Zero2Cool
15 years ago
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[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.' "



whoa ...
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bozz_2006
15 years ago
Aww, yes! Green Bay in December.
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RajiRoar
15 years ago
this all started with Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy gettin the right guys for the job

Getting Capers was a great move but Kevin Green has to be my favorite hire.

MintBaconDrivel
Dec, 11, 2012 - FOREVER!
Dulak
15 years ago
Damn that article has me pumped - glad to hear these guys are having a positive attitude and they deserve the #1 status since they put in all the hard work.
azrunning
15 years ago
They have a good attitude; it's not all going to their heads. Let's see them carry it through the end of the season and playoffs.
BAD EMAIL because the address couldn ot be found, or is unable to receive mail.
15 years ago
I'm impressed by the improvement in the run D. The total yards... eh... it's better than being 32nd, as someone on the team said, but it's not the definitive measurement of a defense. Our run defense is MUCH better than last year, however. It makes a huge difference in how opposing offenses try to work, and it's going to be key in these winter months.
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yooperfan
15 years ago
I also like what the players are saying.
They aren't letting success go to their heads.
This defense is rounding out nicely for a good run down the stretch, even the loss of Harris and Kampy hasn't shaken their belief in themselves.

I love good defense and Dom Capers and his crew are starting to impress me.
My biggest concern going into this stretch run is depth in the secondary. ( and Bush).
Hopefully the injury bug will leave the Packers alone for the rest of the season.
buckeyepackfan
15 years ago
Found this on KFFL, if this guy is right, IMHO Packers will stuff their "three headed monster" and come out with a win.


It's time for Ravens' three-headed monster

Mike Preston

December 4, 2009

If Pittsburgh has a secret weapon, so do the Ravens. This is not the time to be holding back. We've talked about this before, but now is the perfect time.

It's December, the time good teams hitch a ride on their running game straight into the postseason. It's going to be a cold, possibly snowy night in Green Bay on Monday, and the best way to keep the Packers and their sensational young quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, off the field is to pound away at the Packers.

It's time for Ravens second-year running back Ray Rice to be joined by his partners in the backfield from a year ago, Willis McGahee and Le'Ron McClain.

We might have gotten a glimpse of it Sunday night in the Ravens' 20-17 win over the Steelers. Rice had 19 carries for 88 yards, and McGahee had five for 18. McClain, the starting fullback, was just starting to pound away at the Pittsburgh defense in the third quarter but had to leave the game late in the period with an abdominal injury.

McClain, who finished with four carries for 28 yards, said he'll be ready Monday night against Green Bay.

"I'm good, getting treatment every day," McClain said. "I'm feeling a lot better than I did Sunday night. I was just starting to get into it, then messed around and got hurt. Some guy caught me in the ribs.

"I'm feeling a lot better than I did Sunday night. I'm ready for everything. I'm sore a little bit, but it's nothing I can't work through. It's December, it's playoffs. Almost anything goes."

It was the first extensive work by all three running backs since early in the season. A year ago, though, the ground game was the major staple of the offense. The Ravens kept grinding at opposing teams with McClain, McGahee and Rice all the way to the AFC championship game.

But that changed at the beginning of this season because the Ravens outsmarted themselves. Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, auditioning for a head coaching job, wanted to show off the arm of second-year quarterback Joe Flacco in 2009.

It worked for a while, but Air Flacco has been grounded the past couple of weeks. Opposing teams are throwing more schemes than ever at Flacco, confusing a young quarterback who is still getting on-the-job training.

Despite denials by the Ravens and Flacco, he is bruised and battered, nursing ankle and shoulder injuries. His mobility has decreased, and he no longer steps up in the pocket. The coaching staff has gone back to telling Flacco which receiver to throw to.

The Ravens also made a mistake by trying to have a dominant passing attack without a quality bunch of receivers.

On Monday night, though, there's a chance for the Ravens to make amends.

Green Bay has the NFL's No. 1 defense, but the Packers are soft up front.
(Mr. Pickett, Mr. Raji....he is calling you soft!!!)
If the Ravens can run the ball, they take it out of Flacco's hands as well as those of the elusive Rodgers, who'll throw for more than 400 yards if Green Bay wins time of possession.

In his worst nightmares, Ravens coach John Harbaugh doesn't want Green Bay's receivers matched up with his cornerbacks for long, especially Donald Driver against Domonique Foxworth.

Oh, no, no, no ...

The best bet for the Ravens is to unleash the three-headed monster. The Ravens haven't used them much this season, so at least McGahee and McClain are fresh. If the Ravens can get them going and gain some momentum, it could make the last four games interesting.

It also leaves Cameron an out. If the Ravens win out into the postseason, he can say he was trying to keep all three running backs fresh to make a serious playoff run at the end. You can sell anything to fans when you win.

"I knew that Sunday night, if I had continued to do my job, Cam would have said, 'Keep it going, keep taking it to them,' " McClain said. "I'm not beat up like last year. I've been cold-tubbing and hot-tubbing it, and it feels good right now. The big push for me is December. It's all on Cam. If he calls on me, I'm good for it."

Rice said: "It was a great feeling. I took more pride in finishing that game the way we did running the ball play after play after play. It really set a precedent for what is going on in the near future with our offense."

We hope so.

I was addicted to The Hokey Pokey, but I turned myself around!
IronMan
15 years ago

Green Bay has the NFL's No. 1 defense, but the Packers are soft up front.



What? 4th against the run and we are "soft up front?" Child please!
bozz_2006
15 years ago

Green Bay has the NFL's No. 1 defense, but the Packers are soft up front.

"IronMan" wrote:



What? 4th against the run and we are "soft up front?" Child please!


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Fan Shout
Mucky Tundra (6h) : Getting help would have been nice, but helping ourselves should always be the plan
beast (6h) : Too bad Seahawks couldn't beat Vikings
bboystyle (6h) : We just need to win Monday night and were in
Mucky Tundra (9h) : Or ties, but let's be real here
Mucky Tundra (9h) : Other scenario was Falcons+Rams losses
Mucky Tundra (9h) : Needed a Falcons loss for a Seahawk loss to clinch
buckeyepackfan (10h) : Am I wring in saying if Tge Vikings beat The Seahawks, The Packers clinch?
Mucky Tundra (21-Dec) : Agreed; you stinks
Zero2Cool (21-Dec) : I'm not beating anyone. I stinks.
Mucky Tundra (21-Dec) : rough injury for tank dell. guy can't catch abreak
beast (21-Dec) : So far the college playoffs have sucked... One team absolutely dominates the other
beast (21-Dec) : Well even if you weren't positive towards a guy, you wouldn't nessarily want to tell the media that (if they don't know about it)
Martha Careful (21-Dec) : I think MLF want Love to look past the end half issues, and feel good about his play. Our coaches generally keep a very positive tone.
beast (21-Dec) : I think a great running game will do that for most QBs
packerfanoutwest (21-Dec) : Coach Matt LaFleur has said quarterback Jordan Love is playing the best football of his career.
beast (21-Dec) : Oh, that's how you keep beating buckeye, with cheating
Zero2Cool (20-Dec) : There is a rule that if your name starts with 'b' you lose 15 points. Hey, I don't make the rules, I just enforce them!
wpr (20-Dec) : and then there is Beast. Running away with it all.
beast (20-Dec) : As of tonight, 3 way tie for 2nd in Pick'em, that battle is interesting!
beast (20-Dec) : Lions vs Vikings could be the main last game as it could determine division winners or #1 vs #2 seed
Mucky Tundra (20-Dec) : Or if KC needs to win for the #1 seed
Mucky Tundra (20-Dec) : Right now it looks like the only prime worthy games are Det-Minny and KC-Denver (if Denver can clinch a wild card spot)
Mucky Tundra (20-Dec) : The entirety of week 18 being listed as flex is weird
Zero2Cool (19-Dec) : Matt LaFleur today says unequivocally "Ted Thompson had nothing to do with the drafting of Jordan Love."
Zero2Cool (19-Dec) : Apparently, the editing is what pieces comments together. That Ted thing ... fake news.
Zero2Cool (19-Dec) : LaFleur "opportunity that Ted Thompson thought was too good to pass up"
Zero2Cool (19-Dec) : Jordan Love pick was Ted Thompson's idea.
Mucky Tundra (19-Dec) : Kyle Shanahan on signing De'Vondre Campbell as a FA last offseason: “We obviously made a mistake.”
packerfanoutwest (19-Dec) : Alexander’s last season with GB
Martha Careful (18-Dec) : if I were a professional athlete, I would probably look to see who the agent is for Kirk Cousins and then use him
beast (18-Dec) : $100 million fully guaranteed Kirk Cousins gets benched for rookie
Mucky Tundra (18-Dec) : a lower case b
Mucky Tundra (18-Dec) : The real lie is how beast capitalized his name in his message while it's normally spelled with
packerfanoutwest (18-Dec) : haha that's a lie
beast (17-Dec) : Despite what lies other might tell, Beast didn't hate the Winter Warnings, it felt refreshing to Beast for some reason.
Zero2Cool (17-Dec) : whiteout uniforms in general are pretty lame and weak. NFL greed at it's worst
Martha Careful (17-Dec) : The Viking uniforms, the whiteout uniforms specifically absolutely suck
beast (17-Dec) : Thanks Zero2Cool, looks a lot better now
beast (17-Dec) : Seems like someone has a crush on me, can't stop talking about me
Zero2Cool (17-Dec) : Should be gooder now. The forum default theme went to goofy land.
Zero2Cool (17-Dec) : What the hell
packerfanoutwest (17-Dec) : yeah beast hates the Winter Warning Unies
Mucky Tundra (16-Dec) : Okay I'm glad to know it's not just something happening to me lol
Mucky Tundra (16-Dec) : Zero, did you copy the Packers uniforms from last night and white out the board?
beast (16-Dec) : Oh crap, is the board going to the Winter Warning Uniforms too?!? It's all white on white right now!
Zero2Cool (16-Dec) : WR Odell Beckham Jr is officially a free agent after clearing waivers.
Zero2Cool (16-Dec) : Packers are 6th in sacks.
Zero2Cool (16-Dec) : RB David Montgomery will undergo season-ending knee surgery.
Mucky Tundra (16-Dec) : Dan Campbell on onside kick with 12 minutes left: In hindsight, wish I didn’t do that
Zero2Cool (16-Dec) : They have that whole 12th man thing so ...
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