PaCkFan_n_MD
11-29-2007, 08:37 AM
I think they are!
http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071129/PKR01/711290496/1989
Posted November 29, 2007
Insider: Defense holds when it counts
By Rob Demovsky
rdemovsk@greenbaypressgazette.com
Thumbs up
Most of the stats show the Green Bay Packers defense isn't playing quite as well as most expected going into this season. After all, they're a pedestrian 12th overall in yards, 13th against the run and 18th against the pass.
But they rank near the top in perhaps the most significant categories. They're tied for fifth in points allowed, sixth in sacks per pass play and first in third-down efficiency.
The Packers have 32 sacks, and a remarkable 30½ of those have come from the defensive line. Defensive end Aaron Kampman (11 sacks) and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (9½) provide one of the best 1-2 sack punches in the NFL. The pressure from the front four means defensive coordinator Bob Sanders rarely needs to blitz to get pressure. That, in turn, leaves more players in coverage, which helps the back end of the defense.
Middle linebacker Nick Barnett is having perhaps his best season, and second-year linebacker A.J. Hawk has made steady progress throughout the season.
There might not be a better cornerback duo when it comes to playing man-to-man coverage than Al Harris and Charles Woodson.
About the only thing that could derail this defense would be a serious injury or two. The Packers got a scare last week at Detroit when Gbaja-Biamila (ankle) and Woodson (toe) went down, but both appear to have dodged major injuries and should play tonight against the Cowboys.
http://www.packersnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071129/PKR01/711290496/1989
Posted November 29, 2007
Insider: Defense holds when it counts
By Rob Demovsky
rdemovsk@greenbaypressgazette.com
Thumbs up
Most of the stats show the Green Bay Packers defense isn't playing quite as well as most expected going into this season. After all, they're a pedestrian 12th overall in yards, 13th against the run and 18th against the pass.
But they rank near the top in perhaps the most significant categories. They're tied for fifth in points allowed, sixth in sacks per pass play and first in third-down efficiency.
The Packers have 32 sacks, and a remarkable 30½ of those have come from the defensive line. Defensive end Aaron Kampman (11 sacks) and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (9½) provide one of the best 1-2 sack punches in the NFL. The pressure from the front four means defensive coordinator Bob Sanders rarely needs to blitz to get pressure. That, in turn, leaves more players in coverage, which helps the back end of the defense.
Middle linebacker Nick Barnett is having perhaps his best season, and second-year linebacker A.J. Hawk has made steady progress throughout the season.
There might not be a better cornerback duo when it comes to playing man-to-man coverage than Al Harris and Charles Woodson.
About the only thing that could derail this defense would be a serious injury or two. The Packers got a scare last week at Detroit when Gbaja-Biamila (ankle) and Woodson (toe) went down, but both appear to have dodged major injuries and should play tonight against the Cowboys.