Ex-Packer Harry Sydney speaks out about the Packer Defense

[Steel Wheels]

Last week we touched on the Green Bay Packers offense. Now it's time for the defense, so hold on.

Yes, it's a new year, but what will change? Yes, the Packers went out and got a new man at the helm of the defense and the third in three years. Do we think he's a miracle worker? Well, if he is, let's take a look at what he will be working with!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Defensive line
I think I might of heard Jim Bates singing the old Beatles song: "HELP, I NEED SOMEBODY" because he needs it. Let's start with Colin Cole. I liked what I saw in him last year, but again, he's young and inconsistent. Notice this theme - young and unproven.

Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila is a good pass rusher and that's what he is. Stop right there. He's not an every-down DE, he's a specialist and that's rushing the passer period. Against the rush he gets abused over and over again.

At the other end you have a very good hard-working guy in Aaron Kampman that gives everything he has. But the problem is if Kampman's the guy then the defense is in trouble. I like him, but he's just not, in my opinion, a starting end on a real good team in the NFL.

Then there's Grady Jackson, a beast when he is healthy, but how much can he be counted on especially with a bad wheel? He

 

[HatestheEagles084]

good article...not from a negative standpoint, but from an "i dont know how theyre gonna do it but they better do it" perspective...

he hit it dead on with the linebackers...stronger with naivies as a #4 than a #3, athletic LB's, probably the strength of the defense if you wanna call it that.

defensive line...i'm not a fan, i wish we would've grabbed someone early in the draft to make our defensive end rotation a little stronger...give KGB and Kampman some plays off, especially KGB on running situations. Our DT's are in disarray, Grady is one bad step away from a catastrophic injury, behind him...? Cleditus Hunt, James Lee, Cullen Jenkins, Kenny Peterson, Donnell Washington, Mike Montgomery, someone has to step up.

secondary...at least we worked to improve this position, he's really down on nick collins and arturo freeman...doesn't like marviel underwood...questions mike hawkins (and collins') lack of intense competition...yeah we're in trouble,

but honestly, could it get any worse than last year...our defensive line is the same, which, isn't the best case scenario...our linebackers are much better...our corners are the same, two of our best corners are coming off of rookie seasons so i pray they improve. Mark Roman out of the starting role helps us, Darren Sharper was very inconsistent in coverage--I think Collins/Freeman are an upgrade just about. Arturo Freeman has played his career under Jim Bates.

What I look for is an improvement in turnover ratio. Force turnovers because we're not going to be stopping a lot of teams. Earl Little and Arturo Freeman have respectable INT totals, we've got Poppinga who seems like he could be a legit rusher off the edge, hopefully we can get some QB pressures, force INT's...hopefully forcing fumbles is a focal point in training camp.

The point is, we have basically the same defense, a few minor improvements, and a significant upgrade at DC who likes our defense's depth for some reason...our defense isn't going to set the world on fire, but we'll improve, we cant get any worse

 

[net]

Harry....Harry....Harry

Nice analysis if you think the Packers stink. The problem with Harry's analysis is he desperately wants to be a core insider.

He thinks, apparently, that the only way to build a defense is to do what the Vikings did: go spend a fortune on some veterans. Nice if you can afford it. The Vikes did a nice job in creating cap space, but mark my words, they will be facing cap hell in the not too distant future and will they have a title?

This defense doesn't have to be the best defense in the league...just "good enough". Everyone thinks the defense stinks unless you dominate. All this defense has to do is move to, say, 16th(halfway) and the offense perform and there will be more victories. They notched 10 victories with that awful defense last year.

He totally disses the young players that Bates is so high on. Jenkins could be find. Williams seems to be coming on. Thompson could be a stud if he can stay healthy. Sorry, I'm not ready to write them off just yet.

How can the secondary be worse than it was last year? Freeman came on in Miami after Bates let him start. Little is a veteran. He might have lost a step, but he isn't going to get outfoxed. If Al Harris isn't in prison, he's solid. Thomas and Carroll are going to fight it out. One of them will win the job. Carroll has last year to remember. If he doesn't improve, then he should be jettisoned.

Sorry....I have faith in Jim Bates. The man is the juice that defense needs and Harry Sydney can pound sand. Sydney can explain why he never was a starter when he played for the Packers.

 

[Steel Wheels]

Re: Harry....Harry....Harry

Nice analysis if you think the Packers stink.

Is there another word for it? 1-3 playoff record last 3 seasons.

The Packers won 10 games last season because of Brett Favre. Take Favre off this team and you will be lucky to see 3 wins.

 

[net]

So, winning the North Division means you stink?

The assumption that not having Favre would have meant losses is off base.

That's like saying trees would be purple if the sun were blue.

Craig Nall came in last year for a time and did fairly well. He didn't throw 20+ interceptions like Favre did.

 

[Steel Wheels]

So, winning the North Division means you stink?

The NFC North Division is one of the 2 weakest in the NFL.

The Packers 1-3 playoff record shows much that title is worth.

 

[I hate the vikings]

Where's Sidney now?

 

[CaliforniaCheez]

Relax, We got Rod Walker at the final cuts and Jenkins will be a year of working hard better. Bates is a fundementalist and with present day Wonderlic scores keeping it simple will work better designing. Designing coverage contingencies for double corner blitz are a thing of the past.

The final 11 games of 04 when the defense had to change when it was not working the Packers went 9-2. Grady is a year older and Carroll, Thomas, Jenkins, Cole and other are a year better.

A lot depends on injuries. There is good depth to this team. The cap is as it is so serious acquisition of players will not occur this year.

A great team like the 96 Packers who dominated every phase of the game just don't happen that often. Be happy with the successes we have had.

 

[PackerChick]

Steel Wheels the first to be ignored this year.

 

[swartzcatz]

We all know what needs to be done here...spend some bucks on the big boys ( free agents)!!!

 

[Steel Wheels]

We all know what needs to be done here...spend some bucks on the big boys ( free agents)!!!

You're right swartzcatz but not this year. 2005 is going to be a wash. Ted Thompson and the Packers will use the 2005 to evaluate. I look for the Packers to go in the neighborhood of 8-8.

In 2006 Thompson will bring in his own HC. At that point they will know what upgrades are needed. Look for some FA signings for 2006.

 

[Obi1]

Steel Wheels the first to be ignored this year.

Good idea Packer chick... Chase has a whle new forum to spew his tiresome spam...

oh well...

 

[net]

Spend big bucks on the big boys...like...Joe Johnson...free agency is becoming as hyped as the draft.

Big contracts do not mean automatic results. If that were the case the Yankees would be undefeated this year. They might not make the playoffs. Joe Torre didn't all of a sudden suck.

The Vikings will soon learn this. I'm assuming that you think the Vikings will AUTOMATICALLY win the North Division because they spent the most money.
TT will build this team through affordable free agents and the draft, just like New England.

Let the Vikings spend themselves to death. In two years you will see a bunch of the big contracts jettisoned across the Mississippi.

 

[PackerChick]

obi, do you think its chase? whatever

 

[vikefan]

Obi1...is that you, Packmaster? New Name?