Although you got a win, should you be concerned with the D?

[Dabaddestbear]

I know the Packers defense look much better than last year, but when you look at the tape, they gave up some big plays to what many considered a very sub-par WR group. I heard how the WR group of the Bears would not be able to do anything, and that Forte and the TE's is all the Bears have to throw to, but it was exactly the opposite. The young WR's ran some bad routes, and Cutler tossed some questionable INT's, but even with all that self destruction of the Bears passing game, they still did put up some impressive numbers against a pretty good Packers secondary.

Hester- 4 catches 90 yards and a TD. Had a very nice sideline grab and getting deep for that TD. He played like a #1 WR that night.

Knox- Yes, he stopped on his route on the slant but what do u honestly expect from a rookie wr from a D2 school? 2 catches 82 yards and one catch was for 68 yards in beating Woodson.

Bennett- 7 catches for 66 yards- I think this kid is very talented. He got a lot of separation from some good GB DB's. He did drop one and also had a dumb offsides and went back instead of coming forward when Cutler scrambled. Basically his first nfl game you have to expect mistakes from young guys like this.

I mentioned this because I have yet to see this brought up, for it seemed to get loss in all the defensive hoopla discussion in regards to both teams.
Nice win of course, but from that game, with the new expectations of the defense, can you honestly say you have no reason to be concerned?

[Patler]

On the TD, Collins cramped up and didn't get there. He went off right after the play and went to the locker room for an IV. When it happened, Collinsworth mentioned that Collins was in good position at the start of the play, and should have gotten to it. His first comment was something like, "I can't believe that Collins didn't get to this ball." In the replay, he said Cutler should have thrown to the single coverage on the other side. If Collins doesn't cramp up, maybe he gets the interception???

Other than that, I expected and many of the analysts, writers, etc. wrote that the Packers would make mistakes in coverage until they get more experienced with the defense, timing, calls and recognition of their responsibilities, etc. This was their first real game, starters against starters, with game plans, fatigue, pressure to win and all that goes with it. I expected some mistakes.

So, no, I'm not concerned about the few big plays that occurred. I didn't expect them to have the defense down pat, yet. I expect there will be more mistakes in the games ahead, too, resulting in open receivers. Some have said to expect it for the first half of the season, and that it could take most of the season for it to become truly instinctive for the DBs in coverage.

[gbpackfan]

NO, I am not concerned about the D. Don't you have enough to worry about on your side of the ball? :P

[Dabaddestbear]

NO, I am not concerned about the D. Don't you have enough to worry about on your side of the ball? :P

Yes,as do all teams. But I will remember your quote here as saying you ARE not concerned sir.

[Patler]

NO, I am not concerned about the D. Don't you have enough to worry about on your side of the ball? :P

Yes,as do all teams. But I will remember your quote here as saying you ARE not concerned sir.

Right now there is more to be excited about than concerned about in the Packer defense:

Harris CAN play zone, who knew?
Kampman/Poppinga and the LBs in general were NOT victimized by a team with some good TEs.
The D-linemen made plays, a bunch of them.
The ballhawking and return ability of the secondary continued from last year.
The defense always snapped back after surrendering a big play.
Three was no late game collapse like we saw often in 2008.
There is enthusiasm and attitude on defense that has been lacking for years.

There are always positives and negatives. The positives far outweighed the negatives in the Bear game, so the natural result is enthusiasm this week, not conern. Of course, that could change after the next game!

[3irty1]

So I guess you're fishing for us to say that the Bears WR aren't as bad as everyone thought. I was impressed with Hester last night as a WR.

[swede]

Next time you see us you may have to account for Jenkins AND Raji along that D-Line.

[Dabaddestbear]

Next time you see us you may have to account for Jenkins AND Raji along that D-Line.

Raji? Was he even in the game?
Jenkins ran over our guard though. I think Beekman will be there by the next time we face you guys.

But I was just pointing out that these WR's are not looked on highly by anyone on the NFL, ESPECIALLY Packer fans. And if that was so before the game, how can you completely ignore that these guys were to gain some nice yardage in the secondary. And mind you none of those yards came in garbage time in a prevent defense.

Yes, I think the Packers arrow is pointing up, but no team should just ignore its weakness. But I understand the jist of what most of you are getting at.

[Patler]

Next time you see us you may have to account for Jenkins AND Raji along that D-Line.

Raji? Was he even in the game?

No, Raji wasn't. That was the point of Swede's comment (I think).
Raji was inactive due to an ankle injury in the last preseason game. Looks like he should be ready this week.

[]{ilr]3]

The only one I was impressed with was Knox. Gone from a guy no one had heard of to a guy you need to watch when he is only field because he is so fast and seems to have good hands.

Otherwise I didnt see anything from the Bears WR that could be mis-conscrewed as attention worthy. And the Packers played them that way, focusing a lot of attention where it was due shutting down the TE's and the RB. If they had focused on the WR I dont think they would have completed a pass all night. The Packers focused on the stength of the Bears and let the weakness play out.

I was impresses with the Bears Def. Killer pass rush and great scheaming with the new defensive looks that really threw A-Rod for a loop.

[sharpe1027]

Re: Although you got a win, should you be concerned with the

I know the Packers defense look much better than last year, but when you look at the tape, they gave up some big plays to what many considered a very sub-par WR group. I heard how the WR group of the Bears would not be able to do anything, and that Forte and the TE's is all the Bears have to throw to, but it was exactly the opposite. The young WR's ran some bad routes, and Cutler tossed some questionable INT's, but even with all that self destruction of the Bears passing game, they still did put up some impressive numbers against a pretty good Packers secondary.

Hester- 4 catches 90 yards and a TD. Had a very nice sideline grab and getting deep for that TD. He played like a #1 WR that night.

Knox- Yes, he stopped on his route on the slant but what do u honestly expect from a rookie wr from a D2 school? 2 catches 82 yards and one catch was for 68 yards in beating Woodson.

Bennett- 7 catches for 66 yards- I think this kid is very talented. He got a lot of separation from some good GB DB's. He did drop one and also had a dumb offsides and went back instead of coming forward when Cutler scrambled. Basically his first nfl game you have to expect mistakes from young guys like this.

I mentioned this because I have yet to see this brought up, for it seemed to get loss in all the defensive hoopla discussion in regards to both teams.
Nice win of course, but from that game, with the new expectations of the defense, can you honestly say you have no reason to be concerned?

Wait, I thought the INTs and incompletions were often the WR's fault? Which is it? How's the koolaid?

Honestly, any NFL WR can make a play or two. By-and-large your WRs will not scare any team.

[Zool]

He brings up a valid point though. The safety play was far from outstanding. I'd call it the weak link on the D from Sunday night.

[run pMc]

But I was just pointing out that these WR's are not looked on highly by anyone on the NFL, ESPECIALLY Packer fans. And if that was so before the game, how can you completely ignore that these guys were to gain some nice yardage in the secondary. And mind you none of those yards came in garbage time in a prevent defense.

Speaking for myself, I think Hester can be extremely dangerous. With his talent (and salary), I'd find ways to get him the ball. IIRC Earl Bennett played with Cutler and Vandy, so that should help both. He didn't play poorly -- he wouldn't be on the roster if he didn't have talent.

I think there's a greater concern for Olson and Forte because a LB or S is likely to be covering them, and that's a tough defensive matchup. Some of GB's LBs aren't good in man-to-man pass coverage, although the new scheme might hide that.
Vs. the WR's, Harris (in '07-'08) and Woodson ('08-'09) have each gone to the Pro Bowl, and Williams (the #3 DB) could start for most teams... so I think it's more a case of who the matchup favors than disrespect.

Am I concerned about the D?
I'll stop worrying when they pitch a few shutouts or at least prove they can be trusted to hold a lead against top-tier QB's. I'm mostly worried about things like avoiding injuries and blown coverages, seeing how well the players communicate, and stopping Adrian Peterson.
I think there will be some rocky games at first, but this defense will improve.
I was impressed with both defenses...that was a tough loss for Bears fans.

[Scott Campbell]

NO, I am not concerned about the D. Don't you have enough to worry about on your side of the ball? :P

Yes,as do all teams. But I will remember your quote here as saying you ARE not concerned sir.

Still savoring your moral victory?

Remember when Matt Forte didn't suck?

[Bossman641]

There are definitely a few things to get cleaned up in the pass D, but it's not like the Bear WR's were beating the cornerbacks consistently.

Woodson didn't have a very good game. I think he underestimated Knox in allowing him to blow by him and then missed a tackle on Hester along the sideline, resulting in a long run after catch. Collins, either due to a poor read or cramps, didn't react on the TD throw to Hester the way he should have. That's a ball I would normally expect him to pick off or at least knock down. Those 3 passes right there must have combined for close to 130 yards.