Defensive Backs

[Bossman641]

I thought the point was to get better. I can see no appreciable sign of getting better. Free agency is about patching holes that can’t otherwise be fixed in the draft. If that’s the case, this is so far, a fail.

Agreed. We've made moves but they haven't made us any better. This offense never utilizes TEs anyways. Our db and wr are significantly worse then last year.

[Anti-Polar Bear]

Agreed. We've made moves but they haven't made us any better. This offense never utilizes TEs anyways. Our db and wr are significantly worse then last year.

U must have been in hibernation during the Run the Table era, cos that was the last time the Packers had a bona fide TE, post J-Mike.

Cook was a big part of the offense.

[mraynrand]

I give ya credit max, you consistently defend being worst in the league, as if that's the best that could done. Dom is ur man, that's fur sure!!

false and moronic take.

[Rutnstrut]

Agreed. We've made moves but they haven't made us any better. This offense never utilizes TEs anyways. Our db and wr are significantly worse then last year.

In all fairness to JG he isn't a typical TE. He's more of a WR, if stubby tries to play him like a typical TE they will not see dividends from this signing.

[Rutnstrut]

false and moronic take.

Name worse.

[mraynrand]

Name worse.

^^^ This take.

[SavedByGrace]

Remember, we're not replacing 2017 Nelson since Rodgers only played 6 games. We're replacing 2016 Nelson with 97 catches and 1257 yards. Adams had right at 1000 yards that year. A lot of production to make up with Graham and Allison.

Yeah, but I am not sure 2016 Nelson was coming back regardless. Better with Rodgers than Hundley? Yes. But not the guy he once was.

I agree that we are replacing 2016 Nelson. Regardless of whether or not Jordy was guaranteed to come back in '16 or not, we had control (at least a little bit) on whether or not he came back this year. Sometimes a good defense is a good offense, and he certainly would have helped our offense. I think the Pack made a mistake not bringing Jordy back. In the games before Hundley was at the helm, Nelson had 25 catches for 290 yards and 6 TDs. That would have come out to something (if that pace would have continued) around 80 catches for 1000 yards and 15 TDs (no way he could have continued that TD pace). Were his numbers down? Yes (keep in mind he also recorded a DNP against Atlanta - game #2 of the '17 season), but not by much. Maybe this isn't the correct thread for this rant, but seeing as we are in the situation we are in (no significant CB signing and a little more cap room) we may as well have signed him back if we weren't going to make a significant CB splash in FA. Unless they're going to trade up and get one of those difference-makers at CB, we are going to struggle again in the secondary.

Rant over.

[pbmax]

I give ya credit max, you consistently defend being worst in the league, as if that's the best that could done. Dom is ur man, that's fur sure!!

I have watched enough bad football to realize there is never one problem when you are bottom third in the League for two years in Pass D. I think you know that, but like to pretend its not an issue.

There will be an advantage in seeing the Packers run someone else's scheme. It will show positively in Year 1.

But consistent improvement will either come from new players or players put in better positions.

New players:
1. Wilkerson
2. Draftees

Players with different role
1. Dix (he's not going to be that deep again)
2. Jones (he is the reason Burnett is not back at his asking price, if no Jones, they would have signed Burnett)
3. **

Players we wish were still here to get a new role
1. Hayward
2. Hyde

That's not a lot of change. It will all be scheme and integrating draftees into the system. And remember, M3 is still around with his thoughts about players and their positions. He never solved the issue of the disconnect between personnel and Capers system. He has more juice now and a direct weekly line to that department. We'll see how the two fit together once the season starts. I have doubts he is a net plus when he gets involved at a scheme or player level on D.

** There will be numerous articles about moving Matthews around in this new D, but they have been doing it for years. Some of it will be successful as it will be new to opponents. But the single greatest Matthews innovation, at ILB on early downs, is less of an issue now that Perry starts and the D line has been bolstered by Clark. He made the run D better by moving when he did. But it didn't help the team pressure the QB.

The best chance for this D to improve (as of today) is Wilkerson to be Peppers in his first two years. I bet Dom would have welcomed him too.

[pbmax]

And I didn't even mention health of the DBs.

Guess which part of the D was healthiest? If you guessed the best part, the D line, you win a prize.

[wist43]

I expect to see a lot more 4-2 with Matthews and Martinez at LB, Jones roving, and Perry with his hand in the dirt.

I also expect Pettine will put an emphasis on secure tackling in the secondary; hence, another reason Randall is gone. Dunderdummy didn't care whether DB's could tackle or not.

[pbmax]

I expect to see a lot more 4-2 with Matthews and Martinez at LB, Jones roving, and Perry with his hand in the dirt.

I also expect Pettine will put an emphasis on secure tackling in the secondary; hence, another reason Randall is gone. Dunderdummy didn't care whether DB's could tackle or not.

Literally the only difference between the 4-2 you love and the 2-4 you despise is Perry's hand in the dirt.

This year, rather than Peppers at end, it will be Wilkseron.

[pbmax]

I probably should have included, or at least mentioned, Reggie Gilbert as a player who might get a new role. Just about everyone liked what he did at the end of last season though it wasn't quite spectacular enough to get attention grabbing numbers.

It will be interesting to see what the front four are for pass rush. If you put Matthews out there, then is it Perry or Wilkerson on the other end?

If its Perry, and they are paying him like it should be, Wilkerson could slide inside. But then he is a rotation pass rushers and either Daniels or Clark sits. Probably not the worst idea since they need a breather and Lowry is not a true pass rusher. But for this D to be different in pass rush, I think Wilkerson has to be involved.

[gbgary]

difference makers in free agency are gone. plans a thru d have gone bust. he's either going to make a trade for one or rely on the draft now.

[Anti-Polar Bear]

difference makers in free agency are gone. plans a thru d have gone bust. he's either going to make a trade for one or rely on the draft now.

Huh? Part of the plan was to upgrade the TE position. Gute did just that with Graham. Upgraded the pass rush somewhat, too.

Sure, the German Shepherd failed to acquire a day-one free agent corner, but it's not like a Neon Deon was out there. Aside from the injured Sherman, none of the previously available free agent corners were/are true shutdown corners. Yes, perhaps, Gute should've traded for Peters. It'll be interesting to see what he does with the wormhole at corner going forward. One thing is certain, though: He's not gonna be hibernating.

For those of you who think the Packers don't know how to utilize TEs, especially good TEs, check out the "Run the Table" era, if not the J-Mike era. Graham is a better player than Cook, not that Cook was a fruitless as Dick Rodgers.

I'm liking what I'm seeing in Gute thus far. Belichickism. Only drawback is, he traded Randall for a Hundley-clone.

In Gute I trust!

[pbmax]

Run the table featured three wideouts to fear AND Cook.

Who is the third wideout?