The Level-Headed Thread About the Defense.

[denverYooper]

And by the way, anyone who argues against the bye week next year should simply be reminded of this game. The 49ers put both weeks to good use.

Or the idea that the Packers are better away from home.

[3irty1]

I agree that some more guys like Bishop who can set a nasty tone on defense could give the defense the edge it needs. I don't think Teo is necessarily that guy.

[denverYooper]

The Packers lost in the second round of the playoffs to a better team. Get over it. You don't need to sink the ship because there are a few mice on board. Next year they might have better luck on the injury front, Rodgers and his receivers regain their chemistry, along with the defense getting back Bishop, Perry, and Worthy. Also figuring out how to stop the veer.

[rbaloha1]

I agree that some more guys like Bishop who can set a nasty tone on defense could give the defense the edge it needs. I don't think Teo is necessarily that guy.

Teo is harder to evaluate after a poor performance against bama.

Skip Bayless labels Teo the next Ray Lewis -- NO! Is Teo another Seau -- NO

IMO Teo is a pro bowl type player that brings an incredible work ethic and leadership. Russell Wilson type leader. Firery in a way that elevates team's level of play.

[Deputy Nutz]

Blah Blah Blah!

Is your answer to keep everything the same and hope for this and hope for that?

I don't care one way or another, my point is winning a Super Bowl is very challenging in this era or any era. The Packers are an above average franchise, and they have been that way for 20 years with two Super Bowl victories during that time. Since 1992 they have missed the playoffs 6 times. every off-season the work put in by the coaching staff and front office is to get better and to improve the team for the next season. Packer fans are no longer happy just getting to the playoffs, or winning a playoff game, they are Super Bowl or bust, fans similar to Cowboy fans.

The Packers are in good hands with McCarthy and Thompson, they are going to keep them competitive as long as they are both in GB. As a fan I think that is all you can ask for, once the season starts it is a crap shoot in making it to the Super Bowl or winning the Super Bowl. To many variables with injuries, player performance, and schedule.

[rbaloha1]

I don't care one way or another, my point is winning a Super Bowl is very challenging in this era or any era. The Packers are an above average franchise, and they have been that way for 20 years with two Super Bowl victories during that time. Since 1992 they have missed the playoffs 6 times. every off-season the work put in by the coaching staff and front office is to get better and to improve the team for the next season. Packer fans are no longer happy just getting to the playoffs, or winning a playoff game, they are Super Bowl or bust, fans similar to Cowboy fans.

The Packers are in good hands with McCarthy and Thompson, they are going to keep them competitive as long as they are both in GB. As a fan I think that is all you can ask for, once the season starts it is a crap shoot in making it to the Super Bowl or winning the Super Bowl. To many variables with injuries, player performance, and schedule.

Thank goodness you are not involved with Packer's operations.

[Patler]

I thin Nutz hit the nail squarely on the head. All that the GM and HC can do is assess the weaknesses of last year and try to improve while attempting to minimize the development of other weaknesses.

There are so many variables, players performances change, players get old, injuries happen, opponents change in who they are and how they play from year to year and even in the same year. As they say, its not so much which teams you play, but when you play them.

The primary goal is get to the playoffs, then hope that things are in order and fall your way to make a run at it. TT and MM should keep the Packers in contention.

[sharpe1027]

The way I see it, there are three major issues with the personnel on defense. Two of them are due to injury.

Problem #1, Jones is not a starting caliber inside linebacker. He gets washed away, pancake blocked and overruns the play enough to make Hawk look outstanding. Of course, he's a OLBer moved inside because we lost our starter and backup and the same position.
Problem #2, Walden is not a starting caliber outside linebacker.
Problem #3, Jennings and Woodson are not starting caliber safeties. Jennings is Peprah 2.0. Woodson does not have the range to play safety and plays best acting as a small linebacker.

My take on a few other discussion points is that

1) Hawk is a good player. Maybe he is not worth his entire salary and did not justify his draft position. However, it's about time that people forget where he was drafted and just go by his play in the field. He's not the problem on the defense. If they had a better player available, fine, but keep him until then.

2) The D-line is OK, and has several young guys that should improve. It is not dominating by any means, but would be more than adequate with the LBers shored up.

3) Now that Shields is playing with some passion again, the DBs are the strongest position in depth and quality.

Just my arm chair GM opinions.

[sharpe1027]

As a fan I think that is all you can ask for, once the season starts it is a crap shoot in making it to the Super Bowl or winning the Super Bowl. To many variables with injuries, player performance, and schedule.

Yes.

[rbaloha1]

Or the idea that the Packers are better away from home.

And Domes.

[rbaloha1]

I thin Nutz hit the nail squarely on the head. All that the GM and HC can do is assess the weaknesses of last year and try to improve while attempting to minimize the development of other weaknesses.

There are so many variables, players performances change, players get old, injuries happen, opponents change in who they are and how they play from year to year and even in the same year. As they say, its not so much which teams you play, but when you play them.

The primary goal is get to the playoffs, then hope that things are in order and fall your way to make a run at it. TT and MM should keep the Packers in contention.

This is true after one year.

But after being physically dominated 2 years in a row requires major changes to the defense -- something is not right and to continue to rationalize does absolutely no good.

[rbaloha1]

Yes.

This only applies to fantasy football.

[Deputy Nutz]

Did you even recognize the how awesome the offensive line is for the 49ers? Or recognize that when you have to play shitty players like Walden and Jones you are bound to get shitty results?

Did you recognize that this defense got it together and physically dominated the Vikings running game last week? They were sure physical against Peterson and held him under 100.

They weren't in position to stop the veer read. Coaching probably, player breakdown, absolutely. They didn't run the veer at Mathews, they took to the weak part of the defense, capes should have bounced Mathews around, and several times on 3rd and less than 5 Capers screwed up and kept bringing his dime defense in.

[rbaloha1]

Did you even recognize the how awesome the offensive line is for the 49ers? Or recognize that when you have to play shitty players like Walden and Jones you are bound to get shitty results?

Did you recognize that this defense got it together and physically dominated the Vikings running game last week? They were sure physical against Peterson and held him under 100.

They weren't in position to stop the veer read. Coaching probably, player breakdown, absolutely. They didn't run the veer at Mathews, they took to the weak part of the defense, capes should have bounced Mathews around, and several times on 3rd and less than 5 Capers screwed up and kept bringing his dime defense in.

Thanks for restating the obvious.

This only reinforces the major changes required on defense.

Over anlayzing and venting does nothing except reinforce the status quo.

[Deputy Nutz]

Thank goodness you are not involved with Packer's operations.

You're rational