Why Capers Will Go Vanilla In Preseason
By PackerAaron
Brian over at Railbird Central makes the observation below in regards to the defense not showing much in the preseason. From his simply indispensable Packers Daily Links feature:
I think hiding things is overrated. It's not like anything the Packers would have done as far as blitzing would have been something any team in the NFL hasn't seen before.
This is true to some extent. However, what the NFL HASN'T seen before is how Capers chooses to use his personnel, which players will be used how and in what packages. Capers has no history whatsoever with any of these players, so opposing offensive coordinators will be unable to key on what, say, Brandon Chillar and Desmond Bishop coming into the game at the same time means, at least not for the first few weeks. That alone is reason enough to keep things vanilla before Week One, which is what I fully expect to see starting next Saturday against the Browns.
Brian's observation also allows me to throw out my now seemingly yearly reminder that anything and everything you see in preseason means absolutely nothing from a scheme/game-planning standpoint. Fans should, however, pay extra special attention to individuals, especially the rookies, as we get our first chance to see them at NFL speed.
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Comments (14)
August 09, 2009 at 11:00 am
Are you saying: "Let's not practice this because someone might see us?"
To wait until regular season play to realize that some schemes simply are ineffective leads to shortened careers in the NFL. I don't think Capers is afraid to show his hand, at least 4 of 5 cards.
PackerAaron
August 09, 2009 at 11:27 am
Woody - where did I say they weren't going to practice their schemes? That's what the week is for. But no way do you see anything more than really vanilla during the games until Week One. Besides, I'm pretty sure Capers has weeded out the 'ineffective' parts of his playbook by now ;)
Brian Carriveau
August 09, 2009 at 11:32 am
Good point.
And the '08 Detroit Lions - exhibit A, B, C, D and E.
August 09, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Let's not forget the concept of misdirection, either.
during the preseason, sometimes plays- even exciting ones- are called in to a defense (or offense) in a certain personnel packages just to make sure that other teams DO get it on tape. It gives them something to think about when they see it during the regular season, when in fact that play may or may not ever be used. Just another way to soften up an opponent and cause more confusion.
August 09, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Capers will use the blitz packages and other schemes during the pre-season. What he won't do is show the camoflages and misdirections that will help disguise when they will use them. Week day practice never comes close to duplicating game situations. They must practice these schemes in real time.
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Add-on: Listened to Harkesh and Laravee this am on Pro-Football Weekly. According to all their team reports, "Every team in the NFL is goling for the Super Bowl this year and half of every team will be on the Pro-Bowl team." So much for reliabilty of pre-season training camp reporting.
August 09, 2009 at 12:44 pm
Not to mention the Packer's first game is a division opponent. By having a vanilla game plan during pre-season, I actually feel you put more presure on the Bears planning.
August 09, 2009 at 01:47 pm
I sure hope they don't show much in the preseason. Especially playing Chicago week 1, I don't want them to know what hit 'em, I want 'em to leave DAZED AND CONFUSED! That week 1 matchup is HUGE for so many obvious reasons... KIVC (KEEP IT VANILLA CAPERS)!
GBP 4 LIFE
August 09, 2009 at 02:27 pm
HEYYYYYY! What's dis "day of rest" sh*t!!!!
August 09, 2009 at 02:31 pm
So Bob Sanders will be running the defense for the preseason?
August 09, 2009 at 05:00 pm
I might do this when BJ reports...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iU43tSFHjo&feature=PlayList&p=79...
Timberlake, Hilarious!
GBP 4 LIFE
August 09, 2009 at 07:09 pm
Hey Aaron, I just tried posting but it didn't work, we'll see if it works this time.
I appreciate you sending some traffic my way about two months ago for my article on the 3-4 defense. I believe you called me a "dog from hell." That's a nice image.
However, I find it curious that a "reputable" sports blogger failed to read or comprehend anything I had to say. The article was about a transition to the 3-4 from the the 4-3 which is entirely historically accurate.
One sentence mentioned the Packers history as a 4-3 team, the rest was about the switch and what it means for this season. I don't think I quite qualify for the whole fire and brimstone and flames thing...
And for those of you who question the reputation of the website, check your facts. Bleacher report has a partnership with Fox Sports, CBS Sports, and Yahoo Sports.
In fact, my articles have been linked on Fox Sports on a number of occasions.
Oh, and check the following of your favorite sports journalists on Twitter...I bet they follow the b/r account.
But hey, keep sending hits my way, I'll take it. I encourage you to keep reading. My latest article on Ted Thompson has created quite a stir, it was front page on the B/r site and has over 40 comments, not to mention on its way to 1,000 reads.
Keep reading. I think you'll like what you find. Just as long as you're not allergic to dogs...especially ones from hell
PackerAaron
August 09, 2009 at 07:36 pm
Peter - the 'Dog From Hell' reference is from 'Love Is A Dog From Hell' by Charles Bukowski.
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Glad to know that someone from a site as 'important' as Bleacher Report has felt the need to come over to our wee little site and defend himself. Have I been a tad bit harsh? Perhaps. Wouldn't be the first time. I'll give your stuff another go...
Go Pack.
August 09, 2009 at 07:42 pm
AWKWARD!!!
GBP 4 LIFE
August 10, 2009 at 06:32 am
Sorry Aaron, that I wasn't more specific.
Of course, they will 'practice' their schemes. ... But pre-season games are practice games.
Practicing in Don Hutson Center against yourself is one thing, but a 'practice game' against Cleveland is a different animal. ....Are you saying Capers won't want to try out his schemes against the opposition in pre-season games ??
Hogwash.