It's the run defense. I do think the NE running backs sliced through or ran over the defense. I grudgingly agree with Wist on the point that NE could've run for lots and lots of yards had they run it more.
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It was a move a lot of people discussed trying to upgrade the talent on the field. My concern was coverage and it has been borne out, however the pluses have outweighed the negatives so far.
I think it will be wise for Dom to keep changing personnel not only to get the best matchup, but I suspect teams could take greater advantage of Clay if they knew each game he will be the dime ILB. The Patriots got one by him in the second half by flooding his zone. Matthews reacted to the first guy, even though he had help there, and the next guy was wide open.
Did you use Cellcom?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgfzX-TV-40
I have mentioned this before but I am nearly convinced that the Steelers unconventional player personnel structure (esp. college side) was not just a reaction to Dan Rooney booting his brother Art Rooney Jr. out of the department (he had been the GM) in the mid-80s, but also a reaction to the needs of the 3-4 defense Cowher/Capers/LeBeau wanted to run. Cowher wanted a hand in personnel and the roster and I think finding the correct D personnel was always an issue.
When Capers and LeBeau left and Haslett was the DC, they changed the LBs. When LeBeau came back, they changed them again.
I suggested moving Clay there as the new "W" position - like Woodson, except that in Clay's case, he would shuttle three positions: DL, OLB, Safety, where Woodson shuffled LB, Safety, Corner. But the freelancing aspect is what I liked, because Clay was getting eaten up by LTs.
And you're right about the coverage. Cheat game-planned to get Vereen (I think) across from Clay as much as possible to exploit his limitations in coverage.
mix it up, keep 'em guessing. Even if you're out of position from time to time (as the Packer D was against NE), the switching schemes and formations can befuddle an offense, even one led by Brady.
I wonder if some of this recent success is a result of having fewer injured players and thus being able to field a defense that is not only more talented but better understands the schemes and calls as well. There seems to be less confusion and Capers seems to be able to dial up more shit than he has in the past. Maybe Clinton-Dix deserves a lot of credit; he seems to understand a lot for a rookie. Dom finally isn't being forced to play raw rookies everywhere.
Health definitely helps. Not sure about number of calls. It was the offseason goal to make fewer adjustments and play more personnel, but I am not sure that has led to fewer alignments or coverages. It might mean he is tweaking game plans less to cover shortcomings.
Agreed, Fritz. HHCD has solidified the back end and the new practice schedule seems to have solved (fingers crossed) the injury problem. Dunderd-dominator is now weapons free and can dial up all sorts of stuff that he can't with an injury depleted squad.
That's what I think this week but the winds of a fan's heart blow fickle.
On Matthews evolving role:
http://www.espnwisconsin.com/page.php?page_id=278Quote:
“Believe me, there’s an awareness on my part in terms of the number of times he’s rushing and dropping. The bottom line is, what gives us the best chance of getting them stopped? He’s done a nice job with the run. You just obviously have to be conscious of how much you’re asking him to go backwards and how much you’re asking him to go forwards.”
So, how do you reconcile the defensive performance we saw against New England and the one we saw last night in the second half vs. Atlanta? What gives?
For the X's and O's people on the board, what did you see the Packers trying to do to defend and what adjustments needed to be made? Coverage lapses, no consistent pressure against a patch-work Atlanta line. It should have been easier for Capers to come up with something to take away Julio and Ryan torching them like they did.
Were the schemes sound but the execution just not there? That Shields free release give up on the Jones TD was amazing. It looked like he had no recognition. If he re-directs him at all in his 5 yard window of opportunity, then the safety help may have gotten there in time, it may have thrown off the timing enough or Ryan may have had to go to a different read.
Shields obviously wasn't himself. But even after they replaced him with House, they left House on an island against Jones. Obviously the game plan was to allow Jones to catch 200-300 yards and run himself out of the game from pure exhaustion. Another Capers stratagem that worked to perfection. I think a raise is in order.
I'm sure that like most of us wist43 is shell shocked after that 2nd half last night.
It will take time to absorb and analyze it all ... or simply toss it into the dumpster and forget it?
No...that last thingy won't work.
Right now to me it's still 'a HOT MESS'.
No pass rush, one other worldly WR. Jones is more Calvin Johnson than Brandon Marshall. Much more speed.
One other note, Packers started with a lot of nickel early and no base. Falcons were running on it pretty well. As the game went on, there was more 3-4 looks. And that introduced a whole new problem in the second half. Completions across the middle to backs, TE and WR. Brad Jones got picked off by the umpire on a 3rd or 4th down.
There just isn't enough coverage ability out there at linebacker. And Peppers mainly helps in zone drops. In man, its a nightmare.
Now wist has suggested this means you put more pass rushers in and take ineffective LBs out and that is understandable, certainly at certain down and distance (3-3!). But only Matthews can move well enough to cover at ILB, Jones is hit or miss and Barrington doesn't have enough speed. Bob might be disappointed but he isn't wrong, ILB needs to be rebuilt completely.
And that pass rush is not reliable enough to get home. Ryan had plenty of time on most drop backs. I also think its possible the D line was doing a controlled pass rush ala facing Wilson or Kapernick. Because Ryan ran very effectively and the did tend to close the pocket rather than break free for a one on one shot.
They had a safety over the top most of the time, but Dix, in one case, still couldn't get there in time after the CB trailed Jones.
I did eventually expect Capers to pull the old Belichick move with Tony Gonzalez, double him at the LOS and beat him to submission.