"They've really got themselves a defensive staff"

[Partial]

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/38509364.html

to paraphrase JSO since they're douches, many people seem to think Darren Perry is one of the finest defensive coaches in the league.

I'm really stoked! I think in a year or two this defense could be special, especially if they go after a stud like Orange Julius Peppers!

[Badgerinmaine]

Re: "They've really got themselves a defensive staff&am

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/38509364.html

to paraphrase JSO since they're douches, many people seem to think Darren Perry is one of the finest defensive coaches in the league.

I'm really stoked! I think in a year or two this defense could be special, especially if they go after a stud like Orange Julius Peppers!

That's one hell of a benediction for Perry in that story coming from Dick LeBeau, who has a reputation as one of the greatest defensive coaches ever. Nice.

[LL2]

As a fan it's hard not to be excited...I would bet the defensive players are pretty excited too!

[Guiness]

Lionel Washington is mentioned in that article. He's one member of the defensive staff I was sorry to see go.

[digitaldean]

Lionel Washington is mentioned in that article. He's one member of the defensive staff I was sorry to see go.

I thought he always got short shrift. I would have been OK with Schotty getting canned at beginning of 2008 season and LW running the DBs himself.

[Jimx29]

that's what she said

[Brando19]

Yeah, I'd say the defensive players are excited, but also scared out of their mind. They're going to be pushed like they've never been pushed before...and there's going to be high expectations. Hope they can take it. I'm excited...come on preseason! And come on Julius Peppers!!!!!

[Carolina_Packer]

As for Peppers being signed by the Pack, it would be a good get, but I don't see it happening. The Panthers can't franchise both Jordan Gross and Peppers, and since Peppers has already said he wants out, I'm guessing that the Panthers might just sign Gross to a deal and franchise Peppers, which means, "too rich for our blood". I don't see TT giving up the requisite draft picks to get Peppers. Also, Peppers is up and down. Who knows if his next team gets the kind of value back from him that they pay out to get him. He seems to take plays off, and that doesn't bode well for a big signing, big money guy.

[Partial]

I'd give up the #9 pick for Peppers in a heart beat. At 9, there is no guarantee you're getting a good player, let alone a stud. The chances they get someone of Peppers level are very slim imo.

Peppers is a top 10 player in the NFL. That is the kind of guy you do what it takes to get.

[LEWCWA]

As for Peppers being signed by the Pack, it would be a good get, but I don't see it happening. The Panthers can't franchise both Jordan Gross and Peppers, and since Peppers has already said he wants out, I'm guessing that the Panthers might just sign Gross to a deal and franchise Peppers, which means, "too rich for our blood". I don't see TT giving up the requisite draft picks to get Peppers. Also, Peppers is up and down. Who knows if his next team gets the kind of value back from him that they pay out to get him. He seems to take plays off, and that doesn't bode well for a big signing, big money guy.

Up and down? He has had one down year! Thats it.....

[Noodle]

I'd give up the #9 pick for Peppers in a heart beat. At 9, there is no guarantee you're getting a good player, let alone a stud. The chances they get someone of Peppers level are very slim imo.

Peppers is a top 10 player in the NFL. That is the kind of guy you do what it takes to get.

I agree. Peppers just turned 29. He's played for 7 seasons, and has started all 16 games every one of those seasons but 2 (his first in 2002 and then "only" 14 in 2007). He looks to be in great shape, and he's clearly a gamer. I'm guessing he has 3 more really good seasons left, which ain't too bad, then 2 where he's still good, but not dominant.

So flip that -- it's rare for a DL draft pick to really show until after their first 2 years (as we've heard ad nausem regarding JH). So you maybe get 2 ok years and hope for 3 or more really good years, but there's no guarantee at all.

Besides, we had a 5 and got Hawk with it. Who wouldn't give up Hawk for Peppers?

[Lurker64]

Besides, we had a 5 and got Hawk with it. Who wouldn't give up Hawk for Peppers?

I wouldn't. I'm almost entirely confident that Hawk can do well in the 3-4, but I'm not sure that Peppers can. If we were still playing a 4-3 and wanted Peppers to play end opposite Kampman, I'd be all for it, but with the 3-4? I'm not sure. Peppers is a great athlete, but I'm not sure he's not too stiff to play in space. Do we think he can play DE in the 3-4?

Personally, I'd rather get a guy like Canty or Olshansky in FA to play DE opposite Jenkins, use the money saved over Peppers to lock up Jennings longterm, take the BPA at #9, and draft a guy like Larry English or Paul Kruger for WOLB later.

Peppers is a great player, but if he can't play OLB in this scheme, do we really want to pay what he costs for a 3-4 DE? Remember, it's always a risk to expend a lot of resources on a guy playing a position he hasn't played before, and you're only guessing he can adapt to it. For those of you who watched Jets games last year, how many thought Vernon Gholston was worthy of the #6 overall pick to play 3-4 OLB, even taking into account his considerable physical gifts and the fact that he schooled the #1 overall pick repeatedly while playing as a 4-3 DE?

[mission]

I have a feelin there wont be too many "taking plays off" with this staff... we're going to see a whole new vibe, results notwithstanding.

Exciting chitt.

[vince]

Re: "They've really got themselves a defensive staff&am

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/38509364.html

to paraphrase JSO since they're douches, many people seem to think Darren Perry is one of the finest defensive coaches in the league.

I'm really stoked! I think in a year or two this defense could be special, especially if they go after a stud like Orange Julius Peppers!

That's one hell of a benediction for Perry in that story coming from Dick LeBeau, who has a reputation as one of the greatest defensive coaches ever. Nice.

My thoughts exactly. Lebeau rose up through the defensive backfield coaching ranks too, so is't safe to say he knows what he's talking about.

It sounds like Perry is not averse to being confrontational when he feels it's needed. Hopefully, guys like Harris, Wood, and Bigby respond positively to such an approach when they're on the receiving end.

It also sounds like a lot of responsibility will likely be placed on Collins' shoulders to communicate effectively and get the DB's in the right coverages. This is a dumb statement to make because I obviously haven't ever spent time with him, but I don't get the sense that he's overly cerebral. He set the coverages under Sanders, but that job was far simpler than it's now going to be, and it took awhile for the backs to gel under Sanders - and Collins in particular seemed to struggle at first. I think it's too simple, and probably inaccurate, to blindly put all the blame on Schottzy for those struggles.

Just an off-the-wall thought, but perhaps this is the time for Woodson to make the permanent move to safety, where they might be able to take advantage of his intelligence and blitzing abilities a bit more than at corner. Also with Williams stepping up last year and perhaps the young talent behind him hopefully making additonal strides as well... Or perhaps drafting Jenkins at #9 if he were available isn't such a bad thought either...

[sheepshead]

With all the close games this year, all we had to do was stop one drive per game and we're in the playoffs. I think a disciplined, inspired unit would accomplish it. That's without any upgrade in personnel on the field!