There are plenty of mixed signals coming from the Packers on this topic and their true approach to fixing their defense is hard to decipher. However, from my vantage point, it sounds like McCarthy wants Capers to stop being so dogmatic about his 3-4 scheme and start building the defense around the talents of his players.

If that’s the case, then the Packers’ first order of business on defense is clear: They should re-sign Raji, one of four Green Bay linemen who will hit unrestricted free agency March 11.

OK, you can stop laughing now. While it is true Raji in 2013 had quite possibly the worst contract year in the history of professional sports, the Packers should try to keep him around because, if used differently, he could still become the explosive, disruptive player they thought he was when they made him the ninth overall pick in the 2009 draft.

Second, Raji’s declining performance is not entirely his fault. Capers wants his linemen to be two-gapping run-stuffers whose primary job is to occupy blockers and give the linebackers room to make tackles. That’s not Raji, and it never has been. If the Packers are indeed going to emphasize playing to their players’ strengths, they should devise ways to let him shoot through gaps and be disruptive. Raji was a good soldier who bit his tongue last season even though it was clear he wasn’t happy about the way he was being used, so a change in approach likely would spur a change in his attitude and in his productivity.

Finally, comments made by Arizona State nose tackle Will Sutton confirmed the Packers aren’t looking to get smaller up front. The athletic Sutton, a potential first-round draft pick, played at 320 pounds last season before dropping to 303 for the combine. The Packers told him they would want him back at 320 if they drafted him, which indicates they don’t want smaller linemen as much as they want more active linemen.

There are plenty of mixed signals coming from the Packers on this topic and their true approach to fixing their defense is hard to decipher. However, from my vantage point, it sounds like McCarthy wants Capers to stop being so dogmatic about his 3-4 scheme and start building the defense around the talents of his players.

Not that Oates' perception of a situation is fact, but this coupled with the strong comments this week that McCarthy controls the defense are interesting to me. I sense that he is a little frustrated with the defense, and is willing to grab the bull by the horns to make sure there are changes made this offseason.

Originally Posted by: musccy 

He reminds me of Prince Fielder in baseball - never as good as he was expected to be, and SHORT and fat. He also reminds me - for those old enough to remember and Badger fans - of Rashard Griffith - supposed to be an all out superstar, and just not; also supposed to be over 7 feet tall, and actually under 6'10".

Originally Posted by: texaspackerbacker 

I've been as definite as anybody with the possible exception of Dakota about getting rid of that big fat piece of crap. That alone more than any other single factor will help D-Line play, and defense in general.

Where I disagree with some people is that it is just his attitude. Oh, I'm not saying he doesn't have a rotten attitude too, but I don't think his ABILITY is as great as advertized when we drafted him either.

He does not seem to have the raw strength and toughness that a lot of D-Linemen - both smaller and big like him seem to have.

He reminds me of Prince Fielder in baseball - never as good as he was expected to be, and SHORT and fat. He also reminds me - for those old enough to remember and Badger fans - of Rashard Griffith - supposed to be an all out superstar, and just not; also supposed to be over 7 feet tall, and actually under 6'10".

Originally Posted by: texaspackerbacker 

If you made sense like this when we argue about politics, I wouldn't have to call you a Dumbass all the time. I remember Rashard Griffith - what a waste!

Originally Posted by: DakotaT