Smaller might be better for Packers' run D

nerdmann
Premier Member Topic Starter

9 years ago

GREEN BAY, Wis. — It goes against everything you probably think run defense is about in the NFL.

Smaller cannot be better.

Not in a world of 325-pound offensive linemen, 250-pound fullbacks and 230-pound running backs.

But after watching their 1,000 pounds of girth on the defensive line last season fall from a top-five run defense at the midway point of last season all the way to 25th by end of the year, the Green Bay Packers are trying a different approach.

Rob Demovsky wrote:

Remember when they wanted "smaller, quicker" offensive linemen? lol

What's Tony Moll up to these days?

“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”

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texaspackerbacker
Veteran Member

9 years ago

HALLELUJAH! I was the solitary voice calling for this last season already. Damn straight the run D will be better this way, and the pass D too because of a better pass rush - and I don't just mean Peppers.

I do NOT, however, favor a smaller O Line. Fortunately, the Packers have gradually gotten away from that. Sherrod was the culmination of that process - or will be if he finally gets to where he was expected to be.

Expressing the Good Normal Views of Good Normal Americans.
If Anything I Say Smacks of Extremism, Please Tell Me EXACTLY What.

steveishere
Veteran Member

9 years ago

Too much focus on size when what really matters is talent. If we have smaller guys who are better players then we'll be better against the run than having giants who suck. Also something that coincided with the run D getting worse last year that no one really talks about is the injuries to Brad Jones and Nick Perry, two guys who were playing the run REALLY well early on and became ineffective after injuries. It isn't all about the D-line.

PackFanWithTwins
Veteran Member

9 years ago

Size isn't really an issue, it is being able to move with the size. Pickett was good at holding his point, but if they play went either side of him he couldn't pursue and he ended up being a wall for the backside pursuit.

The biggest question will be, can they keep off the field enoug to let the big bodies rest.

The world needs ditch diggers too Danny!!!

StarrMax1
Registered

9 years ago

http://www.packersnews.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/insidersblog/2014/09/02/mccarthy-special-teams-needed-more-resources/14969009/
On the Packers' run defense:

I feel good about our run defense. I really don't get this, we're smaller. We may weigh less, but I don't think our D-line is smaller. We've got some long-levered guys. Definitely the anchors we have on the edge of our 3-4, we've never had this kind of depth. From a personnel standpoint, I feel very good about the people and the ability to rotate different players will be a key. We want to play more players and I feel very good about the way the preseason has gone and we'll start that rotation Thursday night.

DarkaneRules
Veteran Member

9 years ago

More spread offenses. More zone blocking. More mobile quarterbacks. It makes sense.

Circular Arguments: They are a heck of an annoyance

nerdmann
Premier Member Topic Starter

9 years ago

Originally Posted by: steveishere

These guys aren't exactly superstars.

“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”

steveishere
Veteran Member

9 years ago

These guys aren't exactly superstars.

Originally Posted by: nerdmann

Who said they were? They are still responsible for the run defense and were good at it before they got hurt.

buckeyepackfan
Veteran Member

9 years ago

Ryan Pickett 338 lbs..........Mile Pennel 332

Johnny Jolly 325 lbs.........,Letroy Giuon 315

CJ Wilson 300lbs................Josh Boyd 310

That's 6lbs difference.

I'm excluding Raji, because he would have been starting if he wasn't injured.

Now big question Mr. Texas, why are you not calling Mike Pennel just another "big Fattie".

Be happy, you got what you wanted, just remember the old saying, be careful what you ask for.

I was addicted to The Hokey Pokey, but I turned myself around!

Dexter_Sinister
Registered

9 years ago

#10

Originally Posted by: buckeyepackfan

If you look at Pennel, he actually has a waist. For a guy that big, he doesn't have much of a gut.

I want to go out like my Grandpa did. Peacefully in his sleep.
Not screaming in terror like his passengers.

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