I've noticed this too - and it isn't new to our defense either. It mostly annoys me because it is taught at every level of tackle football. I haven't played at any level above HS ball, but I lived for the moments I got to blow someone up - why don't these guys? I have seen it with other teams, though the Packers more than others... of course that may be because I watch them on the regular?
Originally Posted by: hardrocker950
You ever see the movie Major League where 3B Roger Dorn doesn't lay out to snag a grounder? I think it's the same thing for tackling in the NFL. Dorn didn't lay out because he didn't want to get hurt. I think part of it was his face was also used for advertising.
Yes, the passive tackling happens with other teams, not just the Packers. I have seen numerous players (mainly LB and S) go aggressive with tackling but CB's are pretty unanimously passive tacklers regardless of the team. You'll get a thumper here and there, but it's rare.
It's hard for a Zebra or Tiger or whatever animal to change it's stripes.
Here's how I would do it.
I would get the defense together and ask them to identify the top three defenses in the NFL. Then I would show cut ups of how those teams are tackling. When the players see most of the teams they mentioned in the clips, it should hit home a little bit. Then I play tackle cut ups of the current Packers defenders tackling in their passive nature.
To drive home the point, I would challenge them as men to be aggressive. If not for themselves, for the guy on their left, for the guy on the right and they'll respect the guy in the mirror the next morning.
Then I would get cut ups ready for every Wednesday morning meeting and call out each aggressive tackle in a manner that encourages the men watching to want to be in the next Wednesday cut up.
And if that starts to stale, I then put some money where my mouth is. I would start ponying up $100 for every aggressive tackle.
This is just off the cuff here and not much thought. The point here is it is a mindset and our minds can be changed with the right leadership. The players have to ask themselves, do you want to be great?