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Despite the defensive letdown in the NFC Wild Card playoffs, one factor that points to a promising future outlook for the Green Bay Packers' defense is that it achieved what it did in 2009 - ranking No. 1 in the league against the run and No. 2 in total yards allowed - with significant contributions from rookies.
As the season wound down, Clay Matthews and Brad Jones were the two starting outside linebackers, B.J. Raji was filling in at nose tackle for an injured Ryan Pickett, cornerback Brandon Underwood was pressed into duty in the dime package, and Jarius Wynn was getting some snaps as a reserve down lineman in nickel.
"We played a lot of young players," defensive coordinator Dom Capers said in an extended session with reporters after the season ended. "Hopefully the experience those guys gained will make them that much better.
"We're talking about five rookies there that contributed some."
Barring an even worse rash of injuries on the defensive..
Source: Packers.com
