wpr
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13 years ago
Looking Back At Two Seasons Under Dom Capers  

Reading this article at Pro Football Focus on the top 10 defensive ends in a 4-3 alignment (obviously it doesn't include any Green Bay Packers because the Packers play in a 3-4 alignment) made me think back on the past two seasons under Dom Capers.

Here are the Packers defensive rankings over the past three seasons. 2008 was the last season in a 4-3 under former defensive coordinator Bob Sanders. Rankings from Football Outsiders:

Season 	Pass Ranking 	Run Ranking
2008 	        7 	                28
2009 	        4 	                 5
2010 	        1 	                16

Sanders was partially a victim of injuries in the secondary, and the mid-season loss of LB Nick Barnett, but that 28th overall run defense was well deserved. It was awful in 2008.

In 2009, the run defense's improvement in the new 3-4 was immediate and lasted throughout the season. It was a remarkable improvement, and it turned me into a believer.

But in 2010, the run defense slipped. Some of that was by design, as Capers often called for only two defensive lineman to sacrifice some run support for pass coverage. Maybe some of the blame can be placed on individual defenders, but run defense is as much about supporting the overall scheme and all the defenders have to take part of the responsibility on a stop. One player might hold the line, but it's useless if someone over pursues and opens a cut-back lane.

Defense is a lot about having the players to make plays. The Packers aren't going to switch back to a 4-3 because they don't have the personnel to do it, and Capers is a 3-4 defensive coordinator who probably isn't as effective in another alignment. But I think the players are responsible for the defensive improvement, and I'm not as sold on the 3-4 alignment as I was a year ago.



Based on GB's prior experience with a 3-4 defense I was more than a little skeptical.
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Greg C.
13 years ago
The slip in the run defense ranking was irrelevant because the defense was better overall than it was the year before. That's all that matters. It doesn't make sense for this writer to be less sold on the 3-4 alignment than he was a year ago after the team played better defense and won the damn Super Bowl. To each his own, I guess. (Cue zombieslayer with an essay on the importance of defending the pass vs. defending the run. And he'll be right.)
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Nonstopdrivel
13 years ago
I have said it many times in the past. Let the running back get his yards. Shut down the passing game, and more often than not, you will win the game. I will cheerfully trade a dominant run defense for a dominant pass defense.
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wpr
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13 years ago

I have said it many times in the past. Let the running back get his yards. Shut down the passing game, and more often than not, you will win the game. I will cheerfully trade a dominant run defense for a dominant pass defense.

Originally Posted by: Nonstopdrivel 




I thought of you when I read this article. I knew you would feel vindicated. Or at least enjoy it.
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DakotaT
13 years ago

I have said it many times in the past. Let the running back get his yards. Shut down the passing game, and more often than not, you will win the game. I will cheerfully trade a dominant run defense for a dominant pass defense.

Originally Posted by: Nonstopdrivel 




Not to correct you, but I say limit the guy to 120 yds at least or else the other team dominates time of posession.
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Pack93z
13 years ago

. (Cue zombieslayer with an essay on the importance of defending the pass vs. defending the run. And he'll be right.)

Originally Posted by: Greg C. 





And no one is going to argue that fact... but when an offense becomes one dimensional.. you are making it easier upon the opposing defense. Doesn't mean you can't win being one dimensional.. but it definitely doesn't make it easier to win or improve your odds.. and it certainly doesn't improve the odds of your QB staying healthy. See the punishment that Rodgers has taken in the past couple years.



Sucked in again.. I guess.. but the premise remains.. there are a 1000 ways to skin a cat.. but having an array of tools makes the job easier and the completion of the task more consistent.
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
Zero2Cool
13 years ago

I have said it many times in the past.

Originally Posted by: Nonstopdrivel 

That Dom doesn't deserve to be a DC and should be FIRED!! Yes, you have said that many times. 🙂


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zombieslayer
13 years ago

Not to correct you, but I say limit the guy to 120 yds at least or else the other team dominates time of posession.

Originally Posted by: DakotaT 



I'd take the points over time of possession. Let the stupid RB run up and down the field. Just keep him out of the end zone.

Meanwhile, we'll be throwing TD passes.
My man Donald Driver
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(thanks to Pack93z for the pic)
2010 will be seen as the beginning of the new Packers dynasty. 🇹🇹 🇲🇲 🇦🇷
earthquake
13 years ago
A. Only Chicago and Pits had better run D in the playoffs.
B. Green Bay ranked #3 overall in rushings TDS allowed in the regular season, behind Pits and Baltimore.

Anyone who says GB didn't have a good rush defense based on rushing yards is simply a fool. Let them run, but keep them from scoring! Yards do not win games.

GB was also second in the league in overall scoring, which is the only statistic that really matters, they had an absolutely dominate defense, and no amount of secondary stats can question that.

I'd take the points over time of possession. Let the stupid RB run up and down the field. Just keep him out of the end zone.

Meanwhile, we'll be throwing TD passes.

Originally Posted by: zombieslayer 



Exactly, highly potent offense + 2nd lowest points scored on = superbowl. 😃
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zombieslayer
13 years ago

A. Only Chicago and Pits had better run D in the playoffs.
B. Green Bay ranked #3 overall in rushings TDS allowed in the regular season, behind Pits and Baltimore.

Anyone who says GB didn't have a good rush defense based on rushing yards is simply a fool. Let them run, but keep them from scoring! Yards do not win games.

GB was also second in the league in overall scoring, which is the only statistic that really matters, they had an absolutely dominate defense, and no amount of secondary stats can question that.



Exactly, highly potent offense + 2nd lowest points scored on = superbowl. =D

Originally Posted by: earthquake 



Thank you Earthquake. Next time someone ranks D by yards allowed, slap them upside the head. There is only ONE statistic that matters - points allowed.

I like your way of thinking. Yes, we had the #2 D. I could care less about yards allowed, whether they be by rushing or passing. Stats don't win games. Points do.
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2010 will be seen as the beginning of the new Packers dynasty. 🇹🇹 🇲🇲 🇦🇷
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