Sunday's Gameplan

[The Shadow]

Overall, this is the time - and game - to begin breaking tendencies.

DEFENSE
1. In this game, I just don't see blitzing in the ways we've been doing it. It seems that the linebackers are just not getting there on time, and removing them from coverage zones against the Bears, who have been relying on tight end and back patterns is not the way to go.
a. I would pressure with the front four WITH a bit of the unusual - an occasional unexpected blitz from a corner or safety. b.I would strongly remind the D linemen to get those hands up and obstruct the passing lanes (esp. if Grossman starts).
2. c. Barnett's injury is unfortunate, but Hawk may be actually now sliding into his natural position (MLB), and that might wind up being a good thing. If you recall, Brian Urlacher never truly blossomed until he was moved from WLB to the middle. This may prove true with A.J. Hawk should be assigned the task of shadowing/keying Matt Forte everywhere. You can count on some screens and flat patterns, and Hawk should keep him firmly in his sights.
3. d. If we lose this game, it won't be because of the Bear's running attack. Offensive coordinator Ron Turner is no dummy : he is quite aware of all the recent concern with the Packer's struggles with stopping the run - and will be expecting the Pack to be overly focused on stopping Forte. He also will surmise that this shapes up as a close game. Therefore, expect him to try to hit the big pass early.
The Bear running game is no juggernaut; focusing too much on it at the expense of pass defense can be costly.
SO : e.I would counter by assigning Chillar the primary task of shadowing TE Desmond Clark - NOT the faster Greg Olson. I would liberally substitute Aaron Rouse in place of Brady Poppinga whenever those 2nd and 7 or 3 & 4 situations arose. Olson will be a key player for the Bears in this one, and speed is needed here for coverage. Far better to make the Bears have to go to their subpar wide receivers. Rouse is a big guy, and the extra safety coverage speed will help greatly. 4. Woodson should be assigned to cover Devon Hester whenever Hester is on the field. Al Harris should not draw that assignment - EVER.

OFFENSE
1. f.The Bears will be more concerned with stopping the passing attack than the run. They have been under a lot of heat recently for their pass defense deficiencies. They do not think Grant can beat them, and will focus much more on stopping Rodgers.
So : establishing the run could be absolutely nec. to make the pass attack go.
The Bears have a tendency to overpursue; cutback lanes will be there, and it will be up to Grant to make the defense pay.
2. Slants. yes, but judiciously. The Bear's corners watch film; they are going to be looking to jump routes for a quick 6.
There will be a rush - esp. if Clifton's recent performances signal a chronic downward spiral, and Tommie Harris has a good day - so Rodgers needs a lot of quick release mojo.
SO : it would be very helpful to run a quick slant that breaks back fast and allows a Jennings, Driver, Nelson, or Jones to get that all-important step on the corner.
An early score in this game will be huge.


a. Woodson sack
b. No D line sacks, but 2 knockdowns (Jolly's was crucial)
c. Hawk had an excellent game - and will remain at MLB
d. The Bears did not pound away as much as many expected
e. Chillar had a fine game. Williams (instead of Rouse), helped contain
Olson - good move.
f. Best rushing performance of year. Mike Brown in the box? Throw. Brown back? Run.

Great day!

[The Shadow]

What should be the gameplan for New Orleans?

[Tarlam!]

Shadow, Kudos to you. You called a brilliant game! It is very clear to me, at least, where M3 gets his input.

Now, where the fuck were you with the 5 we lost??

[The Shadow]

Shadow, Kudos to you. You called a brilliant game! It is very clear to me, at least, where M3 gets his input.

Now, where the fuck were you with the 5 we lost??

LOL!
Never fear : From here on, I will formulate the needed plan for each game, in time for McCarthy to implement it!

[boiga]

Good call last week Shadow.


For NO, I think we have to hope that Reggie Bush isn't 100% yet. I trust our back field to contain the Saints deep threats but a hard hitting RB with pass catching ability is hard for our D to contain.

Offensively, we should be able to have our way with the Saints D. I'd like to see Big 5 come back this week because they simply don't have the personnel to defend against that many receiving threats or get to the QB. We should let Rodgers loose for the deep ball this week too because if our OL plays at half the level they did last week, Rodgers will have all day to launch it. Grant should be able to break one too. The Saints D just is not any good.

[Gunakor]

dp

[Gunakor]

I'd like to see Big 5 come back this week because they simply don't have the personnel to defend against that many receiving threats or get to the QB. We should let Rodgers loose for the deep ball this week too because if our OL plays at half the level they did last week, Rodgers will have all day to launch it.

I don't want to see the big 5. I was impressed with it when Brett was running it, but Aaron has struggled. Besides that, I want to see more of Ryan Grant. Lots more. I want to see this team be the running team MM envisioned when coming to GB in the first place. I'm old school. Run the ball and play defense. Like Sunday, when we beat the snot out of our archrival. Run the ball, move the chains, don't turn the ball over, limit penalties, and play tough hard nosed defense. That's the show I wanna see again on Monday night.

[Fritz]

First, I'll state my opinion, but it doesn't matter because clearly The Shadow Knows...and needs to inform us, I think. And MM. Cuz he done good last week. I enjoyed the thread. Football talk!

But here's my meager input: I, too, think the Big 5 confuses Rodgers. I think it's maybe too many options for a newer guy to sort through - it's not like checking down to a running back who releases after Rodgers has looked over the wide receivers and then the tight end.

Second, though statistically a month or two ago I think I demonstrated, historically, that the league is far, far less run-driven than it was back in the 50's, 60's, and even 70's, I'm still a believer in the running game. Not that that's a shocking thing to support, but I just like it when a team can run the damn football. So I'd like to see Grant and Jackson as a two-headed monster, which will then leave wide receivers open all over the field.

Defensively, they've got to bring some pressure on Brees, some way, some how. And I agree with the poster who said the Pack seems to have big trouble covering running backs out of the backfield. Bush scares me in this respect.

Now, how about Shadow providing the real low down?

[gbgary]

What should be the gameplan for New Orleans?

more of the same. the back-to-basics approach worked great. AR had time, the offense kept the ball for long periods allowing the D to stay fresh, and everyone gained confidence. if they go back to wide-open, no protection, empty backfield shit then MM needs fired. AR and the defense will not survive it.

[TennesseePackerBacker]

Just a thought...how about employing the nickle package with tramon williams again in this game as well? I dare say even our best coverage backer in Chillar can cover Bush out of the backfield, however he could probably do alright against Shockey. Williams could match Bush in speed and blanket Shockey. All of this hinges on our front 4 being able to apply some pressure on Brees, he's just too good of a QB to give time no matter how good our secondary is.

[The Shadow]

Ok, time for Monday's gameplan against the Saints :

OFFENSE
1. The Saints will still not be as concerned about our running attack as the pass, even after the Bear game, and will be focused on stopping the pass.
Keep our current run groove going! (this will pay benefits all through the final push to the playoffs, as the confidence of the O line is invaluable).
2. They will attempt to put great pressure on Rodgers, so expect a lot of blitz schemes.
3. We should utilize a healthy dose of screens to counter this.
4. The defensive ends will be consistently in rush mode, so Clifton and Tausch should work at riding them outside. This whould open up lanes between D tackle and end for Grant to exploit.
5. I'd like to see an old Oakland Raider offensive approach. Slam away with both Grant and Jackson, and look for timely spots to go deep + a liberal use of the screen pass.

DEFENSE
1. The Saints will (perhaps) correctly aaume that the Bears went wrong by not concentrating on the running game. Expect them to begin the game by pounding away with Deuce.
2. Especially if Bush is active for the game, also expect lots of screens; they will try to get the ball in his hands in space as much as possible.
3. They will be very concerned with establishing the run first, hoping that the linebackers will be up closer to the line - before they go to their vaunted air attack.
4. If they can accomplish this, expect them to go with a more deep approach, figuring that it will be better to take a shot in areas that won't be so 'cluttered' with our fine defensive backs.
5. To get pressure on Brees, we should go with the Bears plan : the unusual scheme rather than the somewhat ineffective LB blitz (and their offensive line is pretty big). It would be better to have the linebackers concerned with stopping Bush in the flats.
The corner blitz is a good occasional option.

Packers : 27
Saints : 17

[RashanGary]

I'm not too worried about Reggie Bush. He's coming off a knee surgery. He'll be good, but I don't expect him to be 100% nor to I expect him to be in the flow of the game with Brees. He'll be a step slow or a step out of position, causing drops and negative plays throughout the game.

As far as beating the Saints, I agree that they will try to run. Early we need to be very aware of the run, but as the game goes on they will go back to what they do best. Stop the run early, make them one dimensional and then try to get Brees with picks and sacks later.

On offense, it's going to depend on how the Saints attack us. Come in with the intention of being balanced and then adjust to what the Saints are doing early (after the first drive or two). Maybe it's a pass heavy game. Maybe a run heavy game. Whatever the case, make it an effective game early because one of the keys to this game is going to be playing from ahead.

[Noodle]

I'm thinking this could be a big game for B-Jack. Grant is not always that great at blitz pickup, and he hasn't inspired confidence in his ability to catch the screen and do good things with it.

I don't know if B-Jack is a better blitz chipper, but I gotta think he gets a lot of work at this as a third-down back.

If we have trouble containing the rush, I wouldn't hesitate to go max protect, keeping a back and TE in the protection scheme. Again, this could work well with Jackson -- if there's no one to hit, he busts outside for a flare.

The Packer receivers far outclass an injury-riddled Saints secondary. If A-Rod gets some time, he could have a big game.

[Freak Out]

Run first pass second. Throw an odd blitz at Brees every now and again. Control the clock and keep the NO offense off the field.

[Pugger]

I don't know if I'd say the 5 wide confuses AR. I think this year we haven't had 5 WRs active for more than a couple of games - but I could be wrong...