[img_r]http://media.jsonline.com/images/199*189/mjs-packers16-26-of-hoffman.jpg-packers16.jpg[/img_r]Nick Collins and Tramon Williams have lockers right next to one another, and it can be enlightening to drop in on their conversations as they open mail or scan the paycheck stubs handed out by Rob Davis.
On Tuesday, a day after their Green Bay Packers defense ascended to the No. 1 ranking in the NFL by holding opponents to an average of 281.5 yards of offense per game, it seemed a sure bet the pair of friends and young defensive backs would find the ranking especially gratifying.
But Collins half-rolled his eyes, dismissively.
"Teams still disrespecting us," he said.
Williams nodded in agreement.
"For real," continued Collins. "We're still the underdog. We're not the team that's talked about. It's the other team."
Really? Like who?
"Baltimore!" Collins and Williams said in unison.
"The thing you hear now is, 'Can we be as physical as Baltimore?'" asked Williams, mockingly.
"That's like a slap in our face," said Collins, shaking his head again. "Tsk. But, hey. We kind of like that position of underdog because it allows us to just go out and compete and do our job."
The fact is the new ranking brought out varied reactions from the people who produced it. Some Packers did find it validating. Others wondered if it was tentative. A few looked forward to using it for a slight edge as a possible intimidation factor.
But one thing cannot be debated. When the Packers introduced themselves in Week 1 at Lambeau Field by announcing the defensive starters, rather than Aaron Rodgers and Co., they began a deliberate team metamorphosis. With new coordinator Dom Capers and a new scheme, perhaps the Packers have a new identity.
"When you think of Green Bay, we want you to think dominant defense," said safety Atari Bigby. "That'll be something good to see."
Now for the debatable part: Is the ranking a true reflection of them as the best defense in the NFL?
"Um, no," said defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins. "We're on our way. Obviously it's not the end of the season and unless you hold that spot until the end of the season, then you're not the No. 1 defense for that year.
"Our goals are season-long. We're not just trying to make it to the No. 1 spot for Week 12 and then lose it. We want to keep that spot, so we still feel like we have a lot of improving to do."
Backup safety and special teams player Derrick Martin was a member of the Baltimore Ravens when they finished with the No. 1 defense in 2006 and No. 2 defense in 2008. He said the Packers were starting to play like a top-ranked defense.
"We're starting to fly around, and that's what Baltimore prided themselves on," said Martin. "Flying around to the ball, we're blitzing more, we're bringing more things, more packages, more things for the team to focus on - and then we do something different."
It's not just that the Packers have the top defense, said defensive end Johnny Jolly, it's that they're No. 4 in run defense as well, holding opponents to 980 rushing yards in the first 11 games, or 89.1 yards a game. That takes talent, a good scheme and tenacity.
"It starts with attitude," said Martin. "Stopping the run, that's an attitude. If you can stop the run, you have a good defense. You look at all the good defenses, they stop the run real well - and then you make turnovers. Once you stop the run, they've got to throw the ball, but if they throw they're probably going to turn it over."
Green Bay's 27 takeaways rank second behind only New Orleans (32).
But several Packers mentioned that they were most pleased with their run defense. They have given up only two 100-yard rushing games - to Cincinnati's Cedric Benson and St. Louis' Steven Jackson in Weeks 2 and 3. Even though they couldn't make Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre uncomfortable with any pressure and couldn't beat the Vikings, they held or contained the Vikings' run. At Minnesota, the Vikings had just 63 total rushing yards. In the rematch at Lambeau, Adrian Peterson had a respectable but not backbreaking 97 yards.
"This is what we worked on from Day 1, trying to be the best in the league," said Jolly. "Now we've got to maintain, keep proving week in and week out. It's good to be a No. 1 defense and good on the run."
The Ravens (6-5) may not be fazed, however. They beat last week's No. 1 defense, Pittsburgh, 20-17, in overtime. Both of those teams have had the most feared and respected defenses in the NFL over the last decade or so.
But Green Bay cornerback Charles Woodson is playing at a level above everyone else. He already has seven interceptions, one off his career high of eight in 2006. He has scored two touchdowns; one more would be a personal best in a season for him. He has two sacks and is likely to set a career high in that category (three is his personal best).
"If we're the No. 1 defense, then somebody's got to come out of here and be the No. 1 defensive player. It just seems right," said Bigby. "You're talking about a guy who is all over the field; we line him up at so many different positions and he's coming out on top. He's a good corner, nickel, dime, safety. . . . When I look around, I don't see anybody coming at it the way he is doing it."
If anything, the Packers seem to believe their defense is very, very good. In a big game on Monday night against the respected Ravens, they're looking for any edge. For now, that's the defense, a home advantage at Lambeau Field and perhaps the first bite of winter weather predicted for the coming days.
"It's about time. Normally the last four games are cold and this year it hasn't been bad at all," said nose tackle Ryan Pickett. "We need some, a little Lambeau advantage. I like (the cold) because I know what it's like to come play in places like this. You hated it. You look on your schedule and you were like, 'Aww, naw. Not Green Bay in December.' "