Sam Barrington vs Darren Sproles

[El Guapo]

The entire third game can be explained in the matchup between Barrington and Sproles. Barrington personally gave up two or three touchdowns and several explosive receptions. He did make at least one tackle for loss and was solid in the run game. Hopefully, and I'm crossing my fingers, Capers would make an adjustment mid-game to get better coverage on a guy like Sproles if Barrington couldn't cover him. Of course, we remember how long it took to move House in to cover Julio Jones last season.

Sproles has always been an amazing athlete but Barrington looked terrible in coverage. Is this just the preseason and there's nothing to worry about? I'm honestly not sure.

 

[Mondio]

It was only preseason, and I hope we never see that again, but it's hard to imagine an NFL player looking worse than Barrington did for much of the game last night

 

[Vrill]

Any LB in the NFL trying to cover Sproles in space is a mismatch.......

 

[DaveRoller]

Remember the opener in 2011 after the Super Bowl win at home against the Saints?

A.J. Hawk was torched by Sproles in a real game just like Barrington was last night.

The soft, slow underbelly has been a constant of Dom's D. Is it due to a (lack of) talent? Poor scheme? Both?

 

[OldSchool101]

If it was just Sproles violating Barrington in that fashion it couldo explained away using "preaseason" as a scapegoat. He was scored on by multiple receivers. As we applied more Line n corner blitzing and jamming receivers at the line to slow their routes. We disrupted their passing flow. The key to defending the pass is hastening the QB into premature throws. Confucius say: A Defense playing on their own heels will be potent Offenses' silver platters

 

[Joe Nor Cal Packer]

Aren't the 3rd preseason games meant as a dress rehearsal for the starters? I don't get why Rodgers didn't play, although he doesn't play STs or D. But it looked like first team D was there, and terrible. STs were there, and terrible. I usually don't get worked up over PS games. But if this was a rehearsal for the D and STs, well, I just don't want to think about that. I'm not concerned, the Packers should be in the hunt for a SB. I just haven't seen any reason in PS play to justify that statement.

 

[7thFloorRA]

I would think that weird package where Richardson plays LB would be ideal for a Sproles type player. I don't think Barrington would ever be asked to do what he did last night in a real game.

 

[HardRightEdge]

Yes, there was the Sproles TD and his 33 yard reception, both against Barrington. Barrington also let Celek get behind him in the end zone for an easy TD. Until late in the first half, when he made a succession of nice tackles, he wasn't faring well in the run game either.

We had seen Barrington as serviceable but vulnerable in the passing game last season, the prime example being his taking a bad angle crossing the field and then not having the speed to recover on the deep throw to Lynch late in the NFCC game.

This game illustrates why some of us wanted Thompson to take Kendricks in the first round.

It has been my opinion to date that Ryan would be more effective than Barrington in coverage. On the Maehl TD near the end of the first half, the receiver got a step on Randall crossing out of the slot, and Ryan chipped and released him which looked like the smart play since Ryan would have had spy/scramble responsibility in what was man coverage. Randall slowed down and took a deep angle on the chip, perhaps thinking that Ryan would stay with receiver underneath. I think that one was on Randall.

Ryan was the Mike backer again in the red zone on the TD that closed out the first half, with the play away from him.

I'm not quite sure why we didn't see more of Ryan in this game. In any case, the fact he was the Mike in those series instead of Barrington might be telling.

 

[HardRightEdge]

I would think that weird package where Richardson plays LB would be ideal for a Sproles type player. I don't think Barrington would ever be asked to do what he did last night in a real game.

Richardson isn't quick enough for that job either.

The purported rationale behind drafting Randall and Rollins were their skills that lend them to playing multiple positions in the backfield. I think if you're going to put 3 safeties on the field against a sneaky/speedy offense like Philly, Randall would be a candidate on quickness/speed alone. As it is, he's still got a long way to learn his primary positions covering wide and in the slot.

In that vein, given that Randall's a natural free safety and not particularly physical, a speed alignment with Randall at free and the more physical Dix playing box/nickel safety with RB coverage responsibility looks like a plausible alternative. However, I've not heard of Randall getting any work at safety or spending time in that position room, so we might have to wait another season to see if that develops.

 

[HardRightEdge]

If it was just Sproles violating Barrington in that fashion it couldo explained away using "preaseason" as a scapegoat. He was scored on by multiple receivers. As we applied more Line n corner blitzing and jamming receivers at the line to slow their routes. We disrupted their passing flow. The key to defending the pass is hastening the QB into premature throws. Confucius say: A Defense playing on their own heels will be potent Offenses' silver platters

I'd point out that the defense looked a lot better against Philly's 3rd. string QB. The mostly-first-team defense did not have much success stopping Sanchez who has demonstrated he's a limited journeyman. We need not discuss how the 1st. string QB sliced and diced them.

In a nutshell, Capers was woefully out-schemed as Philly successfully probed every weakness.

 

[TJV]

Obviously the first team D stunk up the place. The only way their performance could've been worse is if the Eagles scored on 6/6 first half possessions, instead of "just" 5/6. I agree with HRE in being disappointed that Jake Ryan (or even Palmer) didn’t get snaps in Barrington’s place in the first half. Leaving Barrington exposed wasn’t going to make him faster or cover better. I hope/assume in a regular season game adjustments would have been made but why not take that opportunity to see how Ryan would have done?

Although he struggled early in the game, Barrington is pretty good against the run, but why would you start him in the dime? Packers Notes has a good piece on this titled, “Barrington Not Worth A Dime”:

There are plenty of things Sam Barrington does well on a football field, but covering receivers isn’t one of them. And yet he’s probably going to be the dime linebacker to start the season. What does that mean? More than likely it means a lot of backs and tight ends will be running free through the middle of the Green Bay defense. Yet again.

http://packersnotes.com/2015/08/barrington-not-worth-a-dime/

As the author writes, it’s not Barrington’s fault he’s being exploited in the passing game, it’s Capers’ and his staff’s fault. The good news from yesterday’s debacle? If the Packers face the Eagles again this season, it’ll be in the playoffs…

 

[HardRightEdge]

Obviously the first team D stunk up the place. The only way their performance could've been worse is if the Eagles scored on 6/6 first half possessions, instead of "just" 5/6. I agree with HRE in being disappointed that Jake Ryan (or even Palmer) didn’t get snaps in Barrington’s place in the first half. Leaving Barrington exposed wasn’t going to make him faster or cover better. I hope/assume in a regular season game adjustments would have been made but why not take that opportunity to see how Ryan would have done?

Although he struggled early in the game, Barrington is pretty good against the run, but why would you start him in the dime? Packers Notes has a good piece on this titled, “Barrington Not Worth A Dime”:
http://packersnotes.com/2015/08/barrington-not-worth-a-dime/

As the author writes, it’s not Barrington’s fault he’s being exploited in the passing game, it’s Capers’ and his staff’s fault. The good news from yesterday’s debacle? If the Packers face the Eagles again this season, it’ll be in the playoffs…

Yeah, but against most teams Barrington is fine in dime. There are, after all, 6 DBs on the field against at most 5 receivers...the Mike's job is to drop in the middle, pick up a late release check down back and guard against the QB scramble. Nickel is another matter entirely where he can be isolated...and against a no huddle deal like Philly threw out there with nickel stuck on the field against quick backs and slot receivers, there can be a problem.

But it still begs the question...a faster Ryan who looks like he knows what he's doing out there should have been getting more snaps. I'd like to think this was a case of guys on the bubble getting more snaps in the evaluation process. But it's not like Ryan couldn't use the work. It's puzzling to me.

 

[TJV]

IMO an ILB with better coverage skills should replace Barrington in the dime.

 

[HardRightEdge]

IMO an ILB with better coverage skills should replace Barrington in the dime.

When you get down to brass tacks, I believe an ILB with better coverage skills should replace Barrington all of the time as the primary coverage ILB. Dime, a 5% snap proposition, is the least of the problem. He should be a two-down player, and when he's on the field it should be as the Sam backer now that Seattle and Philly have exposed him.

For example, we saw Buffalo play nickel all day against the Packers, with Spikes sitting on the bench except for a handful of short yardage snaps. Against run-dominant teams, Spikes would see 30-40 snaps. But Capers wants his defensive QB playing at ILB all of the time.

I've said it before and I'll say it again...Ryan looks like the closest thing to a 3-down ILB on this roster.

 

[HardRightEdge]

I think Mulumba has passed up Perry.

 

[Joe Nor Cal Packer]

I would think that weird package where Richardson plays LB would be ideal for a Sproles type player. I don't think Barrington would ever be asked to do what he did last night in a real game.

Richardson as either ILB or OLB is an interesting idea. Probably outside because we've seen he struggles in coverage.

 

[Ogsponge]

Do people really think we can still win a Super Bowl with this defense? We can't, not going to happen. We will be good, win a lot of games, and then the defense and/or offense will melt down like they always do. If we win a Super Bowl this year it will be a complete shock, perfect storm of events like happened the last time we won. Don't get me wrong, I will take that every day of the week but I have zero confidence in the Dom Capers craptastic defense doing anything to help us reach the Super Bowl.

As others have mentioned, Dom's schemes were horrible last night, something should have changed the very first time Barrington looked like a clown in pass coverage, but of course, as is typical of Dandy Dom, nothing changed and it happened over and over and over again.

I will be shocked if this is anything other than yet another year of Aaron Rodgers career wasted. We will all be exicted, it will look like we are primed for a great post season run and wham, complete and utter failure in the most spectacular fashion again.

I will gladly eat crow if I am wrong, but I won't be.

 

[yooperpackfan]

Richardson as either ILB or OLB is an interesting idea. Probably outside because we've seen he struggles in coverage.

I honestly don't understand how Richardson keeps a job with the Green Bay Packers.

 

[longtimefan]

The entire third game can be explained in the matchup between Barrington and Sproles. Barrington personally gave up two or three touchdowns and several explosive receptions. He did make at least one tackle for loss and was solid in the run game. Hopefully, and I'm crossing my fingers, Capers would make an adjustment mid-game to get better coverage on a guy like Sproles if Barrington couldn't cover him. Of course, we remember how long it took to move House in to cover Julio Jones last season.

Sproles has always been an amazing athlete but Barrington looked terrible in coverage. Is this just the preseason and there's nothing to worry about? I'm honestly not sure.

Heard that this was a test...If regular season they wouldnt have even considered putting Barrington in that spot

So my take?

Relax

It wasnt their true defense

 

[longtimefan]

Do people really think we can still win a Super Bowl with this defense? We can't, not going to happen. We will be good, win a lot of games, and then the defense and/or offense will melt down like they always do. If we win a Super Bowl this year it will be a complete shock, perfect storm of events like happened the last time we won. Don't get me wrong, I will take that every day of the week but I have zero confidence in the Dom Capers craptastic defense doing anything to help us reach the Super Bowl.

As others have mentioned, Dom's schemes were horrible last night, something should have changed the very first time Barrington looked like a clown in pass coverage, but of course, as is typical of Dandy Dom, nothing changed and it happened over and over and over again.

I will be shocked if this is anything other than yet another year of Aaron Rodgers career wasted. We will all be exicted, it will look like we are primed for a great post season run and wham, complete and utter failure in the most spectacular fashion again.

I will gladly eat crow if I am wrong, but I won't be.

It can't be they were trying new things?? What you saw is exactly how this def will be come week one?

I have a a feeling people will change their tune on this def

 

[HardRightEdge]

I honestly don't understand how Richardson keeps a job with the Green Bay Packers.

He's being paid $2+ mil and he's a core special team player, so I don't think he's going anywhere. Did anybody think he was ever slotted for anything more on defense than spot duty as a box safety and as injury insurance for Burnett?

 

[Ogsponge]

It can't be they were trying new things?? What you saw is exactly how this def will be come week one?

I have a a feeling people will change their tune on this def

It could be but I have no faith in this defense, they have been porous at best and if this was a test, Sam Barrington should not be on the field, he is horrible in pass coverage and they should have tried someone else since it is preseason...

 

[HardRightEdge]

Heard that this was a test...If regular season they wouldnt have even considered putting Barrington in that spot.

They put him out there in that position over the back half of last season. Now they are "testing him" in preseason? His limitations were already evident...Philly just put a bright yellow highligher on the situation.

Frankly, I don't care if it's a fresh conclusion or somebody painting over of a poor assessment with a fresh coat of established insight so long as the issue is addressed.

So who, pray tell, does the little birdy say is the actual guy for this spot now that the "testing" is over? Ryan is the only candidate I see coming even close. Wait...don't tell me...it's Palmer.

 

[HardRightEdge]

I have a a feeling people will change their tune on this def

I know I will. They can't possibly play any worse.

 

[El Guapo]

I'm actually with LTF that the defense as a whole will be better Week 1. My main concern was about Barrington's individual play. The "test" should have been over a lot quicker. I hope that this put a highlighter on what Barrington needs to improve in his game come Week 1 and beyond. The true test of a champion is to see your weaknesses and turn them into strengths.