2021 Packers defense

[RashanGary]

Key losses:
Kirksey
Lancaster

Likely development:
Sullivan
Gary
Barnes
Martin
Keke
Preston (basically in contract year)
Savage



It looks like a similar group to a year ago. Can the developmental guys improve enough to make them take a step forward? I think so. Top 10 for sure in 2021!

[RashanGary]

Sullivan is an interesting player. 5’10” and about 200 pounds. Tackles and gets physical like a safety. Covers pretty well inside and is at his best with safeties behind him vs being outside on an island. He has really long arms and is extremely explosive as evident by his jumps. He’s played next to the whole starting secondary for a couple years now. He's kind of been a solid slot guy. In 2021 I could see him taking all of those nickel reps vs sharing with Greene/Redmond and rising up as a really good player. He's kind of prototype inside with his toughness and long arms in coverage.

[RashanGary]

Will be interesting how quickly they pick up the defense. I've heard coordinators and players talk about scheme and say a lot of the coverage leverages and concepts are the same. With the offense being in year 3, lafleur should have the option in training camp to lean some of the practice focus toward allowing the defense to get up to speed quickly.

Maybe learning a new defense from a new coordinator will bring new ideas and ways of seeing things so guys can learn something and get better.

I just don't see it taking long because zone is zone, two high is two high, one high is one high and man is man. A new language but playing the same game. I would expect the first 8 games to be a little bit of a learning curve with the last 8 and after the bye, tuning in.

Barnes actually benefits from.the new scheme. He gets to be the leader from.the ground up.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Keke, Martin/Barnes, rookie CB will be key.

[wist43]

I like the King resigning, but overall we will be worse on defense no matter.

We took a major step backward at Defensive Coordinator, and they won't do anything to improve the line or ILB.

So, new scheme, worse DC, no upgrade in talent... a 20th ranking in pts, yds, etc will be the ceiling. I don't even foresee that though as I have no faith whatsoever in Berry.

[Bretsky]

I like the King resigning, but overall we will be worse on defense no matter.

We took a major step backward at Defensive Coordinator, and they won't do anything to improve the line or ILB.

So, new scheme, worse DC, no upgrade in talent... a 20th ranking in pts, yds, etc will be the ceiling. I don't even foresee that though as I have no faith whatsoever in Berry.




It was bound to go south once we got rid of your guy....aka....the Dominator Capers

[wist43]

It was bound to go south once we got rid of your guy....aka....the Dominator Capers

Lol... Pettine did a better than average job IMO. Much, much better than Capers. He was multiple up front, and took some pretty average talent and got max production and results out of them.

I don't expect Gute will do anything to improve our ILB situation, and will probably do next to nothing to help the DL. Combine those with a serious downgrade at DC, and I fully expect we'll be worse, if not much worse next year.

Berry was a terrible hire.

[Jaire]

They'll need to improve in the draft. This is a big draft for Gute. If the board falls well, it should be a good haul, a lot better than last year's draft class.

IDL, edge, especially CB looks promising. Pretty deep at lb too.

[RashanGary]

They'll need to improve in the draft. This is a big draft for Gute. If the board falls well, it should be a good haul, a lot better than last year's draft class.

IDL, edge, especially CB looks promising. Pretty deep at lb too.

It is a big year. They all kind of are, but we’re so close. One lucky draft could do it. Growth is very important too. Runyan, Stepaniak, Hansen, Lazard, MVS, Tonyan, Sullivan, Barnes, Martin, Keke, Gary,etc all have a chance to take decent leaps. If all of them do or most, that’s a nice chunk of improvement.

[bobblehead]

It is a big year. They all kind of are, but we’re so close. One lucky draft could do it. Growth is very important too. Runyan, Stepaniak, Hansen, Lazard, MVS, Tonyan, Sullivan, Barnes, Martin, Keke, Gary,etc all have a chance to take decent leaps. If all of them do or most, that’s a nice chunk of improvement.

Please let the MVS I saw in the NFCC game be the new normal.

[Fritz]

It is a big year. They all kind of are, but we’re so close. One lucky draft could do it. Growth is very important too. Runyan, Stepaniak, Hansen, Lazard, MVS, Tonyan, Sullivan, Barnes, Martin, Keke, Gary,etc all have a chance to take decent leaps. If all of them do or most, that’s a nice chunk of improvement.

In the context of "luck" being part of a championship, this is one factor that sometimes gets overlooked - that several young guys make a big jump the same year. I am hoping of course they all do, but if Hansen/Stepniak/Jansen - two of the three - can step up big this year, that will reduce the offensive line's issues significantly with the loss of Linsley.

I think there's room for Martin and Barnes to improve but I think Sullivan is about topped out, and possibly Keke too. Gary, well, let's hope he makes another jump.

I think Lazard is what he is now. I'd hoped Encyclopedia St. Brown would make a jump, but maybe his hands just aren't quite good enough.

[George Cumby]

I just want one junk-yard dog tone setter for this defense, don't care what level of the D, just one mean sumbitch that frightens the opposing O.

[Bretsky]

I just want one junk-yard dog tone setter for this defense, don't care what level of the D, just one mean sumbitch that frightens the opposing O.


We don't pursue those guys

WHO is the last one we've had ?

WAYNE SIMMONS ? He's the only mean one I can think of

[Jaire]

I just want one junk-yard dog tone setter for this defense, don't care what level of the D, just one mean sumbitch that frightens the opposing O.


Who are you thinking? Would Zaven Collins do? There's a lot of interesting edge and lbs really. We need some more pass rush. But definitely need better CB play.

More easy to address in this draft is a tone setter on offense. I like Jenkins. Quite a few OT to like. Maybe a wideout. I liked Dynami Brown before Chris Simms hyped him.

[George Cumby]

We don't pursue those guys

WHO is the last one we've had ?

WAYNE SIMMONS ? He's the only mean one I can think of

I think you're right with Simmons.

Matthews was kind of that guy his rookie year, but after he stopped juicing......

[wist43]

They'll need to improve in the draft. This is a big draft for Gute. If the board falls well, it should be a good haul, a lot better than last year's draft class.

IDL, edge, especially CB looks promising. Pretty deep at lb too.

And last year was "the year of the receiver", which we desperately need - and what do we get with our first 4 picks??

A QB, which we didn't and don't need.
A RB, whom I like, but we didn't need either.
And an Hback that we didn't need and never saw the field.

Expect more of the same... Gute is drafting for 2-3 years down the line - always.

[RashanGary]

In the context of "luck" being part of a championship, this is one factor that sometimes gets overlooked - that several young guys make a big jump the same year. I am hoping of course they all do, but if Hansen/Stepniak/Jansen - two of the three - can step up big this year, that will reduce the offensive line's issues significantly with the loss of Linsley.

I think there's room for Martin and Barnes to improve but I think Sullivan is about topped out, and possibly Keke too. Gary, well, let's hope he makes another jump.

I think Lazard is what he is now. I'd hoped Encyclopedia St. Brown would make a jump, but maybe his hands just aren't quite good enough.

Sullivan might be close to max. Keke is a DL. They seem to always take 3 years to develop. Imma bet on ol Kingsley.

[Upnorth]

I don't like the way our d is setting up for 2021. Barry's d have been very poor performers historically. The counter is he has had poor players. We just sign king to a 6 mill contract as our #2 CB. Jaire is all pro but after him what do we have?
I am interested in the savage as slot corner theory and take a saftey. He has proven speed, and more importantly for slot, proven quickness. Plus a free agent s might be cheaper than CB.
That might allow us to go dl in draft but we need to get the ol right.

All in all I think the d takes a step back this year due to last year's injury luck and hiring a d coordinator that makes wist pine for hair spray hair.

[Joemailman]

I don't like the way our d is setting up for 2021. Barry's d have been very poor performers historically. The counter is he has had poor players. We just sign king to a 6 mill contract as our #2 CB. Jaire is all pro but after him what do we have?
I am interested in the savage as slot corner theory and take a saftey. He has proven speed, and more importantly for slot, proven quickness. Plus a free agent s might be cheaper than CB.
That might allow us to go dl in draft but we need to get the ol right.

All in all I think the d takes a step back this year due to last year's injury luck and hiring a d coordinator that makes wist pine for hair spray hair.

Not sure I agree with the injury luck angle from last year. They had a revolving door at ILB all year due to injuries. King missed 5 games. Raven Greene missed 6. Clark missed 3. Adams missed 8. As far as player personnel goes, I think they're in a position for a step up. What effect a change at DC will have is pure speculation at this point.

[Fritz]

Not sure I agree with the injury luck angle from last year. They had a revolving door at ILB all year due to injuries. King missed 5 games. Raven Greene missed 6. Clark missed 3. Adams missed 8. As far as player personnel goes, I think they're in a position for a step up. What effect a change at DC will have is pure speculation at this point.

Did you see the article in Acme talking about how the offense was far more ravaged by injury than the defense was...does not bode well for the coming year.

Yes, this team could use a Wayne Simmons, but remember, if Wayne Simmons played today, he'd get ejected from three-quarters of the games for his level of play. He and the Chuck Cecils of the world would not fit as well today.

[Upnorth]

We were the 4th least injured defence in the league ignoring covid games lost. As per FO. I was suprised by that as well.

[RashanGary]

We were the 4th least injured defence in the league ignoring covid games lost. As per FO. I was suprised by that as well.

We’ve been overall one of the least injured teams since MLF took over. I actually expect that to continue. He’s safe with injuries so they don’t compound. It’s a part of MLFs success.

[texaspackerbacker]

I guess not many of you guys go back to the time of Ray Nitschke. Now there was an enforcer. Really, though, in those days, everybody played a little meaner than in recent decades.

[texaspackerbacker]

I'd call last season a slightly less bad than average year injury-wise. In the case of the Packers, any year Aaron Rodgers stays healthy seems like an injury-free season because he is so much of a determinant whether we win or lose.

The other thing, all of the pretty good players who got hurt were not season ending that I recall except for Bakhtiari.

[Fritz]

I guess not many of you guys go back to the time of Ray Nitschke. Now there was an enforcer. Really, though, in those days, everybody played a little meaner than in recent decades.

Hah. I have his autograph - or I did, until it faded away. My dad worked with a guy from Green Bay who knew Nitchske, and got his autograph for me.

So though I was young, I do remember him.

[George Cumby]

We’ve been overall one of the least injured teams since MLF took over. I actually expect that to continue. He’s safe with injuries so they don’t compound. It’s a part of MLFs success.

What is MiLF doing to mitigate the injuries? Any insights?

[Joemailman]

What is MiLF doing to mitigate the injuries? Any insights?

I know his practices are shorter than MM's were. Intense, but shorter.

[RashanGary]

I know his practices are shorter than MM's were. Intense, but shorter.

He sits injured players longer. Aaron Jones and Davante stayed down till healthy. Kenny Clark was bitching that he should have been playing sooner but Lafleur kept him down. Davante complained too. It’s being safe with injuries so they don’t compound. How many times did a 3 week ankle turn into the full season of injuries when MM was coach. Just not rushing guys back, letting them get healthy.

[RashanGary]

When MM was coach we used to joke about how the 3 week ankle was a season ender of never ending setbacks. Lafleur has avoided that. And should continue that trend.

[Upnorth]

What is MiLF doing to mitigate the injuries? Any insights?

I think the key is a good therapy program. Massage. Other stress release activities. Milfs real area of strenght I would say

[Fritz]

I think the key is a good therapy program. Massage. Other stress release activities. Milfs real area of strenght I would say

You're watching the same type of porn as I am.

[RashanGary]

You're watching the same type of porn as I am.

Have you ever gone to the Asian massage parlors? They have a good business going

[George Cumby]

You're watching the same type of porn as I am.

Just stay away from dryers, they're the dickens to get out of once you're stuck.

[Upnorth]

Just stay away from dryers, they're the dickens to get out of once you're stuck.

George old boy ya gotta stop thinkin with your bottom brain.

Fitz, I like to think im a conosouir.

[Zool]

Just stay away from dryers, they're the dickens to get out of once you're stuck.

Even tougher in a blended household.

[Bretsky]

Have you ever gone to the Asian massage parlors? They have a good business going

Have you ? If the answer is yet gotta admit I'm kinda jealous

[RashanGary]

Have you ? If the answer is yet gotta admit I'm kinda jealous

I went :lol:

It feels grimy though, young ladies.who barely speak English. I'm like, damn this.is human trafficking, I'll deal with it later.

[RashanGary]

They have a few in Green Bay. They give a happy ending.

[RashanGary]

The authorities just let them run. It's crazy.

[bobblehead]

I know his practices are shorter than MM's were. Intense, but shorter.

Its this, in camp. The intensity is necessary to be prepared for game speed hitting. Fat mike was worried guys might get hurt if they learn how to do what they would be doing on sundays.

[bobblehead]

He sits injured players longer. Aaron Jones and Davante stayed down till healthy. Kenny Clark was bitching that he should have been playing sooner but Lafleur kept him down. Davante complained too. It’s being safe with injuries so they don’t compound. How many times did a 3 week ankle turn into the full season of injuries when MM was coach. Just not rushing guys back, letting them get healthy.

I'm not convinced this is it. I remember so many times that we had season enders in pre season games and/or first 2 weeks under fat boy. Bulaga blew his knee in the first real contact scrimmage of family night. Guys simply were not ready to hit full speed with the way he ran camp. It was a point of contention for me for a decade with MM. I predicted a lack of all the big injuries the day he was fired. I have not been disappointed.

[RashanGary]

I'm not convinced this is it. I remember so many times that we had season enders in pre season games and/or first 2 weeks under fat boy. Bulaga blew his knee in the first real contact scrimmage of family night. Guys simply were not ready to hit full speed with the way he ran camp. It was a point of contention for me for a decade with MM. I predicted a lack of all the big injuries the day he was fired. I have not been disappointed.

That you did. Lafleur is even softer tho, and we don’t have injuries. How does that fit in?

[bobblehead]

That you did. Lafleur is even softer tho, and we don’t have injuries. How does that fit in?

He isn't softer. From reporter accounts he has much more intense practices. The hitting is closer to game level. He just runs shorter practices so guys aren't hitting that way while exhausted.

[Fritz]

So if they practiced for twenty minutes and really busted their balls, there would never be an injury!

Do it, Flower!

Injuries really suck. If Bakh hadn't gotten hurt, and Turner could've played right tackle, I think the Packers would've done much, much better in that game. Especially if Bakh could play cornerback, too. Or interpret LeFleur's defensive directives to Pettine at the end of the half.