2016-2017 Green Bay Packers Thread

[pacopete4]

I want the 50th anniversary of the first SB rematch. How fun would that be? Plus if we lost it, I could at least be happy for Andy Reid.

[DHonks]

I'd rather have the Chiefs win this. Any time that's multi-dimensional scares me (Dallas, Pitt).

[MrTPlush]

I'd rather have the Chiefs win this. Any time that's multi-dimensional scares me (Dallas, Pitt).

 

Chiefs would be a nice matchup for us. Weak offense that isn't much of a deep passing team. Smith just isn't smart enough to burn our defense for a ton of points.Hill might cause some issues with his speed, but we still won games dealing with Beckham/Bryant. Honestly it would be a lot like playing the Giants again.

 

Of course we have to run another game before even getting to that stage.

[homer]

I think the Packers are a better offensive team on turf. They can outscore any of the remaining teams. Next week should be fun.

[MrTPlush]

I know Rodgers always gets the credit, but shout out to the receivers today making amazing catches all day. True difference maker on the offensive side of the ball. Making tough catches on Rodgers good throws and his bad ones. They came to play.

[jerichoholicninja]

I wish my friends were level headed fans. The only time the Packers were losing was what, a couple minutes in the first quarter but the whole game all they could talk about was how terrible the team was, and they're going to lose, and they didn't deserve to make the playoffs.

[pacopete4]

I wish my friends were level headed fans. The only time the Packers were losing was what, a couple minutes in the first quarter but the whole game all they could talk about was how terrible the team was, and they're going to lose, and they didn't deserve to make the playoffs.

 

 

Get new friends.

 

 

Kidding aside there are annoying fans everywhere for every team.

[brwrsfan]

I'll admit...I had a bad feeling as the second half played out. Like a "here we go again" feeling as it's happened so many times to this team it feels like - where we either blow a lead in the fourth or have our season end in devastating fashion.

 

Great clutch kicks by mason. I don't think this loss would have been on McCarthy (other than the second down call mentioned above), but there's something about his teams that just always seem to not end games or blow big leads...that was certainly creeping in tonight as the offense went scoreless for over 20 min in the second half.

 

But...for the first time in seemingly forever, Packers found a way to win it in the end. Atlanta defense certainly can be scored on. Might have to win another shootout though. I have very little faith in our defense to stop anyone. Anyone else wondering where Clay has been? He's basically been invisible for awhile now...and he's being blocked one on one virtually every play. We need to pressure Ryan somehow someway or he is going to eat us alive out there I think.

[DHonks]

Just thinking....as amazing as Rodgers and Crosby have been all careers, neither has many game winning drives or kicks to their credit. This was a huge monkey off their back.

[DHonks]

Brwrsfan, one reason Clay has disappeared is the nature of the NFL. We're mostly playing nickel, and he's one of 4 rushing. When we used to play a traditional 3-4 (very rare this season), It was harder for teams to scheme against Clay. I don't know the solution, but when you see sacks these days, they're mostly dominant linemen, coverage sacks, or blitzing DB's.

[pacopete4]

I think Clay has actually been playing pretty well as of late. Hasn't had a ton of sacks but he's showed up with pressure when team really needed it. Last night he hit Dak a few times as he was releasing much like the play that was batted down to force the FG with 40 seconds left.

 

Also, Dallas has a beast of an oline. Can't remember one dominating the way that they do. Amazing.

[RobDeer 45]

Man was I shaking after that game! Just so intense. Honestly, we really shouldn't have been able to win that game. Our defense is so bad and so depleted. We didn't have our best offensive weapon, outside of Rodgers. But Rodgers is just playing so well right now, it's unreal. It would be such a huge help to get a few DBs back this week, a long with Jordy. Not sure what the likelihood is, but it could be a huge boost.

[pacopete4]

Just hoping Jordy, Rollins, Burnett, Baktiahri, and whoever else is banged up gets all nice and healthy for this Sunday.

[DuWayne Steurer]

This Packers defense is so bad... but somehow Rodgers and company just keep bailing them out. The fact that Capers keeps his job year after year is reaching mind boggling levels to me. It's unfortunate, because this team would legitimately have a great shot at multiple super bowls during Rodger's prime, but having this mediocre (and sometimes terrible) defense is handicapping them in a major way.

[homer]

This Packers defense is so bad... but somehow Rodgers and company just keep bailing them out. The fact that Capers keeps his job year after year is reaching mind boggling levels to me. It's unfortunate, because this team would legitimately have a great shot at multiple super bowls during Rodger's prime, but having this mediocre (and sometimes terrible) defense is handicapping them in a major way.

 

I don't think Capers is to blame for bad defensive backs and linebackers that can't cover. That's on Thompson.

[DuWayne Steurer]

This Packers defense is so bad... but somehow Rodgers and company just keep bailing them out. The fact that Capers keeps his job year after year is reaching mind boggling levels to me. It's unfortunate, because this team would legitimately have a great shot at multiple super bowls during Rodger's prime, but having this mediocre (and sometimes terrible) defense is handicapping them in a major way.

 

I don't think Capers is to blame for bad defensive backs and linebackers that can't cover. That's on Thompson.

 

I think it's a tandem effort. When you're given linebackers that can't cover, would you continue calling coverages that ask guys to do things you know they can't do? If you have a defensive coordinator that calls/runs a certain type of defense, do you go get guys who aren't able to do the things the playcalling requires them to do?

 

This is what's really REALLY maddening about the Thompson/Capers duo to me, it's like Thompson doesn't understand that Capers needs certain types of players to run his defense, and Capers absolutely refuses to adjust his defense when he doesn't have the players he needs to run the defense he wants to run.

[pacopete4]

This Packers defense is so bad... but somehow Rodgers and company just keep bailing them out. The fact that Capers keeps his job year after year is reaching mind boggling levels to me. It's unfortunate, because this team would legitimately have a great shot at multiple super bowls during Rodger's prime, but having this mediocre (and sometimes terrible) defense is handicapping them in a major way.

 

I don't think Capers is to blame for bad defensive backs and linebackers that can't cover. That's on Thompson.

 

 

Agreed. This might be Capers best year considering what he has to use. Lack of talent and injuries have killed the depth all around. Packers need to go hard on the defensive side of the ball in the upcoming draft.

 

But also don't be fooled. The Cowboys have one of the best offensive lines I've seen. Along with that, Elliot and Dez are elite. Dak is emerging. Witten still gets the job done. Dallas is potent. The Packers D has held their own the last half of the season.

[brwrsfan]

This Packers defense is so bad... but somehow Rodgers and company just keep bailing them out. The fact that Capers keeps his job year after year is reaching mind boggling levels to me. It's unfortunate, because this team would legitimately have a great shot at multiple super bowls during Rodger's prime, but having this mediocre (and sometimes terrible) defense is handicapping them in a major way.

 

I don't think Capers is to blame for bad defensive backs and linebackers that can't cover. That's on Thompson.

 

I think it's a tandem effort. When you're given linebackers that can't cover, would you continue calling coverages that ask guys to do things you know they can't do? If you have a defensive coordinator that calls/runs a certain type of defense, do you go get guys who aren't able to do the things the playcalling requires them to do?

 

This is what's really REALLY maddening about the Thompson/Capers duo to me, it's like Thompson doesn't understand that Capers needs certain types of players to run his defense, and Capers absolutely refuses to adjust his defense when he doesn't have the players he needs to run the defense he wants to run.

 

That last part is what gets me. I think everyone agrees there is a problem - the defense right now just isn't good. We can't generate pressure (either through the front 3/4 or from blitzing), but regardless of how many guys we send, on most plays, there's someone running wide open somewhere in the field. And unless we get turnovers, we don't get many stops. Regardless of who is at fault - the fact that Capers doesn't really seem to adjust his defense in any way to maximize whatever talents they have is baffling. So the roster sucks, fine, but try something different, try to make it work. To just back in soft coverages because we're afraid of being burned deep just simply isn't working.

[brwrsfan]

This Packers defense is so bad... but somehow Rodgers and company just keep bailing them out. The fact that Capers keeps his job year after year is reaching mind boggling levels to me. It's unfortunate, because this team would legitimately have a great shot at multiple super bowls during Rodger's prime, but having this mediocre (and sometimes terrible) defense is handicapping them in a major way.

 

I don't think Capers is to blame for bad defensive backs and linebackers that can't cover. That's on Thompson.

 

 

Agreed. This might be Capers best year considering what he has to use. Lack of talent and injuries have killed the depth all around. Packers need to go hard on the defensive side of the ball in the upcoming draft.

 

But also don't be fooled. The Cowboys have one of the best offensive lines I've seen. Along with that, Elliot and Dez are elite. Dak is emerging. Witten still gets the job done. Dallas is potent. The Packers D has held their own the last half of the season.

 

It seems like we go hard on defense in almost EVERY draft. The last 5 first round picks were on defense (and 7 of the last 9). I could be wrong (and I'm too lazy to go back and add it all up), but it sure seems like if you look at the first 3-4 rounds of the draft, it's been way more defensive players than offensive. The problem is...a lot of them haven't developed into very good players. Or as others have said, Ted is drafting who he wants, regardless if they fit what Capers actually wants to do on defense.

 

But I'm with you, we need an influx of talent on that side of the ball. Too bad we won't sign any FA, it doesn't always work, but sometimes it does - like the NYG this year. Defense was awful. Went out and signed 4-5 guys and completely changed their entire defense.

[FVBrewerFan]

I have plenty to say about the defense, Capers, Thompson, etc. But that can wait until after the Super Bowl.

 

I don't see how Falcons game will be any different than the Cowboys game. Oh, I expect HOW we get there will be different. Maybe it's the Packers that will need to come back this time, who knows. But seems like this one is destined to be won by whoever has the ball last.

 

Yea, that's over-simplifying the game, but I just think that's all that needs to be said. Sure, great to have Jordy and Burnett back. We can talk about defense trying to hold them to FGs instead of TDs. Need a turnover or two. Yada, yada, the Falcons are going to score a lot of points, so are the Packers.

[MrTPlush]

I actually think the DBs have greatly improved over this win steak. Coverage has gotten a lot better. However I think the struggle go past just not having the best players out there. How many times do we see wide open receivers because players aren't even playing the right zone. They have no chance to cover guys because no one is doing the right thing. Do our players just never learn or is the coaching just not getting it done? This was a fine excuse back when the injuries happened, but some of these players have gotten enough experience to stop making this many mistakes.

 

Like what has been said I hope they can get healthy and get reinforcements back. Rodgers is going to ball again, but I really would like to stop depending on 30+ points to win it.

[RobDeer 45]

I don't think it's a Capers problem at this point. I think he's making as many adjustments as possible. The problem, especially with a team like DAL, is they can run and pass. You bring in the extra DB to cover and they will run. You bring in the extra linebacker and they pass. It's about conceding certain plays and hoping to minimize the damage. He's working with B and C type players because of injury and having to defend the best teams in the league right now. I think he's doing a pretty good job.

[FVBrewerFan]

I actually think the DBs have greatly improved over this win steak. Coverage has gotten a lot better. How many times do we see wide open receivers because players aren't even playing the right zone. They have no chance to cover guys because no one is doing the right thing.

 

So the DBs are greatly improved, other than not being able to cover anyone?

[bjkrautk]

I'm on the side of people who don't fault Capers for trying to avoid the big play, given the lack of healthy, available and talented DBs.

 

Let's look at the roster:

Sam Shields (UDFA - though certainly one that panned out)

Damarious Randall (1st round, 2015)

Quinten Rollins (2nd, 2015)

LaDarious Gunter (UDFA)

Josh Hawkins (Rookie, UDFA)

Demetri Goodson (6th, 2014)

Mackington Dorleant (Rookie, UDFA)

 

HaHa Clinton-Dix (1st, 2014)

Morgan Burnett (3rd, 2010)

Micah Hyde (5th, 2013)

Kentrell Brice (Rookie, UDFA)

Marwin Evans (Rookie, UDFA)

 

...with Shields out all year, Rollins in the Concussion Protocol, and Burnett out most of the game, the Packers only had 4 drafted players eligible in the secondary....where they frequently fielded 5 DBs. Gunter has overachieved, largely because he needs safety help over the top against speed receivers....and Hyde has bandaged a lot of the secondary issues because he's a CB / Safety hybrid.

 

In some fairness to TT (...and that's coming from me!), most of the players he's drafted at DB have hit spectacularly. I'll also point out that Joe Thomas (another UDFA) has made some great plays in pass coverage during this run. For a league that's increasingly dependent on the pass, however....he just doesn't draft enough DBs, meaning the fall-off in depth after the top few guys get hurt is pretty significant. I give Capers credit for what he's been able to do, in light of the injuries and the depth situation in the secondary.

[DHonks]

The problem isn't Capers. The problem is the draft and develop philosophy--which I generally like. Capers' defensive scheming is based around a 3-4, which is been relegated to our 3rd or 4th scheme thanks to 3 and 4 receiver sets. Even then, we see the value of guys like Micah Hyde. BTW, he and Cook are must keep players. Rollins and Randall were drafted as projects for Whitt to work with. The entire defense was based around 5 studs--HaHa, Burnett, Shields, Clay, and Daniels. Clay is playing with 1.5 arms (anyone that's separated a shoulder knows he's nowhere close to 100%). Shields was the shutdown corner that made everyone better. Losing Burnett was huge yesterday, and probably directly led to a lot of the Cowboys' success both running and passing.

 

This year the team needs to add a legit NT, as Guion isn't very good. More corner depth is always good given that the base defense isn't a 3-4 anymore. I almost wish we could go with some lighter, faster (yet still physical) LB's to allow us to stick with the 3-4 against 3-5 WR sets.