Football Packers show flair in first game using new 3-4 defensive scheme

T-post Tom · 08-16-2009, 10:39 PM

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Packers coach Mike McCarthy is already pleased with his decision to switch to a 3-4 defense, after only one preseason game.

New defensive coordinator Dom Capers showed off the new scheme against the Cleveland Browns in the opener and it already paid dividends with a shutout victory.

The Packers enjoyed Sunday off after forcing four interceptions, racking up three sacks and holding the Browns to 191 yards in a 17-0 victory on Saturday night.

Two weeks after last season's disappointing 6-10 finish, the Packers fired five defensive coaches, including former coordinator Bob Sanders, and their strength coach. They brought in Capers and a new staff.

"The decision was made in January. I made it with a clean, conscious mind," McCarthy said. "I like what I've seen so far. I've said it before, time and time again as I stood up here: I like the way Dom Capers has come in here. He's pulled the defensive staff together. The players have responded."

Right from the start, Browns quarterbacks Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson couldn't do much against a blitzing linebacking corps that includes A.J. Hawk, Brady Poppinga, Brandon Chillar and Aaron Kampman.

"We threw a decent amount of stuff at them," Hawk said. "We blitzed a little bit and got pressure and sacks on the quarterbacks. We have a lot of different things we can do in this defense."

And they have a lot more big names who will play in it soon.

Starting cornerbacks Charles Woodson and Al Harris had the night off, and first-round pick, defensive tackle B.J. Raji, signed on Friday and wasn't ready to participate.

Former first-round pick Nick Barnett (knee) also is close to returning to practice, and reserve Desmond Bishop looked sharp, rushing Anderson into a throw that was picked off by Tramon Williams.

Bishop also had a sack and an interception later in the game.

"Desmond is another one of our young players that's ready to take off," McCarthy said.

The defensive effort satisfied Capers, who said he liked how disruptive the unit was and believed there were opportunities to make even more plays.

Several Browns said afterward that they watched film of Capers' 3-4 scheme in Miami to try to guess what he might do with different personnel.

It didn't help much.

"We could try and decipher a little bit about what we thought we were going to see, but you never know in that first preseason if they're going to be vanilla or they're going to be bringing the house," Browns left tackle Joe Thomas said. "They definitely wanted to show as much of their blitzing package as they could."

That got Lambeau Field rocking. After Quinn had an effective opening drive that ended with a missed field goal, Anderson went three-and-out. Anderson and Quinn then threw interceptions to end the half. The Browns were only on the field for 9 minutes, 29 seconds in the first 30 minutes.

"We can really build off that," Chillar said of the dominating performance. "It's a fun defense to play. It allows the players to make plays. The main thing is if we just stay sound in what we're supposed to do and let the defense play, then we're going to hit the quarterback and have some turnovers."

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press

teedubya · 08-17-2009, 12:29 AM

I think at this point, I would rather of had Dom Capers as the DC of the Chiefs instead of Pendergast... dude knows how to coach a defense. Not so sure about this Pendergast guy... his AZ D's were suspect, to me.

T-post Tom · 08-17-2009, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ari Chi3fs

I think at this point, I would rather of had Dom Capers as the DC of the Chiefs instead of Pendergast... dude knows how to coach a defense. Not so sure about this Pendergast guy... his AZ D's were suspect, to me.

Capers has the better resume to be sure. But I'm reserving judgement on Pendergast for a while. It's his first year here and he's working under dismal circumstancess considering the conversion form a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense. The team is young and they're switching guys out of their normal positions all over the field. Definately a work in progress.

Valiant · 08-17-2009, 01:37 AM

And what is the talent gap between our players and theirs on D???

Also, it is preseason.. Doesn't mean shit unless it translates to regular season..

2bikemike · 08-17-2009, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ari Chi3fs

I think at this point, I would rather of had Dom Capers as the DC of the Chiefs instead of Pendergast... dude knows how to coach a defense. Not so sure about this Pendergast guy... his AZ D's were suspect, to me.

I wish they would have dumped Krummie. The front line has been a weakness of this organization for years. Some of these guys have to have some talent. IMHO we need someone to bring it out and I don't think Krummie is the man for the job.

teedubya · 08-17-2009, 02:43 AM

Good call, **** Krumrie. They didn't know how bad he sucked.

ThPantherFan · 08-17-2009, 03:11 AM

They have Capers and Turgovac. It's only a matter of time and they will implode. Both ex panthers. We were glad to get rid of Turgovac.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 08-17-2009, 03:39 AM

Not bad for their first game in a 3-4.

**Skip Towne** · 08-17-2009, 05:40 AM

I don't like Krumrie because **** him..

CupidStunt · 08-17-2009, 06:55 AM

The Browns are ass, so it's no surprise a reasonably talented unit that actually ran some plays and didn't play vanilla like everyone else did well.

Consistent1 · 08-17-2009, 06:57 AM

There isn't any good reason to compare GB to the Chiefs. The Pack's record wasn't that great last year, but they are in a different league from us as far as expectations for this upcoming season.

DTLB58 · 08-17-2009, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valiant

And what is the talent gap between our players and theirs on D???

Also, it is preseason.. Doesn't mean shit unless it translates to regular season..

Their 3-4 #'s are going to look better than ours at the end of the regular season just based on schedule alone. http://www.nfl.com/teams/schedule?te...seasonType=REG

Also, I think they have better coaches and a little bit better talent for it than we do starting out.

**Bwana** · 08-17-2009, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ari Chi3fs

Good call, **** Krumrie. They didn't know how bad he sucked.

Indeed. He needs a little one on one time with Ray Farmer.

Chiefnj2 · 08-17-2009, 08:00 AM

Capers is a much better DC than Pendergast.

Delano · 08-17-2009, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

Capers is a much better DC than Pendergast.

Yes, but, unfortunately there was no chance of Kansas City hiring him.

Even if Capers wasn't hired by Green Bay six days after Pioli got the job in Kansas City and nearly a month before Todd Haley had the head coaching job, there wasn't the connection that Clancy had with Haley.

08-16-2009, 10:39 PM
T-post Tom Threepeat! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Milk/Honey/Gazland Casino cash: $4607293	Packers show flair in first game using new 3-4 defensive scheme GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Packers coach Mike McCarthy is already pleased with his decision to switch to a 3-4 defense, after only one preseason game. New defensive coordinator Dom Capers showed off the new scheme against the Cleveland Browns in the opener and it already paid dividends with a shutout victory. The Packers enjoyed Sunday off after forcing four interceptions, racking up three sacks and holding the Browns to 191 yards in a 17-0 victory on Saturday night. Two weeks after last season's disappointing 6-10 finish, the Packers fired five defensive coaches, including former coordinator Bob Sanders, and their strength coach. They brought in Capers and a new staff. "The decision was made in January. I made it with a clean, conscious mind," McCarthy said. "I like what I've seen so far. I've said it before, time and time again as I stood up here: I like the way Dom Capers has come in here. He's pulled the defensive staff together. The players have responded." Right from the start, Browns quarterbacks Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson couldn't do much against a blitzing linebacking corps that includes A.J. Hawk, Brady Poppinga, Brandon Chillar and Aaron Kampman. "We threw a decent amount of stuff at them," Hawk said. "We blitzed a little bit and got pressure and sacks on the quarterbacks. We have a lot of different things we can do in this defense." And they have a lot more big names who will play in it soon. Starting cornerbacks Charles Woodson and Al Harris had the night off, and first-round pick, defensive tackle B.J. Raji, signed on Friday and wasn't ready to participate. Former first-round pick Nick Barnett (knee) also is close to returning to practice, and reserve Desmond Bishop looked sharp, rushing Anderson into a throw that was picked off by Tramon Williams. Bishop also had a sack and an interception later in the game. "Desmond is another one of our young players that's ready to take off," McCarthy said. The defensive effort satisfied Capers, who said he liked how disruptive the unit was and believed there were opportunities to make even more plays. Several Browns said afterward that they watched film of Capers' 3-4 scheme in Miami to try to guess what he might do with different personnel. It didn't help much. "We could try and decipher a little bit about what we thought we were going to see, but you never know in that first preseason if they're going to be vanilla or they're going to be bringing the house," Browns left tackle Joe Thomas said. "They definitely wanted to show as much of their blitzing package as they could." That got Lambeau Field rocking. After Quinn had an effective opening drive that ended with a missed field goal, Anderson went three-and-out. Anderson and Quinn then threw interceptions to end the half. The Browns were only on the field for 9 minutes, 29 seconds in the first 30 minutes. "We can really build off that," Chillar said of the dominating performance. "It's a fun defense to play. It allows the players to make plays. The main thing is if we just stay sound in what we're supposed to do and let the defense play, then we're going to hit the quarterback and have some turnovers." Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
Posts: 20,194

08-17-2009, 12:29 AM	#2
teedubya Most Valuable Poster Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $9490002	I think at this point, I would rather of had Dom Capers as the DC of the Chiefs instead of Pendergast... dude knows how to coach a defense. Not so sure about this Pendergast guy... his AZ D's were suspect, to me.
Posts: 36,649

08-17-2009, 01:37 AM	#4
Valiant Valiant 'The Thread Killer' Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $6462380	And what is the talent gap between our players and theirs on D??? Also, it is preseason.. Doesn't mean shit unless it translates to regular season..
Posts: 18,349

08-17-2009, 02:43 AM	#6
teedubya Most Valuable Poster Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $9490002	Good call, **** Krumrie. They didn't know how bad he sucked.
Posts: 36,649

08-17-2009, 03:11 AM	#7
ThPantherFan Rookie Join Date: Mar 2009 Casino cash: $9998165	They have Capers and Turgovac. It's only a matter of time and they will implode. Both ex panthers. We were glad to get rid of Turgovac.
Posts: 26

08-17-2009, 03:39 AM	#8
OnTheWarpath15 MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $4931115	Not bad for their first game in a 3-4.
Posts: 60,166

08-17-2009, 05:40 AM	#9
Skip Towne Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: T-Town Casino cash: $10004900	I don't like Krumrie because **** him..
Posts: 69,689

08-17-2009, 06:55 AM	#10
CupidStunt offense > defense Join Date: Jul 2005 Casino cash: $2573332	The Browns are ass, so it's no surprise a reasonably talented unit that actually ran some plays and didn't play vanilla like everyone else did well.
Posts: 8,904

08-17-2009, 06:57 AM	#11
Consistent1 _____________ Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $10004900	There isn't any good reason to compare GB to the Chiefs. The Pack's record wasn't that great last year, but they are in a different league from us as far as expectations for this upcoming season.
Posts: 3,096

08-17-2009, 08:00 AM	#14
Chiefnj2 In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2007 Casino cash: $7903688	Capers is a much better DC than Pendergast. __________________ Mismanaging the clock.
Posts: 22,378