Predict the Packers' Defense

[BallHawk]

Put down your prediction for the end of the year rank for our defense.

For fun, put down how you think we will rank in run defense and pass defense.

[Packnut]

D

I'm going with 1-5. I've got our D in EVERY FF league I'm in. I'm either gonna be a genious or..........well I prefer to think positive. I'll say 6th in pass D and 3rd in run D.

[Harlan Huckleby]

They're gonna be really, really good. Top five.

Unless a linebacker gets hurt.

[superfan]

6-10. Too many things need to go right to finish in the top 5.

[Joemailman]

I said 6-10. Higher in run defense than pass defense. Teams will be unable to run on this defense, and will be forced to pass. Lots of opportunities for sacks and picks.

[BallHawk]

6-10. Too many things need to go right to finish in the top 5.

That's what I put. We would have to remain almost completely injury free and if one guy goes down, especially a LB, we're in trouble.

I say we finish ranked #8 overall.

[Harlan Huckleby]

6-10. Too many things need to go right to finish in the top 5.

ah ya, but that's the same for every defense. I don't think there is a better starting 7 in the league. That's a good basis for dreaming.

[wist43]

I'm actually in the majority on this one... strange karma.

Anyway, my principle bone of contention with the scheme has been the unlikelihood of finding franchise DE's to make the scheme work.

That said, Kampman and Jenkins actually seem to have a chance. Maybe I've been watching too much tape of Jenkins in those last 5 games, but he certainly looks to have picked up in the preseason where he left off.

Two shut down corners on the outside make everything else work. If Woodson or Harris goes down, or realizes a drop in production, the defense would suffer tremendously.

I love Hawk... knew he wouldn't be a bust, but he's better than I could have hoped. Watching him play next to Barnett only serves to reinforce my overall opinion of Barnett - Hawk is so much better. However, Barnett did play fairly well at the end of last year (weak offenses nothwithstanding)... which has more to do with Hawk, than Barnett I think.

Bigby has to pan out... there'll be some growing pains, but he's got the physical tools.

Scheme wise/coaching... Sanders has to be more aggressive and creative to take this defense to the next level. He has some weapons to work with... the success or failure of this defense to either live up to, or exceed expectations, has as much to do with Sanders as it does the players.

[gbgary]

i figure they'll be in the bottom half. not because they're terrible but because they'll be on the field 3/4s of the time. fatique will defeat them. we have no offense to control the ball and keep them off the field. therefore the yards they'll allow will pile up and make them seem worse then they really are.

[retailguy]

i figure they'll be in the bottom half. not because they're terrible but because they'll be on the field 3/4s of the time. fatique will defeat them. we have no offense to control the ball and keep them off the field. therefore the yards they'll allow will pill up and make them seem worse then they really are.

nah, they should still be better than that, even if your fears come true.

[SkinBasket]

The last time we had a top "ranked" defense, all anyone could talk about was how we didn't deserve that rank because it was indicative of how shitty we were. I tried to explain that you can argue how our defense "rated" against others, but that stats are stats and our ranking was deserved. I was thoroughly gang raped as a result. Therefore I respectfully abstain from this poll.

[retailguy]

I was thoroughly gang raped as a result.

Problem is, we all know you enjoyed it.

[GBRulz]

I say 6-10. Main reason....a guy named Shot !

I think we'll be in the top 5 for run defense, but the # of big plays we've given up, worry me.

[Carolina_Packer]

6-10 would be a nice step up, and a balanced 6-10 where it's not great run stopping and suspect secondary equals a 6-10 ranking, but a solid, balanced defense. That would seem to be our best hope for staying in games this year. Of course last night we were surprised by a Colts D that had lots of questions going into the season and they spanked the Saints. I'd love for the Packers to have the same doubters of their offense proven wrong.

[rpiotr01]

Ranking in what category? Points allowed? Yards allowed? Take aways? There are many ways to rank a D.

The only thing I care about is points allowed. If we're top 10 there we'll do well this season. Last season we were 12th in yards allowed, which is good, but tied for 25th in pts per game (with Houston). That has to improve dramatically.