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A defensive history of the Green Bay Packers.
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<blockquote data-quote="Packerlifer" data-source="post: 613442" data-attributes="member: 1242"><p>Part 7.</p><p></p><p> Mike McCarthy was not especially well known to the fans or much of the media at the time of his hire and there were some expressions of concern when he was first announced as the new head coach of the Packers. The first impressions were that he had been quarterbacks coach on Ray Rhodes' staff in 1999, the season the Packers' run of playoff appearances had ended and had been fired when Rhodes and the entire staff were let go afterward. And at the time of his hire he was offensive coordinator in San Francisco; whose unit had ranked last in the league in 2005.</p><p></p><p> But McCarthy had been an assistant coach in the NFL for 13 years by the time of his hire in Green Bay. He had been schooled by one of the winningest head coaches in league history Marty Schottenheimer. And he had moved up on the coaching radars in four very good years as offensive coordinator in New Orleans.</p><p></p><p> <a href="http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/213239631.html" target="_blank">http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/213239631.html </a></p><p></p><p> But despite hiring an offensive minded head coach the Packers appeared to be moving in the direction of establishing more of a defensive identity in 2006. Looking at the prospect of having their fourth defensive coordinator in as many seasons they retained and promoted Bob Sanders, defensive ends coach, to the coordinator's position to succeed Jim Bates. Sanders had worked with Bates for 5 years in Miami before coming with him to Green Bay so the unit would have a basic continuity with the system that had been introduced the year before.</p><p></p><p> In free agency Ted Thompson had signed two veteran NFLers who were former first round draft picks of their earlier teams: big dt Ryan Pickett from the Rams and all-pro cornerback Charles Woodson from the Raiders. At the time both were considered no better than "second tier" free agent prospects and were considered "aged." Especially Woodson, who was a former Heisman Trophy winner and already had Hall of Fame credentials but didn't receiver an offer from any other team but the Packers.</p><p></p><p> Their additions allowed the Packers to part ways with Grady Jackson and first round draft bust Ahmad Carroll.</p><p> <a href="http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PickRy20.htm" target="_blank"> </a></p><p></p><p> With their first round draft pick and 5th overall in the draft the Packers landed lb A.J. Hawk of Ohio St. <a href="http://www.footballsfuture.com/2006/prospects/aj_hawk.html" target="_blank">http://www.footballsfuture.com/2006/prospects/aj_hawk.html . </a></p><p></p><p> Half of the Packers' draft class that year (6 of 12) were defensive players. They also added another premiere Big Ten lb Abdul Hodge of Iowa in the third round, cb-kr Will Blackmon in the 4th, another big dt Johnny Jolly and safety Tyrone Culver in the 6th and de Dave Tollefson in the 7th.</p><p></p><p> The Packers had drafted s Nick Collins in the second round the previous year. Second safety Mark Roman left in free agency after two unimpressive seasons and to replace him the Packers added free agent veteran Marquand Manuel. They also picked up an undrafted free agent Atari Bigby and claimed on waivers a rookie Charlie Peprah from the Giants.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BigbAt20.htm" target="_blank">http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BigbAt20.htm </a></p><p><a href="http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PeprCh20.htm" target="_blank">http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PeprCh20.htm</a></p><p></p><p> Another move that would turn out to be a steal in '06 was signing undrafted free agent cb Tramon Williams.</p><p></p><p> Woodson, Hawk and Pickett would be core members of the defense for most of the following decade. Collins would quickly become one of the league's elite safeties; until his career was cut short by a neck injury in 2011. Williams would matriculate into a long term starting corner after backing up and then replacing Al Harris when Harris was injured in 2010. (to be continued)</p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WoodCh00.htm" target="_blank">http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WoodCh00.htm </a></p><p><a href="http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HawkA.20.htm" target="_blank">http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HawkA.20.htm </a></p><p><a href="http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CollNi20.htm" target="_blank">http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CollNi20.htm </a></p><p><a href="http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PickRy20.htm" target="_blank">http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PickRy20.htm </a></p><p><a href="http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillTr99.htm" target="_blank">http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillTr99.htm </a></p><p></p><p> McCarthy and the team went through some initial growing pains in their first season together. The Packers started 4-8 before going on a four game win streak at the end of the schedule to finish 8-8 and just miss a wild card playoff berth on the tiebreaker with the Giants.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.packershistory.net/2006PACKERS.html" target="_blank">http://www.packershistory.net/2006PACKERS.html</a></p><p></p><p> In the final 3 games of the season the defense held the Lions to 9 points, shut out the Vikings offense, and generated 6 turnovers in holding the Super Bowl bound Bears to 7 pts in the season finale at Soldier Field.</p><p></p><p> The defense finished the year ranked 12th in the league; 13th vs the run and 17th against the pass. They produced 46 quarterback sacks and 33 turnovers, including 23 interceptions.</p><p></p><p> Aaron Kampman had a career high 15.5 sacks while Corey Williams and Cullen Jenkins combined almost evenly for another 13.5. In his rookie season A.J. Hawk made 82 tackles, with 37 assists, intercepted 2 passes and recovered 2 fumbles and registered 3.5 sacks. He was also credited with 7 passes defensed. Charles Woodson led the team with 8 interceptions and defensed another 20. He also forced 3 fumbles, recovering another. He made 48 tackles with 11 assists.</p><p></p><p> The strong finish had fans more hopeful about 2007 but the team went into that year with many question marks and concerns, most on the offensive side. Brett Favre was 38 and speculations about whether and when he might retire were by now an annual affair. The Packers themselves had helped fuel the speculation by pouncing on opportunity in the 2005 draft and taking Aaron Rodgers after he unexpectedly fell to them at #24 in the first round. But with most of the league's career passing records within his reach Favre announced his intention to continue to play earlier than in preceding years.</p><p></p><p> The team, though, was without an established feature back with the free agency departure of Ahman Green to Houston. The o-line continued to be a work in progress. And there was doubt about the Packers' receiving corps,despite having Donald Driver and a rising young Greg Jennings. Rumors swirled that the Packers might trade for old hated nemesis Randy Moss from the Raiders and Favre lobbied hard for such a deal to be done.</p><p></p><p> The Packers, or at least much of the fan base, had their fingers crossed that rb Marshawn Lynch would still be on the board for them at #16 of the first round of the draft but Buffalo took him at #12. So, for the fifth time in 8 years, the Packers selected a defensive player with their first round pick: dt Justin Harrell of Tennessee. Who would, as is well known, become one of the club's all time biggest draft busts.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.footballsfuture.com/2007/prospects/justin_harrell.html" target="_blank">http://www.footballsfuture.com/2007/prospects/justin_harrell.html </a></p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Harrell" target="_blank">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Harrell </a></p><p></p><p> The Harrell bust was more damaging to the Packers because of the alternative prospects they passed on in this draft, which had a ripple effect on future drafting decisions. DE/lb Anthony Spencer, ot Joe Staley, cb Leon Hall, te Greg Olsen were just four of the others still on the board at #16.</p><p></p><p> In 2007, however, the Packers were deep on their line. They had veterans Aaron Kampman, Ryan Pickett, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila and ascending power players Corey Williams and Cullen Jenkins. Behind them were two big young tackles Johnny Jolly and Colin Cole. A rangy de Mike Montgomery, an end/lb 'tweener' Jason Hunter and a new addition Daniel Muir filled out the area.</p><p></p><p> Linebackers A.J. Hawk, Nick Barnett and Brady Poppinga had a season of working together as a unit under their belts. With one of 3 6th round picks the Packers got Desmond Bishop.</p><p></p><p> The secondary was becoming one of the most talented in team history. Corners Charles Woodson and Al Harris and safety Nick Collins were joined by s Atari Bigby in the starting group. Young Tramon Williams became the nickel back. In the third round of that year's draft the Packers added a big safety Aaron Rouse.</p><p></p><p> Reserve linebackers Tracy White and Korey Hall and defensive back Jarrett Bush were on their way to becoming core special teams players.</p><p></p><p> Brett Favre raised eyebrows and drew some derision when he said during the preseason that the Packers that year had more good football players on the team than any other he had been with but the season would soon bear him out as they produced one of the greatest seasons in club history. They won their first four games and 10 of 11; tying the 1962 Lombardi championship team for the best start thru 11 games in franchise history. They also matched that team and the '96-'97 Super Bowl teams for most wins in a season with their final 13-3 record.The only blemish on the record was getting swept by the Bears.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.packershistory.net/2007PACKERS.html" target="_blank">http://www.packershistory.net/2007PACKERS.html </a></p><p><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/170952-remembering-the-2007-green-bay-packers-the-dream-season" target="_blank">http://bleacherreport.com/articles/170952-remembering-the-2007-green-bay-packers-the-dream-season </a></p><p></p><p> Most of the attention and recall of that '07 team is on the offensive side. The renaissance to the late career of Brett Favre, the emergence of Ryan Grant in the run game, and a surprisingly efficient showing by the receiving corps and offensive line put the Pack back in the league's elite categories again. But the performance and role of the defense that season cannot be underestimated or overlooked.</p><p></p><p> The unit ranked just outside the league's top ten at #11; 12th against the pass and 14th against the run. While sacks (36) and turnovers (26) were modest and down from the previous year the D rose dramatically in scoring defense, allowing only 18.2ppg- 6th best in the league- and was a real stopping defense allowing a third down conversion rate of only 33%, third best in the NFL.</p><p></p><p> Aaron Kampman led the team with 12 sacks. Nick Barnett had 102 tackles, Atari Bigby topped the club with 5 INT's. Kampman and cb Al Harris were selected to the Pro Bowl.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.jsonline.com/packerinsider/29593124.html" target="_blank">http://www.jsonline.com/packerinsider/29593124.html </a></p><p></p><p> The Packers returned to the playoffs after a two year absence and for the first time since 1997 earned a first round bye as the NFC number two seed. In the divisional playoff at Lambeau they met their old coach Mike Holmgren and Seattle once again in a postseason match. Two early fumbles by Ryan Grant gave the Seahawks a pair of short field touchdowns but once the offense settled down and the defense settled in the game was no contest.</p><p></p><p> The defense held Seattle, with rb Shaun Alexander, to just 28 rushing yards and 200 total yards for the game. They limited the Seahawks to only two field goals over the final 49 minutes of the game. Seattle was one for four on third conversions and also stopped on a fourth down attempt.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200801120gnb.htm" target="_blank">http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200801120gnb.htm </a></p><p></p><p> Advancing to the NFC Championship game for the first time in a decade the Packers won home field advantage for the game when the Giants beat top seed Dallas in their divisional round playoff. The wild card Giants were a team that would start an NFC habit, though, of getting hot at the right time for the playoffs and their visit to Lambeau turned out bitter for the Packers.(to be continued.)</p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/29578824.html" target="_blank">http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/29578824.html </a></p><p></p><p> The 2008 offseason, as every fan knows, was dominated by the Brett Favre retirement/unretirement fiasco and his eventual trade to the Jets; after he tried to get to Minnesota to "stick it" to the Packers, or at least Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy. And the transition to Aaron Rodgers as quarterback. Those stories are recent and well enough known not to require elaboration again here.</p><p></p><p> Overshadowed by the quarterback controversy/ change on the defensive side, though, was the free agency status of an important member dt Corey Williams. The 2004 6th round draft pick had developed into one of the Packers most impactful linemen and was a valued prospect on the free agent market. His contract demands, though, were higher than the Packers evaluated him or than their sal-cap allowed. Ted Thompson franchise tagged him then traded him to Cleveland for a second round draft pick. (Which was used on qb Brian Brohm.)</p><p></p><p> The Packers still expected top '07 draft pick Justin Harrel to come on and had big young Johnny Jolly and Colin Cole, plus could move Cullen Jenkins inside on passing downs. But as things would work out Harrel didn't show, Jenkins, Jolly and Cole all suffered major injuries and spent much of the '08 season out of action. Time would also catch up with de Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. He had been reduced to a pass rushing specialist since 2006 as his ability against the run was becoming a liability. The Packers would release him midway through the '08 season; after he had become Green Bay's all-time qb sacks leader during his 9 years with the club. Daniel Muir, a useful part of the Packers' 07 line rotation, also left for the Colts in free agency.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/29555609.html" target="_blank">http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/29555609.html </a></p><p></p><p> Ted Thompson did little to add to the defense in '08. Only 2 of 8 selections were on that side and neither did anything for the Packers. TT picked cb Pat Lee in the second round and lighweight de Jeremy Thompson in the fourth. Though in free agency he did sign a veteran lb Brandon Chillar from St.Louis. </p><p></p><p><a href="http://lombardiave.com/2013/03/07/where-are-they-now-green-bay-packers-2008-draft-class/" target="_blank">http://lombardiave.com/2013/03/07/where-are-they-now-green-bay-packers-2008-draft-class/ </a></p><p><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/48876-2008-green-bay-packers-preview-defense-and-special-teams" target="_blank">http://bleacherreport.com/articles/48876-2008-green-bay-packers-preview-defense-and-special-teams </a></p><p></p><p> As the Packers crumbled on the front the back end began to lose players as well. Safety Atari Bigby, a promising young prospect the previous year was out for half the season. And the roof fell in after mlb Nick Barnett was lost for the second half of the season to a knee injury.</p><p></p><p> Less than a year after coming within an overtime field goal of going to the Super Bowl the Packers in 2008 would have their second double-digit losing season in four years. But it wouldn't be the fault of the team's new starting quarterback. Aaron Rodgers had a fine first starting season; a harbinger of greater things to come. The offense ranked 8th in the league in overall and passing offense and 5th in scoring.</p><p></p><p> The defense and special teams, though, were another matter. The Packers dropped to 20th in yards and 22nd in points allowed and were a terrible 26th against the run. The Packers lost 7 games by four points or less, two in overtime, and in at least 6 had the lead or were even within the final 3 minutes of the fourth quarter but failed to make stops or plays.</p><p></p><p> One small peculiarity in the otherwise dismal 6-10 season was the tying of the team record by returning 6 interceptions for touchdowns during the year; equaling the feat of the 1966 world championship club. And Charles Woodson, Nick Collins and Al Harris were all selected to the Pro Bowl.</p><p></p><p> The fire for the team's defensive slide fell on dc Bob Sanders.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/66611-green-bay-packers-is-bob-sanders-the-bobby-fischer-of-defensive-strategy" target="_blank">http://bleacherreport.com/articles/66611-green-bay-packers-is-bob-sanders-the-bobby-fischer-of-defensive-strategy </a></p><p></p><p> Soon after the season ended Mike McCarthy fired the entire defensive staff, except for linebackers & assistant head coach Winston Moss, and announced he was converting the Packers to a 3-4 defense in 2009.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3811283" target="_blank">http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3811283 </a></p><p></p><p>End of Part 7.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Packerlifer, post: 613442, member: 1242"] Part 7. Mike McCarthy was not especially well known to the fans or much of the media at the time of his hire and there were some expressions of concern when he was first announced as the new head coach of the Packers. The first impressions were that he had been quarterbacks coach on Ray Rhodes' staff in 1999, the season the Packers' run of playoff appearances had ended and had been fired when Rhodes and the entire staff were let go afterward. And at the time of his hire he was offensive coordinator in San Francisco; whose unit had ranked last in the league in 2005. But McCarthy had been an assistant coach in the NFL for 13 years by the time of his hire in Green Bay. He had been schooled by one of the winningest head coaches in league history Marty Schottenheimer. And he had moved up on the coaching radars in four very good years as offensive coordinator in New Orleans. [URL='http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/213239631.html']http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/213239631.html [/URL] But despite hiring an offensive minded head coach the Packers appeared to be moving in the direction of establishing more of a defensive identity in 2006. Looking at the prospect of having their fourth defensive coordinator in as many seasons they retained and promoted Bob Sanders, defensive ends coach, to the coordinator's position to succeed Jim Bates. Sanders had worked with Bates for 5 years in Miami before coming with him to Green Bay so the unit would have a basic continuity with the system that had been introduced the year before. In free agency Ted Thompson had signed two veteran NFLers who were former first round draft picks of their earlier teams: big dt Ryan Pickett from the Rams and all-pro cornerback Charles Woodson from the Raiders. At the time both were considered no better than "second tier" free agent prospects and were considered "aged." Especially Woodson, who was a former Heisman Trophy winner and already had Hall of Fame credentials but didn't receiver an offer from any other team but the Packers. Their additions allowed the Packers to part ways with Grady Jackson and first round draft bust Ahmad Carroll. [URL='http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PickRy20.htm'] [/URL] With their first round draft pick and 5th overall in the draft the Packers landed lb A.J. Hawk of Ohio St. [URL='http://www.footballsfuture.com/2006/prospects/aj_hawk.html']http://www.footballsfuture.com/2006/prospects/aj_hawk.html . [/URL] Half of the Packers' draft class that year (6 of 12) were defensive players. They also added another premiere Big Ten lb Abdul Hodge of Iowa in the third round, cb-kr Will Blackmon in the 4th, another big dt Johnny Jolly and safety Tyrone Culver in the 6th and de Dave Tollefson in the 7th. The Packers had drafted s Nick Collins in the second round the previous year. Second safety Mark Roman left in free agency after two unimpressive seasons and to replace him the Packers added free agent veteran Marquand Manuel. They also picked up an undrafted free agent Atari Bigby and claimed on waivers a rookie Charlie Peprah from the Giants. [URL='http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BigbAt20.htm']http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BigbAt20.htm [/URL] [URL]http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PeprCh20.htm[/URL] Another move that would turn out to be a steal in '06 was signing undrafted free agent cb Tramon Williams. Woodson, Hawk and Pickett would be core members of the defense for most of the following decade. Collins would quickly become one of the league's elite safeties; until his career was cut short by a neck injury in 2011. Williams would matriculate into a long term starting corner after backing up and then replacing Al Harris when Harris was injured in 2010. (to be continued) [URL='http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WoodCh00.htm']http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WoodCh00.htm [/URL] [URL='http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HawkA.20.htm']http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HawkA.20.htm [/URL] [URL='http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CollNi20.htm']http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CollNi20.htm [/URL] [URL='http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PickRy20.htm']http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PickRy20.htm [/URL] [URL='http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillTr99.htm']http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillTr99.htm [/URL] McCarthy and the team went through some initial growing pains in their first season together. The Packers started 4-8 before going on a four game win streak at the end of the schedule to finish 8-8 and just miss a wild card playoff berth on the tiebreaker with the Giants. [URL]http://www.packershistory.net/2006PACKERS.html[/URL] In the final 3 games of the season the defense held the Lions to 9 points, shut out the Vikings offense, and generated 6 turnovers in holding the Super Bowl bound Bears to 7 pts in the season finale at Soldier Field. The defense finished the year ranked 12th in the league; 13th vs the run and 17th against the pass. They produced 46 quarterback sacks and 33 turnovers, including 23 interceptions. Aaron Kampman had a career high 15.5 sacks while Corey Williams and Cullen Jenkins combined almost evenly for another 13.5. In his rookie season A.J. Hawk made 82 tackles, with 37 assists, intercepted 2 passes and recovered 2 fumbles and registered 3.5 sacks. He was also credited with 7 passes defensed. Charles Woodson led the team with 8 interceptions and defensed another 20. He also forced 3 fumbles, recovering another. He made 48 tackles with 11 assists. The strong finish had fans more hopeful about 2007 but the team went into that year with many question marks and concerns, most on the offensive side. Brett Favre was 38 and speculations about whether and when he might retire were by now an annual affair. The Packers themselves had helped fuel the speculation by pouncing on opportunity in the 2005 draft and taking Aaron Rodgers after he unexpectedly fell to them at #24 in the first round. But with most of the league's career passing records within his reach Favre announced his intention to continue to play earlier than in preceding years. The team, though, was without an established feature back with the free agency departure of Ahman Green to Houston. The o-line continued to be a work in progress. And there was doubt about the Packers' receiving corps,despite having Donald Driver and a rising young Greg Jennings. Rumors swirled that the Packers might trade for old hated nemesis Randy Moss from the Raiders and Favre lobbied hard for such a deal to be done. The Packers, or at least much of the fan base, had their fingers crossed that rb Marshawn Lynch would still be on the board for them at #16 of the first round of the draft but Buffalo took him at #12. So, for the fifth time in 8 years, the Packers selected a defensive player with their first round pick: dt Justin Harrell of Tennessee. Who would, as is well known, become one of the club's all time biggest draft busts. [URL='http://www.footballsfuture.com/2007/prospects/justin_harrell.html']http://www.footballsfuture.com/2007/prospects/justin_harrell.html [/URL] [URL='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Harrell']https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Harrell [/URL] The Harrell bust was more damaging to the Packers because of the alternative prospects they passed on in this draft, which had a ripple effect on future drafting decisions. DE/lb Anthony Spencer, ot Joe Staley, cb Leon Hall, te Greg Olsen were just four of the others still on the board at #16. In 2007, however, the Packers were deep on their line. They had veterans Aaron Kampman, Ryan Pickett, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila and ascending power players Corey Williams and Cullen Jenkins. Behind them were two big young tackles Johnny Jolly and Colin Cole. A rangy de Mike Montgomery, an end/lb 'tweener' Jason Hunter and a new addition Daniel Muir filled out the area. Linebackers A.J. Hawk, Nick Barnett and Brady Poppinga had a season of working together as a unit under their belts. With one of 3 6th round picks the Packers got Desmond Bishop. The secondary was becoming one of the most talented in team history. Corners Charles Woodson and Al Harris and safety Nick Collins were joined by s Atari Bigby in the starting group. Young Tramon Williams became the nickel back. In the third round of that year's draft the Packers added a big safety Aaron Rouse. Reserve linebackers Tracy White and Korey Hall and defensive back Jarrett Bush were on their way to becoming core special teams players. Brett Favre raised eyebrows and drew some derision when he said during the preseason that the Packers that year had more good football players on the team than any other he had been with but the season would soon bear him out as they produced one of the greatest seasons in club history. They won their first four games and 10 of 11; tying the 1962 Lombardi championship team for the best start thru 11 games in franchise history. They also matched that team and the '96-'97 Super Bowl teams for most wins in a season with their final 13-3 record.The only blemish on the record was getting swept by the Bears. [URL='http://www.packershistory.net/2007PACKERS.html']http://www.packershistory.net/2007PACKERS.html [/URL] [URL='http://bleacherreport.com/articles/170952-remembering-the-2007-green-bay-packers-the-dream-season']http://bleacherreport.com/articles/170952-remembering-the-2007-green-bay-packers-the-dream-season [/URL] Most of the attention and recall of that '07 team is on the offensive side. The renaissance to the late career of Brett Favre, the emergence of Ryan Grant in the run game, and a surprisingly efficient showing by the receiving corps and offensive line put the Pack back in the league's elite categories again. But the performance and role of the defense that season cannot be underestimated or overlooked. The unit ranked just outside the league's top ten at #11; 12th against the pass and 14th against the run. While sacks (36) and turnovers (26) were modest and down from the previous year the D rose dramatically in scoring defense, allowing only 18.2ppg- 6th best in the league- and was a real stopping defense allowing a third down conversion rate of only 33%, third best in the NFL. Aaron Kampman led the team with 12 sacks. Nick Barnett had 102 tackles, Atari Bigby topped the club with 5 INT's. Kampman and cb Al Harris were selected to the Pro Bowl. [URL='http://www.jsonline.com/packerinsider/29593124.html']http://www.jsonline.com/packerinsider/29593124.html [/URL] The Packers returned to the playoffs after a two year absence and for the first time since 1997 earned a first round bye as the NFC number two seed. In the divisional playoff at Lambeau they met their old coach Mike Holmgren and Seattle once again in a postseason match. Two early fumbles by Ryan Grant gave the Seahawks a pair of short field touchdowns but once the offense settled down and the defense settled in the game was no contest. The defense held Seattle, with rb Shaun Alexander, to just 28 rushing yards and 200 total yards for the game. They limited the Seahawks to only two field goals over the final 49 minutes of the game. Seattle was one for four on third conversions and also stopped on a fourth down attempt. [URL='http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200801120gnb.htm']http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200801120gnb.htm [/URL] Advancing to the NFC Championship game for the first time in a decade the Packers won home field advantage for the game when the Giants beat top seed Dallas in their divisional round playoff. The wild card Giants were a team that would start an NFC habit, though, of getting hot at the right time for the playoffs and their visit to Lambeau turned out bitter for the Packers.(to be continued.) [URL='http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/29578824.html']http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/29578824.html [/URL] The 2008 offseason, as every fan knows, was dominated by the Brett Favre retirement/unretirement fiasco and his eventual trade to the Jets; after he tried to get to Minnesota to "stick it" to the Packers, or at least Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy. And the transition to Aaron Rodgers as quarterback. Those stories are recent and well enough known not to require elaboration again here. Overshadowed by the quarterback controversy/ change on the defensive side, though, was the free agency status of an important member dt Corey Williams. The 2004 6th round draft pick had developed into one of the Packers most impactful linemen and was a valued prospect on the free agent market. His contract demands, though, were higher than the Packers evaluated him or than their sal-cap allowed. Ted Thompson franchise tagged him then traded him to Cleveland for a second round draft pick. (Which was used on qb Brian Brohm.) The Packers still expected top '07 draft pick Justin Harrel to come on and had big young Johnny Jolly and Colin Cole, plus could move Cullen Jenkins inside on passing downs. But as things would work out Harrel didn't show, Jenkins, Jolly and Cole all suffered major injuries and spent much of the '08 season out of action. Time would also catch up with de Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. He had been reduced to a pass rushing specialist since 2006 as his ability against the run was becoming a liability. The Packers would release him midway through the '08 season; after he had become Green Bay's all-time qb sacks leader during his 9 years with the club. Daniel Muir, a useful part of the Packers' 07 line rotation, also left for the Colts in free agency. [URL='http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/29555609.html']http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/29555609.html [/URL] Ted Thompson did little to add to the defense in '08. Only 2 of 8 selections were on that side and neither did anything for the Packers. TT picked cb Pat Lee in the second round and lighweight de Jeremy Thompson in the fourth. Though in free agency he did sign a veteran lb Brandon Chillar from St.Louis. [URL='http://lombardiave.com/2013/03/07/where-are-they-now-green-bay-packers-2008-draft-class/']http://lombardiave.com/2013/03/07/where-are-they-now-green-bay-packers-2008-draft-class/ [/URL] [URL='http://bleacherreport.com/articles/48876-2008-green-bay-packers-preview-defense-and-special-teams']http://bleacherreport.com/articles/48876-2008-green-bay-packers-preview-defense-and-special-teams [/URL] As the Packers crumbled on the front the back end began to lose players as well. Safety Atari Bigby, a promising young prospect the previous year was out for half the season. And the roof fell in after mlb Nick Barnett was lost for the second half of the season to a knee injury. Less than a year after coming within an overtime field goal of going to the Super Bowl the Packers in 2008 would have their second double-digit losing season in four years. But it wouldn't be the fault of the team's new starting quarterback. Aaron Rodgers had a fine first starting season; a harbinger of greater things to come. The offense ranked 8th in the league in overall and passing offense and 5th in scoring. The defense and special teams, though, were another matter. The Packers dropped to 20th in yards and 22nd in points allowed and were a terrible 26th against the run. The Packers lost 7 games by four points or less, two in overtime, and in at least 6 had the lead or were even within the final 3 minutes of the fourth quarter but failed to make stops or plays. One small peculiarity in the otherwise dismal 6-10 season was the tying of the team record by returning 6 interceptions for touchdowns during the year; equaling the feat of the 1966 world championship club. And Charles Woodson, Nick Collins and Al Harris were all selected to the Pro Bowl. The fire for the team's defensive slide fell on dc Bob Sanders. [URL='http://bleacherreport.com/articles/66611-green-bay-packers-is-bob-sanders-the-bobby-fischer-of-defensive-strategy']http://bleacherreport.com/articles/66611-green-bay-packers-is-bob-sanders-the-bobby-fischer-of-defensive-strategy [/URL] Soon after the season ended Mike McCarthy fired the entire defensive staff, except for linebackers & assistant head coach Winston Moss, and announced he was converting the Packers to a 3-4 defense in 2009. [URL='http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3811283']http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3811283 [/URL] End of Part 7. [/QUOTE]
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