Why the Packers are better than last year: D edition

[texaspackerbacker]

Then go get Jadaveon Clowney on a 1 year deal and close the gap more. At least then I could buy into this whole theory that we’re gonna beat the Niners at their own game.

But Clowney would be an edge rusher in Pettine's system - a slightly bigger maybe or maybe not better Smith. We need somebody very much like Kenny Clark.

[RashanGary]

A second Kenny Clark would give us a NFC front runners shot at the SB. So weird to hear people talking about receivers

[Radagast]

In two words; experience and cohesiveness. This quality is further amplified by a shortened off-season that will set back new defenses and defenses with a lot of new faces.

The best defenses, especially back 7s rely on veteran experience and trust throughout the group to handle formation checks and route combination checks. Alexander, King, Amos, Savage, Sullivan, Greene and Campbell have all played together. Those who play together prey together. Expect solid. Expect consistent. Expect big plays. Heard it here first!

Up front, same. Guys played together, stayed together, now they gonna prey together. Time for Gary to unleash the beast. As if his workout warrior videos weren't impressive enough last year, now he's down to 275 and they have videos of him moving like a damn safety. Might get some growth there! Not losing anyone of value and no one is aging. Just better!


In summary, the Packers defense is better in 2020 than in 2019 due to experience and cohesion with so many important young players during a shortened off season that will set other teams back. Boom. STFU Brandon! And Bretsky

Responding to your original thread post, I'm pleased to agree with most of your case. I would like to add to it with this: ILB may not be so in need as some believe. Oren Burks should finally get his starting chance and will be joined by Christian Kirksey. Kirksey brings with him the experience of playing under Pettine in Cleveland.

Additionally, CBs Darnell Savage and Jaire Alexander could be the best CB duo in the 2020 NFL. My D concern now lies with the men in the trenches. Often stopping a running attack or a successful pass rush starts with the D-Line. Fighting off blocks to make the tackle or push through to opposing QBs. I'm pleased that the depth on both the D and O lines are better positioned to carry on "when" the unwanted but inevitable injuries occur.

[RashanGary]

King/Alexander/Amos/Savage could easily push to be tops in the league. I like Sullivan too.

[RashanGary]

PFF has

Patriots
49ers
Vikings
Bills
Steelers
Cowboys
Packers

Packers at 7th overall last year in coverage. 49ers a bit of an outlier with that pass rush allowing them to be more aggressive.

But the Packers should rise. #1 would not shock me

[texaspackerbacker]

You don't think the Packers were artificially high last season also due to good pass rush?

[RashanGary]

Really want to see Daniels signed back. More than Tramon, Daniels is healthy right now and he'd be a great 1 year rental for what we need

[RashanGary]

You don't think the Packers were artificially high last season also due to good pass rush?

Yeah, but all 4 guys learning to work together in positions that require cohesion.... Packers secondary is primed for a huge season. Let's call them top 10 last year due to pass rush adjustment. This year is going to be significantly better.

[GB-Brandon]

But Clowney would be an edge rusher in Pettine's system - a slightly bigger maybe or maybe not better Smith. We need somebody very much like Kenny Clark.

He has played 3-4 defensive end before at Houston. He is exactly the what we need to pair with Kenny Clark. Pass rush would be amazing and Clowney is so gifted he can hold up against the run as a 3-4 DE.

The Seahawks moved him around some too and used him inside at times.

[GB-Brandon]

We had this whole discussion last year after the Niners Debacle. Nothing has really changed but Kirksey.

As I posted before Pettine is supposed to be some 3-4, 4-3 guru with the ability to alter both schemes to his talent. He needs to get it done.

[Radagast]

IMO, the weakest part of what will be a top 10 defense in 2020 will be the D-line. Lowery, Clark, and Lancaster (LCL) are qualified starters, but I've not seen any among them that have equaled the level of a Gilbert Brown. "LCL'" don't have the talent of a Fletcher Cox (Phil) or Jurrell Casey (Tenn). GB did, once upon a time, have Aaron Donald, but he plays for the Rams now and won't return to GB, IMO. I have read of using Rashan Gary as a special inside blitzer to take advantage of his physical strength, but that remains to be seen yet.

The D-line is the primary first line of defense against the run. Sweeps and end runs remain the responsibility of the OLBs and the Safeties. ILBs and OLBs "BACK UP THE LINE"! While I'm comfortable with GB's current starting LBs, I do want to see better depth at those important positions. Should a starter go down, who would best fill the void, Ramsey/Bolton/Summers/or Gary?

[RashanGary]

DL is pedestrian. Unless Keke somehow jumps above Lowry and Lancaster, it's not looking good up there.

[RashanGary]

If you look at the OLBs along with the DL

Z, Clark, Preston, Lowry, Lancaster, Gary and Keke...... You start to feel a little better. Not world beaters, but not bad either

7th-8th overall defense isn't unrealistic

[GB-Brandon]

IMO, the weakest part of what will be a top 10 defense in 2020 will be the D-line. Lowery, Clark, and Lancaster (LCL) are qualified starters, but I've not seen any among them that have equaled the level of a Gilbert Brown. "LCL'" don't have the talent of a Fletcher Cox (Phil) or Jurrell Casey (Tenn). GB did, once upon a time, have Aaron Donald, but he plays for the Rams now and won't return to GB, IMO. I have read of using Rashan Gary as a special inside blitzer to take advantage of his physical strength, but that remains to be seen yet.

The D-line is the primary first line of defense against the run. Sweeps and end runs remain the responsibility of the OLBs and the Safeties. ILBs and OLBs "BACK UP THE LINE"! While I'm comfortable with GB's current starting LBs, I do want to see better depth at those important positions. Should a starter go down, who would best fill the void, Ramsey/Bolton/Summers/or Gary?

This is what I was hoping but he is losing weight and not gaining weight or even staying at his playing weight last year. There gonna plug him into what Fackrell did but everything I’ve seen of Gary “In Space” is mostly a disaster. The jump he has to make is monumental. This pick is a bust. They should just throw weight on him and salvage him as a DE and count their losses.

[RashanGary]

I lack patience and like to jump the gun. Always felt it was a weakness. Shit, it might be a strength. Some packer fans on Twitter and Brandon make me feel really calm and collected.