wpr
  • wpr
  • Preferred Member Topic Starter
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.
UserPostedImage
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.)
blank
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.
UserPostedImage
wpr
  • wpr
  • Preferred Member Topic Starter
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.
UserPostedImage
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.
UserPostedImage
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. 🙂


UserPostedImage
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
UserPostedImage
(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. 😃
blank
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.
My man Donald Driver
UserPostedImage
(thanks to Pack93z for the pic)
2010 will be seen as the beginning of the new Packers dynasty. 🇹🇹 🇲🇲 🇦🇷
Fan Shout
wpr (2h) : yay
Zero2Cool (4h) : Mark Murphy says Steelers likely to protect Packers game. Meaning, no Ireland
Zero2Cool (7h) : Struggling to figure out what text editor options are needed and which are 'nice to have'
Mucky Tundra (9h) : *CHOMP CHOMP CHOMP*
Zero2Cool (2-Apr) : WR who said he'd break Xavier Worthy 40 time...and ran slower than you
Mucky Tundra (2-Apr) : Who?
Zero2Cool (2-Apr) : Texas’ WR Isaiah Bond is scheduled to visit the Bills, Browns, Chiefs, Falcons, Packers and Titans starting next week.
Zero2Cool (2-Apr) : Spotting ball isn't changing, only measuring distance is, Which wasn't the issue.
Zero2Cool (2-Apr) : The spotting of the ball IS the issue. Not the chain gang.
Mucky Tundra (2-Apr) : Will there be a tracker on the ball or something?
Zero2Cool (1-Apr) : uh oh
Martha Careful (1-Apr) : Too bad camera's can't spot the ball as well.
Mucky Tundra (1-Apr) : So will the chain gang be gone completely or will they still be around as a backup or whatever?
Zero2Cool (1-Apr) : The method for measuring first downs in the NFL will switch from chain gangs to camera-based technology in 2025, the league announced.
Martha Careful (1-Apr) : A big step in the right direction. Just put in the college system is very very good.
Zero2Cool (1-Apr) : NFL has passed a rule that allows both teams to possess the ball in OT during the regular season
Zero2Cool (1-Apr) : Touchbacks on kickoffs will now bring the ball to the 35-yard line.
beast (31-Mar) : It might of gotten more popular recently, but braiding hair (even men) in certain cultures goes back for centuries.
Martha Careful (30-Mar) : Is men braiding their hair a new style thing? Watching the NCAA men's tournament many players have done
Zero2Cool (29-Mar) : Ha. Well, it'd be nice for folks to reset their own password. Via validated email 😏
beast (29-Mar) : Monopoly was supposed to be an educational game, that show how evil capitalism was and how we should avoid it
beast (29-Mar) : Lol, I was thinking username would be better, as then I wouldn't have to keep an email up to date lol 😂
beast (29-Mar) : Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : I was thinking email because I think it'll make folks keep it up todate lol
wpr (29-Mar) : sure is
Zero2Cool (29-Mar) : Monopoly is a rip off of The Landlord's Game
wpr (27-Mar) : 28 days until the draft
earthquake (27-Mar) : Which seemed strange to my 9 year old self, that you could be a fan for a team other than the one you play for
earthquake (27-Mar) : Nothing eventful happened, other than it being clear that he was a bengals fan
earthquake (27-Mar) : And we went and hung out with him one afternoon, I must have been 9 or so
earthquake (27-Mar) : That’s wild, when I was a kid my friend lived in the same apartment complex in De Pere
Mucky Tundra (27-Mar) : Only career highspot was a 200 yard rushing game while playing for the Cardinals
Mucky Tundra (27-Mar) : He is a former Packer. Drafted out of Northern Illinois. Didn't do much in GB.
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Despicable
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Former NFL. I think Packers too
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : NFL RB Leshon Johnson has been charged in a massive dog fighting operation, with the FBI seizing over 190 Pit Bulls
Mucky Tundra (26-Mar) : Some real irony of a QB as short as Wilson playing for the Giants
Mucky Tundra (26-Mar) : Giants country, let's be the tall beings of lore!
Mucky Tundra (26-Mar) : Russell Wilson signs with the Giants.
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : I was thinking email because I think it'll make folks keep it up todate lol
wpr (25-Mar) : I don't think there is a significant difference. I use a user name for many. Others email.
Martha Careful (25-Mar) : email
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : would it be better to use EMAIL or USERNAME to log into a site?
wpr (25-Mar) : Thanks Zero
Zero2Cool (24-Mar) : New forum has the ability to Thank a post now.
beast (24-Mar) : And the only time they have won the Championship in an even year, was the first time they did, in 2006.
beast (24-Mar) : Since 2007, there have been 10 odd numbered years, Wisconsin Women have won the Championship in 7 of those 10 odd numbered years.
buckeyepackfan (24-Mar) : Congratulations Lady Badger Hockey Team. NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!
Zero2Cool (23-Mar) : I don't think it's completed yet. it was just announced last month, right?
dhazer (23-Mar) : did netflix ever release the Packers documentary
Zero2Cool (21-Mar) : And it is glorious!
Please sign in to use Fan Shout
2024 Packers Schedule
Friday, Sep 6 @ 7:15 PM
Eagles
Sunday, Sep 15 @ 12:00 PM
COLTS
Sunday, Sep 22 @ 12:00 PM
Titans
Sunday, Sep 29 @ 12:00 PM
VIKINGS
Sunday, Oct 6 @ 3:25 PM
Rams
Sunday, Oct 13 @ 12:00 PM
CARDINALS
Sunday, Oct 20 @ 12:00 PM
TEXANS
Sunday, Oct 27 @ 12:00 PM
Jaguars
Sunday, Nov 3 @ 3:25 PM
LIONS
Sunday, Nov 17 @ 12:00 PM
Bears
Sunday, Nov 24 @ 3:25 PM
49ERS
Thursday, Nov 28 @ 7:20 PM
DOLPHINS
Thursday, Dec 5 @ 7:15 PM
Lions
Sunday, Dec 15 @ 7:20 PM
Seahawks
Monday, Dec 23 @ 7:15 PM
SAINTS
Sunday, Dec 29 @ 3:25 PM
Vikings
Sunday, Jan 5 @ 12:00 PM
BEARS
Sunday, Jan 12 @ 3:30 PM
Eagles
Recent Topics
4h / Feedback, Suggestions and Issues / Zero2Cool

16h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

2-Apr / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

2-Apr / Green Bay Packers Talk / bboystyle

1-Apr / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

1-Apr / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

31-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

30-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

29-Mar / Random Babble / wpr

28-Mar / Feedback, Suggestions and Issues / dfosterf

28-Mar / Random Babble / Martha Careful

26-Mar / Random Babble / Mucky Tundra

25-Mar / Random Babble / Martha Careful

24-Mar / Random Babble / packerfanoutwest

24-Mar / Random Babble / Zero2Cool

Headlines
Copyright © 2006 - 2025 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.