Packer weaknesses

[Carolina_Packer]

Some questionable coaching decisions, like hopeless or pointless challenges and ill-advised timeouts at the end of the first half that end up giving the opponent a better opportunity to score points. Overall I think MM does a great job, but heat of the moment decision-making isn't his strong suit.

In baseball there is a bench coach for the manager to bounce things off of in the heat of the moment. I wonder if there is someone with a similar capacity for NFL head coaches.

[Tyrion Lannister]

1) Dom Capers is our biggest weakness - he can't be trusted from game to game. He's as likely to come out with a completely moronic gameplan as he is to do anything right. He's proven that over and over and over and over.

1a) Run defense, e.g. Dom Capers. If his gameplan calls for abandoning the middle of the field - we're sunk against tough, physical teams. We don't have the size to hold up against good run blocking teams. Scheme can minimize the damage, but of course Capers can't be trusted.

1b) ILB's. We have none. Without knowing much about other teams ILB situations - I would still feel confident in saying we have the worst stable of ILBs in the league. The position needs to be completely gutted and Ted needs to start over from scratch.

2) The OL is soft - very soft. Nothing can be done about it though, as Stubby and Ted prefer soft players who can slide and mirror, as opposed to physical run blockers.

3) TE. Rodgers was a wasted pick, especially so since there were still some good ILB's on the board when he took him. Quarless is probably our best TE, which isn't saying much.

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We're good enough everywhere else to cover up those weaknesses, sans ILB perhaps, and of course dunderdummy. We have enough talent to win a SB, so it all comes down to dunderdummy.

If he can keep his head out of his ass for the next few months, we have a decent shot; if he reverts to his nature, we'll be bounced out of the playoffs - probably in predictable embarrassing dunderdummy fashion.

In defense of Capers, the Polar Bear didn't do anything to upgrade the ILB position the past 2 off-seasons when it was clearer than Heisenberg's crystal meth that the ILBers on the roster sucked. Thompson probably is still hoping for Hawk to turn into Batman and Jones into a Robin. Not gonna happen.

So far the Claymaker is looking good at ILB (thanks to Capers), but he's still playing out of position. Thompson needs to quit hibernating, do his job and acquire a hotshot ILB or two.

[denverYooper]

1) Obviously the Packers O-line wilts against the several teams that can apply pressure with the front 4. Could probably have to face 2-3 to win Superbowl, not to mention the division (Detroit). Cannot run block all that well, but that may be due to guards' toes and ankles. The Giants of 2007/2011 would dismantle this team too. Question is whether Niners, Lions, Cards are as good as those Giant teams....

2) Spectre of injuries (knock on wood-son)

This seems to be more of a problem on the road. Playing at home helps a lot. If they keep winning, they'll play most of the playoffs at home.

The emergence of Lacy as a checkdown/screen weapon over the last 4 weeks might alleviate some of these problems.

[Fritz]

1) Dom Capers is our biggest weakness - he can't be trusted from game to game. He's as likely to come out with a completely moronic gameplan as he is to do anything right. He's proven that over and over and over and over.

1a) Run defense, e.g. Dom Capers. If his gameplan calls for abandoning the middle of the field - we're sunk against tough, physical teams. We don't have the size to hold up against good run blocking teams. Scheme can minimize the damage, but of course Capers can't be trusted.

1b) ILB's. We have none. Without knowing much about other teams ILB situations - I would still feel confident in saying we have the worst stable of ILBs in the league. The position needs to be completely gutted and Ted needs to start over from scratch.

2) The OL is soft - very soft. Nothing can be done about it though, as Stubby and Ted prefer soft players who can slide and mirror, as opposed to physical run blockers.

3) TE. Rodgers was a wasted pick, especially so since there were still some good ILB's on the board when he took him. Quarless is probably our best TE, which isn't saying much.

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We're good enough everywhere else to cover up those weaknesses, sans ILB perhaps, and of course dunderdummy. We have enough talent to win a SB, so it all comes down to dunderdummy.

If he can keep his head out of his ass for the next few months, we have a decent shot; if he reverts to his nature, we'll be bounced out of the playoffs - probably in predictable embarrassing dunderdummy fashion.

I was curious about linebackers who were drafted after Rodgers in the third round. Here are a few of them:

4 119 Dallas Cowboys Anthony Hitchens LB Iowa
4 126New Orleans Saints Khairi Fortt LB California
4 132 Seattle Seahawks Kevin Pierre-Louis LB Boston College
4* 139 Atlanta Falcons Prince Shembo LB Notre Dame
5 144 Jacksonville Jaguars Telvin Smith LB Florida State
5 151 Tennessee Titans Avery Williamson LB Kentucky
5 154 New York Jets Jeremiah George LB Iowa State
5 156 Denver Broncos Lamin Barrow LB LSU

These are some of the linebackers drafted after Richard Rodgers, excluding the Packers' Carl Bradford. I don't know which are inside linebackers, nor do I know which of those inside linebackers are starting or are playing well and a lot.

Anybody know enough football to know the answers to any of these questions?

[pbmax]

1) Dom Capers is our biggest weakness - he can't be trusted from game to game. He's as likely to come out with a completely moronic gameplan as he is to do anything right. He's proven that over and over and over and over.

1a) Run defense, e.g. Dom Capers. If his gameplan calls for abandoning the middle of the field - we're sunk against tough, physical teams. We don't have the size to hold up against good run blocking teams. Scheme can minimize the damage, but of course Capers can't be trusted.

1b) ILB's. We have none. Without knowing much about other teams ILB situations - I would still feel confident in saying we have the worst stable of ILBs in the league. The position needs to be completely gutted and Ted needs to start over from scratch.

Not only did he run mostly 2-4 again versus the Eagles, he had Matthews aligned almost outside of the tackle box to get some leverage on the slot/TE. That was a five man box at times stopping LeSean McCoy. Though there was a fair amount of single high safety.

Eagles were 31-109 on the ground.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Eagles had 32 sacks in nine games going into last Sunday, including eight against NYG and nine against Carolina. They got one against GB. Not sure how obvious it is that the Pack OL wilts against standard pressure.

I've been increasingly impressed with pass blocking of O-line. I'm only worried about an injury.

[pbmax]

In defense of Capers, the Polar Bear didn't do anything to upgrade the ILB position the past 2 off-seasons when it was clearer than Heisenberg's crystal meth that the ILBers on the roster sucked. Thompson probably is still hoping for Hawk to turn into Batman and Jones into a Robin. Not gonna happen.

So far the Claymaker is looking good at ILB (thanks to Capers), but he's still playing out of position. Thompson needs to quit hibernating, do his job and acquire a hotshot ILB or two.

1. He did not get the ILB position upgraded. But consider the addition of Peppers and the case of Dix versus Prior.

For Peppers, Ted got him AND had to give up ZERO compensatory picks.

Prior and Dix are perfect examples of why giving up picks is not a good idea. The Jets just benched Prior. Draft picks are 50% shots to make it, much less be a difference maker. To trade up, or give up a pick to get FA du Jour is how teams leave their core hollow. Thompson solved two different problems, got two potential difference makers and spent ONE draft pick.

2. Bake your noodle with this one: is Clay Matthews a better ILB than OLB? Forget the money, does he make more sense inside than outside?

[mraynrand]

Eagles had 32 sacks in nine games going into last Sunday, including eight against NYG and nine against Carolina. They got one against GB. Not sure how obvious it is that the Pack OL wilts against standard pressure.

looks like you have the answer in your own post. Eagles D-line not as formidable as Lions, Seahawks, 49ers.

But yes, Yoop is right that there tends to be a home and away difference, except that distinction didn't affect the NYG in 2007/11.

[mraynrand]

2) The OL is soft - very soft. Nothing can be done about it though, as Stubby and Ted prefer soft players who can slide and mirror, as opposed to physical run blockers.

It's not so much soft as geared for pass pro. The deficiencies in the run game are just magnified by the injured guards who, at this point, are OK in pass pro, but weak in run blocking. Maybe they heal up some.

[pbmax]

looks like you have the answer in your own post. Eagles D-line not as formidable as Lions, Seahawks, 49ers.

But yes, Yoop is right that there tends to be a home and away difference, except that distinction didn't affect the NYG in 2007/11.

Was the 2007 Giants pass rush really the difference?

I definitely agree the 2011 game came down to Eli having forever to throw and Rodgers not enough time to break down the Cover 2 Man Giant coverage. Good news this year is that the opponent, especially at home, will not have that big an edge because the pass rush has sustained its improvement over last year.

Regarding my reply to wist, I have to watch Linsley more in run blocking. I haven't watched him much on runs.

[hoosier]

looks like you have the answer in your own post. Eagles D-line not as formidable as Lions, Seahawks, 49ers.

Carolina's OL is a disaster but the NYG OL isn't bad. The rushes for Seattle and SF front fours have not been impressive this year. The Eagles have been setting the standard for good pass rush this year.

[mraynrand]

Carolina's OL is a disaster but the NYG OL isn't bad. The rushes for Seattle and SF front fours have not been impressive this year. The Eagles have been setting the standard for good pass rush this year.

I just don't agree. And it doesn't come down to just sacks. Defensive pressure is about changing what the offense can do. That's how the Packers have been defeated.

I think Philly has three sacks against the niners, but they lost because even without Aldon Smith, 49ers got consistent pressure, and dropped Foles below 50% completion and two INTs.

Same thing at Arizona - reduced completion percent, 2 INTs. And Philly didn't get a whiff of Carson Palmer. Could be a road/home thing - I really hope so, except that Packers will probably have to play at Arizona...

[smuggler]

I wouldn't be so sure. I have a feeling that the NFC North winner will have a very good shot at HFA.

[Cheesehead Craig]

I was curious about linebackers who were drafted after Rodgers in the third round. Here are a few of them:

4 119 Dallas Cowboys Anthony Hitchens LB Iowa - Started at all LB spots. Very good run defender. Although considered a reach at this pick at the tim.
4 126New Orleans Saints Khairi Fortt LB California - OLB, Doesn't play.
4 132 Seattle Seahawks Kevin Pierre-Louis LB Boston College - OLB, doesn't play much
4* 139 Atlanta Falcons Prince Shembo LB Notre Dame - OLB I believe, has shown flashes of good play but has been injured and missed a few games.
5 144 Jacksonville Jaguars Telvin Smith LB Florida State - ILB that only plays nickel ILB and is only weighs 215 or so. No run help here.
5 151 Tennessee Titans Avery Williamson LB Kentucky - ILB and very much a stud for a rookie.
5 154 New York Jets Jeremiah George LB Iowa State - ILB, doesn't play very much at all
5 156 Denver Broncos Lamin Barrow LB LSU - ILB, Doesn't play.

These are some of the linebackers drafted after Richard Rodgers, excluding the Packers' Carl Bradford. I don't know which are inside linebackers, nor do I know which of those inside linebackers are starting or are playing well and a lot.

Anybody know enough football to know the answers to any of these questions?

Took a gander at these guys and there seems that 2 of them have turned out to be very good in Hitchens and Williamson.

[MadScientist]

1. He did not get the ILB position upgraded. But consider the addition of Peppers and the case of Dix versus Prior.

For Peppers, Ted got him AND had to give up ZERO compensatory picks.

Prior and Dix are perfect examples of why giving up picks is not a good idea. The Jets just benched Prior. Draft picks are 50% shots to make it, much less be a difference maker. To trade up, or give up a pick to get FA du Jour is how teams leave their core hollow. Thompson solved two different problems, got two potential difference makers and spent ONE draft pick.

2. Bake your noodle with this one: is Clay Matthews a better ILB than OLB? Forget the money, does he make more sense inside than outside?

Clay is best when the offense is not sure how to account for him. He is being used not just as an ILB, but sometimes OLB and sometimes as DL #5. The offenses are not sure how to react and make sure he is accounted for, so his production has gone up quite a bit the last two weeks. The question is will there be enough tape on him later for the offenses to properly prepare, or are there enough wrinkles to keep them guessing the rest of the year? Until this change, he wasn't very productive this year and the defense wasn't playing well. The real test will be in two weeks against a top notch team with a coach who knows how to prepare.


I noticed that about Prior getting benched. I was just happy the Packers got one of the safeties in the draft. Looks like they got the right one.