Red Zone Defense To Be Capers’ Focus
By Aaron Nagler on May 27, 2010 with 17 Comments
Great stuff as usual from Jersey Al regarding the Packers' shortcoming in the red zone on the defensive side of the ball in 2009. This is just shocking:
Where were the problems with the red zone defense? Two words: Pass Defense. The Packers allowed a total of only 5 rushing TDs in 2009 (all in the red zone), but allowed 23 red zone passing touchdowns.
That, ladies and gentlemen, is just shocking.
More Al:
Capers...vowed that red zone defense would be a major emphasis for the team in the classroom and on the field during OTAs, mini-camp and most importantly, training camp. When the pads are on, Capers plans a lot of very spirited red zone drills against the Packers red zone offense, one of the best in the NFL last season.
Hopefully all this extra attention will lead to a lot less of this:
Filed Under: Dom Capers • Featured
You know what I remember the most about that game? CM3 having to cover Vernon Davis deep.
I know that a D has to be unpredictable, but when your best (only?) pass rusher is assigned to cover the opponent’s best receiver, you’re asking to lose.
They actually started with Woodson on Davis, who blanked him. Then, when they got ahead and Harris got injured, Capers had to keep Woodson outside and started mixing it up on Davis. He had CM3, Hawk, Bush, Collins – everyone took a turn and no one could cover him.
Yeah I know. But why exactly did Capers take away Woodson from Davis, who was their biggest threat? I understand that Crabtree was there, but he shouldn’t have been the main focus.
And in that play, CM3 was covering either man or zone deep, which is innexcusable, when he’s your best pass rusher…
Oh I agree on CM3 – I made the same complaint at the end of the Steeler game. As for taking Woodson off Davis, again this was after Harris got injured. Davis is a threat, it’s true, but there is Crabtree to worry about as well as Gore, who Woodson should have had before he gets in the endzone in the play above. Putting Woodson on Davis all game and letting Williams and Bush fend for themselves outside is a frightening thought, esp as Bush would be up against Issac Bruce. Even when he’s 80 I think Bruce would toy with Bush in coverage…
That said – once it was apparent, that NO ONE could cover him, I would have liked to see Capers blanket Davis with Woodson and make someone else try to beat them…
Or go to a 4 man front with a 4-3 look, bringing the OLB to the line of scrimmage. Vernon Davis can’t win outside if the TE needs to stay in to block. Stack the line and force him back inside, especially knowing a team line the 49er’s QB roster can’t/won’t beat you deep.
And that comment begs the question…why is Jarrett Bush even on the team if he can’t cover 43 yr old Isaac Bruce. I don’t care if he is good on special teams the guys sucks.
At least make way for Sheilds. At least he can catch up to a guy and tackle them after they catch it.
Ha ha… Thanks for mention and the video accompaniment. Glad to see I wasn’t the only one floored at the juxtaposition of a 2nd ranked defense and 29th ranked red zone scoring defense.
Our defense has some things to fix, no question. Thats why I have been very uncomfortable crowning them as a top 5 defense.
Do they have potential with a bright future, absolutely. They were night and day last year, had some good stats, but stats don’t win games.
Like a good O-lineman, they have to be consistent to earn that top 5 ranking and show up in the big games.
Superstar coverage expert Busari Raji jr. would have shut down Gore on that play I know it!
Am I the only one who thinks are defensive stats were aided by the fact thet we gave our opponents a short field much of the time? Poor special teams means teams were physically unable go very far against us (not much field left). Or are the defensive ratings all based on points allowed, in which case I’m a moron and never mind…
Doug,
the #2 ranking of the Packers’ defense is based on Total Yards Allowed, and yes, it’s understandable that some would assume some of that has to do with the fact that the Packers punting/ coverage units were poor and gave opposing teams excellent field position.
Here’s the catch, though:
The Packers Defense was ranked 7th in the league in Points Allowed, only giving up 18.6 points/game. So, now you have to look at it from this angle: The Packers opponents had short fields to play on, which limited the amount of yards opponents could rack up… But even with the short fields, opponents still had a tough time scoring on the Packers. Of Course, then there’s the subject of the level of competition, TOP, etc and so forth, and on and on.
Points allowed stat was helped tremendously by our easy schedule.
How many teams (games played) who had less than 5 wins all season?
Steelers, Bengals, vikings, Cardinals, and Tampa put some points on the board.
Playing the lions twice goes a long way in padding the stats.
Anyone watching the vikings, Steelers, and Arizona games would not tout our defense as a top 5.
You can only play the schedule you’re given. Like the Saints and Vikings didn’t have an easy schedule?
BINGO!!!
And they did what they were supposed to do against inferior opponents. They also did HALF of what they were supposed to do against superior opponents by shuting down the run game (mostly) and making them one-dimensional passing offenses. Capers had no answer at that point and the scheme + personnel (injuries) didn’t allow the Packers to take advantage of the favorable situation.
I think DB’s and ST are weakest link on this team at this point, and no help on the way, OL up graded on paper, what gives?