On your second questions about teams running it down our throats. I agree that is a big question mark. But, There is a lot that comes into play for that to materialize.

First and foremost, many teams don’t have the personnel to achieve similar success SF did to us. Secondly, you can bet a kings ransom that Pettine and the players are going to emphasize gap integrity. Lastly, it is hard to run, run, run the ball if said team is behind on the scoreboard or GB stopped them in early parts of the game.

Overal the run D was average at best, but against SF it was horrible. This year will be a telltale sign if major changes will be needed. I suspect, especially if Pettine wants to keep his job, the run D will improve to a bit above average, while the pass D gets in the Top 5. I believe if that happens we will be tough team to beat, even in the playoffs.

I just noted that dobber, which is further evidence for better or worse where this O is heading. I just hope they leave enough cap space on the table to keep Bak or you know where their next years first round draft pick position will be.

Aaron Jones would have to accept the cash-flow model that Kenny Clark accepted. Remember that Clark will get just $2.1M in cash for playing the 2021 season.

Many teams probably will have to insist on such a structure. There are a few teams that could pay him $16M over the 2020 and 2021 seasons combined. Figure GB gives him between an $8M and $10M signing bonus in 2020 (~ $3M/$4M salary cap number) but probably just $2M in base, workout and game active for 2021, which translates to about a $4M cap number for 2021.

Ditto....it’s a passing league first. I put out stats from 1978 to now to prove my point, but was lashed with a few down votes. Although, I must’ve tee’d someone off over the last month as no matter what I write I get one down....lol.

Unless you are privileged with a franchised QB in their first contract, due to SC, teams cannot fill all holes with above average players across the board. So, you must make choices. The Packers are making the correct choice in trying to create a top 5 pass D with a great pass rush and back end talent.

We don't need a top 10 rushing defense. We just need one that is not totally awful like the one that showed up in the NFC Championship Game.

Sorry but you have can't stop the run you won't even get a chance to stop the pass. The San Fran game proved that to be true. The Chiefs pulled their run defense together by playoff time. If you have a poor run D you will be exposed in the playoffs.

Also can't just go off league rankings. Not every schedule is created equal so the rankings can be a poor tool to tell who has the best run D.

Packers got dominated in three California games where opponent ran it down our throats:

LA Chargers 26, Packers 11: 159 yards rushing by LAC, 45 GBP
SF 49ers 37, Packers 8: SF dominated in all phases. Mostert ave 7.5 ypc
SF 49ers 37, Packers 20: SF dominated in all phases. Mostert ave 7.5 ypc (220 total)

Against big OLs, Packers run defense was a sieve. Opponent dominated TOP. Packers offense fell behind, could not close gap until garbage time.

My gut feel is that MLF wants to build team in image of SF and not rely on heroics from a back nine HOF QB. He'll spread the field horizontally, switch between speed and power running game and play-action downfield when the defense floods the LOS. Rodgers can make defense pay if they don't honor downfield passing game. The problem in 2019 was the Packer run/short pass game offense was not potent enough to drop down 8 in the box so longer pass plays were rarely open. (Note: having better receivers would have helped too.)

Bottomline: Weak run defense hurts if teams can exploit it at will and can couple it with a "proficient" QB. If your team does not have a Patrick Mahomes or a Drew Breeze at QB, you can still dominate the teams by running it down their throats and open up secondary for big strikes when opponents are forced to crowd the box. in 2020, Packers want to flip the script by running more effectively, and minimize long yardage passing situations.

Yes that is all true... But you cannot get gashed by the run either. It is one thing to be surrendering 4-5 yards per carry..This isn't great but those runs were typically used to set up the pass, bring a guy in the box and force defenses into cover 1 or cover zero....But you cannot get gashed for big runs either......those runs are essentially like a big pass play.

I expect the Packers to rank about the same in run defense this year as well...but they will likely be hard to throw on....as long as they make it difficult in the red zone it doesn't bother me much

That depends on the structure of the contract. IE: backend loaded with a low guarantee might also allow Bak and to get out of contract if need be in a year or two. I’m guessing they have Bak in mind while structuring this contract.

They're not playing against a lot of Backups this year or greenhorns. Brady, Brees, Ryan, Stafford is healthy , DeShaun Watson, Rivers, and Cousins can still sling it. Le Fleur with go with multiple attacks; change every week.
He is a really good coach. I have the Pack at 12-4.