The nice thing about sitting here on the internet (besides avoiding the work that is on our desks.) is we don't have to come up with a better plan. We don't have to name the DC who will do a better job. All we have to do is voice our discontent with Capers.

As far as a failure of the players = failure of the coaching staff as a whole.

I personally have not been much of a fan of the Psycho 1-5-5 or 2-4-5 or what ever formations he runs out there. It may work for a few snaps against a rookie if he and his OC are not prepared for it but 2-3 years later it is no longer a surprise and it is not as effective as it was the very first time it was trotted out.

Originally Posted by: wpr 

Our Dline has been very good mostly. Our ILBs have been solid even with injuries. OLB has struggled overcoming their injuries but I would say who has been playing fairly well considering the injuries and players switching positions.

Where we have been hurt the most is the secondary and mainly coverage across the middle which points me to Safety. So perhaps we need to look at our secondary coaches and players. though We could blame Capers for his position coaches.

I don't think Hayward was ready to come back, and that hurt us. That moved Williams back outside. I think we are best with Shields and House on the edge. with Tramon covering the slot.

Originally Posted by: PackFanWithTwins 

We've got what, 6 first round picks on defense? A number of 2-3's?

Capers can do it with smoke and mirrors, but he's been exposed the last two weeks. BADLY.

Now he's got Clay back, so he should be back up to relatively full strength.

Capers track record is that the middle of the field goes uncovered and also, the team sh!ts itself on a regular basis. The defense hasn't shown up ready to play for 60 either of the last two weeks.

Btw, Brad Jones had plenty of free agent interest, although I like Lattimore just as much if not more. And as for Datone, dude had TWO sacks yesterday. Sounds like the ankle is getting better.

Originally Posted by: nerdmann 

1. I don't have a problem with replacing Capers or position coaches, whether it is done now or at the end of the season. However ... the reality is that you aren't going to be able to install any major "system" changes in mid-season. Even if the new coach "has his system designed and ready to go," you aren't going to have enough time to do much system-changing.

2. I don't have a problem with criticizing Thompson in his ability to get sufficient talent. But the reality is there is no significant ability to infuse new talent mid-season. Mostly you've got people other teams don't want that have been out there for a while (the defensive equivalent of Wallace and Tolzein) or people with injury questions (the defensive equivalent of Flynn).

3. IMO, if there is going to be any major improvement on defense (or, if you are more optimistic, a return to the defensive quality we saw prior to the Bears game) this season, it most likely going to be in (i) finding a way to get better play (ii) from the current players playing (iii) the system they are currently playing. How do you do that? Maybe by putting a light-a-fire motivator in charge (Greene? McCarthy himself). Maybe by sending a message by benching someone who people figured more or less untouchable (Raji? Burnett? Jones?). dunno. Maybe telling the assistant coaches that unless a fire gets lit under the subset of players under their supervision that they will be gone. Find a way to tell everyone, and tell it believably, that everyone's job (save Hawk's and Matthews and, IMO, Pickett) is at serious risk at season's end, period. Maybe all of the above.

McCarthy and his assistants are going to be earning their money and putting longer hours than ever from here on out.

Originally Posted by: Wade 

I agree with a lot of what you say, Wade. The question is, WHY was the Packers D better (or at least SEEMED better) before the Bears game?

Somebody in one of these threads sarcastically said "it's all about Aaron Rodgers - even the bad D now that he is out". Well, that's true. Opposition offenses play different when the Packers are ahead. They are limited in their playcalling - playing catch-up with a lot of passing, etc. - allow Capers' schemes to work and compensate for low quality personnel. So yes, not having Aaron Rodgers really does affect our defense also.

Hopefully with Tolzien starting the game - prepared and with a gameplan designed for him, we can take the lead and force some of the same stuff as when Rodgers is there.

Originally Posted by: texaspackerbacker 

Can't agree on the difference being Rodgers. Offenses play the same until they get forced into being pass happy by being down, and this year even with Rodgers we were not blowing anybody's doors off to get to that point.

The biggest change that I see making a difference is Casey Hayward coming back. Which moved Tramon back outside. I think we are best in coverage with Shields and House on the edges. And Tramon in the slot.

Originally Posted by: PackFanWithTwins 

Why is alot of you saying the downfall started with the Bears game? I look at see the following:

49ers = 34
Redskins = 20
Bengals = 34
Lions =9
ravens = 17
Browns = 13
Vikings = 31
Bears = 27
Eagles = 27



granted the last 4 games were against backup qbs but we have been giving up points all year.

Originally Posted by: dhazer