Pettine will change the culture. When you have Stafford admitting that he knew what the defensive call was before the play. When that happens, players lose their commitment. Because if you can always call the perfect play, even the best players can't make a play because everything is in rhythm. If you can confuse at the snap, everyone will be playing better.

So Matthews was on the sidelines at the end of games because Capers didn't hold him accountable?

I highly doubt the issue with this defense was guys weren't told when they screwed up.

This article is absurd.

Pettine's biggest challenge with the veterans on this group will be the mental re-programming from passive and confused to aggressive and confident.

No more pre-snap fire drills, extra-soft cushions and post-play finger pointing. If you suck and you blow your assignments, you sit. Unless the Packers personnel people are clueless, there should be athletes waiting in the wings to capitalize on those opportunities.

His history indicates he'll be up to the task. I finally want to see a defense made up of meat-eaters.

This defense will be better because of the front the Packers have built going into 2018. Wilkerson, Clark, Daniels, Lowry, and maybe even a gem in M Adams has the makings of a front that could dominate AND have depth. I still think we'll see Nick Perry on passing downs as a DE with his hand in the dirt. I have nothing to base this on other than that was the position he wanted to play in the NFL. Pettine may just accommodate him in certain situations this year. Matthews will be a factor this season. I really think with a new scheme that actually works, a rejuvenated Matthews will hit double digit sacks.

Alexander, Jackson, King, and Williams will all be an improvement over ANY group the Packers were able to put on the field last season. With House and Pipkins as depth this is the best secondary the Packers have had since 2010. That may be a bold statement considering Jackson and Alexander haven't even played a down, but it's one I think that's true.

Now, IF HHCD pulls head from rear and Josh Jones plays more games like he did against the Bengals which I think he will, this defense will have NO PROBLEM being a Top 15 unit.

For all the times someone had made a nice play on defense there was never any comradery to follow, no fire and no pride in their play. Under Capers there was no playing as a team instead of individuals which led to cracks in the foundation, no leader to step up and right the ship when they are up against the ropes. I think most importantly there was no belief in the system from the players. All of this is a reflection on Capers. I do believe Pettine will change that course. Whoever is not on board with accountability, pride, playing as a unit and buying into Pettines system will be on the outside looking in come week 1.

Sorry to hijack this thread but am looking for a fantasy league to join this year, I'm based in Berlin so hard to find much local action. Hit me up if you have any space in a 'serious' league. cheers

The biggest difference with Pettine is he will adjust his scheme to the players he has. He has spoken about that. Others have talked about that too.
That to me is one of the biggest things that we will see as a change. The defense will not be the predictable anymore.

In his defense the first thing he wants is good CB's. That allows him to be able to do more with the pass rush. I believe Gutekunst did a good job of upgrading the CB position. While we don't truly know how good Alexander and Jackson will be, we have seen King play at a high level until his shoulder injury. But the part I really like was that he went and resigned House and brought in Williams, who last year probably had his best year as a pro. He brought in veteran players to help aid the youth. Also it isn't forcing the young players onto the field until they are ready to be on there. Also it isn't forcing UDFA's onto the field unless they prove they are worthy of being there. While Hawkins for example was our 3rd/4th CB last year and now at the very highest is the 6th best CB.

The other thing that Pettine has going for him is a very strong DL. Daniels and Clark formed a great duo and they are adding Wilkerson to that group. They also have Lowry who has been a good rotational player as well as Adams who they were high on last year until his injury.

While Clay isn't the player he once was he still is an effective player. Having a DC who will scheme him more should help him also.
Pettine isn't left with a bare cupboard. Mathews, Daniels, Clinton-Dix are all pro bowl players. Martinez led the league in tackles last year. Clark is an emerging star. King was playing really well as a rookie until his shoulder injury. Josh Jones is a guy that could become a stud.

This defense has the potential to be top 10 in the league. Will it get there? We will see. It should be fun to watch.

The biggest challenge is simply to do that which McCapers refused to do: USE PLAYERS FOR THEIR STRENGTHS.

1. Jones is NOT a safety to be roving center field. He's a modern day hybrid LB, built for shooting gaps against the run, covering RB's and TE's along with Burks, and blitzing 5-7 times per game. He's a missile, SO LAUNCH HIM.

2. Rollins is NOT a CB, so don't waste a single down with him competing there. He's a modern day coverage safety, and should be competing with Brice and Evans for snaps.

3. If your best front 7 talent is concentrated in the line, then use more 4-3 looks. Daniels, Clark, Wilkerson, and either Perry or Lowry comprise a scary front group, so why fight it?

It was sheer agony watching a pure safety like Hyde covering quick guys in the slot, or a lengthy boundary CB like Hayward doing the same. Their new teams just moved one outside and the other to safety and voila! Pro Bowlers.

Problem is, McCapers is still the head coach, so any hope of using players wisely is sheer fantasy. We might as well cut Rollins now, move Jones to corner, and try Lowry at tight end.

Changing the culture will happen with Mike Pettine, but it won't happen overnight. This is a process that cannot be rushed.

First, he'll have lead by example and model the behaviors he wants to see. He said in his opening press conference that he will be direct.

Next, he'll have to connect the culture with accountability. I was recently at a conference where one speaker said accountability is responsibility + ownership. Mike himself must be accountable for whatever his defense does or fails to do.

Mike must also define the non-negotiables. At his press opener, he talked about fundamentals, but he also said we must "play with great passion and technique."

I can see Pettine being successful since he mentioned he will take not a cookie cutter approach to learning.

"You have to learn your learner," he said at his press opener.

I thought that was interesting. Mike considers himself to be a teacher, which all great coaches are. Vince Lombardi was a fantastic teacher. Let's hope Mike turns out to be one too.

Coaches that are kept around too long become stale and predictable. AR has bailed out MM for years with his ability to improvise and throw out of the pocket. Capers didn't have players to bail out his stale system and lost this defense IMO. MM famously stated during the SB run 2010/11, "we have a championship QB and we're going to ride him". He's been doing that ever since. Without AR this team isn't even a .500 ball club, that falls on coaching and development . Capers was proof of how bad a defense can get, and Pettine is a welcome change, the arrow is pointing up for once.

2 things that Pettine can do to change the culture quickly.
1. Make sure that his players tackle effectively. Hit hard and wrap up. Proper technigue.
2. Generate an effective pass rush. This requires not only proper technique but emotion/passion/toughness, whatever you want to call it.

Improving tackling and pass rush can become a solid foundation for changing the culture on defense and building the defense's confidence. With the pass rush should come better coverage in the secondary which should build more confidence. More confidence leads to a more physical style of play which leads to more big plays (sacks, picks, forced fumbles) for the defense. All resulting in a more physical defense with a few young leaders emerging on the field.

It may take a season or 2 to get there but it must start with the fundamentals of tackling and winning at the LOS. Thanks, Since '61

Like almost any idea we could imagine, all of this stuff about "culture" and "attitude" has a modicum of truth to it, but the majority of it is crap. Kyler Fackrell didn't suck because of the team culture or a bad attitude. He sucked because he was Kyler Fackrell.

I think Pettine can change the culture a lot by just helping the defense be successful again. That makes it fun for the players, which helps with attitude, ambition and productivity.

The atitude has already changed. Pettine only needs to keep players from beating themselves up. Capers never had the players. First impressions: The secondary; Game changers! Development! Coverage! Don't look back here. This group has talent, and NO one gives up! ..... LBs.; No finger pointing! MENTAL Strength and sure tackling! This is the the group that must show they can play TOGETHER! Pass rushers should come from every position. Not just Perry and Mathews. The all time greats showed how to play LB. It wasn't the position. It was KILL the son -of the bitch with the Ball! ..... DL: Muscle, endurance, and quickness. This must be the rock of the defense. The confusion starts here. Disruption must be their mind set! Scheme all you want. If this DL can't show they can STOP. It won't matter what Pettine does. Don't look good on paper. Look Good on the FIELD!

I'll write only this - this article is so bad that does not deserve my comment.

Cory, now I do not know, who is guilty for bad D play - Ha-Ha, Clay, Mike Daniels, Nick Perry, Rollins or Dom Capers?

I think neither you can decide in your mind...