Packer Talent Lacking At OLB And CB

The Atlanta Falcons proved to be the more talented, healthier and better coached team during Sunday’s NFC Championship 44-21 throttling of the Green Bay Packers. The “table” that the Packers had been running was seemingly sawed in half and set on fire by the scorching Falcons’ offense that showed no mercy to an initial 31-0 lead to start the game.

Defensive coordinator Dom Capers, Packer nation’s favorite scapegoat at the end of such disastrous playoff finales, threw everything but the kitchen sink at Atlanta without an iota of success. At one point Capers only sent two rushers at quarterback Matt Ryan, and he still found a wide-open receiver.

The truth is that Capers lacks the resources on defense to take the Packers to the next level. If Green Bay fails to improve the cornerback position and revamp an aging and ineffective pass rush, then the Packers will again fall short of the Super Bowl.

Just over 23% of the 2016 salary cap was taken up by defensive players in these positions in Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers and Sam Shields. Green Bay was not able to achieve the desired returns based on the investment of these three players.

Peppers, possibly in his final season in Green Bay at age 37, made a few splash plays but continues to regress as an outside pass rusher and is a liability in the run game. He had a nice career, but the Packers need an upgrade when it comes to getting after the quarterback on the perimeter.

Matthews was moved back to outside linebacker at the beginning of the season, but never regained his form and battled injuries seemingly all season. As many times as he has abused his body playing “all out”, it is easy to wonder if his body will wear down quicker than most. It seemed like a mistake at the beginning of the season to move him back outside, and nothing from 2016 changed my mind on that. It seems his career would last longer and he would be an effective player in the NFL much longer as a middle linebacker. He can still be a difference maker manning the middle with Mike Daniels keeping him clean, but it is hard to imagine him staying healthy and being as effective on the outside setting the edge and attempting to get to the quarterback.

Shields only played one game after suffering a concussion, and it’s being reported that he is still feeling the effects from that injury. With the Packers history of dealing with these types of injuries, it is hard to imagine him playing another game in Green Bay.

Understanding that the top three paid players on the defensive unit underperformed when compared to their contracts, there is no question why the Packers struggled on this side of the ball. The top three paid players on offense are Aaron Rodgers, Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson. If all three of these players struggled, the Packers offense would suffer too.

Knowing Peppers and Shields will likely be gone is encouraging in that the Packers can reduce the salary cap for two underperforming players. The problem is that Green Bay will be hard pressed to vastly improve these positions unless they hit a home run in the draft.

The Packers want to develop their own players, but it seems a little scary when thinking about cornerback and outside linebacker. Draft picks Quentin Rollins and Damarious Randall had disastrous seasons and did not show the flashes of good play that Ladarius Gunter, an undrafted free agent, did. The Packers must hope that Rollins and Randall were hampered by injury and will bounce back in 2017, but their play was not encouraging.

Kyler Fackrell is the only unknown at outside linebacker that could elevate his play, but he played very little in 2016 and fought a hamstring injury towards the end of the season. It seems the best-case scenario is the Packers re-sign Nick Perry and then find the right person with their first-round pick in April. Though it doesn’t seem to be Mike McCarthy’s plan, I would move Matthews back inside. It’s unlikely Green Bay will participate in any form of free agency, so they better find a playmaker on defense in the draft.

Unless their own players develop or they hit big on some draft picks, expect the same struggles on defense in 2017. 

NFL Categories: 
0 points
 

Comments (74)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Ferrari Driver's picture

January 27, 2017 at 03:02 am

That pretty well sums it up.

Mathews should be offered a pay reduction. If he refuses, sign a top level free agent with the almost 13 million he costs the cap.

0 points
0
0
MarkinMadison's picture

January 27, 2017 at 07:55 am

Cutting Matthews this year would cost $4.1 M against the cap. Cutting him next year costs nothing. The Packers will probablyhave to eat $3 M in dead cap to move on from Shields. The Packers had about $3 M in dead cap this year, total. Eating $7M in dead cap would be a big jump. More likely it gets done with an extension that includes new guaranteed money. I just don't see the Packers cutting him, even if he refuses to take a pay cut.

0 points
0
0
NickPerry's picture

January 27, 2017 at 08:39 am

Yup, I think the chances of the Packers eating over $7 million in dead cap money is about zero. Ted prides himself in not having dead $$$.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

January 27, 2017 at 08:41 am

Extensions and guaranteed money are usually pretty persuasive...especially in the case of players like CMIII where they're up against a cut and missing out on year(s) of their contract and the potential earnings. Packers need to have a clear plan for him, though, and extending him just to generate cap room in 2017 can just prolong the cap issues.

0 points
0
0
Oppy's picture

January 28, 2017 at 03:59 pm

I know it is not an everyday occurrence in the NFL, but if the Packers traded Clay Matthews, would they still incur a cap hit?

It is not that I think CMIII isn't a better than average LB. It's simply that I believe his best days are behind him, and I tend to agree with Wolf's (and by osmosis, Thompson's) belief that it's better to move a player a year too soon than a year too late.

Surely, there's a team in the league that would happily take on CMIII's contract as-is for a year, in exchange for a late 2nd round and 4th round pick.. Or a early 3rd, and a late 4th and early 5th?

Right? No?

0 points
0
0
jeremyjjbrown's picture

January 27, 2017 at 09:15 am

Let's see if they even spend the money they are going to have available before talking about pay cuts.

0 points
0
0
croatpackfan's picture

January 27, 2017 at 03:46 am

Two words regarding Randall and Rollins: Davante Adams!
Thank you!

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

January 27, 2017 at 04:54 am

Yeah, they couldn't cover him this season, either.

0 points
0
0
Packer_Pete's picture

January 27, 2017 at 05:19 am

good one :-)

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

January 27, 2017 at 07:15 am

Its crazy how similar Adams first 2 years are compared to Rollins and Randall... All 3 had really good rookie years. Flashing talent.

Their 2nd year the star at their position was lost at the beginning of the season, forcing them to move up and play roles they weren't completely ready for, but then also they got hurt very early in the season and dealt with injuries all season long.

Lets not forget that Randall had in season groin surgery.

I don't have a crystal ball, to know how Randall and Rollins will be in year 3. But lets not forget how great of a season Adams had in year 3, when nearly everyone wanted the team to cut him.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

January 27, 2017 at 08:43 am

Randall also had a foot injury at the end of the season, according to "sources in the organization" (which really means someone out there reported it, but isn't willing to provide any real evidence), but never appeared on the injury report for it. The two could really steal one's cod.

0 points
0
0
Oppy's picture

January 28, 2017 at 04:04 pm

Randall had hamstring, knee, and foot injuries.

These all were tied to one another would be my guess- compensation injuries from trying to play before being 100%.

They certainly weren't hidden, they did appear on during-the-week reports.
I received an automatic push notification on my phone directly from the Packers.com app about Randall's foot injury around noon on Saturday before the game, for instance. So there's definitely definitive, on the record evidence directly from the organization on that. No cloak and dagger stuff to be found on that.

0 points
0
0
ironman3169's picture

January 27, 2017 at 05:39 pm

Only one wrinkle: Jordy Nelson returned to the receiver corps and Sam Shields likely will not.

0 points
0
0
Robert William's picture

January 27, 2017 at 05:50 am

A J Bouye is one of the better Cornerbacks available

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

January 27, 2017 at 08:43 am

As I understand, the Texans are likely to franchise him if they can't resign him.

0 points
0
0
mrtundra's picture

January 27, 2017 at 04:58 pm

CB Stephon Gilmore from Buffalo isn't too shabby, either.

0 points
0
0
Rossonero's picture

January 27, 2017 at 06:40 am

Please remember that Matthews was playing with a shoulder that will require off season surgery. I'd want to give him the chance -- which he has more than earned -- to play healthy. If he has to play inside, then so be it.

Nick Perry finally blossomed into the player we always hoped he'd be. I hope they keep him.

Randall and Rollins....sigh. to be fair, they also battled injuries all season long. However, I expect -- and I trust the Packers coaching staff to feel the same -- that both players did not show much progression from year 1 to year 2.

Personally, I feel like CB is the toughest position to draft. How many 1st round busts have there been in recent years? Justin Gilbert, Dee Milliner, DJ Hayden to name a few. I trust the Packers when they think they've found an undrafted FA gem of a CB (i.e. Shields and Tramon Williams).

At the same time, I'm tired of them spending picks on CBs with little to no football experience (i.e. Rollins and Demetri Goodson). I still have hope for Rollins, but Goodson is probably done and wasn't very good anyway.

0 points
0
0
lebowski's picture

January 27, 2017 at 07:17 am

Yep, that's a safety and 2 basketball players at corner in the NFL. And Matthews is ALWAYS hurt.

0 points
0
0
lebowski's picture

January 27, 2017 at 07:18 am

Yep, that's a safety and 2 basketball players at corner in the NFL. And Matthews is ALWAYS hurt.

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

January 27, 2017 at 07:27 am

I think the reason why Randall and Rollins didn't progress to year 2 is because of the injuries.

Lets not forget that Rollins was out a portion of the off season due to injury as well.

To be fair, Goodson was drafted to replace Bush more as a special teams player. Not to be a top tier CB.
But IMO they have to get an upgrade over him. I think both Dorleant and Hawkins are upgrades over him.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

January 27, 2017 at 08:44 am

"Nick Perry finally blossomed into the player we always hoped he'd be. I hope they keep him."

I hear taryn coming....

0 points
0
0
NickPerry's picture

January 27, 2017 at 09:29 am

Is she coming with Frackrell?

0 points
0
0
TarynsEyes's picture

January 27, 2017 at 09:45 am

As I said when he was drafted....Fackrell will be the reason Perry can walk, if not run, to a 4-3 team. I stand by that as I do with my 5 year old claim of Perry.

0 points
0
0
SpudRapids's picture

January 27, 2017 at 12:36 pm

We probably lose to Dallas without Nick Perry's contribution but according to Taryn he is not a game changer...

This is probably the biggest play that no one remembers from this game but Dez is running wide open if Perry doesn't knock it down

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoCovhIWQ9A

0 points
0
0
TarynsEyes's picture

January 27, 2017 at 12:51 pm

That's precious....He forced a FG.......Where was he when we were blowing the huge lead again, which would have prevented a game tying FG after a 21 point lead.

0 points
0
0
Finwiz's picture

January 27, 2017 at 12:56 pm

I like Nick Perry, and I have appreciation for a "big play" in a big game, but that knocked down pass was pure luck, nothing more. 1 out of 20 times when a D-lineman jumps up as the QB throws the ball, he might hit it. The other 19 times, you never notice it.

0 points
0
0
slit's picture

January 28, 2017 at 09:56 am

Did anyone else notice Cole Beasley WIDE open on that play?

0 points
0
0
NickPerry's picture

January 28, 2017 at 07:09 am

I was joking Taryn. If you recall I was right there with you on Frackrell and still am. Looking forward to what he can bring next year after a year in the weight room. The Packers are going to need him considering they have a total of 4 Linebackers under contract right now, 4 linebackers combined.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

January 27, 2017 at 09:54 am

Too many R and NC-17 rated comments here to count...

0 points
0
0
TarynsEyes's picture

January 27, 2017 at 09:46 am

Your hearing is superb.
Perry appears to be the hoped for player only because others stole his bright light of shame for themselves. I would suggest to Perry lovers to get a larger light to bring him back from the shadow of fame to center stage of shame where his star still hangs high. : )

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

January 27, 2017 at 09:55 am

My middle-school self would hate to have to diagram that last sentence... ;)

0 points
0
0
Oppy's picture

January 28, 2017 at 04:11 pm

I will attempt to translate the above hot mess:

"Nick Perry was the only consistent force at OLB for the Packers into the playoffs... and he only had one hand."

0 points
0
0
NickPerry's picture

January 27, 2017 at 06:49 am

Wow Tyler, that painted a pretty depressing picture for the 2017 Packers but it seems pretty much dead on to me. Personally I can't see anyone on the Packers staff believing Matthews is at his best outside anymore. Even before the injury he was one of the worst ranked OLB in Football and his stats and play showed it.

The Packers have so much work to do on the defense but they could make it respectable. Matthews needs to move inside and used like 2014, attacking from anywhere and everywhere. Take the money saved from Shields and invest in another CB OR OLB in FA. Yes I know Ted doesn't sign FA unless they get cut, but I'd hope Murphy takes a break from buying land to build "Titletown" at least for a few months and lets TT know you need to get Capers something to work with, if in fact Capers could do something with those players.

The one OLB the Packers could TRY and make a run at is Chandler Jones. If they wanted a CB either Bouye or Gilmore. I wonder about Bouye because he with the other CB's the Texans have is he really THAT good or just a product of a pretty damn good defense around him? There's plenty of players who could make the Packers a better football team. Question is will Thompson hear his QB or Elliot Wolf and finally breakdown and do what the other 31 teams try and do.... Improve, anyway you can.

0 points
0
0
Houndog's picture

January 27, 2017 at 07:24 am

Kudos Nick, you nailed it!
"Question is will Thompson hear his QB or Elliot Wolf and finally breakdown and do what the other 31 teams try and do.... Improve, anyway you can" The problem is Thompson, aka Albino Ted!
The second problem is that Murphy seem to have his head elsewhere, maybe on Titletown, in the sand, or up his a$$........... where the hell is the Executive Board here? Are they going to allow Rodgers to age and regress while the Packers decline due to TT's arrogance and poor drafting?
Worse yet, is that the Packers seem to be content to let young Wolf walk away, WTF? Maybe he's not his dad, but there seems to be a number of teams out there that want to know, and then we can watch another team run past us like the Seahawks and Chiefs have done with other Packer (and Ron Wolf) disciples in the recent past
Looks to me like the Packer brass is content with their "Profits over Performance" model. Where in hell is Bob Harlan?

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

January 27, 2017 at 07:47 am

To be fair, the Packers made it farther then the Chiefs and the Seahawks this year. And when the Packers played the Seahawks they beat them with ease.

0 points
0
0
rdent's picture

January 27, 2017 at 11:08 am

Chiefs and Hawks don't have AR

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

January 27, 2017 at 08:47 am

Why do people pound the "profits" drum so heavily? Who benefits when the Packers profit? There's no owner to pad his pockets. The BOD gets paid, but they don't have the stake that an owner does. The shareholders don't get dividends.

Someone enlighten me: where do Packer profits go except back into the Packers, the stadium/facilities, and into the community?

0 points
0
0
RobinsonDavis's picture

January 28, 2017 at 02:42 pm

On a side-note, it was interesting to see PFF rank the Packer front seven the 9th best in the league. Alhtough, I do not agree, it is interesting to see a different perspective from those who are not wearing rose-colored glasses or black dresses. Many of our D-lineman actually ranked above average in PFF's end of year rankings, including Perry (I do not consider him a TRUE LB). The highest ranked LB was Ryan who was somewhere near #45 at the LB position (Note: Ryan was also ranked amongst the best in special teamers for his blocking on kick returns). From what I am seeing nearly everybody here agrees on the positons of need (just maybe not in order of priority). I agree with Tyler and want a "game changer" on the Defensive-side of the ball for once, and not a "project" or role-player.

Supposedly, the draft-class is providing some dynamic edge-rushers, capable CBs, and solid TE's. (The Packers ranked 6th in sacks this year, but at great risk, constantly blitzing. Interesting stat - the Packers DBs/ILBs only provided roughly 5 sacks last year). In my opinion, TT has got to leave his comfort zone and trade for or sign a veteran shut-down corner and/or dynamic pressure/rusher, as well as look to improve up the middle more through the draft. TT & company should have some cap space to play with, so my preference (pipe-dream) is a veteran CB....(No, I am not giving up on our young CBs, but I am not relying on them either).

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

January 27, 2017 at 07:08 am

In his press conference yesterday McCarthy said Mathews was hampered by injuries all season. He said he needs to be moved around and not just play one spot. He would have moved around more if it wasn't for injuries. Maybe they need to create a new position for him because he plays both ILB and OLB..

IMO, the new position Clay needs to play is one that they have already used. In 2014 when he first moved to ILB he didn't really play the ILB position. He took away an ILB and lined up in the middle but he was everywhere. He would line up over the Center, over the guards outside the OLB and even at the ILB spot. That IMO is the position he needs to play. Not the same ILB position that Ryan, Martinez an Thomas play.

Moving Mathews to that new Hybrid position will likely preserve his body as well. The year and a half at ILB he didn't miss a game. He moves back to OLB and he gets hurt...

By moving Mathews to the new position they have to draft an OLB high. A guy who would be perfect in Green Bays Defense is TJ Watt. He played a very similar position for the Badgers. He has a very high upside.
If they resigned Perry and drafted Watt, I think that would go a long ways to helping fix the OLB spot.

I would like to see Elliott get more playing time at OLB, also find another speed rusher. Hopefully Fackrell develops in year 2.

0 points
0
0
NickPerry's picture

January 27, 2017 at 07:13 am

There's a piece on NFL.com that is suggesting the Packers plan to be more active in Free Agency this year.

Hmmm...Seems I've heard that one before, and it's normally right around this time of year. After the playoffs. Still it would be something wouldn't it? Oh the possibilities!!!

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

January 27, 2017 at 07:30 am

I saw that as well...

Much like the rumor that Ian Rappaport said that Thompson was going to step aside to promote Wolf to GM. I would like to know where Ian is getting his info from.

I will believe it when I see it though.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

January 27, 2017 at 08:50 am

Doesn't mean that Wolf isn't going to essentially be calling the shots this year and TT is just the "fact-checker" at the end, taking the heat for Wolf's calls as he learns how to really run the personnel side of the franchise. I wouldn't be surprised if that's the agreement he has with the Packers...or if he, Gutekunst, and TT are going to be a 3-headed (one albino) management monster from here on.

0 points
0
0
mrtundra's picture

January 27, 2017 at 05:04 pm

247sports says TT is staying put.

0 points
0
0
rdent's picture

January 27, 2017 at 11:19 am

I saw that article too but didn't bother to read it, a broken record we hear again this offseason. For GB no change = same results. Dampens my enthusiasm for next season.

0 points
0
0
daveh's picture

January 27, 2017 at 07:11 am

After hearing MM presser, nothing is going to change, he still thinks his team as he said is a great team. Just need some tinkering here and there. TT is staying, ugly, and of course the fall guy is Clements, so he's out. Not looking for much to change next year...status quo. But if winning the division is good enough for you, then all's well. I always thought the goal was winning the Super Bowl..

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

January 27, 2017 at 07:39 am

'But if winning the division is good enough for you, then all's well. I always thought the goal was winning the Super Bowl..'

They did just make it to the NFC Championship game. They won 2 playoff games against 2 teams that most thought were one of the best teams in the league. They were one of the top 4 teams this year. Did it end the way we wanted, no. But its not like they were 1 and done in the playoffs either.

But lets be honest with ourselves a bit.
If it wasn't for the amount of injuries, they possibly could have been playing in the Super Bowl this year. During the game they lost 2 DB's, 3 OL, their best RB. That doesn't include the players that were already playing hurt. 3 of their top 4 WR's were hobbled.

The truth is, they need some good luck in the health department for a change and they need to add a few pieces. This team is not as far off as many think it is.

0 points
0
0
cuervo's picture

January 27, 2017 at 08:19 am

True....which is why the debacle in 2014 was so terrible. That was the one year they stayed relatively healthy and I think would have beat the Patriots with ease. I, for one, will never get over that game...

0 points
0
0
RCPackerFan's picture

January 27, 2017 at 09:18 am

Completely agree. That was supposed to be their year and they blew it. In so many ways...

ughhh....

0 points
0
0
rdent's picture

January 27, 2017 at 11:40 am

I know that I never will

0 points
0
0
jeremyjjbrown's picture

January 27, 2017 at 09:20 am

"I always thought the goal was winning the Super Bowl."

It's not. The goal is keeping the Packers fiscally solvent. And they do a damn good job at that, the Packers record has to be just good enough to do so.

0 points
0
0
rdent's picture

January 27, 2017 at 11:36 am

Looking at the odds you would think the injury bug that seems to plague GB year after year would subside,hell this year they had trouble getting bodies on the field.

0 points
0
0
FAN24583's picture

January 27, 2017 at 10:20 pm

No way!!

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

January 27, 2017 at 08:53 am

Why does ANYONE still put any stock in the comments made in a TT or MM presser? There's less real useful information there than you'd get from an hour on MSNBC and Fox News combined.

Clements's contract expired. Either he chose not to stay or the Packers chose to not bring him back. Whatever the case, the offense that played as well as it did for most of 2016 hardly needed a "fall guy".

0 points
0
0
rdent's picture

January 27, 2017 at 12:00 pm

I just shake my head at some these articles I see. The other day I read a piece SPECULATING that the Bears MIGHT let Alshon Jefferies walk in FA and the next day I see a headline ,a rumor that GB is going after him this off season. Ya right, that rumor was obviously started by the douche who wrote the article, it's one thing to report the news but to make sh*t up just to have something to write about is lousy journalism.

0 points
0
0
TarynsEyes's picture

January 27, 2017 at 01:45 pm

' FAKE NEWS '
It's a bug that's been going around for quite awhile.

0 points
0
0
MarkinMadison's picture

January 27, 2017 at 08:00 am

With Peppers' contract TT proved that he is willing to go out and do a major signing. Peppers is off the books now. I don't think it would be at all surprising to see TT get active by signing a #1 CB or pass rusher. Ideally he could find both in FA - that would be a major leap. Getting one of the two though is not outside his past pattern. (Woodson, Peppers).

0 points
0
0
Handsback's picture

January 27, 2017 at 08:08 am

Green Bay needs pass rushers, no question about it. Given that NE will probably put a lot of heat on Ryan, his prolific passing stats won't be that impressive and show the World the blueprint to winning SBs. Here's the thing about defenses....you have a good pass rush and the backend doesn't need to be as strong. Vice versa, a strong coverage team allows more time for some of your pass rusher to get to the QB. If you don't have either area very strong...you're going to have to out score your opponent and hope they turn the ball over a couple of times.
I don't see any players on the Packers roster that's going to strike fear as pass rushers. Not now and not in a couple of years. I do see some DBs that definitly can make a difference and could make a very strong defense if they remain healthy. If I'm Green Bay, I pick the best potential pass rushers they can find in this year's draft and any 2nd tier rushers that they can get cheap. Of course TT will select a CB or two in the draft, but the focus should be guys that can press the QBs.

0 points
0
0
zoellner25's picture

January 27, 2017 at 08:46 am

I just pray MM tells Ted he needs an elite CB or we'll never win a SB. Only when we get a guy who is elite (better than Shields even) will our pass defense ever improve.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

January 27, 2017 at 08:55 am

I would argue TT values the CB position. All the evidence you need for that is his burning his two premium picks on that spot two years ago. I wouldn't be surprised if he overkills there this off-season as well...after cutting Shields.

0 points
0
0
RobinsonDavis's picture

January 28, 2017 at 12:45 pm

I am not so sure Dobber. Seems to me that TT thought they could manufacture CBs with the release of so many contributors over the last few years (and frankly, they did!). However, this strategy lost its luster when Shields fell to injury. Remember, TT could have had the 26 year old Casey Hayward for $5 million/year last year, and the word was that Tramon wanted $6 million (TT supposedly offered $4- 4.5 million/year on a 2 year deal) prior to signing for $7 million per year with the Browns. Both of these appear relatively cheap now, don't they? In retrospect, although Hayward was often injured previous to free agency, who would not have wanted him back this year? And imagine what Williams' leadership may have done last year and this year for these young corners?

Also, don't forget that the Browns were looking to trade Joe Hayden and Williams prior to the trade deadline this year. For what price, I wonder? Who knows if Ted even made an inquiry for these or any other possibilities, though. At the time, the Pack was 4-3 coming off the loss to the Falcons, with Randall, Rollins, and Shields out, Goodson had a concussion, and Gunter was nursing a shoulder. Although, I stand by TT and staff normally, you cannot deny that there were clear signs of need to bolster this group.

0 points
0
0
dobber's picture

January 28, 2017 at 02:38 pm

"Seems to me that TT thought they could manufacture CBs with the release of so many contributors over the last few years (and frankly, they did!)."

True, but let's not also forget that Rollins and Randall looked serviceable as rookies, so there was no real reason to expect them to end up with the body of work -- injured or not -- they displayed this year. They liked Gunter in the #4 role, and most people here did, also. I think many of us will feel pretty good about Gunter in the #4 CB role (or even #3) for 2017.

The Hayward thing has been beaten to death here, and most were good with TWill hitting the road. Based on Hayward's recent history in GB and TWIll being on the wrong side of 30, the moves were at least understandable. In-season trades almost never happen, unlike the other major sports (for a variety of reasons). We can look back and say, "what-if?", but it's not like other contenders are making deals to shore up their lineups, and New England even dealt a guy away rather than deal with him in-house.

0 points
0
0
RobinsonDavis's picture

January 28, 2017 at 02:55 pm

Yes... the Hayward history is another example of why I am not willing to give up on our young CBs. With Randall and Rollins healthy in their rookie season and playing their roles, they were more than adequate in 2015.

0 points
0
0
Finwiz's picture

January 28, 2017 at 03:03 pm

Come on Robby, this subject has been beat to death around here. Hayward was always hurt, didn't play physical enough in run support, and his pass defense had really fallen off after the 1st year success. He wasn't worth the money, at least not in Capers scheme - whatever the hell that is. Maybe the Chargers are utilizing his talents better than Capers did - but how is that possible when "Capers is an excellent defensive coach"? I'm so confused.
Eye test told me letting Hayward go was not a mistake, and he would have been hurt anyway somewhere this season. He's not a big physical corner, and not the fastest either.

0 points
0
0
FAN24583's picture

January 27, 2017 at 09:35 pm

It is alarming that MM has to tell TT that we need a CB ???? That's TTs job. He is horrible at it. IMO he is a major failure.

0 points
0
0
zeke's picture

January 28, 2017 at 12:58 pm

Only in Green Bay can one look at the last ten years and label it a "major failure."

War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.

0 points
0
0
Since'61's picture

January 27, 2017 at 09:14 am

Defense needs 2 pass rushers and 2 CBs. Sign one of each in FA and then draft one of each. Besides better players the team also needs an infusion of physical and mental toughness, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Will TT sign the FAs? Probably not. If this team had any sense of urgency after getting run out of Atlanta on Sunday we would have seen Capers not even allowed on the plane for the trip back to GB, Eliott Wolf promoted by now and TT sent off to scout basketball players in Alaska. Instead it looks like TT and Capers with his no tackle defense are staying. So what is likely to happen. We draft a pass rusher at #29 who becomes Datone Jones version 2.0 and a CB on the 2nd round who becomes D. Randall version 2.0. Then we sign a bunch of UDFAs who flash some potential during the meaningless preseason games so we keep them. MM says he really likes this team and he expects Randall, Rollins, Fackrell and Eliott to make their respective leaps this season and that he is he a highly successful NFL coach and Capers is an outstanding coach and that doesn't change and the wheels on the bus go round and round and the beat goes on and we're building "titletown" or Wally's world or whatever and we're making money all year round and the stadium is sold out so we all keep our jobs. Football is rapidly becoming a hobby in Green Bay and Vince Lombardi spins ever faster in his grave. Somebody needs to change this record. Thanks, Since '61

0 points
0
0
Finwiz's picture

January 27, 2017 at 11:44 am

Damn dude, you're on fire the last few days.
IMO, they need an above average linebacker, a down lineman that can bring pressure, and they need to draft 3 CB's, or dip into free agency and hope to get 1 top tier starter, and one number 3 level guy on the depth chart. But I'd settle for your 2 + 2 to describe what they need. Bottom line - they need A LOT more than what they're going to get out of ONE draft.
They have big time problems on defense that are going to need major overhaul, and possibly schematic change as well.

0 points
0
0
ironman3169's picture

January 27, 2017 at 06:00 pm

Holy cow dude! I've never seen you so gruntled!

0 points
0
0
ironman3169's picture

January 27, 2017 at 06:00 pm

Holy cow dude! I've never seen you so gruntled!

0 points
0
0
FAN24583's picture

January 27, 2017 at 09:37 pm

You are absolutely right Sir! That's what I see happening as welll I hope I am wrong.

0 points
0
0
JHitTheB's picture

January 29, 2017 at 05:28 pm

So McCarthy and the entire offense shouldn't have been allowed on the plane for putting up 0 points in 3 quarters of football either right? Riiiiiiiiight?

0 points
0
0
stockholder's picture

January 27, 2017 at 11:35 am

If I felt that the packers really wanted to go to the super bowl. I would change the 3-4-4. Against the better QBs; I don't know why they haven't come up with a 3-2-6. Run their 3 front for the run, and Mathews and Ryan inside. I would make Burnett go to OLb and Brice the other OLB. The speed would be outside. Both can tackle and they then use Rollins and Randall, with Hyde SS ,(or Better) and Ha Ha over the top. I don't know why they didn't try it. It just makes more sense to put faster people outside and blitz with speed. This keeps mathews inside. I just don't think they need elephants. It hasn't worked. WE DIDN'T NEED THEM IN 2010. THE 4 -3 -4 WOULD BE JUST REMOVING THE SS. If Capers stays, try something different man.

0 points
0
0
Tundraboy's picture

January 28, 2017 at 10:50 am

Packer Talent Lacking At OLB And CB.

News flash? LOL. How about Packer Talent Lacking on D?

0 points
0
0
Lphill's picture

March 26, 2017 at 09:08 am

Let's give Clay a chance to shine , we don't know how hurt he really was last season and had to Keep playing because there was nobody else. This year coming aside from a draft pick, Mathews , Perry, Elliot and Fackerell is not so terrible. On the outside , if Fackerell puts on about 10 lbs I think he is a force this year . He was a third round pick and might have gone sooner if not for injuries in his junior year.

0 points
0
0