Packers Defense - 2024

[Acrobat]

If we can get that scoring defense within the Top 10 by the end of the year, then I'm good. I know this is a defense thread, but I just want Top 10 or lower in this category combined with our Running Game being top notch by the end of the season. Those two combined with hopefully Jordan Love playing better could be a recipe for a Championship.

[go pak go]

Quay -bashing has been a trend, but I think he's been improving, a bit. Had some good ones on Sunday, and even better game week prior. It would be real risky to swap the comms helmet-wearer on the new and young D at this point. That said, McDuffie seems like a JAG versus the juice Cooper brings. But if we're aiming for a SB run, bringing guys in gradually may be a good strategy to avoid the rookie wall.

Interesting. I thought Quay was terrible. Missed Tackles. Not trusting his instincts. Had to get bailed out by I believe Evan Williams on a screen on the left side in the game.

But the worst play of the day was the long run by Williams. See first play

[APB]

Quay -bashing has been a trend, but I think he's been improving, a bit. Had some good ones on Sunday, and even better game week prior. It would be real risky to swap the comms helmet-wearer on the new and young D at this point. That said, McDuffie seems like a JAG versus the juice Cooper brings. But if we're aiming for a SB run, bringing guys in gradually may be a good strategy to avoid the rookie wall.

Interesting. I thought Quay was terrible. Missed Tackles. Not trusting his instincts. Had to get bailed out by I believe Evan Williams on a screen on the left side in the game.

But the worst play of the day was the long run by Williams. See first play

I don’t think I saw him make a single tackle in that clip of all Williams’ runs yesterday. Not a single tackle.

Either Williams chose to avoid Quay’s gap continually or Quay can’t diagnose worth a damn. Or both. Probably both but with a heavy lean on Quay’s mental shortcomings.

[APB]

I’m no expert but I’d bet this has as much to do with Gary’s production decline as anything.

[APB]

And in Gary’s defense, there’s this

[texas]

So do we bring in Saleh as an advisor (assuming he would take the job, which, I don't see why he wouldn't)?

On one hand, he's clearly a defensive expert. Maybe one of the best DCs in the league. Also, I am not enthused at all with Hafley's defense so far. Granted, it's early, but our front 7 looks pretty terrible.

On the other hand, bringing him in could mess up Hafley's defense before it ever gets a chance to get going. I think it sucks right now but I definitely favor giving him some time to get it going before making any rash decisions, and bringing in a guy like Saleh, literally best friend of the HC and also a defensive guru, to constantly look over his shoulder might not be such a good idea.

[Yoop]

I’m no expert but I’d bet this has as much to do with Gary’s production decline as anything.

to me that speaks to so much emphasis put on containment, so instead of all out rush, which your following post and clip shows, instead we see him holding his ground that split second which is so critical to getting the jump on the blocker rushing the QB, and it's the same with Perry and even Clark and the DT's on pass plays it seems

[APB]

This kid FLIES around the field.

[BF004]

This kid FLIES around the field.

Wow, super impressive on runs and screens, he’s a dawg.

Some credit to Hafley here, stressed so much about just getting guys to play fast, seems he’s bought in hook, line and sinker.

[APB]

This can’t be right…can it?

[Yoop]

This can’t be right…can it?

93 in the tenn. game, 1 in the last 4 no, this doesn't appear right, but I guess if ya consider as we do that forcing the QB to move and reset it's considered a pressure even though it never became even close to a sack.

[LombardiTime]

This kid FLIES around the field.

Really hope that when Jaire returns to the lineup, we do not automatically revert to Nixon full-time in the slot, Bullard back at Safety and Williams to the bench.

I agree that Williams looked very good and would rather he get his feet wet early in the season than sit on the bench unless and until there is another injury.

Feel the same way with Cooper over McDuffie.

[wallyuwl]

Really hope that when Jaire returns to the lineup, we do not automatically revert to Nixon full-time in the slot, Bullard back at Safety and Williams to the bench.

I agree that Williams looked very good and would rather he get his feet wet early in the season than sit on the bench unless and until there is another injury.

Feel the same way with Cooper over MdDuffie.

You mean Cooper over Quay.

[RingoCStarrQB]

I wonder how Zombo graded out in 2010. Same for Bishop and Hawk.

[salmar80]

Really hope that when Jaire returns to the lineup, we do not automatically revert to Nixon full-time in the slot, Bullard back at Safety and Williams to the bench.

I agree that Williams looked very good and would rather he get his feet wet early in the season than sit on the bench unless and until there is another injury.

Feel the same way with Cooper over MdDuffie.

You mean Cooper over Quay.

Quay has had a couple of good games in a row. And having Cooper handle the play-calling and adjustments might be a lot to ask at this point in a new D. And having him perform all of Quay's duties would take away from Cooper's explosive attacking strength. McDuffie, however, is the more likely of the two to get replaced. Steady eddy, plays to the max of his ability, but doesn't have any elite traits like Cooper has.

[APB]

I wonder how Zombo graded out in 2010. Same for Bishop and Hawk.

I don't.

We're talking about the Packer defense of 2024.

[Pckfn23]

Without a doubt needs to be better. A good look at Gary's pass rush snaps from Sunday:

https://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/packers-v ... o-hmmm-104

After re-watching the Packers game, here are three plays that made me go hmmm, for various reasons. In general, I try to focus on a theme, the less obvious, or things I didn't notice watching live. These are not likely to be "highlight" plays.

Rashan Gary - Good

With all the uproar about Rashan Gary and his lack of production, I went ahead and watched all of his pass rush snaps (thanks NFL Pro). Here are three plays that should show you it's not as bad as we think (I'll admit that while watching the game live, I was in the sarcastic "Is Gary Playing" camp?). But going back and focusinfg solely on Gary tells a bit of a different story. It's not great, but it's not bad either (I can hear you all yelling, "he's not getting paid to just be good." - and I get it). Anyway, first up is the type of rep Gary is probably best at when he can get into the blocker's chest. Gary's game is power. He can be sudden, but he's not a bendy speed rusher or smooth mover. He can look a little frantic with short choppy steps and hands/arms flailing around without always appearing to have a defined purpose. But when he uses good pad level and goes right at the blocker, he can often push him back into the quarterback. It's not a sack and may not even be counted as a pressure, but he's affecting the quarterback.





Rashan Gary - Better

Here we have what was probably Gary's best pass rep of the game and it came at a critical juncture - the Packers' fourth down stop late in the game that sealed the win. Gary uses what I would call a quick swim move and this is about as much as you will ever see him bend turning the corner on an edge rush. He manages to get under and around the tackle, which forces #79 (Rob Havenstein) to basically put Gary in a choke hold (which of course was way too obvious to draw a flag). Gary and Edgerrin Cooper meet at the quarterback just a tick too late. Cooper actually beats Gary to the QB despite taking a long looping blitz approach. Man can he fly!





Rashan Gary - Intriguing

I've mentioned a few times that I think Gary is capable of adding a club or hump move to his pass rush repertoire. I'm not talking about a full-on Reggie White throw the blocker into yesterday hump move, but a way to clear a path for himself to the quarterback. Here the tackle has committed to keeping Gary from getting around the edge. Normally you might see Gary try to reset his rush to the inside, but he will end up stopping his feet and standing up straight while trying to change direction. That gives the blocker time to reset. Here he uses his own forward force and the tackle's own momentum against him (physics) to move the blocker out of the way, instead of trying to stop himself and circle around the tackle. I hope Gary continues to work on this move as he's the type of DE/edge rusher that could be successful with it.

[BF004]

This kid FLIES around the field.

Wow, super impressive on runs and screens, he’s a dawg.

Some credit to Hafley here, stressed so much about just getting guys to play fast, seems he’s bought in hook, line and sinker.

lol, from Sam Dekker, but still getting notice.

[LombardiTime]

I am uncertain as to whether it is due to injuries, because he is still feeling out the talent at his disposal, or if he is simply less rigid than his predecessor (or a combination of all three), but I like how Hafley has gone in different directions personnel wise over the first 5 weeks.

I am hoping for more Valentine, Williams, and Cooper going forward, and I have no doubt that if Barry was still in charge Williams and Cooper would be getting the sit and watch treatment this season like Devonte Wyatt watched Lowry in 2022, so I already prefer Hafley from that aspect.

Keep mixing it up until you get the right formula Jeff and don't hesitate to play the best players even if they are rookies.

[lupedafiasco]

I am uncertain as to whether it is due to injuries, because he is still feeling out the talent at his disposal, or if he is simply less rigid than his predecessor (or a combination of all three), but I like how Hafley has gone in different directions personnel wise over the first 5 weeks.

I am hoping for more Valentine, Williams, and Cooper going forward, and I have no doubt that if Barry was still in charge Williams and Cooper would be getting the sit and watch treatment this season like Devonte Wyatt watched Lowry in 2022, so I already prefer Hafley from that aspect.

Keep mixing it up until you get the right formula Jeff and don't hesitate to play the best players even if they are rookies.

I don’t think the players sitting and watching is a Barry or any DC thing. I think that’s LaFleur. I mean even when it was apparent that Jenkins was better as a rookie than Lane Taylor they have to share snaps and rotate. He’s terrified of putting rookies on the field.