Official 49er Playoff Week Discussion Thread

[pittstang5]

Has anyone seen the status of Josh Boyd? He wasn't on Wednesday's injury report. Didn't he leave the game Sunday? Did he come back?

[woodbuck27]

Has anyone seen the status of Josh Boyd? He wasn't on Wednesday's injury report. Didn't he leave the game Sunday? Did he come back?

Good Day pittstang5:

Packers Injury Report;

http://www.packers.com/team/injury-report.html

Nothing there pittstang5.


** http://www.packers.com/team/roster/J...3-9475bb5a8942

GO PACKERS...GO PACK GO !

[wist43]

Most of the comments in this thread come back to my 2-3 year long contention that we are drafting good players, but they are miscast for either a straight-up 3-4, and/or whatever it is that Capers is trying to do.

We can't really go to a straight-up 3-4 b/c we don't have enough 2-gap DL, especially with Jolly out now; and Capers using the 2-4 as more of base than a sub-package, which is what it should be, certainly isn't working. Which brings us back to my contention that we should be using more 3-3 nickel alignments.

Capers 2-4 is getting flat out run over, and generating little pressure - one thing is for sure, this is not the answer, yet it is his "run to safety" alignment.

By swapping out the 2-4 for a 3-3, you at least have 3 down linemen who are in-line and prepared to take on the run, as opposed to just having 2. You also have another 40-70 lbs of muscle/fat in the box to either stuff the run, or squeeze the pocket. You still have the 5th DB on the field to deal with the 3rd WR, and you still have the option of using one of the 3 LB slots as a cover a guy, ala Brad Jones. You can man Jones up on the RB, or drop Hawk and the safety into short zones; you can play man or cover 2 on the outside and in the back.

In short, you have just as much flexibility, depending on personnel as you do with a 2-4. The 2-4 is getting us dismal results. If you can't get home by rushing 4 out of that alignment, then you need to give it a different look using most of the same personnel. I'd use the personnel in waves to keep everyone fresh, and scheme formations to down and distance relative to the offensive personnel. You're still matching up to their personnel, but you are better able to dictate to them, as opposed to them dictating to you.

Capers is entirely reactionary, while occassionally throwing in an exotic blitz wrinkle. Then he goes right back to his 2-4 and gives up easy yards.

I do expect Capers to run more 3-4 against the Niners, but with Jolly out, Raji and Pickett worn down, everyone else miscast as 3-4 down linemen, and Capers penchant to jump to the 2-4 as soon as possible - I expect a repeat of game 1 from this year.

Maybe the weather will help us? and maybe Rodgers and the offense can do enough? Let's hope so - it's the playoffs, and we have a puncher's chance.

[woodbuck27]

Most of the comments in this thread come back to my 2-3 year long contention that we are drafting good players, but they are miscast for either a straight-up 3-4, and/or whatever it is that Capers is trying to do.

We can't really go to a straight-up 3-4 b/c we don't have enough 2-gap DL, especially with Jolly out now; and Capers using the 2-4 as more of base than a sub-package, which is what it should be, certainly isn't working. Which brings us back to my contention that we should be using more 3-3 nickel alignments.

Capers 2-4 is getting flat out run over, and generating little pressure - one thing is for sure, this is not the answer, yet it is his "run to safety" alignment.

By swapping out the 2-4 for a 3-3, you at least have 3 down linemen who are in-line and prepared to take on the run, as opposed to just having 2. You also have another 40-70 lbs of muscle/fat in the box to either stuff the run, or squeeze the pocket. You still have the 5th DB on the field to deal with the 3rd WR, and you still have the option of using one of the 3 LB slots as a cover a guy, ala Brad Jones. You can man Jones up on the RB, or drop Hawk and the safety into short zones; you can play man or cover 2 on the outside and in the back.

In short, you have just as much flexibility, depending on personnel as you do with a 2-4. The 2-4 is getting us dismal results. If you can't get home by rushing 4 out of that alignment, then you need to give it a different look using most of the same personnel. I'd use the personnel in waves to keep everyone fresh, and scheme formations to down and distance relative to the offensive personnel. You're still matching up to their personnel, but you are better able to dictate to them, as opposed to them dictating to you.

Capers is entirely reactionary, while occassionally throwing in an exotic blitz wrinkle. Then he goes right back to his 2-4 and gives up easy yards.

I do expect Capers to run more 3-4 against the Niners, but with Jolly out, Raji and Pickett worn down, everyone else miscast as 3-4 down linemen, and Capers penchant to jump to the 2-4 as soon as possible - I expect a repeat of game 1 from this year.

Maybe the weather will help us? and maybe Rodgers and the offense can do enough? Let's hope so - it's the playoffs, and we have a puncher's chance.

Why Dom Capers can't get that is such a mystery to me.

It's so damn frustrating.

Is it a supply of size and talent problem? Is it an issue and scheme and situation?

How difficult is that for these experts to unravel and fix?

It seems to me that the answer is:

Over the top too difficult and I'm simply amazed at that.

Damn !

PACKERS !

[woodbuck27]

NFL CHAMPIONSHIPS = 13.

DIVISION - CONFERENCE TITLES = 25

PLAYOFF APPEARANCES = 29

PLAYOFF RECORD: 30-18

NEXT UP and then DOWN >>> The San Francisco 49ers.

GO PACKERS...GO PACK GO !

[Packers4Glory]

I've got a guard weekend this week so I'll probably miss at least the 1st half....which might be ok. I'm debating on recording it but it seems when I do (like the last SF game) we lose. Maybe I'll just rush home and hope to be pleasantly surprised....I really have no expectations for this game or for this playoff run. Too many injuries and a defense that is the worst in the playoffs by a mile.

[woodbuck27]

I've got a guard weekend this week so I'll probably miss at least the 1st half....which might be ok. I'm debating on recording it but it seems when I do (like the last SF game) we lose. Maybe I'll just rush home and hope to be pleasantly surprised....I really have no expectations for this game or for this playoff run. Too many injuries and a defense that is the worst in the playoffs by a mile.

Ohh but the Green Bay Packers need you 100% on with believing in a Green Bay Packer Victory over the San Fran 49ers !

BELIEVE THAT !

[Pugger]

Has anyone seen the status of Josh Boyd? He wasn't on Wednesday's injury report. Didn't he leave the game Sunday? Did he come back?

I'm pretty certain he returned in the Chicago game.

[mraynrand]

Do you enjoy beginning or ending posts with some smartass, insulting or backhanded comment? Does that seem appropriate to you? Someone treated you really badly growing up Eh. I feel sad for you....that you need to take that out on anyone here.

I stand for myself but I never mean to go out of my way to make enemies here. This is a Packer fan forum.I've been a Green Bay Packer fan of good standing likely longer than you.

Geez Dad, not another lecture. Can't you just ground me for a week and spare me the sermon?

[pbmax]

Most of the comments in this thread come back to my 2-3 year long contention that we are drafting good players, but they are miscast for either a straight-up 3-4, and/or whatever it is that Capers is trying to do.

We can't really go to a straight-up 3-4 b/c we don't have enough 2-gap DL, especially with Jolly out now; and Capers using the 2-4 as more of base than a sub-package, which is what it should be, certainly isn't working. Which brings us back to my contention that we should be using more 3-3 nickel alignments.

.

You do not need to 2 gap a 3-4. The Steelers play one gap 3-4 quite a bit and had moved to it under LeBeau while Perry was still there. There are other flavors in the league (like Wade Phillips) who 1 gap their 3-4 as well.

But I do think the players aspect is the interesting part and it really is the crux of the situation. A lot of teams have one or two guys well north of 300 on a D line and have good run D. But most have just one near the nose. Capers tends to go jumbo even in base 3-4 (also in 2-4 if its pass personnel and he expects run) to combat the run. Why is this necessary?

In the nickel its more obvious and probably correct if you think its a run. But in base, why does Capers need to be jumbo to effectively stop the run when very few other team have to do this?

Is he being stubborn or are the more prototypical ends (Jones, Neal, Wilson) just so bad he cannot have them out there? Jolly isn't in there for his pass rush, he is there to clog run lanes. So why do they need to be bigger than most teams on the line? In wist's wished for 3-3 nickel, you can't have Jolly out there because if it is a pass, he is getting you nothing.

Are the players actually good, do they not get good individual instruction or does the scheme simply not work to their strengths?

[denverYooper]

Rob Demovsky @RobDemovsky 4m
Per @BovadaLV, the #49ers are a 3-point favorite over the #Packers on Sunday. I had seen 2.5 earlier in the week.

Rob Demovsky @RobDemovsky 6m
Also from @BovadaLV, the over-under on Kaepernick's rushing yards is 40.5. Seems a little low.

The public is moving on the 9ers so far. I wonder what the wise guys think?

[woodbuck27]

Geez Dad, not another lecture. Can't you just ground me for a week and spare me the sermon?

I'll correct myself mraynrand.

I'll simply be realistic and 'YOU' ... "You keep plowing your field".

I'll plow mine.

[mraynrand]

You do not need to 2 gap a 3-4. The Steelers play one gap 3-4 quite a bit and had moved to it under LeBeau while Perry was still there. There are other flavors in the league (like Wade Phillips) who 1 gap their 3-4 as well.

But I do think the players aspect is the interesting part and it really is the crux of the situation. A lot of teams have one or two guys well north of 300 on a D line and have good run D. But most have just one near the nose. Capers tends to go jumbo even in base 3-4 (also in 2-4 if its pass personnel and he expects run) to combat the run. Why is this necessary?

In the nickel its more obvious and probably correct if you think its a run. But in base, why does Capers need to be jumbo to effectively stop the run when very few other team have to do this?

Is he being stubborn or are the more prototypical ends (Jones, Neal, Wilson) just so bad he cannot have them out there? Jolly isn't in there for his pass rush, he is there to clog run lanes. So why do they need to be bigger than most teams on the line? In wist's wished for 3-3 nickel, you can't have Jolly out there because if it is a pass, he is getting you nothing.

Are the players actually good, do they not get good individual instruction or does the scheme simply not work to their strengths?

If other teams can one gap, and Capers thinks he needs jumbo 2-gappers, wouldn't the thinking be that he is terrified of letting guards get to the next level and obliterate the LBs. So if other teams 1-gap, they must like their LBs - and their ability to avoid/shed blocks and attack the ball carrier - a whole lot more than GB does their own. That's certainly true of SF, no?

[denverYooper]

Tyler Dunne @TyDunne 2m
RB Eddie Lacy (ankle) was a full go at practice. ILB Brad Jones (ankle) also practicing. #packers

Tom Silverstein @TomSilverstein 5m
#Packers practice: Lacy practicing in full. B. Jones working also. Only player missing was LB Victor Aiyewa.

[wist43]

You do not need to 2 gap a 3-4. The Steelers play one gap 3-4 quite a bit and had moved to it under LeBeau while Perry was still there. There are other flavors in the league (like Wade Phillips) who 1 gap their 3-4 as well.

But I do think the players aspect is the interesting part and it really is the crux of the situation. A lot of teams have one or two guys well north of 300 on a D line and have good run D. But most have just one near the nose. Capers tends to go jumbo even in base 3-4 (also in 2-4 if its pass personnel and he expects run) to combat the run. Why is this necessary?

In the nickel its more obvious and probably correct if you think its a run. But in base, why does Capers need to be jumbo to effectively stop the run when very few other team have to do this?

Is he being stubborn or are the more prototypical ends (Jones, Neal, Wilson) just so bad he cannot have them out there? Jolly isn't in there for his pass rush, he is there to clog run lanes. So why do they need to be bigger than most teams on the line? In wist's wished for 3-3 nickel, you can't have Jolly out there because if it is a pass, he is getting you nothing.

Are the players actually good, do they not get good individual instruction or does the scheme simply not work to their strengths?

That's my point - I'm saying that since we don't have 2-gappers, we should 1-gap the DL we have and adjust the personnel.

We can single gap the defensive linemen, but not if there are only 2 of them on the field - if you do that, and only have 6 in the box, 2 of which are probably rushing upfield and taking themselves out of run defense, then you're left with 4 in the box, with 2 of them being LB's who aren't built to take on and shed... you're going to get run over; which of course is what is happening.

Sometimes we're able to fight to a stalemate in the middle of the line, and get away with the alignment against the run, but more often than not, we're giving up 6-7 yards or worse - sometimes much worse.

I really don't think the problem is personnel - I really do think the problem is Capers. True, our personnel are not ideally suited to playing a 3-4, but then it is incumbent upon Capers to devise schemes that take advantage of the strengths they do have. He clearly has not done that - quite the opposite in fact.

The dismal results are there for everyone to see... either TT is clueless at evaluating defensive talent, or Capers is a dunderhead. As for TT, I don't always like his approach, even if I agree with building thru the draft in general, but I do think he is an excellent talent evaluator, and I do like a lot of the players on our defense - that being the case, leaves Capers holding the bag.

This Niners game will be interesting - and if we get run over again, it will be interesting to see if TT makes a change at DC. I don't think he will, but I'm hoping.