2007 Season Defense

BangTheDrum

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With the lack of offensive help this offseason for us to talk about I figured I'd start a little topic on our D.

I'm gonna start up front. I really think we've got a solid D-Line, we had a great rush defense last year and I can only see it improving this year. You've got to love a guy like Kampman who's motor never stops and he works so hard to make the plays he does, he's been a pleasant (somewhat) suprise. On the other side I really hope that Jenkins sees more time. KGB is still a great pass rusher but doesn't play the run really well whereas Jenkins can get to the passer and stop the run as well. Also, I kinda like this Birdine kid and he may get some decent time. I really like our DT situation, we were already pretty deep and the addition of Harrell will only help. I think he'll get into the rotation if not be a starter, seems like a good kid with some serious talent too. Plus we should be able to rotate in and out and keep some fresh legs in the game to clog things up.

You've got to happy with our linebacking corps... in AJ Hawk and Nick Barnett you've got one of the better M and O backer tandems in the league. Through one more year of experience from Poppinga and even Hawk they should be even better... Can you imagine what it would have been like to pick up the likes of Adalius Thomas in free agency? :kickcan:
As far as depth goes at LB, it's not bad either, I think sooner or later Hodge will come into his own and make an impact at OLB, I can't see Poppinga or Taylor keeping a starting job for too much longer.

On to the secondary, ohhhh the secondary. I say that but really it's not ALL bad. In Harris and Woodson we've got two should-be Pro Bowlers and lock down corners. For some reason I see Woodson going down this year, no way he can last for this long without an injury. The good part of that is I see Dendy stepping in and doing well! I've attributed alot of our troubles from the past, not necessarily to lack of talent but to a lack of communication. Too often our CB's would let a man go and there would be no safety help! We've got some talent back there in Collins, I love Collins and if Rouse, who I'm pretty high on, can come in and get some good minutes I think we'll be fine.

Overall I see an improved defense from an already good one last year and am very excited.
 

Packnic

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im not gonna leave you hanging.

i think your mostly right.

i think they are gearing up for a run at the best defense in the league.

im not saying they will make it... but if im not mistaken i think i read that was the goal this year. guys like nick barnett were saying that they wanted to be the number one defense, and thought they had to tools to do it. we were ranked fairly decent last year, another year of experience for everyone and i think they have a shot at least top 5.

Thats pretty high goals for these young guys, and i think if the DC and Kurt do their job, we could be watching a great young defense.
 

Lare

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Seeing as how the plan is supposedly to build this team around the defense, we'd better hope that they improve over their play last year. For much of the season, we had the lowest ranked pass defense in the league. With some personnel changes and scheme adjustments they improved to respectable at the end of the year, but major improvements still need to be made before they can ever get to be a top ten defense.

IMO;

DL seemed pretty set before the draft, and if Harrell can produce it will be an added bonus. No questions there.

At LB, Hawk needs to take the next step in being able to react to offensive sets and pass coverage (which I think will happen), so to me the big question mark is Poppinga. Did well against the run last year but was a big liability against the pass until the last couple of games. He really needs to step it up this year or they need to get someone in there who can.

To me, the key to the Packer's success this season will be the answers to the question marks in the defensive backfield. Will Harris & Woodson stay healthy? If not, who'll take their place? Can Collins finally become more consistent? Will Manuel improve? Can Underwood come back from injury? Are guys like Culver, Peprah & Bush anything more than special teams players?

I would be happy if this defense can stay healthy and end up somewhere in the top third in the league. Anything better than that would be a bonus.
 

Zero2Cool

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im not saying they will make it... but if im not mistaken i think i read that was the goal this year. guys like nick barnett were saying that they wanted to be the number one defense, and thought they had to tools to do it. we were ranked fairly decent last year, another year of experience for everyone and i think they have a shot at least top 5.

Thats pretty high goals for these young guys, and i think if the DC and Kurt do their job, we could be watching a great young defense.


Every Defense wants to be number one.
Every Offense wants to be number one.
Every Special Teams unit wants to be number one.


Kurt, can't do his job lol
 

4thand26

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"KGB is still a great pass rusher" - credibility gone.
"but doesn't play the run really well " - credibility back.
 

Robin Yount

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I think we have a solid starting 11, but depth is the key to the NFL. We have depth at DT but that is about it. The best teams each year seem to keep injuries low and can fill in for those that are injured.

Safety is also a MAJOR concern. Calvin Johnson in the Martz system is going to have a field day against us (Do we remember Moss in 1998? How can we forget).

Our secondary has to step up in the next 2 years because the NFC North WRs are possibly starting to get better again:

Roy Williams
Calvin Johnson
Sidney Rice
Devin Hester (now on the O side)
 

longtimefan

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Robin Yount said:
IDevin Hester (now on the O side)

when was the last time a return specialists went to the offensive side and made an impact?

not trying to be a smart a@@..But Howard didnt do it, Dante Hall either..so got me to thinking who did the change and was good at it?
 

Zero2Cool

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Robin Yount said:
IDevin Hester (now on the O side)

when was the last time a return specialists went to the offensive side and made an impact?

not trying to be a smart a@@..But Howard didnt do it, Dante Hall either..so got me to thinking who did the change and was good at it?

Gale Sayers

Barry Sanders in college was a return guy changed to RB and he made an impact.

NOTE : Devin Hester is NOT either of the previously mentioned men.
 

spardo62

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DB depth and S impvoements will be the key to this defense.

2nd year for DC and his style/system... :thumbsup:
DL quality and depth... :thumbsup:
LB quality and depth... :thumbsup:
Starting corners... :thumbsup:
2,3,4 corners...???
Both safeties and backups...???
 

warhawk

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Obviously you have to have good corners and db's but you offset good receivers with a good pass rush and I think we will be very near the top in that catagory this year.

Looking at the team overall we need a defense that creates turnovers and to be solid on the kickoff and punt defense. All aspects of the game that affect who wins field position which I think is critical for us this year.

If our defense does get in the top tier and our special teams perform "good" vs. lousy, not necessarily great but at least good, we have a chance to make some noise.
 

CaliforniaCheez

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I like the D-line rotation. A guy like Montgomery is approaching the crossroad where his career gets better or he is on his way out.

LB's are still improving. I like the way Poppinga got it together when teams picked on him early. I don't think enough people realize how good Desmond Bishop is. He like Hodge will have to work on pass coverage but he is a solid prospect.

I can't believe Kurt Shottenhiemer is still around. I believe San Diego way quite serious in firing Marty for even considering getting his brother there.

I was against Manuel from the begining because I knew Roman was better. Much of the Defense depends on Underwood starting as he was last year until hurt. Collins had better overcome his Wonderlic score and start showing something as well. Collins is at the crossroad with Montgomery. It is time he start getting some INT's.

I think the Defense will be a lot better. How great they become depends much on Underwood and to a lesser degree Collins.
 

retiredgrampa

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I may be the only one who thinks that Will Blackmon will be our answer at the nickle. And we definitely need someone there. We'll see tons of 3 WR sets especially if our DL shuts down the runs as we hope it does. Dendy might be able to man the dime.
 

MassPackersFan

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My main prediction for the defense. The man QB's and receivers will fear in 2007:
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