Reasons for Hope on Defense 2017 edition

[Joemailman]

After seeing what happened to the secondary last year, I implore all posters never again to speak of any unit as the"strength of the defense." Just keep repeating that this defense has no strengths.

Wist already has that covered.

[texaspackerbacker]

Hyde was similar to Gunter: instincts/nose for the ball/ability to cover. Hayward was/is like that too. I'm not so sure about House. Goodson has been just the opposite although he's still as green as his Baylor jersey. I'm not as positive as many about Randall although I'm still hopeful. I actually like Rollins better, even though that is contradictory to liking Gunter. Rollins so far has been all ability and potential and not much on instinct.

I could see the Packer D being at least adequate and most or all of those mentioned performing good enough. The key to that, though, is compensation/gimmicks/scheming. Hell yeah, I mean Dom Capers. Without his coaching, a bunch of mostly mediocre individuals amount to a mediocre team D. With those schemes, and with our offense, we really could have a Super Bowl team.

[Bretsky]

1. Kenny Clark. Everyone sobbing in their Cheerios or trying to hang Thompson with their blankies over not signing a lineman to cover for Guion's coming non-paid vacation has forgotten about the rookie. Outside of Daniels, he was the most effective D lineman at the end of last season and in the playoffs. He even show some pass rush which in vital in the 2-4-5, otherwise known as the base defense.

2. Jon and Ponch. 3rd and 2nd years, if healthy, might give the Packers a functional middle even if Clay isn't moved full time. They looked marvelous together early last season under injuries and Zeke Elliot pulled the rug out from under them.

3. Jayrone Elliot. Even I have my doubts here, but if this Fuckdoggle number from Demovsky is close to true


then Jayrone might make you remember Julius Peppers fondly, rather than with lust in your heart. He got some guaranteed money in his non-tendered agreement, which means the Packers want to see more.

4. Holy Fackrell. If the replacement Spider Monkey gets a little stronger, he might be a better pass rusher than Elliot. If either Fackrell or Elliot can be a 3rd down pass rusher and let Matthews come from wherever, it might have a Woodson effect on the opponents passing game.

5. Kentrell Brice. Hyde is gone but this kid has athletic traits to burn and he likes to hit people. He's the 3rd safety but I would not be surprised if he got some work as a slot guy versus bigger pass catchers. I also think the team might survive the loss of a starter with him out there. More experience and knowledge of the defense might make him effective all game long.

6. Ha-Ha and Burnett. I am not a big fan of Burnett at ILB, but the combo is as good as any center backfield since Collins was playing. Once again I am hopeful communication issues will disappear with those vets back there.

7. House. Yes, kinda an if, but IF he returns close to his 2015 form, its a nice upgrade from anything on the bench at the beginning of last year.

8. Randall and Rollins. If healthy, it cannot be worse than last year. They need one to be ready to start by camp. Only one because either the youngsters behind them or some UDFA from Miami will take a job next year.

Are you drunk ? lol
You could do this every year

[pbmax]

Are you drunk ? lol
You could do this every year

Reasons for Hope.

But some of these are unique to right now. Name the last D lineman you thought was going to start ahead of Daniels or Raji/Guion.

[RashanGary]

No he did not, he got hurt in week 4, after a week 2 game where he made many of the same boneheaded mistakes that he was making at the end of the year

There was an article mid season said he got injured in the first week but tried to fight through until he finally had surgery. He was injured all year except week 1 where he dominated. So no, I disagree with you and bet he'll be better.

[pbmax]

There was an article mid season said he got injured in the first week but tried to fight through until he finally had surgery. He was injured all year except week 1 where he dominated. So no, I disagree with you and bet he'll be better.

That is what I remember but I cannot find that article. Its not in the injury news of rotoworld or similar, it must have been a deeper piece on JSO about his year.

Thumb injury versus Vikings: http://www.jsonline.com/story/sports...back/91479202/

[red]

There was an article mid season said he got injured in the first week but tried to fight through until he finally had surgery. He was injured all year except week 1 where he dominated. So no, I disagree with you and bet he'll be better.

From mid season when he had the surgery

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/17874575/damarious-randall-green-bay-packers-undergoes-surgery-groin-injury

First injured in week 4, tried to play the next week but didn't make it to halftime

A good write up that seems to support my side of the Randall equation

https://www.totalpackers.com/2016/12/really-injuries-damarious-randall/

[pbmax]

Got it: http://www.packersnews.com/story/spo...g-do/92797420/

Its a little bit speculative though I think it fits with his performance.

Randall is believed to have suffered the injury during the Week 2 game at Minnesota. He wasn't on the injury report the following week but said after the victory over Detroit on Sept. 25, that he was "a little banged up."

He showed up on the injury report on the first day of practice after the bye and then dropped out of the New York Giants game. He tried to come back against Dallas, but lasted only 17 snaps before dropping to the ground in pain and exiting the game.

[red]

http://www.espn.co.uk/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/219465/damarious-randall-doesnt-know-or-care-if-playing-through-injury-made-it-worse

Randall’s injury first surfaced in the week leading up to the Oct. 9 game against the Giants.

[HarveyWallbangers]

So, he was either injured in week 2 or week 3.

[RashanGary]

So, he was either injured in week 2 or week 3.

He was injured very early so anyone making long term judgements is going to be eating their words.

[red]

So, he was either injured in week 2 or week 3.

I think my articles say he was hurt during the by week

[Bretsky]

Reasons for Hope.

But some of these are unique to right now. Name the last D lineman you thought was going to start ahead of Daniels or Raji/Guion.

It might have been undrafted free agent Mike Pennell.....but deep down I thought he was juicing....but I liked him for a while

TT has failed multiple times via the draft here....TRIVIA...who was that worthless POS third round draft pick most of us hated from day one ? I'm surprised as I'm usually pretty good with remembering picks but I can't even recall his name.

[esoxx]

Khyri Thornton?

[pbmax]

http://www.espn.co.uk/blog/nflnation...-made-it-worse

Randall’s injury first surfaced in the week leading up to the Oct. 9 game against the Giants.

So, he was either injured in week 2 or week 3.

I think red's links, and frankly the majority of stories from a Google search, reference red's date. But the reason they do that is because its easily verifiable as he appears on the injury report for the first time.

But I trust Silverstein knows something he is not at liberty to reveal, otherwise he wouldn't give a Randall quote from Sept 25 but date the injury a week earlier.