This is What Really Bugs Me About Our Defense

[mraynrand]

He made a few plays in the first half but was overall ineffective early and they didn't begin to straighten it out and score until the second half. You get no argument from me on that.

But it was the pass protection that failed him first. The coverage was still very good and no one was getting a free release so Rodgers had to hold onto the ball a few times, but he was often under assault immediately against last year's line. Your pass protection gets more consistent, those holes will open up.

You won't drop 50 on them, they are too good. But they aren't defying the laws of football physics. I will say this, M3's game plan versus them last year depends on pass protection and it was barely better this year.

Seattle's defense also relied on completely forgetting about the run. In the first half they just went upfield again and again. They were perfectly willing to get gashed for 10-15 max if GB got lucky on a run, but they were focused on pass, pass, pass. It really looked like GB started the game down 45-0 and Seattle was attacking them as though they had to pass. When Stubby figured that out (it took until halftime!) he started seriously running the ball and the pressure came off. That's why I think GB will match up so much better next year. Stubby not only has a running game, but he now has a running game mentality kinda like the Steelers, where he is gonna take it right at you and beat the hell out of you on a certain percentage of plays. Should be a glorious matchup next year (APRH)

[denverYooper]

Seattle's defense also relied on completely forgetting about the run. In the first half they just went upfield again and again. They were perfectly willing to get gashed for 10-15 max if GB got lucky on a run, but they were focused on pass, pass, pass. It really looked like GB started the game down 45-0 and Seattle was attacking them as though they had to pass. When Stubby figured that out (it took until halftime!) he started seriously running the ball and the pressure came off. That's why I think GB will match up so much better next year. Stubby not only has a running game, but he now has a running game mentality kinda like the Steelers, where he is gonna take it right at you and beat the hell out of you on a certain percentage of plays. Should be a glorious matchup next year (APRH)

Lacy changes the complexion of the offense, too, when facing an aggressive D. He's a real-deal bulldozer of an RB. Those hard hitters on Seattle will take him down, but they'll take a ton of punishment, ARPH. Denver's offense had no one to do that the other night.

[mraynrand]

Lacy changes the complexion of the offense, too, when facing an aggressive D. He's a real-deal bulldozer of an RB. Those hard hitters on Seattle will take him down, but they'll take a ton of punishment, ARPH. Denver's offense had no one to do that the other night.

Packers need to beat Seattle and SF. To do so, they need to be able to run the ball and run it with viciousness. Because of this, they need to keep Starks, because guys are just going to miss some games playing this way.

[pbmax]

Packers need to beat Seattle and SF. To do so, they need to be able to run the ball and run it with viciousness. Because of this, they need to keep Starks, because guys are just going to miss some games playing this way.

The Packers had Lacy and Starks and a good run blocking line versus San Fran at home and could not score enough points. They need a better O line and pass protection.

Also, Rodgers is going to have to fit some throws into very tight windows because even good pass pro is going to get beat once in a while while he is waiting for something to open up.

I have nothing against the newly muscular running game, but by itself it is meaningless.

[mraynrand]

I have nothing against the newly muscular running game, but by itself it is meaningless.

well, of course. I was making the counter argument, that just the passing game alone was meaningless, given what Seattle did to it. That being said, I'll acknowledge that with respectable pass protection the 2010 Packers largely went without a run game and beat the Steelers. But the 2010 Steelers didn't pound you or mug your receivers the same way SF and Sea do. Packers need both and, APRH, they may see a serious upgrade to their pass pro and run blocking in 2014.

[bobblehead]

well, of course. I was making the counter argument, that just the passing game alone was meaningless, given what Seattle did to it. That being said, I'll acknowledge that with respectable pass protection the 2010 Packers largely went without a run game and beat the Steelers. But the 2010 Steelers didn't pound you or mug your receivers the same way SF and Sea do. Packers need both and, APRH, they may see a serious upgrade to their pass pro and run blocking in 2014.

don't forget that starks tore up the postseason that year. We were running pretty effectively. The steelers had the number one run D that season, so it makes sense we leaned on the pass. starks was effective in limited carries regardless.