Capers talks up Packers' defense
The Packers defense has made great strides in the past year under coordinator Dom Capers. During a Fan Fest session with the general public today, Capers had plenty of good things to talk about.
The Packers defense was ranked No. 2 in the NFL last season. The defense was No. 1 against the rush and produced the best per-game rushing average in franchise history. The Packers were No. 1 in takeaways and turnover differential. They led the league in interceptions.
Three different times during Capers roughly half-hour presentation, fans interrupted him with applause. Once it was to acknowledge the run defense, once to cheer Clay Matthews terrific play in which he stole the ball from the Minnesota Vikings Adrian Peterson and ran for a touchdown at the Metrodome, and once to cheer defensive player of the year Charles Woodson.
The loss of pass rusher Aaron Kampman in free agency to the Jacksonville Jaguars didnt even phase Capers. He pointed to the Packers No. 11 ranking in total sacks in 2009 and said the clear goal of the Packers this year is to become a top-5 team in terms of sacks.
Capers didnt go into details about how the Packers will do that. He spoke glowingly about right outside linebacker Matthews and showed numerous examples on video of his play-making ability. But he didnt say who was going to play outside linebacker on the left side opposite Matthews, presumably a hot spot where sacks can be generated.
Despite the Packers accomplishments on defense, Capers acknowledged the team has a long way to go. The defenses meltdown in games against the Vikings, Steelers and in the playoff game vs. the Cardinals are prime examples of just how much room for improvement the Packers have left themselves.
Capers was asked specifically about the defenses struggles against top-flight quarterbacks and what he planned to do to rectify that problem.
Capers said improvement of players, an upgraded pass rush and adjustments in schemes all can contribute to improvement.
Capers said he is aware every opponent next season will go back and look at the film of the Packers losses to the Steelers (37-36) and the Cardinals in the playoffs (51-45) and attempt to exploit his defense.
How well we respond to that, and whether thats done by personnel, (scheme), those are all things we evaluate, said Capers. Theres not a team in the league that doesnt have a game or two like that during the course of the year.
This is a humbling businessThats why we have make sure were ready to go out and play at a high level every week.
This game is a game of emotion, its a game of momentum, its a game of how you respond when things are against you. We can make great strides in that area, handling adverse (situations).