starting safety.

[Scott Campbell]

Say hello to Nnamdi Asomugha. :)


I'm more intrigued by this than I was, but the play of Shields is increasingly making this seem unnecessary.

[Smeefers]

Sam Shields is going to be stuck on Mike Wallace all game long. Tramon is going to be on Holmes. We match up so well against these guys in the passing D, it's scary.

[Scott Campbell]

Sam Shields is going to be stuck on Mike Wallace all game long. Tramon is going to be on Holmes. We match up so well against these guys in the passing D, it's scary.


Only if we use a time machine. I think you meant to say Ward instead of Holmes.

[Smeefers]

Only if we use a time machine. I think you meant to say Ward instead of Holmes.

Eep! You're right. Luckily I'm an idiot, so people will forgive me.

[mraynrand]

What up, Holmes?

Steelers likey their TEs - Size and speed mismatch, plus they block like hell, so you can't adjust your defense to take away the pass without giving up something in the run game and vice versa.

[Joemailman]

Sam Shields is going to be stuck on Mike Wallace all game long. Tramon is going to be on Holmes. We match up so well against these guys in the passing D, it's scary.

Mike Wallace is like 92 years old. Couldn't we just put Jarrett Bush on him?

[mraynrand]

Mike Wallace is like 92 years old. Couldn't we just put Jarrett Bush on him?

If you're going to go that route, why not put Michael Chiklis, from The Shield, on him?
http://tvmedia.ign.com/tv/image/article/776/776935/the-shield-20070329114018071.jpg

[RashanGary]

I think the one thing Capers liked was the matchup of Shields with Knox because of the speed factor. I didn't really notice, but I wouldn't be surprised if Peprah was pulled for that reason, just a better matchup. For most of the playoffs though Woodson has kind of played that "rover" type player. Actually the nickleback, but he just roams all over the place. Having speed with Shields, and the talent of Tramon, it's amazing to have Woodson playing the guy in the slot, so if a team tries to do what we do in putting Jennings in the slot for a better matchup, it really doesn't work.


Woodson will still play this role in nickle. The problem was, Dom never wanted to go base because Woodson is so good playing inside and Shields is so good palying outside. Now they had the Bears, a running team and Dom figured out a way to keep his big boys on the field and keep Woodson inside where he's special.

In short, I think you'll see about 40% nickle with Woodson as a roving nickle back. You'll see 40% base with Woodson as a roving SS role and you'll see 20% everything else. Shields has taken over at starting corner and Wood is starting safety. Peprah is now nickle bcak, but he comes in as safety and lets Wood move to his rover position.

[sharpe1027]

If you're going to go that route, why not put Michael Chiklis, from The Shield, on him?

He's not listed on our practice squad and I am not sure the playoff roster rules would allow us to pick him during the playoffs. This is a serious oversight by TT and the Packers.

[vince]

There's no question that Woodson's days covering on the perimeter are numbered, barring injury to Williams/Shields. Amazingly, both are just better at it than he is now and they're only going to get better at it.

[mraynrand]

Woodson will still play this role in nickle. The problem was, Dom never wanted to go base because Woodson is so good playing inside and Shields is so good palying outside. Now they had the Bears, a running team and Dom figured out a way to keep his big boys on the field and keep Woodson inside where he's special.

In short, I think you'll see about 40% nickle with Woodson as a roving nickle back. You'll see 40% base with Woodson as a roving SS role and you'll see 20% everything else. Shields has taken over at starting corner and Wood is starting safety. Peprah is now nickle bcak, but he comes in as safety and lets Wood move to his rover position.


If Fox had covered the game, instead of running all their BS, we might have a better idea who was covering Olsen. I suspect, though I haven't checked it, that Capers favored Woodson shutting down Olsen over a combination of LBs and Peprah, while he wanted Collins to help over the top on Knox or Bennett, depending on the alignment.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Yes, Wood covered Olsen a lot.

[MichiganPackerFan]

He's not listed on our practice squad and I am not sure the playoff roster rules would allow us to pick him during the playoffs. This is a serious oversight by TT and the Packers.

I've never been close to this point, but this pushed me over the edge: FIRE TT!!!!

[vince]

You don't need the actor when you have The Shield himself. Everyone in town is terrified of his ass.

[Deputy Nutz]

Eventually Woodson will play safety, but I am not going to read the scheme against the Bears as the defense that is going to be set in stone. Peprah has earned his job going into next season, meaning it is his job to lose. Burnett is coming off a serious knee injury and most likely won't be 100% at the start of training camp anyways. Besides if the Packers move Woodson to safety it is most likely a non issue anyways.

If Woodson moves to Rover full time this team is going to be pretty hard to beat in the box. Or Woodson will blow his shoulder out in week 4 tackling all those running backs and taking lead blocks from fullbacks.

[bobblehead]

I agree. They drafted Burnett, moving up in the draft to do so, because of his playmaking ability. They'll give him every chance to win the job. Besides, isn't Peprah a free agent after the season? He could be hard to sign if some team wants to make him their starting safety.

I'm not saying they won't give him a chance to win the job, I'm saying I'm not so sure he will beat out peprah.

[Deputy Nutz]

The Packers are not in the business of just handing jobs over to rookie players that missed a significant portion of the season from blowing out a knee

[mraynrand]

Eventually Woodson will play safety, but I am not going to read the scheme against the Bears as the defense that is going to be set in stone. Peprah has earned his job going into next season, meaning it is his job to lose. Burnett is coming off a serious knee injury and most likely won't be 100% at the start of training camp anyways. Besides if the Packers move Woodson to safety it is most likely a non issue anyways.

If Woodson moves to Rover full time this team is going to be pretty hard to beat in the box. Or Woodson will blow his shoulder out in week 4 tackling all those running backs and taking lead blocks from fullbacks.


Agree except the last part. Part of the effectiveness of him as rover is that other teams don't seem very able to locate him with a FB or a lineman releasing - and even if they try to locate and block him, they have a tough time getting their paws on him and it releases someone else. Still, that doesn't mean he can't blow out his shoulder there, Mr. Jinx.

[mraynrand]

The Packers are not in the business of just handing jobs over to rookie players that missed a significant portion of the season from blowing out a knee


Not this version of the Packers. But, once upon a time....

http://www.sportsattic2.com/nflphotos/photos8/Ivery,EddieLee2.jpg

[3irty1]

I'd call that look a 4-4 split with Woodson playing SOLB.

[Guiness]

Eventually Woodson will play safety, but I am not going to read the scheme against the Bears as the defense that is going to be set in stone. Peprah has earned his job going into next season, meaning it is his job to lose. Burnett is coming off a serious knee injury and most likely won't be 100% at the start of training camp anyways. Besides if the Packers move Woodson to safety it is most likely a non issue anyways.

If Woodson moves to Rover full time this team is going to be pretty hard to beat in the box. Or Woodson will blow his shoulder out in week 4 tackling all those running backs and taking lead blocks from fullbacks.

Agreed with that last.

My college team lost our starting CB, and one of the best players on the team when he came down in run support, and shed blocked a pulling guard. Ended up with a concussion and a broken collar bone.

[Fritz]

One thing, not sure if this is exactly related, is that it seemed to me the last two games that the Packers are terribly vulnerable in the middle of the field. There's a gaping hole as big as the one in a porn star's butt in the middle of the field many,many times. Any of you knowledgeable folk able to explain how that happens? Is it when the Packers blitz inside? When it's play action? Just a function of one of the defensive packages?

[mraynrand]

One thing, not sure if this is exactly related, is that it seemed to me the last two games that the Packers are terribly vulnerable in the middle of the field. There's a gaping hole as big as the one in a porn star's butt?.....


And that's when I turned the TV off

[DannoMac21]

I'm more intrigued by this than I was, but the play of Shields is increasingly making this seem unnecessary.

You can never be too good or have too many good players.

[Cheesehead Craig]

One thing, not sure if this is exactly related, is that it seemed to me the last two games that the Packers are terribly vulnerable in the middle of the field. There's a gaping hole as big as the one in a porn star's butt in the middle of the field many,many times. Any of you knowledgeable folk able to explain how that happens? Is it when the Packers blitz inside? When it's play action? Just a function of one of the defensive packages?
The hole in the field or the porn stars butt?

[Patler]

If the Packers win, will this be Woodson's last game?

He admits that winning a SB absolutely possesses him, thinking about it everyday. What will bring him back at his age if they win it all this year? My personal feeling is that he will retire if they win, but will return if they don't.

[vince]

If the Packers win, will this be Woodson's last game?
No. I think he'll be back.

[Smidgeon]

If he does retire, I'd like to think Thompson would make a Woodson-like push for Asomawhatever. I know he couldn't replace Woodson (because Woodson's versitility makes him a once-per-generation player), but it would give the Packers their third dependable corner again.

[Patler]

No. I think he'll be back.

I did until I heard and read some recent things from him. He seems totally consumed by the need to win it. If they do, I think there will be a lot of reasons to retire, and few to return. Pushing toward retirememnt:
- what seem to be chronic foot injuries that by all reports are very painful for him;
- his feeling of fulfillment, the completion of a career-long goal, the sense of what's left to accomplish?;
- he saw a rather unglorious end for Harris' career;
- he sees the emergence of Shields and what that might mean for him;
- he has said he isn't excited about playing safety;
- he has a budding wine business and has often said he regrets not being able to take a more active role in promoting it due to NFL restrictions on players' sponsorships of certain products. In short, the goal of winning a Super Bowl can be replaced by the goal of building his winery. He has something to move to immediately which he seems to enjoy very much.
-

[vince]

I did until I heard and read some recent things from him. He seems totally consumed by the need to win it. If they do, I think there will be a lot of reasons to retire, and few to return. Pushing toward retirememnt:
- what seem to be chronic foot injuries that by all reports are very painful for him;
- his feeling of fulfillment, the completion of a career-long goal, the sense of what's left to accomplish?;
- he saw a rather unglorious end for Harris' career;
- he sees the emergence of Shields and what that might mean for him;
- he has said he isn't excited about playing safety;
- he has a budding wine business and has often said he regrets not being able to take a more active role in promoting it due to NFL restrictions on players' sponsorships of certain products. In short, the goal of winning a Super Bowl can be replaced by the goal of building his winery. He has something to move to immediately which he seems to enjoy very much.
-
Those are good points Patler. If the toe/foot problems are indeed chronic then that could impact his decision significantly. I know he's had turf toe previously and jammed it before this year and is still listed on the injury report, so you may be right. I'm assuming he'd be healthy come next season. He extended his deal not too long ago and I seem to recall him saying somethning about wanting to play a few more years at that time. I think he likes his new role and wouldn't fight a permanent move to safety/rover at some point. It allows him to make more plays anyway.

[packerbacker1234]

Health is the primary concern with Woodson.

He's seemingly ha da foot injury for 2 or 3 seasons now, and while he has played through it, is it something that goes away with rest and he just had a lot of bad luck? His body can take another season, sure, but is it worth it?

I think it depends on a few factors not mentioned:

- His feeling should he win a super bowl. Yes, it's the pinnacle of great career, and while nothing is guarenteed, he is the clear cut locker room leader of a team that should be BETTER next year, and set up for another SB run. Once he wins it once is he satisfied? Or, does winning it once, that feeling, making him want to do it all over again.

Everyone thought Elway was done after his first ring, but he thought his team could do it yet again, and he more than anything wanted that sweet taste one more time. HE got it, for most others they don't - but it's a big factor in any decision to retire when you can still play.

- Lockout. If a lockout happens it could be a good or bad thing for woodson. Positive is he gets a full year off to rest his foot - but if we win, it makes retiring much easier since their wouldn't be football immediately the next season.

- The lockerroom. Woodson has said many times he absolutely love Green Bay. All his preconceived notions coming in were completely defeated, and you can tell he really likes these players. Would he come back for them?

[Smidgeon]

I honestly don't think a lockout will be an issue since there is no way an entire season would be lost. Maybe a game or two, but that's worst case.

[mraynrand]

I honestly don't think a lockout will be an issue since there is no way an entire season would be lost. Maybe a game or two, but that's worst case.

And with an 18 game season, it comes out to about the same.
http://www.wearysloth.com/Gallery/ActorsT/17430-14967.gif

"Hey, we're saving money already!"

http://www.independent.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00231/Planes__Trains__and_231785s.jpg