Mike Pettine's Defence

[Pokerbrat2000]

The last time the Packers won a SB was with the 2010 Team. Although they finished with a 10–6 record, good for a second-place finish in the NFC North, the Packers never lost a game by more than four points, and never trailed by more than seven the entire season. All six of their regular season losses were by a combined 20 points. In 14 of the 20 games played that season, the defense kept opponents to 20 or less points. That has happened only 5 times this season. That 2010 defense also held 6 opponents to single digit points, something the 2020 defense hasn't accomplished yet.

The 2010 defense had some fire and enthusiasm and I think one of the better ones in recent memory. I'm sure it was more than just him creating it, but I remember LB coach Kevin Greene really bringing it on the sidelines. I don't see that from Pettine or any of the positional coaches. I also don't expect to see it anytime soon, so I would hope as we get closer to the playoffs, we see the players themselves start bringing that energy and confidence that a championship team often has.

 

[gopkrs]

The last time the Packers won a SB was with the 2010 Team. Although they finished with a 10–6 record, good for a second-place finish in the NFC North, the Packers never lost a game by more than four points, and never trailed by more than seven the entire season. All six of their regular season losses were by a combined 20 points. In 14 of the 20 games played that season, the defense kept opponents to 20 or less points. That has happened only 5 times this season. That 2010 defense also held 6 opponents to single digit points, something the 2020 defense hasn't accomplished yet.

The 2010 defense had some fire and enthusiasm and I think one of the better ones in recent memory. I'm sure it was more than just him creating it, but I remember LB coach Kevin Greene really bringing it on the sidelines. I don't see that from Pettine or any of the positional coaches. I also don't expect to see it anytime soon, so I would hope as we get closer to the playoffs, we see the players themselves start bringing that energy and confidence that a championship team often has.

I thought that the best thing that happened to the D in 2010 was Bishop taking over for Nick Barnett. He was never meant to be a middle linebacker nor was he a good one. When Bishop finally came in due to an injury; we started playing really good defense imho. Very over-rated. And it showed how important the position is. Once again only looking at the number of tackles stat to determine if someone is good or not.

 

[GleefulGary]

If we just had more coaches yelling on the sideline, I KNOW the defense would do better.

 

[gbgary]

Just a little nugget:

Packers are 6th in points allowed in the 1st half, but 24th in the 2nd half.

For comparison's sake, the Packers ranked 13th in the 1st half last year and 8th in the 2nd half.

The defense was called upon far more often in the 2nd half and 4th quarters of last season as opposed to this season. And they came through a lot when it mattered. There haven't been as many "gotta have it" moments this season, thus why I feel like the 4th quarter numbers are skewing the Packers overall ranking.

The biggest difference to me in last year to this year is turnovers. I knew just by memory and eye test that the Packers don't force near as many turnovers as last year. And the numbers support that in a big way. 8th in TO's last year and 28th this year.

Perhaps though the defense is playing better than some of us are willing to give it credit for when the game is in question. I still don't think the Packers need to go completely soft in 4th quarters, allowing huge point totals.

heard another nugget: they're first in the league on 3rd downs but the worst on first downs. crazy. lol

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Another good article by Rob Born, talking about the intensity of the Packers, or lack there of. I totally agree with his assessment and have noticed how much juice other teams have from start to finish during a game. Maybe as the Packers get closer to the playoffs, we will see it cranked up a notch.

These Packers Are Missing an Essential Ingredient | Total Packers

 

[PackerfaninCarolina]

The last time the Packers won a SB was with the 2010 Team. Although they finished with a 10–6 record, good for a second-place finish in the NFC North, the Packers never lost a game by more than four points, and never trailed by more than seven the entire season. All six of their regular season losses were by a combined 20 points. In 14 of the 20 games played that season, the defense kept opponents to 20 or less points. That has happened only 5 times this season. That 2010 defense also held 6 opponents to single digit points, something the 2020 defense hasn't accomplished yet.

The 2010 defense had some fire and enthusiasm and I think one of the better ones in recent memory. I'm sure it was more than just him creating it, but I remember LB coach Kevin Greene really bringing it on the sidelines. I don't see that from Pettine or any of the positional coaches. I also don't expect to see it anytime soon, so I would hope as we get closer to the playoffs, we see the players themselves start bringing that energy and confidence that a championship team often has.

Not to give them a pass on this, but I do blame the special teams for some of the lack of emotion. I admit I have been one of the more angrier fire Mennenga advocates, but I can't imagine how much that's gotta wear on you as a defensive player when you get put on a short field due to big returns constantly being given up by that group, or in some cases ridiculous fumbles like the ones Sheppard had.

Idk, I guess I'm just tired of the organization acting like bad special teams is a nothing burger that doesn't affect the defense when I think it does.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Not to give them a pass on this, but I do blame the special teams for some of the lack of emotion. I admit I have been one of the more angrier fire Mennenga advocates, but I can't imagine how much that's gotta wear on you as a defensive player when you get put on a short field due to big returns constantly being given up by that group, or in some cases ridiculous fumbles like the ones Sheppard had.

Idk, I guess I'm just tired of the organization acting like bad special teams is a nothing burger that doesn't affect the defense when I think it does.

I would agree with you if we only consistently saw the Defense look lackluster after a bad special teams play, but that isn't the case. The Special Teams out of the 3 units probably does the most dancing around....after a touchback, but I think they are just happy to be on the field.

Part of it might be the lack of crowds, but I see more energy out of other teams, so that shouldn't be used as an excuse. If nothing else, due to the fact that there aren't fans, these guys should be putting some extra effort into firing each other up, players and coaches. If you have ever played a team sport, there is something to be said about that energy that your teammates and coaches can bring to each and every person on that field or in that locker room.

 

[pacmaniac]

They are actually the #8 defense in the league in yards allowed.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I had never seen this chart before. Well done format IMO, very easy to compare team stats with how they rank in the NFL.

2020 NFL Team Defense Rankings (lineups.com)

 

[Packer Fan in SD]

I had never seen this chart before. Well done format IMO, very easy to compare team stats with how they rank in the NFL.

2020 NFL Team Defense Rankings (lineups.com)

I have never seen it either, nor the website. Just spent some time on it and very interesting. Nice find and thanks.

 

[PackerfaninCarolina]

I would agree with you if we only consistently saw the Defense look lackluster after a bad special teams play, but that isn't the case. The Special Teams out of the 3 units probably does the most dancing around....after a touchback, but I think they are just happy to be on the field.

Part of it might be the lack of crowds, but I see more energy out of other teams, so that shouldn't be used as an excuse. If nothing else, due to the fact that there aren't fans, these guys should be putting some extra effort into firing each other up, players and coaches. If you have ever played a team sport, there is something to be said about that energy that your teammates and coaches can bring to each and every person on that field or in that locker room.

Oh I agree its definitely not the sole cause and like I said, it doesn't and shouldn't excuse Pettine. But really seems like it compounds the problem.

 

[red4tribe]

If Rodgers finishes his career with only the one Super Bowl, it will primarily be the defense's fault. He's only gotten one good defense in his career, and that was 2010.

 

[easyk83]

The last time the Packers won a SB was with the 2010 Team. Although they finished with a 10–6 record, good for a second-place finish in the NFC North, the Packers never lost a game by more than four points, and never trailed by more than seven the entire season. All six of their regular season losses were by a combined 20 points. In 14 of the 20 games played that season, the defense kept opponents to 20 or less points. That has happened only 5 times this season. That 2010 defense also held 6 opponents to single digit points, something the 2020 defense hasn't accomplished yet.

The 2010 defense had some fire and enthusiasm and I think one of the better ones in recent memory. I'm sure it was more than just him creating it, but I remember LB coach Kevin Greene really bringing it on the sidelines. I don't see that from Pettine or any of the positional coaches. I also don't expect to see it anytime soon, so I would hope as we get closer to the playoffs, we see the players themselves start bringing that energy and confidence that a championship team often has.

Des Bishop and young clay matthews didnt hurt. Chuck wasnt a bad on field leader either.

 

[PackerDNA]

You got a half a dozen high quality, young players on this defense.They should be better.

 

[rmontro]

Des Bishop and young clay matthews didnt hurt. Chuck wasnt a bad on field leader either.

Don't forget Nick Collins. The future for our defense really looked bright then, didn't it?

 

[Mondio]

Don't forget Nick Collins. The future for our defense really looked bright then, didn't it?

Everything was lookin bright back then. Then a couple career enders, chronically injured and missteps and never got back with that group.

 

[easyk83]

Don't forget Nick Collins. The future for our defense really looked bright then, didn't it?

Well i was thinking more about Bishop and Matthews for on field intensity. Collins made everyone look better with his Ed Reed like centerfield ability

 

[gonzozab]

While this performance doesn't change my opinion about Pettine's job security, you can't deny that the defense is playing their best ball right now, which is huge just two weeks away from the playoffs. It's hard to fathom that they're playing with more consistency than the offense right now.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

While this performance doesn't change my opinion about Pettine's job security, you can't deny that the defense is playing their best ball right now, which is huge just two weeks away from the playoffs. It's hard to fathom that they're playing with more consistency than the offense right now.

That was definitely the case last night, especially in the 2nd half. However, I think when one says "the defense is playing their best ball" and comparing it to the Offense struggling at times, the Offense is still a much better unit overall than the defense in terms of its impact on most of the games played this season.

 

[gopkrs]

Sorry to say it again but I just cannot get over how much better the defense looked with Barnes and Martin in there together. They had such energy and it rubbed off on everyone. I guess Barnes got an eye injury during the game.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Sorry to say it again but I just cannot get over how much better the defense looked with Barnes and Martin in there together. They had such energy and it rubbed off on everyone. I guess Barnes got an eye injury during the game.

While I agree with you and I don't want to rain on your parade, but I think had Christian McCaffrey been playing, we might have seen more offense from the Panthers. The Packers caught a huge break not having him in on the field.

But yes, Barnes and Martin seem to be a better Combo than Kirksey and anyone else. I'm about done with Oren Burks, he whiffed on his blocking assignment that almost allowed the Panthers to block a punt. Even though he has another year on his contract, I hope to see him replaced next year with better talent.

 

[gopkrs]

While I agree with you and I don't want to rain on your parade, but I think had Christian McCaffrey been playing, we might have seen more offense from the Panthers. The Packers caught a huge break not having him in on the field.

But yes, Barnes and Martin seem to be a better Combo than Kirksey and anyone else. I'm about done with Oren Burks, he whiffed on his blocking assignment that almost allowed the Panthers to block a punt. Even though he has another year on his contract, I hope to see him replaced next year with better talent.

I don't think you give enough credit to how well Barnes and Martin looked.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I don't think you give enough credit to how well Barnes and Martin looked.

I'm not trying to take any credit away, but I would have to see them play that well game to game and against a much better offense then the Panthers before I think the position is fixed with those 2. Much like we see with MVS and Lazzard, they can have a good game here and there, but doing it consistently is what takes you to the next level.

 

[lambeaulambo]

All I needed to see was P Smith in coverage - that cannot happen..ever. Lowry and Lancaster cannot shed a single team - teams run wild and will continue to do so. There is talent all over the D, but when teams can run at will between the tackles it does not mean a hill of beans.

 

[gopkrs]

I'm not trying to take any credit away, but I would have to see them play that well game to game and against a much better offense then the Panthers before I think the position is fixed with those 2. Much like we see with MVS and Lazzard, they can have a good game here and there, but doing it consistently is what takes you to the next level.

This is really the first time they have played together except a very little bit a long time ago. And they looked really good. I'm sure they would have stayed in together if Barnes had not hurt his eye. Actually, after Barnes got hurt, Kirksey tried playing more aggressively. He is just not as good at it. And why does everything have to be absolute? I am not saying we are fixed anywhere. It is just that Kirksey is no kind of answer at all and we should be trying other things. Barnes and Martin had a lot of energy, played well and it was rubbing off on the rest of the D imo.