2013 Packers Starting Defensive Line: Who Ya Got?

[wist43]

Jones and Raji.

How often are 3 DL going to be on the field together?? We've only got 1 guy that can 2-gap - Picket. 2nd and 6 and Capers is in a 2-4 nickel.

Masochistically, I just got done watching lowlights of the 49er game.

I don't know how you overcome the debacle that was that game. Capers wasn't just clueless about the pistol, he was clueless about how to stop any facet of the Niners attack. We got run over, run thru, passed thru, passed over, and blocked clear off the field on just about every snap after the first 10 minutes of the game.

I like a lot of the players, but Capers is misusing just about everybody, and I don't expect that to change. Jones will help, but we desperately needed an 'immovable object' type NT to anchor the line, but TT traded back and picked the persian guy instead.

It's up to Capers to find a way to use our defensive linemen to the best of their ability.

I would argue, given the players we have to work with; given their strengths and weaknesses; and the strengths and weaknesses of our LB'ing corp; that we should be using more 4-3/4-2 fronts. We're very pedestrian at LB after Matthews, and hopefully Perry; and given that Pickett is our only reliable 2-gap DL, going to a 4 man line would give us more size on the field, and allow our defensive linemen to do what they do best - penetrate, control 1 gap, disrupt. Perry would be at LDE, Jones, Raji, whoever... you could stand Perry up, send Matthews or not, etc.

I'd much rather mix 4 defensive linemen looks in with the base 3-4, than to go small with the 2-4.

[wist43]

Ultimately, it's about getting our guys in positions to succeed. Pickett is a good player, but he's a 2-gap run stopper. I think he has to play NT. Considering we play so little 3-4, I think Pick should be our starting NT in the 3-4 package.

Jones(Wilson in run situations)/Pick/Neal (our best run stopper with two guys that can press the pocket on the ends)

In the 2-4
Raji/(Daniels, Jones, Neal) rotation


I like this because.

A. Pickett is in a spot that accentuates his skillset
B. Raji gets some rest and is in a spot where he's created the most impact
C. It keeps our young guys in one-gap roles where I think they'll excel

As I've said, Jones will help - but the drafting of Jones, and only Jones as a serious addition to the front 6, necessarily means that Capers is going to play just as much, if not more, 2-4.

We needed at least 1 more fire hydrant type NT. Brandon Williams fit the bill, TT said, '...mmmm, nah'... we can't go big, b/c we don't have enough bigs.

The only way I see out of the maze, is to play more four man lines... something Capers would never do. I do have faith that he'll be gone after this season though... so that's the good news

[Fritz]

Also fritz with all the love Datone got after being drafted, I would personally be a little bothered if he didn't get the start, bump the package apparently he has to much talent to be off the field.

Well, the guy's a rook and I think he's more of a pass rusher; thus I'd like to see the team keep him fresh for passing downs. And while I'm thinking this way, I'd like to change my line to Neal-Pickett-Wilson. That's the best combo to play two gap and stop the run.

[pbmax]

When you say base defense, I take it to mean the defense that's most often used. In that case, I'll guess Jones/Raji/Neal or just Jones/Neal or just Jones lol

For the purposes of the poll, I am sticking with the Packer designation of base as 3-4, though your point about what get used most often is a fine one.

I am mainly interested in who people thing Jones (or Neal, or someone) is going to be taking snaps from. So far, that candidate is Wilson.

[rbaloha1]

Jones and Raji.

How often are 3 DL going to be on the field together?? We've only got 1 guy that can 2-gap - Picket. 2nd and 6 and Capers is in a 2-4 nickel.

Masochistically, I just got done watching lowlights of the 49er game.

I don't know how you overcome the debacle that was that game. Capers wasn't just clueless about the pistol, he was clueless about how to stop any facet of the Niners attack. We got run over, run thru, passed thru, passed over, and blocked clear off the field on just about every snap after the first 10 minutes of the game.

I like a lot of the players, but Capers is misusing just about everybody, and I don't expect that to change. Jones will help, but we desperately needed an 'immovable object' type NT to anchor the line, but TT traded back and picked the persian guy instead.

It's up to Capers to find a way to use our defensive linemen to the best of their ability.

I would argue, given the players we have to work with; given their strengths and weaknesses; and the strengths and weaknesses of our LB'ing corp; that we should be using more 4-3/4-2 fronts. We're very pedestrian at LB after Matthews, and hopefully Perry; and given that Pickett is our only reliable 2-gap DL, going to a 4 man line would give us more size on the field, and allow our defensive linemen to do what they do best - penetrate, control 1 gap, disrupt. Perry would be at LDE, Jones, Raji, whoever... you could stand Perry up, send Matthews or not, etc.

I'd much rather mix 4 defensive linemen looks in with the base 3-4, than to go small with the 2-4.

Another standing ovation At least you are not an apologist for the pathetic performance.

Voted with the majority on d-linemen starting.

[Fritz]

For the purposes of the poll, I am sticking with the Packer designation of base as 3-4, though your point about what get used most often is a fine one.

I am mainly interested in who people thing Jones (or Neal, or someone) is going to be taking snaps from. So far, that candidate is Wilson.

I think - or maybe hope - that it will be Neal taking snaps not from Wilson in the base, but from Raji/Pickett or whoever plays end. I'd love to see a couple of ends emerge so that Raji and Pickett can split time at the nose. Maybe on passing downs Raji could play end, with Jones and/or Neal.

[rbaloha1]

I think - or maybe hope - that it will be Neal taking snaps not from Wilson in the base, but from Raji/Pickett or whoever plays end. I'd love to see a couple of ends emerge so that Raji and Pickett can split time at the nose. Maybe on passing downs Raji could play end, with Jones and/or Neal.

If Neal is getting increased pt it means the draft pics and Jolly are busts.

Why all the Neal love for a fake tough guy?

[Fritz]

I don't think Mike Neal is a "fake tough guy" - I think he's a good pass rusher and a good player, and if he can stay healthy (a big if, I know) I think he will have more sacks this year than Jones will. I think he'll have a damn fine year.

But we'll see.

[pbmax]

My concern with Jones simply replacing Wilson is that the only way that improves the D line and front seven is if he makes enough plays that he can attract a double team. Wilson doesn't make a lot of big plays but he can man the position versus the run than Raji at DE and probably equal to Pickett at DE. There isn't a big upside though it might be enough to allow better ILB play. Remember, Matthews had few problems teaming with Wilson on run D which makes me think its more Walden than Wilson in 2011.

Wilson wasn't the guy getting burned by the 49ers.

Jones moving Raji inside in base Oakie and perhaps spelling Wilson in Eagle Oakie (Raji at 3 tech, Pick at 1 tech, Jones/Wilson/Neal at 5 tech) gives Raji and Pick fewer snaps and only 2 spots to play.

I interpret the drafting of Jones as partially a way to fulfill that desire.

But it could be Ted grabbing the best guy and it happened he wasn't a NT type. And so this year will be a single position upgrade, Wilson for Jones/Neal.

[pittstang5]

Don't know, don't care. I just want to see Kaeper-bitch lying on his back...alot during the season opener.

[Brandon494]

IMO if the packers d-line is going to have success jones needs to start pronto and boyd and jolly also need to be part of the rotation pronto.

Yea a late 5th round pick and a guy who hasn't played in 3 years is exactly what our defense needs to be successful.

[rbaloha1]

Yea a late 5th round pick and a guy who hasn't played in 3 years is exactly what our defense needs to be successful.

What are the other options?

[Mazzin]

That's pretty effin' funny. Repped.

Not exactly sure where I read it, but I'm certain that I did, but his nickname with a few teammates at UCLA was DialTone Jones.

[Mazzin]

I kind of agree with Brandon as far as not expecting to much out of these to fellas, yet I agree with rb that there aren't many other options for a Rotation. I personally trust our coaches to be the judge and won't question it either way. Well until the first game that is

I'm excited to check out our new guys, I really wanted the pack to take a look at Kyle Love from N.E. but the jags snatched him up real fast. Does anyone else think he would have been any good with us, and before ya mention it yes I know about he diabetes and weight loss. Didn't the same thing happen with Cutler?

[wist43]

My concern with Jones simply replacing Wilson is that the only way that improves the D line and front seven is if he makes enough plays that he can attract a double team. Wilson doesn't make a lot of big plays but he can man the position versus the run than Raji at DE and probably equal to Pickett at DE. There isn't a big upside though it might be enough to allow better ILB play. Remember, Matthews had few problems teaming with Wilson on run D which makes me think its more Walden than Wilson in 2011.

Wilson wasn't the guy getting burned by the 49ers.

Jones moving Raji inside in base Oakie and perhaps spelling Wilson in Eagle Oakie (Raji at 3 tech, Pick at 1 tech, Jones/Wilson/Neal at 5 tech) gives Raji and Pick fewer snaps and only 2 spots to play.

I interpret the drafting of Jones as partially a way to fulfill that desire.

But it could be Ted grabbing the best guy and it happened he wasn't a NT type. And so this year will be a single position upgrade, Wilson for Jones/Neal.

Jones is a huge upgrade over Wilson, but again it comes down to how Capers will use him and the others. It's all on Capers.

Due to Jones's outstanding first step, I fully expect teams will have to account for his quickness into gaps off the snap. For that reason, using Jones on stunts with Perry, Raji, Neal, and Daniels should be very effective as teams will have to account for Jones first.

That said, we still have the the same problems we had last year. We get better with Perry coming back, but our ILB's and sub-package guys are the very definition of pedestrian - and since our defensive linemen are more likely to be charged with penetrating as opposed to eating up blocks, and since we don't have LB's that can stack and shed - we're going to get a lot more of what we got last year.

Over the course of season, and going up against power teams, we needed at least one more capable big man and we didn't get one. I fully expect Capers to simply run more of what he ran last year, only expecting different results. That won't work.

The problem is Capers, and as long as he's our DC it is next to impossible to evaluate the players. As I've said, if I'm BJ Raji?? I'm outta there the second the clock strikes 0:00 in the final game.