Mike Pettine's Defence

[Mavster]

Whoever has access to the advanced stats, please tell us what this defense does well.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Whoever has access to the advanced stats, please tell us what this defense does well.

They led the league in three-and-outs entering week 6.

Rodgers' two interceptions basically resulting in the first two touchdowns for the Bucs didn't help matters yesterday.

 

[gonzozab]

In case anyone was wondering why Pettine is a dope, his game plan was atrocious yesterday. A good DC would try to pressure an old, immobile QB like Brady, but instead opted to rush only three or four most of the game and drop eight in coverage. Remember the 3rd and goal play from the eight yard line? You're pretty much asking Brady to throw a TD pass on you. Just pathetic.

 

[PackerDNA]

Going into yesterday they led the league in three and outs. They also can't pressure the passer, can't get turnovers, can't stop the run, and can't tackle.

 

[hasamikun]

In case anyone was wondering why Pettine is a dope, his game plan was atrocious yesterday. A good DC would try to pressure an old, immobile QB like Brady, but instead opted to rush only three or four most of the game and drop eight in coverage. Remember the 3rd and goal play from the eight yard line? You're pretty much asking Brady to throw a TD pass on you. Just pathetic.

The mindblowing thing about this game is that Pettine begged Brady to destroy them via short runs and checkdown throws. These are the things that Brady excelled the last couple seasons and what made him win so many SBs. Its a bold move from Pettine to defend a 3&2 with the DBs having at least an 8 yard cushion to the WR/TE. The basically not even trying to put Brady under pressure. It feels like Pettine doesnt really watches tape and just wants to do his prevent defense 24/7 without adjusting anything to the schemes and plays the oppositions use.

While the execution lacked heavily against Tompa Bay, the scheme isnt using the player to their strenghts and that kills so much potential. Anytime two 300+ lbs DT drop in coverage, something in the scheme is wrong. I dont like Preston being so much in coverage, even in 2019, but having Adams and Clark cover at some point is too much to except for me.

LaFleur didnt look really impressed about the defense and looked extra annoyed about it when Nags asked him about it in the last presser so I am pretty sure Pettines time is already over. But because the Packers rarely use coaches mid-season, we will have to suffer until the end. My question is: Who are potential new DCs for Green Bay? Lots of people call for Dan Quinn but I am not sure about that one.

 

[PackerDNA]

This is his third year, and nearly all the players at his disposal are in their second or third year with him in his system.
The team has put a lot of capital into getting him players, but I'm not seeing anything. Nothing done to affect the offense, nothing that I can see to get his best players in position to affect the game.
It's basically lay back and hope for the best. Either hand it over to Jerry Gray now, or he has to be gone at the end of the season, as I don't see this getting any better at this point.

 

[gopkrs]

I would definitely like to see Pettine go now. And get someone that is not a dinosaur.

 

[rmontro]

Is it really that hard to find a good defensive coach? Must be.

 

[PackerDNA]

I have no idea who will be available this off season, especially among young highly thought of up-and-comers. The only two retreads that come to mind are Wade Phillips and Rex Ryan.

 

[jon]

In case anyone was wondering why Pettine is a dope, his game plan was atrocious yesterday. A good DC would try to pressure an old, immobile QB like Brady, but instead opted to rush only three or four most of the game and drop eight in coverage.

The defensive game plan made sense. They'd thought about it, talked it through, and agreed.

But no plan survives first contact with the enemy.

Where was the adjustment? Frankly, I am not sure any adjustment would have made a difference-- the packers were pushed around all day-- but certainly when a game plan is not delivering you change tactics. This fan didn't see any adjusting. How many times did Preston blitz? Any double A-gap blitzes? With Jaire shutting down his side, get tight on the others to take away quick throws and send everybody. How much would worse it have been?

The signs have been there-- the D looked vulnerable against Atlanta, for example-- and when the offense couldn't get off the field, defensive weaknesses couldn't be hidden.

 

[Sanguine camper]

At this point, what's the risk of canning Pettine? The defense is playing very poorly considering he has some good talent. Sending him packing at mid-season makes it difficult for the new DC, but the Packers have little to lose. Pettine has proven he can't coach this defense into an average defense much less a defense capable of turning the team into a contender.

 

[LambeauLombardi]

At this point, what's the risk of canning Pettine? The defense is playing very poorly considering he has some good talent. Sending him packing at mid-season makes it difficult for the new DC, but the Packers have little to lose. Pettine has proven he can't coach this defense into an average defense much less a defense capable of turning the team into a contender.

I was wondering the same thing. Has an outsider assistant ever came in at least a few games into the year (cough Wade Phillips) and filled in? Same 3-4 but understand a TON of other stuff to learn. I guess if you want more similarity, Pettine probably learned a lot from Rex Ryan in his time at Baltimore and the Jets. Wishful thinking, can't see any way this happens.

 

[gonzozab]

I have no idea who will be available this off season, especially among young highly thought of up-and-comers. The only two retreads that come to mind are Wade Phillips and Rex Ryan.

Mike Zimmer is on the hot seat too. I wouldn't mind him coming on board.

 

[PackerDNA]

Mike Zimmer is on the hot seat too. I wouldn't mind him coming on board.

I wouldn't mind Zimmer either, but he's had some health issues recently and if he's fired might just want to sit things out.

 

[Dantés]

I would be beyond shocked if they fired Pettine mid-season. If they were looking to replace him in the off-season, some names that stand out to me:

-Kris Kocurek, DL Coach, 49ers
-Eric Washington, DL Coach, Bills
-Karl Dunbar, DL Coach, Steelers
-Chris Hewitt, Pass Def. Coordinator, Ravens
-Mike MacDonald, LB Coach, Ravens

But talk of him being canned now is unfair. His unit was doing its job on Sunday until the offense just totally fell apart. They had forced two punts to open the game, and then the offense gave up 14 points, and literally ended every drive after that with a punt, barring the failed drive to end the half.

I have been impressed by Pettine in the past, but am by no means a devoted defender. I'm totally open to the idea of replacing him if that's what's right for the team. However, if fans think that someone else is going to come in and, with this personnel, coach a unit that can hold up when the offense spots the opposition two touchdowns and then doesn't score another point, they're going to be disappointed.

Honestly, if you would have told me before the game that the offense was going to punt 7 straight times from minute 19 on through the end of the game, I would have expected the defense to give up more than 24 points.

The defense allowed 5.14 yards per play, which on the season would rank 26th in the league (from the offensive perspective; that is, there are 25 teams in the NFL who average better than 5.14 yards/play).

They also allowed 2.4 points per drive (excluding the 2 yard "drive" after the second interception), which on the season would rank 18th (again, from the offensive perspective; there are 17 teams who average better than 2.4 points per drive), and is actually exactly Tampa's average this season overall.

 

[gopkrs]

I hate the 3 man rush so much that it is sufficient reason for him to go. Yeah, it seems to work at times and that just gives those idiots ammunition for using it again. It is never a good idea. You can't give a QB that much time.

 

[Dantés]

One thing I will say— Mike Pettine has built his career in aggressive defenses that use exotic blitz packages and create pressure in unpredictable ways. That sort of approach relies pretty heavily on strong CB play who can hold up without consistent help.

Last year he didn’t blitz very often because he didn’t need to. Guys were winning one on one consistently. This year, he’s taking the same approach, but guys aren’t winning. So the results aren’t there.

He may need to ramp up the blitz percentage, but that carries the risk of allowing more big plays. Does he trust the secondary enough? I guess we will see how/whether he adjusts.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

I have no idea who will be available this off season, especially among young highly thought of up-and-comers. The only two retreads that come to mind are Wade Phillips and Rex Ryan.

The Packers should stay far away from Philipps and Ryan though.

Pettine has proven he can't coach this defense into an average defense much less a defense capable of turning the team into a contender.

It's strange how fast fans forget that the defense ranked ninth in points allowed last season.

 

[Mavster]

It's strange how fast fans forget that the defense ranked ninth in points allowed last season.

Haskins, Daniel Jones, Kyle Allen, Trubisky x2, David Blough, Matt Moore, Joe Flacco.

Plus we watched them get boat raced twice by the same team with a really good offense. That kind of makes me not care about how well they looked against the bottom feeders of the NFL

 

[GleefulGary]

Is it really that hard to find a good defensive coach? Must be.

Yes, it is.

 

[GleefulGary]

One thing I will say— Mike Pettine has built his career in aggressive defenses that use exotic blitz packages and create pressure in unpredictable ways. That sort of approach relies pretty heavily on strong CB play who can hold up without consistent help.

Last year he didn’t blitz very often because he didn’t need to. Guys were winning one on one consistently. This year, he’s taking the same approach, but guys aren’t winning. So the results aren’t there.

He may need to ramp up the blitz percentage, but that carries the risk of allowing more big plays. Does he trust the secondary enough? I guess we will see how/whether he adjusts.

Pretty much this.

Pettine isn’t doing a lot different than last year. Guys, specifically the Smith brothers, aren’t winning like they did last year. That’s the key difference. That’s not really Pettine’a fault, he can’t make the players win their one on ones. What is his fault is his lack of adjustment. He’s going to have to figure out a way to get pressure without allowing too many holes in coverage. A lot easier said than done.

With all that said, Pettine isn’t my favorite. I think he’s about average, and just isn’t adjusting well. Too many soft coverages, linebackers playing 6-7+ yards off in 2&3rd and short situations. Those are situations where you aren’t allowing your players to win. So it goes both ways, players have to win their battles, but the coaches have to put them in the right place.

Not real sure what replacing Pettine mid year does. Jerry Gray could replace him, but it leaves the staff a bit short handed. Not like you can pick up a new DC mid year. The time to let Pettine go was this off-season, but hindsight is 20/20. Pretty sure this is his last year here.

 

[pacmaniac]

Remember it may not be MLF's decision on whether Pettine stays. Mark Murphy wanted an HC who would promise to keep Pettine as DC.

 

[GleefulGary]

Remember it may not be MLF's decision on whether Pettine stays. Mark Murphy wanted an HC who would promise to keep Pettine as DC.

There has been no verification of that report.

 

[gopkrs]

Playing the corners off 7 or 8 yards on 3rd and two is grounds for firing. So he will go and call a few good games against lesser opponents. I won't be impressed.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Haskins, Daniel Jones, Kyle Allen, Trubisky x2, David Blough, Matt Moore, Joe Flacco.

Plus we watched them get boat raced twice by the same team with a really good offense. That kind of makes me not care about how well they looked against the bottom feeders of the NFL

Other teams play against bad offenses as well. Therefore the ranking at the end of a 16 game schedule is pretty much on bar with a team's talent level.

It's true they played terrible twice against the best offense they faced in the Niners though.