I read Tom Silverstein’s piece this morning at jsonline.com. I mostly agree with him and the coaches when they express major concern re the play of our front 7. For me, the D-Line has been shoddy and the LB play has been especially weak. But I was thinking a bit more yesterday about the loss on Sunday and I’ve begun to wonder if one of the major issues with our defense is the absence of Atari Bigby. Since his injury, Rouse and Peprah have had to fill in. And neither has played too well. But what makes me think about Bigby is the fact that over the last few games, I have noticed that teams have thrown a good number of completions to TEs and WRs right over the middle – and these players were wide open at the time. Sure, a CB might have fallen down or just got burned or a LB shirked his coverage duties once again. But I have wondered aloud on several occasions where the safety help was.
We miss Bigby for a few reasons. Bigby is a solid run defender. RBs don’t particularly like having to encounter an aggressive, hard-hitting safety if they make it through the LB level (part of the reason Philly has a solid run D…Brian Dawkins). Bigby, especially at the end of last year, improved his coverage skills. And importantly, Bigby’s growing reputation as a hard-hitter creates an element of fear for any WR or TE heading out for a pass…especially in the middle.
My guess is that once he returns (from an injury we’ve heard surprisingly little about…yet another hammy) the defense will start playing better. IF you think about it (or I suppose even if you don’t and just read this), Bigby was injured in the 2nd half of the Lions game. The Packers were a decent team this year through the first half of the Lions game. Ever since, their defense especially, has been weak and we’ve lost 3 games. Coincidence? Other Injuries? Coaching? Perhaps. But when Bigby comes back, again, I’ll bet things improve.
packergeeks 
October 7, 2008 at 12:06 pm |
Safeties are not primary on run defense they a secondary. They react to the outside and try to plug up the misddle in obvious run situations. The Packer failure has been at the point of attack. The tackles are being pushed off the line, the MLB is no where to be found, the defensive ends are being trapped to the middle (especially Montgomery, KGB, and Thompson) and there is absolutely no pressure from the front four. That is the problem not Silverstien’s Chicken and Egg theory. The safeties have been playiing well in spite of Bigby not being available.
This weakness was exposed last year. Witness Dallas, both Bear games and the NFC Championship game as proof. If Atlanta can push you around, God help the Packers when they face Tenn, Jags, Bears, Panthers, Indy, and the Vikings. I’m affraid the only answer here is motivation of existing personnel to play above their capability. While TT was seeing if he could drive Cap Money available above the actual payroll, he allowed an already flawed defensive line to get weaker. The same can be said of the O-Line.
October 7, 2008 at 12:48 pm |
Ron, I agree that we’re getting pushed around up front and that our D-Line and LB play has been weak. This being pushed around concern is something both Brother Steve and I feared going into the season and why we both thought Grady Jackson would be a nice addition to the team. Jackson and Pickett would have been our answer to the Williams duo in MN. (Though I do have to admit, I also thought Jolly would bring more than he has). Jackson is a monster and very, very good despite his weight and age. I also agree that Barnett has been absent – suspiciously so. How could he be so incredibly good last year and almost a liability this year. Weird.
But your point about safeties needing to plug up the middle in obvious run situations is pretty much what I was referring to re Bigby. Several times on Sunday, Turner got past the LBs and there was not someone there to take him down leading to extra yardage. Collins did OK here on occasion but he can’t be relied upon to do everything (which is how things have played out recently). Again, the main run D responsibility does fall on the D-Line and LBs, but having quality safety help against the run can make a big difference. My contention is that Bigby is pretty good at filling gaps (and even lateral pursuit) and when he returns, we may see a better run defense – or at least fewer longer run plays. And, while it’s hard to defend anyone when there is no pressure on the QB, I also happen to think that when he returns, we will be less likely to see WRs running free down the middle.
October 7, 2008 at 2:04 pm |
Andy,
I didn’t mean Bigby wouldn’t help. He cetainly will be a help. An answer? That’s another question. The line must be fixed. NOW! The LB’s need to step up. Barnnet! A little less time in your bar and more time thinking about football might help. Poppinga, are you actually on the field? AJ has been hurt all year. First hammy then groin strain. They haven’t blitzed him since game two if my memory serves me.
The DB’s have been holding up their end of the bargin. With no pass rush and key injuries they could have been a disaster. They aren’t, they are the best part of the defense. The rest of the team needs to take some inspiration from Charles Woodson. The man is not human.
October 7, 2008 at 2:29 pm |
point taken Ron – you’re right, Bigby’s presence alone won’t reverse the trend. And Woodson has been unreal – right now it wouldn’t be hard to call him the best corner in the NFL so far.
October 7, 2008 at 3:15 pm |
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