So what happens now?

[oldbutnotdeadyet]

I have no clue what happens to the packers next. I'm not anxious for the team to be completely blown up but maybe that is what we need. On the other hand, I am old and not sure I would survive another 80's crapfest. So what needs to happen to get the packers competitive again? Cause what we are seeing on the field is not just a losing streak, it appears to be something much more fundamental. Maybe more importantly, what do you think Murphy is thinking?

[pbmax]

I think red's scenario is likeliest, that the injuries will be blamed.

I believe McCarthy has not found the answers on offense, though he is closer now than at any time previously in 22 games.

I think Ted has 3 years left on his deal, and my guess is that he doesn't get a new head coach. I think they will shuffle assistants with the extreme outcome that they fire Capers.

But I think the likeliest scenario is that Ted and Mike both stay.

[Maxie the Taxi]

I don't know what will happen. I have no idea what SHOULD happen ...except if injuries are blamed there damn well should be a thorough investigation/examination of GB's injury frequency compared to that of other teams. All aspects of our physical training program should be critically examined and fixed. Conclusions should be reached with regard to body types most likely to be out with injuries, etc.

Moreover, each and every player should be evaluated with regard to their injury history, playing time, etc. etc. Those players that fall below the median acceptable should be canned and replaced with more durable athletes.

If injuries are THE problem, injuries should be treated as THE problem and solutions found and implemented. Enough is enough.

[ThunderDan]

I don't know what will happen. I have no idea what SHOULD happen ...except if injuries are blamed there damn well should be a thorough investigation/examination of GB's injury frequency compared to that of other teams. All aspects of our physical training program should be critically examined and fixed. Conclusions should be reached with regard to body types most likely to be out with injuries, etc.

Moreover, each and every player should be evaluated with regard to their injury history, playing time, etc. etc. Those players that fall below the median acceptable should be canned and replaced with more durable athletes.

If injuries are THE problem, injuries should be treated as THE problem and solutions found and implemented. Enough is enough.

There is no prevention to a 300 pound lineman rolling up on your knee or ankle. Sprains and pulls should be addressed.

[pbmax]

There is no prevention to a 300 pound lineman rolling up on your knee or ankle. Sprains and pulls should be addressed.

I do think there is a strategic reason for some of the injuries. Brice was injured making a full speed tackle trying to pull an emergency stop on a busted D play. When you are always out of position, you put you body into positions that you aren't prepared for and things happen, like having the receiver land on you.

In a similar vein, Shields concussion history is definitely part of his unique tackling style when supporting the run game.

The Packers have pulled their tackling and angles off the bottom of the pile, but I would not call them good yet. This is why I understand but don't like the HC finding and hiring every assistant. I know why they have too (for buy in to one man) but Caper could really benefit from a coach who has a program of how to approach tackles like Seattle does.

[Maxie the Taxi]

There is no prevention to a 300 pound lineman rolling up on your knee or ankle. Sprains and pulls should be addressed.

In my experience the only useful examination of a problem is one which makes no assumptions going in. In every instance of a 300 pound lineman rolling up on an ankle or a knee there are circumstances surrounding that injury, e.g., the play called, player technique, player position, player following/disregarding scheme, player aggressiveness/non-aggressiveness, etc. etc.

Yes, an effective study will surely find that some injuries are unavoidable...a player was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, but who knows what percentage of total injuries this represents?

Some have chalked up our injuries to "bad luck." I don't buy that. Injuries happen for a reason. If there is a technique or situational cause for injuries and that cause can be prevented or reduced, it would be worthwhile...even if it means that in order to avoid injuries players might have to forego behaviors traditionally thought to be in the best interests of winning. What good is a high risk behavior that is beneficial in the short term if it means that in the long term half the team is on the IR?

[Sparkey]

Capers has to go. The defense he runs was never designed with the idea that rookies and SFA would be running it.

With the injuries, what else can they do on D? Switch to a 4-3 or a 4-2-5 to take advantage of the D-lines health and minimize the need for LB's ?

[Sparkey]

Actually, Perry and Daniels are perfect for a 4 man front ?

[Maxie the Taxi]

Capers has to go. The defense he runs was never designed with the idea that rookies and SFA would be running it.

With the injuries, what else can they do on D? Switch to a 4-3 or a 4-2-5 to take advantage of the D-lines health and minimize the need for LB's ?

As with anything, opponents find weaknesses and adjust. Stubby and Capers have been doing their thing for years now. Maybe opponents have figured it out and adjusted. I know Belichick has gone from 4-3 to 3-4 and back again depending on the personnel he has. That kind of thinking and adjusting does not seem to come easy to Stubby and staff.

When injuries hit like they have the Packers, maybe there's nothing you can do but pray. However, there's the old saying: Desperate times call for desperate measures.

[Sparkey]

As with anything, opponents find weaknesses and adjust. Stubby and Capers have been doing their thing for years now. Maybe opponents have figured it out and adjusted. I know Belichick has gone from 4-3 to 3-4 and back again depending on the personnel he has. That kind of thinking and adjusting does not seem to come easy to Stubby and staff.

When injuries hit like they have the Packers, maybe there's nothing you can do but pray. However, there's the old saying: Desperate times call for desperate measures.

My first thought is "What have they got to lose?"

then the definition of insanity pops into my head:

Doing the same thing, over and over, and expecting different results.

[Carolina_Packer]

In my experience the only useful examination of a problem is one which makes no assumptions going in. In every instance of a 300 pound lineman rolling up on an ankle or a knee there are circumstances surrounding that injury, e.g., the play called, player technique, player position, player following/disregarding scheme, player aggressiveness/non-aggressiveness, etc. etc.

Yes, an effective study will surely find that some injuries are unavoidable...a player was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, but who knows what percentage of total injuries this represents?

Some have chalked up our injuries to "bad luck." I don't buy that. Injuries happen for a reason. If there is a technique or situational cause for injuries and that cause can be prevented or reduced, it would be worthwhile...even if it means that in order to avoid injuries players might have to forego behaviors traditionally thought to be in the best interests of winning. What good is a high risk behavior that is beneficial in the short term if it means that in the long term half the team is on the IR?

Good take, Maxie. Injuries suck. I know we are not supposed to fully blame them for outcomes, but nobody can sit there and say that the level of play should or would be exactly the same with the rash of injuries. You just can't defend that position. The level of play WILL drop off. The coaching staff does not want to talk about it for fear of looking like 1) you are conceding anything 2) you don't believe in your depth and 3) you can only play with the guy you have, and you need them to have confidence.

I think it's too little, too late for this year. I think they can finish strong, but nothing about the available personnel and possible adjustments indicate enough of a turn-around is possible. They HAVE to stop the run to create down and distances that favor the pass rushers chances. The pass rushers HAVE to get home to help the back end guys and if you need the safeties to come up to help with blitzing/rushing and you don't get home, the same big plays will continue to happen. Stop the run(down and distance win, pass rush possibility) and run the ball (controls the clock and helps the D). It's symbiotic. They need the offense to start faster, and put pressure on the opposing offense, and keep the ball long enough to give the D a rest. The need the D to stop the run, control down and distance, rush the passer and get off the field.

[Anti-Polar Bear]

In my experience the only useful examination of a problem is one which makes no assumptions going in. In every instance of a 300 pound lineman rolling up on an ankle or a knee there are circumstances surrounding that injury, e.g., the play called, player technique, player position, player following/disregarding scheme, player aggressiveness/non-aggressiveness, etc. etc.

Yes, an effective study will surely find that some injuries are unavoidable...a player was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, but who knows what percentage of total injuries this represents?

Some have chalked up our injuries to "bad luck." I don't buy that. Injuries happen for a reason. If there is a technique or situational cause for injuries and that cause can be prevented or reduced, it would be worthwhile...even if it means that in order to avoid injuries players might have to forego behaviors traditionally thought to be in the best interests of winning. What good is a high risk behavior that is beneficial in the short term if it means that in the long term half the team is on the IR?

Thompson's soft and he drafts soft players, who are in turn, coached by a soft coach.

Packers don't tackle in practice anymore, which also explains why this team can't tackle or break tackle anymore in games. Through that "scared" approach in practice, players' bodies aren't accustomed to the pounding often found in games, and consequently, fragility arises.

Soft players + soft coaching = injury-prone.

[pittstang5]

At the very least, I think Capers is fired. Unless, miraculously the defense turns around next game....which we all know is not going to happen. If TN and Washington can put up 40 plus points, Eagles are going to put up 50.

This team has way to many issues, but, the defense, IMO, will be this years scapegoat - at the least.

[MadScientist]

What happens is that the Packers try a few things that ultimately don't magically cover up the lack of talent and finish no better than 6-10.

Assuming MM stays I expect the following:
1) Capers goes, as a scapegoat, and for not being able to scheme for limited talent (hard to say who can).
2) Offensive coaching structure changes. Right now you have MM, an offensive minded HC who calls the plays, Tom Clements - Associate Head Coach/Offense, and Edgar Bennett - Offensive Coordinator. This is looking and feeling like a too many cooks situation.
3) Develop a scheme for beating man coverage.
4) Figure out what is wrong with Rodger's deep balls and either fix it with an improved training regiment, or scheme away from it.

[Patler]

Thing is, in a pass happy league, losing your #1 & #2 CBs is bound to hurt badly; maybe not immediately but over time opponents find out why they are backup CBs. Then when your #3 CB misses a monthly along with the only pass rusher who attracts attention, it gets even worse. Now it looks like they will be without their starting ILBs. There are a million built in excuses, especially when they can say they played "OK" the first month.

I prefer to look at the entire body of work, and say that with many changes of personnel, in the last 6 years Capers defenses have not had a single strong feature. Enough is enough.

Someone has to be the scapegoat for this season. Two years ago it was Slocom and a couple random assistants. It's Capers turn.