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OFFENSE :
Jim Johnson is no dummy; he is probably thinking that the Packers will be very aware of his pass rush, & will begin by running between the tackles, throwing slants, & throwing screens.
He will be prepared for this - and his overall goal will be to put the Packers in 2nd & long & 3rd & long situations so he can turn the dogs loose. Therefore, he will crowd the line early & keep his linebackers tight. This, he will reason, will not only stuff the center runs, but also crowd the slant lanes & sniff out the screens.
I assume that Ahman will play very little, if at all.
I would open by avoiding the middle runs (1 & 2 yard gains will play into the Eagles' hands), & instead attacking the edges with the new, quicker fullback leading Morency outside. There is always the chance that this may turn out to be unsuccessful, of course, but I would rather try something other than the expected.
And, early on, I would have Morency throw the halfback option pass, which, even if unsuccessful, will loosen things up & give them something to think about.
Favre must play very smart, of course. Turnovers must be avoided at all costs. 3rd & long? Don't force a play that's just not there; throw it away, live to fight another series.
DEFENSE :
Our run defense must step up to the plate & contain Westbrook.
Since we can't pass rush very effectively anyway, I would - on 2nd or 3rd & 7
downs - to drop 7 back into coverage, with a shadow always on Westbrook, and consistent help for Poppinga on the TE.
Every so often, sending Hawk or a corner would help to keep McNabb at least a bit nervous.
If McNabb gets frustrated by having Westbrook neutralized to some extent, and the TE not as tempting an option as his game film studies of the Packers have indicated, he is VERY capable of making some big mistakes.
Jim Johnson is no dummy; he is probably thinking that the Packers will be very aware of his pass rush, & will begin by running between the tackles, throwing slants, & throwing screens.
He will be prepared for this - and his overall goal will be to put the Packers in 2nd & long & 3rd & long situations so he can turn the dogs loose. Therefore, he will crowd the line early & keep his linebackers tight. This, he will reason, will not only stuff the center runs, but also crowd the slant lanes & sniff out the screens.
I assume that Ahman will play very little, if at all.
I would open by avoiding the middle runs (1 & 2 yard gains will play into the Eagles' hands), & instead attacking the edges with the new, quicker fullback leading Morency outside. There is always the chance that this may turn out to be unsuccessful, of course, but I would rather try something other than the expected.
And, early on, I would have Morency throw the halfback option pass, which, even if unsuccessful, will loosen things up & give them something to think about.
Favre must play very smart, of course. Turnovers must be avoided at all costs. 3rd & long? Don't force a play that's just not there; throw it away, live to fight another series.
DEFENSE :
Our run defense must step up to the plate & contain Westbrook.
Since we can't pass rush very effectively anyway, I would - on 2nd or 3rd & 7
downs - to drop 7 back into coverage, with a shadow always on Westbrook, and consistent help for Poppinga on the TE.
Every so often, sending Hawk or a corner would help to keep McNabb at least a bit nervous.
If McNabb gets frustrated by having Westbrook neutralized to some extent, and the TE not as tempting an option as his game film studies of the Packers have indicated, he is VERY capable of making some big mistakes.
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