Defense A Work In Progress

Holding the Cleveland Browns to 11 points was a bit of an illusion. Actually the Packers could have lost the game if the touchdown pass in the second quarter had counted. What I saw didn't look good as far as the starters were concerned.



Defensively it was sadly same old, same old. First: Missed tackles. Second: Busted plays resulting in long gains. Third: Being suckered into being out of position on outside containment resulting in long gains, especially the left side. Four: Only two passes defensed on 23 pass attempts. NOT GOOD.

 

Dean Lowry (#94) Has Jumped Ahead Of No. 1 Pick Kenny Clark

The defensive scheme was basically a 2-4-5 most of the game after starting the game in a 3-4-4. The official starting unit was #4 pick Dean Lowry at left end, Letroy Guion at nose tackle and Mike Daniels at right defensive tackle. I hope you notice there is no right defensive end in Dom Capers' scheme, but 2 interior linemen.

 

Dodged a Bullet

T. J. Lang added to injury list

The Packer injury train keeps chugging along with three new players getting on boards. Right guard T. J. Lang went down on the last drive on the second quarter when he was rolled on a screen pass. Nose tackle B.J. Raji hurt his groin in the second quarter when his foot got caught in the grass and tried to play in the third quarter, but the pain was too much. These two injuries seem to be not serious and the coaching staff has to make the decision whether its worth the risk to play them against the Chargers with the bye week coming up.

LET THE COMPETITION BEGIN: CORNERBACKS

The Packers rookie camp is in full swing and I thought it would be a good time to examine the roster for the 2105-16 season.

 

I will start with the defense since General Manager Ted Thompson decided to use its first two picks on defensive backs after letting cornerbacks Tramon Williams and Devon House leave during free agency and special teams ace/cornerback Jarrett Bush remain unsigned.

 

Let's start with the crux of the matter the cornerback situation. Coach Joe Whitt has six-year veteran Sam Shields returning on the left side, but has to replace Williams on the right side. House was the top reserve off the bench with four-year backup Casey Hayward and two-year Demetri Goodson behind him.

 

Hayward is an interesting case. He began his career as a second round draft pick and made a big splash intercepting six passes as a rookie mainly from the slot corner spot. His sophomore season was a total loss beginning the season with a hamstring injury that never healed. Last year he was surpassed by House as the top reserve and this year he enters the final year of his rookie contract at a crossroads. He either takes over at right corner or will probably be allowed to try free agency next year.

 

Goodson was a project when he was drafted in the sixth round after playing football for only two seasons and was active for six games, including the last four, but never took a snap on the defense only playing on special teams. He had five solo tackles with two coming in the final game.

 

Tay Glover-Wright

Added to the mix is Tay Glover-Wright, a two-year guy who played on the practice squad last year and three-year veteran Micah Hyde, sort of, but Hyde's best position is in the slot, which is also Hayward's best position.