Pass rush improvement?

[Willard]

I believe the key to a successful season is to win the turn-over battle (shocking, I know ). Considering the offense's generosity in giving the ball away, the defense really needs to step up their take-aways. Wicked pressure on the opposing QB is the best way to accomplish this.

I like our DT rotation, but am not convinced they will create significant pressure. I am just hoping they can stuff the run, which will lead to third-and-longs. This creates a takeaway-rich environment.

I was hoping for an upgrade at DE this off-season, but no significant moves were made. So what are the options?

KGB will be better because of Rock's weight training regimen?

Kampman will continue to improve his pressures as he has every year?

Petersen and or Montgomery will make huge strides and get on the field a lot more?

One of the longshots (i.e., Hunter) will shock the world and become a playa?

Sanders will need to blitz LB/S/CB to generate pressure putting more pressure on the secondary?

Of all these scenarios I think the final one (blitzing) is the likely answer. What a luxury it would be if our front 4 could consistently harass opposing QBs (like they do in Chicago)! But can the Pack really get 20 sacks out of KGB and Kampman?

I would love to get a TC update on how our pass rush looks with the front 4, and also what blitzing schemes Sanders is working on. Anybody?[/url]

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

But can the Pack really get 20 sacks out of KGB and Kampman?

They usually do, but the sad thing is their coverage sacks. You never see one of them just destory the other teams o-line men.

[MadtownPacker]

This is my only concern on D. In the last couple of years opposing QBs have had all day to sit back and scan the field. This has accounted for all the scrub QBs having career days against the Pack. I dont care what they gotta do, send the house, just dont let these guys stand back there all day.

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

This is my only concern on D. In the last couple of years opposing QBs have had all day to sit back and scan the field. This has accounted for all the scrub QBs having career days against the Pack. I dont care what they gotta do, send the house, just dont let these guys stand back there all day.

Slowik tried that and we went 1-4 and didn't turn it around in 2004 until he stopped. Our best bet is to stay with Bates scheme.

[MadtownPacker]

Yeah but Slowit didnt call them at the right times. Aint no good on every play.

Hawk or Hodge on a LB blitz would be nice cuz Barnett sucks at getting to the ball. Carroll is also very good when his number is called but he will be too busy shutting down #1 receivers.

[packers11]

Our rush to qb will be a lot better..... 4 words : Hawk,Barnett,Hodge/Taylor ..... All very good LB's , you watch the steelers game vs colts in playoffs... All they did was blitz a different lb everytime..... Worked like a charm, and finally we have a GOOD lb crew

[HarveyWallbangers]

Re: Pass rush improvement?

KGB will be better because of Rock's weight training regimen?

I don't think so. He is what he is. A hard working, fast, undersized DE that doesn't have the frame to get bigger. I saw him in training camp footage on the NFL Channel yesterday, and he didn't look any bigger.

[ahaha]

Shutting down the run could be huge. It's not like we don't have any players with pass-rush ability--KGB, Jenkins, Kampman, Hawk and Poppinga on blitzes hopefully. There is a big difference between 3rd & 9 and 3rd & 3.

[MadtownPacker]

Re: Pass rush improvement?

Yeah KGB is what he is, one trick pony. If the D can finally create some 3rd & 10+ situations then KGB will have a dozen or so sacks for sure. Ones that wont be in garbage time either.

[BF4MVP]

Woodson getting ten picks should improve the D's turnover stat.

[BallHawk]

Yeah, I defintely think we will improve thanks to the LB's. Last year we were almost last in the league in INTs with 10. If we want to create turnovers we need to have the pressure on the QB. We don't have the same quality of LBs as the Steelers, but I would consider our LB core in the top half of the league. I don't know how aggresive Sanders plans on being, but I'm confident we will defintely create more turnovers than last year.

[Partial]

Yeah, I defintely think we will improve thanks to the LB's. Last year we were almost last in the league in INTs with 10. If we want to create turnovers we need to have the pressure on the QB. We don't have the same quality of LBs as the Steelers, but I would consider our LB core in the top half of the league. I don't know how aggresive Sanders plans on being, but I'm confident we will defintely create more turnovers than last year.

I would not be so sure. AJ Hawk is going to be one of the better ones in the league the moment he steps on the field. Barnett is pretty average in my opinion, but maybe will be better since teams cannot gameplan simply around him anymore. I look forward to seeing Hodge and the rest of the LB group more than anything else at practice next week

[Willard]

Our rush to qb will be a lot better..... 4 words : Hawk,Barnett,Hodge/Taylor ..... All very good LB's , you watch the steelers game vs colts in playoffs... All they did was blitz a different lb everytime..... Worked like a charm, and finally we have a GOOD lb crew

I do remember reading about MM's (or was it TT's?) respect for the style of defense played by Pittsburg. So how do they do it?

Pittsburg had 47 sacks (compared to 35 for the Pack), led by 2 linebackers: Joey Porter had 10.5 and Clark Haggans had 9. Their top DL (Kimo von Oelhoffen) only had 3.5.

In contrast the DEs led the Pack. KGB had 8, Kampman had 6.5. Peterson and Jenkins each had 3 as did Al Harris. The top LB was Poppinga with 2 in limited playing time.

The Bates' Scheme seems quite conservative. Perhaps with better talent (and more confidence in our corners) Sanders can unleash the dogs!

[Partial]

Sanders said he intends to play the same scheme but more agressively this year. In addition to this, Hawk and Hodge are both very good blitzers. Chuck is also going to be a very good blitzer from the slot and they had better use this because he is the same style of player as LeRoy. These facts paired with the fact they are a much more physical and hard hitting team this year should be benifical and wear teams down sooner

[Rastak]

Woodson getting ten picks should improve the D's turnover stat.

The last time he had more than 4? 1998...and year he had 5, his career high.