Comments on: Game Thoughts Packers/Chargers

By: RayMidge

RayMidge — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:25:54 +0000

Everyone who is concerned about the pass defense makes legitimate points, but I can’t be anything but pleased with this team. SD was playing at home, desperate for a win and with pro-bowl caliber QB, TE and WR and they seem pretty pleased with having gotten within one score of the Pack. SD seems to have taken a moral victory of sorts from that game, and some Packers (and Packers fans, observors etc…) seem to have taken a sort of moral defeat for the Pack. Not me. I think the Pack gets everyone’s best game, they made a bunch of mental errors in coverage and they still won the game. I think the Pack forces teams into being aggressive, throwing the ball a lot and that this is going to lead to giving up some yardage but it also means that the other team is going to have to be near perfect while passing so much. The Capers D is designed to make big plays and they have so far.

The best part of all of it is how hungry the Packers still seem. They have no smugness, no complacency. Rodgers sets the tone with his quiet confidence and they still have a lot of fun.

I do think that they could use some help on the D-line, if Neal ever gets back and stays healthy that will go a long way.

By: Ace

Ace — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:08:27 +0000

Jenkins loss is significant for Matthews. They can double him all the time. Blocking back backs up lineman who picks up Matthews. However, Matthews was in River’s face many times yesterday without a sack-causing him to hurry throws or throw it away. Some concern that he was favoring his hamstring in 4th qrtr when he leaped to defend another Gates sideline catch as SD moved for a first down. Walden is getting more opportunities because defenses are so focused on Matthews. He is coming on this year. Raji is going to be exhausted by most 4th qrtrs at this rate. Desperately need Neal back.

By: DaveK

DaveK — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 03:31:34 +0000

Forgot about the onside kick. What was Jordy just trying to hit it out of bounds? Driver usually has that role on the hands team…maybe he was on the other side.

By: Rusty

Rusty — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 03:19:26 +0000

Caper’s Blitzs just aren’t being executed as effectively this year. The players might be playing poorly. Jenkins might have been more important than previously thought. Opponents might have scouted the majority of Caper’s playbook. Capers might be holding back…. or it could be some mix.

Big plays can be anomalies… but the Packers have given up to many of them. If they can fix this (easier said than done) they’re in good shape.

All that said, the defense really brought the pressure the Chargers last two possession. Looked like a different defense.

The onside kick was terrible. The Chargers never get close if the Packers recover.

MM seemed a little to cute with the 3rd and 2 draw play. Starks is going to pick up 2 yards more often than not in a three TE set.

Lots of complaints for 8-0… Rivers hasn’t been good, but he is still Phillip Rivers.

By: DaveK

DaveK — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 03:03:36 +0000

I have never seen a QB play better then Rodgers is right now. Rodgers and this offense are amazing and they are carrying this team.

Yep, this defense is awful and if it doesn’t get better then are not going to beat 3 or 4 good teams in the playoffs to get another championship. Rodgers and the offense is carrying this team but at some point in the playoffs the defense is going to have to carry their share.

The safety play today was terrible. They looked confused and out of position a lot of the game. I’m afraid the Chargers just put a bunch of tape together for Packer opponents to use.

The lack of a pass rush isn’t helping the secondary either. Matthews is just not the same beast as last year and the other side gets almost no pressure. This has to get better if they are going to play nickel coverage as much as they do. They are essentially playing a 4-2 front most of the time but the front four are not getting enough pressure and you are correct that Hawk/Bishop do not cover enough real-estate to be effective in pass protection. You’d think the extra CB would help in coverage with no pass rush and poor safety play it has been brutal to watch.

Capers did starting sending extra guys today but the timing seemed off on all their blitzes. I just don’t think this defense has done it enough this year to be good at it. They were easily picked up and guys were just not getting to Rivers in time. Capers needs to dial up pressure more in the rest of the season in order to prepare and practice it for the playoffs. Timing is everything on blitzes and it better get better then today.

I can’t defend Hawk anymore. He looked terrible out there. I couldn’t figure out what he adds to the defense today. He never seems to be involved in a play.

By: stefan752

stefan752 — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 02:11:08 +0000

I agree with most of your analysis, though I don’t think Peprah was as good as his two picks might indicate. He seemed out of position a number of times and I suspect some of Tramon’s problems were actually due to lack of support from Peprah. I think the loss of Collins is turning out to be huge, right up there with the loss of Jenkins. That said, Caper’s needs to do a much better job of scheming. Offensive coordinators are out coaching him every week. As you noted, many of these completions are unbelievably easy — no one within 3-5 yards. Hard to believe at times. Not sure what the solution is but safeties and linebackers are woefully poor in coverage. Maybe time to play someone else to see if there are any players on the bench.

By: ronlc1

ronlc1 — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 02:02:51 +0000

No more “bend but don’t break” talk. this defense is horrible. 460 yards given up again can’t be discounted any more. If that trend doesn’t stop now bad thgings will de happening soon. Can’t anyone tackle on this team?