Primary Force: Packers Secondary Has Been Solid
Most people expected Charles Woodson and Nick Collins to be good, but did anyone expect Tramon Williams and Charlie Peprah to be this good?
In my newest weekly column, I applaud the stellar–and in some cases, surprising–play of the secondary.
Count the defensive backfield as one of the most consistent and productive position units for the Packers this season, and one of the biggest reasons for any success they've had.
The column appears in the Bliss Communications platform of publications including the Janesville Gazette, Janesville Messenger, Stateline News and Walworth County Sunday.
It also appears in the Reilly family of newspapers including the Dodgeville Chronicle, the Pecatonica Valley Leader and the Democrat Tribune of Mineral Point.
Follow the above link to read the column.
Comments (22)
November 03, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Even if Harris comes back I'm not sure he would beat out Shields for the nickel. I can't believe how well Sam has played. Teams don't even try and pick on him, something I've never seen for an undrafted rookie playing a lot of snaps.
November 03, 2010 at 07:24 pm
I've seen several plays where his "closing-speed" or "make-up-speed" has made the difference. Plus, he doesn't seem to be afraid to tackle.
Both of these things make up for being slightly out-of-position -- which is totally forgivable, seeing how he's in his 2nd year playing the position (and that being in the NFL!!!)
November 03, 2010 at 12:39 pm
Great job Brian. Great article. Agreed completely. The secondary has been the steadiest unit on the team. They have always played well.
November 03, 2010 at 12:53 pm
Steady there RS, we don't want to jinx it. :)
November 03, 2010 at 01:32 pm
We have won or loss 5 games by 4 points or less. Beat the Eagles by 7 and easy game against the Bills.
The win against the Jets was big as far as the win/loss column. An outstanding performance by the defense and special teams, maybe the worst offensive performance in years by the Packers. A very interesting game by the Pack.
So with this performance so far its a lock that we man handel the Cowboys????
IMO I just don't see it, though I feel it with the win against the Jets, but when you take a step back the Pack has a lot of things to fix and to prove.
The Dallas game should be a close game (given the Packer's history) and a defensive dominate game by both sides, similar to the Jets game.
One of these teams will win by 4 points, just not sure who.
November 03, 2010 at 01:38 pm
Vegas is giving us -6.5 against the Cowboys.
History shows that teams that are favorite by 6.5 entering a bye week at home cover the spread 80% of the time.
November 03, 2010 at 06:39 pm
"Locks" in sports do not exist. They are the unicorn of the sporting world.
November 03, 2010 at 01:36 pm
"So with this performance so far its a lock that we man handel the Cowboys????"
Who's making that case, and where was it said above or in the embeded article?
November 03, 2010 at 04:30 pm
Exactly, no one said that. In fact, I think most educated fans would see this Sunday's game as a trap game if anything.
November 03, 2010 at 05:51 pm
"Trap Games" are an interesting concept.
In my mind, calling a game a "Trap Game" just means, "The head coach doesn't have command of his team".
The opponent has nothing to do with a trap game. The mental state and concentration level of your team in the week leading up to the game does.
November 03, 2010 at 06:37 pm
Yeah, but this is the last game before a break.
Do you really think they'll lose sight of things NOW?
November 03, 2010 at 07:43 pm
No, I don't.
But then again, I don't think this is a "trap game", either. :)
November 03, 2010 at 02:40 pm
It's not a lock by any means, but the big point spread has a lot more to do with Dallas than us. Dallas is playing some of the worst football in the league right now. And it's consistently been this way all year, going right back to the beginning of PREseason. They haven't even put together one half of a decent game. And that was WITH Romo. On top of all that, we're getting reports of how they only practice half-heartedly all week.
Sure we could lose. They do have some very good players who are capable of making plays. But they haven't done it all year, in what would have been bigger games for them, frankly. That's why they're gettin' no love.
November 03, 2010 at 03:11 pm
Clay Matthews would make any secondary better.
PackerAaron
November 03, 2010 at 03:51 pm
And how many time have we seen Matthews chase after QBs and get sacks because they have no one to throw to? Hmmm...
November 03, 2010 at 06:54 pm
Goes both ways.
November 03, 2010 at 08:58 pm
Hey, Tim Ryan (on Sirius NFL Radio) constantly preaches the pressure-pick/cover-sack mantra, meaning INTs are more a product of pass rush and sacks are more a product of excellent downfield coverage. Makes sense.
November 03, 2010 at 03:57 pm
They must have had their joints aligned properly...
November 03, 2010 at 07:33 pm
I went to a chiropractor a few times -- literally, the first thing out of his mouth each visit: "Let's go ahead and set up the next appointment."
Talk about CHEESY !!
I think the relief people talk about with Chiropractic is just being able to walk out of the room after those noises come out of your bones !
November 03, 2010 at 07:40 pm
Looks to me like Peprah has spent some extra time in the weight room.
November 04, 2010 at 01:47 am
Peprah could be a great surprise if he plays with consistency. I seem to recall his reputation in camp was always "big hitter but inconsistent" which is pretty much what we saw out of Bigby. Shields was a great pickup.
November 04, 2010 at 05:45 am
"Primary Force" I dont know about, because BJ Raji has been incredible, Jenkins playing through a broken hand with success, and Trgovac coaching up rookies and new vets to handle the running game. Its a great argument to be having!
Plus get a healthy PIckett, and we can have the Side of Beef defense.