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[bobblehead]

I remember some of us were encouraging the Pack to trade up in the draft in 2007 to get AP or Marshawn Lynch. But injury concerns about those two fellows dissuaded Thompson, I think. Glad he felt differently this year about Lacy.

Did we trade up to get Lacy?? No, we traded down. He didn't feel differently at all.

As for Lynch and AP, both the teams that drafted them have been in the dumps. Minny had one shot and AP fumbled, what? 3 times in that game?

[bobblehead]

It's hard not to be presumptuous when there are multiple times in TT's past where he has come close to a trade, but each time he was outbid by just a smidge. This includes attempts at securing Randy Moss, Tony Gonzalez, and Marshawn Lynch.

Total superbowls for teams that outbid TT for those 3 guys?

[pittstang5]

I'm not looking forward to this season at all and it's because of the defense. I really think we're in for a long season, I think we could have a season like the Saints had last year. We got no help on defense in the offseason. Players that were injured last year and I thought would help this year (Woodson, Bishop) have been released. No one on the current roster, imo, is even close to filling their jock on the field or in the locker room. As much as Wist gets ridiculed for his opinions, he's right about this - they're soft. Teams like SF, Seattle, NY Giants are going to continue to beat us like a red headed step child. This team will start 0-2.

[HarveyWallbangers]

If Datone Jones and Nick Perry turn out to be as good as I think they could be, there's hope for this defense. I also think Jerron McMillian could become solid. A full season of health from Tramon Williams, Sam Shields, and Davon House (a couple of them anyways) would be useful--as would Raji returning to previous form.

[Maxie the Taxi]

In 2007 Pack drafted Justin Harrell with their 1st pick and then used its 2nd pick to fill the running back void by drafting Brandon Jackson. In 2008 they drafted Brian Brohm with the very next pick after Baltimore took Ray Rice who was all-everything at Rutgers. In 2008 Pack drafted no running backs.

I think TT and McCarthy thought they could fill the RB slot with no-names ala Mike Shanahan due to zone blocking scheme. Hell, I thought so too up to a point. Still, Lynch and Rice were at the top of my draft list. It's hard to pass on RB talent when it's obvious. I'm glad they went with top name RB talent this year.

Just one old man's opinion.

[swede]

If Datone Jones and Nick Perry turn out to be as good as I think they could be, there's hope for this defense. I also think Jerron McMillian could become solid. A full season of health from Tramon Williams, Sam Shields, and Davon House (a couple of them anyways) would be useful--as would Raji returning to previous form.

I'm going to tell people you told them so.

[Joemailman]

If Datone Jones and Nick Perry turn out to be as good as I think they could be, there's hope for this defense. I also think Jerron McMillian could become solid. A full season of health from Tramon Williams, Sam Shields, and Davon House (a couple of them anyways) would be useful--as would Raji returning to previous form.

A lot of people have been lamenting the Packers defense isn't physical enough. I think a defense with Perry, Datone Jones, House and McMillian on the field would bring a more physical presence than what we've seen the last 2 years. Worthy and/or Jolly could also figure into that as well.

I like the potential of this defense.

[packer4life]

Total superbowls for teams that outbid TT for those 3 guys?

New England took Moss and strolled to a 16-0 season. That's gotta count for something

[packer4life]

I'm not looking forward to this season at all and it's because of the defense. I really think we're in for a long season, I think we could have a season like the Saints had last year. We got no help on defense in the offseason. Players that were injured last year and I thought would help this year (Woodson, Bishop) have been released. No one on the current roster, imo, is even close to filling their jock on the field or in the locker room. As much as Wist gets ridiculed for his opinions, he's right about this - they're soft. Teams like SF, Seattle, NY Giants are going to continue to beat us like a red headed step child. This team will start 0-2.

If his "vision" comes together, we will be improved and just fine. If a few things do not go as planned (Datone busts, Perry busts, Burnett/Matthews acquire nagging injuries), well then my friends we are toast. A good offense and a feeble defense is not gonna beat SF/Seattle.

[RashanGary]

A lot of people have been lamenting the Packers defense isn't physical enough. I think a defense with Perry, Datone Jones, House and McMillian on the field would bring a more physical presence than what we've seen the last 2 years. Worthy and/or Jolly could also figure into that as well.

I like the potential of this defense.

I'm with you and HW. There are a lot of young guys that give me hope. The ones you listed would be right at the top of my list. I have a hunch with Mike Daniels too. I have a feeling he's going to be a good pass rusher.

[wist43]

A lot of people have been lamenting the Packers defense isn't physical enough. I think a defense with Perry, Datone Jones, House and McMillian on the field would bring a more physical presence than what we've seen the last 2 years. Worthy and/or Jolly could also figure into that as well.

I like the potential of this defense.

I like all those guys - and I like a lot of the other guys we have on defense; so begs the question why do we suck so bad when we play good competition??

Throwing spitballs at those who point out the failures isn't a rational defense of, or critique of, the defense. It isn't as if spitting in my eye b/c I call a spade a spade is suddenly going to erase our defenses problems, or erase our memories of getting bitch slapped.

For me it comes down to Capers. For the 2011 season, I put more of the blame on TT for doing nothing to address the defense in the offseason - but that doesn't mean Capers couldn't have done more with what he had.

On the coattails of that, we have one overriding philosophical flaw that is problematic - and that is a "as small as possible" mindset. If we should be in base, Capers wants to be in nickel; if we should be in nickel, Capers wants to be in dime... he always wants to be "one-up" in defending the pass - as a result we get run over a lot. Combine that with the fact that the Packers routinely try to get 1-gap penetrators (namely Raji) to play a 2-gap role, and you're well on your way to having a lot of problems.

Capers is the problem. I wish we had taken Brandon Williams when we had the shot at him in the 3rd round - we desperately need another 2-gap DL; but TT spit on the idea and drafted another soft OL (the persian guy). So we're stuck with what we have.

Still, if Capers would stop inhaling the paint fumes after he spray paints his hair every morning, maybe we could field a decent defense when we're matched against physical teams like the 49'ers.

[Pugger]

It's hard not to be presumptuous when there are multiple times in TT's past where he has come close to a trade, but each time he was outbid by just a smidge. This includes attempts at securing Randy Moss, Tony Gonzalez, and Marshawn Lynch.

To my recollection, TT wouldn't give a 3rd, only a 4th. Lynch was traded for a 3rd.

No, he was traded for two draft picks, a fourth-rounder in 2011 and a conditional pick in 2012. Maybe it was the second pick TT didn't want to yield?

[Patler]

No, he was traded for two draft picks, a fourth-rounder in 2011 and a conditional pick in 2012. Maybe it was the second pick TT didn't want to yield?

...and the conditional pick ended up being a 5th round pick. Quite often conditional picks seem to range from nothing to a 6th or 7th, This had higher value than what we often think of for conditional picks.

[packer4life]

...and the conditional pick ended up being a 5th round pick. Quite often conditional picks seem to range from nothing to a 6th or 7th, This had higher value than what we often think of for conditional picks.

I would've given a 4th, a 5th, and my left testicle for Marshawn Lynch. Dude was a known stud even back then.

[Upnorth]

As has been pointed out in past threads capers starts strong for two to three years then tapers off till he gets fired. However I think we have one more year of frustration till he is gone. I think the talent we have is better than the results.
How the article ignores our d I can't understand.