Cheesehead TV Matchup: Week 13 Defense

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Cheesehead TV Matchup: Week 13 Defense

Dec 06, 2009

Move the Defensive Line - Don't Use Static Rushes

It's common to hear about defensive line 'twists' and 'stunts' - but this is usually noted when analyzing how teams us their defensive line when defending the pass. But line stunts and twists are common against the run as well and I think the Packers will utilize them to great effect against the Ravens and what I expect to be a pretty heavy dose of Rice, McGahee and McClain. The Packers would be well served to get B.J. Raji a season high number of snaps along with rookie Jarius Wynn. (I would, um, leave Michael Montgomery on the bench...) Along with numbers, Capers should use a liberal amount of line stunts and movement in general up front. Twists and stunts along with line slants one way while bringing Hawk and Barnett the other way. Create as much movement up front as possible - I think Raji and Jenkins in particular can do some damage if they can break free on the backside running plays down from behind as seen below by Raji against Dallas:

Of course, the line movement shouldn't be limited to the running game. Look for Jolly and Jenkins on passing downs to work right to left to try and open up things up the middle for Barnett and company. The Steelers were successful with this a couple times against the Ravens last Sunday night.

Notice how the linemen don't shoot gaps at the snap of the ball but simply engage and slide with the offensive line. This is the thing that Jenkins was complaining about earlier in the year. But it's exactly what this defense calls for on occasion and you can tell the guys in the trenches have come on board at some point over the course of the last three weeks. I expect to see a lot of movement upfront on defense on Monday night from the front seven and the defensive line in particular.

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Comments (11)

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December 06, 2009 at 11:04 pm

Word.

GBP 4 LIFE

December 07, 2009 at 09:05 am

"Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs did not make the trip to Green Bay and won't play in tonight's game against the Packers."

December 07, 2009 at 11:32 am

The limited air attack of the Ravens might allow the middle twist of Hawk/Barnett we've started to see the last couple games. It was a thing of beauty in the preseason when executed by Lansannah and Bishop.
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Cullen's thrived since his outburst, on shutting down screens, backside pursuit, and holding up the pocket and waiting for CM3 to force the QB step up.

December 07, 2009 at 01:02 pm

I love when Big Bad Raji hits running backs about three yards behind the line. I think he has a monster game.

December 07, 2009 at 03:40 pm

Raji=future of our defense. He's probably going to be the new Porch. He's even got the right number.

I like that idea about openning it up for the LBs. They should use that one play where Barnett and Hawk run diagonally up the middle and switch sides to confuse the offense. The announcers analyze that play so often, but it keeps working over and over again.

We've analyzed te heck out of this game for the last week and a half. Let's play some FOOTBALL!

December 07, 2009 at 03:47 pm

2 Sundays without the Packers playing ball is insane..........kick off can't come fast enough for me.

December 07, 2009 at 04:05 pm

Hope that Cliftons Ham String doesn't act up. With TJ Langs concussion that puts Babre in as Cliftons Backup. NOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!