Where do we think the Packers rate in the NFC ???

[pbmax]

The lack of pressure usually came out of the 2-4 when they went static, i.e. looped the OLB's upfield and rushed the 2 DL in a straight 4 man rush, with no stunts, blitz, presnap disguise, etc. It's easy to block if you know what is coming, and who is coming. Pay extra attn to Matthews and the rest can be dealt with easy enough.

When Capers did bring pressure out of the 2-4, he would force the offenses hand, and we would usually get a good result - but he played a static front far more often than he did anything in terms of blitz or disguise.

You're a hand wringer when it comes to coverage max... a chicken little who can't see the wisdom of creating pressure. For sure and for certain, Dom Capers is your DC wet dream. I think if you had your way, we'd rush 3 every snap, and sending 4 would be your version of blitz - risky, risky stuff sending 4!!! Who will be left in coverage???!!!

Not at all. I would be happy to see a more aggressive approach and less predictability from a pass rush standpoint. I think predictable blitzing is the same as shooting yourself in the foot UNLESS you are trying to force a short throw in long yardage. However, there are many ways to skin an offense and Capers has skinned plenty. But there are two main problems for the Packers now with a pressure approach:

1. Current personnel aren't fabulous pass rush artists outside of Matthews. Even Matthews is not a game changer in pass rush like some other OLBs. Both Neal and Perry have their moments. The second best pass rush in 2012 was from Daniels and it was his breakthrough season. The personnel don't have the native capacity (not to mention the health) to generate pressure uniformly throughout a game even with blitzing. Capers blitzed a LOT the last two years.

2. Capers most creative blitzes are old hat now. Slot/corner blitz (occasional safety), overload and fire zone. They are all on film multiple times with the Packers. He isn't Gregg Williams. He is a details guy. Multiple QBs, despite repeated references here and in the media to Capers as a mad scientist, have said what the Packers do is not hard to diagnose. He needs the right personnel APRH.

So we are back to what I think started to get mentioned here near the end of the season. Thompson and Capers are not an ideal match, personnel or roster wise.

I think Thompson has moved in his direction. McCarthy is asking Capers to move toward the GM and use ALL the personnel and packages at hand. We'll see if it works. If he has something in the tank, I think the Peppers/Neal combo could be a good solution.

[smuggler]

Matthews can be a game changer, but in order to do so, he'd have to actually play. Which, sometimes he doesn't.

[3irty1]

If we don't belong in the same tier with the 49ers then the 49ers don't belong in the same tier with the Seahawks. You could make the argument that both teams are clearly better in which case I'd say we're in a 4 or 5 way tie in tier 3.

[pbmax]

If we don't belong in the same tier with the 49ers then the 49ers don't belong in the same tier with the Seahawks. You could make the argument that both teams are clearly better in which case I'd say we're in a 4 or 5 way tie in tier 3.

But are we elite?...

[run pMc]

I'm not seeing the AZ love. They have a good defense, but they also have Carson Plamer and won 5 games the year before last. I think they're decent, but I think they were a bit of a fluke.
I think CAR is the same -- good defense with a fluky season. Rivera was on the hotseat mid-season before they went on the mother of all hot streaks. They lost 2 starters in the secondary, both starting WRs, and a couple of starting OL. Duplicating their success will not be easy.

GB has won 3 straight NFCN belts. Are we talking about which tier this next year, or just in general over the last 2-3 seasons heading into this year?

If you played 10 games on a neutral field with both teams healthy, I think GB goes

7-3 against CAR, ARI, CHI, and DET
6-4 against PHI and NO
4-6 against SEA and SF

So I think they are 3rd with Rodgers, Matthews, Cobb, Hayward, et al., healthy. I know it's talked ad nauseum about safety; I think TT will get that addressed. Even the village idiot of Packer Nation know they need competent safeties and a pass rush; they'll get it and APRH be a contender.

FWIW I think MIN will be improved and competitive enough to steal some NFCN wins, preferably not at GB's expense.

[Brandon494]

But are we elite?...

When healthy I believe so, we can compete with any team. Elite imo is top 5 and I think we are clearly a top 5 team at the moment.

[Smidgeon]

If you played 10 games on a neutral field with both teams healthy, I think GB goes

7-3 against CAR, ARI, CHI, and DET
6-4 against PHI and NO
4-6 against SEA and SF

With both teams healthy, I'd increase those records to 8-2, 7-3, 5-5. The Packers have led the league in injuries three of the last four years and I'm also not drinking the 9ers or Seahawk koolaid. Seattle had the mother of all Super Bowls, but I see them more like GB post 2010: everybody's hyping, then suddenly there's a bunch of holes.

[Pugger]

Last year the seachickens were the healthiest team going into the playoffs. Most of the time - our SB year in 2010 notwithstanding - the healthiest team in the end wins it all. If Seattle gets hit by the injury bug in 2014 they will falter too. And when they have to actually play their stars the going rate instead of those rookie contracts they won't be able to keep all these good players either.

[texaspackerbacker]

We damn near beat San Fran in greatly weakened condition. Seattle's rise to the top began with that illegitimate win over the Packers. With nothing at all except good health for about half of our injured players from last season, we would have an elite team. Now, with some tuning up of the D - getting Peppers, drafting a Safety or two and maybe an ILB, etc., the Packers should be at the very top of everything.

[KYPack]

Damn, is this THE TPB?

Welcome back, man.

[mraynrand]

We damn near beat San Fran in greatly weakened condition. Seattle's rise to the top began with that illegitimate win over the Packers. With nothing at all except good health for about half of our injured players from last season, we would have an elite team. Now, with some tuning up of the D - getting Peppers, drafting a Safety or two and maybe an ILB, etc., the Packers should be at the very top of everything.

World Class! The anti-Wist!

[pbmax]

Suddenly I am back in the middle. Hello tex.

[Fritz]

We damn near beat San Fran in greatly weakened condition. Seattle's rise to the top began with that illegitimate win over the Packers. With nothing at all except good health for about half of our injured players from last season, we would have an elite team. Now, with some tuning up of the D - getting Peppers, drafting a Safety or two and maybe an ILB, etc., the Packers should be at the very top of everything.

Welcome back, TPB. It's been a long while. I miss your optimism.

Wist, Red - meet your AntiChrist.

[KYPack]

Tex is here.

The old sheriff is back in town.

Those that post in FYI, brace yourself.

[texaspackerbacker]

looks like I gotta get re-acquainted with who's who around here. I really am confused about the timeline of things. I posted long ago in JSOnline, then stopped. Then I started up there again for a short time about a year ago. It seems my history and profile from JSOnline is here. When and under what circumstance did JSOnline morph into Packerrats? Or is my memory really way off?

As for the content of the thread, I can't imagine what would even be controversial in a Packer forum about seeing this Packer team as at or very near the top. The D has been shaky, but should be improved; The Offense arguably has been so good in spite of rather than because of the O-Line, but having Aaron Rodgers makes up for a multitude of shortcomings.

Oh yeah, thanks for the kind words.