Defense has more work to do
By Tom Silverstein of the Journal Sentinel
March 22, 2010 2:00 p.m. |(12) Comments
Orlando, Fla. -- During a break at the NFL owners meetings, Packers coach Mike McCarthy laid out a couple of areas that will require addressing during the off-season and training camp.
He was asked specifically about the inability on defense to stop the spread offenses of Pittsburgh and Arizona, but he said he his focus will be more on finishing tackles and dealing with difficult game situations. The Packers did not do either of those well in their overtime playoff loss to Arizona.
"We havent really presented it to the team yet, but the two biggest things defensively is going to be tackling and handling adversity," McCarthy said. "Our adversity situations [last] year were not close to what they needed to be and did not match up to our production throughout our defense.
"On top of that, the productivity we had throughout the defense was a vast improvement over what weve done in the past, but those are two areas were going to really emphasize. And when you guys go to practice and the OTAs in the summer, youll see some drills and things, situations and an emphasis that will be applied to highlight that the defense.
" No different than special teams. The penalties and the punting performance last year are two major emphasizes for the special teams. Youll see drills well do more of, so thats what I do with the scheme evaluation. You try to cut it down to two or three things you really hone in on, and you try to apply it to the practice structure."
Asked if he thought he might add live tackling to his training camp regimen, McCarthy said no.
"I dont think you need to go live,"he said. "There is a risk assessment in everything you do in practice. Where you are in your program, too, has something to do with it. Especially us going into year five, there are some things we can do to improve that in our drill work, and thats what will be done. But as far as lining up to go live tackling so I can beat my chest and say, this no, were not going to do that."