But NOW...we have the results of pre-season Game #4 to further bolster our previously unsupported opinions. Frankly, when I say I'm bolstering my preseason predictions, I'm LITERALLY tossing my preseason predictions in a bolster somewhere.
Pack defense gave up 25 points per game finishing 22nd out of 32... 400 points... that is the worst in the North Division.
HOWEVER, if we need something to hang our defensive helmets on, the Pack finished 18th in total yardage yielded. Some would argue this is an important stat in that excessive yardage yielded leads to the 400 points referred to prior. Fair enough.
Pack defense in 2018 finished 12th in yardage yielded via the pass. Good thing? Sure... except that 12th of 32 teams was STILL the worst in the division. That kinda sucks, eh? Do something well and still get slapped upside the head for by ol' weedsie boy.
...oh yeah...and let us not forget ... 22nd against the run. Again... worst in the division. Did the Pack earn their 6-9-1 record? Oh, I'd say they did and it wasn't because Aaron was playing hurt. It was because the defense couldn't get off the field.
The offensive woes are a book in and of itself - beginning with a non-existent running game and what not. I would argue that the Pack's offensive problems contributed BIG TIME to the Pack's defensive woes because the offense couldn't stay ON the field.
Defensively, last year? OK - new system. New coordinator...blah blah blah. The defensive issues of the last 8 years are well documented. Well documented because they were so damned evident. Many have commented that they saw marked improvement over Dom's defenses - well, you're better judges of teams than me then, because all I saw was 400 friggen points yielded. Choosing between Dom's defense and what we had last year is like choosing the less ugly sister to head off to the hay mow with. Nah...
Consequently, I'm going to reign in any defensive expectations for 2019 ... and be pleasantly surprised if and when these guys can find their ***** with both hands.
That's my bold prediction for this year.
weeds, you’re SO RIGHT! Our D got worn out bigtime as a result of poor scheming and coaching on O, as well as both having suffered from lack of talent at key positions and injuries.
This season, Pettine has all the pieces he wants/needs to run his scheme. LaFleur has every position filled with great talent as well. This team is going to be very, very different from anything we’ve seen in years.
The O finally has a playcaller who will extend TOP using the run, and protect his QB more with the run. Loaded with dynamic playmakers, I believe they will extend drives and keep our D on the sidelines more.
Conversely, I believe our D is loaded with dynamic players as well. They will be giving the O the ball far more opportunities by creating TOs.
It’s the Packers way to hinge everything on a first ballot QB and hope draft picks can develop into stars. Yes TT is gone, but a lot of him rubbed off on Gute. People always talk about “mortgaging the future” but the point is to win the SB every year...not 3 or 4 yrs from now smh.
Doesn’t make sense at all. Gutes signed 3 FAs, all of them effective, ascending players who stay healthy historically, to bolster the D. Further supported with 2 first round picks there.
I just happen to disagree with your characterization of Gutes.
As for Pettine, quite a slam, but, he now has the players to make his scheme successful. Maybe the most complete set of players he’s ever had. Let’s see what he does with the right tools for the job.
ILB an issue to many. Let’s see. I believe we are fine there. My opinion. Thinking back a LONG time, if your greatest weakness on your D is a rookie ILB who led the NFL in tackles preseason... with one of his four games being his worst ever, and still led the NFL preseason...
When have we taken more talent on D onto the field? ‘96-97? 2010? 9 years.
Give Pettine a shot to see what he does with this.
