Overestimating the Defense

[Rastak]

But this is the very definition of being mediocre. Looking good against inferior competition and bad against better competition. Its a chicken and egg paradox, where the answer doesn't matter, its the situation you find yourself in.

Maybe, but I'm banking on the fact they don't have a new coordinator and they played their best ball at the end of the year. Plus, they have a lot of guys that you can realistically expect to improve (Jenkins, Harrell, Williams, Hawk, Poppinga, perhaps Barnett, Collins, one of the other safeties could give improved play over Manuel's play last year). I didn't say they were more than middle of the road last year. In fact, they were probably slightly worse than average. There's reason to think they could be a legitimate top 10 defense this year though.

Homer.


j/k


There's reason for both optimism and pesimism. Gotta see how it shakes out.

[BallHawk]

Mad, we seriously need a Kool-Aid man emoticon.

[Tarlam!]

Mad, we seriously need a Kool-Aid man emoticon.

Seconded.

[4and12to12and4]

Mad, we seriously need a Kool-Aid man emoticon.

Seconded.

thirded

[Joemailman]

Mad, we seriously need a Kool-Aid man emoticon.

I also like

[4and12to12and4]

BTW, ive tried to post pictures from the internet, you know like google images, i wanted to put in the pic of Moss' moonjob, but couldnt figure out how to do it. Can anyone enlighten me?

[wist43]

I've been advocating switching to a 3-4 for some time, for many of the reasons that some on this thread have already mentioned.

I remember reading an article about the Baltimore Ravens quite a few years ago, and Billick was talking about the plan they put together when he first arrived, and their rationale in focusing on defense, and why they preferred the 3-4.

Their #1 reason for advocating a 3-4 was that they thought they could build a championship calibur defense faster and cheaper than if they went with the 4-3. Arguing that elite 4-3 DE's are very difficult to find, and they're very expensive.

Their second reason was flexibility in terms of the types of atletes they could bring in on that side of the ball... I absolutely hate the idea that we run a scheme that eliminates from consideration players like Adalius Thomas and Shawn Merriman.

I hated the 3-4 back in the 80's, but it has evolved into a very effective and complicated scheme - to the point where I think the advantages far outweight the negatives.

There is something to be said about coaching however; not very many teams run the 3-4, so relatively speaking, there are fewer coaches that are experienced in the scheme... I don't know if that would factor into a teams decision as to whether to switch or not, but I think it's a consideration.

All of that notwithstanding, there's no way the Packers are going to switch anything; and, consequently, I think the defense is doomed to mediocrity. I don't think it matters how much they draft on that side of the ball... the current scheme has too many limitations, and can't be counted on against the upper etchelon offenses - which, of course, is who you have to beat if you ever plan on being a contender.

The passive defensive scheme, the midget offense, Rodgers as our future QB... I just don't see them getting back to the top any time soon.

[Merlin]

We have the talent on our defense to stack up with anyone (accept Manual). What we don't have is the coaching to go with that talent. Bates is still out there I believe. If TT were smart (LMFGDAO), he should try to take a run at him and mend the fences.

Shitteheimer.....LMFGDAO.....hahaha

I see his secondaries in the Super Bowl EVERY YEAR!

LOL

Sanders on a team with a veteran coaching staff would probably work out well. McCarthy is now in his sophomore season as a head coach. We now have a new OC as well. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM Boy......nothing like having green coaches on every side of the ball!

[Zool]

Bates is still out there I believe. If TT were smart (LMFGDAO), he should try to take a run at him and mend the fences.

Err....nope

:see Denver Broncos

[Merlin]

Then I suspect if the Bronco's field a decent offense they will go deep in the playoffs!

[pbmax]

Its the Broncos, so its always more complicated than that. Bates is Assistant Head Coach for the Defense. Slowik is the Defensive Coordinator. Last article I read didn't know who was calling the defense.

[Patler]

Then I suspect if the Bronco's field a decent offense they will go deep in the playoffs!

Historically, has Bates run defenses that go deep in the playoffs, or that perform strong in the playoffs? Or, are Bates' defenses just strong statistically during the season?