Mike Pettine's Defence

[Pokerbrat2000]

MLF press conference he said was either not physical enough or bad coaching....and he also said . we knew they wanted to run it.

Again, I am not saying the 49'ers weren't planning on running nor am I saying that the Packers didn't know that they would try to run it. What I am saying to those who are screaming "Pettine didn't scheme for the run" or "Pettine didn't adjust". Simply put, I don't think it would have mattered, the 49'ers would have probably beat us just as easily through the air, they proved they could pass on us in week 12.

We were out-played, out-manned and out-coached. Hard for me me to paint a different picture and while doing so try and blame Rodgers, Pettine or any other individual. This was a team loss. This just was not a good match-up for the Packers on either side of the ball.

 

[longtimefan]

Sometimes, you just get beat.

I'd like to see some stats/snap counts, because to my eye, we played more base this game than any all season. I also saw a lot of Bear/46 fronts within the base personnel grouping. IE, both guards and the center covered up by our three down linemen. I also saw several snaps with both Martinez and Goodson at ILB.

I didn't keep track of bringing a safety down into the box--that might have been the only other obvious adjustment that could have been made, but maybe the already did it?

The next move you can do to stop the run is calling slants and other stunts to get into the backfield. IMHO, that's playing into the Shannahan/zone scheme hands. If you're slanting, the cutback lane opens up further. And you can take yourself out of the play easier.

From what I could see, the linemen didn't necessarily get beat. They made (most) of their hay going wide. They got bodies on bodies, won their battles, and Martinez/Goodson couldn't fight through the trash to clean up the play.

A run plugger DT and upgrade ILBs probably would have made the game a little more fair.

MLF mentioned it was mostly single high and said they shouldnt be able to run on that....

May not be exactly word for word..

It was in his 12 min post game presser.

 

[longtimefan]

Again, I am not saying the 49'ers weren't planning on running nor am I saying that the Packers didn't know that they would try to run it. What I am saying to those who are screaming "Pettine didn't scheme for the run" or "Pettine didn't adjust". Simply put, I don't think it would have mattered, the 49'ers would have probably beat us just as easily through the air, they proved they could pass on us in week 12.

We were out-played, out-manned and out-coached. Hard for me me to paint a different picture and while doing so try and blame Rodgers, Pettine or any other individual. This was a team loss. This just was not a good match-up for the Packers on either side of the ball.

Yeah I get you....

But I'm not one to know if they adjusted anything...however..

One would think if they did adjust something would have changed..

Forgot the player..but he said...we just didn't know what they were going to do on offense...I've heard that the movement and such created so much confusion. By the time the Def saw what was happening. It was to late.

So is that on coaching?

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I think it was on coaching as much as players, as well as lack of talent. How many missed tackles did we see, bad angles, guys just getting blown of the LOS? Not trying to make excuses for Pettine by any means, but he isn't the one having to make the tackles, cut off the angle, fill the holes, etc. I just think it was a snow ball rolling that as it picked up momentum, everybody was getting steam rolled on defense.

The play that seemed to set the tone, was the 49'ers first TD. I can't remember the exact numbers, but it was like 3rd and 5 or more. Instead of your typical pass play, they fooled the defense and blow right by them with a run and into the endzone. Probably bad call on Pettine's part, but a typical one and then nobody on the field could cover the ground.

 

[gbgary]

When we spend $144M on our defense acquisitions and we are 18th in total defense yards allowed. Sure we were 10th in scoring defense but damn 18th in total yards allowed?! We were 18th last year too.

Then the 9ers burn us for 300 yds RUSHING?? Pettine had one thing to scheme for... The run! And he got his *** beat.

that's the bend-don't-break soft zone. that's a philosophy/scheme. that can change without replacing the DC. DC just has to be open to it and coach it up. if they want a change and pettine isn't willing/able than replace pettine.

 

[Mavster]

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Not sure if this has been posted yet... but yikes. 142 yards before contact has to be some sort of record too lol

 

[gonzozab]

MLF seriously needs to bring in his own DC. What Mostert did to this defense last night is indefensible (no pun intended) and more embarrassing than a fart in church. Honestly, if it wasn't for the Smith Brothers this defense would've been just as lousy as it has been for the past nine years. There's talent to work with now. Why the defense was mediocre, that's on coaching.

 

[longtimefan]

Heard a good point..not sure how true it is...

This Def was made to stop the pass..but not the run..

 

[Sky King]

....Or....TJ Watt

OUCH!

 

[rmontro]

This Def was made to stop the pass..but not the run..

True enough, and that's why we don't match up well with them. I saw they ran the ball on 82% of their plays. We basically lost to half a football team, at least on the offensive side.

I don't know if we can blame this all on Pettine. We got pushed around, we need to be stronger upfront and in the middle. Their players are better than ours. That said, clearly the coaching wasn't helping.

A few years ago, the Falcons had too much speed for us. We got faster, but now the 49ers overpowered us.

 

[LetzBreel]

I think pettine time is up. If it wasn’t for the smith bros I think this D might have ranked close to last. But I will say this. Kevin king started the year off rough but man the 2nd half of the season he stepped up. Pettine has to go tho.

I have been Kevin Kings biggest critic mostly because early in his career he couldn't stay on the field. I also was skeptical of his talent earlier this year. I told a few people on here (I really don't remember who) that I would apologize to him and them for doubting his abilities and his durability. I was wrong and it appears that King is going to be a pretty solid player. Nice job young man.

 

[melvin dangerr]

How much longer do we give Pettine? Ill give him one more season than pfffft, when I saw Alexander attempt a sliding tackle! There’s no way I can believe Pettine is coaching that now the bad tackling is a coaching problema.

 

[rmontro]

There’s no way I can believe Pettine is coaching that now the bad tackling is a coaching problema.

When's the last time we had a team that tackled well?

 

[melvin dangerr]

When's the last time we had a team that tackled well?

It’s been a while

 

[Mondio]

How much longer do we give Pettine? Ill give him one more season than pfffft, when I saw Alexander attempt a sliding tackle! There’s no way I can believe Pettine is coaching that now the bad tackling is a coaching problema.

That was Alexander trying to take out one of the best lead blockers in the entire league and disrupt the runner at the same time the best way he knew how being at such a size and weight disadvantage.

 

[mradtke66]

that's the bend-don't-break soft zone.

Bend-don't-break doesn't require zone.

It's a "safe" defense. You're willing to give up the 7-12 yard play because you're preventing the 25+ yard touchdown. You're planning on the offense being unable to run a 10 play, 70 yard drive without making a mistake. Play consistent run defense, try to keep both safeties deep, and don't get cute. A better analogy is rope-a-dope.

Which is why such defenses tighten up in the redzone. The risk of a deep throw evaporates, so there is less downside to single high, blitzes, etc.

 

[Calvin]

The Defense was horrible, coach and players. I'm still baffle on run plays how blake can skip to the line of scrimmage after every hand-off, does he run a 5.2 40, he's super slow, no hustle yet he starts every week. Watch the tape! Outside of the Smith brothers and Clark, everyone waits before reacting and plays soft.

GB throws a screen pass the SF players are running full speed to the ball. SF runs nearly the same play and GB defense never comes forward, just waits until the defender comes to them 7 yards downfield.

Anyways, GB really needs to bring in a veteran mlb.

 

[rmontro]

t.GB throws a screen pass the SF players are running full speed to the ball. SF runs nearly the same play and GB defense never comes forward, just waits until the defender comes to them 7 yards downfield.

Or they dive at the guy's feet and whiff. Or they try to tackle the guy and get carried 7 yards downfield. Or spare all the misery and just clear a path to the touchdown.

I'll tell you one thing that made me nervous about this game. Last week after the Seattle game, they asked MLF about the 49ers, and he said something like "I'll have to look at the tape to see what happened there, why they beat us so bad". Maybe he was just feigning ignorance to the press, but I couldn't believe that game wasn't burned into his memory. Surely they do some sort of debriefing review after a game, and have some idea of what could be done differently. He acted like it was the first time it had occurred to him.

 

[OldSchool101]

Or they dive at the guy's feet and whiff. Or they try to tackle the guy and get carried 7 yards downfield. Or spare all the misery and just clear a path to the touchdown.

I'll tell you one thing that made me nervous about this game. Last week after the Seattle game, they asked MLF about the 49ers, and he said something like "I'll have to look at the tape to see what happened there, why they beat us so bad". Maybe he was just feigning ignorance to the press, but I couldn't believe that game wasn't burned into his memory. Surely they do some sort of debriefing review after a game, and have some idea of what could be done differently. He acted like it was the first time it had occurred to him.

It’s absolutely apparent they didn’t adjust the game plan hardly at all. From #12 dancing around n fumbling to JK shanking punts, to self inflicted fouls. It looked like the exact same game plan for an entire 1st half.all the while SF didn’t have one penalty until just before the half. They are disciplined we are not.

I expected we’d come out 2 minute drill or the like with some urgency. It looked like we were as, if not more, complacent.
It became very evident that our run D is severely talent malnourished. We have a good pass rush, but we’re missing several key pieces to complete the Defense. We need 2 D pieces this year (which would still allow us to concentrate on Offensive improvements) Another 2 pieces in 2021

 

[Calvin]

I'll tell you one thing that made me nervous about this game. Last week after the Seattle game, they asked MLF about the 49ers, and he said something like "I'll have to look at the tape to see what happened there, why they beat us so bad". Maybe he was just feigning ignorance to the press, but I couldn't believe that game wasn't burned into his memory. Surely they do some sort of debriefing review after a game, and have some idea of what could be done differently. He acted like it was the first time it had occurred to him.

I caught that also. I was shocked that no one on his coaching staff already had the SF game fully broken down. Even on Remember the Titans, coach Boone had full knowledge of his toughest opponents plays lol

 

[rmontro]

It’s absolutely apparent they didn’t adjust the game plan hardly at all. From #12 dancing around n fumbling to JK shanking punts, to self inflicted fouls. It looked like the exact same game plan for an entire 1st half.all the while SF didn’t have one penalty until just before the half. They are disciplined we are not.

They must have bought too much into the idea that they just weren't mentally prepared and were caught off guard the first time. As for the penalties, it helped that the refs decided they weren't going to call holding on the 49ers. It's the "let them play" philosophy, I guess. Not that I'm blaming the game on the refs lol, we were badly embarrassed.

I caught that also. I was shocked that no one on his coaching staff already had the SF game fully broken down.

Glad I wasn't the only one who saw that. I understand they were focusing on the Seahawks that week, but wow. I can't believe they could get destroyed like that and not have at least some idea of what happened, or how to counter it. Get the janitor looking at some film if no one else was available.

My idea to counter the 49ers: Put 24 men in to crowd the box, hope the refs don't notice the extra men on the field, and dare Jimmy G to beat you. And I'm not even sure that would work.

 

[longtimefan]

Or they dive at the guy's feet and whiff. Or they try to tackle the guy and get carried 7 yards downfield. Or spare all the misery and just clear a path to the touchdown.

I'll tell you one thing that made me nervous about this game. Last week after the Seattle game, they asked MLF about the 49ers, and he said something like "I'll have to look at the tape to see what happened there, why they beat us so bad". Maybe he was just feigning ignorance to the press, but I couldn't believe that game wasn't burned into his memory. Surely they do some sort of debriefing review after a game, and have some idea of what could be done differently. He acted like it was the first time it had occurred to him.

He knew...just wouldn't say in the press..

 

[Pugger]

It’s well known that the only potential weak spot on the 49ers offense is at quarterback. Our only chance was to close off the run and force Jimmy G to beat us.

Having a different plan initially isn’t necessarily the issue. The issue was making absolutely zero adjustments.

Never would have said this prior to yesterday, but I could be convinced that moving on from Pettine is the correct move. And MLF didn’t exactly give him a ringing endorsement in his postgame presser.

What exact adjustments could Pettine employ when his DL is getting dominated and his players are not tackling? Some of the holes the 9er RBs had were nuts.

 

[Pugger]

....Or....TJ Watt

That move still bothers me. Watt was taken by the Steelers right after our original spot in the first after TT decided to trade down. Watt is light years better than King will ever be IMO.

 

[Pugger]

I think it was on coaching as much as players, as well as lack of talent. How many missed tackles did we see, bad angles, guys just getting blown of the LOS? Not trying to make excuses for Pettine by any means, but he isn't the one having to make the tackles, cut off the angle, fill the holes, etc. I just think it was a snow ball rolling that as it picked up momentum, everybody was getting steam rolled on defense.

The play that seemed to set the tone, was the 49'ers first TD. I can't remember the exact numbers, but it was like 3rd and 5 or more. Instead of your typical pass play, they fooled the defense and blow right by them with a run and into the endzone. Probably bad call on Pettine's part, but a typical one and then nobody on the field could cover the ground.

As soon as I saw that TD run I knew it was gonna be a bad day for our beloved Packers. What a sad way to end it. However, I am optimistic for the future. There is no shame in getting to the NFCC game with a rookie HC. If some of our issues are fixed 2020 should be even more fun.