Tackling Woes Return
The Packers were uncharacteristically undisciplined in their tackling against the Falcons.
By PackerAaron
Under former Packers defensive coordinator Bob Sanders, the Packers were terrible when it came to tackling the ball carrier. Things have turned around under current coordinator Dom Capers, but today against the Atlanta Falcons the Packers reverted to an undisciplined style of defensive football.
Ryan Pickett summed it up perfectly after the game:
One of the keys in tight games like this is the turnover difference and the team that plays the best fundamental defense. I don’t think we tackled well today. We’re normally a solid tackling team, and we gave them a lot of second chance, third chances we shouldn’t have given them.
The worst display came on a 3rd and 19 when Falcons fullback Ovie Mughelli took a short dump off pass and rumbled 16 yards, but only after Charles Woodson and Charlie Peprah made two pathetic attempts at tackles by diving at Mughelli's feet. I recognize its a fullback against members of the secondary - but you simply have to square up on the guy. Sure you might get dragged for a yard or two until the calvary arrives, but going to the turf and completely missing the guy is inexcusable and it kept happening all afternoon. The display against Mughelli was especially discerning in light of Frank Zombo's similar breakdown against Minnesota last week. Packer fans can only hope this isn't the beginning of a trend.
One thing is for sure, Capers will have plenty of film to make "corrections" this week.
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Comments (8)
November 29, 2010 at 12:58 am
man there was some poor tackling attempts in that game.
November 29, 2010 at 07:15 am
This was one of the biggest differences in the game.
I also think part of it came down to the Packers continually trying for the strip. I understand it's a big part of their game, but when it starts becoming a liability, then you have to just focus on getting the guy down.
November 29, 2010 at 03:41 pm
It's "cavalry", not "calvary". There is a huge difference
November 29, 2010 at 05:49 pm
Horses... Religion... it's all good.
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"The display against Mughelli was especially discerning in light of Frank Zombo's similar breakdown against Minnesota last week."
Did you mean "discerning" ?
I would have thought that "disconcerting" might have been preferable...
(but maybe I'm just splitting hares, or picking knits...)
November 29, 2010 at 04:26 pm
I'm guessing the turf has something to do with this tackling conundrum. Lets face it the Falcon's secondary struggled in tackling our WR's too. Maybe this falcon's team is built for playing on that turf. It's possible Michael Turner softened them up a bit. I would have liked to see more of those big slugs in there on the Dline to stop turner before he got to the secondary. They have shut down great running games at times this season, they sure didn't on Sunday.
November 29, 2010 at 08:45 pm
I have a question and I am hoping Aaron and Corey talk about it tomorrow night, but that run back with the stiff arm that was called a "personal foul". I don't remember if it was in the 1st half or 2nd, who the player was, with not haivng the ability to review the game I don't have more available, someone has to know what I am talking about.
When has tis ever been called before? and why was it called? the offensive player always stiff arms the defender many times in the face or facemask and nothing is never called, but today it was.
WHY???
November 29, 2010 at 09:11 pm
It was Sam Shields who got called for the penalty in the 2nd half.
November 30, 2010 at 12:41 pm
While the tackling did appear to be a problem generally, in slight defense of our defense, most teams struggle tackling Michael Turner/Snelling/Mughelli over the course of a game (especially at the Georgia Dome). Turner in particular has the strongest base (legs/ass) of any RB out there. He is really difficult to bring down. And Snelling and Mughelli are huge. Again, not a great excuse, but many teams struggle with tackling against Atlanta because these backs are so punishing and they don't go down easily.