Cheeshead TV Matchup: Week 10 Defense

  • Finish

It's simple really. Last week we saw a very lazy squad who didn't seemingly take their opponent seriously. Ask anyone on the team and they'll deny it - but play after play you saw guys in position to do their job...and fall flat. For a team that has more than its share of problems winning their one on one match ups, regardless of the opponent, they simply can't afford not to finish, and finish with authority, when the opportunity presents itself.

One of the biggest problems facing the defense has been getting a free man to the quarterback. We've seen time and time again that when Dom Capers chooses to stick with a four man rush, his guys simply can not win. Oh sure, rookie linebacker Clay Matthews has been a bit of a bright spot in this regard and has made a play or two in various pressure packages. And perhaps fellow rookie and first time starter Brad Jones will bring some elusiveness and explosiveness that has been sorely lacking from the left outside linebacker position throughout the year. But the fact remains that Capers will need to scheme guys free to get to Romo this Sunday and when they do finally get their opportunity, they simply have to close the deal. Unlike Mr. Barnett in the clip below:

Barnett simply has to make that play. Has to. Has to get his hand on the quarterback, has to get the guy on the ground. Has to, has to, has to.

And Barnett, who actually had a pretty good game, is far from the only offender here. Watch the rest of the play, specifically after the ball is caught. Can someone tell me what on God's Green Earth Tramon Williams and Nick Collins are doing? Seriously? Williams almost STOPS for God's sake.

Finish. The Packers have GOT to finish every single play on Sunday - or they don't stand a chance.

 

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Comments (17)

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JerseyPackFan's picture

November 14, 2009 at 12:33 am

Finish. Win.

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FITZCORE1252's picture

November 14, 2009 at 12:38 am

Nothing to do with defense, but nonetheless, relevant... -----------“Because I have faith,” Packers General Manager Ted Thompson said Friday when asked why this year would be different. “I have faith in these players and coaches and in the Green Bay Packers.”-----------

I truly believe the guy is dedicated. Is THAT good enough, NO! But it's a big part.

GBP 4 LIFE

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FITZCORE1252's picture

November 14, 2009 at 12:40 am

Swedish.Fish.

GBP 4 LIFE

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FITZCORE1252's picture

November 14, 2009 at 12:44 am

I threw up in my mouth twice in a 15 second clip. That's my queue, have a good one, hope the GBP show me somethin' Sunday, really do!

GBP 4 LIFE

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NickGBP's picture

November 14, 2009 at 12:48 am

I think that "finish" you're talking about has to do with fatigue. These guys obviously got winded in the 4th quarter. Whether that was because McCarthy "worked them too hard" (lol. C'mon Mike...), or if it was the humidity, it was clear these guys were gassed. I think that changes this Sunday. Odds are it won't matter because they'll be going against a great Oline that they won't break through anyway.

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PackerAaron's picture

November 14, 2009 at 01:07 am

Sad part Nick? The clip above is from the end of the 1st Quarter.

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NickGBP's picture

November 14, 2009 at 01:13 am

:(
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That was some of the best pressure we've gotten from a blitz though. The rookie showed a lot of composure there though and Barnett in that position should've gone full bore instead of lifting his hands, but you have to admit the kid showed composure. We were doing some good things defensively.

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Clark04's picture

November 14, 2009 at 04:22 am

I am absolutely disgusted with Barnett. There's no excuse. He should be stepping up and leading the defense.

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Dilligaff's picture

November 14, 2009 at 09:02 am

I would like to see Hawk continue to get more involved this game, likewise Raji needs to step it up, this is why we drafted him. I like Kampman, but I am excited to see this defense with 2 true outside LBs. I think Jones has the speed to cover in the pass defense, namely trying to contain Witten.

It will be interesting to see if Dom Capers brings more blitzes with Brad Jones in at LB, because Jones is much better in open space than kampman.

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Oppy's picture

November 14, 2009 at 09:03 am

Anyone else concerned that the Packers, whose o-line is so porous at this point it couldn't stop molasses, is still putting up points and still losing games?
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Packers have scored 23,24,26, and 28 points in their losses.
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How about this little surprise: Halfway through the season, Ryan Grant is averaging 4.2 YPC, and on pace to have another 1200+ yard season..Respectable, And it seems like we hardly use the guy.
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The offense ranks in the top ten in: YPG (7), PPG (7), YPP (6), TOP (9), Turn over ratio (2), Passing (9), and antother big surprise, Rushing average (9), total Rushing Yards (10).
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Even with a major component of the offense- the line- being completely out of whack, the Offense is pulling its weight. Which leads me to the question:

WHAT'S UP WITH THE DEFENSE??

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Dilligaff's picture

November 14, 2009 at 10:24 am

Well OPPY, When you combine time of possession, field position, and special teams play I think you will get your answer. MM has done nothing to help the defense out at all. If I were Dom Capers my patience would run a little thin. BY THE WAY WE HAVE A TOP 5 DEFENSE RANKING, take that with what its worth along with all those great stats you mentioned above. All these stats have put up a 4-4 season, beating only teams with bad losing records. Again we are losing because of FIELD POSITION, TIME OF POSSESSION, AND SPECIAL TEAMS. You can't average 6 sacks a game, over a 100 yards of penalties, and special teams melt downs and have in your favor time of possession and good Field position advantage. You rarely win when these stats are not in your favor.

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longtimefan's picture

November 14, 2009 at 12:55 pm

The top 5 defense "ranking" is only on yards given up

They are 17th in points given up

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nerdmann's picture

November 14, 2009 at 04:22 pm

The defense ain't the problem. Tampa had ONE long drive. One of about 75 yards and one of about 50. They got the ball in the red zone TWICE, had a pick six and oh yeah, the blocked punt for a TD. That's what, 28 points right there?
I'm excited to see Brad Jones, though. Kampy ain't getting it done.

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Ron La Canne's picture

November 14, 2009 at 05:56 pm

Deffense must play with reckless abandon. Turnovers, get off the field on third downs and shut down Dallas Wr's. No problem! Isn't that right Dom.
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Seriously the defense is starting to look more like last year's. Fourth quarter collapse has shown it's ugly head once again. Conditioning maybe? I hope not. I do think the Time-of-Possession issue could be the problem. Quick strike gets you alot of yards but doesn't eat up the clock.

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FITZCORE1252's picture

November 14, 2009 at 10:32 pm

Nerdmann,

I concur. Maybe Jones will come in and show that we have our TWO stud OLB's for the future (that would be huge). Obviously Dom doesn't think too highly of Jeremy Thompson to be starting Jones. If we can at least come out of this season with a couple of young beasts at OLB that would be a plus... Kampman just ain't the guy for the job, hopefully we tag him and get something for him.

GBP 4 LIFE

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Iced Borscht's picture

November 14, 2009 at 11:49 pm

This team will win 1 or 2 more games, tops. Mike Shananan, Jon Gruden or someone else will soon inherit the mess.

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Oppy's picture

November 15, 2009 at 02:59 am

Well, DILLIGAFF, Special teams definitely factors in heavily. However, if you'll read my post again, you'll see that I mentioned that the Packers rank 9th in the league in Time of Possession, so that's not a likely issue, unless you're suggesting the offense not handle the ball as much.

as far as the Defense, that's why I listed the points the Packers put up in each of the games we lost. Yes, I understand the severely shortened fields hurt the defense, but none the less, losing games when you have scored in the mid to high 20's should not occur often.
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That being stated, the Packers defense in rated No. 4 in yards allowed.. And you've already mentioned how horrible the field position has been- so it only stands to reason the Packers have given up less yards than other teams because their opponents are playing on a shorter field. Dom Capers himself stated he doesn't care how many yards his defense gives up this year; he only cares that his defense gives up the fewest points. Well, guess what? The Packers are ranked 15th and 16th in the league in total points allowed and points per game allowed, respectively... and that's including the two games vs. the Browns and the Lions in which we only surrendered a total of 3 points. Since we're only 8 games in, those two games account for a full 25% of our season so far.. Just food for thought.

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