Good ESPN read on the Packers

[Bossman641]

It's not often I find an article from ESPN I think is really good, but this takes a good look at the Packers injury situation and goes inside the locker room a little bit

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5923437

[sheepshead]

Nice one.

[rbaloha1]

Okay we already know this stuff. More reason why Capers must be retained under any circumstances.

[swede]

For two years, Thompson was skewered for being the man who sent Brett Favre packing, who prompted the Favre payback tour against the Packers. Now Favre is 41 and fading, no longer a factor, and Thompson has slipped into public oblivion. He appears to like it that way, being the no-name executive. It means people will leave him alone to do his plotting.

I think the author meant to say that TT is no longer in the spotlight.

[Little Whiskey]

For two years, Thompson was skewered for being the man who sent Brett Favre packing, who prompted the Favre payback tour against the Packers. Now Favre is 41 and fading, no longer a factor, and Thompson has slipped into public oblivion. He appears to like it that way, being the no-name executive. It means people will leave him alone to do his plotting.

I think the author meant to say that TT is no longer in the spotlight.

Its an ESPN article. you think they would have tried to tt in a good light?

[MadScientist]

Okay we already know this stuff. More reason why Capers must be retained under any circumstances.

As head coach? That might be the only way to retain him.

[Fritz]

I wonder if he'd hire MM as his offensive coordinator...

[mraynrand]

2002, 2005, and 2010. Doesn't that seem like too many, too frequent injury plagued seasons? If I ever have to read another one of these "Soldiering on through injury" articles about the Packers, it will be too soon. As funny as it seems, I still think the main problem with the season is the offensive line. Losing Tauscher really is no biggie. The fact that they can't consistently block well has been the number one problem with the team, despite all the injuries.

[pbmax]

2002, 2005, and 2010. Doesn't that seem like too many, too frequent injury plagued seasons? If I ever have to read another one of these "Soldiering on through injury" articles about the Packers, it will be too soon. As funny as it seems, I still think the main problem with the season is the offensive line. Losing Tauscher really is no biggie. The fact that they can't consistently block well has been the number one problem with the team, despite all the injuries.

This is the same thing we keep going back and forth about. If they aren't pass blocking well, why are their sack numbers way dow? And how did Starks gain those yards against a decent run defense in the 49ers?

Losing Colledge really hurt versus Williams and Suh and the Lions. And losing him while playing on turf hurt more. Spitz isn't what he was physically and Lang has spent precious little time at LG since last year.

They are good enough to play average to above average against most fronts in the NFL. They play better on grass, despite all the pissing and moaning on this board that the Packers are a dome team.

But they aren't as good on turf. Clifton just doesn't have the mobility anymore and Bulaga is a rookie who plays like a rookie sometimes. And Wells can be physically dominated by a player like Suh. In fact, if Thompson reacts to Suh like Wolf reacted to Moss, expect the Packers to draft three straight centers next April.

They aren't terrible, but they can be had. Outdoors on Field Turf will be interesting. Snow would level that playing field on pass protection.

[rbaloha1]

As head coach? That might be the only way to retain him.

If this is the only way then hire Capers as head coach. Not the preferred option but Capers is proving to be one of the best coordinators in the NFL.

[mraynrand]

This is the same thing we keep going back and forth about. If they aren't pass blocking well, why are their sack numbers way dow? And how did Starks gain those yards against a decent run defense in the 49ers?

Losing Colledge really hurt versus Williams and Suh and the Lions. And losing him while playing on turf hurt more. Spitz isn't what he was physically and Lang has spent precious little time at LG since last year.

They are good enough to play average to above average against most fronts in the NFL. They play better on grass, despite all the pissing and moaning on this board that the Packers are a dome team.

But they aren't as good on turf. Clifton just doesn't have the mobility anymore and Bulaga is a rookie who plays like a rookie sometimes. And Wells can be physically dominated by a player like Suh. In fact, if Thompson reacts to Suh like Wolf reacted to Moss, expect the Packers to draft three straight centers next April.

They aren't terrible, but they can be had. Outdoors on Field Turf will be interesting. Snow would level that playing field on pass protection.

I agree mostly on the grass/outdoors versus turf/indoors/ontheroad deal. Except, were they really that bad at Atlanta? At Minnesota? I think the key word is 'consistently' - for whatever reason, the O line play is spotty. Needs to be exceptional tomorrow night to give Flynn a fighting chance.

[MJZiggy]

If this is the only way then hire Capers as head coach. Not the preferred option but Capers is proving to be one of the best coordinators in the NFL.

That experiment has been tried and failed.

[rbaloha1]

That experiment has been tried and failed.

True. Does the Belichek thinking fit for Capers?

[MJZiggy]

True. Does the Belichek thinking fit for Capers?

Depends. Does Capers have a moral cell left in his body? If so, then no. Belichek has been called an offensive genius, but he also has an exceptional quarterback that does a lot of his genius for him. Capers is a defensive guru, so what's he going to do to for the offensive genius? The recruitment program in GB is similar to the one that the Pats were using just as Brady was coming into his own.

[Bretsky]

Bellichek is not just an offensive genius or a defensive genius. He is a football genius. Anybody listen to how Brady raved about how great it was to meet with BB and break down Bear film ? That defense is very young. He's focused tons of time on helping to make that unit look respectable. Regardless of how he does in the playoffs this might be his best year of coaching.

As for Capers, I kind of doubt he gets another opportunity to be a head coach for a while. There are several great OC and DC's as well as former head coaches everybody craves. Throw a few college coaches in there as well. Everybody seems to be looking for the next great assistant who is young(Mike Tomlin), a former great NFL coach, or college candy. Capers really doesn't fit any of those, but he is one of many outstanding defensive coordinators with some age on him. I'll be happy to have him stay in GB for a while. We are blessed to have Capers, and IMO, Tom Clements, as coaches at their level.