There seems to be no leadership except for Rodgers. But no OL to lead that group, same for receivers(Driver on the bench) and backs. At least I can't see any. The D seems to have no one at all, I think we lost that with Collins.

Originally Posted by: PackerTraxx 

This could be a player problem, but the blame by default goes to the coaching staff (Dom Capers).

Originally Posted by: zombieslayer 

To a point I will agree.. that the coaching staff is ultimately responsible.

But go look at the great defensive units of this decade or even the last.. they all had strong on field leadership and presence.

Ravens as example... Ray Lewis & Ed Reed. They are what on DC number 5 or 6 but the defensive level of play remains the same. Aggressive, sound and physical.

Steelers.. albeit they rotate the parts more frequently, they always seem to have a player that anchors the defense emotionally and through on field accountability. Smith on the line.. Greene, Harrison, Lloyd.

Playing defense in football is as much emotional as it is talent.. same can be said for an offensive line to a lesser degree.

You have to have the will, the heart to line up snap after snap, bang heads and want to punish the opponent.

When the Packers played consistent rough and tough defense you had White, Dotson, Brown and Simmons that demanded respect and intensity. Butler to a degree. Eugene probably more than Butler. Newsome would stick people as well. We had some players in recent years that tried to manufacture it, Barnett comes to mind.. Sharper as well.. but it always seems off time and more for show.

Watch someone like Lewis.. it ain't for show. It is the way he is wired.

So no, I can't lay that all at the feet of Capers, because I firmly don't believe the issue to be scheme related for the most part. If anything I am disappointed that someone like Greene hasn't rubbed off on the players on the field... we desperately lack intensity on the field. If I had a Ted complaint.. that would be it, while drafting and acquiring players, they haven't tapped enough guys that bleed intensity. Guys that just are wired differently when they hit the football field.. you look in their eyes and you see hints of craziness or anger.

I firmly believe a guy like Worthy, based on college production, could develop into that type of player eventually.. right now I think he is struggling adapting to the physicality of the game yet. In college he faced a couple teams with NFL caliber offensive lineman.. here it is every snap. Why is another thread.. but he has that makeup to become a fireplug.

You can scheme all you want.. but unless you strike fear or intimidation in the opponent you are already behind. When you allow them to make plays without punishment.. it becomes less and less. We are thin on physical players.. we are thin on fire and emotion.. and it shows on Sundays. No scheme can fix that.

If I am the Packers... I play more of the young bucks in the secondary.. take some lumps in coverage early, but guys like Richardson brought some physicality to their tackles. We so desperately need it.. and if anything that is where I lay the blame on the coaching staff.If anything, Capers plays it safe to often with players.. if guy A is struggling put guy B in along the secondary. I truly believe part of the 2010 success is that we were forced to put hungry aggressive dogs on the field and they struck some intimidation into the opponents. From physical bump coverage to safeties and backers taking shots on players.

Think to yourself.. when is the last time you seen a Packer punish an opponent with a hit in a regular season game? 2011 maybe with Bishops hit on Cam. 2010 I can think of a couple. Last season.. nothing comes to mind. My friends that ain't the scheme. Last time I checked.. Capers didn't wear a helmet.

The other factor that is affect the game, so it is not a Packer issue exclusively.. but the rule changes to the game are neutering the defenses some. Some teams don't care.. Steelers and Ravens.

I hope we see more hits like Williams on Gore on the goal line, although that hit itself did like good on that play.. it did hit tape and guys will see it. On Sunday's... even as minor as it may be overall, the seed is there.

We need more of that.. until then.. we will be completely reliant on scheme and at the mercy of mistakes.

Originally Posted by: Pack93z 

To a point I will agree.. that the coaching staff is ultimately responsible.

But go look at the great defensive units of this decade or even the last.. they all had strong on field leadership and presence.

Ravens as example... Ray Lewis & Ed Reed. They are what on DC number 5 or 6 but the defensive level of play remains the same. Aggressive, sound and physical.

Steelers.. albeit they rotate the parts more frequently, they always seem to have a player that anchors the defense emotionally and through on field accountability. Smith on the line.. Greene, Harrison, Lloyd.

Playing defense in football is as much emotional as it is talent.. same can be said for an offensive line to a lesser degree.

You have to have the will, the heart to line up snap after snap, bang heads and want to punish the opponent.

When the Packers played consistent rough and tough defense you had White, Dotson, Brown and Simmons that demanded respect and intensity. Butler to a degree. Eugene probably more than Butler. Newsome would stick people as well. We had some players in recent years that tried to manufacture it, Barnett comes to mind.. Sharper as well.. but it always seems off time and more for show.

Watch someone like Lewis.. it ain't for show. It is the way he is wired.

So no, I can't lay that all at the feet of Capers, because I firmly don't believe the issue to be scheme related for the most part. If anything I am disappointed that someone like Greene hasn't rubbed off on the players on the field... we desperately lack intensity on the field. If I had a Ted complaint.. that would be it, while drafting and acquiring players, they haven't tapped enough guys that bleed intensity. Guys that just are wired differently when they hit the football field.. you look in their eyes and you see hints of craziness or anger.

I firmly believe a guy like Worthy, based on college production, could develop into that type of player eventually.. right now I think he is struggling adapting to the physicality of the game yet. In college he faced a couple teams with NFL caliber offensive lineman.. here it is every snap. Why is another thread.. but he has that makeup to become a fireplug.

You can scheme all you want.. but unless you strike fear or intimidation in the opponent you are already behind. When you allow them to make plays without punishment.. it becomes less and less. We are thin on physical players.. we are thin on fire and emotion.. and it shows on Sundays. No scheme can fix that.

If I am the Packers... I play more of the young bucks in the secondary.. take some lumps in coverage early, but guys like Richardson brought some physicality to their tackles. We so desperately need it.. and if anything that is where I lay the blame on the coaching staff.If anything, Capers plays it safe to often with players.. if guy A is struggling put guy B in along the secondary. I truly believe part of the 2010 success is that we were forced to put hungry aggressive dogs on the field and they struck some intimidation into the opponents. From physical bump coverage to safeties and backers taking shots on players.

Think to yourself.. when is the last time you seen a Packer punish an opponent with a hit in a regular season game? 2011 maybe with Bishops hit on Cam. 2010 I can think of a couple. Last season.. nothing comes to mind. My friends that ain't the scheme. Last time I checked.. Capers didn't wear a helmet.

The other factor that is affect the game, so it is not a Packer issue exclusively.. but the rule changes to the game are neutering the defenses some. Some teams don't care.. Steelers and Ravens.

I hope we see more hits like Williams on Gore on the goal line, although that hit itself did like good on that play.. it did hit tape and guys will see it. On Sunday's... even as minor as it may be overall, the seed is there.

We need more of that.. until then.. we will be completely reliant on scheme and at the mercy of mistakes.

Originally Posted by: Pack93z