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The talk so far this season among Packers fans has been “What’s wrong with the offense?” They are led by a two-time MVP Quarterback, who not only makes plays leaving you with your mouth open, but also is on pace to shatter a lot of standing NFL records. They are missing a perennial pro-bowl receiver in Jordy Nelson, but still have a load of weapons at Aaron Rodgers’ disposal.
So what is the problem? Sure, they are battling some injuries and some tough defensive fronts, but other than that, there’s not too much to be worried about the offense. Why, you ask? Well, I’m not worried because of the resurgence of the Packers defense.
So much fuss and concern was made with Clay Matthews moving to the middle of the defense that we seemed to forget about the soon to be thirty-six year old Julius Peppers. Nick Perry and Mike Neal became an afterthought. We have all had the same conversations about those two — one can’t stay on the field and the other has never adjusted to the linebacker position.
Even the defensive line was a huge question mark going into the season. Letroy Guion and Datone Jones were facing suspension and B.J. Raji was coming off a yearlong biceps injury. Mike Daniels and a few inexperienced newcomers were going to have to get the job done.
Week one versus the Bears had every Packers fan singing the same song and dance as previous years: “Fire Capers”. With Marshawn Lynch and Jamaal Charles looming on the horizon, this defense was sure to be in trouble.
Fast-forward a few weeks and the Packers are now 5-0 and on a stretch where the pass rush has been compared to some of the best in the game. With 13.5 sacks over a two game stretch, and the run defense holding three elite running backs under 100 yards, something was changing in Green Bay.
It has all started up front. Daniels is having a career year to date. He is dominating the line of scrimmage and along with B.J. Raji coming back into 2010 form, they have created a monster up front. Throw in Jones, who has been good in spots, and Guion, and I will put those four guys up against anyone.
The play of the defensive line has allowed guys like Clay Matthews, Nick Perry, Julius Peppers, Mike Neal and Jayrone Elliot to rush passers like they never have before. With the addition of Joe Thomas to the linebacker rotation, Capers has been able to put Matthews, the best player on the defense, in a position to make plays all over the field.
Not only has Matthews tremendously helped a bad run defense, but also he is now anchoring a formidable pass rush that rivals the Seahawks, Rams and Chiefs – all teams the Packers have been able to beat in this young season.
This formidable pass rush has allowed a young secondary, that has been without its starting strong safety in Morgan Burnett for all but one game, to get their feet under them. A huge question mark in the summer was how the two rookies, Randall and Rollins were going to hold up on the back end.
Rollins, after spending a couple games on the inactive list, stepped in nicely on Sunday with two interceptions and returning one for a touchdown. No longer are the days of this secondary having to stick on receivers for what seems like an eternity, and it’s all because of this resurgent pass rush.
Can this type of swarming defense sustain for fourteen more games? Only time will tell. To this point, Packers fans shouldn’t be singing the tune of “Fire Capers,” but rather drum up some lyrics to a new song, “The Green Bay Blitz.”
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So what is the problem? Sure, they are battling some injuries and some tough defensive fronts, but other than that, there’s not too much to be worried about the offense. Why, you ask? Well, I’m not worried because of the resurgence of the Packers defense.
So much fuss and concern was made with Clay Matthews moving to the middle of the defense that we seemed to forget about the soon to be thirty-six year old Julius Peppers. Nick Perry and Mike Neal became an afterthought. We have all had the same conversations about those two — one can’t stay on the field and the other has never adjusted to the linebacker position.
Even the defensive line was a huge question mark going into the season. Letroy Guion and Datone Jones were facing suspension and B.J. Raji was coming off a yearlong biceps injury. Mike Daniels and a few inexperienced newcomers were going to have to get the job done.
Week one versus the Bears had every Packers fan singing the same song and dance as previous years: “Fire Capers”. With Marshawn Lynch and Jamaal Charles looming on the horizon, this defense was sure to be in trouble.
Fast-forward a few weeks and the Packers are now 5-0 and on a stretch where the pass rush has been compared to some of the best in the game. With 13.5 sacks over a two game stretch, and the run defense holding three elite running backs under 100 yards, something was changing in Green Bay.
It has all started up front. Daniels is having a career year to date. He is dominating the line of scrimmage and along with B.J. Raji coming back into 2010 form, they have created a monster up front. Throw in Jones, who has been good in spots, and Guion, and I will put those four guys up against anyone.
The play of the defensive line has allowed guys like Clay Matthews, Nick Perry, Julius Peppers, Mike Neal and Jayrone Elliot to rush passers like they never have before. With the addition of Joe Thomas to the linebacker rotation, Capers has been able to put Matthews, the best player on the defense, in a position to make plays all over the field.
Not only has Matthews tremendously helped a bad run defense, but also he is now anchoring a formidable pass rush that rivals the Seahawks, Rams and Chiefs – all teams the Packers have been able to beat in this young season.
This formidable pass rush has allowed a young secondary, that has been without its starting strong safety in Morgan Burnett for all but one game, to get their feet under them. A huge question mark in the summer was how the two rookies, Randall and Rollins were going to hold up on the back end.
Rollins, after spending a couple games on the inactive list, stepped in nicely on Sunday with two interceptions and returning one for a touchdown. No longer are the days of this secondary having to stick on receivers for what seems like an eternity, and it’s all because of this resurgent pass rush.
Can this type of swarming defense sustain for fourteen more games? Only time will tell. To this point, Packers fans shouldn’t be singing the tune of “Fire Capers,” but rather drum up some lyrics to a new song, “The Green Bay Blitz.”
Continue reading...