The Green Bay Packers will find out this week whether a relatively small lineup change can lead to relatively significant returns for their defense.
The Packers appear likely to have their preferred pairing at safety back with the return of Atari Bigby, who missed the last three games because of a sprained knee. Bigby was a full participant in practice Wednesday, and barring a setback, should be ready to pair with Nick Collins on Sunday against Detroit for the first time since the regular-season opener.
In Bigbys absence, safety has been a liability. First, Aaron Rouse played himself from being Bigbys replacement in the starting lineup against Cincinnati to the waiver wire the next week. Then, the next starter in line, Derrick Martin, was out of position and exploited by quarterback Brett Favre on two big passes that were turned into points in the Packers loss at Minnesota,.
So, the Packers are anxious for Bigbys likely return, though its unclear how much of a difference one player with a relatively pedestrian recent track record can make for a defense that couldnt stop halfback Cedric Benson (141 yards rushing) in a loss to Cincinnati nor Favre (135.3 passer rating) in the loss to the Vikings.
You dont want to think one guy would make that big a difference, said Tramon Williams, the Packers nickel cornerback. But youve got a guy whos been in the defense the whole time (i.e., Bigby), and then you bring in a guy who knows the defense for two weeks (i.e., Martin). That can be a big difference no matter how anybody looks at it.
Bigby wasnt available for comment after practice Wednesday, but during the portion of practice open to the media, he appeared to be running fine. Coach Mike McCarthy listed Bigby as limited in the team portion of the workout, and said as long as Bigby is able to get through the rest of the week of practice without the injury regressing, he should be available against the Lions.
He seemed good, Williams said. Everybody keeps asking him, Hows it feeling right now? Hows it feeling today? He worked out Monday and said he felt good, he came out (Wednesday) and everybody was asking him if hes still feeling good, and hes, Yeah, its still feeling good.
The Packers still dont know whether theyll ever again see the Bigby who for the last month of 2007 regular season and then two playoff games was a big hitter and something of a difference maker. His 2008 season was a washout because of injuries, the main one being a badly sprained ankle in the preseason that dogged him all year. He had surgery on it after going on injured reserve in December and missed all offseason practices while recovering.
Bigby had a relatively quiet training camp while holding down his starting job, and then in the opener against Chicago had six tackles before sustaining a sprained knee in the fourth quarter. He has yet to show the burst he had before getting hurt last year, but he should be much better versed in Dom Capers defensive scheme than Martin, who was acquired the week before the start of the regular season, and Matt Giordano, who was signed Sept. 23.
We had to make some changes without him back there, Collins said.
Nose tackle Ryan Pickett said: (He brings an) attitude back there. When youre a receiver, youve got to watch him all the time. Hes not just trying to tackle you, hes trying to do some damage to you. And having him in the box is like having another linebacker. So he brings a lot.
The Packers dont know which Lions quarterback Bigby will face this week No. 1 draft pick Matthew Stafford or backup Daunte Culpepper though Staffords chances of playing are looking better after he was able to practice part time Wednesday. He missed last weeks game against Pittsburgh because of a dislocated kneecap.
With Bigby, Capers should have more of his defensive playbook available and presumably will use it to try to confuse the rookie with his array of zone blitzes. Staffords passer rating (57.0 points) ranks No. 31 in the NFL, and hes completed only 53.4 percent of his passes, but hes got a big-league arm and has shown the ability to get rid of the ball quickly.
Youre always going to take advantage of a rookie, Williams said. Youve got people trying to talk about how this guys the next coming, but realistically, the guys still a rookie. You have to give him all the looks and make him play like a rookie.