The Defense and its improvement. Why?

[bobblehead]

Perhaps overlooked, but a factor nonetheless: The offense has been more methodical, with fewer long strikes. This keeps the defense off the field, keeps them rested and requires them to play less.

Oh yea, a run game. This is also a factor. And surprising to everyone, now that the OL is run blocking well, we miraculously found two backs that can run effectively. I know, I know, its the RB, not the OL.

[sharpe1027]

This and this and this. I made enemies when I said Clay was over rated as a pass rusher in the past, but what he does is EVERYTHING. Our ILB play was so abysmal, and when you are soft up the middle, you are soft everywhere. When Clay moved inside last season it was night and day. He solves every problem. Covering TE's and backs out of the backfield. Check. Shutting down the run game. Check. Unpredictable pass rusher who can come from inside, outside, crossing. Check.

In short, our 3-4 D has found its version of Ray Lewis or Patrick Willis. Of course, the improvements of Perry, Neal and addition of Peppers has also helped the pass rush immensely which makes all DB's look better. But mainly its Clay in and Hawk out.

+1

I've had that same discussion with other fans. It never ended well. I totally agree that his overall value is so much more now that he is being asked to do more than rush almost all of the time.

[pbmax]

Matthews now causes more confusion than ever before. The defense was better when they flipped him between right and left for a while; now he can show up anywhere.

With Matthews in the middle, he has an impact to some extent on almost every running play, he is that fast and that good. Even if he is not involved in the tackle, he takes up blockers. He attracts attention and takes it away from others.

Raji being back makes the DL rotation better.
Raji having found the fountain of youth, and playing like he did in 2010 makes it even better.

Jayrone Elliot has simple made plays, even big plays. The kinds of plays that influence outcomes. I don't know if he can continue to do it, but so far it has made a difference.

Nick Perry being healthy (apparently) has made an effect. He has made at least one play of note in every game, even with relatively limited snaps.

Pass defense from middle linebackers through the first 4 games is much, much better than it was last year.

DBs are playing well, with no drop off from last year. The rookies so far have not played like rookies.

Perhaps overlooked, but a factor nonetheless: The offense has been more methodical, with fewer long strikes. This keeps the defense off the field, keeps them rested and requires them to play less.

All true, but I would start with Peppers being a threat beyond any other pass rusher they previously employed opposite Matthews.

But your points are still relevant since even Peppers presence didn't lead to a lot of Clay sacks until he moved into the middle.

Neal was healthy last year (mostly) and this year he and Perry are healthy. Plus Elliot. Plus a healthy Jones.

[pbmax]

One of McGinn's big contributions from the last few years were the numbers he had on Clay beating Tackles for sacks since his rookie year. It was a small percentage of his pressures. Bobble is right, he is better being everywhere.

[Pugger]

Not sure of how good we are, haven't really shut down anyone of real accord yet. Chicago ran up and down the field pretty well.

Yes, we struggled corralling Forte but we did contain Lynch, Charles and Hyde and these guys are no slouches.

[Pugger]

BJ Raji.

He has played like a beast and is being doubled on almost every play. That allows Daniels to play 1-on-1. That keeps one of the guards off our ILBs. That helps the run defense.

We also have excellent depth on the DL and OLB. We are able to rotate fresh players into the game and don't see a drop in play.

It also helps to have D. Jones and Perry healthy too.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Clay isn't overrated as a pass rusher. He's a great pass rusher. But the Packers have four other good pass rushers at OLB - while they don't have anybody that can come close to what Clay can do at ILB.

[Patler]

All true, but I would start with Peppers being a threat beyond any other pass rusher they previously employed opposite Matthews.

But your points are still relevant since even Peppers presence didn't lead to a lot of Clay sacks until he moved into the middle.

Neal was healthy last year (mostly) and this year he and Perry are healthy. Plus Elliot. Plus a healthy Jones.

I thought about Peppers, but discounted him for purposes of this discussion, because he was here last year, doing what he does. Peppers doesn't explain the difference from last year to this, but differences in those around him do.

[smuggler]

I think the obvious answer is the play of both Raji and Pennell. The the down linemen are playing as I have not seen since we went to the 3-4.

[pbmax]

I think the obvious answer is the play of both Raji and Pennell. The the down linemen are playing as I have not seen since we went to the 3-4.

Pennel hasn't supplied pass rush though. But I do think this fits into the run D has improved so the pass rush has had more of an impact. The interior run D hasn't been this good since 09 and 10.

[vince]

I don't know how obvious it is smug, but I think that's a big one. There's more speed and impact with the linebacking crew for sure, but a lot of times it's the inside guys who make them shine.

Taking on double-teams and stuffing runs on early downs has consistently forced more advantageous down and distance situations. They've also been good engaging two linemen rushing and making it really tough for them to pick up stunting/blitzing backers. Guion's really good at that too, which is why he immediately came in and took most of Pennel's snaps last week.

If they can do their job this week, hopefully they'll be able to help the rest of the D keep Gurley from getting any space to get going. And Foles can't run, but he can move in the pocket to buy time and do damage if allowed. If the inside guys can push and shrink the pocket so the outside guys and backers can finish, this could be a solid win. But if Gurley gets space and Foles buys time sliding around in the pocket, the Rams could make this one really tough.

You can say it every game to some extent, but this game especially, how the interior lines match up may determine the outcome. Of course Rodgers makes everything a hell of a lot tougher on the opponent's d-line so hopefully that's the difference.

[Patler]

The defense has improved markedly it would seem.

Why is that?

Maybe part of the answer is McCarthy.
Maybe he gives an OC's perspective to the defensive planning, making them better prepared:

He says he now spends more time during the week in defensive and special teams meetings. He also meets longer with each coordinator individually to go over the game plan, especially in their final talk on Friday afternoons.

And every week on either Wednesday or Thursday, McCarthy delivers a short presentation in the team defensive meeting to offer his perspective on the offense its facing that week. He never had time to study that as a play caller.

[vince]

Nice. That's gotta help. It does seem that the D hasn't been caught in bad situations very often. In fact, I'd say you could say they've had pretty solid schemes most games. I thought I read somewhere that the team's analytics guy retired. They should hire two people to replace him.

[swede]

One of McGinn's big contributions from the last few years were the numbers he had on Clay beating Tackles for sacks since his rookie year. It was a small percentage of his pressures. Bobble is right, he is better being everywhere.

It dawned on me while discussing Clay's new role with another fan that Clay might well play middle linebacker, if given the chance in a 4-3 defense, almost identically to Brian Urlacher.

Aren't they similar in size, speed, motor, athleticism and ball skills?

[smuggler]

Urlacher had better top speed at his peak. Clay with better balance and quickness. Hard to compare any coverage LB favorably to Urlacher, but Clay is the better pass rusher.

Neither are big hitters or particularly noteworthy for their tackling. IMO Clay is the better overall player, but Urlacher didn't suffer injuries as often. Can't fault the comparison.