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Packers defensive coordinator inherits offensive situation

Posted by: gwoelfel on January 19, 2009 at 2:27PM CST

BY GERY WOELFEL

The Packers’ decision to hire Dom Capers as their defensive coordinator was definitely a step in the right direction.

Capers has a quality resume and has a wealth of experience. He’s overseen 3-4 defenses and 4-3 defenses. He’s seen every offensive formation imaginable.

But hiring Capers is hardly a cure-all for the Packers’ sickly defense.

Consider:

The Packers have two aging cornerbacks: Al Harris is 34 and Charles Woodson will be 33 next season. There are already whispers the Packers are considering moving Woodson to safety. If that occurs, they’ll have to draft a cornerback or sign one in free agency.

The Packers’ outside linebackers – A.J. Hawk and Brady Poppinga – are ho-hum performers and have seldom shown any playmaking skills.

Hawk is coming off an underachieving season and hasn’t come close to justifying Packers GM Ted Thompson’s decision to make him the fifth overall selection in the 2006 NFL draft.

Poppinga, on the other hand, may actually be an overachiever. But that’s doesn’t mean he’s good. He isn’t.

As for the Packers’ defensive line, only one of their regular starters – Aaron Kampman – can be counted on as a consistently reliable pass rusher.

Capers may bring some new, innovative schemes and new, much-needed philosophies with him to Green Bay, but until Thompson hands him some new players -- and good ones -- don't expect him to be a miracle worker.

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(22) Comments

Posted by: JazzCat on January 19, 2009 2:39PM CST

don't expect TT to do ANYTHING to improve this team.

Posted by: JL on January 19, 2009 6:08PM CST

TT has traded away more good players then he has brought in But hey , he has kept the team 28mil under the cap.

Posted by: brewpackman on January 19, 2009 10:15PM CST

Pack is going to be running the 3-4 and if they can get a monster in the middle to occupy 2 blockers, look for Hawk and Barnett to have monster years. Should be an interesting year. Several mock drafts have the Packers getting CB Malcolm Jenkins which would be a nice addition, considering there arent many D-linemen with the size they are looking for in the first round.

Posted by: The Raytown Kid on January 20, 2009 11:15AM CST

Haynesworth or Peppers would make this a top 10 defense

Posted by: Brett Favre on January 20, 2009 11:53AM CST

Every year you keep saying the db's are getting older. Wasn't Woodsen a Pro-Bowler this year? Kind of funny how you talk of them getting older, but have yet to mention your boy Favre who will be 40. Yes, the defense needs help. Do you honestly think Capers would be taking over if the defense was stellar? Hopefully they can make some off season moves, along with a good draft and we will see a new scheme with better results. You mention the Hawk pick like it was a bad one. He was the best available player at a need position. heck, even you said it was a decent pick at the time. How was TT to know that he wouldn't pan out like he did in college?

Posted by: I Come In Peace on January 20, 2009 1:20PM CST

Thompson has traded one player of significance over the past few years.

Injuries made a big difference on defense this year. The packers will be fine next year, bet on it. I'm positive about this team they are headed in the right direction. I don't understand all of the negativity. You can always be a Jets fan.

Hopefully, Hawk really did have a nagging groin injury like some say he did.

Posted by: Mr B on January 20, 2009 1:30PM CST

Although Hawk was hyped as the best LB he has underperformed. He seems to get hung up with blockers and they run at him frequently. When he blitzes the RB is usually able to handle him alone.

In the 3-4 he might have more room to play in space and make plays when unblocked but no matter who they bring in a NG/DT they can't always keep everyone off of him.

Overall the D is not really that terrible and Capers should make an impact just in the fact he is a change and sometimes players need that to get them focused. They just need TT to draft guys that pan out unlike Harrell and Hawk.

Posted by: Wuzza Wuzza on January 21, 2009 7:44AM CST

'Hawk is coming off an underachieving season and hasn’t come close to justifying Packers GM Ted Thompson’s decision to make him the fifth overall selection in the 2006 NFL draft.'

EVERY GM would have picked him there. He was considered a perfect fit. He may not be Ray Lewis back there, but he isn't all that bad. He played hurt all season.

Posted by: Mr B on January 21, 2009 7:55AM CST

Dude - The problem is Hawk has come off an underachieving season every year. You are correct that he was the choice of every GM so I don't think TT should be blamed for that choice. The guy just can't shed blocks. If the play is outside and it is a pursuit play he is fine but inside runs and he gets knocked around.

Not only is he not Ray Lewis (glad to see he was not involved in a double homicide), but he is not one of the top 10 OLB's in the NFC.

Posted by: concerned4 on January 21, 2009 12:55PM CST

Players would have to be desperate to come to GB.

Posted by: I Come In Peace on January 22, 2009 7:33AM CST

Players will have absolutely no problem coming to GB. They have a new Defensive coordinator, they have cap money to spend, they have a good young QB - that replaced an Old QB that has been pretty average in big games over the past 8 years. Things are looking up in Green Bay that's for sure.

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